After crushing the Giant Sword Pirates' fleet, Shiryu led his men ashore on Snowflake Island. Defeating the fleet at sea was nothing; every pirate crew that had dared invade Snowflake Island with confidence had first defeated the Giant Sword Pirates' warships. They had to, or their retreat would easily be cut off.
The real test was whether they could defeat the main force of the Giant Sword Pirates stationed at strongholds across Snowflake Island!
The north wind howled across Snowflake Island, carrying snowflakes through the air. The island was draped in silver, a vast expanse of white where other colors were difficult to see. The temperature was bitterly low. The icy wind scraped across the body like blades, causing sharp pain as the cold seeped through every gap.
The Divine Eye Pirates had prepared thoroughly. They wore padded winter clothing when they landed and had brought enough strong liquor to ward off the cold, but they still could not quickly adapt to the climate. Their combat strength was affected to some extent.
Shiryu, on the other hand, was completely unaffected. He wore his usual attire, his blood boiling from the thrill of slaughter. With his powerful physique, he could not feel the cold at all. Instead, he was delighted. In weather this frigid, the gleam of a blade would be even colder, and spurting blood would make things even more exhilarating!
Shiryu replenished part of the manpower lost in the earlier battle. The landing force still numbered three thousand, and everyone followed Shiryu toward the city in the center of Snowflake Island.
The Giant Sword Pirates had made a fortune from the island's unique gemstones and used that money to recruit troops on a massive scale. More than five thousand Pirates remained on the island, outnumbering the Divine Eye Pirates.