Chapter 229. Spider
"Governor, although the current war is happening on home turf, the enemy's strength is too overwhelming. They have weapons we've never seen before. Our navy is barely holding on. We only have three Royal Titan ships remaining."
As Governor Daniel listened to his subordinate's report, his hands clenched tightly into fists, and the flesh on his jowled face twitched ever so slightly.
He had anticipated this day from the moment the first cannon was fired, but it had arrived much earlier than expected.
He had rather skilled men, but there was nothing they could do to defend themselves against the enemy's flying machinery.
When a conflict escalated to a full-scale war, individual prowess mattered little unless one possessed strength on par with Julio, the Governor of Cat Island.
"Hire those guys from the Explorers Association and conscript every fishing and cargo ship. Recruit every able-bodied man on the island. According to the intercepted enemy telegrams, they're also struggling. It's a battle of reinforcements now."
"Governor, there are some debates going about on the island... Some believe we should surren—"
Bang!
Daniel smashed the wooden table, effectively cutting off his subordinate's words. His roar echoed through the room.
"Tell those cowards that as long as I live, the Isle of Whereto will never surrender!"
Daniel's chest heaved with emotion. Had those shortsighted people lost their heads after living a good life for so many years? If surrender were useful, he would have already done it.
In the Subterranean Sea, the rule had always been the winner takes all. Any benefits earned through subservience would be easily stripped away by the victor.
"Who's there?" Daniel suddenly looked up toward the door. When he saw Margaret entering the room, his stern expression instantly softened.
"Ah, my precious daughter. I heard from Jack that you have been doing exceptionally well at sea these past days."
Margaret's face displayed less naivety and more determination. The harsh realities of the brutal war had surely left a profound impact on her.
"Father, Brother asked me to bring this to you," the young woman handed a file to Governor Daniel.
"Alright, understood. Remain vigilant in guarding the eastern part of the island. I'll hold the front. They'll never take over the Cavendish islands," Governor Daniel assured as he took the file from Margaret.
"I believe in you, Father. You are invincible!" Margaret nodded her head in agreement.
"That's my good daughter," Daniel said with a pleased smile.
A trace of bitterness appeared in Margaret's eyes. "When I was younger, I was disobedient and have often angered you, Father. But now I understand. The only ones who truly care for me in this world are my own family."
Daniel looked at his beautiful daughter before him, and a contented smile appeared on his countenance. "Our princess has finally grown up."
The once tumultuous father-daughter relationship seemed to be warming up again. But just then, a soldier rushed in with a scroll in hand.
"Governor, the enemy had just sent a letter over."
Daniel unrolled the scroll, and his smile grew even brighter as he read the contents.
"Hahaha! Today's good news just keeps coming!" Daniel remarked
"What does it say, Father?" Margaret asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
"That kid Swann can't hold out any longer. He's requested to negotiate tomorrow morning at sea," Daniel answered. Such a request usually signified a concession.
Early next morning, the remaining warships of Whereto lined up at the frontlines. Governor Daniel, with his children by his side, stood on the deck of the Royal Titan in the middle.
Jack leisurely smoked away on his cigar and tapped the ash over the ship's side. "It's finally over after so long. I need a good rest when we get back."
"Don't relax yet! If Swann doesn't give us a satisfactory answer, this isn't over!" Daniel's voice held suppressed fury.
Minutes ticked by, but the fleet of Albion Isles was still nowhere in sight. Daniel was growing impatient with every passing second.
"Is that punk trying to fool me?! What's the point of this!" Daniel roared.
Margaret's voice was tinged with worry as she inquired, "Father, could he be diverting our attention here and planning a sneak attack elsewhere?"
Jack shook his head in response. "That's unlikely. I've arranged fast ships to patrol the other parts of the island."
Despite saying this, Jack still sent one of his men to double-check the situation. News returned soon: There were no signs of any enemy ships within fifty kilometers of the island.
"Hmph! Maybe that guy is too scared even to negotiate now. If this gets out, how will he ever hold his head up in the Northern Sea again? Let's go back. Your mother hasn't seen you both for a long time."
As soon as Daniel finished his sentence, he began to walk toward the cabin. Just a few steps in, he noticed his children rooted in their spots, their gazes fixated on the horizon behind him.
He turned around, and his eyes widened in surprise. A hazy, white light appeared on the previously dark, inky expanse.
As the light grew increasingly closer, everyone on board gaped in shock. It wasn't the searchlight of a vessel. Rather, it was a mechanical city spanning two to three kilometers in diameter.
Black smoke billowed endlessly from the chimneys on the high buildings. Complex metal gears formed the city's base, and ten gigantic metal legs stretched out from beneath the base into the dark sea.
The entire city resembled a massive spider. Hundreds of ships followed this enormous spider as it slowly advanced toward the Isle of Whereto.
In the face of this monstrous spider, the Royal Titan seemed nothing more than a mere toy.
"What... what in the world is that?! Even the most advanced turbines wouldn't be able to power a machine this size!" Jack shouted, his voice tainted with terror.
Daniel's neck creaked like a rusted bearing as he slowly turned to face his son. His face was painted with despair as he instructed, "Take your sister and run! Now!"
With a sharp thud, a brass box with a black lens dropped from the sky and landed right before Daniel.
"Heyyyyy. Isn't this the once overlord of the Northern Seas, Mr. Daniel? What's up with the pale look? Are you perhaps feeling unwell?" Swann's arrogant voice sounded from the brass box.
Daniel picked up the box and choked out his words with much difficulty. "Swann, you've won. The Isle of Whereto and the other two islands are now yours."
"HAHAHA! I'm so happy to hear that from you. I almost wanted to let you off," Swann replied with evident glee.
The lens of the box retracted slightly before turning toward Margaret. "Daniel, your daughter is such a beauty. I had planned to keep her for my own personal use, but unfortunately, she's a Cavendish. Looks like I'll have to send your whole family on your way together."
Bzzzzz.
A tube extended from the lower part of the mechanical city. A white light appeared at the tube's mouth and glowed brighter and brighter with each passing second.
"Have you forgotten the rules of the Explorers Association?! I've surrendered the islands! You must spare my family!" Daniel roared.
"The rules of the Explorers Association don't need to be followed anymore. They have lived way past their time. You have no idea of the marvelous technology I've acquired. With these devices, the sea is mine!" Swann declared triumphantly.
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