Chapter 455: On My Side
The sudden loud noise stunned the pirates, who had been shouting in excitement and preparing for the final sweep.
They turned their heads in confusion to look.
The heavily battered door was kicked apart in a single blow, breaking into pieces.
The door panels crashed to the ground.
The golden rays of dusk shone in softly like a veil.
A large number of skeletons, clad in leather armor and wearing sailor hats, marched straight into the hall.
They formed a line, all their black weapons aimed forward.
In the middle of the skeletons stood a familiar figure.
The Deputy Steward of the Guild!
He wasn't dead!
All the pirates stared wide-eyed at the scene ahead, unable to believe it.
They knew the basic plan for attacking the Guild.
Their initial objective was to handle the other members of the Guild, while the Deputy Steward would be dealt with by Captain Tolga.
A Level 17 Warrior Boxer, and yet he hadn't killed the target under such circumstances.
Their eyes shifted again to a figure nearby, and their hearts sank even further.
Tolga was dead.
The entire plan, up until now, had resulted in Tolga's death.
The pirates began trembling, their eyes darting around as they searched for escape routes.
"There's only a few skeletons! We can fight our way out!"
"Yeah, if we all charge together, we can kill that Deputy Steward and make a fortune."
"Charge out!"
"Kill!"
The pirates hyped each other up, shouting loudly.
Then, they raised their weapons and charged toward the doorway, yelling.
Wu Heng said calmly, "Fire. Kill them all."
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunfire roared, and dense bullets poured out like a massive net, covering the front.
Sometimes, Wu Heng truly felt fortunate that this world's development leaned toward magical runes rather than firearms and cannons.
It allowed him to utilize these relatively simple-to-make weapons to unleash devastating power beyond their reach.
Even against high-level elites.
There were always more powerful weapons to use.
Machine guns, missiles…
Even a Level 20 Hero, bound by the mortality of their body, might not withstand the power of a missile.
The gunfire continued relentlessly, pouring out bullets like they cost nothing.
The charging pirates fell like wheat under a scythe.
Soon, only a few remained.
"Don't let them escape," Wu Heng ordered.
The armed skeletons advanced while firing, killing all the pirates attempting to escape through the windows.
The wounded pirates writhing on the ground, groaning in pain, were also individually executed by the skeletons.
The hall quickly fell into silence.
"Tolga, take some skeletons and search upstairs and downstairs. Kill any pirates you find. If they're not pirates, just subdue them for now."
The Level 17 Skeleton Boxer stepped out from the group.
With a few skeletons in tow, he rushed upstairs.
Wu Heng scanned the hall. Furniture was shattered, the walls were smeared with blood, and arrows and bolts were embedded in them.
The floor was littered with corpses and debris, blood pooling into crimson puddles.
After having the skeletons retrieve a few weapons trapped under bodies, Wu Heng released [Battlefield of the Dead]. One by one, skeletons rose from the ground.
Shaking off the flesh fragments on their bodies, they bent down to pick up weapons scattered across the floor.
After reorganizing the defenses, Wu Heng approached the training room door and called out, "Viel, you can come out now. It's safe outside."
There was no response from inside.
Nearby, a small white owl peered from a distance.
Recognizing Wu Heng, it chirped twice and landed on his shoulder.
Behind the training room door, sounds of moving objects could be heard.
Soon, the door opened, and Andviel, Moya, Kavina, along with the team members and staff, emerged one by one.
Most of them were injured.
But as long as the wounds weren't fatal or involved missing organs, it wasn't too concerning.
Wu Heng glanced at Andviel and Kavina, relieved to see no serious injuries on them.
Andviel approached with a delighted expression, "Deputy Steward, are you alright?"
"I'm fine. Don't worry," Wu Heng replied.
The others also called out, "Deputy Steward!"
Wu Heng nodded and said, "The battle isn't over yet. The pirates could attack us again at any time. Those who are injured, rest. Those who can move, repair the doors and windows, and prepare for potential threats."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded, their voices now carrying more confidence.
...…
Residential Area.
Shanaila began gathering all the guards from the merchant guild representatives, as well as other available personnel.
Besides those already here, she called on nearby residents, explaining the current situation and rallying everyone together.
Gold-Silver Island served as a trade hub.
Those who owned residences on the island were mostly high-ranking members of merchant guilds.
Everyone gathered together, their expressions anxious and at a loss.
"The island master has turned back to piracy? Wasn't he pardoned? What's the benefit of being a pirate?"
"How is that possible? Why would he do such a thing?"
"So, what do we do now?"
Some people still couldn't believe the rumors that the island master planned to kill everyone on the island.
From a logical standpoint,
having been pardoned, why would he return to piracy?
It made no sense.
Yet the scene before them was undeniable.
The corpses of pirates and guards mixed together were piled nearby.
If no one had let them onto the island, how could so many pirates appear?
At this moment, Shanaila returned with her people.
The crowd surged forward, surrounding her in an instant.
"Madam Shanaila, are we really going to attack the port?"
"Our people have died there; there's no room for negotiation."
"President Shanaila, it's not that I doubt Deputy Steward Wu Heng, but with just us, it might be difficult to fight our way out."
Shanaila's brows furrowed instantly.
According to her agreement with Wu Heng, gathering these people had already delayed their progress.
Now they were starting to waver.
Scanning the gathered crowd, she spoke coldly, "If the pirates win, will they spare us? Or perhaps some of you are already working with the pirates. When our island's guards were reassigned, many of you were advocating for it."
Her words silenced the group.
Those who had voiced the strongest doubts earlier were momentarily at a loss for words.
No one who had climbed to the top of the merchant guilds was a fool.
Anyone who spoke up now would be labeled a pirate collaborator and treated as an enemy by everyone.
Moreover, upon reflection, the reassignment of guards had indeed been overly promoted by certain individuals.
This had left the island undermanned.
It was not impossible that some had already made deals with the pirates.
Seeing no one respond, Shanaila continued, "Spread the order: maintain formation and march to the port. Collaborators, deserters, or laggards will be executed on the spot."
Commands were relayed swiftly.
After a brief period of chaos, the makeshift army began to move.
They advanced toward the port.
Along the way, doors were knocked on, and more people persuaded to join the ranks.
...…
Inside the armored vehicle.
Minnie, Milison, and Shanaila shared a vehicle.
The armored vehicle behind them carried all the skeletal alchemists.
Shanaila glanced around at the intricate and specialized equipment inside the vehicle, quietly amazed.
It wasn't just equipped with weapon mounts; the interior also housed sophisticated devices.
On a nearby screen, the surrounding environment was displayed.
It was as if the scenery was reflected in a mirror.
Minnie clung to Shanaila's arm and asked, "Sister, is Master alright over there?"
Shanaila, also worried, replied, "He entrusted us with this; he must have his own plan."
Minnie nodded softly and continued, "Why did we bring those people? Some of them only have a few guards and seem barely able to catch their breath."
Shanaila glanced at the screen showing the gathered nobles and whispered, "What do you think of Gold-Silver Island?"
"Not great. Pirates make it too unstable," Minnie said with a start, then added, "Are you worried that if we leave, the pirates will attack them?"
"I'm not that selfless," Shanaila said with a laugh. "I've been emphasizing that your Master saved this neighborhood."
"Oh, I've heard that."
"So, if we win in the end, who do you think this island should go to?" Shanaila asked, looking at her.
Minnie froze, then sat up straight, staring at her.
Shanaila continued, "Imiro has a strong reputation and royal lineage. Even if Wu Heng's contributions are great, he's just a pawn of the Guild. His fame and merits belong to them."
"After the pirates are defeated, Gold-Silver Island will need a new master. If the Guild takes control, it's unlikely to go to Wu Heng."
"If all the merchant guilds get involved, with some maneuvering, a new island master could be contested, all within the Guild's procedures. Of course, if we don't defeat the pirates, none of us will survive, so it doesn't matter."
Minnie and Milison stared at her in shock.
But they understood her meaning.
If the Guild appointed the next island master after their victory, it probably wouldn't be Wu Heng.
More likely, he'd receive accolades and monetary rewards.
However, involving the merchant guilds in the process would diversify the decision-making authority.
This would increase the room for maneuverability.
Shanaila was confident she could persuade others to support Wu Heng.
"Really? What should we do next?" Minnie asked, grasping the concept but unsure how to proceed.
Shanaila smiled. "Just make sure these skeletons and their equipment perform at their best."
"Alright."
...…
Underground Wine Cellar.
Island Master 'Occam' sat at a wooden table, admiring a gnarled bonsai.
Footsteps echoed.
He looked up.
A subordinate hurried in, speaking gravely. "Island Master, the Guild has not fallen. That Necromancer Deputy Steward returned with skeletons and retook the Guild."
Occam, who had been tending the bonsai, froze.
A hint of disbelief flashed in his eyes.
"What about Tolga?" he asked.
"Not seen," came the reply.
Occam's eyes narrowed, a sense of foreboding growing within him.
"Leave me for now. Wait outside," he ordered.
The subordinate nodded and exited the room.
Occam picked up an object and placed it on the table. His hands hovered above it in the air.
He began to sense its energy.
Moments later, he opened his eyes, dazed.
Tolga was dead...
Despite the earlier failures to kill the Deputy Steward,
Tolga's death still felt unbelievable.
How could this be?
Occam quickly regained his composure.
From his spatial ring, he retrieved parchment and a quill, writing a letter.
Once finished, he sealed it in an envelope.
The next moment, it vanished.
He called out, "Enter."
The subordinate re-entered.
"Dispatch a team to the eastern outpost," Occam instructed.
"Yes, Island Master!"
...…
Island Master's Estate.
A lithe figure crashed into a rockery, tumbling several times before regaining her footing.
She leapt backward, dodging two incoming sword strikes, and yelled angrily, "Imiro, are you insane? Why are you chasing me? Do whatever you want; I won't stop you!"
Imiro strode forward, sword in hand. "Tell me, where is Occam?"
"How the hell should I know? I was just called here to stall you. How would I know where he's hiding?" Viola, the Guardian, cursed without regard for her image.
Now she understood.
Imiro was even stronger than rumors suggested.
She had gone all out in their fight, yet he seemed to be holding back.
If he wasn't cautious about potential hidden threats, he might have already defeated her with full force.
Imiro pursued her relentlessly. She turned and fled.
When he finally stopped, he kept her within his sight.
Imiro paused and recalled the 'earpiece' Wu Heng had given him before leaving. He put it on and asked, "Wu Heng, how's it going on your end?"
Nearby, Viola didn't interrupt.
She drank two potions and leaned against a wall, watching him with an expression that said, "I'll just stay here as long as I'm in your sight."
Sure enough, Wu Heng's voice came through the earpiece. "I'm fine. The pirates attacking the Guild have been dealt with. We're repairing the facilities to prepare for further attacks."
Hearing that Wu Heng was safe and had defeated the pirates,
Imiro's cold demeanor softened slightly.
"Good," he praised. "The island master isn't at the estate. Try to locate him and let me know."
"I'll do my best."
Imiro added, "The pirates' reinforcements will reach the port by nightfall. Send someone to support Sheila Gray."
"Understood!"
...…
Guild.
Wu Heng received Imiro's message, his expression darkening.
The island master wasn't at the estate.
Imiro wouldn't have notified him this way unless he was being delayed by someone.
The preparations were thorough.
The island master must have calculated everyone's movements in advance.
"Glenda, fetch Xiaoxiao back," Wu Heng said.
The invisible Glenda shot through the roof, quickly returning with Xiaoxiao.
"What's up, Uncle?" Xiaoxiao asked, flying back.
Wu Heng explained, "The island master is still hiding. We need your help to locate him."
Xiaoxiao hovered mid-air, thinking. "But we don't know what he looks like. How can we find him?"
Glenda also turned to Wu Heng.
Both spirits had heard him mention the island master and the pirates.
But they didn't know what he looked like or any distinctive features.
Wu Heng retrieved a tablet and displayed a photo. "This is from a wanted notice a year ago. He hasn't changed much. You should be able to recognize him. Xiaoxiao, use your spirit vision to locate him. He's Level 18, the highest level."
The photo was from an old Guild wanted notice.
After the pardon, his appearance hadn't been updated.
But it matched what Wu Heng had seen at the port.
"What about your safety?" Glenda asked.
"I'll stay here and wait for your return," Wu Heng assured.
The two spirits nodded, then discussed briefly before flying through the walls in opposite directions.
One went left, the other right, searching the skies for their target.
Wu Heng left the room and continued directing others to repair the Guild's facilities, ensuring they were ready for the next attack.
According to Imiro, pirate reinforcements were on their way.
They would arrive by nightfall.
As dusk deepened into night, there was no sign of the second wave of pirates.
Soon, both spirits returned one after the other.
Glenda reported, "To the east, several squads are gathering. The island master must be there; otherwise, he wouldn't move troops to that area."
Xiaoxiao immediately added, "I saw many high-level Professionals gathering near Lighthouse Street. The island master should be there."
Wu Heng was stunned.
There were signs of activity in both places?