Chapter 332 - 327: Setting Sail

The weather in the Grey Marsh Territory gradually warmed. The thick sea fog dissipated, revealing a long-unseen azure sky.

The wind from Sharp Teeth Gorge was no longer bone-chilling, now carrying a hint of spring warmth.

Velin stood on the top-floor terrace of the Lord's Mansion, overlooking the fledgling port city.

A few months ago, this place was nothing but sheer cliffs. Now, the upper three levels were nearly complete, and the main framework for the lower two would be finished within two months.

Rock excavated by the Worker Ants was dumped into the sea, forming a wide breakwater that extended outward to enclose a larger harbor. Countless artisans and laborers swarmed the construction site like ants, their shouts and the clang of hammers weaving together into an overture for a growing city.

Footsteps sounded from behind. Caroline approached, draping a cloak over his shoulders.

The cloak retained her warmth and scent.

"The sea breeze is still a bit chilly. You need to take better care of yourself."

Velin adjusted the cloak and turned to face her.

"Any new word from the merchants' association?"

Caroline nodded.

"The shipping lanes are open, but they aren't safe." She pulled a rolled-up parchment from her sleeve and handed it to him. "The Bloodsail Brotherhood hasn't been idle."

Velin unrolled the parchment. It was a simple nautical chart of the Southern Islands, with most of the islands colored blood-red.

"They move fast," Velin commented.

"As fast as a pack of starving wolves." Caroline pointed to several heavily marked islands. "These were the wealthiest settlements in the archipelago, and now they're all gone. The Bloodsail Brotherhood has occupied over eighty percent of the islands, but they don't produce anything—they only know how to plunder and slaughter. The native islanders have either been killed or enslaved."

"Classic pirate behavior."

"According to our informant in the merchants' association, they've moved all their plundered treasure to the main island, Peace Bay. I figure they have two possible plans," Caroline analyzed. "Either they intend to use Peace Bay as a stronghold and fight us to the bitter end, or..."

"...or they think they've plundered enough and are planning to take the loot and disappear," Velin finished.

"I'm leaning toward the latter," Caroline said. "I know Barbossa. He's greedy, but he cherishes his life. Even if they're planning to run, they won't be easy to deal with."

She tapped a mark on the nautical chart.

"I've looked into Barbossa's ship, the Sea Serpent. It's a decommissioned Level 3 ship-of-the-line from the Imperial Navy, with a total of sixty alchemical cannons. It's old, but its firepower is still terrifying. Between that and his vassal pirate ships, our armed merchant vessels stand little chance against them."

Caroline looked at Velin, awaiting his decision.

"What's our move? Do we focus on developing Minas Tirith, wait for the port and fleet to be ready before we act, or..."

"We can't wait." Velin rolled up the parchment, gripping it in his hand.

"This pioneering charter has an expiration date. Besides, I have no intention of waiting for them to turn my domain into a wasteland, only to have to pay to rebuild it later."

He walked to the edge of the terrace, gazing out at the vast, jade-green sea.

"If Barbossa wants to run, he needs my permission first. Everything he stole from my islands, he will return twofold. 'That was my money!'"

...

「Minas Tirith, the Underground Anchorage.」

Leviathan Three was moored in the cove, its eight tentacles playfully wrestling with those of Two and One, sending splashes of water onto the cargo stacked on the docks.

Worker Ants carried waterproof crates wrapped in oilcloth into the Leviathan's belly.

Velin stood at the edge of the dock, Korsh by his side.

"All Rune arrays have been checked." Korsh closed the booklet in his hand. "Power core energy reserves are at one hundred percent. Theoretical underwater submersion time is twenty standard days."

Velin nodded.

Twenty people dressed in tight-fitting, dark gray leather armor stood in formation beside the Leviathan's entrance.

They were the first members of the "Gebiewu," an elite unit of Rangers selected from thousands of immigrants and soldiers.

They had no standard-issue weapons; each carried equipment according to their personal preference.

Some carried short crossbows on their backs, others had slender rapiers at their waists, and still others had small alchemical devices strapped to their arms.

Their leader, Kael, stood at the head of the line.

"Kael, remember, the objective of this mission is not combat."

"Understood," Kael replied succinctly.

"You are the advance team—my eyes and ears. I want you to get a complete picture of the Southern Islands. Find out how many members the Bloodsail Brotherhood has, the distribution of their ships, and the state of their fortifications on the main island of Peace Bay."

Velin paused, his gaze sweeping over the team members behind Kael.

"More importantly, find the native islanders and any resistance groups. Tell them their lord has arrived."

He looked at Kael.

"Tell them that I need allies, not slaves. If they want to live, if they want to reclaim their homeland, they should take up arms. I will support them."

Kael nodded in understanding.

Velin glanced at the team behind him again, his gaze landing on two particular figures.

Mia clutched a bulging burlap sack, likely filled with snacks.

She was on her tiptoes, curiously sizing up the Leviathan's enormous hull, her purple eyes filled with wonder.

The other was Xiaolan.

Her head was bowed, her hands gripping the hilt of a short sword at her waist so tightly that her knuckles were white. Her body was trembling slightly.

Velin waved a hand at Kael.

"Board up."

The team members filed into the Leviathan's belly.

Mia scampered inside, while a nervous Xiaolan followed, glancing back at Velin every few steps.

Kael was the last to enter.

Velin's expression was grave as he addressed him, his voice low. "Kael, remember: your top priority on this mission is the safety of your team. You are to prioritize your own lives at all times. I don't want to see any pointless sacrifices."

He paused, then gave Kael a promise.

"As soon as I have my troops ready, I will set out to join you. Hold out until then."

"Yes, my lord." Kael gave a firm nod, determination flashing in his eyes, before turning and disappearing into the dark interior of the ship.

The hatch slowly closed with a heavy, grinding screech of metal.

The Leviathan's massive body shifted in the water. Its eight tentacles waved gently as it sank silently beneath the surface, vanishing into the gloom of the underground cove.

The only trace left was a series of ripples spreading across the surface of the water.

Korsh stood beside Velin, watching it all unfold.

"My lord, you're only sending a handful of people?" he asked, confused. "The Southern Islands are a viper's pit right now."

Velin turned and started walking away.

"A larger group makes a larger target. We're not fighting a frontal assault this time. We're using Sea Wolf tactics."

He paused and looked back at Korsh.

"Victory in war isn't just about who punches harder."

"It's also about who can make the enemy bleed more."