nycdaug Chapter 61 Split into Two Groups
Chapter 61 Split into Two Groups
Black Count Bartholomew's figure landed like a ghost on the violently rocking deck of the opposite ship, his boots crushing a pool of still-warm crimson blood.
The pungent smoke and strong smell of blood mingled and permeated the air, signaling that the battle had entered the cleanup phase.
His pale fingers were spotless, and his cold gaze swept over the corpses lying haphazardly on the deck, finally settling on the faces of the pale-faced survivors huddled at the cabin entrance.
[You have taken control of the "Black Fang". Please dispose of the remaining crew (17 people).]
The Black Earl's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.
This was his domain; the laws of piracy were etched deep into the remnants of his soul.
He needs a living mouthpiece, a pawn to establish his authority and spread his message.
"Get your captain out here and see me."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was like an icicle piercing the deathly silence after the noise, precisely nailing into the eardrums of every living person.
The only response he received was the howling of the sea wind and the painful groans of the wounded.
The body on the deck, dressed in the most splendid clothes yet now in the most tattered state, almost riddled with bullet holes, silently tells the answer.
[(Easy) Intimidation Check: 2D6 = 3 (Strength + Charisma weighted). Less than the Black Earl's intimidation value, pass.]
The remaining pirates' will to resist was completely crushed.
The Black Earl showed no surprise whatsoever, as if he had merely crushed an eyesore of a bug.
He casually pointed to a middle-aged man who was hiding behind a crowd, dressed relatively decently, and trembling like a leaf.
Two guards pounced on him like wolves and dragged him out like a chick.
The man wore a faded brass badge on his chest, which could barely be made out to be the shape of a ship's anchor—originally the ship's third mate, responsible for logistics and external "negotiations".
"It seems you've been promoted temporarily."
The Black Earl's voice was flat and emotionless. He didn't waste any words. A rough rope soaked in seawater was used by the guards to tightly bind the Third Officer's ankles.
Before his terrified scream could even fully escape his throat, he was hung upside down and slammed from the outside of the ship into the dark green, icy seawater!
Splash! Thud!
Once, twice, three times... I was on the edge of my seat!
Each sinking was accompanied by a dull thud and a desperate cough.
Every time it's mentioned, that soaking wet figure writhes and screams wildly in mid-air, while icy seawater mixed with incontinent filth drips onto the deck.
In the shadows beneath the ship, a school of sharks with razor-sharp dorsal fins, drawn by the sounds of cannons and the stench of blood, swam and rammed excitedly, their gleaming white teeth peeking out from beneath the surface.
Each time the three pairs of fish were submerged in the water, it caused a stir and a biting frenzy among the fish.
This is not just punishment, but a stark declaration of death to all survivors—their position at the bottom of the food chain can be changed at any time.
When the unfortunate third mate was dragged back to the deck like a tattered sack, lying limp on the wet planks with only the strength to twitch and roll his eyes, the Black Earl finally strolled toward the captain's cabin.
A moment later, he came out carrying an inconspicuous little oak box.
Under the greedy yet fearful gazes of the many pirates, he casually kicked over the chest.
slam-la-
Golden and silver coins, along with a few fine gemstones, rolled and bounced on the blood-stained deck, reflecting the blinding sunlight.
"Now," the Black Earl's voice was like the scraping of cold iron, yet his tone revealed a complete indifference.
"Follow me, these... and more. Each of you, grab a handful. How much you can grab, depends on your skill. But..."
He paused, his cold gaze sweeping across each face. "Only one."
A deathly silence followed by heavy breathing and barely suppressed ecstasy.
A good combination of kindness and severity can be applied not only to the management of fishermen's villages, but also to pirates.
Before the fear had subsided, the flames of greed were ignited in an instant.
Several bolder individuals rushed forward, desperately gathering as many coins as possible with their trembling, large-knuckled hands and stuffing them into their pockets.
With this example set, the others rushed to join in, and the deck was filled with the ear-piercing sound of gold and silver coins being frantically scratched and scraped, mixed with suppressed growls like wild beasts guarding their food.
Miao Meng stood on the pristine deck of the "Fortune" ship, watching the drama unfolding on Count Black's side, when a notification from the online platform rang in his ears:
[The Black Earl successfully recruited the remaining members of the "Black Fang Pirate Crew" (17 people).]
Loot obtained: 85 gold coins, 320 silver coins, 60 rolls of inferior linen, fresh water (approximately 40 servings/30 days), cured meat and hard biscuits (approximately 40 servings/20 days).
The Black Earl's figure, like a shadow blending into the ship's hull, quickly returned to the Fortune.
Without needing many words, Miao Meng understood the other party's intention.
"Captain, the Black Fang needs supplies, especially fresh fruits and vegetables and rum. We also need to sell the cloth to exchange for more practical supplies."
The Black Earl bowed slightly. "The port is the only way through. I will take them there to handle it."
Miao Meng nodded. The Fortune, in its ship girl form, had almost perpetual power and did not need to eat or drink.
But those pirates who had just joined the cause, still driven by fear and greed, were only human. The lack of fresh water and vitamins was enough to silently dismantle a crew at sea. Dividing their forces was the most efficient option.
"Go. Keep in touch." Miao Meng's gaze fell upon the boundless eastern horizon. "I'll continue eastward."
The two ships parted ways on the vast ocean.
Under Basham's cold-blooded command, the "Black Fang" hoisted its sails and headed toward the nearest island marked with a port.
The "Fortune" ship, like an arrow released from a bow, broke through the waves under the power of magic, and steadfastly sped towards the sunrise.
For Miao Meng, the journey ahead was more like a rapid exploration.
The prompts from the comprehensive network kept flashing through his mind:
[Sailing eastward, encountered a minor storm (consuming 2 days' worth of resources).]
[(Easy) Navigational Check: 2D6 = 9. Less than the ship's navigational value, passed smoothly.]
[Unnamed deserted island discovered. Begin basic resource gathering (consuming 1 day's worth of resources).]
[(Easy) Scout Check: 2D6 = 7. Pass.] Gain 10 units of wood.
[Encountered a small pirate scout ship (1 vessel), which actively avoided the attack (consuming 0.5 days of time resources).]
[(Easy) Deterrence check: 2D6 = 4.] Passed.
[Found a drifting supply barrel (consuming 0.5 days of time resources). Obtain 5 units of fresh water and 2 barrels of rum.]
[黑伯爵报告：于港口「鏽锚镇」售出亚麻布匹×60卷，购入新鲜蔬果（30人份/15天）、优质朗姆酒×10桶、基础工具×5套。船员士气小幅提升。]
[Black Earl's Report: Attack on the "Bloodsail Smugglers" (Small Brigade)]
[(Easy) Combat Check: 2D6 = 5. Pass.]
Captured the ship (Bloodsail), recruited 12 crew members, and obtained 3 bags of jewels (crude) and 1 box of spices.
As messages streamed by, Miao Meng barely stopped.