Chapter 395: Traitor

Carlos spread his mighty wings, his colossal shadow engulfing the ships below.

Though no one had boarded their vessel and most pirates moved freely, before Ronin and the dragon, they lacked the courage to resist.

Ronin pressed his sword against Dick's throat. "Who is Jos?"

"He is Lord Maren's honor knight, a knight of Howling Island!"

Dick dared not hide a thing, confessing everything.

"Last November, Lord Jos issued orders. Any ship from Rushing Island heading south we let pass; any others, we destroyed with magic cannons upon sight."

Ronin sneered. "So it was him."

At that moment, he recalled Jos.

If his guess was right, this was the knight always by Lord Maren's side.

"Selling me ships while buying cheap timber from me, then ordering the destruction of my vessels to force me back to your store—Lord Maren's business acumen is impressive indeed!"

Ronin had just earned seven hundred gold from Howling Island, only to lose two ships, nearly ten thousand in losses.

If he bought again from Howling Island, another ten thousand would vanish.

Back and forth, it equated to twenty thousand gold lost.

Maren's scheme was to have Ronin earn on Howling Island and spend there, not a single coin leaving.

No, he meant to make Rushing Island a bottomless pit, draining Ronin's every fortune.

"Blood Sails, Ghost Tide, White Whale—what's the relationship among these three pirate fleets of Howling Sea?" Ronin asked.

"We were all bred by Howling Island."

Dick confessed fully. "I, Hurd of White Whale, Selkan of Blood Sails—all were secretly trained knights of Howling Island. Consider us one entity, flying different banners like the marquis's knightly orders with numbered companies."

"You've explained well."

Ronin chuckled. "I'm curious how you knew of Rushing Island's recent ships passing here. Don't tell me you sail the seas idly every day."

"It was the messenger bird from Crescent Island."

Ronin knew the island—its lord, Patrick, was a Meteor Knight, a vassal of Howling Island's earl.

He frowned.

Crescent Island was far from Rushing Island. How did they track its movements so precisely?

"Who sent the message to Crescent Island?"

Ronin narrowed his eyes, releasing his aura. The crushing martial pressure made Dick tremble.

"Laren! Laren of Rushing Island!"

Dick stammered. "As far as I know, Laren has long been in contact with Lord Patrick. Only he could send such messages."

Hearing the name, Ronin's anger flared.

When he quelled Rushing Island, Laren, not as extreme as the White Flower Society, was spared judgment and given a chance to serve.

Yet this traitor had allied with Howling Island.

No wonder Karrada deemed him a troublemaker—he likely hoped Karrada and others would perish at sea, leaving him to rule Rushing Island.

"Then you have no need to live."

Dick nearly soiled himself, begging for mercy.

Ronin explained, "That was for Laren."

Dick relaxed slightly. "My lord, you startled me! Spare my life, and I'll serve you faithfully!"

Ronin shook his head. "I have no fondness for pirates, and less for traitors. Laren must die, and so must you."

A blade flashed, blood sprayed, Dick's head rolled across the deck.

Enemies could be recruited—Tom and Joffrey proved that.

But some were too entangled in arson, murder, and pillage; loyalty was foreign to their minds.

One traitor like Laren, a Bronze Knight, was manageable.

But Dick, a Gold Knight, if he turned, would cause catastrophic loss.

With Laren's betrayal fresh, Ronin wanted no such allegiance.

With Dick dead, death's breath enveloped the ship. They longed to flee but could not.

Even those confident in their swimming would drown if they jumped.

Blades flashed; Ronin slew the nearby knights with Dick's sword, sparing the captains and crew.

Rushing Island's vessel approached; Lusen and his knights boarded.

They stared at the blood-soaked deck, littered with pirate knights—Gold and Silver alike—slain without resistance before their lord.

Standing near Ronin, though he radiated no aura, they felt immense pressure.

Lusen summoned courage. "My lord, what of the rest?"

"Order them to sail with us to North U Province."

Ronin said, "North U Port needs laborers. They'll do."

"Yes!"

After tidying up, the two pirate ships and Rushing Island's vessel sailed for North U Province as knights finished their search.

"My lord, we found only one hundred twenty gold coins—nothing else of value."

Ronin waved. "Divide the gold among you, the knights, and Vic."

Lusen paused, then bowed gratefully. "Thank you, my lord!"

The gold meant little to Ronin but was precious to humble men like Lusen.

To Ronin, the ships and the two magic cannons far outweighed the gold.

He now had four magic cannons—the strongest, Fire Dragon Devouring Heaven, gifted by Rulans; the other three taken from pirate fleets.

With Redar now a Sun Knight and Macken aiding him, the sixth-level cannon was of little use.

Ronin planned to take it to Rushing Island for Karrada.

"When we return, I'll send Ris to clear Ghost Tide's stronghold with you."

"It is our honor to fight for you!"

Lusen hadn't expected to fight at sea so soon—this was good.

"My lord, what of Laren?"

Lusen asked, "Wait until we've crushed the pirates before dealing with Laren on Rushing Island?"

"Carlos has taken my letter to Karrada. I give traitors no chance."

Lusen glanced skyward. No wonder the dragon was gone—it had delivered the letter.

Thinking of Laren's fate, Lusen felt satisfaction. That insolent fool had always defied orders, seeking special treatment—he'd long despised him.

Now, Flowing Island was wholly theirs, and the Lord's plans would proceed without hindrance.

"My Lord, shall we wage war on Screaming Island?"

Since Luxen and Karada learned of the Lord's dragon, they had speculated that this lord would never settle for mediocrity, and that a vast stage awaited them in the future.

Yet, they knew not Ronin's thoughts.

Today, Screaming Island had plotted against them; though the pirate band was destroyed, the mastermind remained unharmed.

Ronin smiled and asked, "Do you think we should go to war?"

"We should!"

Luxen spoke at once, but sensing the impropriety, he immediately bowed his head and corrected himself.

"I only feel that for daring to strike at you, to seek your death upon the sea, this debt must be repaid! Of course, it is your choice—our swords shall swing only at your command!"

Ronin laughed heartily. "No need for such formality."

In truth, he could have sent Karlos with Riddal and Macken to attack Screaming Island.

Yet, by the principle of 'the guilty party bears the blame,' he could only slay Jos and Maren, not the entire Fleming family.

That is to say, Screaming Island still had its lord.

And even if the Fleming line perished, the land would revert to the Audun royal house.

For a moment, Ronin understood why some always sought to stir chaos.

Sometimes peace was indeed a stumbling block for the ambitious.

He shook his head, thinking, "I am no ambitious man—just a farmer."

Ronin clapped Luxen on the shoulder. "Hone yourself. Your time to shine will come."

Luxen's eyes gleamed with resolve as he thumped his chest. "Yes, My Lord!" (End of Chapter)