War Spoils and New Strategies

"With Zesch dead, should we look for another alien faction to work with?"

Everyone turned toward their leader, whose face was dark and imposing.

His aura was so heavy that no one dared to speak further.

"There's no time for that. I've received word—the aliens' grand war is about to begin."

"Boss, what should we do now?" one of the subordinates asked.

The pirate leader pondered for a moment before saying, "For now, we can only secure an agreement with the royal family. We won't deal with the aliens for the time being. Has the royal family responded yet?"

A subordinate sneered, "They seem unhappy about our sudden price increase."

"They're in no position to negotiate with us anymore. If they don't agree, they can just wait for their country to be destroyed."

The pirates burst into arrogant laughter.

Once upon a time, they were nothing more than rats, scurrying away at the mere sight of the Imperial Army.

But now?