The Great Sea Battle

In the Blackbeard Sea.

A huge fleet slowly gathered.

It was clear that this fleet was truly massive. It had more than a hundred ships and over ten thousand sailors.

At its heart, the flagship was none other than Blackbeard's vessel, the Monster Ship!

The flag of Blackbeard, Pirate Governor of the Nightmare Sea, fluttered in the wind atop its mast. Beyond that, countless other pirate flags of every shape and color flew around the fleet's perimeter.

The pirates who were truly willing to risk everything had all gathered here.

One could say that this fleet was the last of the Nightmare Sea's pirate forces.

Such a force could not sweep all four seas, perhaps, but the navy of no country on the O'Farrell Continent could claim to defeat it with ease.

Even Ingsman had previously dared not attack Blackbeard outright, fearing a costly victory that would leave it severely weakened.

Yet now, the fleet's assembly carried a tragic air.

"Leader... the negotiator has returned!"

Blackbeard's most trusted First Mate stepped forward. "He's brought back Ingsman's latest terms. They demand that we surrender sovereignty over Blackbeard Island and the Nightmare Sea, keep only one colony, and hand over seventy percent of all our wealth! If we agree, Ingsman's newly established Oceanic Exploration Company will accept us as Privateer Captains..."

The Oceanic Exploration Company was another new contrivance of the Ingsman Kingdom.

Colonization was too dark a business to pursue openly under the state's banner; doing so would inevitably leave a stain. Private enterprises had no such qualms. And since a company's highest goal was profit, its operations could be simpler and more efficient, while also allowing private capital to take part.

"This isn't a peaceful agreement. It's a humiliating, unconditional surrender!"

Blackbeard sprang to his feet. His iron peg leg