Over the vast, boundless sea, the light of dawn shone upon the tranquil surface.
It also draped the Blue Star, anchored in the middle of the sea, in a glittering golden coat, washing away the lingering scent of gunpowder.
The sailors busied themselves washing the deck, using boar-bristle brushes to scrub the bloodstains from between the planks.
Although the Blue Star had survived last night's battle with the arrival of the Royal Navy warships,
many sailors had still died or been wounded in the fighting.
Moreover, the passenger liner had endured several rounds of artillery bombardment, so it had not continued its voyage last night.
Instead, it had dropped anchor where it was to rest and regroup.
Of the three Royal Navy frigates, two had gone in pursuit of the pirate ships, leaving one behind to protect the Blue Star.
At the same time, they salvaged the bodies.
It was not until noon that the two frigates returned safely, and the Blue Star immediately set sail once more.
In the first-class cabin, Ronan received two visitors.
One was the captain of the Blue Star, while the other wore a Royal Navy officer's uniform.
"Lord Ronan."
The gray-templed captain clasped Ronan's hand tightly and said in a deep voice, "Thank you for helping the Blue Star. Thank you as well for saving the lives of my men and the passengers!"
In last night's battle on the deck, Ronan had undoubtedly been the foremost contributor to the Blue Star's side successfully driving back the ferocious pirates. His role had been crucial.
By himself, he had shot and slain dozens of pirates, including several leader-level enemies.
Among them were even two Transcendents!
If Ronan had not turned the tide at the critical moment, the deck's defensive line would inevitably have fallen. The pirates