Hawkins gently stroked the treasure he had painstakingly plotted for years to acquire.

Although he had never seen the actual item with his own eyes, Hawkins was certain that this was the treasure he was seeking—the "Heart of the Ocean," which held the authority of the Black Sea, as he sensed a faint resonance with his own extraordinary spirituality.

More precisely, it's the massive sapphire nestled in the middle of the four arch structures on King Hilus' crown.

It seemed like an uncut raw stone, yet it presented a perfect oval shape, even larger than a baby's fist by comparison.

Among the various sapphire raw stones of the Civilization Continent, its size might not stand out. But what was rare was its translucency and purity; under light, six shining star rays would appear on its surface, with the intersection right at the center of the gemstone.

This natural rarity is the main reason it was "fortunate" to be placed atop King Hilus' head.

And who would have thought that the place theoretically most worthy of attention in this world was hiding the greatest and most mysterious power of this sea?

Having acquired this long-desired item, Hawkins no longer glanced at the other treasures on the third layer and, seeing that the pirates had finished packing, decisively ordered:

"Go! We're withdrawing!"

Although the pirates were extremely tempted by the remaining wealth, no one dared to take even a single additional gold coin onto the ship. They picked up the essence of the Jewel Hoard and left in formation.

At this moment.

From breaking through Golden Lion City, forcibly dismantling the grand treasury, to acquiring their load limit, even including the battles in between, only an hour and a half had passed.

At 8:15 AM this morning, people were at the Fluorescent Beach of the Eternal White Land's South Shore, and now at 11:52 AM, the plunder plan has been completed in the heartland of the Old Continent Tyrone Kingdom.

Compared to the estimated five-hour action time, they still had about 1 hour and 20 minutes remaining for evacuation.

Bringing the large force upstream from the estuary took only 1 hour; now, with light equipment going downstream, the speed would only be faster!

The time was very ample.

"Sir, are we not taking these sea monsters?"

The pirates, full to the brim, were slowly approaching the southern gate of "Golden Lion City," and Heimer noticed that the sea monsters brought along were still stationary in their original place, softly reminded the Pirate King.

Along with Hawkins, 44 sea monsters landed at Golden Lion City; after several battles, including the engineering team's 4 survivors, 17 large species remained, along with 6 small species.

By any standard, these sea monsters were a formidable force to reckon with for any power on the continent.

Typically, if any captain in the sea possessed a large species sea monster as a "pet" and their own power was decent.

The combination of human wisdom and sea monster strength would be viewed as equivalent to the lowest level "Quasi-Legendary" battleship, an indomitable force for ordinary vessels.

Even Heimer knew Hawkins was planning a promotion ceremony; still, a powerful Tier 4 "Lawless" shouldn't casually discard such aid.

"Sea monsters? We'll soon no longer need them, or rather, you'll never want to see such creatures again!"

Hawkins kept him guessing without explaining too much to Heimer, instead turning back and using the conch horn given by Heimtz to release the restriction on the surviving sea monsters.

Moo roar—!

Hiss—!

As most of the city's inhabitants had fled through the north gate, obeying the instincts as the beloved of the Mother of Sea Monsters, the liberated sea monsters mostly charged towards the area with the most humans—the "Golden Summit Cathedral".

These low-intelligence sea monsters clearly retained chaotic nature.

Some were intimidated by the true god's power within the cathedral, hesitating to proceed; others charged mindlessly; some rampaged through the city "preying" on survivors stranded in collapsed buildings after the giant waves ravaged…

For a time, "Golden Lion City" was full of chaos!

The escapees in the cathedral who thought they had escaped the calamity couldn't hide anymore; instead, they had to take action to save themselves.

"Hawkins has gone mad?! Leaving yet throwing so many sea monsters here directly?!"

Even finding Hawkins' strange behavior unbelievable, facing the sea monsters' siege, the strongest human on this side, Bishop Jasper, had no choice but to power through and intervene.

[Divine Skill: Royal Authority: Command!]

With the powerful divine art extended from the goddess's [Royal Authority] divine position, it gives absolutely compelling orders to hostile units in a short period (mainly creatures, above bishop level can command non-creature units), the specific number depending on the comparison of both parties' strength.

Under the divine skill.

Two large species, evidently combat-specialized with sharp claws, instantly defected and attacked their companions.

"Aww—!"

"Screech—!"

"....."

'Ha! Make the most of your last bit of warm remains; I hope the 'Brotherhood' and 'Black Iron Cross Sect' love this gift.'

Ignoring the chaos here, he led the group to turn and leave.

The Pirate King's thoughts were as deep as the sea; until the last moment, no one could predict the Pirate King's next step.

Tap..tap..tap..

The large force had just left through the south gate, greeted by a uniformed team led by an elegant gentleman with a silver cane.

Even from a distance, the leader bowed respectfully to the Pirate King, "Lord Hawkins! Congratulations on finally achieving your wish!"

Behind him, dozens of members of the Mafia Clan also bowed in unison, appearing far more well-trained than those so-called elite pirates.

"Lord Hawkins!"

Seeing the arrivals, a smile immediately appeared on Hawkins' face:

"Hahaha, look who's here? My most excellent disciple, Danfo!

Your appearance here clearly indicates that you've once again flawlessly completed the task I assigned to you!"

Even tasked with one of the most core parts of Hawkins' plan, the current "head" of the Mafia Clan showed not a shred of arrogant pride.

"No, sir! The months of lurking were just a prelude; my mission can only be fully completed in 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Now, while citizens are evacuating, the clan's personnel have already been relocated, and our people are stationed in every city along the Leiden River Valley, just waiting for the final moment to arrive!"

Knowing his disciple's meticulous nature, Hawkins trusted that the other party wouldn't disappoint him this time either.

Nodding slightly, Hawkins noticed that this accomplished disciple, at the Tier 2 Peak, continued to hold onto someone even while bowing. He curiously asked, "Danfo, who is this guest? Aren't you going to introduce me?"

"Lord Hawkins, the initial lurking plan wasn't without its flaws.

This Navy man named Thomas Gregory was just probing the Mafia Clan's base for intelligence, but luckily I discovered him in time to prevent mishap.

However, after interrogation, I believe he might prove quite useful to your cause."

Danfo Mafia tossed the always-held Thomas to the ground, then briefly explained his identity to Hawkins.

Thomas once bragged about challenging the Pirate King with "Bloody Lake Light", but now he didn't dare move at all. Despite trying hard to feign composure, after being easily defeated by both Aiven and the man named Danfo, his mind was on the brink of collapse.

In other words, this privileged young man, used to reigning unchallenged at home, was sorely unprepared for harsh societal lessons outside, suffering significant psychological trauma.

Watching Thomas' wandering eyes, Hawkins thought of the next step in his plan after achieving today's wish, and could easily make some idle moves in advance, so he nodded approvingly:

"Gregory, right? The distinguished family from Ilya has marital ties with the emerging noble figure Jerome?

Nice! Nice! A good pawn indeed. Congratulations, your life is spared.

Although I lack time to entertain you now, however..."

Summoning a pirate officer nearby, the officer promptly handed over a sail-shaped brass seal.

Woosh——!

Hawkins gripped the skull-shaped handle, swiftly waving it, causing the rough seal base to rub against the air, turning bright red.

Stepping on Thomas' wrist to firmly suppress his struggles, Hawkins stamped the seal down.

Sizzle——

The sound of charred flesh mingled with meat aroma.

A skull crest wearing a crown and sprouting eight octopus tentacles was branded on Thomas' right forearm.

"Ah——!"

The youth's anguished screams drew hearty laughter from the surrounding pirates.

Most of them had tasted the seal's experience, yet voluntarily. Because only the most loyal under the Pirate King's command would apply for this exclusive crest!

It's a witchcraft-infused brand, unless he discards his sword-using right arm, the symbol will display on the bone even if all skin and flesh are stripped away.

The exclusive crest signifies absolute loyalty! Never betray!

In fact, pirates bearing this crest enjoy elite treatment under the Pirate King's command, a distinguished honor many ordinary pirates could never desire.

Squatting beside Thomas.

Through his wandering eyes, Hawkins roughly discerned that this privileged son might harbor issues within his mind after suffering repeated blows, he said meaningfully:

"Don't worry, Mr. Thomas, I'll come looking for you sooner or later! Hmm, maybe you'll come looking for me too. Hahaha..."

Then.

Ignoring the agonized, mud-like Thomas on the ground, worried he might run back to report the Mafia Clan, a group boarded the "Eternal Imprisonment Sacred Statue" moored beside the shore.

By now, after an hour and a half, the water level of the Leiden River had returned to the level before seawater poured in. Perhaps not so friendly to certain types of large Sea Monsters.

But it posed no problem for this Pirate Ship.

Re-tethering the tow rope to the "Sea King Shell" and with this final large species and the two small "Sea Tide Shell" species' assistance, they raised a wave about three meters high, smaller in scale but faster in speed.

In "Golden Lion City," increasingly intense roars and battle cries between Sea Monsters and humans echoed non-stop!

Rush—rush—rush——

With the swift wave, the pirates rode downstream, disappearing in the blink of an eye around the bend of "Red Shrimp River Bay."

At the journey's end, the most critical fourth step of this operation awaited them!

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