The Net Tightens

"Pirate King? I object!"

Balman, Governor of the Devil's Sea, slammed his fist on the table. "You want control of Pirate King City and the Throne? I absolutely refuse!"

Pirate King City and the surrounding waters were where wealth was most concentrated, yet they belonged to no Pirate Governor.

An alliance of retired pirates ruled the place. According to an ancient pact, only a Pirate King who had truly won recognition could gain full control of the Throne.

Otherwise, this Legendary Pirate Ship would only protect Pirate King City, attacking any force that threatened the city's security.

"Why not?"

Edward laughed theatrically. "We've all seen Ingsman's Steel Invincible Fleet. To stand a chance against that kind of power, we'd need at least three Legendary Pirate Ships, along with other Extraordinary warships!"

"Any famous pirate can get their hands on an Extraordinary Vessel. Are you planning to assemble an Extraordinary fleet to fight Ingsman's invincible armada?"

Aeoris, the elven Pirate Governor, smiled.

"Exactly... That's my plan! Don't tell me none of you have sent spies to check out Ingsman's shipyards... We all know that even if we can build Steam Ironclad Ships, by the time we finish one, Ingsman will have launched three!"

Edward braced both hands on the table, his voice grave and heavy. "Gentlemen... we don't have much time left to hesitate!"

"Three Legendary ships... Easy for you to say!"

Balman shrugged. "Of those of us here, only Kingsman's Sea God could truly be called a legend! The rest are second-rate at best. My flagship is nothing special; Edward, your Wanderer, Zhi Wang's Five Peaks, and Aeoris's Wind Leaf..."

"Ahem..."

Kingsman gave a slow cough.

Among the many Pirate Governors, his power was arguably the greatest. At his words, the others swallowed the comments on the tips of their