“If Eust is willing to help, I agree to take the initiative to eliminate those pirates once and for all. But Eust, it’s not that Beta and I doubt your abilities. It’s just that, to convince everyone, we hope to have a little sparring match. This way, I can persuade the villagers who agree to attack the pirates to join us. I hope you don’t mind,” Shook said somewhat apologetically.
“Haha, no problem, I don’t mind at all. Even if you didn’t bring it up, I would have. Understanding each other’s strengths can only improve our cooperation. Let’s go out and spar,” Eust replied without any concern. Since he considered Shook and Beta his friends, he didn’t want to make things difficult for them.
“Thank you, Eust.”
After some sparring, Eust understood Shook’s strength. Shook was naturally not a hidden boss like Bloodblade Karl but slightly stronger than the average guard.
Shook also understood Eust’s strength and knew his claims were true, giving him full confidence in eliminating the pirates.
Shook then had Millie notify those who agreed to the offensive during last night’s discussion. Shook, Beta, and Eust stayed behind to discuss the specifics.
Eust suggested letting the villagers challenge him to build their confidence, and everyone agreed to this approach. Eust’s aim was not only to build confidence but also to avoid any unpleasantness.
Although Beta couldn’t speak due to throat issues, he could communicate with Eust using written words, though he rarely did so, being a quiet person by nature.
When Shook indicated everyone was present, Eust noticed there were eight people, all strong young men. Including Eust, Shook, and Beta, there were 11 people, enough to defeat the pirates. If they controlled the ships well and launched a surprise attack on the pirates’ temporary camp, a total wipeout was likely.
Once everyone was gathered, Shook introduced Eust to them, saying that Eust was a friend of Shook and Beta and a powerful swordsman willing to help eliminate the pirates.
Anyone dissatisfied could come up and challenge him. Knowing Eust’s strength would help them fight the pirates better.
Everyone was called to discuss taking the initiative to eliminate the pirates. They agreed to this plan, understanding the pirates’ brutality and that the pirates wouldn’t easily give up.
Taking the initiative would be more beneficial than waiting for an uncertain attack and being caught off guard.
The pirates numbered only about a dozen and were the weakest, so there was no need to fear them. The goal of the offensive was to prevent a surprise attack and avoid casualties.
Cowards afraid of fighting could leave, but the remaining warriors could challenge Eust, and they could have a sparring match.
Naturally, no one admitted to being a coward, and their agreement to Shook’s offensive plan already demonstrated their bravery.
After two villagers challenged Eust, everyone acknowledged his strength. Given their trust in Shook and Beta, the team was now mentally united.
Taking the initiative to eliminate the pirates was feasible. Shook’s plan was to row to the pirates’ temporary camp tonight while their guard was down and launch a surprise attack.
Everyone agreed, and the meeting dispersed, awaiting the signal to gather again after dinner.
Eust wondered how to spend the remaining time and chose to engage in low-intensity sword training to maintain his energy.
Shook and Beta watched Eust train without comment, while Millie was amazed by Eust’s display of prowess, admiring him and wanting to learn swordsmanship from him.
Eust only practiced basic moves, not minding the little girl’s “stealing skills.”
Eust finally tasted Quiz Island’s unique delicacy at lunch, the special cheese.
“Wait, did I come here just to taste the legendary special cheese? How did it turn into helping friends eliminate pirates?”
Of course, helping to eliminate pirates wasn’t an issue. Eust wondered if the special cheese was limited, asking if he could have 100 pieces.
Sunny shared this international concern, secretly taking one of Eust’s pieces.
Eust: “Uh, where’s my cheese?”
…
The “anti-pirate army” of 11 people gathered at the agreed time. Led by Shook, they rowed to the pirates’ temporary camp on a deserted island. If all went well, they could quickly eliminate the pirates.
Eust then realized an important question: what weapons were the other eight villagers equipped with? To his surprise, they all had long swords.
“Oh, so they’re all members of the ‘Weapon Enthusiasts Association.’ I needn’t have worried about them needing a mix of weapons.”
When Eust and his group reached the deserted island, they found no guards posted. Even the two small boats anchored at the shallow beach were unattended.
“Do they underestimate me, or can’t I wield a sword anymore? These pirates’ vigilance is too low.”
Given the situation, they chained the four small boats, including the two that brought Eust and the others, to prevent pirates from escaping by boat.
Cutting off the pirates’ retreat, Eust and the group approached the pirates’ temporary camp, which was generously called a camp. It was just a bonfire on a clearing behind some trees by the shore, surrounded by pirates drinking and having fun.
Through the sparse trees, the pirates had no idea their retreat was cut off. Many were drunk and lying on the ground, making it an easy target.
When the pirates finally noticed someone approaching, it was too late. Shook, Beta, and Eust charged in, quickly taking down three pirates before they could react.
By the time the other villagers arrived, Eust had already taken out another pirate, leaving a few standing pirates, who were quickly eliminated.
The sudden silence surprised everyone. They hadn’t expected the raid to go so smoothly or the pirates to be so reckless.
Eust, the first to react, reminded Shook not to daze off and to decide the remaining pirates’ fate.
Many suggested giving the drunk pirates a quick death.
Shook decided to bind them first and interrogate them before executing them. Since they would be executed eventually, no one objected.
After interrogation, Shook led the execution of the pirates.
The results were good, confirming everyone’s speculation that these pirates were indeed remnants of a defeated crew, eliminating them posed no future threats.
They were originally part of the “Fodder Pirates,” but after being bullied by two officers and the crew of the “Buggy Pirates,” their captain, officers, and most members were killed, and their treasure stolen.
Maybe the “Buggy Pirates” didn’t see them as worth pursuing and let these few small fry escape.
They only felt safe near Quiz Island. They planned to attack yesterday but were easily repelled by the villagers due to their poor state.
Planning to rest and attack again tomorrow, they held a bonfire party tonight, eating and drinking without limit, only to face total annihilation.
After such a battle, it was unclear how to react.
Eust, however, remembered the delicious special cheese and planned to ask Shook for more, citing exhaustion from the fight as the reason.
Sunny, perched on Eust’s shoulder, expressed: “I’m coming too.”
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
