Chapter 127: Returning Home

On the vast and boundless sea, a slightly cool sea breeze brushed against the ship's corner, which had already been scorched by the sun.

The three-mast warship cut through the waves, its wind-filled sails like a giant fan, allowing the ship to break through the surging sea and race towards the direction of Idar Territory.

The previous battle at Coral Island and the recent naval battle in which Pearson was captured had allowed the Idarians to fight with great enthusiasm, but they had also almost exhausted most of the magic crystal bombs carried on the warships.

The remaining magic crystal bombs were divided into two portions by the naval admiral, Mal Cullen. One portion was to be taken back to Idar Territory, while the other portion was to be left for Captain Jack's secret weapon.

Of course, this must have been authorized by Bruno long before.

Otherwise, even if Mal Cullen had the courage of a giant, he would never dare to privately hand over such a devastating weapon to someone else.

As for the strategies to be implemented after the war's victory, Bruno had already held several meetings before setting out and had made decisions. He entrusted the naval admiral, Mal Cullen, with the following task:

"Through Captain Jack's leadership over the Coral Island pirates and by providing some military support, stabilize the original territory of the Coral Island pirates as quickly as possible, laying the groundwork for gradually annexing and eroding other pirate forces in the Basel Sea."

This was the strategy the Idarians intended to execute in the Basel Sea.

Because, including Coral Island, this sea area was simply too close to the Basel Kingdom!

So, if Bruno directly sent Idarian naval soldiers to take over and patrol on a large scale, even under the banner of the Holy Army, it would not be an easy task.

For the Basel Kingdom, as long as you're fighting under the Holy Army's banner near my borders, I will turn a blind eye.

But… if you fight and then refuse to leave, that would be a bit much!

Although the Basel Kingdom had always paid little attention to the sea, and its navy was practically nonexistent, it was still a kingdom!

At the very least… a few wooden sailing ships could still be put together.

Since this war had been a quick resolution, the Basel Kingdom's navy hadn't received the news yet and hadn't reacted.

But if the Idar fleet stayed here without leaving, it would eventually clash with the Basel Kingdom's navy.

And Bruno, who had always adhered to the strategy of cautious development, certainly didn't want to be noticed too soon.

After all, the Basel Kingdom was one of the most suitable places for dumping goods in Bruno's original plan.

Moreover, the Idar Navy had limited manpower. If a large number of soldiers were stationed in the waters around Coral Island, then… what about the Idar Territory?

There were only so many soldiers currently in service, and recruits were still being recruited.

If the Idar Navy remained near Coral Island, any mishap in the Idar Territory would leave them unable to respond in time.

So, managing pirates with pirates, making Captain Jack the agent of the Idar Territory, was undoubtedly the most suitable choice at the moment.

Once the great pirate Kelvin Plato was out of the picture, Captain Jack would need something to back him up in order to take control of the Coral Island pirates' former territory.

Because the pirate groups neighboring the Coral Island pirates would certainly not miss such a valuable opportunity!

To those pirates, even if they couldn't immediately swallow up the Coral Island pirates in one go, they could still take a bite out of the juicy pie.

And the Idar Territory was undoubtedly Captain Jack's greatest reliance!

Only with the support of the Idar Territory and the help of magic crystal bombs could Captain Jack have the trump cards to challenge other pirate forces and the confidence to intimidate his subordinates.

Unlike the violent and brutal Kelvin Plato, Captain Jack had once been just one of the many pirate captains under Kelvin's command.

Moreover, Captain Jack had originally been a refugee fleeing from the Basel Kingdom, so he was far inferior in both seniority and prestige compared to those pirate captains who had followed Kelvin Plato from the beginning.

And this was exactly what Bruno had hoped for!

Because only someone like that would realize that only by relying on the Idar Territory could they attain the identity and status they desired, forever clinging to the Idar Territory's leg and calling it "father!"

Admiral Mal Cullen stared out at the distant azure sea, lost in thought.

Although the Earl was far away in the Idar Territory, all of his arrangements were perfectly executed, leaving one in awe.

This made Admiral Mal Cullen feel a deep admiration for his Earl.

"My lord! My lord! Look!"

Just as Mal Cullen was deep in thought, an urgent shout came from his side.

"What is it?"

Clearly displeased by the soldier's hasty tone, Mal Cullen slowly turned his head and then…

He was shocked to see a massive water spout suddenly shoot up from the sea about a hundred meters away from the side of the three-masted warship!

The water column shot up into the sky like lava bursting from a volcano!

"This is..."

Before Mal Cullen and the soldiers aboard the warship could react, a huge body suddenly broke through the calm sea surface. Mal Cullen felt that the giant creature seemed even bigger than the ship he was on!

Then…

It remained suspended in the air for a moment before crashing back into the sea, causing a violent splash of water.

"Could this be… a whale!?"

Looking at this scene of the returning voyage, Mal Cullen couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Before setting sail, Mal Cullen had heard descriptions of whales from the coastal fishermen, huge bodies like small hills, with giant water columns spouting from their backs…

The fishermen's descriptions had even led Mal Cullen to think it was just a made-up rumor.

But when he saw such a gigantic creature in person…

Mal Cullen couldn't help but believe what the Idar fishermen had said.

This whale… is massive!

For a moment, Mal Cullen felt a sense of helplessness rise within him, a feeling he had never experienced in the face of pirates.

It wasn't just Mal Cullen every navy present couldn't help but ask themselves if the enemy was this whale instead of pirates… could they win?

Since they had crushed the Coral Island pirates with the magic crystal bombs, including Mal Cullen, the Idar soldiers had felt a sense of subtle pride.

But this whale, perhaps just passing by, easily shattered that feeling!

The Earl was right; there are too many unknowns hidden in this vast ocean…