Marcus let out a gleeful chuckle.
"Haha, so they're getting all their wealth stolen? Serves them right after the vile things they've done!"
A massive cannonball soared through the air and crashed into a cargo ship belonging to the Holy See of the Glorious Kingdom.
Achilleus, the ship's captain and illegitimate son of a high-ranking clergyman, clenched his teeth in fury.
"Damn it! How the hell are those bastards firing cannons from that far away?"
In a rage, he whipped his lash in all directions. Slaves, stripped to the waist and rowing the oars, screamed and scrambled to avoid the lash.
The ship's third officer—and its only educated crew member—Johanneus, cautiously spoke up. He had been with Achilleus long enough to know his temperament well.
"It appears that all the ships from the Kingdom that have gone missing in these waters were attacked in the same manner."
Achilleus's face darkened.
"What? You're saying they didn't just sink by accident?"
Johanneus sighed inwardly. The Kingdom's upper class was because of inherited power. Those who could read were considered enlightened, but even the most basic comprehension was rare.
"If it were merely accidental sinking, then how do other ships manage to pass through safely? There must have been deliberate attacks."
Achilleus stroked his braided beard roughly and pointed toward a ship in the distance. Beyond the lead vessel, dozens of ships were lined up in formation.
"Do you really think ordinary pirates could gather a fleet of that size? Don't be ridiculous."
Johanneus sighed again.
Where did this assumption that they were pirates even come from? Wouldn't it make more sense to suspect that another nation had organized it?
Suppressing his frustration, he tried again.
"They're probably not simple pirates. I believe some other country has orchestrated this for a specific reason."
Only then did Achilleus start to grasp what Johanneus was implying. His eyebrows shot up.
"So you're saying an evil force is trying to sabotage our Kingdom?"
Johanneus hesitated. Thinking about the current state of the Kingdom, it seemed obvious the "evil force" was likely the Kingdom itself. But as a man, he knew speaking the truth openly rarely led to a long life.
"Yes! It must be the work of a cruel, ignorant, and utterly selfish group."
Achilleus gave him a puzzled look, noticing how Johanneus emphasized the words "cruel, ignorant, and selfish."
"You coming down with something? Anyway, if that's the case, capturing even one of those attackers could earn us some glory, right?"
Johanneus could only shake his head internally. Now the man was delusional—did he really intend to fight a fleet of dozens of ships firing cannons from that range?
He looked up at the sky and sighed deeply.
"Honestly… I'd rather just wave a white flag and surrender to them."
Riding on Marcus's back, Michael soared toward the coordinates Drake had sent. Before long, he spotted a fleet engaged in combat below.
"Hmm. That ship's captain must be quite skilled. They're dodging remarkably well."
From above the clouds, Michael observed a cargo ship of the Glorious Holy Kingdom, weaving desperately to avoid the hail of cannon fire raining down from Drake's fleet.
The pirate fleet under Drake's command was a picture of precision and discipline. Heavily armed warships formed a line while enchanted vessels took the lead in the chase. In comparison, the Kingdom's cargo ship looked utterly pitiful—its hull was thin, its weaponry minimal. That it had lasted this long proved the captain had talent.
Onboard that very ship, Johanneus had taken the helm, stepping in after Achilleus—the original captain—had been killed by shrapnel from a deflected cannonball. Having only just escaped slavery and begun to receive some recognition, Johanneus was not about to die so meaninglessly. He was doing everything in his power to survive.
Watching from a distance, Drake let out a chuckle.
"Not bad, for a rookie. If our fleet weren't made up of Yoma, I'd have tried to recruit him already."
The pirates around him burst into laughter at his remark.
As Drake watched Johanneus struggle with admirable effort, he quickened his pace. His lord would soon arrive—it wouldn't do to appear incompetent.
"Alright, enough toying around. Commence bombardment! Aim around the cargo; we don't want it damaged!"
A thunderous roar swept across the sea as the cannons fired in unison. Water exploded into towering plumes as cannonballs skimmed the surface, landing dangerously close to the cargo ship. Other ships joined in, opening their gun ports and unleashing their payloads.
Amid the chaos, Johanneus operated with calm precision.
"Throw all the cannons and cannonballs overboard! Dump every non-essential item except the critical cargo!"
Yelling with every ounce of strength, he took the lead, hoisting a cannon by himself—a feat made possible only because he was a former slave from the Pamir Empire, capable of harnessing beastkin strength.
By lightening the ship, he made it more agile. The sails were stretched to their limits, catching every bit of wind.
"Tighten the sails! Hard starboard—now!"
He bellowed commands at the top of his lungs. The crew and slaves, fully aware their lives were on the line, responded with desperation. Sweat pouring, they threw cargo overboard, adjusted the rigging, doing everything they could to increase speed.
But there was only so much a normal cargo ship could do against a magical pursuit vessel.
Drake, observing from afar, grinned.
"Truly impressive. Quick decisions, precise execution—he's got potential."
Drake raised his hand to signal a new maneuver. The ships flanking his fleet suddenly shifted course, cutting off the cargo vessel's escape both fore and aft.
It was time to immobilize the ship.
Cannonballs fired again, this time with surgical precision. One struck the mast directly. It snapped with a deafening crack, crashing onto the deck in a tangled mess of sails and rigging.
Hidden behind the clouds, Michael smiled quietly as he watched Drake's masterful tactics unfold.
"Waking him up really was the right move. Still, that cargo ship's stand-in captain is not half bad either…"
Below, Johanneus stared in despair at the black sails that now blocked his path.
"Is this how it ends…? So meaningless…"