There were only Aiven and Milan in the captain's cabin.

A nautical chart was spread open on the desk between the two of them.

The chart was clearly a high-grade item made recently, with paper and illustrations that looked brand new. The smooth surface of the paper showed countries, coastlines, islands, reefs, water depths, navigational markers, lighthouses, supply points, and even the habitats of dangerous marine creatures all marked clearly.

Moreover, the scope covered by this chart was unexpectedly large, including the entire coastal trade routes of the "Tulip Alliance" and more than a dozen common ocean routes, including the path Aiven was most eager for, leading to the New Continent.

Compared to the one Aiven received from the Fleet Headquarters before departure, this one was much broader and more detailed.

As a qualified navy captain, Aiven naturally recognized the value of this chart at a glance. It was not a common item and was very likely a special treasure collected by the Vice Admiral from unknown sources.

Indeed, its priceless value was matched by a high level of confidentiality...

Milan was unaware of Aiven's unusual glance and had already immersed himself in the role of Chief Navigator, focusing entirely on the nautical chart, sliding his finger across the map and speaking to himself:

"At the current speed of the 'Conch', we will reach Shell Strait in three days, after which we enter the vaguely defined high seas.

I do not recommend proceeding to hunt the Great Pirates who roam the high seas. Apart from the numerous uncontrollable risks, our 'Conch', as a mere Level 6 Battleship, cannot cope with the ever-changing oceanic weather.

Unless we form a navy fleet, each serving its own function, a single ship rashly venturing in has a very low margin for error. Just a minor accident could doom us to a watery grave."

The two circled around the nautical chart planning their next journey. Since the task was to hunt ferocious pirates, with the danger clearly present, choosing the right target and route was particularly essential.

At this moment, there was no distinction between captain and chief navigator, nor between superiors and subordinates. Everyone treated it with utmost seriousness, candidly expressing their opinions.

"Hmm, I agree with your view. Although at the Navy Academy, I also learned how to deal with the complicated conditions of the high seas, our main crew are still new recruits, and sending our Level 6 battleship directly to the high seas would be irresponsible for everyone.

However, even if we don't head to the high seas, there are plenty of moves we can make within the coastal areas.

The 'White Whale Port Massacre' happened over ten days ago. Let's think about what the pirates, having gained a massive wealth, might do next..."

Even before departure and before Milan joined, Aiven actually had a comprehensive plan, and Milan's arrival added insurance to its successful execution. At this point, naturally, there was no reason to hide it from him.

"You mean... neutral ports?!"

Milan instantly grasped Aiven's meaning.

Though pirates inherently pursue treasures, they are equally estranged from them. Destined to fail to return to civilized society, they do not have the concept of saving money, and living for the moment is the norm.

Frequenting prostitutes, enjoying fine food and drink, rotten gambling—no matter how much wealth they have, it will all be squandered in a short time. At least, that is the case for the majority of pirates.

However, while the ports of civilized nations are a world of flowers that can satisfy their every need, the risk is too great for pirates.

Fortunately, each nation and power has a different attitude towards pirates. Apart from forces like the "Tulip Alliance," which, under the blessings of the "Royal Authority and Goddess of Navigation," grants no mercy to pirates, the Black Sea's east coast also has numerous neutral ports of varying sizes willing to allow pirates to dock.

These are the pirate havens, and also the treasure troves for neutral powers!

Of course, aside from neutral ports, there are many private ports scattered in unknown corners of the sea, but no one can say for sure where they are.

Seeing Milan's expression, Aiven smiled slightly. He knew a smart person needed no extra words, then gently pointed on the nautical chart. Milan followed his fingertip and suddenly realized: "The largest neutral port city on the east coast, 'Atlantis'!"

Prompted by Aiven's words, Milan's wisdom quickly led him to understand Aiven's original intent.

"So the route you initially chose had a purpose!

Based on this timeline, traveling from 'White Whale Port' in southern Ilya to 'Atlantis', our current position is almost on their direct path. As long as they don't detour into the high seas or intentionally take a long way around, there's a high chance they will pass through this sea area.

Combined with your sea bird reconnaissance, within a fifty-kilometer range, they might unexpectedly collide with our cannons before even realizing it. Even without me, the 'Conch' would not return empty-handed this time.

You're indeed a sly one!"

Aiven deliberately put on a serious face:

"What do you mean by sly? This is called wisdom, right?

There are over two hundred pirate ships. All of them struck it rich at White Whale Port. Even if not many choose to revel in Atlantis, it's impossible that there are none. Ambushing here is far better than aimlessly scouring the sea.

Moreover, with your divination skill, we can predict when pirates will pass nearby, which is far simpler than divining the specific whereabouts of a particular pirate.

Imagine those pirates, pockets full of treasures, singing, anticipating their imminent feast of debauchery, suddenly getting raided by bandits... ahem... suddenly crashing into our grasp. Wouldn't that be a big surprise?!"

"Though all I see is your perverse enjoyment, I agree with this plan." Milan gave Aiven a peculiar look, sensing an unfathomable hidden meaning behind the situation.

However, he did not dwell on it and instead proposed his own suggestion.

"I've just boarded the ship, so I'm not very familiar with the 'Conch', especially your capabilities.

Let's sort out our strengths in advance. During my divination, I'll do a power comparison. If we encounter an existence we cannot provoke, it would be better to avoid confrontation."

Name: Aiven Galliot

Gender: Male

Military Rank: Major Captain

Tier: Official Knight / Intermediate Wizard Apprentice

Attributes: (omitted)

Skills: (omitted)

Extraordinary Items:

Iron Cross Medal (Effect: Divine Favored, wearer is protected from the dangers of the sea)

Wild Talisman (Effect: Provides a 20% increase in user's speed and agility)

Alchemy Tools (plural omitted)

Secret Treasure: Mist Silver Lamp (Ability: Ignored weather conditions; interrupts enemy's sense of direction; ineffective even against compass or directional witchcraft.)

Ship's Figurehead: Ship's Figurehead: Monsoon Goddess (Grants a constant passive effect to the ship. Increases speed during tailwinds to a maximum of 20%, reduces speed loss to 20% during headwinds, and negates effect with no wind.)

ps: With the items held, it quickly measures the power on our side when I perform the divination, and if we encounter an entity we cannot provoke, it's best to temporarily avoid confrontation."

Name: Milan Snite

Gender: Male

Military Rank: Major Chief Navigator

Tier: Official Knight / Official Wizard (Prophet)

Skills: Nautical Knowledge (Mastery) Mystical Knowledge (Mastery)....

Extraordinary Items:

Wild Talisman (Multiple effects omitted)

Secret Treasure: Mist Silver Lamp (Ability: Ignores original weather conditions; disrupts enemy's sense of direction; compass or directional witchcraft are ineffective.)

The "Prophetic School," which Milan belongs to, has forsaken most offensive casting abilities but gained more pure spiritual power, making significant advancements in prediction, detection, mentality, and misfortune curses.

Aboard the ship, they are the only Official Knights representing extraordinary power. Below them are Boatswain Gary and Sailor Vid. The rest of the crew, being either aged veterans or not yet matured, can only be considered conventional forces.

Besides the onboard personnel, a warship's strength is primarily measured by its shipborne artillery count.

Copper or iron cannons both reflect a nation's financial strength and technical prowess. In fact, many scholars of this era often gauge the naval strength of a nation by the number of cannons it possesses.

The ship has only 24-pounder smoothbore guns, which is far from powerful. Therefore, when facing pirates, aside from necessary armed strength, we also need a little... intelligence!

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