Bilgewater's Ball

On our way to the western route fleet, we could smell the strong smell of gunpowder in the distance. When we arrived, we found that a battle was taking place.

On one side was the Ghost Claw fleet, and on the other was the Western Passage fleet of the Daughter of Death.

Gangplank couldn't help but rant and rave. The Bilgewater, which he had painstakingly unified, were now in complete chaos. Apart from the Eastern Passage, which had readily submitted, the rest of the islands were in utter turmoil.

The trading ships dared not enter the port, and some even turned back, just like the chaos before unification.

The closest fleet to us is the Ghost Claw fleet. I don't understand naval warfare, but Gangplank said that the Ghost Claw is currently at a disadvantage.

"Although there was some internal strife, my fleet is still formidable, hahaha..." Gangplank with a touch of pride amidst his anger.

When the Ghost Claw fleet spotted us, they mistook us for spies from the Western Passage and launched an attack immediately. They only stopped when they realized our overwhelming strength.

Upon hearing of Gangplank's arrival, the captain of Ghost Claw personally came to greet him in a small boat. He looked quite old, with meticulously combed hair, and his manners and speech were unlike those of other pirates, displaying a refined and courteous demeanor.

"Lord Gangplank! It's wonderful that you're still alive!"

"Stop spouting nice words, Ghost Claw! Everyone knows how two-faced you are!"

"Who I am is unimportant; my only purpose is to protect the fleet. Therefore, I have always been loyal to you, is that right?"

"Then why did you attack my Western Passage fleet?"

"I didn't start the war; they've gone too far! Seeing that you come from the north, you must be aware of the situation there. Now, all your fleets have declared themselves kingdoms; we are merely the victims!"

"Hmm... alright, I'll talk to you after I see Gasvant!"

Ghost Claw invited us to travel aboard his flagship, saying it would be more impressive, Gangplank refused, saying:

"After my Abyss was sunk, the legend vanished."

Actually, small boats and motorbikes are more convenient, as they are easy to maneuver in narrow waterways and when turning. We passed through the Ghost Claw fleet and headed directly to the West Passage fleet.

Because of our location, we were inevitably bombarded, but after identifying ourselves, we were able to meet Gasvant smoothly.

His behavior was very similar to that of the Channel Clearers; he was initially skeptical but quickly dispelled his doubts.

However, he did not submit, nor did he host a banquet for us like Frod did; instead, he confronted Gangplank directly:

"Brother, I hope you can let me go."

"What do you mean? Explain it clearly."

"I want to lead the Western Passage away from the Daughter of Death, and then dominate this place with my own strength!"

I thought Gangplank would be furious as before, but to my surprise, he wasn't. "Good lad, you're the only one who told me the truth, so I can't even get angry."

"Forgive me, brother."

Forgiveness is impossible, but I want to hear your explanation: why did you betray me?

"Because of a woman I love, I must take her back from Frod!"

Is her name Jenny?

How did you know? Have you been to the Northern Passage?

"Yes, I just came from there. Tell me your story first."

"We met in Bilgewater City, at that big party you proposed but couldn't attend in person..." Gasvant's words were a little incoherent, but with Gangplank's addition, I understood:

Bilgewater City is the capital of Bilgewater, where the wealthiest and most powerful people in the entire Bilgewater gather. It is also a frequent destination for wealthy merchants from other places who come to do business.

A few days ago, Gangplank hosted a banquet under the pretext of maintaining order in the Bilgewater and invited prominent figures to attend.

The invitation from the Terror of the Seas was naturally significant; almost all the prominent figures from the entire Bilgewater attended, including some nobles from Shurima, Zaun, and even Noxus.

Unfortunately, at this time the Southern Passage fleet encountered a shipwreck. As the fleet personally led by Gangplank, he could not ignore it, so he handed over the leadership of the banquet to Gasvant.

This shipwreck was likely the incident where the Southern Passage fleet was attacked by undead, though Gangplank did not specify.

Gangplank hosted the banquet himself, yet he did not show up, which naturally aroused suspicion among many people, some of whom even wanted to leave, fearing that something bad might happen to them.

However, with veteran core players like Frod and Gasvant, the situation stabilized.

At this unprecedented grand event, everyone reached a consensus on many issues, and then a joyful dance party began.

Unlike aristocratic balls elsewhere, Bilgewater had no true aristocracy, and both banquets and balls were rather chaotic.

Those out-of-town nobles who preferred elegance outwardly observed proper etiquette, but in reality, they greatly enjoyed Bill's unruly banquets, because they could do whatever they wanted there.

While everyone was having a good time, someone suddenly spread a rumor that an assassination had occurred. However, because the scene was so chaotic, the news was suppressed by Gasvant's men before it could spread.

He personally launched an investigation and soon discovered the murdered person in a room—an official from Noxus.

The official died under suspicious circumstances; he was dazed and naked, as if he had died from excessive indulgence.

This was no small matter. Gasvant secretly sent people to seal off the venue, investigated all suspicious persons, and finally found Jenny hiding in a corner.

Jenny, also disheveled, tearfully told Gasvant that she had been raped by Noxus official and had no choice but to kill him.

Gasvant wasn't a lustful man, but he softened when it came to Jenny and ultimately decided to protect her.

Jenny was very grateful to Gasvant, so she stayed by his side as a dancer. But how could she not attract attention when she suddenly had a dance partner who was as beautiful as an angel?

Frod, in particular, would come over and strike up a conversation whenever he had a spare moment, which alerted Gasvant. He regretted saying that Jenny was a dancer, because that made it impossible for him to refuse her advances.

As the host of the party, Gasvant had many things to take care of and couldn't stay with Jenny all the time. Later, when Frod wasn't paying attention, he secretly took Jenny away from the ball. By the time Gaswant returned after finishing his business, Frod had already returned to the Northern Passage.

The subsequent unpleasant ending of the banquet and the internal strife within the Daughter of Death were mainly due to this incident.

Gangplank was not satisfied with this explanation. "After all this talk, I still don't understand why you betrayed me. You should have sought my help!"

"I was planning to look for you, but there are rumors everywhere that you were blown up, and Jenny told me that she likes the ocean tyrant!"

"I'm the overlord of the XXX ocean, so why doesn't she like me! I understand now, she's driven a wedge between you and Frod! She must have said something similar to Frod too!"

"It doesn't matter who she tells; as long as I dominate Bill, I'll naturally get her."