Chapter 362 Pirate Crew
Following a thorough briefing from Charlotte, Riz wasted no time and immediately set off towards Bideford Arsenal.
The Bideford Arsenal, a sprawling complex of shipyards and weapon production facilities that symbolised strength and security for Riz's kingdom.
It was the backbone of his army and navy, the source of their strength.
As Riz entered the bustling grounds of the arsenal, he was greeted by the rhythmic clanging of metal on metal, the acrid scent of burning coal, and the diligent labour of workers who toiled tirelessly to craft the tools of war.
He walked through the labyrinthine pathways of the arsenal, passing by rows of towering brick and steel structures reached for the sky. Thick plumes of smoke rose from the numerous chimneys, mingling with the fog of early morning.
Large steam-powered machines rattled and hissed as they stamped out metal plates and shaped them into uniform components for weaponry. Conveyor belts whirred, transporting raw materials to various workstations, where workers in overalls and flat caps operated precision drills and lathes with deft expertise.
As he made his way deeper into the complex, Riz reached the shipyards.
Amid the sprawling shipyards, Riz's steps led him to a section where a cluster of wooden ships seemed out of place amidst the more modern vessels.
These ships were outdated compared to the sleek, steel behemoths surrounding them.
At first glance, it would be easy to mistake them for foreign vessels rather than the renowned Bideford-made ships.
After all, Ryntum's ships were already famous for being made out of steel. No one would ever think of his kingdom anymore whenever they saw wooden ships.
Riz approached one of these seemingly anachronistic ships and found Elric, the manager of the Gatharix shipyard, overseeing the modifications.
"How's everything going, Elric?" Riz inquired, his presence initially surprising the shipyard manager.
Elric was momentarily taken aback but quickly regained his composure. "Your Majesty!" he exclaimed with a respectful nod. "The ships have been modified as per your instructions. We've removed all identifiers that could be traced back to us. These ships will pass off seamlessly with the rest of the vessels in the ocean."
Riz nodded approvingly. "Excellent, Elric. Have we found a crew for this fleet?" he asked.
Elric nodded in confirmation. "Yes, Your Majesty. In fact, they are here," he replied, then raised his voice to call the crew. "Oii, lads, come here for a second!"
As Elric called the crew, a motley group of men and women gathered before Riz, their faces bearing the rough, weathered look of seasoned sailors who had seen their fair share of storms at sea.
These were not ordinary sailors. They were pirates, captured by the Ryntum Navy for their relentless interference with the crucial trade routes connecting Erle Island and the bustling port town of Robine.
After spending a considerable amount of time behind bars, these people were released as the king said he wanted to create a pirate crew.
Word of the king's unorthodox idea quickly reached the prison island's management. After sifting through their extensive roster of inmates, they carefully handpicked these former pirates to form the nucleus of this team.
At the forefront of the crew was a tall man with a long, tangled beard and a weather-beaten face. Sun and salt had etched their mark on his skin, creating a rough texture that told the story of a life spent under the unrelenting sun and amid the salty sea spray.
Riz examined the man in front of him from top to bottom.
He had a sturdy, imposing build, with broad shoulders and strong. His eyes, a piercing shade of blue show a hint of defiance.
"What's your name?" Riz inquired.
"Jon Blue, Your Majesty," came the firm reply.
"Do you know why we let you and the people behind you out?" Riz asked.
Jon, the towering figure, regarded Riz with a mix of scepticism and resignation.
He let out a gruff sigh, his sturdy build emanating an air of defiance.
"I just heard a rough idea about it," Jon muttered, his voice gruff and raspy.
Riz, undeterred, maintained his calm demeanour.
He gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Good, Jon," he said, his tone unwavering. "Here's what I want you to do. Take those ships, set sail to the east, and continue your piracy activities as you always have. The catch is, you can only target ships belonging to Cerdeauxia and Blande."
Jon nodded, but there was a reluctance in his movements. His half-hearted acceptance of these orders was palpable as if he were not entirely pleased with taking orders.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you don't know but..." Jon hesitated, his voice carrying the weight of his worry, "Those waters are a hotbed of fierce competition, not to mention the formidable pirates who already operate there. It won't be easy."
"I don't care, Jon," Riz remarked, "Eliminate them if you must. Conquer that sea if it's necessary. All I want is for you to carry the command."
"Oh! One more thing, just so you know," he said firmly, his voice carrying a weight of authority, "if you ever think of running away or betraying, none of your family will be safe."
Jon met Riz's gaze, and for a moment, a flicker of fear crossed his weathered face.
He swallowed hard, understanding the weight of the king's words.
Each of the released pirates had been well-informed about the dire consequences that would befall their family members should they entertain any funny ideas. They were always under constant surveillance.
As Riz ushered the pirates to go and make preparations, he turned to Elric and inquired, "What do you think, Elric? Will they run away and disappear?"
Elric pondered for a moment before responding, "It's hard to say, Your Majesty. It depends on the individual, I guess. Some value their families while others may not. It would be bad if they decided to abandon everything. The ships we've given them, while not as advanced as our navy, still give them a significant advantage."
Riz nodded thoughtfully. "You're right," he agreed with Elric's assessment. Then, a smirk formed on his face, "That's why I've put our agents among that ragtag group."
Visit freewe𝑏nove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience