The Lifeless Dragon Egg
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"Dragon bones? How many are there? Take me to see them immediately!" Gavin exclaimed in excitement as he heard about the dragon bones. Tossing aside the map he had been holding, he grabbed Hassan and eagerly rushed to investigate.
Before long, they arrived at an underground treasure vault, where Gavin finally saw the dragon bones. To his surprise, it was a remarkably well-preserved skeleton, far from the fragmented state he had imagined.
A quick assessment told Gavin that this dragon had likely boasted a wingspan of 8 meters and a body length of no less than 11 meters. Clearly, it had been a fully grown dragon. How such a magnificent skeleton ended up in a pirate leader's treasure vault was beyond him.
Placing his hand on the dragon's skull, Gavin tried to sense the magical energy contained within. The result, however, was somewhat disappointing.
While there was indeed magic left, it was sparse compared to the massive skeleton it inhabited. Gavin estimated that absorbing all of its energy might grant him a little over 10 points of power.
He speculated that the amount of magic contained in a dragon's bones was closely related to its size and power during its lifetime.
The best, without doubt, was the pendant made from Belleris dragon bones that he already possessed. In comparison, bones from smaller dragons naturally contained far less magic.
Despite his slight disappointment, Gavin recognized that this was the largest potential energy source he had ever encountered, making it a significant gain nonetheless.
Turning to Hassan, Gavin asked, "Did anyone find out where these dragon bones came from?"
Hassan immediately replied, "When I discovered them, I asked the pirates guarding this place. They said the bones were found on this very island."
Gavin was astonished to learn this. He hadn't expected such a remote island to house dragon bones, let alone an intact skeleton. This revelation suggested that a dragon had once perished here.
Without delay, he had Hassan summon the guard who had been questioned earlier. Gavin proceeded to interrogate him for more details.
As it turned out, when Black Shark "Earl" seized control of Shipbreaker Bay, the pirates conducted a full exploration of the island.
During their search, they discovered the dragon bones in a cave and, recognizing their value, they transported them back intact.
After hearing this, Gavin immediately ordered the guard to act as a guide and take him to the cave.
The group trekked deep into the island, walking for an entire day before finally reaching the cave where the dragon bones had been discovered.
As soon as they stepped into the cave, a damp and faintly decayed smell filled the air. The cave interior was vast and expansive. Gavin led the group cautiously through the dimly lit environment, their footsteps echoing eerily in the open space.
Gavin's eyes meticulously scanned every corner, determined not to overlook a single detail.
Finally, he noticed something unusual. Nestled in a narrow crevice between two massive rocks was a substance distinctly different from the surrounding stone.
It was dark red, with a rough texture, resembling solidified magma cooled after intense heat. Gavin immediately took out his tools and began digging with all his might. Each strike removes bits of rock, sending debris tumbling down.
After a strenuous effort, a gray dragon egg was unearthed from the crevice.
However, the egg was dull and lifeless. Its surface was covered with fine cracks, and it was evident that it had lost its vitality. Even the magic within the egg had completely dissipated.
Holding the egg in his hands, Gavin felt a pang of disappointment. Nonetheless, he carefully placed it into a bag, intending to take it back with him.
The group continued to search the cave thoroughly, inspecting every nook and cranny. Yet, despite their efforts, they found nothing else of value. Left with no other choice, Gavin sighed deeply and ordered the team to return.
That night, in Shipwreck Bay, Gavin sat alone on his throne. Beside him was the dragon skeleton, its immense presence filling the room. Gavin placed his hand gently on the bones, slowly absorbing the magic within.
Gavin's brows were tightly knit as his mind churned with countless thoughts. Though he had managed to establish his rule over Shipbreaker Bay through sheer force and fear, subjugating over ten pirate ships and more than seven hundred pirates under his banner, he was acutely aware that these pirates were unpredictable and disloyal, their submission merely a temporary result of his overwhelming power.
Beyond the bay, the remnants of Black Shark 'Earl's' forces remained formidable. Over fifty pirate ships and nearly four thousand pirates were scattered across the surrounding islands, oblivious to the fact that Shipbreaker Bay had fallen into new hands.
The situation across the entire Stepstones Islands was even more chaotic. To the west were the Dornish, to the east lay the Three Daughters' Kingdom, and there was also the temporarily defeated Saan family. Each of these forces far surpassed Gavin in strength.
As he contemplated the future of Shipwreck Bay, Gavin wrestled with the question: should he hold onto it or decisively abandon it?
Sitting there for a long time, his mind was a tangle of thoughts, he reflected on Stepstone Island's turbulent state.
It seemed that here, anyone with sufficient strength could crown themselves king. If that was the case, why not take one step at a time and see where the road led?
His gaze grew resolute as a plan began to form in his mind. First, he needed to reorganize the pirates under his command, weeding out the unruly and undisciplined ones.
He would then focus on training the remaining forces, enhancing both their combat effectiveness and their discipline.
Next, he would attempt to seize control of more islands, thereby expanding his sphere of influence.
After all, his arrival in Shipbreaker Bay and the Stepstones had been a stroke of chance. If he ultimately failed, he could simply flee.
The Stepstones were vast, and as long as there was even a sliver of hope, it was worth taking the gamble. Who knew? He might just carve out a domain of his own in this chaotic land.
The following day, Gavin visited the large shipyard. The moment he stepped in, the rich scent of timber and tung oil assailed his senses.
Here, there were no free artisans. All the workers were shipbuilding slaves purchased from Slaver's Bay. They labored with focused expressions, their movements practiced and precise.
Gavin paid particular attention to the Black Shark, the flagship that 'Erl' had originally been building for himself. Now nearing completion, it was a magnificent wooden sailing ship.
The ship's hull stretched an impressive 80 meters in length, with a width of about 20 meters. Its towering masts stood like colossal pillars above the deck—three in total.
The main mast alone exceeded 50 meters in height, robust and straight, capable of withstanding immense winds. The ship's hull was enormous yet sturdy, with sleek and elegant lines.
In crucial moments, oars could be extended from both sides of the ship, allowing for human-powered acceleration that complemented the sails, enabling a combined propulsion system.
On the fore and aft of the deck, eight ballistae were neatly arranged like vigilant sentinels, their menacing presence ready to unleash fiery barrage upon any foe, exuding an aura of formidable deterrence.
Gavin summoned the overseer of the slaves and several skilled artisan slaves, engaging them in conversation to thoroughly understand the shipyard's operations.
With a stern look, Gavin addressed the overseer before him, saying, "Tell me about the living conditions and how your food and shelter are managed here."
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[Chapter End's]
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