Chapter 478: Lopez Armstrong

"You are all brave men ready to die for Lord Scott, but now is not the time," Zack said, his eyes burning with fanaticism.

However, he understood that war could not be won by courage alone, especially against the Dutch army. He clearly knew that the matchlock musket was no match for the flintlock musket on the battlefield. To win, they had to rely on numbers.

But now, with the Eldorian Empire soldiers arriving on the island, even that advantage was slowly getting lost. To increase their chances, he could only hope for more reinforcements.

"When will they arrive?" One of the men close to Zack asked.

After a pause, Zack said, "When Lopez Armstrong men arrive, we will come out to fight full."

The man stared at Zack, the name reminding him of something.

He whispered "Lopez Armstrong."

The rest of the men fell silent. Among the pirates, Lopez Armstrong’s name was widely known by all.

Under his command, his pirates raided many coastal cities of the Eldorian Empire without fear, accumulating the richest loot among all pirates. His men were notorious for their ferocity.

In every raid, his men inflicted heavy casualties on every Eldorian Empire soldier they came across, striking fear into them. Most importantly, Lopez Armstrong commanded a 50,000-strong musketeer unit, giving them a numerical advantage.

Mentioning Lopez Armstrong, the men no longer objected, as he was one of the country’s finest warriors and deadliest leaders, and they all held him in respect.

"Five days ago, Lopez Armstrong sent me word. According to his plan, they should reach the Split Rock main island in the next two days," Zack said, his gaze turning toward the eastern sea.

Just as expected, a fleet of thirty Atake ships sailed toward Split Rock’s main island. Standing on the lead ship was a middle-aged man in a fine line uniform—Lopez Armstrong himself.

After receiving the order to capture Split Rock’s main island, he led his warships to join Zack immediately.

"Lord Lopez, Split Rock coast is up ahead," a man said, as he pointed toward the visible shore.

Lopez Armstrong smiled arrogantly. "Split Rock will soon be ours for the taking."

Just then, a soldier pointed south, "Lord Lopez, Dutch warships incoming!"

"What!" Lopez Armstrong turned to look south. Indeed, three warships were approaching them at high speed, indistinguishable from Dutch ships. But upon seeing their flags, he shook his head vigorously, "These aren’t Dutch ships. They are just the Eldorian Empire low life ships."

Zack had already told him beforehand about the Eldorian Empire warships and the most impressive one of them all the Brambleford blue reaper, so he immediately recognised the flags on the ship and its size. With a narrowed eye he ordered.

"Do not engage them yet. Speed up and head for shore. At sea, we can’t match their power," Lopez Armstrong said.

Following his command, the Atake ships accelerated toward Split Rock coast at high speed and without any fear.

On the opposing three warships, Admiral Desmond ordered to stop these ships from landing on Split Rock.

Though combined with the Dutch fleet, they had over twenty ships, these were scattered on patrol, usually in groups of three near the area. But Desmond soon discovered a group of Latin pirates trying to reinforce Split Rock’s main island.

"Destroy them all! Show no mercy!" Desmond commanded.

The three third-rate warships sped toward the pirate ships. Surprisingly, these pirates seemed unwilling to fight but rushed straight for shore instead.

The lead pirate ship was less than a mile away from shore, which made Desmond more anxious. Three warships obviously couldn’t destroy such a large pirate fleet at once.

The pirate ships recklessly rushed shoreward, closing the distance with the Admiral Desmond fleet. Suddenly, six pirate ships broke off and headed straight for the Desmond warships.

"Incoming warships, approaching at high speed, with no inten on slowing down." The man on the lookout shouted to his superior.

"Ignore them. When in range, open full fire on the warships heading for shore," Desmond said, observing with his telescope, clearly enjoying himself.

These six ships were escorts, lightly crewed, unlike the other Atake ships loaded with soldiers. The pirates sent these to block attacks on the leading ships.

Seeing through their purpose, Desmond ordered his fleet closer to shore. The first pirate ship had landed, and pirates were rushing onto the island.

Growing anxious, Desmond knew more pirates on the island meant worse conditions for Brambleford troops. When in range, he ordered the warships to open fire.

Boom boom boom...

Cannonballs flew toward the landing ships, causing screams and chaos.

Many pirates were blasted off their ships into the sea like bread thrown inside a toaster. The three warships fired continuously, each volley shooting over a hundred cannonballs.

The pirates on the ships could not resist. They desperately pushed the ships toward shore; some even jumped into the sea to swim hoping to save themselves.

As bombardment continued, more pirate ships landed, flooding the island with pirates. Although they suffered heavy casualties—hundreds dying on the ships under the continuous fire.

Seeing that most pirates had landed, Desmond grew frustrated. They discovered the landing too late; otherwise, so many pirates wouldn’t have made it ashore as they did.

But fate was set. Desmond decided to return and inform Prince Simon immediately.

Watching six landing ships still approaching, Desmond ordered a retreat. Though not afraid, it would be troublesome to fight so close to shore without any proper plan. He needed to lead more warships back and deliver the news.

As the bell tolled, the three warships sailed toward Fort Zeelandia. After an hour, they reached White Peaches Beach, where Desmond sent men ashore to notify Prince Simon of about close to fifty thousand pirates landing.

Then he regrouped with other warships and headed back the way they came. Since the pirates were here, they would not be allowed to leave.

Outside Zeelandia Castle, Prince Simon and Grey quickly received Desmond’s report.

"Close to fifty thousand," Grey’s expression turned serious. The number of pirates had increased, meaning a higher price to take Blackthorn Castle.

Most importantly, they didn’t know where these pirates had scattered or when and where they would strike.

"Lancelot, send scouts immediately to patrol and prevent ambushes," Prince Simon ordered.

This was not going as planned. He needed to get something done to secure their win.

A/N: Happy Halloween to all my lovely reader’s. Thank you all for the Gifts, Powerstone and Golden Ticket. I really appreciate.