Chapter 43: Divine Petition - Black Sails

Two days later.

Early morning.

When the first beam of morning light pierced the sky and spread across the entire East Coast.

Finally.

The Eternal Sect found a towering tree with lush branches and thick roots. There were no plants around the rubble pile, as if all moisture and nutrients in the soil had been completely drained by it.

An exceptionally perfect "petition site."

Within the special investigation team, besides Zachak as the overall commander, there was also a deputy officer serving as supervisor - none other than Marcus, the priest of the Eternal Sect.

"Begin the petition."

Marcus spoke with devout tone.

His jaw appeared as if it had been removed before, now embedded with rough, slightly rusted steel. His lower teeth were all black metal, making his speech extremely hoarse. His hair was dry and brittle, his face covered with sharp weapon scars without a trace of kindness, his eyes completely clouded and blind, relying on some kind of magical power to perceive his surroundings.

Marcus wore simple chainmail, his left arm adorned with a holy silver-white armband engraved with the emblem of the Eternal and Timeless Dragon, identical to every coin circulating throughout the Western Continent.

What Zachak didn't know was that Marcus had already received information about the fugitives from the archpriest. The Pope's current influence had grown enough to rival the Emperor's.

The existence of the "Calamity Witch" was blasphemy against the "Eternal Lord." To purify this defilement, they must conduct the petition, letting the Dragon Lord witness the believers' devotion and grant them power.

Even these once-lawless pirates and bandits had been scared out of their wits by such spectacle.

Over twenty "priests" clad in black iron heavy plate armor to the point of bulkiness used sharp axes to sharpen all the thick branches of this robust tree.

There was a seemingly intellectually challenged clumsy giant, standing over five meters tall, with confused nerves around his lips that twisted his speech into incoherence. Amid terrifying screams of horror, the giant impaled a prisoner onto the branch - the wood piercing through the belly and emerging from the back.

The dazed giant kept pushing inward, the branch growing thicker, the death row inmate screaming increasingly louder until it became faint whimpers. When finally pushed to the end, his head pressed against the tree trunk.

The remaining eighty prisoners grew restless - the precedent was rather terrifying.

"Shh, silence."

Marcus showed no anger - quiet was needed now.

"What fucking eternal dragon..."

Before the pirate could finish.

He was already dragged out by one priest, who produced a spiked flail, while over ten other priests gathered around.

Over a dozen flails began raining down on him like a storm, each swing a full-arm motion with maximum force.

After nearly half a minute.

What remained couldn't be called a corpse - no complete bones existed, the largest fragment no bigger than a fingernail. If one had to describe it, it resembled meat soup with too much salt that wouldn't dissolve.

The petition continued.

Within minutes, the petition umbrella was completed, arranged on the tree with carefully symmetrical composition, blood dripping like localized showers.

Marcus said no more.

The Eternal Sect wasn't some cult;

it didn't need excessive ceremony. The Dragon Lord was generous, kind - sincerity alone was sufficient, excessive words were pointless.

After hearing Zachak's words yesterday evening, Admiral couldn't sleep at all. Wherever help was needed, he went there, determined to find Carolso and Gloria. Whether he could keep his official hat was a minor issue - his life was what mattered.

Early morning before dawn, Admiral came to ask Deputy Marcus about progress - whether they'd found any secret anchorages along nearby shores.

Arlan differed from other nations - no lord fragmentation existed here. Even the greatest duke was just a provincial office director. The imperial capital centralized power, court influence infinitely amplified. Being an official required flawless, seamless execution - no tax-evading secret ports existed because competition was too fierce, everyone monitoring each other. The slightest misstep meant being dragged to court - you win win win, only to lose everything in the end;

I steady steady steady, ending up as high official.

In other countries, you could stumble upon eight tax-evading smuggling ports just going out to buy cigarettes.

When Admiral arrived, he saw Marcus handling official business, feeling some sympathy for that pirate - why'd you have to provoke him?

Seeing Marcus complete his great task.

Admiral no longer held back, stepping forward to inquire about progress. "Priest Marcus, how goes the search for secret ports along the coast?"

"The Dragon Lord hasn't provided guidance yet."

Marcus answered calmly. Though blind, he perceived everything through intangible magical energy surrounding him.

Admiral was dumbfounded. So you fucking mean you guys haven't even started yet? This is going to ruin everything, brother! If we don't catch them, this old lady will have to turn bandit! Wait, didn't I read something in The Arcania Travels about pirate codes - women aren't allowed on ships? And the reason some pirate ships carry women is as... release tools.

Does that mean I'd have to service a whole ship's crew? Actually... doesn't sound too bad? But might become unbearable after too long - better abandon that thought.

Though Marcus said this.

Admiral didn't dare refute at all. The Eternal Sect held enormous power within Arlan, these priests' authority at its peak. They could slaughter him on the spot without major consequences.

Remembering that pirate's fate... better forget it.

"Alright, I'll take my leave then."

Admiral had nothing more to say, preparing to find Zachak and let him deal with this priest. Can't handle you bunch of holy frauds?

Half an hour later.

Admiral successfully brought reinforcements. Zachak had been meticulous and thorough these past two days, yet this stage had problems. Before coming, he'd already ordered the Military Police to take over Marcus's supposed duties - searching secret ports - while he came to confront Marcus.

Even blind, still enjoying the scenery? Admiral thought inwardly, watching how my big brother handles you.

"Marcus." Zachak addressed him directly, adding: "This matter has far-reaching implications. How dare you neglect it so?"

Zachak looked at the "petition umbrella" - still engaging in this nonsense at such time, truly absurd. The Pope now wielded absolute power domestically, his lackeys growing increasingly arrogant.

"Do you follow the faith?"

Marcus countered.

"Arlan has religious freedom. I don't believe in the so-called Eternal Lord. I serve only the Emperor."

Admiral nearly cheered - truly worthy of big brother, so cool!

Zachak drew his sword. Crimson mist exploded forth, the blade turning completely scarlet. The moment it left the sheath, forest birds fled in terror with wild cries.

The twenty-plus priests showed no fear toward Zachak. Wearing black iron dragon helmets with only eye holes exposed, looking extremely menacing, they all moved closer.

Zachak looked back to see the blood pooled beneath the tree flowing with life-like slowness, like a bloody hand crawling, moving several meters before dissipating into bloody mud.