Moreover.

These so-called "armed merchant ships" are mostly also involved in "pirate business", with a few even possessing privateering licenses issued by their countries.

Those who wander the grey areas, although not exactly the same as pirates, aren't usually good people either.

Even the wild pirates loathe most these "colleagues" with legal privateering licenses.

Not only can they enjoy the rich rewards of plunder, but they can also openly return to the civilized world. The top ones even use their huge privateer earnings to exchange for noble titles from their country's royal family, turning into nobles, which has happened in the past!

This treatment makes the wild pirates green with envy and gnash their teeth in hatred.

"We are pirates, free pirates, we are pirates, brave pirates...?"

Bah! If one could have a stable, affluent, and decent life, who the hell would want to be a pirate?!

Of course, except for the ambitious.

This armed merchant ship belonging to the "White Egret Commerce Association" being targeted by passing pirates is no surprise at all.

At this time, Aiven wouldn't even think about helping, let alone not taking the opportunity to kick them when they're down, because the "Conch" wasn't nearby, and the three frigatebirds were insufficient.

With a distance of tens of kilometers, at the ship's speed in this era of a sailing battleship's maximum of 9-10 knots (18.5 kilometers/hour), by the time the "Conch" arrives, it would be too late.

Aiven's thinking is very clear.

With my current power, confronting a powerful Count with real influence sitting overseas is undoubtedly like an egg hitting a rock! Even if he's been drifting at sea too long and gotten waterlogged in the brain, Aiven would never actively jump out and confront him head-on.

For six years, the seas have been calm.

Obviously, I've long been regarded as an insignificant nobody by that "master". He may not even remember my name.

After all, bad men doing bad deeds is the norm, persevering year after year. To nobles of that level, my Galliot family might have just been the most insignificant one in all the annexation plans of that year.

In other words, in the eyes of this enemy, I'm currently in "stealth" mode. However, with my rising fame on the sea, how long this "stealth" state can last is uncertain.

The inventor of the practical solution for "scurvy", the recipient of numerous dazzling medals, the youngest Major Captain in the Phaletis Kingdom... all these are already public knowledge.

So Aiven has always felt a sense of urgency. A giant may ignore a mosquito, but not a lion.

I must, in the shortest time, become a true powerhouse in this world where great power resides, and then crush that high and mighty "figure"!

For now, Aiven doesn't mind at least collecting a little interest.

Aiven controlled the frigatebird to flap its wings a little closer, while also sending over two needle-tailed swifts for a closer reconnaissance through Bess.

With the sandpiper and the clam wrestling, Aiven wondered if there might be an opportunity for himself.

"Kill them all, leave none alive!"

"Charge!"

"Uh-ha——!"

As soon as the two ships got within a certain distance, with the cannon fire slightly paused, the pirates with black sails were already impatiently swinging over on ropes.

Clang——

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!...

Even before engaging, they exchanged a volley of lead bullets to show respect, with the bluish smoke enveloping the chaos as they crashed into the merchant sailors' armed confrontation.

Suddenly, flesh splattered and limbs flew!

Chilling screams and shouts of killing filled the air.

Close combat with cold weapons tests a warrior's physical strength and courage, for both pirates and merchant sailors alike.

In the face of this brutal battlefield, Aiven's eyes remained indifferent.

Even with his insight at this time, he could almost foresee the outcome of this battle. Unless there was a game-changing presence, the "armed merchant ship" would inevitably lose!

The crew of the armed merchant ship lacked in combat awareness, morale, and knife skill level, fine for bullying ordinary merchant ships at sea but considerable lacking compared to these fierce pirates.

Even, to speak a sentence contrary to my identity as a Navy officer, even the regulars on my "Conch" ship may not have much of an advantage against these pirates...

"These pirates seem... out of the ordinary! But why is there no mark on their sails?"

At this point, Aiven slightly frowned.

However, as the frigatebird circled above the battlefield, the needle-tailed swifts, which closed in for reconnaissance, had already transmitted specific information back.

Through their perspective, Aiven finally discovered a deliberately hidden insignia on the door of the captain's cabin.

"A crown, a skull, eight octopus tentacles, these people are.... subordinates of the Black Sea Pirate King 'Octopus Ghost' Hawkins?!"

Even from dozens of kilometers away, in the captain's cabin of the "Conch", Aiven couldn't help but shudder. If you were to ask who, apart from the official authorities, has the most renowned name in this vast Black Sea?

It must certainly be the Pirate King, "Octopus Ghost" Hawkins!

Besides commanding a massive fleet of pirate king ships and an endless stream of extraordinary officials, most importantly, "Octopus Ghost" Hawkins himself is a powerful Tier 3 Extraordinary.

Profession: "Exiled Prisoner"!!!

As the pirate king who suppresses the entire Black Sea, the strongest pirate Aiven had ever encountered, "White Shark Sku", was just a novice in comparison.

The battle seen from the seabird's perspective continued.

Just as Aiven expected.

Once the boarding combat began, the situation immediately tilted to one side. Under the furious assault of the fearlessly aggressive pirates, the merchant ship's crew quickly began to retreat, even the middle-aged captain and first mate, suspected to have Peak of Apprentice strength, were entangled by several pirate officers, unable to reverse the declining tide.

Their defeat was only a matter of time.

While observing coldly, Aiven indeed noticed a person of extraordinary demeanor on the battlefield who surpassed normal specifications.

However, they weren't on the side of the armed merchant ship, but on the already dominant side of the pirates.

This only added insult to injury in the battle!

But when the swift drew closer and Aiven got a clear look at this extraordinary being, he shot to his feet.

"Heimer Remon!?"

Although he had never seen him in person, the name and that face were very familiar to Aiven.

He was none other than another Extraordinary Knight on Uncle Gel's warship, who ultimately caused Gel to languish for years on a Level 5 Battleship of the Third Fleet!

Former Phaletis Kingdom Navy Officer Heimer, a genius officer from the civilian class like "Iron Bone William", advanced to extraordinary at the age of twenty-five, with qualifications that were excellent given his training conditions.

However, unlike "Iron Bone William", William was forced to leave the navy, whereas Heimer was unsatisfied with his current strength and chose to defect.

And the person he defected to was the Black Sea Pirate King, "Octopus Ghost" Hawkins!

In the seabird's field of view.

Heimer had short brown hair, more menacing and sullen compared to the handsome face on the wanted poster. He was tall and muscular, wearing a simple white vest, with each of his bare arms wrapped in a black chain.

This was precisely the insignia of the Extraordinary Path "Exiled Prisoner", and the source of power was self-evident...

After joining the pirate camp, Heimer became ruthless yet cautious, never leaving any survivors once he acted, and his whereabouts remained a mystery.

However, today, Aiven caught his tail, finally confirming his extraordinary path.

In military intelligence.

The transition to the "Exiled Prisoner" path requires an Official Knight as a prerequisite, believing the human body to be the shackles that imprison the soul.

By liberating one's instincts and nature, and exiling reason, good thoughts, and even human nature, one releases the "prisoner" within to gain overwhelming power.

At Tier 2 Extraordinary, one possesses extraordinary abilities such as "Intimidation", "Frenzy", and "Exile".

To some extent, Heimer had achieved his goal of pursuing power, though it was unclear what price he had paid?

Whether his own choice was worth it was of no concern to Aiven.

The more this guy committed atrocities and gained notoriety, the heavier the guilt for which Gel and the others were responsible. If the opportunity arose, Aiven wouldn't hesitate to send this guy on his way.

Just taking into account the recent encounter with "Iron Bone William", Aiven knew not to underestimate any of his "old seniors".

Moreover, the "formidable figure" spoken of by "Iron Bone William" had arrived in this sea area. It wouldn't do to fail to kill the snake and end up giving one's head in vain, which would be a dreadful outcome.

Clap—

He took out a pocket watch from his trouser pocket for a glance. Even though his side had an absolute advantage, Heimer was somewhat dissatisfied. Carrying out the Pirate King's orders, he had no time to be delayed here!

In a slightly hoarse voice, he shouted: "Retreat!"

He raised his right hand indifferently; the chains on his arms fell off automatically, circles of eerie yellow ripples erupted from his palm, quickly engulfing the direction of the armed merchant vessel opposite.

Hearing his command, the pirates, already in sync, immediately abandoned their opponents, formed ranks, and retreated. Being absolutely dominant, they moved freely.

Leaving behind the puzzled merchant ship crew, who remained in place as if they had survived a calamity, yet unfortunately, they came face to face with the eerie yellow ripple.

[Wildness Liberation!]

[Exile of Reason!]

"Aargh——!"

"Roar——!!"