The Bayfolk were not to be outdone.
Dozens of Middle Sequence Great Pirates and scores of Low Sequence Transcendents clashed fiercely in spirit.
The air was filled with a crackling sound like popping beans.
Even modern parliaments often see shoes thrown and spit flying; how could a captain’s council of pirates possibly be courteous and modest?
Unfortunately, whether in numbers or levels of power, those supporting the Bayfolk were unmistakably at a disadvantage.
"What? Does our Military Governor not take the Bayfolk and us free pirates who follow him seriously?"
"Miss Willette, do you deserve the love and adoration the Bayfolk hold for you as their princess?"
Red Beard firmly occupied the moral high ground, continuing his relentless barrage.
With each question, even he felt like he had transformed into one of those Saints enshrined in the Church, wielding the moral cudgel to strike anyone he pleased.
In fact, Red Beard certainly knew why "Child Guardian" Dennis was no longer appearing.
Before the conflict started, he had received assurances from the Hightins Navy Department that the old Military Governor would not become an obstacle to his ascension.
Several factors contributed to this. There was the sudden and unexpected death of the current Military Governor. A pirate group, overstaffed by one-fifth, placed immense pressure on port security. The plan also involved Thirty pieces of silver, along with elusive Bizarre and Evil Spirits. Furthermore, the Strait Fleet was racing over from a thousand miles away, and a trump card lay sealed in the ship’s hold.
All of these were scenarios crafted by him and the York Family.
Heavenly Time: As November arrived, the nights grew longer, and the killing power of Bizarre and Evil Spirits increased.
Geographical advantage: The waves of the North Sea gradually transformed it into an isolated island nobody could escape from.
The most critical human factor: He was absolutely certain that the last resort of the Bayfolk, the "Child Guardian," truly no longer existed.
Otherwise, there would be no need to wait until now to act up; even if he had half a breath left, the opponent would have appeared at the very first sign of turmoil to stabilize morale.
Now, with victory firmly in his grasp, Red Beard didn’t even want to wait ten days; he was eager to reap the fruits of his victory.
—To take the ultimate authority over the Pirate Code from the Bayfolk and dig up the Great Secret Treasure that the Bayfolk had guarded for a thousand years.
If it weren’t for the fact that it would take three more days for the Strait Fleet to arrive, he wouldn’t be able to wait even a quarter hour.
Even though Violet had foreknowledge of Red Beard and the York Family’s plotting, seeing Red Beard’s shameless face still made her blood boil:
’A thief crying "Stop, thief," the bastard. Why didn’t I just blow you up earlier?
And you accomplices, a group of Great Pirates who don’t even realize how long they’ve been stuck at the Third Order.
Too cowardly to leave the North Sea haven to seek adventure on the unknown seas, their minds consumed by nothing but power struggles.
Still counting money for Red Beard even after being sold by him.
Sooner or later, I’ll blast you all to the skies!’
But the current dilemma was not one that could be solved by sheer violence.
Or rather, the force at her disposal was not violent enough.
The North Bay Folks might have the largest reputation, but when it came to population, they were at a clear disadvantage with the rise of many sea power nations.
In contrast, Hightins, Iris, Castilia, Netherland, the Rhein Alliance... These ocean pioneers all had substantial numbers of pirates.
They each had their interests.
This was evident from the ways they addressed her.
The Bayfolk called Violet a princess, but the other Great Pirates never acknowledged her as any heir to the Pirate King of North Sea.
Byron, seeing this situation, also slightly shook his head:
"Releasing Evil Spirits and the Bizarre to create chaos for the Bayfolk, dodging the Bayfolk’s purge.
Claiming that only the ’Military Governor’ could end the chaos, while collecting blood sacrifice elements, and conveniently advancing the election.
Red Beard is killing two birds with one stone, playing a very clever game.
If it weren’t for this stirrer in the mix... with the heartless outmaneuvering the heedless, the Bayfolk wouldn’t stand a chance of resistance.
In the voting process, Red Beard is set to win by spending lavishly and promising benefits.
Unless during the combat, this guy who possesses an Undying Body can be killed.
But how easy is that to achieve?"
The cards in the hands of the two parties were completely different.
The local Bayfolk wanted the safety of tens of thousands of their compatriots on the island, the Great Secret Treasure to be protected without any accidents, and for the ancient prophecy to ultimately come true.
Red Beard, on the other hand, only wanted the Pirate Code and control over the Maze Lock of Iron Anchor Bay.
Including the wealth in his hands, he was naturally willing to promise any rights to the other members of the council, without any sting of conscience.
Seeing the Bayfolk unable to calm their anger and, yet, unable to refute, Red Beard’s heart swelled with satisfaction, not forgetting to press his advantage:
"Let’s vote. Council members in favor of early elections, please raise your hands."
Red Beard was the first to raise his right hand.
The Pirate Code, the best representative of democracy in this age, thunderously responded.
Rules are rules, and they wouldn’t resist a normal election process because of a crime that had not yet occurred.
A moment later, the doors of the council chamber reopened.
A stream of council members emerged, each with their entourages in tow.
"Then, ladies and gentlemen, we will meet again in three days."
Redbeard Edward, leading the way with a broad smile and a spring in his step, clearly got what he wanted without surprise.
In contrast, the Bayfolk’s free pirates, law enforcement teams, Navigators, and Sheriffs all had grim expressions.
Unless the "Child Guardian" Dennis could be resurrected, the position of Military Governor would likely change hands in three days.
The Kingdom’s Navy and Church, which had long viewed them with displeasure, could invade at any time and destroy everything at Iron Anchor Bay.
With the military pressure bearing down, their defeat seemed inevitable, and tragedy loomed.
Only Violet was an exception.
A pair of blue eyes watched the departing group of pirates, certain that the "good citizen" who had sent her the tip was among them.
"After receiving the tip from that ’good citizen of Iron Anchor Bay,’ I immediately dispatched scouting birds to the military ports along the Hightins coast.
Before Red Beard convened the meeting to make his move, I had roughly confirmed when the Strait Fleet would arrive and anticipated his plans.
Actually, what I’m more curious about is the true identity of that good citizen.
With the final three days at hand, it’s time to make contact with him."
Two days flew by in the blink of an eye.
Beneath the long, cold night, a figure cloaked in a cape hurried through an alley.
Suddenly, a plea for help came from the darkness not far away:
"Please, help me, help me!"
Seemingly touched by compassion and without hesitation, he stepped deeper into the alley.
But as he was swallowed by the shadows, he also saw the true nature of the thing in the alley.
A gelatinous black mass, covered with mouths all over, oozed across the ground like tar.
From one of the mouths, that of a child, the pitiful cries for help continued.
It was the "Grotesque・Thousand-Throated Wraith" brought to Iron Anchor Bay by the Privateering Alliance.
The moment he stepped into the shadow, the oozing gelatinous black mass suddenly closed around him from all sides like a Venus flytrap triggered by an insect.
However, a blinding white flame ignited first from the shadow’s form, burning the grotesque creature to ashes within the blink of an eye.
"Gunpowder Formula・Phosphorus Fire at the Heel"
Only four coins, red on one side and white on the other, fell to the ground, picked up by Violet, the "Gunpowder Artist."
"Good luck. It had already prematurely devoured one of its kind, allowing me to reap the tenth and eleventh Bizarre in one go."
She opened her pouch "Miracle・Traveler’s Satchel," and tossed the four octopus silver coins inside.
There were already a full 24 coins inside.
The Bizarre’s craving for silver coins overcame their fear of a Third Order Transcendent.
Violet took the risk of a do-or-die move by voluntarily joining the Black Mass ritual, using herself as bait.
In less than three days, she was about to clear out all the sinister things in Iron Anchor Bay.
In contrast, Red Beard, who was afraid to die, avoided them like the plague, fearing being marked.
After the Black Mass rituals began, he severed all ties with them.
During the three-day gap, he was unaware that his house had already been robbed.
After securing her bag full of octopus silver coins, Violet tapped the miniature whale bone talisman tucked in her ear.
The ultra-miniature talisman "Whale Song," crafted using micro-engraving techniques with the ear bone of the same whale, connected to the Law Network, enabled short-distance communication within Iron Anchor Bay.
"Hello, Mr. Good Citizen, I’ve pretty much finished up my end. Have you not finished yet?"