870 Sun (2/2)
Viscount Quaid suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Jackson's shoulder.
”Understood!”
It was not until this moment that Rear Admiral Jackson realized that he might have underestimated this governor.
He had another face hidden behind that of the caring father and qualified official.
”I understand… I will give you all of the rights to pass through the Solomon Strait. I swear in the name of the Queen!”
Viscount Quaid said coldly, ”However… it's only this time!”
”Deal!” Fang Yuan nodded. ”We will pass through tomorrow. You can send ships to follow us. We'll hand the antidote over before we leave. Let's have a pleasant cooperation!”
”Hmph!” Viscount Quaid snorted coldly. He took off his coat and put it on Elizabeth. Then they left, surrounded by a bunch of marines.
”Sir?!” Witch Cassenia stepped forward. ”At my level, I'm not skilled enough to brew unique potions…”
”That's why the green color on Elizabeth's neck was just some stubborn paint!” Fang Yuan shrugged. ”It's good enough as long as Viscount Quaid doesn't know about it… Besides, we investigated earlier that there weren't any witches in Solomon. They won't be able to figure out that it's only a bluff in just a single night.”
”You really are a sly bastard!” Blackbeard concluded after witnessing the entire thing.
”I will take that as a compliment, Mr. Blackbeard!”
…
Noon the next day.
All the citizens of the Solomon colony saw a curious sight.
Ten ironclads and even more sailing battleships were 'escorting' two pirate ships to pass through the Solomon Strait.
Many exclaimed at this sight.
Even the Pirate Prince had to disguise his ships as ordinary merchant ships before passing through, and he had to pay every single cent of tax.
Otherwise, the only way through was by force.
If that happened, the layers of cannon towers and solid defensive structures were sure to knock off the front teeth of any pirate who tried.
The last option was to circle around and take a longer route.
However, that was very uneconomical and filled with danger.
Uncharted sea routes were filled with natural disasters and sea monsters. Less than a tenth of merchant ships survived. As such, even merchant ships backed by pirate governors had to pass through the Solomon Strait.
Luckily, Ettoman did not go to extremes when checking for contraband. As long as the items were not too dangerous, the ships would be allowed through.
They did not even dare to go overboard when collecting taxes.
First, they understood the value of long-term corporation. Second, the pirates were not a bunch that anyone would want to upset. Not only was it possible that they could attack if pressed into a corner, but they also controlled many key transit hubs along the Golden Sea Route, including Pirate King City. If Ettoman was too strict in the Solomon Strait, the pirates could do the same in other parts of the route. In that case, no one would be the winner.
However, today, two pirate ships passed through the strait blatantly. Furthermore, they were doing this right after Ettoman's victory in the Nightmare Ocean.
Suddenly, countless pirates in disguise sounded their horns. The Purgatory Pirates were now officially known in the Golden Ocean.
…
”That's it, that current!”
Fang Yuan stared at the treasure map while standing on the deck.
As an extraordinary item, the route on the map was also extremely strange and changed constantly.
Blackbeard approached him from behind and asked, ”The navy left?”
”Yeah. I passed them a piece of candy as the antidote. What can they do about it?”
Although they had released the hostage, poor Lady Elizabeth was still a weapon of Fang Yuan.
Blackbeard looked at the sea. With a hint of unease in his voice, he said, ”After passing through Solomon Strait, Ettoman's forces will reduce dramatically… We should be able to reach Pirate King City safely…”
”After fulfilling your promise, I will let you go. However… are you really not interested in the Soro Pirates' treasures at all?” Fang Yuan wore a mischievous expression. ”After all, the legendary ship Sun is among those treasures!”
There were three different ranks of extraordinary ships.
Even the flagship Monster was not in the legendary class.
However, Sun, along with Sea God, Throne, and Specter Ship were all real legendary ships!
According to legend, it had technologies from an unknown civilization on board. This technology was said to produce an inexhaustible energy source, and things like producing freshwater was a piece of cake. Most terrifying of all was the attack that used its fusion reactor to fire!
This was the most powerful single-target attack among the legendary ships!