And Vinica was using a pair of bright, sparkling beautiful eyes to size up Reine, as if she were getting to know him again.
"Baron Reine, your combat prowess feels stronger than even a Great Knight, no, it's even stronger than an ordinary level three Wizard Apprentice." Explore hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire
"Major Mary had mentioned you before, and I thought there must have been a bit of exaggeration in it, but now it seems there was no exaggeration, and even that was an understatement!"
Reine smiled slightly and said, "Miss Vinica, in terms of true combat power, I should be no match for you. A level three Wizard Apprentice with a Sorcery Scroll, even a Great Knight would not be able to resist."
"It's just that for these two, I might not have any weaknesses they could target, so dealing with them is relatively easier." Reine said, gesturing toward the two people lying on the ground.
"Lord Reine, excessive modesty is pride in itself." Major Mary, who had overheard their conversation, said with a smile as she walked over to Reine.
Although she had personally witnessed Reine's battle prowess during his knighthood examination, two months had passed, and Reine's strength had significantly improved once again.
The obstacles that were extremely difficult for ordinary knights seemed to be completely inapplicable to Reine.
Originally, Major Mary had thought that the combat responsibility among their group would fall on Vinica, the level three Wizard Apprentice, but now it was clear that Reine was the one.
"Yes! Lord Reine, right, I also want to thank you for taking revenge for my Big White!" Vinica stroked the giant white owl almost as tall as her, and curtsied to Reine as a lady should.
"Oh, Big White got hurt?" Reine inspected Big White's wounded wing closely, which must have been injured by Phil Kraz's signature Skill, Blood Fury Strike, because a faint blood-colored aura still lingered.
"Hoot hoot!" Big White hooted at Reine twice in a very human manner. Then, mimicking Vinica's curtsy, it opened its wings slightly as a gesture of thanks to Reine.
"Yes, this is my contract beast Big White, a modified white owl. Baron Reine, Big White says it is very grateful to you for avenging it." Vinica said with a smile.
"Well, no need to thank me, Big White, it's what I should do." Reine gauged Big White, assessing from its aura that this giant white owl—Big White—was likely not inferior to a seasoned knight.
If pitted against an opponent other than Phil Kraz, who was extremely skilled in archery, the combination of Vinica and Big White would likely easily overpower the adversary.
Big White would be the tank in the frontline, with Vinica providing witchcraft support from behind.
"By the way, Lord Reine, I think we should find a safe place now, to properly interrogate these two." Major Mary indicated the two disheartened men on the ground with a slender white finger.
"Of course, let's head to Fishing Port Town now. The interrogation of these two is likely not something we can wrap up quickly. The town hall there should have detention rooms, which will be more convenient for interrogation." Reine nodded.
With the right interrogation techniques, they should be able to excavate many 'secrets' about the Sea God Sect and the Black Sail Pirates from these two.
"However, Major Mary, these two are tough nuts to crack. If we stick to usual interrogation methods, they might not yield significant results." Reine glanced at Flado Knight as he cautioned Mary.
"Cultists, indeed they're not ordinary! Miss Vinica, we might need to trouble you for your witchcraft when the time comes." Mary said with a serious expression, knowing Reine's worries were not unfounded.
Flado Knight's interrogation techniques might be formidable against ordinary pirates, but they might not be sufficient for these two.
She still needs to think of a strategy.
"Of course, Major Mary can come to me anytime. I have some Truth Serum here, which should be quite effective." Vinica nodded.
After cleaning up the battlefield, the cavalry took charge of escorting Phil Kraz and Myarco, the two important figures, towards Fishing Port Town.
About a quarter of an hour later, the dense rows of houses in Fishing Port Town were already clearly visible.
But eerily, the pedestrians by the road were still few and far between.
Reine squinted and looked into the distance carefully, noticing that many of the houses on the outskirts of the town had collapsed, as if they had been through intense fighting.
On reflection, it was possible that the pirates had already possessed the strength to take over Fishing Port Town but had refrained from doing so to avoid the attention of the Empire's higher echelons, or for other reasons. Therefore, they had focused on plundering the town instead.
Soon, Reine and his party came upon a makeshift barricade set up on the street, with security officers on guard, looking at Reine and his group warily.
As their identities as part of the naval task force were sensitive, the cavalry did not disclose their own identities but instead introduced Reine's.
"This gentleman is the newly appointed Governor and Chief of Security of Fishing Port Town, Baron Reine. We are his escorts."
"Hmm? Baron Reine?" The security officers immediately looked at each other in confusion.
They were not aware of this news.
But soon, someone caught on and said, "Baron, knights, we have not received any notification about the situation you mentioned. Given the recent pirate infestation, please wait a moment while we immediately report this upwards."