Though Ronglin spoke gently and tactfully, Burgess sensed a trace of chilling menace in his words. Was this Ronglin's warning? He knew Burgess's surrender was merely an act, yet he had still spared his life because he wanted to win him over?
What would happen if he refused to surrender? Burgess glanced at the place in the distance where Shiryu's fleet had been completely annihilated. After so much time had passed, the flames had long since gone out, and the wreckage had already sunk into the sea without leaving a trace.
If I refuse to surrender, I'll probably end up just like that fleet at the bottom of the sea, won't I? Burgess silently thought.
By then, Anrield had led his men to force the defenders of the first island into a dead end. They could either jump into the sea and try to escape... or turn back and fight to the death. Either choice would result in heavy casualties. Especially now that the Third Fleet held a complete advantage, even a desperate struggle likely would not cause them much harm.
Bits of flesh and shattered bone clung to the two iron chains. Anrield, his entire body soaked in blood, pushed through the crowd and stepped forward. He stared at the terrified defenders backed into a corner. Behind him, his subordinates, equally drenched in blood and savage-looking, followed him forward step by step, slowly increasing the pressure on the panicked defenders.
"We lost many men!" Anrield said coldly. "Perhaps avenging them is only natural."
The trembling defenders felt their hearts sink. People died in war—if every death had to be avenged, how could there ever be an end to war?
Anrield flung the iron chains behind him, and the ferocity in his eyes softened considerably. "But killing can never solve