Chapter 196: Chapter 92: The Hidden [Demon Gate]
"A big score."
As Captain Jack Jones spoke, the tip of a grand plan began to emerge from the depths of Zorn’s mind.
Now that he had advanced to the Middle Rank Level and grown more powerful,
he could finally take part in the "major events" that had significantly impacted the Holy Land Continent—events that could even be said to have altered the course of the world.
The "big score" that Captain Jack Jones was now describing was one of them.
"Perhaps... we can find a secure place to discuss this in detail."
"Of course, no problem."
Soon, under the watchful eyes of the Blood Sail Pirates,
Zorn and Captain Jack Jones went to a private room on the third floor.
The room was quite well-appointed.
In the corner stood a small Ritual Platform, capable of providing a secure Ritual Curtain to prevent others from eavesdropping.
After the two took their seats in the room,
Zorn slowly began to speak.
"Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island!"
Upon hearing this, Captain Jack Jones’s heart trembled slightly.
The recent transaction, involving over two hundred thousand gold pounds and resources worth millions, had already told him that this Zorn Corick fellow was incredibly audacious.
But he never expected him to be *this* audacious.
It was... almost reckless.
"Heh heh..."
Jack Jones let out a low chuckle.
"Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island... that’s the Saintisman Empire’s core transit hub in the deep sea. It’s the very heart of Saintisman’s prosperity in the Mysterious Realm and the ocean depths."
"You must know that it’s guarded by a powerful Upper Rank powerhouse."
"It’s not like pirates haven’t tried to raid Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island."
"But without exception, they either ended up killed on the spot or thrown into an undersea prison, becoming the very foundation of Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island, never to see the stars or the Sun again!"
"The iron rule of the sea is to never provoke Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island."
"It’s a forbidden land for pirates, a vortex of Death, the final destination for any pirate ship."
"Yes!"
Zorn nodded, fully agreeing with Captain Jack Jones’s assessment.
"But... that was before. The situation is about to change."
"Oh? How so?"
Captain Jack Jones leaned forward slightly.
"According to my intelligence, the Upper Rank powerhouse of Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island is preparing to contend for a resource-rich Treasure Land deep within the Star Realm."
"Once he gets involved, he won’t be able to return for several months."
"This window of opportunity is the perfect chance for us to attack Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island."
"You see, the Saintisman Empire is currently at war not only with the Newborn Steam Empire to the north but also with the Imperial Alliance to the south."
"The pressure of fighting a two-front war is immense, forcing them to transport resources back from the deep sea."
"Right now, Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island is hoarding a massive amount of resources."
"Not to mention, the depths of the prison on Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island hold numerous powerful criminals, pirates, and some rather strong Transcendents."
"Once they are released, the entire ocean will be plunged into a great era of chaos."
"And the more chaotic the ocean, the more golden the age for pirates."
Zorn’s explanation made Jack Jones’s heart race; he had been intending to further expand his influence on the high seas.
Saintisman’s power on the seas was immense.
Many pirates, who sailed under the banner of freedom and fortune, were even forced to be Saintisman’s dogs.
Jack Jones scoffed at the thought.
If he could return the seas to an era of great chaos, nothing would be better.
The opportunity was right in front of him, and he had no intention of letting it slip by.
"Heh heh... Councilor, the scene you’ve painted is undoubtedly wonderful and tempting."
"It would indeed bring chaos and new vitality to the ocean."
"But... this doesn’t seem very friendly to the soon-to-be-born Otan Grelle Steam Empire."
"You must know that the purpose of the Newborn Steam Empire establishing its capital in the Ancient Porcelain Holy City is to allow the new-generation Steam Empire to draw more wealth from the ocean."
"As a councilor of the Empire, this course of action seems to be at odds with the nation’s strategy."
"On the contrary, this is exceptionally beneficial to the Otan Grelle Steam Empire."
Zorn slowly argued.
"Right now, Saintisman controls all the major shipping lanes. The former Saint Grellele fought several naval battles with Saintisman, but they lost far more than they won."
"Looking at the current state of the great age of steam navigation, it seems that Saintisman will ultimately dominate the seas."
"The Newborn Steam Empire won’t be able to acquire much wealth from the ocean, nor will it be able to draw much sustenance from it in its confrontation with Saintisman."
"But if we effectively strike, or even destroy, Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island, throwing the ocean into complete chaos, wouldn’t the Newborn Steam Empire then have its chance?"
As Zorn explained, Jack Jones was also deep in thought.
After a moment, he spoke with some hesitation.
"Although our Blood Sail Pirate Gang is not weak, I know our own limits."
"Even without that powerful Upper Rank powerhouse presiding over it, I’m afraid the Blood Sail Pirate Gang alone would find it difficult to take down Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island."
"The Blood Sail Pirate Gang can’t possibly swallow a whale this big on its own."
"It would require many Pirate Gangs to participate together."
Zorn slowly laid out his plan.
"For now, we can spread the news across the ocean that the Upper Rank powerhouse of Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island has been lost in the depths of the Star Realm."
"When this news spreads across the ocean, the people of Saintisman will surely try to verify it."
"When they confirm that there’s no problem with the Upper Rank powerhouse guarding Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island, they will naturally ignore these false rumors."
"But I have channels to learn for certain whether that Upper Rank powerhouse is trapped within that mysterious treasure ruin."
"Once that’s confirmed, we can contact numerous Pirate Gangs to gather at Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island."
"And begin a great hunt that will shake the very foundations of the great age of steam navigation."
"We will tear Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island to pieces."
"Furthermore, when the time comes, I will also go with the Blood Sail Pirate Gang. I hope Captain Jack Jones won’t mind my presence then."
The more Jack Jones thought about what the young councilor had explained, the more his heart pounded.
’From this latest transaction alone, it’s clear this man makes big moves. He’s powerful, bold, and meticulous. For him to go to such trouble to organize a hunt on Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island, he can’t possibly be trying to make fools of all the Pirate Gangs. Even if it were a prank, the gangs would just end up sailing around the sea for a bit. If my crew weren’t sailing the seas, they’d just be womanizing, drinking, and gambling anyway. It’s better to give them something to do than let them sit idle.’
’Looking at the worst-case scenario, even if that fearsome Upper Rank powerhouse isn’t trapped in the Star Realm, we can still retreat with ease after launching the siege. I might even be able to use this to weaken the other Pirate Gangs. No matter how I look at it, this hunt is a can’t-lose proposition.’
’And if it succeeds... well, that goes without saying. Our Blood Sail Pirate Gang, which got a slightly later start than the others, will be able to ride the wave into a brand new golden age of steam navigation!’
After mulling it over, Jack Jones looked at Zorn and asked with a hint of disbelief.
"So all we need to do is spread the news that the Upper Rank powerhouse is lost in the Star Realm and then contact the other Pirate Gangs?"
"Yes!"
Zorn nodded slightly.
"The simpler the plan, the more likely it is to succeed."
"Great strategies and plans are always simple and natural. You could even tell the enemy, and it wouldn’t be a problem."
"Hahaha... That’s putting it simply and clearly."
"Then, here’s to the success of our plan!"
In high spirits, Captain Jack Jones unhesitatingly opened a bottle of expensive liquor.
It was thick and crimson, like fresh blood.
"Crimson Maria!"
A true treasure of the seas.
The crimson ripples swirling in the glass hid a delectable flavor that could only be truly savored upon tasting.
This was just like the many terrible truths hidden within the plan Zorn had laid out.
Only when the plan was set in motion could one touch the reality of it.
Nothing Zorn had described was false.
He had only hidden many important details.
At this point in time, the fearsome Upper Rank powerhouse of Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island was, in all likelihood, already dead.
His body had been possessed by an extra-planar [Demon Lord].
After digesting the Upper Rank powerhouse’s fragmented Spiritual memories, the cunning [Demon Lord] had completely taken over the nest.
Using the identity of the Upper Rank powerhouse, it continuously gathered resources for its own use.
It was only when Saintisman’s war on the Holy Land Continent became untenable and they wanted to summon that Upper Rank powerhouse for support that the damned [Demon Lord] was finally exposed.
By then, Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island would have completely devolved into a "Demon Purgatory Territory."
All sorts of powerful Demon Fleets would then rampage across the ocean.
The flames of war from an Exotic Realm would burn directly upon the seas of the Holy Land Continent.
Thus beginning a brand-new, sweeping Chapter of a Demon invasion of the World.
If one could withstand the invasion of the Demon army from this Demon Chapter, then there could be subsequent new Chapters.
But if one couldn’t,
as a Player, you either had to end your run and gather your core resources,
or you had to travel the Star Realm in search of a new civilization!
But the so-called search for a new civilization had a high probability of failure. And even if you found one, the civilizations of other worlds wouldn’t necessarily welcome a "Foreign Traveler."
Therefore!
The "Demon Invasion" was a crucial turning point after the second major story arc.
A turning point where the World began to head towards its end.
If a Player wanted to crank up the difficulty for themselves,
they could just ignore the situation on Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island.
Let events unfold freely until the [Purgatory Gate] of the Demon World was firmly rooted in the Holy Land Continent.
But if you didn’t want the world to have a chance of heading toward destruction,
then...
the "Demon incident" on Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island had to be interfered with.
And the sooner, the better.
Letting that damned Demon Lord get all the resources on Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island for free was obviously unacceptable.
On the surface, it was a gluttonous feast where the Pirate Gangs would collectively hunt Saint Nuoya’s Golden Island.
But hidden behind it was a heavy blow against the [Demon Gate]’s invasion of the World.
For Zorn, a prematurely exposed [Demon Gate] was a much-coveted "Star Realm coordinate."
Compared to soft dishes like "Human Transcendents,"
Demon Creatures were the truly delicious "hard course" for the [Evil Spirit Sequence].
