Scarlet blood stained the entire area red. It drifted on the erald green sea, rging with the water. Under the sunlight, this patch of sea turned a scarlet color, reflecting a brilliant hue.
A few slender rowing boats lay still on the sea surface. So had capsized, only half of their forms visible above the water. Also erging from the water were nurous corpses splayed across its surface. Buoyed by the water, parts of them floated on the surface.
Alka and his companions on the *Swallow* skimd across this blood-drenched sea, its bow slicing through the scarlet water. The vessel pushed aside the corpses blocking its path as it headed straight for the small village floating on the sea.
They hadn't wanted to go initially, but given the situation, it seed impossible to avoid a visit.
Julia sat on the boat's edge, observing the blood and drifting corpses all around.
If there was any silver lining, she thought, it was that most of the bodies were relatively intact, not overly grueso. At worst, so heads were severed from bodies; the vast majority only had fatal wounds to the head.
After all, considering the Puppet Girls' small stature, when they wanted to eliminate humans larger than themselves, their attacks naturally aid for vital spots. A one-hit kill was best. The blood-red Energy imbued their attacks with incredible penetrative power. Naturally, the head was the best target.
"Hmm, the fish here are in for a feast," Julia murmured.
Several Sentry Patrol Planes had already taken to the sky, arriving at the village ahead of them. Javelins and arrows flew towards the sky, attempting to shoot down the patrol planes. There were also a few scattered Magic Bullets. These were basically the strongest attacks the remaining miscreants inside could muster. But these were clearly useless.
DULL THUDS rang out. So of the resisting bandits were instantly riddled with holes and collapsed to the ground. CLANGS followed as the bandits dropped their weapons, squatted down, and ceased their resistance. Their movents seed unnervingly practiced.
Simon, on the *Swallow*, nodded. "Hmm, the situation inside has been resolved."
The *Swallow* passed directly through the gate without decelerating. Upon entry, a putrid stench, mixed with various other foul odors, assailed them. It was completely unbearable for Pororo. "You all go in. I'll stay out here."
Alka chuckled and walked in with the others. Using specially constructed bamboo ladders, they ascended to the platforms above. The flooring here consisted of bamboo fras and wooden planks, covered with thatch. It creaked and swayed underfoot as they walked.
Alka casually dragged over a bandit who was kneeling nearby. "Speak. Who are you?"
"Huh?" The bandit, stunned by the question, looked up at Alka in confusion.
"Don't understand?" Alka said, a weapon he hadn't used in a long ti appearing in his hand. He placed the blade against the bandit's neck.
"No, no, I understand, I understand!" the bandit hastily pleaded. The language he spoke was the common tongue of the Holand Sea. He then answered, "We, uh... are pirates."
"Pirates?" Alka repeated with a frown, then glanced around. "Then how co you don't have ships? Where are your ships?"
If they don't have ships, can they even be called pirates? Or perhaps their main ships are out, and this is just a rear base?
The pirate tremblingly stretched out a hand and pointed to the long, overturned rowing boats outside the gate. "Th... those."
"You call *those* damn things ships?" Alka exclaid in surprise, then sharply struck the bandit's head with the poml of his weapon.
He had really been overthinking it.
"Then you're just bandits. Calling yourselves pirates is too much of a stretch."
"Yes, yes, we're bandits."
"Then where's your boss? Isn't there a leader?"
"Dead. He's out there."
"Alright, good answer," Alka said, standing up. He then viciously slashed the bandit's throat with his blade.
The bandit looked up, clutching his neck in disbelief as blood gushed out uncontrollably. His mouth opened as if to say sothing. But Alka couldn't be bothered with him and kicked him down. The bandit, still clutching his neck, tumbled into the water. He struggled for a mont, then went still.
Witnessing Alka's brutal act, the surrounding bandits felt their hearts sink, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably. Alka surveyed the kneeling bandits, then moved to the side. He casually picked so hemp ropes off a wooden pole and tossed them onto the ground. "One by one, pick up the ropes and tie yourselves up. Rember to tie them tightly."
After speaking, he glanced at a larger hut nearby and the surrounding thatched hovels. He narrowed his eyes slightly. He then gestured with his head towards Jason and Chadite. The two nodded and followed Alka towards these structures.
Jason, Juanlu, and the others took over Alka's position, watching as the bandits tremulously ca forward, picked up ropes, and began to tie themselves up. Those who did a poor job of tying themselves began to bind each other.
"To be honest, Alka's behavior just now really startled ," Simon said.
Matilda, beside him, couldn't stop nodding in agreent. Alka's aura just then had stunned even her, his companion.
"You really looked like a major villain just now," Jason said, walking beside Alka and giving him a thumbs-up.
"Hmph, hmph. I *am* the arch-villain," Alka said with a laugh. Then, his expression turning serious, he said to the two of them, "There should be people inside this building."
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