The Garrote Pirate Crew's two brigantines and the Cutlass Gang's two sloops—though one of the latter had already sunk, beyond saving.
Just like that, Charles had three more ships in his hands.
Although Charles had thrown himself fully into this battle, a number of his pirates had also died.
There had been around eighty men when they set sail.
Now, only a little over fifty remained. Nearly everyone was wounded, and several were seriously injured.
With so few men, sailing all five ships back would still be rather difficult.
So Charles said to Dalle, "Go release those fellows locked in the hold and have them help sail the ships."
He meant the Garrote Pirate Crew pirates captured last time.
To prevent information from leaking, Charles had not sold them back then. Instead, he had kept them imprisoned in the lower cabins.
Now that the Garrote Pirate Crew was finished, and most pirates would call whoever fed them mother—
Charles believed these ordinary pirates would make the right choice.
Dalle nodded. "Yes, Captain!"
Charles continued, "Tell them their luck has come. If they work well, they can stay with the Undertow Pirate Crew. If they want to leave once we reach shore, we can let them go too."
Dalle said admiringly, "Captain, you truly are kindhearted!"
Quake and Bruce were also directing some of the surrendered pirates to do odd jobs as they began rearranging the ships.
Now there were enough hands to sail them.
The captives were responsible for the work, while the Undertow Pirate Crew pirates kept watch over them.
The five ships formed a line and slowly headed toward Bloodsail Ship Island.
The sea wind was strong today, and it was blowing against them. It had been pleasant on the way there, sending them racing along.
But on