Chapter 556: Extra Chapter 5: Conquest 3 (Part 2)

They weren’t just using cannonballs. Flanking the cannons were rows of large crossbows, firing continuous volleys of steel-tipped crossbow arrows that sent the enemy scrambling for cover. Some Morindale Islanders, trying to dodge the relentless barrage, even lost their footing and fell into the sea—and it wasn’t just one or two of them!

Shawn Summers was speechless.

‘With this level of competence, they dare to attempt a rescue? They’re just serving themselves up on a platter!’

After quickly capturing the two battered ships, Bloodfall’s commanders had them steered to the island with the production base. Seeing no further movement from Morindale Island, they figured there would be no follow-up action for the time being.

After their initial excitement faded, the laborers on the island finally calmed down and began to worry about their future.

Kane Summers was also considering this matter. That was a lot of mouths to feed. Although the island had some reserves for now, how to accommodate them was also a problem.

He had previously discussed how to handle such prisoners with Paige Summers. Her stance was that, aside from the Astorians, the rest should be killed if they were disobedient and kept if they were compliant. If they performed well, they could even be brought back. However, neither of them had expected there to be so many—a full three to four hundred people!

‘Looks like we’ll need a long-term plan,’ Kane Summers thought. ‘But first, we take Morindale Island.’

Unlike their other enemies, the captured men from the two Morindale Island ships were not all killed. They spared the captain and a few key figures who were willing to surrender. Kane Summers and his men deftly performed some minor repairs on the two ships to make them look less dilapidated, then forced the captain and the others back aboard.

One of these two ships sailed at the front to lead the way, while the other brought up the rear. Bloodfall’s three warships were in the middle.

With their cannons concealed, the Bloodfall ships no longer looked so threatening.

At first glance, it looked as if they had run out of supplies and fighting spirit and had been captured by the Morindale Islanders.

After resting for a while, the group maintained this disguise and advanced on Morindale Island!

As evening fell, they arrived near the harbor of Morindale Island.

The guards on the shore shouted at them at the top of their lungs. The captain of the lead ship stood at the bow and shouted back, his words dictated, of course, by the members of the Summers Family standing right behind him. He told the suspicious Rovarians that the people on the ships had run out of supplies and that they, ships and all, had been captured!

The other party didn’t seem entirely convinced.

After all, compared to the local ships, Bloodfall’s vessels were far too impressive.

But they couldn’t just refuse the ships entry, so they sent men out in a small boat to conduct an inspection. The inspector’s worries were eased when he saw the small bag bursting with Crystal Cores that the captain had supposedly acquired. As for the strangers behind the captain, they were introduced as Superpower Users from the other ships who hoped to seek refuge on Morindale Island. The perfectly calibrated expressions of tension, weakness, and desperate hope on their faces further convinced the inspector. Still, he pulled the captain aside to privately ask about the cannon fire.

“I was just about to report this to the higher-ups. Two cannon-equipped ships were chasing them, and it looked like they’d been at a stalemate for a while. But the enemy turned tail and ran as soon as they saw us. I don’t know if they’ll be back! According to these people, they’re members of another sea base to the east. That older man at the back is their Base Chief. Apparently, someone from within tried to kill and replace him. A fight broke out, and he fled with his people on a commandeered ship, but his enemies gave chase. That’s how they accidentally stumbled upon this place…”

The inspector’s expression grew serious, and he nodded.

“This is no small matter. We must report it to the Island Master immediately.”

“Exactly what I was thinking. Also, their Base Chief said they have over a dozen more ships like these, all purchased from Astoria! If we on Morindale Island could get our hands on those…”

A thrill ran through the inspector. He made his decision instantly. “Let’s go! I’ll give the signal to let the ships enter the harbor!”

Greed is the original sin.

Lured by the promise of Crystal Cores and warships, all five ships entered the harbor.

What happened next was much simpler.

Although Bloodfall had only brought three ships, they had brought plenty of men.

It didn’t take them long, and without making much noise, they eliminated the guards and seized the harbor!

Several members of Bloodfall accompanied the captain to see the Island Master, while the others infiltrated the island, following covertly.

「Before long, the rest of Bloodfall’s fleet began to arrive on the horizon.」

The dense roar of cannons erupted once more!

This time, it signaled the beginning of the slaughter!

There was a particular satisfaction in having the enemy out in the open while you lurked in the shadows.

Using the chaos of the cannon fire as cover, the Bloodfall members—aside from the few escorting the captain—killed as they advanced. Their grueling close-quarters combat training and extensive battle experience were finally put to the test. In their hands, the act of killing someone silently without drawing attention had been refined into a science.

While killing the island’s officials, they also had to incite the Superpower Users of the various Hunting Parties.

“The island is under attack! The Island Master is trying to escape! We’ve been abandoned!”

Rumors like this always spread with exceptional speed. What’s more, it preyed upon the people’s deepest-seated fears.

Morindale Island descended into complete chaos.

More and more Bloodfall members surged into Districts 1 and 2, swept along by the agitated crowds; the guards had long since been silently eliminated. An order handed down from Morindale Island’s leadership—”All rebels shall be killed without mercy”—also quickly spread until everyone knew. In normal times, such a threat might have made ordinary people shrink back. But now, with the roar of cannons still ringing in their ears, those words only served to light another fuse!

「After two full days, the chaotic battle finally began to subside.」

In the chaos, the Island Master and his close confidants were all killed during a failed attempt to flee the island.

His personal guard, along with countless others, suffered immense casualties.

Of Bloodfall’s five hundred-plus members, over a hundred were injured, but not a single one died. They had taken complete control of Morindale Island!

As The Summers walked over the blood-stained ground of the city, they couldn’t help but recall the past.

Once, they had been tricked into coming to this island, losing many of their brothers. Then came the humiliation, the persecution… These memories added a complex emotional layer to their victory.

But amidst the melancholy, the overwhelming emotion was still joy!

Kane Summers turned to his brothers, smiled faintly, and said, “This time, we can finally go home in peace.”