Byron watched his sister blink her golden Dragon Eyes. She gave him a defiant look, and then, with a vibration of her wings, transformed into a streak of silver light and shot away.
Catherine had acquired the [Mithril Dragon] title ability. This meant that even if stripped of her position as Regent King and having lost the blessing of the Golden Law, she was still someone Byron was completely unable to defeat. Her sisterly prestige immediately rose again.
Without hesitation, she dumped the troublesome task of dealing with the aftermath on him, the Governor.
It was also possible that Catherine simply understood this guy all too well.
Seeing the eager expression on Byron's face, she knew what kind of tricks he was concocting.
Worried that in full view of everyone, she might not have the heart to deny his excessive demands, she simply chose to make a quick getaway.
Byron reluctantly retracted his gaze and muttered to himself, Stingy, it's not like one ride will get you pregnant...
"Your Excellency, the Governor!"
After the center of attention had departed, the Company Marines and the Armed Tax Inspection Division, responsible for maintaining order at the scene, immediately spotted Byron.
They snapped to attention and saluted uniformly.
More disciplined than the Kingdom's Regular Army, they once again delivered a moderately shocking display to the various powers within the port.
Some saw well-trained troops. Others saw strict discipline. Still others saw in Byron, this Pirate General, ambitions too great to be contained by a single International Port!
And then consider the Treasurer, who could outfight everyone present, as well as the Fleet, fortresses, City Guards, and Tax Division under his command—was this merely a Pirate Group?
The one who wants to establish a nation with a pirate group isn't one of the Barbary Pirates; it's you, isn't it?
Byron also knew the principle that "an awl in a sack will eventually pierce through"; they would all have to get used to such displays eventually. There were even more world-shocking events yet to come.
Calmly, he returned the salute to his soldiers. "Gentlemen, thank you for your hard work. The merit points for tonight's operation will be increased by 20% on top of the existing reward and punishment framework. The Tax Inspection Division squads that provided the initial early warning will receive a 100% increase, and compensation for those killed in action will be doubled. Continue with your duties according to the emergency protocols."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
After providing this immediate incentive, Byron met with the Tax Officer squad that had first discovered the intruders and bravely charged at them.
Beyond verbal commendation, Byron also publicly awarded Ron the [Treasure Guardian] class inauguration knowledge he desired.
He particularly emphasized, "I feel completely at ease entrusting our company's gold reserves to you."
"Your Excellency, I would gladly offer my heart to you! Boo hoo hoo..."
Ron, trembling slightly with emotion, his eyes reddened, knelt on one knee. With a voice choked with sobs, he solemnly swore his oath.
Compared to his precarious days in the Navy and on merchant ships, where he was treated worse than an animal, Byron's clear system of rewards and punishments, and his way of treating people like human beings, instantly pierced Ron's heart.
A true man willingly dies for one who appreciates him; this was exactly that.
It made the others' eyes turn red with envy, wishing they could have been the ones to encounter the intruders and stake their own lives for a brilliant and glorious future.
Byron was openly winning hearts and minds. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel{f}ire.net
The art of leading people seems complex, but its essence is merely reward and punishment.
Just as plants and trees grow towards sunlight, humans, as creatures, will always gravitate towards benefits.
As long as you hold firmly to this thread of benefit, you can influence anyone—be they subordinates, friends, or enemies!
Of course, "benefits" come in many forms. It's not necessarily gold and silver; it could also be a sense of belonging, respect for one's personhood, or the opportunity to realize one's value, and so on.
This was also a "whistling arrow" he had meticulously crafted.
It ensured that in the future, whenever it was aimed at anyone, his soldiers would howl and charge forward without hesitation, hacking the enemy to pieces.
However, seeing Ron before him, Byron immediately thought of another matter.
—The 12th Crystal Skull, [Polaris God] Shaman Ek.
It was the guide for all travelers and the living map of the entire Taino Group (Chapter 181).
When he had rescued this group of former Navy soldiers, he had also obtained the coordinates of the skull's hiding place from a second mate who practiced the Black Sorcery Shrink Head Spell.
And as it happened, the projected location of Silvergold Island was on the northern edge of the World Serpent's Celestial Current Belt, not far from that island.
To prevent any mishaps, he immediately contacted [Blood Red Whiskey] Alfred, who was currently on an external assignment and was also one of the sixteen Knights of The King's Right Hand.
"Alfred, I'm giving you coordinates. Depart at first light tomorrow. No matter what methods you use, I want to see that skull when we rendezvous. Any problems?"
Across the Law Network, the [Gourmet] sprang up from his dinner and forcefully struck his chest, declaring, "At your command, Your Excellency! I guarantee the task will be completed. No need to wait for daylight; [The Lancer] sets off now!"
At the same time, in another expanse of sea under the heavy night sky, a large pirate ship turned its foremast, adjusted the yards on its mainmast, and balanced its sails to maintain wind equilibrium, engaging its sailing brake to float quietly on the water's surface.
However, this ship's paint scheme used an abundance of bright yellows, reds, and whites in its colors and decorations, a stark contrast to typical pirate ships that primarily relied on camouflage for plundering.
Beneath the bowsprit, there was even an extravagantly laughing jester figurehead.
This was, in fact, the flagship of the Clown Pirate Group, the [Circus]—a large merchant vessel converted into a warship with armaments rivaling even those of a Fourth-rate Ship.
JINGLE! JINGLE! JINGLE...
The crew members working on this ship, from top to bottom, left to right, were all dressed as clowns, wearing extravagant costumes, their faces painted, and their heads adorned with wigs or hats decorated with bells.