At this moment.

The battle between mutated roots and ordinary pirates had already ended ahead of time. Everyone, including the only Extraordinary Duncan, the captain of the "Big Thumb," pirate officers, and regular pirates, were tightly bound.

Some pirates even had their bones brutally broken by the roots. At this moment, lying in the mud amidst the rain, they only dared to groan softly, afraid of attracting the attention of that terrifying Navy Officer.

Aiven stepped forward, walking through the clearing filled with pirates, and entered the cavern.

Swish——

In the surprised eyes of the two people on the ground, with one slash, he severed the ropes on their bodies.

"Baldwin, how are you? Can you stand up?" The unfortunate one captured by Duncan was Baldwin, one of the four new recruits serving aboard the "Conch" when Aiven first assumed his position.

Though he had disgracefully been captured, his subsequent performance made Aiven, who had been observing him, feel somewhat satisfied, speaking in a gentle tone without any blame.

"Hiss——! No, I'm fine, Captain. I embarrassed the 'Conch' and you, please punish me!" Baldwin bowed his head, requesting Aiven's punishment, but moving slightly pulled at the blood-soaked whip marks stuck to his clothes, causing waves of piercing pain.

Aiven patted Baldwin's shoulder, comforting him:

"It's not entirely your fault. A powerful Extraordinary with concealment abilities is temporarily beyond your ability to resist. Also, considering the bravery you showed today, I won't administer any punishment to you.

But I hope you remember the humiliation of being captured today and turn it into a driving force to continually urge yourself to acquire the strength to protect you and your comrades from such encounters one day."

"Yes, Captain!" Baldwin stood upright and saluted solemnly, despite the persistent pain, his posture as firm as his... unwavering determination!

By this time, Captain John, who had already helped his crew free themselves from their ropes, returned to the cavern. Though intimidated by the vines binding the pirates, he chose to temporarily ignore them.

Approaching Aiven, he respectfully saluted:

"Major Aiven! Captain John, the second officer of the Third Fleet's Level 5 Battleship 'Reef,' thanks you for your assistance! Thank you for saving all our lives and futures!"

Aiven wasn't surprised that the Captain recognized him. The Third Fleet, involved in the "New Star Project" to hunt pirates, had only ten warships sailing at sea. At least for the officers on these ships, it was unlikely they wouldn't know the captains of these ten warships.

As Aiven returned the salute, he also voiced his inner question:

"Captain, what happened to you...?"

His words brought grief upon the middle-aged captain, who sighed heavily several times before revealing the ordeal they had previously faced.

The ten warships set sail together, but the "Reef," choosing solitary action outside the company of other ships, cruised along a deep-sea route of the "Tulip Alliance" on the ocean.

Though they had no fixed target, the approach of the "Reef" wasn't entirely wrong, as major trade routes were places pirates, akin to hungry wolves preying on merchant ships, frequently roamed.

For over half a month, everything seemed calm until their encounter with the "Big Thumb."

In fact, as the mighty Kingdom Navy, their vessels, equipment, artillery, personnel quality, etc., all entirely surpass pirates. At least in one-on-one naval battles, the navy seldom suffered losses.

Many times, when pirates encountered navy cruisers, their first choice was to use their smaller size and faster speed to escape directly. Initially confident, the navy officers also had an absolute psychological edge over the pirates!

However, in this sea battle, the navy wasn't favored by fate. As soon as the probing artillery duel started, the "Reef" unexpectedly got hit at the mainmast, losing more than half of its power.

Then, during a two-hour long cannon firefight and stalemate, Chameleon Duncan sneaked onboard from underwater, taking advantage of the ship's only Official Knight, the captain, being unguarded, executed a beheading and considerably damaged the officers!

Already severely wounded and losing command, the "Reef" was soon blasted from its defensive blind spots and sank by pirates. The lucky surviving crew became prisoners of the pirates, until now rescued by Aiven.

"I deeply sympathize with your plight as colleagues. Stay aboard my 'Conch' during the time at sea, and we'll return to Gabred together upon our homeward journey."

"Thank you, sir. Rest assured, my crew and I will firmly obey your command on the ship!" Captain John expressed with gratitude, assuring Aiven that they would adhere to the rules of the "Conch" and cause no trouble.

Meanwhile, under Milan's and Gary's lead, the crew of the "Conch" also arrived there.

Through Aiven's myriad subtle influences over time, his crew had grown accustomed to the captain's miraculous abilities, but the former "Reef" soldiers weren't comfortable yet.

Aiven instructed Captain John to gather the captured sailors into the cavern. Amid their astonished gazes, he smashed a grayish-white potion bottle onto the ground, instantly filling the enclosed space with gray mist.

Bang——

"Sir, you..."

Thump, thump...

Before finishing the sentence, they had already dropped one by one.

"Tomorrow, you will only remember that we defeated the pirates and rescued hostages. All the bizarre things like moving roots, you'll forget entirely."

Watching the gradually unconscious sailors, Aiven quietly said: "The human heart is something that cannot withstand tests."

Just like at the beginning, Aiven didn't give the navy men a chance to choose between joining the pirates or dying resolutely, nor would he entrust his secrets based on the sailors' moral integrity.

Unlike his carefully selected crew, who, with various follow-up methods, could confirm they could keep his secret, Aiven couldn't trust the former "Reef" officers, complex and partially clearly having wavered.

With his current foundation, even if the secret of him being a Wizard were to be leaked, it wouldn't cause him too much trouble. However, it would still impact his development within the Navy, so why create unnecessary complications?

After settling the issue with the captured sailors, Aiven immediately threw himself into the tense aftermath work: "Milan, take some people to seize that Pirate Ship, don't let the remaining Pirates notice anything amiss and escape."

"Alright, leave it to me!" After the expedition, Milan was still in decent condition and immediately dispatched a small Navy squad towards the shore.

"Captain, how should we handle these Pirates?" First Mate Borg approached Aiven, cautiously asking. The more he understood the Captain's methods, the more he revered him.

From the "Ship's Figurehead: Monsoon Goddess" to the many Sea Birds often residing on the warship, from the "Ocean Treasure: Misty Silver Lamp" to today's mutated roots.

Even though Aiven had never admitted it, he had already recognized the Captain's "extraordinary" nature. But, as he himself had once said, so what if he's a Wizard?

On the night they encountered the "Mirage Sea Star," if it weren't for the Captain's ability to turn the tide, everyone aboard would have long become the Sea Monster's dinner.

Although most sailors on the sea were devotees of the Goddess, they were even more thorough pragmatists!

Aiven was quite satisfied with First Mate Borg's attitude as well, who didn't ask unnecessary questions and only focused on his work. It seemed like, after a long period of subtly influencing them through various means, this batch of subordinates had finally taken shape.

Upon hearing the First Mate's inquiry, Aiven thought for a moment and directly said, "It's useless, follow the regulations."

Of course, according to the rules, the entire "Tulip Alliance" has only one way of dealing with Pirates... execution!

"As you command!"

Watching the First Mate leave with the order, Aiven went straight to Duncan, who was still lying on the ground. Ordinary Pirates had no value, but this one was different.

As a powerful Extraordinary, he had evaded the Navy's intelligence system, mingling among Pirates for years without being listed on the wanted list. Not even the information Aiven had collected mentioned this guy.

This Pirate, suspected to be from the Assassin Organization "Vulture's Nest," was indeed cautious in his actions.

Honestly, Aiven had a certain appreciation for talent. A skilled Assassin would be highly useful, even on the open sea where concealment was challenging. At the very least, replicating his decapitation tactic used on the "Reef," he was a sharp tool!

Snap——

Aiven snapped his fingers.

There was a rustling sound as the vines binding Duncan's neck loosened on their own, giving him a chance to breathe again.

"'Chameleon' Duncan? Previously, you gave the Navy soldiers a chance, and now I'm giving you a chance. Leave the Pirate ranks and work for me, how about it?"

"Ha——"

Duncan lifted his eyelids, looking at the spirited Navy officer in front of him, and sneered, showing disdain for the offer.

What difference is there between being a dog for the Assassin Organization "Vulture's Nest" and being a dog for the powerful? If he was willing to live a life more as a tool than a person, wouldn't he have chosen to seek refuge with a Great Noble directly?

He just didn't expect that someone so young who became a Navy Captain would also be a Wizard! He had even more secrets than himself.

Though surviving is preferable to dying, for Duncan, living like that was worse than dying heroically. He gazed upward at the pitch-black sky, the lightning streaking across his eyes:

"Be your subordinate? A Wizard mixed into the Kingdom Navy? Ahahaha...."

Evidently, the resolve of this Assassin was much stronger than some of the sailors before him. At least, from Aiven's perspective, this guy's heart was as cold as his blade, having witnessed too much bloodshed and emotional turmoil, rendering him completely numb.

Even if he were to forcefully convert him, it would require tremendous effort and time to win over his heart, making the endeavor hardly worthwhile.

Furthermore, this guy had killed multiple Navy officers, including a Navy Captain, severing his path back to civilized society long ago.

Moreover, associating with the Assassin Organization "Vulture's Nest" because of this person would be troublesome. Even if he were to use Witchcraft to give him a new identity, his unique abilities would easily reveal his origins to insiders when he acted. What, should they silence all witnesses every time he acted?

It was obvious that the value he presented did not justify taking such a risk.

"Sigh——! My rare benevolence... Farewell!"

Having made the decision, he no longer hesitated, pressing down lightly on the hilt of his sword.

Clang——

The longsword returned to its sheath, an electrifying sword light piercing through Duncan's brow.

Duncan's eyes widened, the thunder reflected in his pupils!

If there is a next life, may you be as free as lightning, no longer just a tool; this was Aiven's final act of mercy.

After confirming that this "Assassin" had not used any trick to feign death, Aiven instructed the sailors to drag him away. Due to the traits of an Extraordinary's corpse, it must not be handled casually; it should at least be completely burned when the weather clears.

Otherwise, if simply tossed into the wilderness, who knows what eerie things would be waiting when he visited the island again?

Finishing the last task, Aiven snapped his fingers.

The mutated roots scattered and returned to the ruins, awaiting Aiven's next summon.

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