Shrouded Seascape

"We have to find a way to stall time and keep the pirates busy at the docks for a period of time."

"That's easy!" Kord looked visibly agitated as he snatched Charles' pen and drew a couple of arrows pointing at the docks on the map.

"We just need to send three ships to launch a direct assault on their port and attract as much attention as possible. This assault team doesn't need to keep them occupied for too long; about twenty minutes will do."

"Disregarding whether this approach will work or not, how are the three ships going to make it out alive?" Charles questioned Kord's proposition.

"Why do we need to consider their return?l" Kord's words instantly turned the atmosphere in the cabin several degrees colder.

Golden Hook, the burly man who had previously picked a fight with Charles, stood up and roared in fury, "I'll never agree to such a plan! My comrades will not join you in your suicide mission!!"

A hint of despise flickered across Kord's face as he sized up Golden Hook. "Don't worry, I won't be using your men. Who knows if they will cower in their fear and run away during the mission? My brethren, the time has come for us to sacrifice for the glory of our Light God!"

The moment Kord's words fell, three individuals collectively stood up from among the captains.

All three of them spotted the same trademark white triangle on their foreheads. They were the captains of the ships belonging to the Divine Light Order. They wore a look of nonchalance on their visages as though they weren’t afraid of facing their imminent death.

A satisfied grin spread across Kord's face as he approached the three captains and gave them an affectionate pat on their shoulders.

"Rest assured, you and your crews are the harbingers in the search for the Land of Light. Your sacrifice is a display of your utmost faith in our Lord. When I arrive at His holy kingdom, I'll implore Him to guide your souls into His sacred land!"

"All for the glory of the Light God!"

"All for the glory of the Light God!"

"All for the glory of the Light God!"

With determined looks on their faces, the three brought their hands together to form a triangle and pressed it on the white triangle on their foreheads.

Meanwhile, the other captains wore a peculiar look on their faces. Even though they had gotten accustomed to death at sea, seeing the entire crew of three ships willingly march toward their demise had their guts twisting in an unexplainable manner.

Charles swiftly recalled the pirates' distribution of forces at the port and shook his head. "Three ships aren't enough. They wouldn't be able to buy us that much time. They would probably be blasted and sink under enemy fire as soon as they entered the area."

The corners of Kord's lips curved up into a smug grin. "Rest assured. The power of the Divine Light Order is way beyond your imagination. If I say they would do it, they would definitely do it!"

With that, Kord took out a key from within his sleeve and handed it to one of the Divine Light Order's captains.

"Go and get the items from the third-floor cargo hold of the Divine Radiance. You all know how to use them," Kord instructed.

The three captains turned and left in unison upon receiving Kord's command. Once they left the cabin, Charles turned his gaze onto the remaining captains in the room.

"Everyone, I know all of us have some hidden tricks up our sleeves. But now is the critical juncture of our mission; please display the full extent of your prowess. Once we’ve completed this mission, the rewards we’ll reap will be way beyond your imagination!"

Soon, the turbines of all the ships started burning and billowing black smoke emerged from the smokestacks.

Each crew member had been notified of the imminent peril, and tension was evident on everyone's faces.

However, they were far from panicky. After all, every one of them had survived many incredibly dangerous situations when exploring the islands. Compared to the various kinds of weirdness and bizarre entities they had to face, a bunch of pirates and some indigenous creatures were nothing.

Charles glanced to his left and saw Kord performing some sort of ritual for the Divine Light Order disciples who would be part of the suicide team.

Of course, Charles had no intention to stop them. The island was overflowing with pirates, and only by putting a certain number of people in mortal danger could the rest have hope to find a way out.

Looking at the excited and fervent expressions of the Divine Light Order's disciples, Charles understood that, at least at this very moment, they were willing to die for their illusory Light God. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

But just then, Charles spotted two familiar figures among the crowd. It was Linda and another Divine Light Order disciple who had escaped from the island of Meeh'eks with him.

The face of Salin, right before he took his last breath, flashed across Charles' mind. His brows were slightly furrowed, and he activated his grappling hook to swing over to Kord's ship.

"Kord, I need these two," Charles said and pointed at them.

A look of surprise appeared on Kord's face. "Why?"

"I'm short of two men on my ship. I think both of them seem to be a good fit," Charles fabricated a random, ridiculous excuse.

A mocking glint flashed across Kord’s eyes as he stared alternatingly between Charles and Linda. "Sister Linda, Aragh, your mission has been canceled at the last minute. Go and stand by on Charles' ship."

However, Linda seemed ungrateful about Chales’ goodwill. Her face turned red with fury, and her breathing got noticeably faster.

"Sister Linda, follow my orders,” repeated.

Linda glared at Charles with an icy look before she turned and walked toward the cabin.

Charles didn't care whether Linda felt grateful toward him or not. He just wanted to repay the favor to the deceased Salin.

In fact, Charles found himself rather selfish. He didn't care if countless strangers died. However, if one of them was someone he knew, his compassion would surface from a secluded corner of his heart.

Once all preparations had been made, Charles took the helm himself. Seeing the distant lighthouse's beam in the air, he inhaled a deep breath and pressed down on the horn of the Narwhale.

Wooooong—!

All seventeen ships started moving in unison and carried their excited crews in the direction of Skywater Island.

They weren't far from the island to begin with. Soon enough, Charles could spot the vague coastal lights of Skywater Island.

At that moment, the three Divine Light Order ships began to break apart from the fleet and headed straight for the docks without any hesitation.

Under the dim illumination, Charles could vaguely see the disciples on the ship eating something.

Charles quickly turned the wheel and led the other exploration vessels toward the fueling point. Soon, the Narwhale returned to the coast where Charles and his reconnaissance team had escaped from.

All the thirteen boats were slowing down with the exception of one ship. The captain on board was dressed in a crisp, black military uniform. Holding a thin sword in his hand, he pointed at the fuel factory in the distance and commanded the ship toward the shore.

"Captain! Won't he run aground doing that?" Dipp asked Charles worriedly.

"Just focus on your job. These guys must surely have some skills to survive till now."

Clank—

A dull thud rang out as the ship's hull collided with the rocks. However, the grounding that Dipp had expected didn't happen.

The barnacle-covered tracks at the bottom of the ship spun rapidly and pushed the boat ashore.

"My god! That ship can actually move on land, too!" Dipp exclaimed with his eyes wide and mouth agape.

The pirates clearly saw the impressive display of aggression.

Far off, the siren bells sounded at the building complex of the fueling point. Personnel were also mobilized for defense. Black Levitation Fiends emerged from within the building complex as well.

Charles wiped his blood across the Bat Mirror before jumping off the deck.

"Move out!" Charles shouted.

The amphibious ship's deck cannon aimed directly at the steel gate and fired. With a deafening explosion, the gate of the fuel factory, along with the pirates standing behind it, were annihilated.