Mark flicked his sword upward, forcing Ellen out of the shadows.
The greatsword sweeping in from behind nearly severed Ellen's shoulder.
Fortunately, Ellen reacted quickly, holding a dagger behind his back to block the blade.
He blocked the edge, but failed to dissipate the force of the greatsword's swing. Unable to control the shadows, Ellen now stood in the middle of the cannon deck.
Under everyone's gaze, Ellen showed no panic at all.
The gunners stopped loading ammunition and grabbed longswords and heavy blades, ready to hack Ellen to death.
Mark was frighteningly calm as he ordered, "Everyone, stand back. Keep loading cannonballs and bombarding the enemy ships. Whatever happens on this deck, even if I die, you must not stop firing."
"You ruthless bastard!" Ellen said through gritted teeth.
Mark sneered. "Little rat, you still have a lot to learn."
Ellen spat, his face twisted with disgust. "Pah! What gives a traitor like you the right to act so high and mighty?"
The word "traitor" struck a nerve in Mark.
Mark held both swords across his chest, let out a furious roar, and Charged.
Clang!
The dagger slid tight against the sword's edge, twisting sharply downward. The sharp, resilient thorium struck off a shower of sparks.
The searing sparks burned through Ellen's leather glove and scorched the skin off his hand.
Ellen fought as he retreated, trying to put as much distance between himself and Mark as possible.
Ellen's objective was clear: blow up the cannon deck.
Mark had also seen through Ellen's intentions. The warships ahead had risked everything to charge into the Norwington Family's fleet, giving the flagship an excellent firing position.
As long as the flagship's guns kept firing, the scales of victory would gradually tip toward the Iron Tide Pirates.
Ellen seemed constrained at every