No matter what direction the ferry moved to, the pirates quickly overtook them. Meanwhile, the dozens of cannons on the side of the pirate ship were loaded.
‘Damn, what do I do?’
Ark tightened his lips and felt like his insides were burning. If the artillery hit the ferry then if would suffer extravagant damage and sink. But the problem was not the damage. If Ark died now then his immortality pill creation would be cancelled. All the ingredients in the pot would be lost. But Ark couldn’t think of a method.
‘There is a method to escape. Fortunately it is just one pirate ship. Before the bombardment starts, I have to jump into the ocean with Jepeteu knowing.’
Even if the ferry didn’t sink, most users wouldn’t have a way to survive if they fell into the ocean. However, Ark had the ‘Flute of the Merpeople’ and could call the dolphins. If he called the dolphins before escaping into the ocean then he could escape Jepeteu. But he was also taking a risk. Right now Ark was concentrating his energies in shaking the pot!
‘Riding the dolphin and completing the immortality pill at the same time will be difficult.’
Ark was thinking that when something interrupted him. One of the soldiers on the mast shouted with a shocked voice.
“Captain-nim!”
“What?”
“P-pirate ship!”
“Are you joking? Why are you talking about a pirate ship that we’ve already seen?”
“No, that’s not it….. A different pirate ship has appeared from the left. And there are three of them….. It is a pirate fleet! They’re approaching at a rapid pace!”
“W-what?”
The captain ran to the left deck with huge eyes. Just like the sailor said, three pirate ships were approaching. While everyone was distracted by the pirates on the right, a pirate fleet had appeared on the other side. The three pirate ships were on a completely bigger scale that Jepeteu’s pirate ship.
“This is a ferry! A ferry! Why are four pirate ships attacking us?”
The captain muttered with a devastated look. Then a voice that was using ‘Amplification’ magic was heard from the pirate fleet.
“Hohoho, we’ve caught him!”
“Listen up, don’t bother with the weak fellows! We only want Ark who is riding that boat! We’ll only leave after we take him out!”
Ark focused his gaze as soon as his name was mentioned. The person yelling on the flagship of the pirate fleet was a woman wearing silver chain armour and a big burly man wearing leather armour. Even though he turned over every corner of his brain, Ark couldn’t remember those faces. Buksil looked at Ark and asked.
“This time they’re definitely looking for Ark-nim. What did you do?”
“Damn, I don’t know. I don’t know those faces!”
“People you don’t know are chasing after you and threatening you with a pirate fleet?”
“How should I know what those guys are thinking?”
Ark and Buksil were busy arguing. Then the woman wearing the magician’s clothes hit the man on the back of the head and said.
“You idiot, do you think he will come up obediently? Just sink them for the moment!”
“What? But…….”
“We’re positive he is present. Even if he sinks, he’ll just revive at Haman Fortress. Then we can just wait there.”
“Ah, that’s right. That means sense. Pirate fleet! Head to that boring ferry!”
The three pirate ships over took the left side of the ferry. Thanks to that, the ordinary ferry was sandwiched between pirate ships.
‘What is this? Doesn’t this mean I can’t escape on the dolphin?”
The pirate ships were lined up on the right and left side. Although Jepeteu’s reason was unknown, he definitely wouldn’t leave it alone if he saw Ark getting away on the dolphins. If Ark was too obvious when running away then the cannons of all four ships would point to him. Riding a dolphin while shaking his pot and avoiding cannons was impossible.
‘W-w-what can I do? I’m trapped like a prey about to be eaten.’
Just the thought of it was enough to make him sag.
‘I can’t die like this. But both sides are blocked……’
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t think of a way to escape the pirates. Then he heard the captain’s completely panicked voice.
“Ugh, no. This is the end. Should I have accepted their request? Maybe they really are just aiming for the dwarf merchant and that Ark fellow.”
‘What? He can’t have that thought…..!’
“Captain, that’s not possible at all. Just like Captain said, doesn’t the King of Bristania have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all the passengers?”
While Ark was frowning, a sailor spoke with an unaccepting expression. The sailor was a person who with a righteous character. The captain sighed and nodded at the sailor’s words.
“Uh, you’re right. I was so scared that I forgot about my obligation. A true sea man is someone who handles himself in a moment of crisis. I have to follow that motto.”
“Yes, Captain. We’ll act like that as well.”
The captain and sailors had completely forgotten about their previous thoughts. Ark was saved thanks to that.
‘Lucky those guys stopped. That danger has disappeared.’
Ark was thinking when someone suddenly shouted.
“Hey, look at that. Another ship has appeared!”
“What? A pirate ship again?”
“No. That flag is Seutandal! It is Seutandal’s combat ship!”
‘Seutandal’s combat ship?’
Ark raised his head and looked over the railing. 2 combat ships were approaching at a fast speed from behind. The symbol of the Eastern Nation which was already representing Seutandal was drawn on the flag fluttering at the top mast.
“Hahaha, they’re pirates. We’ve finally caught up to them!”
A heroic voice was heard from Seutandal’s combat ship. These days, using ‘Amplification’ magic during naval battles seemed to be the trend.
‘Isn’t this voice JusticeMan ajusshi?’
That’s right. The people on the combat ship weren’t just JusticeMan. Standing next to him were the rehabilitation group and Lariette. A look of relief appeared on Ark’s face. But it turned gloomy again after a few seconds.
‘Seutandal’s combat ship…… It was completed? However, it is too late. The pirate ships have already surrounded the ferry. It will be sunk before the combat ship can help. Is there some way to delay the time until the ship arrives?’
Ark pulled his hair and looked at the pirate ships on both sides. Jepeteu’s pirate ship was 50 metres away and preparing for bombardment! There were as many as 30 cannon muzzles protruding from the doors! Just one round of firing would be enough to sink the ferry. But the even more menacing thing was the pirate fleet approaching on the other side. The three ships contained a total of 90 cannons aimed at the ferry! If the cannons were fired simultaneously then the ferry would disintegrate into powder. There would be no way for Ark to survive in the midst of the explosions.
‘Then I have no choice but to suffer? No, wait? The pirate fleet only arrived a short while ago, but Jepeteu had already prepared his bombardment a while back so why hadn’t he attacked yet?
Perhaps……ah, that’s it. There might be a way to survive.’
Ark suddenly remembered something and headed towards the bridge.
“It was an honour to sail with you.”
“Huk, Captain!”
The captain and crew were embracing each other with teary eyes when Ark arrived. They were surrounded by four pirate ships so it was natural to give up hope. However, Ark had no intention of sinking into the sea with them.
“Captain, there is a way to penetrate the siege!”
“What?”
The Captain hurriedly wiped his tears and turned around. Ark told the Captain his thoughts. The Captain’s face changed often while listening but he eventually nodded.
“Yes…… There is that method….. Maybe…… No, there is no other way. I understand. Gather all magicians from the sailors and passengers to one place! They’ll be given orders depending on the reaction of the pirates.”
“I understand.”
While the Captain gathered the magicians and explained the plan, Ark climbed to the roof of the bridge. Still shaking the pot with one hand, Ark amplified his voice using ‘Intimidation’ and shouted.
“Hey you bastards!”
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