The entire battle seemed to be resolved in less than a minute, and to think, there were two formal knight-level pirate leaders here, plus more than twenty elite pirates!
It seems that Major Mary's description of Baron Rein before was still somewhat understated...
Rein, who stood beside the carriage, glanced at the system prompt:
[Your skill, Tokadar Fist Technique, has been upgraded, experience +109]
[You have experienced a battle, Knight (Transcendent) experience +36]
Seeing that his Kadar Martial Arts had reached lv5 (204/2000), progressing by one-tenth, Rein nodded slightly.
Indeed, even a mosquito's leg is still meat.
If a few more groups of pirates were to come, the progress could reach a quarter, or even a third.
But alas, those who are blind to danger are, after all, few and far between.
Thinking of this, Rein couldn't help feeling slightly disappointed.
Five minutes later, the interrogation ended, and a young knight named Flado came to report.
However, the way he frequently glanced at Rein was clearly different from before, showing a mix of admiration and worship.
He reported, "Major Mary, Baron Rein, Miss Vinica, the interrogation has just ended."
"The opponents are a small elite group affiliated with the Black Sail Pirate Crew, responsible for ambushing caravans on the roadsides to the west of Fishing Port Town, depending on the situation." Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire
"Based on the description by the leader named Hook, their Black Sail Pirate Crew and two other small pirate crews had previously allocated territories at several other passages in and out of Fishing Port Town, each stationing their men to loot."
"And the person in charge of this matter is their vice-captain Phil Kraz."
"Phil Kraz?" Major Mary's face became stern.
"Yes, Major Mary." The young knight nodded, his expression equally serious.
Noticing Rein's slightly puzzled look, Mary began to explain:
"Phil Kraz, vice-captain of the Black Sail Pirate Crew, a senior knight, skilled in archery, of unknown age, a rare sharpshooter among pirates, known by the nickname 'Bloody Shooter.'
Rein was taken aback.
It seemed that Mary had done her homework well before coming to Meister County, having quite an understanding of the Black Sail Pirate Crew, which could be said to know them like the back of her hand.
"It seems we've caught the tail of a big fish," Vinica said, slightly excited.
"Exactly! Initially, I was planning to start by infiltrating a small pirate crew—the Roger Pirate Crew with a spy, and slowly trying to locate several large pirate crews and the Sea God Sect's bases."
"I didn't expect to catch the tail of a large pirate crew—the Black Sail, directly." Mary also showed delight.
Hearing this, Rein thought for a moment and asked a question he had previously wanted to ask:
"Major Mary, why doesn't the navy directly plant spies inside those large pirate crews? Wouldn't that be more convenient?"
Mary shook her head and said, "It's not that we don't want to, but that we can't."
"Basically, in large pirate crews, there are generally one to two members with mysterious side jobs, and they practice witchcraft like the Bewitching Art to screen new pirates, easily discerning spies."
"Although we also have means to interfere, there are still certain risks."
"But small pirate crews don't have such personnel, making it much safer for spies to infiltrate."
"I see." Rein nodded in understanding.
Based on the previous encounters with the Blood Sail Pirate Crew, it should indeed be the case.
During his ennobling mission, the diviner and captain of the 'Shipwreck,' Mala Nasr, whom he had killed, was a senior knight and a second-level Wizard Apprentice, mastering 'Aquatic Plant Divination.'
However, Mary soon showed a look of hesitation.
"Hmm? Major Mary, isn't this a good thing? Is there a difficulty?" Rein asked.
"Well, this Phil is skilled in long-range attacks, and if we were to confront him, Vinica's witchcraft might not have the advantage. And, I see that your weapon is also..." Mary glanced at the two heavy weapons Rein carried on his back.
Rein realized suddenly.
Generally speaking, the most reliable way to deal with a senior knight skilled in archery like Phil would naturally be a knight wielding a sword-shield or hammer-shield, able to effectively block the opponent's lethal arrows with a shield.
Yet what he carried on his back were either a two-handed warhammer or a dual-handed greatsword, naturally causing Mary's concern.
As for Vinica, if her specialty was limited to bird modifications, Rein guessed, she would be precisely countered by this 'Bloody Shooter.'
After all, no matter how fast and powerful the opponent's shooting was, no matter how many modified birds were involved, they were just moving targets.
However, Vinica clearly did not agree with Mary's judgment, as her twin pigtails hopped, she said, "Major Mary, you underestimate me. Just a senior knight, even if he is a sharpshooter, he won't be a match for me."
"Even my Big White cannot defeat him!"
"Big White?" Rein showed a puzzled look.
"It's a white-feathered owl I raised, with a wingspan of four meters." Vinica spread her arms apart, indicating the size.
"But its combat strength is only comparable to that of a senior knight, and facing such a sharpshooter, even if you equip Big White with defensive witchcraft, it won't last long." Mary pointed out without hesitation that what Vinica said was merely wishful thinking on her part.