North of the Golden Sea, the Tasman Islands.
A pirate fleet composed of over a dozen Black Sail Pirate Ships stord into the waters with an overwhelming montum like dark clouds pressing down on a city.
Trailing behind them from afar were nurous large and small pirate ships, serving as scouts for various factions, including subordinates of another Pirate King, "Dead Bone" Rudolph, neutrals, and Privateers belonging to different countries.
Their only common point was their curiosity about this Hilus Pirate Fleet, wondering what they were openly up to, and whether they might be the target.
"Teacher, we’re here. This is the Tasman Islands, a complex terrain that’s a great hiding place for people."
Previously having learned from contacts in East Lenz, "Hatrafa Port" was not far from either Phaletis’ colony on the Aimoer Peninsula or Dierben Castle where the garrison was stationed.
At this delicate mont of a stalemate in the Southern Continent, Hilus’ official forces carefully chose not to intervene.
Escalating a situation over "pirate suppression" into a full-scale colonial war across the Southern and New Continents was a responsibility no one wanted to bear.
The "pirate suppression team" here mainly consisted of Pirate Ships under "Oathbreaker" Bradley, aside from a flagship where two "Curse School" Wizards and a rcenary were present.
Of course, it was clear to anyone with discernnt.
This group essentially functioned as Hilus’ Privateer Fleet, although the Anti-Hilus Alliance only plundered Hilus, their field of operations was worldwide.
Moreover, appointing a Pirate King as the Fleet Commander was an unparalleled feat in the civilized world, and more remarkably, this Pirate King was a self-sufficient pirate model, making him even more comndable.
anwhile, within Hatrafa Port, enveloped by the [Maze Lock].
A tense atmosphere gradually pervaded.
Led by "Iron Bone" William, "Skin-Wearing People" Baldwin, veteran pirate Alek, "Life Tree Totem Warrior" Zinaro, and other Official Knight-level Extraordinary Officials, the pirates were all fully alert.
In the half-finished fortress, inside the gate-guarding batteries along the narrow waterways, and on the warships in the lagoon... they had all taken their combat positions.
Recently, after the exposure of the first private harbor, Bess had gathered several Extraordinary Captains and issued an order to halt plundering.
Most of the Pirate Gang mbers were concentrated at the main base for intensive training, and even the "Dragon Cavalry" temporarily vanished from the sea. The pirates were eager to improve their strength, so the order encountered no resistance.
Unexpectedly, Hilus people sohow learned the location of the main base.
Starting from the mont when the unusual movent of this Pirate Fleet was detected in the "Mind Network."
Most of the Seagulls were then called back by Bess to closely monitor the enemy’s every move, witnessing them cross nearly half of the Golden Sea, steadily approaching the waters of "Hatrafa Port."
Up to this ti, even standing on the island’s watchtower, one could clearly see the aggressive intruders and... the "observers" flying the flags of various factions.
Fortunately, this fleet evidently couldn’t pinpoint the precise location of Hatrafa Port, halting at the edge of the Tasman Islands for now.
Feeling slightly relieved that the [Maze Lock] left by the Chief Navigator shouldn’t make it easy for the enemy to find the port, Aiven’s top general William couldn’t help but inquire through the mind network to the owl:
"Lord Bess, what do we do now? Should we remain closed in until they co knocking?"
Acting as the Order Officer, Command Room Information Officer, Confidential Secretary, and Chief of Staff, Bess was the highest authority here in Aiven’s absence, with others assisting.
"Hoo-hoo-hoo... Captain William, what’s your suggestion?"
"Can the captain really not return now? Maybe... we should request help from the Navy at ’Dierben Castle.’ Without Bradley himself here, even having one Great Knight might cause these guys to collapse without fighting."
Being from the Navy, William had a good sense of affiliation with the military, and despite the intimidating presence of the enemy, he believed they must possess comnsurate power, even lacking Tier 3 Extraordinaries.
Others in the mind network perked their ears; it felt like nothing was unsolvable when the captain was around, but his absence was unnerving.
However.
The first to respond wasn’t Bess but the Pirate Gang’s most experienced old pirate Alek:
"Everyone, I think asking for the Navy’s help is highly inappropriate, as even if the Privateer Fleet was given a privateer license by the Kingdom, we are fundantally still pirates.
We can accept shelter under the Kingdom’s wing, but to have the Navy intervene directly, especially with so many peers watching, would destroy the captain’s hard-won reputation from multiple battles in one go.
At this point, even if the ’Dragon Cavalry’ were to be entirely wiped out only for the captain to later rebuild the Pirate Gang, it would be far better than asking the Navy to intervene! Besides, why do you think there’s not a single Hilus warship in this fleet?"
"You..."
Seeing them on the brink of an argunt, Bess promptly intervened to stop it from escalating:
"The captain did leave the Golden Sea for so matter and can’t return for now. However, before he left, he stated in his response to that our deputy captain would be arriving soon."
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