Toscarter Island, harbor.
A large crowd had gathered here, but strangely, there was no noise.
The people were roughly divided into two groups: one consisted of those recruited by Anderson's propaganda, while the other was made up of pirates Silas had driven over from places like the Red Mill, casinos, and bars.
The two groups looked at each other with strange expressions.
They couldn't help but glance toward the red figure at the front of the harbor and the several pirate captains before him.
"Our ship is 55 meters long, two-masted, with a top speed of 10 knots and a total of 18 cannons."
One pirate captain said with a bitter face, pointing at his ship. "Though it sounds decent, it's actually quite old."
"Ours is even smaller, only about thirty-some meters."
Another pirate captain said with an ingratiating smile.
The pirate captains feared Silas.
Though their hearts were bleeding, they still forced smiles and had no choice but to offer up their ships.
Yet they were also afraid Silas might actually fancy their vessels, so they could only work hard to speak in ambiguous terms.
Until a young captain stepped forward.
"This is our crew's sailing ship, 55 meters in total length, three-masted, with a top speed of 13 knots.
We bought it from Bayam's underground shipyard just six months ago. The ship has twelve rapid-fire cannons and plenty of ammunition."
The captain of the Black Shark Pirate Crew, "Sea Serpent" Walter Gant, smiled as he introduced the ship to Silas.
His ship looked extraordinary from its very appearance.
Unlike cargo ships concerned with carrying capacity or passenger ships focused on comfort, this vessel had a streamlined design overall, appearing light and swift.
When the hatches on both sides of the hull opened, rows of black cannon muzzles were exposed to the air.
"Indeed not bad."
Anderson whistled and leapt lightly onto the ship to inspect it.
He naturally fulfilled the duties of a first mate, appearing very enthusiastic.
Silas was still a novice in this area, so he only gave the ship a cursory glance before turning back to look at its original owner.
"What's this ship called?"
"It's called the Doe. Perfect for your flagship."
Sea Serpent's smile remained unchanged as he continued speaking.
He was a Sequence 8 Beyonder, one of the most powerful among this group of pirates.
But precisely because of this, he clearly understood the gap between himself and Silas, an insurmountable chasm.
Seeing their powerful leader adopt this attitude, the pirate underlings behind him became even more obedient, each shrinking their heads like quails.
"The ship's fine, ready to set sail anytime."
In the time since, Anderson had roughly inspected the cabins and returned to the deck.
Recruiting crew and finding a ship had taken nearly an hour. Adding in the preparation time for departure, they really needed to hurry.
"Mm, then let's settle on this one as the flagship."
Silas turned to look at the crowd at the harbor, his expression thoughtful.
Next, he should consider the crew.
"Your Excellency, since you're forming a fleet, why not take my pirate crew along?"
Just then, the consistently cooperative Sea Serpent suddenly stepped forward and said respectfully, "You're short on people right now.
We're familiar with this ship, the crew are all experienced sailors. We'll definitely meet your requirements!"
The other pirates froze, then immediately understood this fellow's thinking.
"Sea Serpent" was offering up his own ship on purpose, planning to smoothly join a pirate crew with excellent prospects for development!
After all, this captain was a demigod who might very well become the fifth Pirate King!
Wouldn't being part of a Pirate King's leadership be more valuable than being captain of a small pirate crew?
"My lord, we're willing to join too!"
After a moment's hesitation, the other pirate captains jumped forward one after another shouting.
Silas smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. His eyes saw clearly and his ears heard plainly.
These pirates reeked of fresh blood and the wails of the dead. These people had countless blood debts on their hands.
On the other side of the harbor, the locals who had come with Anderson grew uneasy at this sight and began to stir restlessly.
After all, they couldn't compare to these sailors familiar with the sea, and their hopes of boarding the ship had become slim.
"Damn it!"
In the crowd, Filia thought anxiously, "No, I have to get on that ship no matter what happens later, even if I have to sneak aboard."
He thought wildly, then heard Silas speak.
"Anderson, do you know these fellows' backgrounds?"
"I do!"
Anderson stood at the ship's rail, pointing down at the captains from his elevated position.
"'Golden Touch' Sulu, never leaves survivors on ships he's robbed; 'Black Flag' Hook, always fires cannons to sink vessels before leaving after each robbery; 'Lame' Flint, 500-pound bounty, this guy's the cruelest, likes to force passengers on robbed ships to fight each other for his entertainment."
Having been a hunter not long ago, he naturally knew the pirates' intelligence very well.
Under Silas's seemingly calm gaze, the pirate captains all felt their hearts tighten involuntarily.
"Gentlemen, my fleet will specifically target Loen officials and other pirates.
We won't go after civilians." Silas smiled.
"You fellows don't quite seem to meet my requirements."
"We can change!"
"Lame" Flint, unnerved by Silas's gaze, quickly shouted, "I'm willing to follow your will.
From now on, I'll be a pirate with principles and absolutely won't harm innocents!"
Of course, these words were just temporary placation.
Flint thought to himself, how could a pirate not kill civilians?
Never mind this guy's noble act now.
Once he truly took command of the fleet and the killing piled up, he'd inevitably fall and become a scoundrel no different from other pirates.
When that time came, his own promise naturally wouldn't need to be kept. So he just needed to deceive him here for now.
A glint of gold flashed in Silas's eyes. He smiled as he looked at the other pirates. "You all think the same way?"
"That's right!"
"Yes, yes!"
The other pirates shouted cooperatively, though how many were sincere was hard to say.
Only "Sea Serpent" Walter's expression changed slightly, as if he'd detected some dangerous signal.
"You truly believe this from the bottom of your hearts?"
Silas asked again. "Once you're on board, it'll be too late to back out."
"No backing out, we're serious!"
"That's right, that's right!"
Pirates were habitual liars by nature.
Facing Silas's repeated questioning, they simply assumed he was easy to fool and nodded without hesitation.
However, Silas sighed.
"But your shadows aren't saying the same thing."
The next instant, the pirates noticed something strange.
The shadows beneath their feet had come alive.
These shadows seemed to have their own will, emanating a dark and corrupt aura!