Asfer stood aboard the warship, his face dark.
To him, Randall's order to prepare for battle meant nothing more than going to their deaths.
He had planned to flee outright.
Randall and the others were doomed anyway, so whatever he said afterward would become the official account.
Unfortunately, Aequus seemed to have anticipated his intentions.
Now he was trying to figure out how to surrender when the time came and save his own life.
As time passed, the distance between the two sides steadily shrank.
By now, the soldiers aboard the leading warship could make out the flags on the pirate ships with their naked eyes.
The sight was a staggering one.
On one side was a vast, dark mass of large sailing ships—at least two hundred by a conservative estimate.
On the other were just five lonely naval warships.
There was no comparing their numbers.
It was like a drop of ink facing a basin of clear water.
Asfer and the others stared ahead, their faces deathly pale.
They felt as though a murderous aura, almost solid enough to touch, was bearing down on them.
One glance was enough to drain them of any courage to fight.
We can't fight them. We don't stand a chance.
Perhaps only an Admiral could find a way out of a situation like this.
At that moment, Asfer hated Randall with every fiber of his being.
He couldn't understand how anyone could be so arrogant.
Fine, be arrogant! Go get yourself killed!
Why drag me along? Do you need someone to keep you company in death?
Just then, the Pirate Alliance spotted the warships as well.
A succession of thunderous booms rang out, followed by the sharp whistle of objects cutting through the air.
Cannonballs arced into the sky, then fell toward the