Chapter 394: Ghost Tide

Sailing northeast from Jagged Island, the vessel would exit the Howling Sea, where the northernmost reaches of the Wushan Mountains lay visible to the south.

Following this landmass eastward would lead them to the northern reaches of the Wubei Domain.

Overall, even without Carlos to correct the course, the likelihood of deviation was minimal with the aid of a telescope.

Roning chose to follow this time, partly because it was a memorable first, and partly for safety.

After offering a few course suggestions, he retreated to the passenger ship's cabin to study steam engine designs and "a steam engine construction scheme based on fourth-tier flame column magic."

Recently, with his Heartfire mastery refined, he could now shape larger iron components.

And as his handling grew more adept, the components' strength steadily increased.

He anticipated small-scale steam engine experiments soon.

With coal mines now in the Wubei Domain, resources were plentiful, but magic offered faster, more concentrated heat release—combining both methods might prove advantageous.

On the second day of sailing, perhaps due to favorable winds, they had already exited the Howling Sea.

"Lord!"

Lucien knocked on Roning's cabin door. "Something's amiss outside."

Hmm?

Roning gathered the papers on the small table, stepped out, and asked, "What's the matter?"

Lucien reported, "I just scanned the sea ahead with the telescope and spotted two vessels approaching from the northwest. According to the map, there should be no land or islands there—no ships should be present."

Roning frowned. "Show me."

They reached the deck, where Roning adjusted his telescope's eyepiece to discern the approaching ships.

Two vessels, similar to their passenger ship, flew white banners emblazoned with black skull motifs.

"Vic."

"Lord, your command!" Captain Vic sprinted over.

"White flag, black skull—what flag is this?"

Roning asked, "Blood Sails or Ghost Tide?"

Only pirate groups active in the Howling Sea would fly such banners.

Vic paled.

"Lord, it's the Ghost Tide Pirates' flag!"

He gazed at the approaching ships, but the distance was still too great to make out details.

Though he hailed from the White Whale Pirates, he still feared pirates.

Roning's lips curled. "Interesting."

He stowed the telescope. "Lucien, alert the crew. I'll handle them."

"Lord..."

Lucien was about to suggest accompanying him for safety.

But remembering the dragon overhead and Roning's status as a Grand Mage, he swallowed his words.

Roning summoned Wind Wings and cast Swift on himself. With a thought, he shot forward like an arrow.

Lucien and the crew watched, awed and envious.

If they could fly too, would they move with such grace?

Roning chose to act first, unwilling to let pirates close in.

A single breach could sink his ship, as happened to Dennis III—unacceptable losses.

"These pirates are kind souls, knowing my ship's weakness and delivering such a generous gift across the vast sea!"

On the Ghost Tide ships, the commander watched the distant vessels.

"All hands, prepare! When we're within a hundred meters, fire the magic cannons!"

A bearded man bellowed, "No boarding needed—just blast holes in their hulls and sink them!"

"Sink them!"

"Sink them!"

"Sink them!"

The crew cheered excitedly, knights and sailors alike.

Several knights pushed the magic cannons forward.

One cannon could fire Ice Spikes, like the White Whale Pirates' weapon that attacked Roning before;

the other unleashed fourth-tier Wind Tearing magic to shred enemy sails.

As they shouted, Roning descended onto the deck.

Suddenly, all voices were silenced as if strangled.

Roning smiled faintly. "Mind if I watch you sink them?"

"L-L-L..."

Dick, the Ghost Tide leader, pointed at Roning, stammering.

"Yes, I am a Grand Mage."

Roning said, "Who ordered you to intercept my ship near Jagged Island? Maren Fleming?"

Dick finally found his tongue. "Lord, it's a misunderstanding—we just happened to pass by—"

Swoosh!

A wind blade sliced across Dick's face. He felt heat, touched his cheek—blood. Then his left ear was gone.

"I have no time for chatter."

Roning said coldly, "Who sent you to intercept ships from Jagged Island? Maren Fleming?"

He didn't believe the Ghost Tide would coincidentally appear here.

"I'll fight you!"

Dick drew his sword, desperate to close in despite knowing escape was impossible.

He thought that if he got close enough, even a Grand Mage could be slain by a Golden Knight.

Zzzt!

Dick moved fast, but Roning was faster.

He dodged the sword, kicked Dick's abdomen, then punched his jaw—shattering it.

Before Dick could comprehend, he collapsed, blood gushing from his mouth.

A Golden Knight charging a Silver Moon Knight was suicide.

"Run!"

The second-in-command Nasi of the other ship, seeing this, dared not linger a moment and immediately shouted for the captain to turn back and retreat.

But at that moment, it seemed as if a monstrous beast was growling in his ear, its scorching breath freezing him rigid.

"Aaaaah!!!"

"Beast!"

"Flying Beast!"

Panicked screams conveyed their terror; the crewmembers dared not even control the ship, staring in dread at the colossal creature in the sky.

Nasi slowly twisted his stiff neck to look back, only to see a monstrous entity over ten meters long staring at him with eyes colder than ice.

"Good heavens, what kind of devilish thing is this!"

Nasi's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed unconscious on the deck.

Kallos exhaled an icy refreshing earth breath, letting the other die quietly in the freeze.

The dragon's blatant appearance not only threw the Ghost Tide pirates into panic but also shocked the people on both ships of Rapid Current Island.

"Everyone, don't panic! This is the lord's beast!"

Lucen shouted. "It won't harm us!"

The panicked shouts gradually subsided, replaced by expressions of disbelief.

"Oh my God, this thing belongs to the lord!"

Someone cried out.

Amidst relief and shock, their gazes held reverence for Ronin.

Ronin bent down to pick up the longsword Dick had dropped aside, then pressed it against the man's neck. "Tell me the truth, or I'll make you dragon dung."

"I, I..."

Dick was on the verge of tears. Had he known this would happen, he would never have left Screaming Sea.

"Mercy, my lord! Mercy! It was all Jos who made me do it!"

Jos?

Ronin frowned; the name meant nothing to him. (End of chapter)