Just moments ago, Newman had been contemplating how to conquer Yucatan Island and, incidentally, swallow up the estate and title of the Countess Grendel.

Unexpectedly, Byron, the Governor appointed by the Countess, had suddenly presented himself on a silver platter.

If he couldn't firmly seize this opportunity, was he even human?

My going there will be easy. Little does he know, it's easy to invite a god but hard to send one away. This young man is still too naïve, far too young!

Byron, like a prodigal son with no foresight, grabbed his hand, his face tearful with gratitude as he said, "That's wonderful, Uncle Newman, you're truly like my own uncle. Once this is done, there will definitely be a share for you in the profits of the Pioneer Navigation Trading Company. However, the doctor told me that the peak death rate for the natives infected with smallpox will come in about two weeks, so we don't have much time left. Come, let's get started now. I promise to reserve the best spot for you on the Tayman Archipelago."

Newman also knew that opportunities to make big money were fleeting and naturally didn't want any delay. In fact, he was even more anxious than Byron but maintained a calm and collected facade, saying serenely, "I don't want your money. Just lift the restrictions and allow me to invest there. I've already sent a message to the 'Swarm'; we might as well get them involved too. I'll dispatch messengers to the colonies of various nations right away, inviting them to join us on the Tayman Archipelago, our fortress bridgehead for the conquest of Yucatan Island. With the tacit understanding from our previous joint assault on the three great city-states of the Aztec, they will surely not miss out on this opportunity of a lifetime. Faced with the increasingly powerful Castilia, we must band together to carve out a share from them. What a pity that over ten million natives will soon vanish into thin air. Otherwise, if we, as the weaker side, could join forces with them to develop Yucatan Island, it would be far better than trying to clandestinely snatch meat from the mouth of Castilia."

Hearing the other party's insightful and strategic words, Byron felt even more excited, as if he had seen a guiding light. Finally, he voiced the words he had longed to say, "Please, after we return to the Tayman Archipelago, allow me to follow you and learn. Someone as far-sighted as you, every word you say is incredibly beneficial to me. This time, even if I don't make money, as long as I can learn a thing or two from you, that will be my greatest reward."

Flattery, unlike other things, never wears out.

Rear Admiral Newman waved his hand as if it was all nothing, trying to look indifferent, but the corners of his mouth could not help but turn up slightly. He was completely unaware that he had just willingly put a big, pitch-black cauldron firmly on his own head. And one cauldron was not enough. If others saw, they might think their families couldn't handle it. Not only did he have to put one on his head, but he also had to make sure that one was put on the heads of all his friends and allies from various nations, one for each of them.

HUM...

At that moment, a dark cloud rushed towards them from the distant horizon. Only when it drew near did they realize it was composed of tens of thousands of black locusts. It was the Grand Wizard Swarm, who had hurried over upon hearing the news.

As soon as he landed, he was greeted by Byron's eagerly welcoming face.

"Master..."

Within just a few words, another person had joined in taking up the burden and bracing for thunderstorms for the Tayman Archipelago.

The Bloodthirsty Cult longed for war and the fresh corpses that came with it for free. Due to the interruption of the Bone Gnawing God last time, they had missed the opportunity to collect corpses in the Aztec Imperial City to brew the Blood of Metamorphosis. This time, with another alliance forming, he didn't want to miss out at any cost.

"I'll do you this favor. The business of this international port—count the Bloodthirsty Cult in."

Under normal circumstances, colonial territories belonging to the same nation would allow their own merchant ships, naval vessels, and privateer ships to dock for supplies. Whether they were royal colonies, company colonies, proprietary colonies, or self-governing colonies, none could contravene the laws of the Kingdom. Now, they aimed to use their geographical advantage to turn the Tayman Archipelago into an open international port, allowing ships from any nation to dock, trade, and resupply.

Before obtaining the Golden Law, Byron indeed would not have dared to do so. Opening the port to colonizers and merchants from other nations was tantamount to inviting thieves; it would be extremely easy for them to conduct clandestine activities. They could easily have their prizes snatched away in the blink of an eye. With the Golden Law and an increasing number of native allied nations providing stability, they could tap into its benefits while counteracting its harms.

Afterwards, regardless of how the battle on Yucatan Island unfolded, with people, goods, and capital circulating throughout the Tayman Archipelago, the place would, in no time, naturally become the Bantaan Archipelago's transportation hub, a spice emporium, and even an offshore financial center.

Byron didn't need to rush things himself. The various blacksmith shops, shipyards, higher-grade lighthouses, and even the Edge Fortress whose foundations had just been laid on the island would be constructed at a remarkable pace.

Byron eagerly anticipated the expressions on the Barbary Pirates' faces when they swaggered in to play the oriole, only to find a flock of carrion-eating "vultures" waiting for them.

Soon, driven by the prospect of massive mutual benefits, the group began to act separately.

However, before boarding the ship, Byron heard Miss Tilly's booming, hearty laughter behind him as she held onto Bruh. He couldn't help but mourn his hopelessly lost brother in silence for three seconds.

Actually, it's not so bad. The "Sun Holy Sword" is rooted in a knight's will. And beauty, as fierce as a wolf or tiger, is what best dissolves a person's will. Now you can't even touch it, let alone think about it.

Then, he quietly took out his Echo Conch and, upon hearing the sweet and pleasant voice inside, felt his soul instantly cleansed.

I should be the one to bear such dangerous things for you. Speaking of 'slender and supple,' it really depends on who you're comparing to. After meeting this Miss Tilly, why do I suddenly find Miss Willette—who was originally strong-willed and not my type—to be an unparalleled beauty? What in the world is going on?

「Thousands of kilometers away.」

Compared to the Bantaan Archipelago, where every day felt like summer, the waters of the North Sea off the Old Continent were still piercingly cold at the end of January. In recent years, the northern part of the continent had grown increasingly cold, often suffering from the calamity of white frost. In some years, it even snowed in April; the cold had become the norm.

BOOM!

A Level Five Hightins cruiser, engulfed in flames, finally had its powder magazine below the waterline ignited, resulting in a devastating explosion. It slowly sank into the sea.

Not far from it, a fifty-gun, fourth-level nominal battleship was gradually moving away. One look at the figurehead of a girl holding a fiery red rose at the bow revealed that this was the flagship of Bayfolk Princess Violet, the Flame Rose.

At that moment, a long wooden plank was extended from one side of the ship. A group of Bay Citizens Pirates, brandishing their cutlasses and laughing heartily, drove several naval officers, their hands and feet bound, to the end of the plank. Eventually, each of them predictably stepped into thin air, screaming as they plunged into the frothing waves.

In this weather, even without sharks in the water, the frigid seawater alone could cause rapid hypothermia, killing a person in no time. Even Transcendents were no exception. But the Bay Citizens Pirates aboard the ship showed not a shred of mercy.

Bayfolk maxim: Revenge is a must!

Since they chose to be enemies and failed to exterminate the Bayfolk, they could not blame Iron Anchor Bay for seeking revenge from dawn to dusk.

On the aft deck, a solid wooden chair draped with an entire white bearskin was set. Violet, Captain and current Military Governor of Iron Anchor Bay, sat there, legs crossed, with a commanding presence. She had delicate features, long silver hair, and gemstone-blue eyes. She wore a black dress, thigh-high combat boots, and her signature twin pistols, 'Organ · Black and White Keys,' at her waist. Her demeanor was cold and beautiful, like a ruthless and impassive ice queen.

Watching the naval officers scream, curse, and sink into the depths, her gaze remained utterly untroubled.

"Did you hear that 'Calamity,' the one who's been hunting down traitors, went south recently? So you dared to venture out to sea again? Calamity may not be here, but we Bayfolk are, and always will be. Good Citizen already threw out that 'Nation-Destroying Nail'; we intend to watch the York Family's authority crumble bit by bit with our own eyes. Huh?"

Just then, she heard a BUZZING sound from her waist. She hurriedly brushed a fallen silver strand back behind her ear, took out a mirror from her Storage Curio, the 'Traveler's Bag of Wonders,' to check her reflection, ensuring she still looked coolly alluring, and then connected to the Echo Conch, which had no image and even a few minutes' delay.

The group of pirates around her, witnessing Willette transform into a completely different person in an instant, looked as though they had seen a ghost and couldn't help but exchange glances.

Is the Young Miss... ill?

Before they could figure out what was happening, Willette suddenly reverted to her usual demeanor and coldly ordered, "The screams of those wretches are grating and spoil the atmosphere. Throw them all into the sea at once."

"Aye, Captain!"

SPLASH! SPLASH!...

All the Hightins naval personnel aboard the Flame Rose were thrown into the icy sea by the pirates. In an instant, all was silent.

Only then did Willette contentedly hold the conch to her ear. As the message from the other side came through, the faint smile on her face slowly turned into an expression of sheer delight. Gone was the stern visage of the pirate captain; she even jumped up and down in excitement.

"You've finally found the Ocean Throne? And you've already planted an informant for me? I knew there was nothing Mr. Good Citizen couldn't do! That's brilliant!"

The Bayfolk Princess didn't hesitate for a moment and immediately ordered her crew, "Turn the ship around! We're heading back to Iron Anchor Bay to pack. We're about to set off on a long journey!"

Her smile was like ice melting to reveal blossoming roses, breathtakingly beautiful as she declared, "Next stop... the Bantaan Archipelago!"