The unexpected discovery of the pirates made Aiven's brow furrow deeply. A group of uninvited guests arrived on the island while he was exploring the School relics?

Thanks to the perceptive ability of the "Rock Giant," he was the first to detect the pirates' camp on the island, and soon thereafter, he "saw" the pirate ship anchored on the sea.

"The 'Big Thumb' Pirate Ship? Are these the pirates involved in the White Whale Port Massacre? Tough luck for you, now that you've come to this island, there's no need for you to leave!"

Through the pirate emblem on the ship's sail, Aiven easily identified the identity of the pirate ship.

There are also smart people among the pirates, who may have keenly foreseen the reactions of various countries after the massacre. Many of these pirate ships veered far off normal routes during their retreat and chose more secluded paths.

Aiven speculated that this "Big Thumb" might have ended up veering off course and arrived at this lonely "little island" due to a storm.

The distant pirate ship had already left the body range of the "Mountain Giant," and the perception ability was insufficient for Aiven to see inside the ship, but in the cave on the island, Aiven easily found the leaders and main forces of this group of pirates.

Slap—

Slap—

"Will you talk or not? How many of you are there? Who is your captain? How many Extraordinary members are on the ship?"

A young man tied to a stake already had many bloody marks on his body. His navy sailor uniform had long been beaten into tatters, and beside him, a hulking, scar-faced pirate kept swinging a whip with a sinister smile.

In fact, regardless of whether this navy soldier would reveal any intelligence or not, it did not hinder him from continuing to indulge in the perverse satisfaction of torture!

However, today he clearly encountered a tough nut.

From waking up to a splash of cold water to now gritting his teeth without speaking a word, he met the cold stares of all the pirate leaders present, as if he were looking at... a group of dead people!

"Damn it, that brat's gaze is really infuriating! I'll gouge it out for you so you can glare all you want!"

The pirate in charge of execution was so uncomfortable with the young sailor's glare that he took out a dagger and stepped forward to teach him a lifelong lesson.

"Wait!"

At this moment, the Pirate Captain suddenly stopped him, did not explain, and whispered a few words to a henchman nearby, who quickly left on orders.

Before long, outside, a group of pirates gathered and jogged back to the shore in the pouring rain.

The stone cave suddenly quieted down, giving the young sailor a brief moment to catch his breath.

However, this calm did not last long.

Soon, there was a commotion outside as pirates, following their captain's orders, brought over the navy captives held on the ship.

Standing at the cave entrance looking at the navy personnel, drenched and looking like drowned rats in the rain, the Pirate Captain laughed aloud, "Hahaha, let me tell you some good news.

Before we arrived here, there was another group of your Phaletis Kingdom navy on this island for repairs!"

As soon as he finished his words, there was a stir among the navy officers and soldiers chained up in the rain. For them, this was indeed good news—if those companions could defeat these pirates, wouldn't they be saved?

Some even began quietly cheering.

Captain John, previously a deputy on a warship, furrowed his brow deeply, thinking that pirates weren't fools. Revealing such information to these navy personnel? After seeing hope, how could they possibly continue to obey quietly?

"Heh heh, however..."

The navy soldiers, with indescribable emotions, all looked up at him.

The Pirate Captain stepped aside, revealing the young, scarred sailor. To these captured soldiers, it was a completely unfamiliar face, but given his military uniform, it wasn't difficult to speculate where this comrade came from.

"Originally, you were to be sold as slaves to neutral ports in other countries. However, now there's an opportunity for you; as long as you stab this ill-tempered young navy member, you can join us on the 'Big Thumb.'

The Pirate Captain spoke the cruelest words in the most relaxed tone, ignoring the changing expressions of the navy, and continued:

"Of course, while we are pirates, we adhere to the most democratic principles on the sea and won't force you.

You have half an hour to consider. After that, we will attack the navy on the other side of the island on schedule. We will seize their warships and leave them stranded on this deserted island!

But before then, we have no tradition of letting enemies stay overnight! Make your choice!"

"Oh ho—!"

"Hahahaha...."

In the jeering laughs of surrounding pirates, the captured navy members turned pale one by one. Even before they could make a choice, their bodies began to tremble slightly, though it was unclear how much of this was due to anger and how much was due to fear...

The "Big Thumb" pirate ship, having taken part in the "White Whale Port Massacre" and successfully sinking a chasing navy ship, brimmed with confidence.

At this time, unexpectedly running into another group of navy personnel, their first thought wasn't to run. On the contrary, they considered striking a blow, severely damaging the navy's prestige, and even capturing another batch of navy members.

Led by the captain, the pirates believed that with such achievements, even the "Pirate City" would open its doors to them, and becoming famed Great Pirates was within reach.

Clang—

A dagger was thrown at the feet of the foremost navy, bouncing twice on the rocky cave floor before coming to a stop.

But the navy member seemed to see a venomous snake and quickly retreated, drawing further ridicule from the onlooking pirates.

"Hurry up and choose! Opportunities are limited; the last five to decide will be executed immediately! Hahahaha...."

There were more than thirty captured naval personnel, and the threat that the last five would be executed removed any illusions from their minds.

As time ticked by, the atmosphere before the cave grew heavier and tenser.

Under the watching eyes of the pirates, some sailors wavered, some broke down crying, while some closed their eyes and had decided to face death.

Even warriors far stronger than ordinary people were just ordinary individuals facing life-and-death choices at this moment.

"Ten-minute countdown!"

The Pirate Captain's devil-like voice rang out, like a death warrant in their ears.

Step—

Seeing a companion begin to move, Captain John could no longer hold back and shouted:

"Think of your families! Your parents, wives, children! Would they want you to die as a heroic navy member or live on as a cowardly pirate? One wrong step, and even if you survive, there's no going back!"

"So, there's actually a hero here?

Heh, I love heroes with tough bones!

Bring this unyielding navy officer out too, chop off his limbs, and let him watch how many of his subordinates are heroes like him!"

The Pirate Captain, though not of high Extraordinary level, was ruthless enough. Since these guys weren't making up their minds, he'd set an "example" for them to see the tragic end of playing hero.

Being a cunning old pirate, he knew one principle well: only traitors are the fiercest killers of their kind. Since engaging in combat with the navy, what better cannon fodder than these people?

Even if his own pirates' lives were cheap, why not use free errand boys?

Immediately, John was dragged out from the crowd and pushed to the ground.

A lean, tough pirate grinned, revealing his blackish-yellow disgusting teeth, and stepped on Captain John's back, raising a curved blade high.

This slash must make the blood spurt the highest!

"Quick knife!"

"Quick knife!"

His pirate companions began to cheer loudly, while the navy captives lowered their heads, unable to bear witnessing the brutal scene.

Swish—

The curved blade swung down.

Blood splattered.

Only, it wasn't John's arm that fell, but... the pirate's.

"Ah!"

The lean pirate clutched his arm, uttering an excruciating scream. The rough severed end of his right arm had been sliced off by a flat stone that came flying at high speed.

Rustle, rustle, rustle....

Outside the cave, the silhouettes of trees in the rain-swollen forest swayed, with the sound resembling countless reptiles crawling across the ground, drowning out the rain's roar.

An angry voice, filled with rage, had already transmitted through the wind and rain into everyone's ears present.

"Dare to strike at the navy! How about I give you a choice too: death penalty or death penalty?!"

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