Building a Fleet

Arne Kottman, Cardinal of the Church of Storms, the Rorsted Sea, and the true ruler of the extraordinary world of the archipelago. He is a high-ranking powerhouse of Sequence 3 "Sailor" Pathway, known as the "Sea King." He is the king of the sea, controlling the Storm and waves.

"Although Toscarter Island is nearly a thousand nautical miles from Bayam, that 'Sea King' has amazing flying abilities over the sea, and it only took him a few hours to get here!"

Anderson said urgently, "We don't have much time left!"

"Um."

Luther nodded in agreement.

It's best to avoid facing Sequence 3 Extraordinary beings unless absolutely necessary.

We must leave immediately.

They had originally planned to recruit crew members and buy new ships on the island. Now, time is tight, and it seems too late. No, if handled properly...

After a moment's thought, Luther looked up at Anderson.

What are your plans after this?

"Plans? What else can I plan?"

Anderson gave a wry smile. "I'm already wanted."

Carter's telegram reached the entire Rorsted Archipelago, and a wanted poster for "the Strongest Hunter in the Fog Sea" was about to be posted in various bars and adventurer's associations. If he dared to leave alone now, he would truly be courting death.

Fate is truly wondrous; just by carelessly uttering a name, I ended up being a wanted criminal.

Although returning to Lenburg or the nearby Church of Knowledge would offer refuge, it would mean a return to a life of confinement. After much deliberation, it seemed better to change one's mindset and embrace the freedom of being a pirate.

Anyway, Edwina does the same job, so it's not shameful.

"I just want to ask one question: does your previous recruitment still stand?"

Anderson said to Luther.

"Certainly."

"Then I'll have to look after you from now on, Captain."

"Very good, congratulations on becoming the second crew member on my ship. I appoint you as first mate." Luther nodded and quickly said, "Now, I have a task for you."

A few minutes later.

The slums of Toscarter Island.

"I think we can go out now."

Philia adjusted his posture and said, "My legs are numb from squatting on the mat at home for so long."

"No!"

His mother whispered, giving him a stern look, "Behave yourself! Look, all our neighbors are hiding at home. Who knows what's going on outside!"

"It's just because there's a dragon."

Philia curled her lip, unconcerned. She was almost an adult, and her mother was still using child-scare tactics against her. "I saw it all. That dragon was killed by a black knight."

"I told you to keep your voice down!"

His mother pinched his arm and forcibly pulled him down to squat.

Everyone is too timid.

Philia sat down helplessly.

The whole street was quiet. He could imagine that the people in the other houses were huddled in their corners, trembling with fear. When those "adults" of Loen came, they were just as fearful and obsequious, and no matter how much they were oppressed, they would just cower in a ball.

He glanced at his family.

Dad was taken to work on the other side of the island, and Mom became increasingly timid, only wanting to protect her own children. The younger siblings just stood there blankly, as cowardly as mice in a hole.

He found this life increasingly meaningless and made up his mind to board one of those large ships and become a free Sailor. Or perhaps he could become a pirate and attack those white-skinned beasts of the Loen.

Just as Philia was lost in thought, the street outside gradually became noisy. It seemed that someone was cheering.

Did you hear that?

Philia said.

"Keep your voice down!"

His mother tried to hold him back.

Philia heard it more and more clearly; indeed, people were cheering, shouting in the local language, "Money's being thrown!" "The Loen have been attacked!"

I heard you right!

Philia leaped to his feet; the familiar language and the lure of money made him abandon his family and rush out of the room.

Not only him, but people in the surrounding residential areas also began to venture out boldly.

Then, they were stunned by the lively scene before them.

In the center of the street, a giant float slowly drove by. On the float was the corpse of a terrifying Dragon, and kneeling beside the corpse was the local official. The once arrogant and domineering Loen was now bound hand and foot, his face pale as he endured the curses of the crowd.

Meanwhile, his henchmen—soldiers sent by Loen to suppress them—were pulling the float forward in place of oxen and horses.

Is this a dream?

This must be a dream!

Philia could hardly believe her eyes. Then--

"Splash!"

Suddenly, a handful of things flew down from above, hitting his face and body, causing him pain and confirming that this was not a dream.

Philia looked down and discovered that what had been thrown at her was actually a handful of coins!

Standing atop the Dragon's corpse was a fellow who also appeared to be from the Northern Continent. He was pulling money from his pocket and carelessly tossing it into the cheering crowd. Each handful he threw was met with a thunderous roar of applause!

The entire street transformed into Ocean of joy. Philia was stunned; he had never witnessed such a scene, never seen such vibrant expressions on the faces of his numb compatriots.

"We have defeated the Toscarter Island authorities!"

"We've robbed their vault, and we'll give you all the money!"

Our Fleet is recruiting!

With each wad of coins Anderson tossed down, he shouted, "The captain is the [Blood Bishop] who attacked King Loen! Anyone who wants to rebel against Loen, anyone who wants to make a name for themselves, go to the port and register!"

He shouted it once in Loenese, and then again in the local language.

"I want to go! I want to go!"

Philia heard a man next to her shout, "My sister was killed by the Loen! I need to get on the ship!"

The others also shouted and ran after the float.

Philia's body trembled involuntarily.

Several children were scrambling for the scattered coins at his feet, but he had no interest in competing with them. Instead, he felt a warm current slowly filling his body.

Wow, that's amazing! That's impressive!

The grand scene before him was incredibly awe-inspiring; he had never experienced anything like it in the first twenty years of his life. Indeed, this is how life should be lived to be meaningful and full of energy!

And their Fleet is recruiting—isn't this the opportunity he's been dreaming of?

"I'm going too! I want to get on the ship!"

Philia jumped up and shouted, nearly knocking over the children around him. He took off running after the float.

Meanwhile, in the central business district of Toscarter Island, inside a Moulin Rouge.

"I'll sail your boat away, no objections, right?"

Luther asked in a friendly manner to a pirate captain who had just gotten up from a woman's bed.

"No objection, no objection."

The other person shook their head vigorously, their face beaming with smiles.

Look, in just a few hours, the crew and ships were all there, and the Fleet was assembled!