Pirate Kingship
Chapter 80 - 79: Captain, don’t be afraid, I’m here

Chapter 80: Chapter 79: Captain, don’t be afraid, I’m here

It wasn’t long before the Third Order councilors from both factions, following closely behind the two Military Governor candidates, successively passed the first challenge and entered the Courtyard.

They hadn’t cooperated with the Kingdom; no matter how wealthy, they couldn’t acquire a pristine Third-Rate Battleship as a flagship like Red Beard. Even if they did, they would only be hunted down and killed by the Navy. Most of the pirate ships they possessed were "nominal Battleships" like the Fourth-rate Ship, or large Garens of the same class. The most advanced configuration was merely like the *Flame Rose*, adding a Wonder Ship Figurehead with special effect bonuses.

"Qiangfeng, we’ll rendezvous with Her Royal Highness the Princess according to plan."

"The millennial glory of Iron Anchor Bay belongs to us Bayfolk! If they want to destroy Iron Anchor Bay and sever the roots of the Bayfolk, they’ll have to roll over our dead bodies first!"

The Bayfolk faction, determined to defend their homeland, was in high spirits, and Red Beard’s faction was no less determined.

"If the Vice-Speaker is defeated, there will be no good outcome for us! Let’s fight it out with these obstinate Bayfolk!"

"As long as we sell the Bayfolk’s Great Secret Treasure, we can all live like nobility!"

"..."

Lines of pirate ships carved white arcs on the sea’s surface, racing towards the same location in the Courtyard.

The Bayfolk councilors also noted that Red Beard’s forces initially seemed formidable. However, after being filtered through two layers of Secret Realms, most of the mob’s strength had been neutralized by the ubiquitous Collective Ship Coffins. In this "Courtyard," chosen by Violet as the main battleground, only their Peak Combat Power could determine victory or defeat. Furthermore, with numerous ancestral Heroic Spirits providing support, their confidence surged.

Byron, lagging just half a step behind, also steered the *Golden Deer* headlong into this sea of surging waves. Above him, the massive anchor chain still stretched across the sky, continuing to extend deeper into Valhalla, as if endless.

Upon receiving the rules for passage within the Pirate Code, Byron also, as expected, received another enthusiastic reception from the ancestors.

TWANG—!

The bowstring snapped, and a Ballista bolt nearly as thick as a wrist brutally lodged itself in the Bulwark of the *Golden Deer*.

Not far away, a Dragonhead Ship, maneuvering with oars like a giant centipede, charged towards them. Equipped with both sails and oars, it was covered in the smoke and bloodstains of battle, clearly ancient. Several similar old Dragonhead Ships were also turning in the distance, following its lead.

Before seeing that one-eyed emblem, I might have had zero interest in delving deeper. Now though, even if I can’t clear it in one go, getting a bit more of a clue seems valuable. Plus, the Whale Oil Lantern is very useful, and dealing with these foes is effortless.

A flash of crimson light flickered in the depths of Byron’s eyes as he uttered, "Let’s teach them a lesson!"

The twenty-seven Man-Eater Sharks, which had been constantly serving as armed escorts flanking the *Golden Deer*, instantly leaped from the water in a swarm.

CRACK!

The largest of the shark pack reached nine meters, while the others averaged six meters in length. Leaping from the water, their sheer weight alone was enough to effortlessly capsize this ancient relic, obsolete for who knows how many years.

They might fall short against the modern Warships and pirate ships of this era, but they are more than capable of dealing with these low-hulled Dragonhead Ships that don’t even have cannons.

Having experienced another history and timeline, Byron felt this most profoundly. The entire world was relentlessly moving forward. The difference in combat power between Transcendents might not be vast, but advancements in ships and weaponry could create overwhelmingly one-sided battles. Unless it became a Holy Relic, not everything improved with age, especially cutting-edge technological marvels like Warships.

Old relics were indeed useless now.

What unfolded next was immensely satisfying to watch.

CRUNCH! CRASH...

Witnessing this scene, the crew of the *Golden Deer* all turned away, silently covering their eyes, unable to bear watching any longer. Their captain had just "offered grapes" to two ancestors and then sent dozens more on a "one-day tour of the viscera temple." No one knew where the "ancestors" would resurrect tomorrow. If it was in... Er, forget we said anything.

One of the sharks swam to the side of the ship and, looking at its master, spat out a Whale Oil Lantern dripping with saliva.

Byron took it and examined it closely. Sure enough, on the impurity-filled crystal lampshade, he found the one-eyed emblem again.

Sailing Logbook entry:

"A lamp used by ancient Navigators. With the help of God’s right eye, it could penetrate fog. Now, it is merely a substandard Antique. Once it leaves the confines of Valhalla, it will disintegrate completely, just like those ancient Heroic Spirits."

He hadn’t obtained any substantial information, and the Decryption Rate hadn’t increased. Byron casually hung it on his belt, not intending to use it to explore the next layer, the "Land of Night."

Although this thing is useless to me, my most respected captain can certainly use it. Since Violet is hesitant to act against the ancestors, I’ll prepare this key item for her plan.

Violet’s father had disappeared while searching for the secret of revival after clearing this place. From the moment Red Beard Edward, who was only a Third Order Transcendent in Extraordinary Level, entered the Hall of Valor, he was doomed to fail this treasure hunt. But Byron and Violet had gone to such great lengths not merely to see him fail and lose access to the Pirate Code’s authority. The York Family and Red Beard could afford to fail countless times, but if the Bayfolk failed even once, they would be utterly doomed.

Their goal was to bury the immortal Red Beard forever... in the Valhalla Hall of Valor! And they had already devised a perfect plan to overcome his Undying Body.

Byron activated his whalebone talisman, contacting Violet to remind her, "Hey, Miss Artist, is the situation stabilized? Hold them at the critical line with all your might; the longer, the better. The more Collective Ship Coffins gather, the greater our chances of victory. Even if there aren’t many small Garens among these Collective Ship Coffins, using them as cannon fodder to deplete Red Beard’s ammunition will be enough to wear them down. As soon as all our Great Pirates arrive, we’ll immediately proceed according to plan."

Then, after pinpointing Violet’s location via the whalebone talisman, he set off at once. However, Byron himself was heading not for the *Flame Rose*, but for the *Goddess of Vengeance*.

My most esteemed captain, do not fear! Your loyal Bill has arrived!

The World’s Fastest Three-Master, the *Golden Deer*, carved an arc on the sea surface more elegant than any pirate ship, vanishing into the distance at a terrifying speed of 13 knots.

The sky grew dim, and war clouds hung low.

About three hours later, the great sea in the Courtyard was continuously churned by a Level Six wind, causing ripples to stack upon each other like folds. Towering waves surged like rows of cavalry, their crests breaking in the wind, spraying foam that transformed into war banners held aloft in the Knights’ hands. A massive cloud of water vapor rushed in, instantly engulfing everything and inducing a strong sense of suffocation. The combatants on both sides were unsure if something was happening in the outside world; a strange, somewhat familiar storm seemed on the verge of rolling in.

BANG!

A stone projectile, launched from a Trebuchet, smashed onto the deck of the *Goddess of Vengeance*. Shattered stone fragments flew, incidentally taking one of Red Beard’s ears. Since the battle began, the Great Pirate had stood unmoving on the quarterdeck, steadying morale. However, as time passed, the crew members’ gazes grew increasingly uneasy. Although their captain could recover from the most grievous wounds in mere moments, the frequency with which he was hit by stray shots today was abnormally high. It was as if he had offended the Death God himself. If anyone else had been in his position, they would likely have been riddled with holes and killed on the spot long ago.

"Return fire!" Red Beard ordered, his expression impassive.

The torch of the Figurehead · Goddess of Vengeance flared, a beam of light illuminating one of the Collective Ship Coffins approaching from upwind. Immediately, the 32-pound main cannons fired. Aided by a 20% accuracy bonus, just two shots sent the ancient vessel sky-high.

At the same time, even more Collective Ship Coffins mindlessly launched attacks. In the chaotic battle, these Collective Ship Coffins all avoided the *Flame Rose* to their leeward, prioritizing attacks on them, the outsiders. And each one clung to them like a stubborn plaster, refusing to let go. They were vaguely forming a semi-encirclement on this side, blocking all the smaller pursuing pirate ships.

Faced with this unexpected situation, Red Beard’s complexion turned a shade greener. He ordered his first mate, Harvey "Badger," "Signal all allied pirate ships to break through the blockade of those Collective Ship Coffins at full strength and regroup with us."

Violet had initially been unaware of the Battleship’s vulnerability to leeward waves on its stern, but they themselves knew it very well. Realizing their opponent had successfully taken cover in their only blind spot, they understood that victory would be impossible without the aid of their own Pirate Fleet.

Most of the six councilors from their faction had arrived on the battlefield sporadically within the three hours. But the enemy was assembling faster; they had even managed to form a ragged line resembling a naval line of battle.

Moreover, when the signal to rally was given, those Privateer Ships and smaller pirate ships seemed not to have seen it at all.

Red Beard angrily lowered his spyglass, grinding his teeth. "What a waste of so much money! Not only those freelance pirates who temporarily sided with us, but even the Privateer Fleet, and those mid-level captains I personally trained—not a single one is willing to risk breaking through the siege to support us? A bunch of ungrateful curs! Bastards!"

They had been caught off guard by Violet. Surrounded by enemies, it was only natural for people to prioritize their own survival. Red Beard knew he was being overly demanding, expecting those weaker, small-time pirates, who barely had the strength to protect themselves, to break through and rescue him.

However, just as he finished speaking, he was surprised to see a small, swift three-masted ship darting towards him like an arrow. A familiar figure stood at its bow, waving at him from afar. Seeing their eager expression, it was as if they couldn’t wait to leap onto his ship immediately.

Recognizing the face, Red Beard’s heart warmed, and even the rims of his perpetually cold eyes grew slightly hot. He couldn’t help but exclaim, "Look! All of you, look! Redbeard Edward still has Loyalists under his command after all!"