Kuro saluted Hailan: "Reporting, Sir, the remaining members of Buggy's pirate crew have all been captured."
Hailan nodded: "Take them all back. Also, you will handle the negotiations with the Victoria Kingdom's military."
Standing behind Hailan, Kuro replied, "Don't worry, Sir. I'll ensure the task is completed."
As time passed, Bellemere returned as well.
"Huff... huff..."
"Reporting, Major Hailan, we've eliminated the remnants of the Sam Pirate crew."
Hailan signaled Bellemere and the others to rest and knelt beside her to ask: "What are our casualties?"
"98 killed in action, 261 injured."
"What about our own people?"
"They're all alive."
"Not bad."
Hailan had noticed the two children who had come back with Bellemere. He asked, "Where did those two kids come from?"
A tired yet warm smile appeared on Bellemere's face: "We found them in a village destroyed by pirates. The older one is named Nojiko, and the little one doesn't have a name yet."
"Major Hailan, I'd like to adopt them as my daughters. You wouldn't object, would you?"
Hailan glanced at the two girls again.
They were too young to be sent to the Navy's training academy unless someone would take them in.
But the world was entire of tragedies every day; one more or less wouldn't make much difference.
They were just two little girls.
Two homeless, pitiful little girls.
But they had nothing to do with Hailan.
Hailan looked at Bellemere: "As long as it doesn't affect your duties, I won't oppose you adopting them."
Bellemere's smile grew warmer: "Then I'll thank Major Hailan on behalf of Nojiko and Nami."
"Nami?"
Hailan looked puzzled: "Didn't you say the little one didn't have a name?"
"I just came up with it. From now on, I'll treat them as my family, my daughters."
"Uh..."
"Whatever makes you happy!"
Hailan shook his head slightly, taking another look at Nojiko and Nami.
Suddenly, Hailan stood up and shouted: "Have you all rested enough?"
The soldiers were puzzled: they had only just sat down.
But they stood up with Hailan regardless.
"Listen to my orders!"
"Go back the way you came and retrieve the bodies of the 98 fallen soldiers without missing a single one!"
"Everyone, move out immediately, right now!"
Hailan's command was unquestionable.
"Major Hailan, what's this about?"
"Our previous commanders never gave such strange orders."
"Sigh... I'm exhausted. I really don't want to move."
"Stop complaining. If Major Hailan gives an order, there must be a reason. Let's take it seriously."
Though they voiced different opinions, their actions were in unison.
After all, finding the bodies was much easier than fighting pirates.
But what was Major Hailan going to do with the bodies?
"Reporting, Sir, Lieutenant Wagner reporting back."
"These are the crew members of the Treasure Hunter Pirates."
"I must say, they were tougher than Sam's pirates."
Wagner briefed Hailan on his pursuit of the pirates.
"Good. It seems my training for you wasn't in vain.
None of you died. Those injured should see the medic, and the rest take the prisoners back to the ship."
"Understood!"
"Is that man over there your commander?" Nojiko asked a soldier, her big eyes wide with curiosity.
"Yes, he's the Major sent from the Navy Headquarters, the highest-ranking officer in the Roguetown branch, the hero of Roguetown, Major Hailan!"
The soldier's face filled with pride as he introduced Hailan.
Nojiko's face was full of admiration: "He's so amazing... he must be really scary too, right?"
"Major Hailan is indeed strict during training. We call him the devil instructor in private."
"He's always serious during missions."
"But when we go fishing, Major Hailan is very easygoing and even catches big fish for us to eat."
Nojiko giggled: "Does he have a split personality?"
"Don't say that, little girl. You know quite a lot for your age, but Major Hailan doesn't have a split personality. He's just... never mind. You'll understand when you grow up."
"Oh..." Nojiko nodded, somewhat understanding.
"Reporting, Sir, Sergeant Verner's pursuit fleet has returned!"
Hailan, who the rescued passengers were thanking, quickly headed to the shore upon hearing the report.
After exchanging salutes, Sergeant Verner reported: "Through our relentless efforts and brave combat, we've annihilated the Sam Pirate crew and brought back the bodies of the Koch brothers."
Hailan confirmed the bodies' identities and asked: "What about Sam?"
"Uh... supposedly, he was betrayed and killed by his subordinates. The Sam who appeared in public was always one of the Koch brothers in disguise."
Though Hailan wasn't sure if this was the whole truth or if the brothers were scapegoats for Sam, he knew that most of the Sam Pirate crew was destroyed, the Koch brothers were dead, and Sam's golden armor was retrieved.
Even if Sam was still alive, rebuilding his strength wouldn't be easy.
Hailan turned his attention from the pirate bodies to Verner: "Sergeant Verner, well done!"
Verner stood at attention: "Just doing my duty!"
"You've done exceptionally well!"
"Uh... Major, please don't praise me too much, I might get arrogant."
"No, no, you've really done exceptionally well!"
"Uh... maybe not that well?"
"How could it not be?"
Hailan's praise grew more enthusiastic: "Look at this, your ten ships managed to annihilate the Sam Pirate crew without losing a single sailor or even sustaining any injuries. You even brought back the bodies of their three battle commanders."
"With such leadership skills, even Lieutenant Bellemere and Lieutenant Wagner, not to mention myself, feel inferior."
"Sergeant Verner, do you have some special leadership techniques?"