Chapter 129: Trapped in the Enemy Camp

Chapter 129: Chapter 129: Trapped in the Enemy Camp

Vili’s Constitution, combined with his Junior Sailor Ability, gave him great lung capacity. This ensured he could swim underwater for extended periods without needing to surface for air.

Vili swam incredibly fast, like an agile fish. In just ten minutes, he reached the island’s edge.

Peering through the water’s surface, Vili could clearly see the figures and positions of the patrolling Pirates on the island.

His stealth ability was formidable; his underwater movements created almost no ripples on the surface. Combined with the cover of night, the patrolling Pirates above could never have imagined that a Middle Knight was sneaking up right under their noses.

Vili chose not to launch a sudden, violent attack. The patrolling Pirates’ positions were too scattered; even with Sword Qi, he couldn’t kill them all instantly. Doing so would only alert the core Pirate leaders on the island, causing them to flee.

So, just like before, Vili planned to find a blind spot in the patrol route to sneak ashore. He would first eliminate the core Pirate Leaders in the Central Region, then attack outward. It wouldn’t matter if the outer-ring Pirates heard the commotion and fled by jumping into the sea to their boats. After all, they were just small fry and couldn’t possibly mount a threatening attack on Blue Whale Town on their own.

Vili swam tracelessly underwater. Soon, he found a gap created by a timing mismatch in the intersecting patrol routes.

Without the slightest hesitation, Vili seized the opportunity to go ashore and climbed up the tallest, densest evergreen tree nearby.

He needed a high vantage point to get a clear view of the island’s general layout. This would allow him to locate the key Pirate Leaders and launch the most efficient and precise attack possible.

"Hm?"

The moment he was up the tree, Vili glanced out, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

’Such tight defenses...’

Compared to the small Pirate group he had destroyed before, the Pirates on this island had exceptionally thorough defenses. Nearly every key defensive point had ample manpower on patrol. Moreover, their positioning was deliberate; the distance between each patrol team was just right, allowing any point in trouble to receive immediate support from the others.

They didn’t seem like a disorderly mob at all.

’Could it be that the information Viscount Babila gave to Baron Enton was wrong?’

Vili began to suspect that this was not a temporary stronghold for a small Pirate Gang, but a branch of a much larger one.

As he was deep in thought, Vili suddenly sensed something approaching on the distant sea.

He gazed into the distance. To the northwest, over a dozen large Iron Armor warships were approaching at incredible speed. Trailing behind them was a long line of smaller combat boats, all surging mightily toward the island. ℯℯ𝑙.

’I knew it!’

Vili knew his suspicion was correct. This island was an outpost for a major Pirate Gang.

He weighed whether he should retreat immediately.

Vili glanced at the patrol that had reached the base of his tree, then at the large ships that would soon be docking. He decided to stay put for the time being.

If he made a sound, the patrol would spot him. Even if he jumped into the sea, he’d likely be seen by the approaching warships. The smaller assault boats behind them would surely give chase, and no matter how great his lung capacity, they would eventually run him to exhaustion and kill him.

Comparatively, staying hidden in the tree was the better option for now.

Vili glanced in the direction where he had moored his fishing boat. He felt a bit more at ease after confirming that its position and distance would keep it hidden from the approaching fleet.

Trapped deep in the den of a major Pirate Gang—this was undoubtedly the most dangerous situation Vili had faced since arriving in this world.

However, backed by his strength as a Middle Knight, Vili wasn’t overly nervous.

Aboard one of the approaching warships, Yavira stood at the bow, her gaze distant and hazy as she looked out at the calm sea and the starry sky.

"Is this the stronghold you were talking about?"

Casli walked up beside her, a questioning look on his face.

After destroying Blue Whale Town, the Green Shell Pirate Gang hadn’t lingered. They didn’t even have time to properly plunder supplies before making a hasty retreat.

They knew very well that if they stayed too long, Count Lumbar’s reinforcements would soon arrive.

In that scenario, the Green Shell Pirate Gang would face nothing but annihilation.

But as the fleet sailed through this area, Yavira had suddenly proposed stopping at a nearby island to retrieve something, arousing Casli’s suspicion. They were in a desperate race to escape, yet she still had the presence of mind to collect "something."

Seeing Casli’s confusion, Yavira explained. She told him this island stored a large cache of precious treasures she had brought with her when she fled her husband’s Baron’s Domain. If they didn’t retrieve it now, the Green Shell Pirate Gang—now a target of Count Lumbar—would never have another chance to return. The treasure would fall entirely into the Count’s hands.

Casli was greatly tempted by this. He had been disappointed that he couldn’t find Baron Endu’s inheritance during the sacking of Blue Whale Town. Now, hearing Yavira’s words, his greed was stirred once more.

Casli considered that the entire Green Shell Pirate Gang was under his control, so Yavira shouldn’t be able to pull any tricks. He had agreed.

"Casli, are you suspecting me right now?"

Yavira’s gaze remained fixed on the sea, not sparing Casli a glance.

Casli laughed heartily, showing no sign of awkwardness. "How could I? You’re my woman now. Why wouldn’t I trust you?"

"But our situation is very dangerous," Casli said. "Once we’ve taken everything from the island, we have to move on immediately."

Yavira turned her head to glance at Casli. The sea breeze blew a strand of her hair across her cheek, making her look mysterious and alluring in the hazy night.

"Our fates are bound together now. I would never harm you."

Yavira let out a soft laugh.

With the issue brought out into the open, Casli dropped his pretense.

He moved to her side. "I can’t read you, so I can never feel completely at ease."

"Time will prove my loyalty," Yavira said.

Casli gave a slight smile and didn’t reply.

’Among Pirates, loyalty was worthless, and time was just as untrustworthy. Only self-interest was eternal.’

The thought that Yavira currently shared his fate and interests put Casli slightly more at ease.

But his suspicion flared up again when he remembered her strength as a Middle Knight.

’As much as I’m infatuated with her body, I should find a chance to get rid of her, just to be safe.’

"You’re truly captivating."

The corners of Casli’s mouth curled as he wrapped an arm around Yavira’s waist.