In the depths of winter, in a stretch of sea south of Pritz Harbor, a privateer fleet ostensibly formed by pirates cruised the vast ocean, searching for "suitable" prey.
Since the main force of the Church of Storms' fleet was still protecting the Rorsted Archipelago and other overseas colonies, Loen's navy, though not weak, found it difficult to withstand the combined forces of Feynapotter and Feysac. It could only huddle near Pritz Harbor, which was why this privateer fleet dared to brazenly block the main shipping routes and intercept passing supply vessels.
Although, at Abner's instigation, all nations had signed the "Delis City Convention" and no longer indulged their armies in freely plundering civilians and merchant caravans, how could the militaries of Feysac and Feynapotter possibly let all kinds of supplies flow endlessly into Backlund just because of a written agreement?
Thus, naturally, more "pirates" appeared near Loen's ports.
Some were genuine pirates hired by the Feysac and Feynapotter militaries, while others were simply naval personnel in disguise.
"The Delis City Convention" could restrain regular armies, but it could not restrain pirates, could it?
And the commander of this privateer fleet, Al Manus, was much like Alger. Publicly, he had always been a pirate, but his true identity was that of an officer in the Feysac Navy.
"Captain, a fleet is approaching from Damir. They should have spotted us, but they haven't changed course," the lookout shouted to Commander Al.
Before Al could reply, the young adjutant beside him spoke first. "Captain, prepare for battle! Our chance to earn merit has come!"
Al Manus shot his adjutant a sidelong glance, deeply displeased by the man's presumptuous decision-making. If not for the fact that this greenhorn had been forcibly assigned to his ship by the military as a "supervisor," he would