The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 378: Volume 7: Spring Thunder Awakens the Hibernating Creatures, - 8: Ambition_3

Chapter 378: Volume 7: Spring Thunder Awakens the Hibernating Creatures, Chapter 8: Ambition_3

Between two evils, one must choose the lesser, and although opening the port of Mattdam invites many risks, it is not without its merits. At the very least, my own logistical support could be much more convenient, and with the cover of merchants, some of my activities could also be supported when necessary. Ultimately, it is Katharina of the South who remains a major concern. Judging by the momentum she has shown, if no new power joins us, it seems only a matter of time before Gray Skull falls from the stage of history. It is impossible to remain at the peak forever, but the real skill lies in being able to identify problems and adjust strategies to rebuild one’s glory during low tides.

"Lord, it seems you have forgotten what we live by. If we agree to your idea of opening Mattdam for harboring, it would mean the end of our right to plunder these waters. Could you tell us how we are to sustain our lives?" Politeness has always been Mr. Gote’s outward trait, and although he had made up his mind deep inside, he was not ready to give up just yet.

"Mr. Gote, are you suggesting that Gray Skull is still living off the harvest from these waters? As far as I know, it has been many years since a legitimate merchant fleet appeared in this area. Do you mean to live on fishing?" Komer asked with a light touch of sarcasm, then put away his smile, "Plunder can only sustain us temporarily, unless the area of your activities is constantly expanding. I have not seen any signs of you extending your reach northwards. The presence of Katharina and her people to the south has limited your movements. Under such circumstances, why would merchant fleets carelessly enter these waters? They would rather take the land route, and that’s probably your biggest problem at the moment."

Shocked, Gote finally put away his contempt. It seemed that this young lord had done his homework on him. Gote thought he had the upper hand, but everything had still gone against him. Gray Skull’s situation had been worsening over the years; the cooperation with colonial points and the Slave Hunter Team had been snatched away by Katharina. With limitations due to an agreement with Philip, it was not free to enter the Northern waters. Reliant on the slight revenue from the Bruce River Port on the Nissai River and Odessa, it was barely enough to sustain their lives, let alone grow and expand. More importantly, the organization had lost many opportunities for training and toughening up. The new generation had never been able to step out of the shadow of the previous generation and take control of the situation, which worried Gote the most. Although life now carried fewer risks, becoming a pirate meant not fearing risks, but that should not imply recklessness. Gote understood this better than anyone and sought the wisdom and experience to balance these aspects.

"Lord, since you understand the situation so well, do you have any better suggestions?" Gote couldn’t afford to ponder any longer. After decades of dominance at sea, Gray Skull couldn’t accept this decline. As long as they could break through the current predicament, what was the harm in opening the port? Pirates have never been confined to any patch of land. The boundless ocean is their true stage. Moreover, this young Lord was ambitious and reckless. His mere presence in Mattdam was evidence of his adventurous spirit. Indistinctly, Gote felt the support of the Central Kingdom behind him. If he partnered with this lord, perhaps he could carve out a new domain across the entire Mediterranean.

"It’s quite simple. Fully open the port of Mattdam, and within three months, I will find a way to produce three to five Magic Mirrors of the same level for Mr. Gote. Additionally, within half a year, I believe I can supply Mr. Gote with the first Magic-armed gun! However, given my limited funds, I hope Mr. Gote will provide some capital upfront for the procurement of specialized tools and materials and recruitment of professionals. If we’re lucky, there may be even greater surprises in store for Mr. Gote." Komer nodded steadily, presenting his conditions all at once.

With his mind made up, Gote displayed the grandeur and generosity of a pirate king: "No problem, I will instruct Mr. Kudan to transfer 500,000 gold shields to you in the shortest time possible. We, Gray Skull, agree to the opening of Mattdam port! However, I hope Lordship will strive to produce as many Magic Mirrors and Magic-armed guns as quickly as possible. If there is any shortage of funds or difficulty in obtaining materials, a simple message to Mr. Kudan is all that’s needed. I believe Gray Skull could become your most loyal ally, Lord."

While the Mirror of Thousand Miles could certainly give one the upper hand in predicting enemy moves, the one to truly determine naval supremacy relies on the most direct confrontations. The advent of the Magic-armed gun will upend the balance of power at sea, with crossbowmen, magic bowmen, and catapults no longer the ultimate weapons governing sea battles. The scenes where boarding battles determine victory will become history, replaced by the greater power and range of Magic-armed guns and long-distance assaults!