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"Roar!"
There weren't many pirates on this ship - only about 20 to 30 - but their presence was ominous.
Their exposed skin was riddled with scars from knives and gunshots. Clearly, this was a group of ruthless, battle-hardened criminals. A crew like this, fearless and experienced, could easily defeat even a trained swordsman.
In no time, the distance between the two ships grew smaller.
The people aboard the merchant ship grew more and more anxious. Even though they were civilians, they trembled at the sight of these dangerous pirates.
"Captain."
A man with a long sword strapped to his waist approached Sefiya, his face grave with a hint of desperation.
"We should abandon ship and take the escape boats. This ship is going to sink!"
"Jack, if I leave, then what about them?" Sefiya's eyes flickered as she looked at the group of people gathered on deck.
The sailors and workers looked panicked. The arrival of the pirates had terrified them.
"I don't think their lives are as important as yours," Jack replied, his gaze steady but serious.
"My men will hold off the pirates for a while. I'll see to it that you get away safely."
There was hesitation in Sefiya's eyes. She didn't know what to do. Should she risk the lives of the crew to buy time for herself and a few others, or should she stay and die with them?
What should she do? She didn't know.
"Go quickly!" Jack urged, his eyes full of determination.
It was too dangerous to stay. If they didn't leave, there was no chance of survival.
After a pause, Sefiya bit her lip, looked back one last time, then turned to leave.
The lifeboat had already been prepared by Jack's men. With the important gold and belongings, Sefiya boarded the boat with Jack and four or five others. The small boat then glided into the water and quietly sailed away from the merchant ship.
They had left from the back of the ship, so no one noticed them immediately.
"Captain, someone is getting away."
On the Sordes pirate ship, a sharp-eyed crew member spotted Sefiya and her group and immediately reported to Sordes.
"Sink it," Sordes ordered coldly, without turning his head.
"Boom!"
Immediately, the sound of cannon fire rang out. A dark cannonball shot through the air, heading straight for the boat Sefiya and her party were in.
"Whoosh!"
In an instant, the cannonball was overhead, approaching Sefiya's boat.
"Jack!" Sefiya yelled.
Jack immediately jumped to his feet, his eyes sharp and focused. He grabbed his long sword.
As the cannonball came crashing down on the small boat, he drew his sword with a mighty yell.
"Hah!"
"Swish!"
The sword sliced through the air, and the dark cannonball was stopped in mid-flight before splitting in two, the halves flying off to either side of the boat.
"Boom!"
The explosion rang out a moment later, sending seawater splashing over everyone in the boat.
Jack took a deep breath, his chest heaving. Fighting the cannonball had taken everything he had.
"Jack!" Sefiya quickly helped him to his feet, her face full of concern.
"I'm fine. Just keep going," Jack said quickly.
The small boat continued its journey and soon disappeared from sight.
On the Sordes pirate ship, a crew member looked at Sordes.
"Should we go after them?"
"Forget them. Anyone who can withstand a cannonball strike like that has some real strength. No need to waste time."
"Attack that ship directly! Before it sinks, kill everyone and take all their treasure!"
Sordes' voice was cold and cruel, but it excited the pirates aboard his ship.
A minute later, the pirates on Sordes's ship were screaming and rushing over boarding planks to reach the merchant ship.
Panic spread through the crowd, and constant screams and cries of fear echoed through the air.
The remaining fighters fought desperately against the pirates, but within a few breaths, they were all slaughtered. The civilians' bodyguards were no match for the battle-hardened pirates who fought at sea every day.
"Help!"
People ran in every direction, but there was nowhere to run. In the chaos, some jumped from the ship and were immediately swallowed by the seawater. In such vast seas, jumping into the water meant they might not survive.
At Rojen's side, Fred anxiously led him through the ship, running in panic.
"It's over, the pirates have boarded. What do we do now?"
"Where's the Captain? Where did the captain go?"
The two ran back and forth through the ship, Fred desperately questioning the fleeing crew members, but no one knew where Sefiya had gone.
Behind them, the sounds of killing continued, and a faint smell of blood reached them, causing both of them to change their expressions.
"The pirates have started killing!"
Fred's voice shook as he spoke.
"Stop looking. The captain and bodyguard Jack have already left on the lifeboat."
Just then, Hant came over, sneering.
"What did you say?" Fred shouted in disbelief and grabbed Hant. "You're talking nonsense. How could the captain leave us and escape alone?"
"And the lifeboat, was it prepared for...?"
"For Rojen?" Hant's grin deepened, full of contempt.
"She didn't go alone. She's with her younger brother and a few close associates."
"We, on the other hand, were left behind to buy time, cannon fodder for those guys."
Hearing this, even Rojen's face changed. He did not believe that Sefiya was the kind of person who would do such a thing, but in fact he had not seen her anywhere on the ship since earlier.
"If you're really the great pirate with a bounty of 110 Million Belly, then these guys shouldn't be a problem for you, right?"
Hant ignored Fred's pain and spoke directly to Rojen. His eyes showed both fear and caution.
The wanted poster was authentic, and whatever secrets Rojen might have, it was clear that the Marines held him in great fear. A person like that should have some way of dealing with the current situation.
"I am not a pirate!"
After a few seconds of silence, Rojen spoke directly.
"As for why the Marines put a 110 Million bounty on my head, there are other reasons."
Hant showed some surprise, then asked incredulously, "I don't believe it. You just don't want to take care of the pirates aboard this ship, why? You could kill them all with your strength so why aren't you helping?"
"Aren't you going to help us? Many people are already injured or dead."
Rojen paused for a moment with a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes. He raised his head and looked directly at Hant.
"How interesting. Whether I have power or not has nothing to do with you."
"And even if I did, why would I help you?"
"Because you gave my information to the Marines and increased my danger?"
Hant's face changed color.
"Not beating you up already shows a lot of respect for Sefiya."
"Do you understand?"
(End Of Chapter)