Byron knew that humanity's understanding of this world was very limited. The Material World, in particular, was influenced by the Primordial Ocean of the Spiritual World, giving rise to many strange and bizarre natural phenomena. This made the world seem even more unfamiliar and weird.

Among them, the relatively common "Deep Sea Blue Holes" were a kind of supernatural Calamity on the ocean. Usually, without any warning, a blue water hole with a diameter of several kilometers, or even tens of kilometers, would appear on the normally calm sea surface. It was as if a hole had been hollowed out of the sea from thin air. The water inside the Blue Hole would lose its buoyancy, just like air, causing nearby seawater, fish, shrimp, algae, and even passing ships to involuntarily plummet into it. They would then be randomly teleported by a magical force to other parts of the world. The most likely destination was another vast expanse of sea, but it was also possible to end up deep inland or even be tossed into the cloudy skies 10,000 meters high.

Historians in the public library, the "Key of Omniscience," recorded many eyewitness accounts of ships carrying seawater suddenly falling from the sky. Exploration teams also encountered the wreckage of large Warships in the depths of Vast Deserts, and of course, the bones of many more sailors. Scholars speculated that less than one-tenth of the ships swallowed by "Deep Sea Blue Holes" reappeared. The majority were probably sent to the pitch-black seabed, to even more distant regions unexplored by humankind, or perhaps even to the very edges of the world!

Many Navigators' and Adventurers' logs recorded discoveries of Old Continent civilization's relics in certain overseas regions, presumed to be from "Blue Hole" victims. Moreover, it was unclear whether this was because there were more ships on the ocean or because the Source Tides were growing more ferocious. With the start of the Great Nautical Age, sailors witnessed more frequent occurrences of Deep Sea Blue Holes, as well as ships falling from the Old Continent's skies.

Thinking of this, Byron's gaze couldn't help but fall on the three colossal creatures before him, his eyes blazing. Sea Monster Species differ, and the ways they break through their racial limits are different, resulting in all sorts of bizarre abilities. These Sea Monsters are actually capable of mimicking the magical supernatural phenomenon of the 'Deep Sea Blue Holes,' even pinpointing the entrances and exits of the Blue Holes. This is simply a strategic-level naval warfare divine skill! Imagine that in just a few minutes, one could place a grand fleet anywhere on a battlefield thousands of miles away. Any enemy would be caught completely off guard. Manpower support, logistics... Now, a single crab could replace the sea transport lines laboriously constructed by the Kingdom of Castile. Although I still don't know what the upper limit is for their deployment, just what I've seen is enough to say that they could conquer the Banta'an Archipelago in three minutes. And, this crab sure is a pretty thing; the more I look at the patterns on its back, the more they resemble my name, don't they?

No wonder Blue Hair had the confidence to organize his manpower so unhurriedly. Not only had Governor Velazquez not expected such an ace up his sleeve, but even Byron hadn't anticipated it. The Barbary Pirates' plan to establish a Pirate Kingdom was clearly not just idle talk; preparations had already started on all fronts.

Looking at the Blue Hole that had just swallowed the lead ship, the expressions on the other pirate officers' faces were even more shocked than Byron's. They were also unaware of the presence of the "Large Species Barnacle Crab." Instantly, they began to cheer and throw their arms up:

"Is this a miracle? Are the Gods helping us establish our kingdom?"

"God bless Barbarossa! God bless the Pirate King!"

"..."

Probably feeling that a brilliant victory, akin to a dimensional strike, was already within reach, the assertively poised Blue Hair Barbarossa Halding explained to his men in high spirits, "My brother, Ocean Throne, has already ventured into that super current, the 'Serpent of the World · Celestial Current,' cutting across the north and south hemispheres and encircling the entire world. Compared to there, our Banta'an Archipelago, which seems fraught with danger, is actually just a greenhouse nurturing delicate flowers. He discovered many strange animals, plants, Demon Monsters... even mythical ancient creatures not found elsewhere. These 'Barnacle Crabs' with magical abilities are among them. To capture them alive, my brother's King's Left Hand, the Guardsmen Sea Monster Legion, suffered quite a few losses. But all of it was worth it. I name their ability: Deep Sea Leap! As long as they've been somewhere or can sense it through water vapor, they can open the Blue Hole."

Upon saying this, Blue Hair couldn't contain his eagerness for a great victory, and with a grand gesture exclaimed, "All hands enter the Blue Hole, initiate the Deep Sea Leap! Target the Invincible Fleet located in Campeche Bay!"

Of course, he didn't forget about that bothersome 'little one.' He passed a conch shell used to control the "Barnacle Crab" to his right-hand man, "Frogman" Jerome, who looked just like a giant toad. "Jerome, take your 'Frog Warriors,' pick two powerful Third Order Great Pirates, along with the Sea Monster squad already assigned to you. Using the overwhelming force of a tsunami, wipe out that Tayman Archipelago that's too close to Yucatan."

The latter, excitedly accepting the conch, slapped his white belly and guaranteed, "CROAK! Rest assured, Vice-King, I swear it on my military honor. Including the time to scavenge the spoils of war, it will take only an hour to reach Campeche Bay and join you. Moreover, as an army that has completed a little 'warm-up,' we will catch the Invincible Fleet of Castilia completely off guard! CROAK, CROAK, CROAK!"

Under the conch's control, one of the "Barnacle Crabs" swam to the side and raised its pincers, summoning another "Deep Sea Blue Hole" leading to the Tayman Archipelago. The massive Pirate Fleet and their nurtured Sea Monster Legion were split in two, each half swallowed up by a Blue Hole.

「...」

In the waters outside Great Tayman Island.

Actually, the security at the International Port isn't too tight. Making the Barbary Pirates retreat by sensing the difficulty is also a development route I can accept. Now it seems these arrogant fools don't take me seriously at all, not even bothering to gather slightly deeper intelligence. This battle is clearly unavoidable now. Fortunately, I had made 'just a little' preparation work early on.

Byron withdrew his consciousness from the Fat Dragon, which had already followed Blue Hair to the main battlefield. He looked towards the assembled forces outside his own port, ready to head to Yucatan Island to pick up some easy spoils. Navy Warships, Privateer Fleets, armed merchant ships... over 200 in total. All of them were elites at sea, stealthily assembled by major powers under the guise of rotation, rest, and other excuses. The Newman Family, who had come to regard the International Port as their own property, were especially invested. They not only brought over part of Hightins's naval fleet and all of their family's private soldiers but also contributed a "Second-Level Wonder · Mist Cloak." It enshrouded both Great Tayman and the Joint Fleet in a veil of mist.

Byron saw through his scheming but let the greedy old man jump up and down. The Newman Family's most senior Royal Governor, the Major General's brother, was merely a hereditary Earl. This was a title conferred on them only after they had helped Edward IV from the York Family defeat the Lancasters and ascend to the throne. Their homeland's territory was only symbolically awarded a small piece of former Lancaster Party Viscount land. The remainder mainly consisted of Jamestown, known for producing Blue Mountain coffee in the Blue Mountain range. The Newman Family was a bit stronger than the already-declining Grenvilles, but not by much. They had to make a fortune for their descendants while the two brothers held great power—one as Governor and the other as a Naval General—to amass enough capital, thus enabling the Newman Family to truly join the ranks of the Great Nobles!

Therefore, Major General Newman cared for this International Port as much as Byron cared for his spice saplings. He had already calculated in his mind to arrange a marriage between Byron and Catherine, then have the Countess suffer an "accidental" death, allowing the Earl's title to fall into his family's sphere of influence. By then, wouldn't a poor boy with no roots in noble circles be at his mercy? Once this Black Gloves accumulated more and more stains from future dirty work, they would send in their Navy to "eradicate piracy," making a grand show of "righteously eliminating kin." Even leveraging Bill's reputation to swallow Byron's forces whole, the Newman Family could openly seize everything, becoming one of the Kingdom's Great Nobles overnight.

Major General Newman also led his own Navy fleet at the forefront. Then, Byron's voice, carried by the sea breeze, clearly reached the entire Joint Fleet:

"Ladies and gentlemen, our Scouts have just brought news! Castilia has already begun attacking the territory of the Aztec Empire; the opportunity we have long awaited has finally arrived! All fleets load your cannons! Crescent formation! Let's capture their Tayman Brak Island first! I, as the Governor, promise you all that the land granting fee for the island will be merely symbolic—one Gold Pound from each!"

Hearing there were spoils to be gained, the warships from all factions immediately responded.

However, just as the Crescent formation meant to encircle Tayman Brak Island was established—

At the very center of the encirclement,

WHOOSH...

The sea surface churned violently.

Within a circular area spanning a two-kilometer radius, the seawater abruptly stratified. The upper layer remained clear and transparent, but the bottom layer turned into a deep and mysterious azure. The deep Blue Hole, like a portal to an unknown realm, was unfathomable, beyond the sight of human eyes.

「The next moment.」

From within the deep and serene Blue Hole, a gigantic surge suddenly rose, causing the sea within that two-kilometer radius to violently swell. Like an overwhelming flood, it spilled and rushed in all directions. Arriving with the vast amount of seawater was a huge expanse of menacing pirate ships and bizarrely shaped Sea Monsters.

Even before them, countless arrogant roars echoed across the sea:

"We are the great Barbary Pirates! Hand over all your gold, silver, jewels, Spices, and women immediately!"

"CROAK! Don't waste our time! Surrender your weapons quickly! CROAK, CROAK... CROAK?!!!"

Only when they had a clear view of the situation ahead did the atmosphere suddenly turn somewhat awkward.