King
Chapter 911 - 911 96 Annihilation - Aftermath_2

911: Chapter 96: Annihilation – Aftermath_2 911: Chapter 96: Annihilation – Aftermath_2 After the great battle concluded and the pirate ships had vanished without a trace, the warships in the harbor slowly set out to “hunt down the remnants of the pirates” on the sea.

The lucky Powell, just fetched from the seawater, hadn’t even opened his mouth when he heard:

“The captain has caught one of the pirate remnants, this person actually tried to pass through by disguising himself in Church military uniform.

Such a vicious pirate should be hanged immediately!”

Regaining his senses, Powell hurriedly shouted:

“No!

I am not a pirate!

I am not a pirate!

…”

However, due to his exhaustion, he couldn’t escape the shackles on his wrists, and his shouting only resulted in receiving a few heavy slaps.

The leader among the aristocratic military officers, while smacking Powell, disdainfully said, “Every pirate captured always claims they are not a pirate.

Such a little trick, and you expect to fool people.

Let me tell you, old man, I say you’re a pirate, so you are a pirate, even if you’re not!”

With a “whoosh” of the rope, Powell was hung on the mast and shortly met the Lord of the Dawn after struggling a couple of times.

…

Good news stays in, bad news spreads far.

The news of the total annihilation of the Church’s top three fleets quickly thundered across the entire continent, sending shockwaves through everyone.

The most direct impact was that the Five Countries of the Prairie, previously busy bargaining, reached an agreement with the Kingdom of Elf at lightning speed.

Upon Holy Mountain, Shelter VII gritted his teeth and said:

“Impossible!”

“This can’t be possible!”

…

“How could the top three fleets be completely annihilated?”

“Even if Kingdom of Elf’s entire naval fleet were combined, they wouldn’t stand a chance against the top three fleets!”

…

Roaring solved nothing, and more and more evidence suggested that the top three fleets had indeed been completely annihilated.

Once Shelter VII had calmed down, Ulysses slowly began to speak, “Your Majesty, all three fleets have lost contact, we are currently trying to find survivors.

According to intelligence from our division on the Northern Continent, the Kingdom of Elf’s fleet set out five days ago to annihilate pirates and has not yet returned to the harbor.

Additionally, the fleet of the Black Forest Kingdom has also shown signs of significant mobilization recently.

However, their fleet was mobilized for only a short time, merely annihilating a few pirate groups.

Our agents observed from a distance, the Black Forest Kingdom’s fleet suffered minor losses, not appearing to have engaged in a major battle.

Moreover, there wasn’t enough time, so it is nearly certain that it was not them conspiring with the Elf people to strike at the top three fleets.

The intelligence department has already sprung into action, the moment the Elf people’s fleet returns, we will receive the news immediately.”

Such explanations clearly did not satisfy Shelter VII, who had been assured unanimously before the three fleets sailed north: the naval forces of Elf were no match for our own fleet.

If there wasn’t a definite advantage, he would not have sent his main fleet to provoke others at their doorstep.

Now, not only had political deterrence failed completely, but the Church had also become a joke across the entire continent.

Unless something unexpected happens, this year’s tithe revenue is likely to be cut in half.

Without the deterrence of the naval fleet, those countries that do not border the Church will certainly not comply easily.

After all, there are countries on the continent that resist taxation; both the Kingdom of Elf and the Frank Kingdom have clearly stated they won’t contribute a single copper coin.

Other major human empires have also only symbolically paid a million or so gold coins.

This incident will likely lead these larger countries to further reduce the amount of tithe they pay, outright non-payment is not out of the question either.

Smaller countries do not have the courage to openly resist tax, but bargaining is still possible.

The Church faces hostility from various quarters, not just due to conflicts between divine and royal powers, but also from genuine financial interests.

Even the most devout believers, being taxed daily, will become unhappy.

Moreover, nobles are not easily fooled; they are all too aware of the difference between the Church and the Lord of the Dawn.

By turning against the Church, they are just saving money.

Once these two are equated, the Church’s position on the continent could not possibly be good.

“Hurry up, find out what exactly happened, I refuse to believe the Elf people had the strength to wipe out our three fleets!

It’s a time of continental war; even if they managed it, their losses would be severe.

After suffering such heavy losses, what strength will they have left to withstand the invasion of different races?”

Shelter VII said in annoyance.

Unaware that his own people had split their forces, in the eyes of Shelter VII, any power capable of annihilating the top three fleets could impact the maritime balance; he couldn’t rest until he understood the reason.

In comparison, the chain reactions triggered were of less concern to him at this point.

What’s done is done, whatever happens will happen, just wait to clean up the mess.

…

Outside the Misty Marine Region, Hudson was leading the Kingdom Fleet “encircling the Ghost Ship”.

With the fog as cover, the specific targets were invisible; anyway, any approaching ship was to be bombarded with the Magic Crystal Cannon.

“Your Marshal, this area is the realm of the Ghost Ships, do the stragglers from the Church really dare to enter?”

In the past few days, for everyone, it was like living in a dream.

The formidable Church Fleet had just entered the Misty Marine Region and was immediately ruined.

If it wasn’t for repeatedly confirming the news, they would doubt they were deluded.

“What do you think?

If those fools from the Church hadn’t run into the Misty Marine Region, could they have ended up in their current predicament?