Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 127: After the Battle

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

Since more than ten pirate ships gathered and set sail last time, the island had become much quieter.

Of course, for Alan and the others, this was a good thing. With fewer pirates around, there were also fewer people ordering them around to do this and that.

Just as they were enjoying this rare "leisurely" time, they began to notice that something was slowly amiss on the island.

Some of the remaining pirates were restless, as if the sky was about to fall.

"Have you heard? The pirates suffered a defeat!"

At lunchtime, Payne mysteriously whispered to them. His information always seemed to be spot-on.

Alan and Tom suddenly became interested. If the pirates were defeated, there might be a chance for them to see the light of day again.

"Tell us more."

"The fleet that set out a few days ago was personally led by the pirate leader, Jaden. It's been three days now, and not a single ship has returned."

"Are you saying they're all done for?"

"What other reason could there be? They probably picked a fight with the Alden Navy and got wiped out."

Tom looked hopeful, "Will the Alden people come to rescue us?"

"They probably won't come specifically to rescue us. We're not citizens of Alden. But they say the pirate lair is stocked with a lot of treasure. The Alden people probably won't pass up the opportunity to liberate us along the way."

"Oh Lord of Light, please bless us and ensure the Alden people come here."

The three prayed earnestly, their hopes pinned on someone else coming to rescue them with their current abilities.

...

After defeating Jaden's pirate fleet, the Alden Navy had to undergo a period of repair. This naval battle was indeed a glorious victory: aside from one pirate ship that escaped, all nine other pirate ships were captured, resulting in over 300 pirates killed and nearly 200 taken prisoner.

However, the navy itself suffered heavy losses. Apart from the Hope, which didn't participate in boarding actions, the other ships had casualties exceeding 50, with almost every survivor carrying wounds. Such immense losses shocked the navy's high command deeply. For the relatively small Alden Navy, these losses were difficult to bear.

The direct cause of the navy's heavy casualties was the mysterious drug revealed in the prisoners' testimonies. Upon taking it, pirates immediately gained combat abilities far beyond ordinary humans. If not for the navy's firearms and cannons, as well as the advantage of boarding actions, it would have been uncertain who would have won this battle.

The performance of pirate leader Jaden, who heavily consumed the drug towards the end of the battle, also left a deep impression on all present officers and soldiers. What kind of mysterious drug could turn a perfectly normal person into a monster in an instant?

However, when asked for specific details about the drug—such as how it was made or where it came from—all prisoners claimed ignorance.

The only information obtained was that this drug was obtained by the pirate leader Jaden from a mysterious figure, either delivered personally to the pirate base by that figure, or fetched by Jaden's men from a meeting point on land.

All participating soldiers were placed under strict orders of silence. Apart from spreading news of the great victory, they were not allowed to disclose any details about the battle to outsiders or discuss it in front of them.