Rise Against the Odds!

(I've regained my energy; I'll add an extra chapter at the end of the month. Please vote!)

Soren returned to the cabin.

He had no interest in wasting too much time on these pirates, because they were merely part of the plan. The real backbone of Soren's forces couldn't be these seasoned pirates. Just as a skilled taxi driver can't become a seasoned scoundrel, these guys were used to changing sides and were basically unreliable in crucial moments. Soren frowned, picked up a cloth, and wiped the blood and brains off his boots. Then he turned and glanced at Adele, who was his assistant in managing these pirates.

If they can't even handle this simple matter, we'll probably have to find someone else to do it in the future!

A row of documents appeared before my eyes:

"The Battle of the Betrayer [Folk Legend]: In mid-November of the Crescent Era 1675, the Betrayer Chamber of Commerce Pillage a large amount of gold from the natives, attracting the attention of various factions. You assisted the Church of the Sea in seizing important offerings. In this battle, you encountered Legendary Creature such as the Son of Dagon, the Deep Sea Hydra, and the Storm Lord. Legends about Ghost Ship began to spread along the coast as a small number of survivors emerged, and rumors about the Throat Cutter seemed to connect to you as well. [Legendary Degree +3]"

It's only now that the Legendary Degree has appeared?

Is it because the survivors of that Legendary naval battle only recently revealed the story, or is it because the Son of Dagon and the Deep Sea Hydra have been fighting ever since?

Soren felt that both were effective.

However, since rumors have surfaced, the naval battle must have ended.

It seems the Temple of the Sea has indeed reaped considerable benefits, but it's unclear whether they've killed Son of Dagon. Soren feels the possibility is low, as killing colossal sea creatures is far too difficult. There are things completely beyond his capabilities, and Soren has no interest in interfering too much. His main focus now is on dealing with the pirates. Established pirates have generally amassed considerable wealth and usually possess warships; there's an old saying that taking down a group of pirates is enough to establish a maritime Trade.

This phrase has been circulating in the tavern for a long time!

Soren's first fortune naturally came from these pirates. They lived off the land and the sea, and basically every famous pirate owned a large ship capable of crossing oceans.

Serpent Island is an island surrounded by snakes. Originally a desolate island, it gradually developed after being occupied by pirates. The pirates established a stronghold here, using it as their base and Transit Station, and also dabbled in Trade. It has changed hands many times, and the current pirate leader is Narwhal, a fierce and powerful figure. He commands hundreds of men and possesses a warship and several fast boats, making him one of the most lucrative targets in the area.

Kill him!

Soren had the capital to build a fleet and the financial resources to engage in Trade.

The two pirate ships gradually headed towards Serpent Island, and because they didn't fly any flags, they looked much like merchant ships.

Soren rested in the cabin.

About half a day later, he suddenly felt the ship shake. Then he heard a loud shout outside.

"Pirates! Enemies!"

"Prepare for battle!... You bunch of trash!... Get ready for battle now!..."

Soren suddenly opened his eyes and appeared on the deck with astonishing speed. Adele was already standing at the bow, next to the newly promoted young Half-Elf. It was this young man who had roared; he seemed to have quickly adapted to his new identity. The pirates on deck were somewhat flustered. These guys were all second-rate sailors; the real experts had already been recruited by others. Including the guy Soren killed at the beginning, who was only around the Tier 2 in strength.

"It's Narwhal!!!"

A middle-aged pirate, who was no longer young and only had one ear, shouted in a terrified voice, "It's the Narwhal's warship! He knew we were going to deal with him, so he came to attack us ahead of time!"

Soren frowned upon hearing this.

He glanced at Adele beside him, noticing her astonished expression, and said coldly, "Shut up! They just happened to come here to rob us!"

This is Narwhal territory.

His pirate ship mainly operated in the vicinity, robbing fleets on long voyages and sometimes charging tolls. It seems they just happened to run into each other.

"They actually delivered themselves right to our doorstep!"

Soren narrowed his eyes slightly, lightly leaped onto the mast, and looked towards the approaching pirate ship in the distance, bearing a unicorn symbol. The enemy had only shown one warship; the rest were fast boats only capable of navigating shallow waters. They had a considerable number of men: dozens on the warship, and forty or fifty more on the deck, armed with grappling hooks and ropes—all in preparation for a pincer attack. The pirates shouted excitedly, seemingly regarding Soren as easy prey.

"Whale!... Whale!..."

Someone shouted, and everyone fell silent for a moment. Then, the sound of someone throwing down their weapon was heard, and a voice trembling with tears said, "It's the Narwhal!... He's come in person!... We give up!... Maybe he'll spare us!... Otherwise, he'll nail us all to death!..."

Bang!

Soren frowned as he glanced at the terrified man, then raised his hand and lightly pointed, launching an Magic Missile.

A body lay there on the ground.

A massive shadow lay beneath the sea, seemingly nearly twenty meters long. It was a whale that even Soren couldn't recognize, somewhat resembling Killer Whale, but with a much fiercer aura, though it wasn't Ocean Monster. Before him stood a gigantic marine creature, perhaps having grown to its current size for some reason.

--"Fly!"

Soren immediately cast a Spell, then glanced at Adele beside him and said in a deep voice, "Shut them up, prepare for battle!"

These guys are definitely unreliable.

But at the very least, we can't let the enemy seize the warships directly. We have to put up a fight against these bastards and buy Soren enough time.

Adele nodded slightly, then snapped, "Pick up your weapons!"

"You bunch of trash!... Prepare for battle!... You cowardly wimps!... Grab your weapons now! Or I'll cut your heads off!..."

This woman has a fiery temper.

Despite Soren's subjugation of her, she was known for her fiery temper in the eyes of others.

Because she is also a woman of the Amazon.

Soren's figure soared into the air, casting an Invisibility on himself. He couldn't use Greater Invisibility yet, as the real battle hadn't begun. He flew directly up and gradually approached the massive shadow on the seabed. As the distance closed, Soren's expression grew increasingly serious. When he could clearly see the enormous whale, an eerie light suddenly appeared in his pupils.

--Dominate Sea Creature!

A momentary feeling of dizziness.

Soren seemed to sense a rebellious will, but this will was nothing; he had taken control of the consciousness of the creature before him.

Successfully acquired!

A cruel smile crept across Soren's lips. His figure materialized from the activation of Spell-like Ability, and his levitating state shocked and terrified many pirates. From afar came the gasps of "Witch... Wizard!" But what terrified them even more was what lay behind them. A massive shadow rose from the Seawater, then materialized on the surface. Soren descended from the air and landed atop the whale's head.

"How is this possible!?"

A large group of pirates stared wide-eyed, almost dumbfounded.

On the deck of the warship, Plane burly pirate stared in disbelief, muttering, "How is this possible! How can he control my pet!?"

Soren glanced at the enemy in the distance.

He then snapped his fingers lightly, and the enormous whale beneath his feet began to turn around and charge towards the Narwhal's speedboat.

"I love this feeling!"

A smile played on Soren's face, his long-uncut hair fluttering in the wind. The enormous whale accelerated, crashing directly into the speedboats, each about ten meters long. The massive whale approached like a shadow, instantly capsizing the closest speedboats, followed by a series of splashes as some pirates fell into the water and perished instantly.

"Run! Jump off the ship!"

Someone shouted, and all the fastest-charging pirates jumped into the sea.

Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of a nightmare!

Soren's figure disappeared again, and at the same time, he took to the air. The enormous Killer Whale crushed everything in its path before diving into the sea. After capsizing a large number of speedboats, it opened its blood-red maw and swallowed the unfortunate souls who had jumped into the sea one by one.

This is the ocean!

Trying to take down Killer Whale in the ocean is simply a pipe dream for them, given their capabilities.

"Charge!"

"Kill them all! Kill the Narwhal!..."

On the distant warships, a chorus of excited shouts erupted. These trash were utterly useless in a head-on battle, but if given the chance to beat a drowning dog, they would be incredibly enthusiastic. After Soren took control of the Killer Whale, he completely turned the tide of the battle. Even an idiot could see that this Wizard's strength was unfathomable.

"Prepare for battle!"

Adele raised her long sword, her fiery red hair flying in the wind, looking both beautiful and heroic. She shouted, "All the spoils from the enemy are yours! Anyone who dares to retreat even half a step will be killed by me!"

Another chorus of howls erupted.

It seems she knows what can ignite the fighting spirit of these seasoned veterans.

...(To be continued~^~)