Black Sail
Chapter 520: The Battle for the Outpost CXLIX

Chapter 520: The Battle for the Outpost CXLIX

At this moment, it is different from last year in Aran. It is not just small-scale robbery; dividing forces in different places is a serious mistake.

Even if multiple fronts must be opened, the main force should not be too far away, or communications and reinforcements will become problematic.

But the distance between villages is often no more than fifty miles.

Although the main force on Crocodile Island hasn’t arrived yet, and the railroad to Drifting City is still a long way off, geological surveys and sentinel deployments in villages and towns within a radius of one or two thousand miles have already started.

Uborio leads the main force.

Liszt couldn’t be so foolish as to do the heavy lifting for Uborio at this stage. If possible, he would delay Uborio’s actions. If Uborio couldn’t hold out, the Princess was under his control, and then he would raise the flag, becoming the righteous force.

Under the pressure from Celeste.

Liszt also went to the front lines but wouldn’t target the toughest towns along the railroad. That was Uborio’s concern. His goal was to disrupt Crocodile Island’s sentry posts and advance units in the surrounding villages and towns and replace them with his own outposts.

Fen’s terrifying abilities were revealed. The current textbook still used by the Pedan National Arcane Academy, "Warrior Battlefield Cultivation," which he compiled, shows his knowledge in architecture. He could provide blueprints and supervise the construction of simple, quick-built forts and watchtowers.

After passing Drifting City and heading east, the land becomes increasingly fertile.

In the unfortunate fortune of war, the landlords and wealthy families had fled to seek refuge. Many indebted tenant farmers could still use the crops in the fields to feed themselves. This was the theory, but under Uborio’s extortion, everything was confiscated. Any capable households were also plundered as military funds.

Naturally, they also wanted to flee to other countries for refuge, but unfortunately, there was no such option.

Uborio represents the power of the Mulong Tribe. The Resistance Army is an alliance of tribes, and the local tribal leaders also use their influence to rally people to join the war.

Betrayal of the tribe was not met with the law but with harsh punishments passed down through generations, involving severe penalties.

The main force of the Black Sail was stationed in an abandoned ancient fortress located on the highest mountain in a hilly area, quickly reaching the surrounding villages and towns with geographical advantages, using this place as the frontline command post.

The troops dispatched from here, considering the endurance of the horses and the immediacy of responses, could not go beyond five hundred miles to ensure support within a day, and if overmatched, they could retreat to the base.

Only Fen and a hundred pirates repairing the fortress were left inside, along with Chuan Che and Nashano.

Upon receiving Uborio’s message, Crocodile Island had already established sentry posts in some of the frontline villages, and Liszt had already led his forces personally in the campaign.

With so many people, it was impossible to attack just one sentry post, as it would be overkill.

The forces were divided into several teams to take over all the sentry posts in one go. Failure was not an option; morale was crucial, and an opening victory would lay the foundation for future advantages.

Not to mention gradually nibbling at the railways, at least holding the front of Drifting City. Holding out until Crocodile Island approached the gates was not far off.

"Being anxious here is useless. But you are indeed willing to spend money, hiring mercenaries to fight Aran at double the market rate at least."

While directing the earthworks, Fen chatted with Nashano. This fortress had been abandoned for a long time and needed many repairs to be operational again.

If nothing went wrong, Black Sail would stay here for the next few months. Either Uborio would lose his power, and everyone would retreat to Drifting City to prepare for the final battle, taking over from the Resistance Army, or the Aran Royal Court would change its strategy, continue to send large-scale military forces, and they would have to return to make up for the fiscal deficit of Heaven Port by seeking new opportunities.

Or Uborio might deal with Crocodile Island, though that was unlikely.

Black Sail’s operation only brought two thousand men this time, all the toughest in the East Sea, including some pirates integrated into the team with ambitions.

In Celeste’s view, they were a ragtag bunch, which was true in terms of discipline or organization, but they could overwhelm the Aran Regular Army in small-scale skirmishes or single-man combat.

Nashano alone hired five hundred mercenaries, earning a reputation in the underworld, supporting Liszt.

Nashano himself was a junkie. Not to mention fighting, he could barely hold a knife and fork without shaking when eating noodles. He had to stay in the fortress.

"Small money. Once this is over, Heaven Port’s financial crisis will be over. You guys should be free for a while, right?"

Nashano confirmed, waiting to start the greatest adventure of the 27th year of the Holy Spirit Calendar with Liszt.

"Of course, once we get through this period of massive consumption for the construction of Heaven Port, by next year, the profits from various operations will be more lucrative than any drug dealing or robbery. As for the fighting, leave that to those obsessed with money."

Fen spoke nonchalantly.

Heaven Port had Taylor and Plank, who would support Black Sail unconditionally. Once the quarterly revenue reports were out, Qi Liwenkui and the major shareholders would be the most loyal supporters of Black Sail.

The entire East Sea would be theirs, stronger than during the Doringger era. No matter how many seasons they opened, it would be a feast of beheadings and conquests.

Opinions on the Narrow Sea were intensifying, but it wasn’t a problem. If Mulong succeeded, could those guys be harder to deal with than Aran?

According to Liszt, it would be a smooth ride; once the operational ball started rolling, communication issues would be resolved. The Shipyard Island would begin producing ironclad warships, ready to swallow the Four Seas.

Fen and Celeste had also reached a deal. The higher-ups in Lostra would keep him informed about the infiltration progress in Vadinia, allowing Fen to judge when to act and when to retreat.

The Black Sail’s operations were extensive enough not to bet everything on Mulong, leaving a way out when necessary.

Of course, it wasn’t so simple for Celeste to lie. Fen could tell from the subsequent forces and offensive intentions from Aran. A few times might be hidden, but this war was going to drag on until the end of the year.

"Is that so."

Nashano looked out over the fields below the city walls. He thought of a question, "If Vadinia is so close to Aran, why doesn’t the Emperor just send troops there, moving from the start to the end, closing in on the middle, synchronizing the construction along the other sections? Wouldn’t that be faster?"

Fen glanced at him.

"That would start a world war. It would mean the Aran Royal Court wants to take over a dozen Narrow Sea ports and dozens of inland commercial trade cities in one go, leading to a sudden, all-out war. The Royal Court’s current strategy is also gradual and solid. Spanning multiple gorge obstacles, the cost is high, but taking down Mulong to recover some energy will lead to more strength for future battles."

Fen said somewhat speechlessly.

Later, the railroad would pass through several small countries south of Pedan. At that time, Pedan would certainly become Aran’s top family. Those magicians wouldn’t let the Emperor have it easy. Even if the Emperor insisted on constructing it, he would have to make concessions.

"If you are really hesitant, then don’t go. Just follow Celeste honestly."

Fen said to Chuan Che. He didn’t understand what made Chuan Che suddenly want to mix with the pirates.

In Heaven Port, killing dog pirates and Magic Beasts was not a psychological burden, but killing soldiers, these soldiers were not committing atrocities, he might be fighting a psychological battle himself.

Sincere individuals think differently from dog pirates.

Chuan Che paced back and forth, thinking. People cannot easily obtain things they don’t have.

The Black Sail’s advance team had already set off. They might be fighting now. Should he go?