King
Chapter 840 - 840 73 Pirates Group_2

840: Chapter 73, Pirates Group_2 840: Chapter 73, Pirates Group_2 “Reply to the Capital and say that I’ll head over once I’m done with the busy period!”

Hudson said without changing his expression.

He had used the same excuse many times.

On the one hand, there were indeed numerous affairs to manage in his domain; on the other, it involved issues of power.

Nominally, he was the Chief Commander of the Kingdom’s Strategic Mobilization, but the specific scope of his authority was never clearly defined.

Even the Strategic Mobilization Command itself was a temporary institution, with its administrative level still undecided.

Whether it was directly under the King, subordinate only to the Military Department, or solely responsible to the Noble Parliament—none of these were clarified.

Hudson understood Caesar IV’s approach.

After all, it’s easy to give power away, but difficult to take it back.

If the Strategic Mobilization Command had too much power, once the Kingdom transitioned to a wartime economic system during a war, the King might just be sidelined.

Similar incidents had occurred in history.

If Hudson were in Caesar IV’s position, he too would not readily relinquish power.

Even if the Strategic Mobilization Command was needed to get work done, its powers would have to be limited, retaining at least the necessary checks and balances.

While Hudson understood this, one’s perspective is often influenced by their position.

As the Chief Commander of Strategic Mobilization, he definitely sought to fight for his own rights.

To just go and start working without a clear understanding was out of the question.

After all, the Alpha Kingdom’s mobilization mechanism was well-developed; whether he went there a few days earlier or later wouldn’t make much difference.

The urgency from the Capital was probably spurred by international tension.

The strategic situation on the Northern Continent was indeed not very optimistic.

Before the Alpha Kingdom’s reinforcements could even depart, two kingdoms had already begun their defense battles for the Capital.

A tragic end was almost certain.

Even if aid were sent immediately, it would not change the overall situation.

Now, it was a matter of how long these two unfortunate ones could hold out.

In fact, the Major Nobles of both kingdoms had long prepared for what was to come, relocating most of their kin.

The ones left to defend were doing so merely to satisfy the Human Alliance.

According to the laws set by the Alliance, fleeing in the face of invasion by Different Races would result in being stripped of Noble honor.

With the war leaving them with almost nothing, losing the last shred of dignity—”Noble Honor”—would make it impossible for them to circulate within their circles.

In the eyes of many, the current losses of the Human Race on the Northern Continent were only temporary.

After the war for the Continent was won, the Different Races would have to meekly regurgitate what they had swallowed.

For thousands of years, this was the game they played.

According to the rules, any lost ground could eventually be reclaimed.

…

“Boom boom boom!”

The sound of the Magic Crystal Cannons tore through the sky, shattering the silence of the sea surface.

Watching the sudden appearance of warships in the distance, the middle-aged “Island Master” said with a grim face, “Organize a counterattack immediately!”

On someone else’s turf, he had not intended to make a move.

But the other party didn’t give them a chance, greeting them with Magic Crystal Cannons from the start, leaving no choice but to fight.

After a single cannon shot, the young military officer, previously in a daze, realized the situation was dire.

His lone warship had brazenly engaged with a group of Pirates; this was an utter mess!

Clenching his teeth, the young officer immediately ordered, “Send out a distress signal!”

Deep inside, he couldn’t help feeling relieved.

Thankfully, in his bewilderment, he had attacked the Pirates.

Had he struck the merchant ships passing by, there would have been no way to explain himself later.

Now, as long as he insisted the Pirates started it and offered some appeasement gifts, the matter of his unauthorized attack would pass.

Of course, this was assuming he could hold out until reinforcements arrived.

If he were to die at the hands of these unidentifiable Pirates, then all would be over.

…

“Savage Beard, what is this about?

Didn’t I tell you to be careful and discreet in your actions?

Why have you caused such a commotion?”

An aged voice came from behind, startling the middle-aged Island Master Savage Beard, who quickly stepped forward to explain:

“My lord, this has nothing to do with us!

The warships across from us opened fire directly without giving us a chance to negotiate,”

“You know, some people loathe pirates deeply.

As soon as they see one, it’s all about shouting and killing.

Perhaps the commander over there is just that kind of person.”

Hearing this explanation, the old man nodded, a hint of disdainful scorn curling his lips as he said coldly, “Incompetents!

To fail in such a trivial matter, and you claim to navigate the seven seas.

If someone is seeking death, then send them on their way quickly.

Wasting time here with this entanglement, once their reinforcements arrive, silencing them will become difficult!”

Though he spoke thus, in his heart he was very clear.

Quietly slipping into the village was now impossible; this battle would certainly alarm the local snakes.

The pirate fleet was mighty, but it all depended on whom they were compared with.

Bullying ordinary merchants was naturally profitable, but if they faced off against Major Nobles who had been engaged in maritime trade for years, they might not come out on top.

The most critical part was that the adversaries could ‘call upon friends.’ Once a fight broke out, all the sea forces along the southeastern coast would converge to strangle them.

Generally, in such a mess, pirates would choose to retreat.

They wandered the seas only to plunder wealth, with no interest in matching a Kingdom’s navy.

If there was significant backing behind the scenes, someone might be called upon to mediate the conflict.

They all mixed in the sea after all; friction was inevitable, giving each other face made future encounters easier.

Regrettably, the old man’s identity could not be exposed, or their deaths would only come faster.

The Alpha Kingdom might not make a huge fuss over a band of pirates, but if they learned that a pirate force under Clergy control had appeared on their doorstep, there would be no room for negotiation.

Even if they stated, “There’s no malice, we’re just dropping by,” no one would believe them.

Hudson had merely nudged the reins, yet it led to an uncontrollable situation, pushing the Clergy party into an awkward position.

“My lord, since we’ve been exposed, why don’t we head back?

We can visit Poison Dragon Island after the dust settles…”

Before the middle-aged Island Master could finish speaking, the old man slapped him across the face and warned, “Savage Beard, it seems you’ve really grown in these years, daring to teach me what to do.

Do your own job.

You don’t need to worry about other matters.

I hope this is the first and last time.

Otherwise, you’ll regret ever being born!”

Remembering the old man’s terrifying methods, Savage Beard, who had come back to his senses, nodded hurriedly in fear.

At some point, a puddle of unidentified liquid had appeared on the deck.

Fortunately, the sea was rough enough that the rising waves soon concealed it.

If the subordinates knew their boss showed such cowardice, it would likely lead to immediate dissension.

Having scolded him, the old man led the few behind him back to the cabin as if nothing had happened.

Seeing the group leave, a look of resentment finally appeared on Savage Beard’s face, but it was fleeting, quickly replaced by an expression of one having survived a great disaster.

Life and death firmly controlled by others, even as a pirate leader known far and wide, in the other’s eyes, he was still just an expendable pawn.

No choice, for he was a pirate.

Such a status is seen as vile and brutal by the average person; yet, to the truly powerful, it’s just an ant that could be crushed at any moment.

The Clergy possessed its own fleet.

Having them accompany the journey was not only for secrecy but also because the mission to Poison Dragon Island required a lot of cannon fodder to scout ahead.

The Clergy’s core forces were too valuable to lose, leaving only these marginal figures to bear the misfortune.

Bitterness showed between Savage Beard’s brows.

Serving the Clergy for years without any status or position, his resentment had built up.

If he didn’t know the Clergy’s power was too great, and that he had no capability to retaliate, he would have bitten back long ago.

Thinking of the legends of Poison Dragon Island, Savage Beard’s eyes lit up.

If he could intercept the Clergy’s gains during this mission, perhaps he could escape his current awkward situation.

He could simply discard this pirate crew, reemerge with a new identity.

Now was the time of continental war, filled with countless opportunities.

Choosing a country where Clergy influence was weak, he could join at the right moment and secure a noble identity in plain sight, which was far better than drifting at sea indefinitely.

…