Chapter 24: Adele’s Ambition
Snake Island.
With Soren’s summons issued, the entire pirate community along the Southern Coast sprang into action. The Southern Islands, belonging to coastal principalities, were not as wealthy as Arendelle, but they were still much better off than many other places. Moreover, since Soren unified the Southern Coast and strictly prohibited private plundering, many small to medium-sized pirate groups had recently run out of business and were forced to reluctantly follow trade fleets under Soren’s control. Although the overseas route and the eastern sea route were quite profitable, they were also very time-consuming; especially the eastern sea route, which took at least six months for a round trip. The profits earned in half a year of grueling sailing could not compare to the ease of robbing a merchant ship.
Some preferred a stable life.
But there were also those who craved excitement and adventure; many pirates still yearned for “easy gains.”
The Pirate King’s summons quickly received responses from many. Even those who were not interested, out of fear and the desire to please Soren, planned to send some of their people into battle. In any case, the navy of the Southern Islands was still in Arendelle, and the regular army was basically not their concern; their task was merely to harass the coastline. If the navy of the Southern Islands returned, they would simply sneak away, as most pirates were fast ships and had no fear of being chased by the navy.
However.
For this order, some held different ideas.
That night.
At a stronghold in Shipwreck Bay, several pirate leaders under Soren gathered here.
“Adele Isabella.”
Scarface frowned, glancing at the other pirate leaders present, and said in a deep voice, “Why did you secretly call us here?”
There was more than one pirate leader present.
Besides Scarface, there were also the Cyclops Pirate, the Giant, the Sir, the Butler, and others; nearly half of the pirate leaders were here, excluding only the Half-Elf First Mate. The other leaders seemed to be unsure of the Red-Haired Pirate Woman’s intentions and were now looking at her with puzzled expressions.
“I brought everyone here because I want to discuss something with you.”
The Red-Haired Pirate Adele Isabella looked at the pirate leaders present and said with a serious tone, “Lord Soren has issued orders to attack the Southern Islands. In his orders, he instructed us to act according to the situation, with the main goal of harassing the Southern Islands’ coastline and finding ways to weaken their strength.”
“So I have a rather bold idea!”
The Red-Haired Pirate waved her hand for someone to bring out a map, then pointed to a marked location. Addressing the other pirate leaders, she said, “Here is the capital of the Southern Islands, and here is their coastline.”
“This is the western sea route.”
“From here to here, unless we force our way through the territory of the Dark Tide Fishmen, we will inevitably pass near the Dark Tide Canyon.”
At this point, she glanced at the others.
Those who had been promoted by Soren to the level of pirate leaders were not simple characters; quickly, some guessed her intent. Even if they didn’t fully grasp it, they understood something.
“If we attack the Southern Islands, Arendelle’s navy will undoubtedly come back to defend!”
The Red-Haired Pirate’s expression was calm as she said with determination, “The orders that Lord Soren sent back are very resolute; it seems he has reached an important strategic cooperation with Arendelle.”
“So, if we can expand our achievements, it might satisfy him greatly!”
The Cyclops Pirate had been quietly listening, playing with the dagger in his hand. Once she paused, he slowly said, “Are you suggesting we ambush the Arendelle navy returning through Dark Tide Canyon?”
“Engaging the regular navy is not so easy!”
The Red-Haired Pirate turned to face him and said slowly, “We have at least a sixty percent chance of winning. In terms of equipment, we are not weaker than the regular army; in terms of combat power, all our subordinates are elite individuals who have grown up in slaughter. The navy of the Southern Islands only trains a few times each month, while we have been drifting at sea all year, making our chances of victory even greater.”
“If we can severely damage or even eliminate the navy of the Southern Islands, then from here to here, it will all be our territory.”
The other pirate leaders present fell into deep thought upon hearing this.
The Sir looked up at the map and suddenly said, “Why not invite Casa (the Half-Elf First Mate)? His strength is the greatest among us, and he has the most elite troops!”
The Red-Haired Pirate’s expression became somewhat stiff, then she calmly replied, “Because his status and power are already high enough.”
“Moreover, he still has to contain the threat from the capital of the Southern Islands.”
“The eastern sea route is now under his command. If he completes this task, as the commander of the Dragon Head Battleship, his contributions will definitely surpass those of anyone present.”
“If this operation succeeds.”
“Then from Shipwreck Bay all the way to the western coastline, and then to the routes leading to the Southern Islands, it is even possible that the routes connecting Arendelle will also fall within our territory.”
“I believe these territories should be managed by others who have made contributions.”
“What do you think?”
Hearing the words of the Red-Haired Pirate, the other pirate leaders present couldn’t help but fall into thought, many of them with glimmering eyes.
Yes.
The Half-Elf First Mate’s power was already considerable.
He commanded the wealthiest eastern sea route, his warships far outnumbering theirs, and if this operation brought him the greatest credit, according to Lord Soren’s style of rewarding merit, it is highly likely that the territories near Shipwreck Bay would be entrusted to him. Each pirate leader present had their own thoughts; everyone wanted their territory to be bigger, their subordinates to be more numerous, and their prestige to be higher. If they could take the western coastline, it would be equivalent to opening up the route connecting to Arendelle, which was also a lucrative territory, with roots not inferior to the Overseas Islands and the Eastern Sea Route.
To advance further, they must achieve greater meritorious deeds.
From north of Shipwreck Bay, it was a massive cake; if they could take it, many of them could become influential pirate leaders.
“What is your plan?”
The first to speak was Scarface. Having suffered a diminished strength due to the fall of Snake Island, even after defeating Pirate King Asrold he now had the least territory among the pirate leaders present. Hence, he was the first to respond to the Red-Haired Pirate’s plan and said in a deep voice, “Dealing with a regular navy is not that easy! We must develop a detailed combat plan!”
Upon hearing this, the Red-Haired Pirate displayed a slight smile and then turned her gaze to the other pirate leaders.
It was clear that many had already been stirred.
The profits from the western coastline were substantial; their status could not compare to the Half-Elf First Mate, yet there was likely a desire to compete in their hearts. Now there was an opportunity to achieve greater merits, naturally, they were a bit tempted.
Who was the Half-Elf First Mate?
Back then, he was just a pirate sailor under the Red-Haired Pirate, who became the first mate of a ship through Lord Soren’s promotion.
But what about now?
He single-handedly commanded the eastern sea route, with thousands of pirates under him and hundreds of warships of all sizes; it would not be an exaggeration to say he was second to none. The other pirate leaders present were all heads or deputies of pirate factions and perhaps didn’t truly accept the authority of the Half-Elf First Mate. The Red-Haired Pirate Adele had always had thoughts of competing with him.
Soren’s methods for dealing with the infighting among his pirate leaders were quite ruthless, and to surpass the Half-Elf First Mate, one had to achieve greater merits.
………………
Arendelle.
Three days passed swiftly, and Soren’s figure once again arrived at the port.
On this day, Arendelle seemed a bit different, as a strange fog appeared near the port, causing others to feel bewildered and even alarming some witches from the royal palace. However, they discovered nothing, and the port was quite calm today, everything seemingly unchanged from the past. But beneath Arendelle’s sea, a massive shadow was gradually approaching, eventually coming to rest in a certain location, as if waiting for someone’s arrival.
Soren’s figure gradually walked toward the sea.
He advanced through the shimmering waves, and as he moved closer to deeper waters, a large black shadow emerged beneath his feet. The first to surface was a series of sharp bone spikes, followed by its massive and menacing back. Soren stood atop a mutated orca, gradually entering deeper waters as it swam.
Rumbling!
The waters ahead split in all directions as a dark mast burst through the waves from the seabed, shortly followed by the ghost ship The Requiem rising from the depths.
The surrounding mist thickened!
After the intense battle with Pirate King Asrold, The Requiem seemed to have undergone some enhancement, its bound souls had significantly increased, but no more obvious mutations had appeared; it seemed the energy from death was not yet dense enough. As a living undead construct, The Requiem also possessed potential for advancement.
Soren’s figure darted out, landing on the deck of The Requiem.
Plop!
He gently landed on the cabin, then raised his hand to remove his black cloak and said firmly, “Full speed ahead!”
With a shout!
The Undying moved into action, the ghost sails automatically unfurling, and The Requiem surged through the waves at incredible speed. Eerie wails echoed, as those bound souls appeared as vague shadows, drifting like ghosts around the ship, enhancing The Requiem’s speed even further!
This was a battle belonging to one person.
Soren prepared to confront the navy of the Southern Islands and the Víkings of Iceland all by himself!
………………
(PS: That’s all for today.) (To Be Continued ~^~)
