The "White Sail Swordsmanship," originally derived from ship combat skills VS the "Sessi Scimitar Technique," widely spread among pirates by the Black Wing Order.

Battle on the ship deck is precisely the domain both swordsmanship practitioners excel in.

However.

The seemingly even situation at this moment is actually the result of Aiven having secretly activated the "Wild Talisman" to enhance his agility attribute by twenty percent, combined with the cooperation of extraordinary swordsmanship at a higher proficiency level than his opponent.

In the past half year, with continuous study of the Rose Sword Saint's swordsmanship and numerous death-defying battles, his progress has been even greater than when he was sparring with the Princess. If we subdivided the "Mastery" level of this swordsmanship, Aiven's progress has reached 70%, while Iron Bone William's might be only 50%.

Aside from that, although William's individual physical attributes surpass Aiven's from a data perspective.

But from Aiven's personal experience, in real combat, judgment goes beyond just data. The human body after an extraordinary transformation is a precise system, a "platform" that integrates each module known as "physical attributes" to achieve an effect far exceeding 1+1.

Otherwise, wouldn't two peak-level apprentice knights combined already surpass the strength of an official knight who broke past human limits? Reality is not like that!

Previously, Aiven's opponents were either not much weaker than him or were "monsters" in various senses, such as White Shark Skuk, the out-of-control Wack Wells, the eerie "Killing Ghost," so this aspect wasn't obvious.

This time, however, the opponent is a normal human knight, Iron Bone William, who is from a commoner background and has had access to extraordinary swordsmanship and resources much later and poorer.

As a normal human, how could he simply be judged by surface data compared to Aiven, who has trained in knight skills since childhood and advanced with the aid of the precious Blue Flag Demon Shark extraordinary trait?

Nevertheless, even though Aiven hasn't employed secret swordsmanship, he has already harnessed all the skills of an official knight!

After all, this is not a simple sparring session with the fellow senior knight, the Princess, but a deadly fight with a real "pirate." Even if this guy's reputation isn't bad, it's no reason for Aiven to be complacent.

Even so.

Aiven's combat prowess still exceeded the expectations of this former navy officer, now pirate captain. He thought it was just a fledgling young man he could easily take down quickly, teach a small lesson, and solidify "Iron Bone William's" reputation in these waters.

Unexpectedly, it turned out to be so difficult!

One should know that dual-wielding is harder to master than single-wielding, but when mastered, it offers a higher attack frequency and greater strength than single-edged weapons.

This young major officer, being able to last so long under his dual scimitars, was not as simple as it seemed on the surface, as an ordinary official knight.

A knight's hard strength typically consists of physical attributes, sword skills, secret techniques, and refined equipment, coupled with the soft strengths of combat awareness, battle experience, and a little luck.

Despite clearly being inferior in physical attributes, he could maintain an undefeated status with his exquisite swordsmanship.

At his age, he is definitely not an ordinary character!

"Heh, interesting!"

The two chased and fought, having leaped onto the main mast of the merchant ship, soaring through the gaps among the ropes, sail booms, and sails. With their current physical attributes, falling from the twenty-meter-high main sailtop was not fatal.

There was none of the previous heart-pounding tension from when Aiven had a death duel with Blood Anchor Zack at high elevation.

At this point, the crew of the Conch had already noticed the battle occurring on the ship, knowing they couldn't leave the captain to fight alone.

Under the command of the first mate, as they further approached the merchant ship, the sailors were already lined up on the deck.

"Prepare!" Gary, acting as sub-lieutenant and proxy boatswain, was ready for the imminent boarding combat.

However, on a rainy day, the muzzle-loading flintlock guns were practically useless. The soldiers drew their navy sabers, transforming into a shining forest of blades, ready to leap forward at the command of their officer.

Seeing the navy warship approaching, Iron Bone William knew it was impossible to decide the winner in a short time.

"Tch, you're fast! Not playing with you anymore, young man, we'll meet again!"

Even amidst the high-speed clashes, he could speak with ease, proving his composure and truly befitting his notable reputation.

With a double-blade shock, he forced Aiven back, and then, Iron Bone William leaped, descending from the second-tier topsail of the main mast.

However, instead of falling into the sea like a stone as Aiven imagined, his body suddenly flattened, and his outstretched arms, special butterfly-wing-like sleeves, and two scimitars formed a structure like the pectoral fins of a flying fish, gliding away!

[Extraordinary Secret Technique: Wind Return!]

Crack——

Though not agile in the air, he moved at a rapid pace, tracing a beautiful arc and, in passing, easily severing the front mast of the merchant ship.

After the demonstration, "Iron Bone William" laughed arrogantly and swaggered off.

The flat figure skimmed across the sea surface, flying higher and farther than a flying fish, and quickly disappeared into the misty rain.

"There's a strong individual who has arrived in these waters, and he and his men aren't as easy to deal with as I am. Young man, I look forward to your growth!"

Before completely disappearing, he spoke in a tone like a mentor, saying something inexplicable.

"A strong individual?! Who on the vast sea can be stronger than the navies of various countries?"

When he rushed back to the "Conch" to take out his "Thorned Gold Rose" and looked through the scope, he realized that in just a short while, "Iron Bone William" had already "flown" out of the sniper firearm's range.

"Let him escape, damn it!"

To be honest.

Even though he was once suppressed in the sword fight, Aiven's mentality was always condescending because his methods far exceeded just Knight Swordsmanship.

Alchemy Firearms, Witchcraft: Vigoration, a carefully prepared selection of magic potions, various alchemy tools acquired from the "Violet Eye," a gradually forming battle-ready Sea Bird Legion, etc.

But this former Tyrone Kingdom Navy officer taught him a lesson with his superb knife skills, proving that even if someone specializes in knight techniques, they can still have many tricks up their sleeve.

All the "old" pirates who survived hundreds of battles have their tricks.

To consider them as easy gains would be utterly irresponsible to oneself and one's crew.

This "Sessi Scimitar Technique," although widely spread among pirates, Aiven had learned about it from multiple channels and even preserved the entire technique in the "Shadow Library."

But this move [Sessi Scimitar Technique: Secret Technique: Wind Return] Aiven had never seen recorded anywhere. Evidently, the most likely scenario is that William, this commoner-born genius knight, made some innovative improvements.

Not to be underestimated.

Watching "Iron Bone William" leave leisurely, Aiven, who had achieved the rank of captain at a young age, felt a slight sense of pride but internally became more composed.

Moreover, Aiven was very interested in the strong individual William mentioned.

If an ordinary person said this, Aiven wouldn't care much, but for someone so proud and defiant to call someone a "strong individual," this person certainly can't be simple, and could potentially influence the regional affairs of these waters.

"Is something big about to happen?"

There's no use in wild guessing; if the sky falls, there's always someone taller to hold it up.

Aiven had Gary help him free the tied-up crew on the merchant ship, prohibiting anyone else from boarding in the name of safety.

Even if they were all his subordinates, letting them see what's inside the ship would be a big hassle, so he decided to prevent it from the start.

Given the unexpected appearance of "Iron Bone William," Aiven's order to refrain from boarding for inspection was well-executed by the crew.

The sailors' reasoning was simple.

After all, this operation was commissioned by the Viscount to pursue pirates, so this ship didn't technically count as their spoils, but still property of Viscount Andrea.

Regardless of what's on board, it didn't relate to them in any copper fuer, so why take the risk?

Without much interaction with those performing dubious tasks for Viscount Andrea, and after briefly identifying themselves and calming them down, Aiven returned to his warship with Gary.

Subsequently, "Conch" escorted the "Twin-tailed Fish" merchant ship to safer waters, ensuring no further issues before heading back.

This patrol journey had lasted long enough, and they needed to report the action upon return.

"Chief Navigator, how long will it take to return directly to Gabred?"

Upon hearing this, the Chief Navigator Adrian bowed and said:

"Captain, sir, if we follow our originally planned patrol route back to Leopold and then sail along the coastline, it would take about three to four days total. If we sail directly through the open sea along the merchant route, it would only take about two days."

"Then let's take the open sea route." After pondering briefly, Aiven made the decision.

"As you wish! Sir!"

"Conch" adjusted its course and set sail once more.