Charles's side.
Once the crew had finished breaking in together, he prepared to take them out for a spin.
Though he had Water Magic Stones and Golden Shells in hand, he couldn't simply sit back and burn through his resources.
He arranged for Dalle to purchase supplies and acquire everything needed for the voyage.
They prepared enough for two months of consumption.
Out on the vast sea, resupplying was extremely difficult. If supplies ran short and they failed to find suitable prey, they could only land on certain small islands to replenish their freshwater.
There was much to buy for supplies—freshwater, food, medicine, weapons, and more.
These pirates' weapons were bows, crossbows, and curved blades, with some also carrying harpoons.
Among the weapons being purchased, the most important were the massive bolts used by the ship's ballistae.
Each one was as long as a spear.
Ballistae had many uses; they were not merely for attacking enemy ships.
They could also be used to hunt aquatic Magic Beasts. A single ballista shot could leave even a first-rank aquatic Magic Beast unable to withstand it.
Of course, the bolts used for hunting Magic Beasts were specially made. They had generally been modified by Tide Priests, equivalent to being enchanted by wizards.
Only then could they harm Magic Beasts.
Before departure, Quake asked, "Captain, what is our target this time? Merchant ships, or...?"
Charles replied, "Magic Beasts. We'll hunt some Magic Beasts first and drill the crew."
Quake nodded, then added, "Then I'll prepare more bait."
Charles had stayed on Ship Island for more than half a month. This place was far from safe. Though fighting was prohibited on the surface, corpses could be seen floating up in the waterways at the center of Ship Island every day.
And Charles's ship was new,