Chapter 279: Don

Gervas had originally intended to refuse, after all, his own subordinates were more than enough to deal with a band of pirates.

Moreover, letting the merfolk appear, their best combat method was to ram and sink the ships.

But that was not what Gervas wanted.

Gervas wanted the pirates completely eradicated, yet the ships intact and all belonging to him.

Of course, under Toka's fervent request, Gervas decided to bring them along just in case.

Soon, Toka informed the other tribes of the situation.

Upon hearing this, the other tribes naturally felt it their duty to help.

They had already felt the benefits of trading with Gervas.

Now they were eager to grow closer to Gervas, so as to increase trade volume in the future.

So each one howled in excitement, temporarily leaving their goods in Stormhold, waiting to retrieve them after the battle.

"Set out!"

At Gervas's command, three ships set sail, fully loaded.

Strangely, around the ships swam a group of merfolk, occasionally leaping from the water.

Thus, an hour later, the "Storm Fleet" arrived at Sugarcane Island.

Because Sugarcane Island lay closest to the northern coast of Stormhold, pirates arriving here would surely spot it first.

And indeed, another hour later, at dusk, three dark dots appeared on the northern horizon.

…

"Boss, there's an island over there—looks like there are houses and smoke rising!"

"Head over and take a look!"

At the order, the ship immediately sped toward the distant island.

About twenty minutes later, the island drew nearer, its basic layout becoming clear.

It seemed a deserted isle, yet it held over a dozen dwellings.

"Judging by the number of houses, there can't be many people—and no watchtowers or walls, so it's certainly not those rats of the Skull Gang!"

As the third-in-command of the One-Eye Gang, Caros had vast combat experience.

After merely observing the distant island, he concluded this was not their target.

"Boss, should we keep sailing?"

"No, it's getting late—we'll land on that island and spend the night ashore!"

"Ah, Boss, you're finally showing mercy?!"

The pirates' eyes instantly lit up.

They naturally longed to set foot on land; if Caros hadn't kept them tightly controlled, they'd have wanted to raid noble lands every single day.

Today, Boss Caros had finally relented—even if it was just an island, it was better than staying on that filthy, stinking ship.

"Since we reached this southern coast, we haven't set foot on land for over ten days—I know you fools are about to burst! So tonight, you're allowed to let loose!"

In truth, the main reason was that Caros judged the island's small size to pose manageable risk.

"Hah! Boss, you're the best! If there are pretty women, we'll make sure to save them for you!"

"That's right, Boss—just be gentle, leave us a bit of broth!"

"Hah! Fair enough! Now, watch your surroundings—if all's clear, land!"

Thus, the three ships hoisted black-and-white flags.

On each triangular flag was a single-eye emblem.

It symbolized the One-Eye Gang.

After careful observation and confirming no threat, the three pirate ships headed toward Sugarcane Island.

"My lord, they've arrived!"

Meanwhile, on the island, within the sugarcane grove, Gervas and his party had been waiting.

"Have everyone ready—remember, wait for my command before acting!"

"Yes, my lord!"

…

Less than ten minutes later, the One-Eye Gang pirates landed safely.

Seeing the people in the distant houses still unaware, the pirates grew even more excited.

"Remember, when you draw your blades, watch yourselves—don't hurt the women! On a small island like this, there are few people already; if you kill off the women, there won't be enough to share!"

"Don't worry, Boss—we'll be careful!"

"Then move out!"

"Hahahaha! Brothers, charge!"

The houses were barely two hundred meters from the shore, so the pirates no longer held back.

Amid a roaring clamor, they surged forward and reached the stone huts.

Yet, as they drew near, they grew uneasy.

Because even if the people inside were slow to react, such a loud charge should have alerted them by now.

After detecting the attack, wouldn't they immediately flee from the huts—toward the strange thickets around them?

All eyes turned to Caros.

"Go inside and check!"

Caros stared at the dozen stone huts ahead, his brow slightly furrowed.

Still, he wasn't overly concerned—the surrounding waters had just been scouted, and no ships were present.

Besides, honestly, he looked down on the nobles of this southern frontier.

The southern frontier was full of minor nobles; few, if any, even owned ships.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Muffled thuds followed as each stone door was kicked in.

"Boss, the huts are empty—but the furniture's all there, neatly arranged!"

"Boss, the stoves are still hot, and the pots still hold fish soup!"

Reports came in one after another.

"They must've spotted us and hidden!"

Caros, however, relaxed.

Because the evidence showed that just moments ago, the islanders had been cooking dinner.

And they'd done so calmly, orderly—not in panic.

So these islanders had not foreseen the pirate attack.

Otherwise, knowing pirates were coming, who would calmly cook dinner instead of fleeing immediately?

"Search! Go to those strange thickets over there!"

Caros's gaze finally locked onto the sugarcane grove a hundred meters away.

Of course, he didn't know it was sugarcane—he thought it merely odd weeds.

And the entire island offered only that one patch where people could hide.

In truth, half of Caros's deduction was correct.

The islanders had indeed been cooking, and only upon spotting the pirates had they evacuated the stone huts.

Yet, the islanders had long known pirates were coming—yet not a single one panicked, because their lord had already arrived on the island.

Their lord had arrived with a full army—what storms hadn't they weathered? Why fear a few pirates?

…

Soon, over two hundred pirates approached the sugarcane grove.

Rustle! Rustle!

At that moment, the thickets suddenly rustled with swaying leaves.

The pirates instantly went on alert, raising shields and long knives higher; those with bows drew their strings taut.

They barked, "Who's there? Come out now—or we won't hold back!"

"That's right! Get out now, or we'll shoot!"

"No! Don't shoot! We're coming out! Right away!"

A voice replied from within.

It trembled with panic!

"Damn it, then hurry up—or we won't hold back!"

"Alright, alright! But you promise—no shooting!"

Migen, squeezing his voice tight, replied again, then barely held back his laughter as he glanced at Gervas.

Gervas smiled and nodded.

Then he led Lei Meng and the others out of the sugarcane.

"We're coming out! Don't shoot!"

Worried the pirates might fire accidentally, those emerging from the bushes shouted again.

The next moment, under the pirates' eager stares, figures stepped out of the dense thickets, appearing before them.

"Uh…"

But why is this not what we expected?