Chapter 108: Remnants of Pirates
TL: Etude
After a successful trial voyage, the navy quickly took official possession of the Hope, a warship equipped with eight side cannons, four on each side, and four swivel guns, manned by a crew of fifty sailors.
Given that Quik was the most knowledgeable in maritime affairs in the navy and, having shown no sign of disloyalty during his time there, he was appointed captain of the Hope. His military rank was raised several levels, making him a temporary captain, with the approval of Paul.
Quik was profoundly grateful, and after spending a few months in the navy, he slowly realized that Count Grayman was not the brutal, merciless lord he had imagined. Filled with a sense of loyalty, he saw his appointment as a great opportunity to be seized.
He led his crew in relentless training, even sleeping on the ship, quickly becoming familiar with every inch of the new vessel.
After spending a few days in Port Fran, Paul planned to return to Lakeheart Town. Before his departure, Austin shared with Paul and Schroeder his long-planned strategy to eliminate the pirates.
In a meeting room at the naval base, a large sand table was set up, showing the terrain along the coast of the entire Northwestern Bay, including various islands.
The sand table was not very accurate due to technological limitations of the time, but it was sufficient for the navys current needs.
Our plan is this Austin said, pointing with a stick on the sand table.
with the help of the militia from the coastal towns, our first target is to eliminate Mudfish Gaden. Since the collapse of the Shark Gang, he has become the most significant pirate force in the Northwestern Bay.
Hold on a moment! Paul interrupted, stroking his chin. Mudfish? Why does that nickname sound so familiar?
Quik, standing behind Austin, coughed awkwardly and said, Count Grayman, when I was a pirate, I tried to cooperate with Gaden to attack Lakeheart Town. But he fled midway, and then I was captured by you.
Paul then remembered, Ah, the one who slipped away so slickly. No wonder hes called Mudfish.
Yes, he is very cunning and knows how to change sides at the right moment, Quik added.
Austin continued, They are very good at attacking our weak points. Its my fault for letting them land successfully several times.
Paul warned, There might be a mole in our army placed by him. Be careful. Quik, dont take it personally; Im not targeting you.
Count, Ive already been suspecting this and will thoroughly investigate, Quik replied.
Our intelligence indicates that the Mudfish Gang doesnt have a fixed base and are all skilled in boats. Tracking them down wont be easy, Austin said.
Cant our ships catch up with them? They use sailboats too, right? Paul asked.
Yes, but they might have some unknown modification technique that significantly speeds up their boats. Even when our patrol teams catch them red-handed, they manage to outrun us, admitted Austin.
Quik commented, Ive never heard of the Mudfish Gang having such capabilities.
Paul, somewhat displeased, said, I didnt come here just to hear about how difficult your task is.
Immediately, Austin changed his tone, Of course, Count Grayman. All those issues are things of the past now, because we have the Hope!
No matter how fast their boats are, they rely on human rowing. Our Hope, however, can sail continuously as long as theres wind. We dont need to catch them immediately. As long as we can keep a distance and follow them, we can exhaust the strength of their rowers and eventually catch up.
Is it really okay to use a newly tested ship like the Hope to fight pirates? What if the pirates have many ships? Wouldnt we be outnumbered?
Paul was aware that sail warships were the future, but he had some reservations about the Hope, which was still a test model.
Quik immediately stepped forward, confidently assuring, Please rest assured, Count Grayman. My sailors and I have absolute confidence in the Hope. We will hold out until support from other captains arrives.
Remembering the eight large cannons and four swivel guns equipped on the Hope, Quik felt brave enough to even confront the great pirate Edward.
He recalled the shock he felt when he first encountered the cannons. These weapons seemed tailor-made for naval warfare. With enough cannons, he could blast the enemy to pieces from a distance, avoiding close combat.
After further discussion, Paul concluded, The naval matters are in your hands.
In addition to eliminating pirates, we also need to expedite the opening of the southern trade route. Send the second ship south as soon as it is launched, Paul instructed.
Austin and the other captains saluted in unison, Yes, Count Grayman, rest assured.
Paul suddenly remembered something, I will leave Miss Dias, a language consultant, with you. She has already helped the army develop a set of flag signals that have proven very effective.
That would be most helpful, thank you, Count Grayman, Austin nodded in appreciation.
Houses were ablaze, and the cries of men, women, and children intermingled in a cacophony of despair.
A coastal village, located in a neighboring territory to Alda, was being raided by pirates.
Numerous pirates searched the village, packing the plundered goods into wooden boxes to be transported to their ships.
Other pirates gathered the villagers to select slaves.
One pirate took a fancy to a teenage boy, pulling him out of the crowd.
The boy, overwhelmed and trembling, watched helplessly as a woman clung to his legs.
Please, dont take my son. Hes all I have left, she begged, her eyes brimming with tears and terror.
Let go! the pirate who grabbed the boy shouted at her.
But the woman, still pleading, clung tighter to her son, refusing to let go.
Impatient, the pirate swung his knife-wielding hand, and the woman fell in a pool of blood.
Mom!!! The boy, gripped by the pirate, screamed in anguish and despair, You demons!
He bit the pirates arm fiercely, a desperate act of resistance given his small stature.
The pirate, in pain, cursed and knocked the boy unconscious with the hilt of his knife, then tossed him at the feet of another pirate.
These young, mentally undeveloped boys, lacking the ability to resist, were prime choices for slaves. Once on the pirate ship, if they quickly adapted to the harsh environment, they could become reserve members of the pirate crew and eventually full-fledged pirates. If not, they would remain slaves for life.
The other villagers, sitting on the ground, watched in fear, too terrified to resist, praying that misfortune wouldnt befall them.
The pirate selecting slaves approached the crowd again, looking for the next victim
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