Chapter 206 - 192: Tusk Pirate Gang

Chapter 206: Chapter 192: Tusk Pirate Gang

On the calm sea, a dozen or so large ships sailed slowly.

The scorching sun beat down, making the water’s surface glitter.

On the deck of the lead ship, a middle-aged man in linen clothes gazed into the distance.

His face was gaunt, with deeply sunken eye sockets and a furrowed brow, as if something weighed heavily on his mind.

If the other Pirate Leaders of the Sosen Duchy were to see him, they would surely show expressions of both adoration and fear.

His name was Budar, the renowned leader of a major Pirate Gang in the outer seas of the Sosen Duchy—the Tusk Pirate Gang.

He was extremely powerful himself, possessing the strength of a Peak Middle Knight. Furthermore, his Tusk Pirate Gang included five Junior Knights.

Through his and his subordinates’ Extraordinary Power, as well as his well-trained Pirates, Budar had established his authority in the outer seas of the Sosen Duchy.

Yet, this very same influential figure among the Pirate factions was now forced to become a fugitive.

Just one month ago, the Sosen Duchy had completely changed its coastal defense strategy.

The Sosen Duchy launched a frenzied and thorough crackdown on the Pirate Gangs they had previously turned a blind eye to.

At first, Budar paid it no mind. He assumed it was just a temporary campaign by the Sosen Duchy; after all, their coastal defense forces put on a show of authority every year.

But as time passed, more and more small, and even medium-sized, Pirate Gangs were wiped out. This put Budar on high alert.

With his keen understanding of politics, he gradually saw the Sosen Duchy’s resolve to exterminate all Pirates.

Although his own strength was formidable among the Pirates, they would be crushed in the face of the Sosen Duchy’s navy.

To protect his forces, as well as himself and his family, Budar chose to abandon his home base and migrate to other waters.

However, due to geographical limitations, Budar’s Pirate Gang was unable to cross the Storm Strait, known as the "line of death." It was said that beyond the Storm Strait lay a much vaster world, a place where many Kingdoms flourished, filled with all manner of powerful Knights and Secret Masters.

But lacking the strength for such a journey, Budar could only decide to relocate the Tusk Pirate Gang to the waters of Dawei Province in the Lanton Duchy.

In truth, this wasn’t a good choice either.

Six months prior, Dawei Province had conducted its own bloody purge, causing many Pirate Gangs to flee from the Lanton Duchy’s waters to the Sosen Duchy’s. But given the current situation, those same groups would have to flee back sooner or later. Otherwise, they were sure to meet their end in the outer seas of the Sosen Duchy.

Budar was overcome with worry. He could only hope his efforts would be enough for the Tusk Pirate Gang to survive.

This was his life’s blood.

"Boss, we’re about to enter the waters of the Lanton Duchy."

A Pirate wearing a bandana said to Budar.

"I know." Budar nodded, his expression grave. He then asked the man, "How long have the scout ships been out? Why haven’t they returned?"

"It’s been a little over two hours..."

At this, the Pirate frowned as well. "Maybe they got delayed... they’re not familiar with these parts."

"Let’s hope so..."

Budar muttered to himself, then waved his hand, dismissing the man.

A heavy pressure weighed on Budar’s heart.

If the Tusk Pirate Gang were a small force of only a few dozen men, he could have chosen to sail for the open seas.

They could find an uninhabited island, do some simple farming and fishing. Life would be hard, but at least they could survive.

But with several hundred members, the Tusk Pirate Gang could never return to that way of life.

They could only survive by constantly fighting and plundering.

A large ship is difficult to turn. Budar was feeling the truth of this saying profoundly.

"Hm?"

Just as Budar was worrying, he suddenly saw ships in the distance approaching rapidly.

He focused his eyes, and a sense of alarm instantly flared within him.

Those ships didn’t look like the scouts they had sent out.

"Men, prepare for battle!"

Budar bellowed the order.

Instantly, the crews on the dozen or so ships stirred into a commotion.

Soon, six or seven large ships appeared in the distance, sailing straight for the Tusk Pirate Gang.

’They’re coming straight for us.’

Seeing their formation, Budar knew they came with ill intent.

’If my guess is right, the scout ships I sent out earlier have probably already sunk to the depths of the sea.’

Budar gripped his longsword and took a deep breath.

’We’re about to enter the waters of Dawei Province, and we’re already facing a bloody battle. This is not a good sign.’

But what put Budar somewhat at ease was that the newcomers had only half the number of ships he did. ’Even if they mean to block us, they probably won’t risk a head-on clash with the Tusk Pirate Gang.’

"That flag..."

As the opposing ships drew closer, Budar saw the flag flying from their masts.

It bore the insignia of a bear’s head.

’Which faction is this...?’

He knew relatively little about the affairs of Dawei Province.

After all, the decision to flee here from the outer seas of the Sosen Duchy had been made on the spur of the moment.

But even without knowing his enemy’s origins, Budar had to give the order to fight.

"Archers, at the ready!"