Lucas could sense Lady Tasya's distrust and hostility toward him. He said, "Hanging pirates is the job of the Imperial Navy and the Security Bureau. We are Imperial agents; our job is to maintain the Empire's security. We have our own standards for determining who or what poses a threat to the Empire's safety.
In my eyes, you... you are just fishermen."
"Fishermen? It seems that in the eyes of Inspector Meteor, we are quite insignificant."
At this moment, Lambert's men brought in dinner.
After personally setting the plates for Lucas and his team, Lambert had one of the pirates make room for himself and sat down beside the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
Lucas picked up his knife and fork and inspected the food on his plate.
Toasted bread slices, fried fish fillets, buttered beef, and a pile of yellow mashed potatoes.
An oak cup filled with foaming ale.
"Very insignificant... Sailing a few broken ships along the trade routes, avoiding the Navy and large merchant fleets, and only preying on isolated merchant ships.
You adhere to the pirate code mainly because you fear provoking the Imperial Navy and having them wipe out Fishbone Island.
And judging by your attire and eating habits, it seems you're worse off than our fishermen in Seawall District."
Lucas's words made Lady Tasya glance at the pirates around her. Their clothes were tattered, and they ate ravenously.
Life at sea was harsh; their clothes deteriorated quickly due to seawater. Pirates had difficulty obtaining supplies, and many things couldn't be bought even with money, leading to long periods without fresh food.
In terms of appearance and manners, they really did look like a bunch of beggars.
Lady Tasya wasn't angered by Lucas's taunts.
She appeared dismissive, but deep down, she had high hopes for this meeting.
Lambert had told her that this Bureau inspector was very different from other Imperial officials.
If Fishbone Island could establish a cooperative relationship with the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau, her tribe's living conditions would improve significantly.
Lucas also knew that Lady Tasya wouldn't dare harm him, which is why he was so brazen.
He knew Fishbone Island's situation well and held something they needed, giving him the upper hand in negotiations.
'Hmph! I know everything about you... stop pretending to be a big shot in front of me! Just putting on airs, huh? In this field, you all should kneel down to me.'
Lucas looked at Lady Tasya with disdain.
Although Lady Tasya tried to restrain herself, Lucas's words made the pirates in the dining hall stop eating.
Their fierce, murderous gazes made Lucas feel like he was being watched by a pack of sharks.
Shelley, Zane, and Karina remained vigilant, ready for a fight.
At this moment, a group of former Mad Axe Gang members started to enter the room, having been arranged by Lambert to bolster the Inspector's presence.
The atmosphere in the dining hall became even more tense.
However, the arrival of the former gang members made the pirates think their allies were backing them up, making them even more arrogant.
A few pirates sitting with Lady Tasya slapped the table and looked ready to curse at Lucas.
But before they could stand up... Someone shouted, "Protect the Inspector!"
All the former Mad Axe Gang members drew their weapons simultaneously, aiming at the bewildered pirates.
The gang members brandished their weapons and shouted, "Sit down! Sit down! Everyone sit down! Behave and continue eating your food!"
One pirate called out to a familiar former gang member, "Brother, we're on the same side..."
"We were, but not anymore! We're Imperial agents now! Show some respect to our Inspector!"
The pirates were stunned.
Weren't you guys with the Mad Axe Gang? How did you all become Imperial agents? Undercover?
"That's way too many!"
The entire gang was full of undercover agents from the Secret Intelligence Bureau?
The commotion in the dining hall alarmed those outside. Whether they were original Mad Axe Gang members or reinforcements, they had all been "recruited" into the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau.
With their inspector negotiating with the pirates, it was the perfect time to show their loyalty.
More armed agents rushed in from outside, surrounding the panicked pirates.
Lady Tasya's scales flared out on her cheeks, her eyes widening, the vertical pupils narrowing to slits.
"Lambert, I need an explanation. Is this a trap against us?"
Lambert stood up and bowed to Lady Tasya.
"I'm sorry, Lady Tasya. Just now, my fellow Mad Axe members and I unanimously decided to accept Inspector Meteor's recruitment and join the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau.
We are now the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's Second Special Operations Unit.
From now on, this place will be the headquarters of the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's Special Operations Units.
Sitting before you is our Inspector Meteor. Beside him is Miss Black Mamba, the leader of the Special Operations Unit, and this is Mr. Zane, captain of the First Special Operations Unit. I am the captain of the Second Special Operations Unit.
The Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau has given you the highest courtesy for this meeting.
However, your behavior and that of your men have been extremely disrespectful Lady Tasya, it's not too late to correct your mistakes."
Lady Tasya hadn't expected the Mad Axe Gang's headquarters to turn into a nest of the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau so quickly.
Facing the pressure from so many "Imperial agents," Lady Tasya straightened her snake-like body and bowed to Lucas.
"Honorable Inspector Meteor, please forgive me and my men for our rudeness and offense... May the Sea God bless you!"
Lady Tasya glanced at her subordinates.
All the pirates immediately stood up, retracting their arrogance, and respectfully bowed to Lucas.
"Inspector Meteor, may the Sea God bless you!"
"May the Sea God bless you all..." Lucas smiled and shouted to the pirates, "A small misunderstanding. Friends from the sea, please sit down! Bureau members, step outside!
Let our guests continue their meal; Lady Tasya and I have some matters to discuss."
"Yes, Inspector."
The agents who had rushed in slowly left. The pirates cautiously sat back down.
Lucas said to Lady Tasya, "Is the situation on Fishbone Island really that bad?"
Still wary, Lady Tasya asked, "You know about Fishbone Island's situation?"
"I know some things and can guess the rest." Lucas cut a piece of beef and ate it, saying, "Ship technology is advancing rapidly. Soon, there will be pure steam turbine ships, larger and faster, no longer reliant on the wind.
I've heard that many countries are developing warships with full metal hulls. Even now, many ships have added metal armor plates below the waterline.
The Naga's advantage in the ocean is rapidly diminishing, your habitats are being encroached upon, and business at sea isn't as good as it used to be..."