Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 109 Pirate Remnants

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

After a successful trial voyage, the navy promptly officially commissioned the warship Hope. It was ultimately equipped with 8 cannons, four on each side, and 4 swivel guns, along with a crew of 50 sailors.

Considering Quik's relative expertise in naval affairs within the navy, and after observing him for some time without detecting any disloyalty, Paul approved his appointment as captain of the Hope. Quik's rank jumped several levels to acting captain.

Grateful and tearful, Quik spent several months in the navy and gradually discovered that Earl Grayman was not the kind of lord who was cruel and merciless, devouring people without leaving bones. He also began to develop thoughts of loyalty. Now, a great opportunity lay before him, and he was determined to seize it.

Leading his crew, Quik trained tirelessly every day, even sleeping on the ship, quickly becoming familiar with every inch of the new vessel.

After spending a few days in Port Frand, Paul planned to return to Alden Town. Before leaving, Austin briefed Paul and Schroder on his long-planned plan to encircle the pirates.

In a meeting room at the naval base, a large sand table lay before everyone, displaying the coastal terrain of the entire Northwestern Bay, including islands of various sizes.

Of course, due to current technological limitations, the sand table was not very precise, but it was sufficient for the current navy.

"In summary, our plan is..."

Austin pointed and gestured with a thin stick on the sand table.

"...We'll utilize the power of coastal town militias, like so... Our first target for elimination is 'Eel' Jaden, who has become the largest pirate force in the Northwestern Bay since the downfall of the Shark Gang."

"Wait a moment!" Paul interrupted Austin, stroking his chin. "Eel? Why does that nickname sound so familiar?"

Quik, standing behind Austin, coughed awkwardly and said, "Lord Grayman, when I was still a pirate, I wanted Jaden to cooperate with me in attacking Alden Town. But midway, seeing the situation wasn't favorable, he fled, and then I was captured by you."

Paul recalled, "Ah, the slippery fellow! No wonder his nickname is 'Eel.'"

Quik added, "Yes, he's very cunning, adept at changing course with the wind."

Austin continued, "They're very skilled at choosing our weak defensive points. It's partly my incompetence that has allowed them to land successfully several times."

Paul reminded him, "There could very well be moles planted by him within our ranks. You need to be careful. Quik, don't jump to conclusions. I'm not targeting you."

"My Lord, I've already had my suspicions and will investigate thoroughly."

"According to the intelligence we currently have, the Eel Gang has no fixed base. Moreover, every member of this pirate group is skilled in navigation. Tracking their movements won't be easy at all."

Paul asked, "Can't our ships catch up with them? They're using sailboats too, right?"

Austin admitted, "Yes, but they might have some unknown modification techniques that significantly increase their ship's speed. Even if they get caught by our patrols during their operations, they can still leave us far behind."

Quik added, "I've never heard of the Eel Gang having this capability before."

Paul said somewhat discontentedly, "I didn't come here to listen to complaints about how difficult it is."

Austin quickly changed the subject, "Of course, my Lord. What I mentioned earlier is all in the past, because we have the Hope now!"

"Their ships may be fast, but they rely on manpower to row. Our Hope can continue sailing as long as there's wind. So, we don't need to catch them immediately. Just keep close and we'll wear out their rowers' energy, eventually catching up."

"Is it really okay to risk a newly tested ship against pirates? And what if they have many ships? Won't we be outnumbered?"

Although knowing that wind-sail warships are the way to go, Paul still had some doubts about the Hope, which was still in its testing phase.

Quik immediately stepped forward, pledging confidently, "Please rest assured, my Lord. My sailors and I have absolute confidence in the Hope. We'll hold out until other captains come to support."

Thinking of the 8 cannons and 4 swivel guns mounted on the Hope, Quik felt courageous enough to confront Edward, the notorious pirate lord of the high seas. He recalled his initial awe when he first encountered cannons—these weapons were made for naval warfare. With enough cannons, he could easily blast their opponents to pieces, even avoiding hand-to-hand combat.

After further discussion, Paul looked at Austin and said, "I'll leave maritime matters to you."

"In addition to eliminating pirates, we must expedite the opening of the southern route. Once the second ship is launched, send it south," Paul instructed.

Austin and the other captains saluted in unison, "Yes, my Lord, you can rest assured."

Suddenly, Paul remembered something and said, "I'll leave Miss D'Arshi, the language consultant, here to help you enhance maritime communication. She has already helped the army develop a set of signal flags that have proven very effective."

Austin nodded, "That would be excellent. Thank you, my Lord."

...

Flames engulfed the houses, cries of men begging for mercy mingled with the sobbing of women and children.

This was a coastal village, located in a neighboring territory next to Alden, now being ravaged by pirates.

Numerous pirates searched the village, packing their findings into wooden crates and loading them onto their ships.

The remaining pirates gathered the villagers in one place, beginning to select slaves.

One pirate spotted a teenage boy and entered the crowd to lift him up.

The boy was already in a panic, trembling all over, but a nearby woman desperately clutched onto his legs.

"Please don't take my son away. He's all I have left," she pleaded tearfully, her eyes filled with fear, constantly begging the pirates.

"Let go!" The pirate holding the boy snapped at the woman and shouted loudly.

The woman continued to plead with the pirate, still holding onto her son's leg, unwilling to let go.

Growing impatient, the pirate raised his left hand holding a knife, and the woman fell into a pool of blood.

"Mom!!!" The boy, grabbed by the pirate, cried out in despair, "You devils!"

He bit the pirate's arm fiercely. Given his size, this level of resistance was already his limit.

In pain, the pirate cursed, then knocked the boy unconscious with the hilt of his knife, dragging him and tossing him at another companion's feet.

These boys, still mentally immature and lacking in resistance, were the best candidates for slaves. Once aboard the pirate ship, if they adapted quickly to this harsh environment, they would become reserve personnel for the pirates and eventually grow into true pirates. If they couldn't adapt, they would remain slaves for life.

Other villagers sat on the ground, trembling, watching everything unfold. No one dared to stand up and resist, only praying that misfortune would not fall upon them.

The pirate selecting slaves returned to the crowd once more, looking for the next slave...

(End of the Chapter)

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