In your dreams!

After the Stormrain fleet entered the waters outside Morris Town, Jaina immediately noticed the sea fog drifting over the water to the north.

It was noon on a clear, sunny day. Why was there still fog gathering over the sea?

Jaina's heart sank, and her unease deepened.

An ordinary mage could not gather so much moisture. Only a Tidesage could have cast a sea fog spell.

Jaina did not understand why a Tidesage from House Stormsong had joined the pirates, but if their fleet really had a Tidesage helping them, Rowan's chances of survival were slim.

The warships picked up speed. Jaina clutched her crystal pendant in both hands and silently prayed to the sea that Rowan was still alive and well.

The others did not know exactly how much fighting strength Rowan had at his disposal, but Jaina knew very well what military forces he could currently muster.

Rowan had only one seaworthy warship, while the pirate fleet had three, along with a Tidesage's help.

In a small-scale naval battle, the fog summoned by a Tidesage could swallow a warship whole. The cannon deck and helmsman would lose visibility completely, leaving them sitting ducks for the pirates.

Tarenford had mixed feelings. He could not understand why the Third Fleet had been assigned this mission. If that unfortunate young master really had died at the pirates' hands, even capturing every last pirate would not change the fact that Rowan had been killed.

Rowan was the Norwington Family's only son, Lord Aldrius's sole heir. His death would send shock waves through all of Proudmoore Keep.

Tarenford would certainly take the fall for the Third Fleet's failure to rescue him. After that, his military career would never recover.

Sure, it would be terrible if Young Master Rowan were killed by pirates. But if you insist on being an idiot, don't drag us down with you!

As the fleet approached the sea fog, Tarenford took a deep breath and cleared his mind for the moment.

Right now, he needed to wipe out every pirate who had appeared in these inland waters.

"Be ready, Captain Tarenford. They have a Tidesage." Jaina wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and an ice-blue magic staff slowly materialized in her hand.

Arcane light swirled and rose around Jaina, lifting the hem of her pale blue dress. After warning Captain Tarenford, she poured all her anger into her magical energy.

You had better not lay a finger on Rowan! Jaina thought.

As the eldest son of the Norwington Family, Rowan was still quite valuable. At the very least, tying him up and demanding a ransom from his family would be a profitable venture.

Anger soon overwhelmed every other emotion in Jaina's heart. All she wanted now was to kill every pirate who had hurt Rowan.

Once the fleet entered the sea fog, Jaina tossed her staff into the air.

The crystal magic staff hovered before Jaina. An intricate magical sigil floated over each of her palms, and she spread her slender arms wide, exerting all her strength.

A powerful gale surged from the magic staff. The wind howled, and the milky white fog gradually dispersed in the direction it blew.

Soon, the hull of a warship began to emerge from the sea fog.

The moment Tarenford saw the warship's outline in the mist, he ordered, "Turn the bow! Prepare to fire!"

Jaina retrieved her magic staff and activated her Combustion Talent. In an instant, fierce flames enveloped her entire body.

Wait, why does that warship look so familiar? Isn't that iron barrel belching black smoke part of Rowan's steam warship?

Jaina cast Eagle Eye, eagerly searching for the figure she longed to see.

Rowan did not disappoint her. He stood at the bow in a victor's pose, facing the sea breeze and savoring the joy of his triumph.

Anger, sorrow, worry-all her negative emotions vanished in that instant.

Jaina pressed her lips together. She wept with joy, laughing through her tears as she gazed at the distant sailing warship. "There's no need, Captain Tarenford," she said happily. "Rowan defeated all those pirates."

As soon as she finished speaking, Jaina used a Teleportation Spell to transport herself onto Rowan's warship.

Tarenford stared in astonishment, wondering if he had misheard.

But Her Highness Jaina had said it herself, and she seemed to have teleported onto that ship.

It looked as though the Norwington Family's young master really might have dealt with all the pirates.

Could those pirates have been all show? But I clearly heard a Rapid-Fire Cannon and a Shipbreaker Cannon firing.

Looking at the shattered wooden decking and pirate corpses scattered across the sea, Tarenford fell deep into thought.

As unbelievable as Young Master Rowan's victory was, he had indeed sunk all three pirate warships. His own flagship had merely lost its mast and sustained a little damage to its hull.

Perhaps the damage was not so minor after all. Through his spyglass, Tarenford spotted a large hole in the ship's side, yet the warship showed no signs of sinking.

What was going on?

Puzzled, Tarenford continued examining Rowan's warship. To his surprise, it could still sail without a mast. He rubbed his eyes and confirmed that his vision was not playing tricks on him. Rowan's warship really was moving.

Tarenford was utterly bewildered. His mouth twitched as he continued watching.

What happened next was even harder for Tarenford to believe. To be honest, he was a little envious.

Her Highness Jaina actually embraced Rowan. She was the Daughter of the Sea, a princess of the Kingdom of Kul Tiras in all but name, and a powerful young Archmage besides. How could someone as noble as Her Highness Jaina be with a young master who had spent eight years as a fool? Such a romance hardly seemed real.

"You idiot! I suppose you do have some ability." Jaina threw herself into Rowan's arms.

During the embrace, Rowan deliberately kept some distance between himself and Jaina to show what a gentleman he was. Only their shoulders touched.

Rowan gave a light cough and said modestly, "We won this naval battle thanks to everyone's efforts, especially Leonard and Byron."

Ding! Happiness from Jaina +1314.

"When did you become so modest?" Jaina asked with a sweet smile, still reluctant to let the moment end.

After the embrace, Rowan regretted it. I'm a horny homebody. Why am I pretending to be a gentleman? Maybe I should just shamelessly ask for another hug.

"No, no, no. I'm not being modest. You deserve some credit too, Jaina. If you hadn't helped me build the steam engine, my ship would still be stuck in the harbor." Having laid the groundwork, Rowan continued, "Of course, to express my gratitude, I must insist that we share a hug to celebrate our friendship."

Jaina folded her arms and eyed Rowan warily, her expression making it clear that she had seen right through him. "In your dreams!"