29: threaten

After the discussion, Linn called the envoy from Baron Nocturne back to the meeting room.

"Regarding Baron Nocturne's proposal, I just discussed it with everyone, and we are willing to cooperate with the Baron..."

Before Linn could finish speaking, the envoy impatiently interrupted him: "Since Lord Linn has agreed, we hope that Lord will dispatch troops on time to assist." His tone showed no hint of cooperation; it was more like a command.

Linn stood up and slowly walked around, completely ignoring his words. "Presumably, you also know that I have only been on Iron Sand Island for half a year, and resources in all aspects are greatly lacking. Weapons, personnel, and food are insufficient to confront the Flamingo Pirate Group."

"Is Lord Linn negotiating terms with our Nocturne Territory?" The messenger's expression was quite disdainful. "Lord Linn, you should know that while we in Nocturne Territory might need some methods to deal with the Flamingo Pirate Group, dealing with your Iron Sand Island would be effortless." His tone was full of menace!

"Haha," Linn laughed heartily, completely unfazed by the threat. Then, a rich magical element gathered around him. A Soul pressure on the verge of breaking through to Gold Rank enveloped Baron Nocturne's envoy.

The envoy's face changed, and he retreated repeatedly. He hurriedly circulated his fighting Qi to resist, but the resistance was futile. Beads of sweat as big as beans rolled down his cheeks. Baron Nocturne's envoy was greatly shocked, looking at the young black-haired, black-eyed mage before him. 'This strength is beyond my ability to resist.'

"You are strong, and the Flamingo Pirate Group is also strong. What if the Flamingo Pirate Group offers us greater benefits?" Linn's eyes flashed with a cold light, and his pressure showed no signs of weakening.

Linn's meaning was self-evident: he wouldn't be a free cannon fodder. If their strengths were evenly matched, then whichever side Linn favored would see their chances of victory greatly increase.

The messenger's tone now became respectful. He forced himself to stabilize his body, clasped his hands, and bowed: "Lord Linn, I apologize for my previous offense. May I ask what kind of assistance Lord Linn requires? I will return to Thunder Island and relay it to Baron Nocturne."

Indeed, people only become honest after being taught a lesson. Linn retracted his pressure and spoke indifferently: "50 tons of grain, 100 sets of weapons and leather armor for ordinary soldiers, and an additional 500 slaves. These are my conditions for dispatching troops. Furthermore, if Baron Nocturne wishes to be promoted to Viscount after defeating the Flamingo Pirate Group, I can forgo their land, but all captives and slaves will belong to me."

"This..." The messenger was startled by Linn's conditions. The value of the materials Linn requested, plus the enslaved population after the war, amounted to nearly 5,000 Gold Coins. This was no small sum even for Nocturne Territory.

"What! Do you have an objection?" Linn stared at him, his tone chilling.

"I wouldn't dare!" The messenger respectfully replied, "Lord, I will return to the territory and relay your demands to Baron Nocturne."

Linn showed a hint of satisfaction at his current attitude. "Also, now tell me in detail about the Flamingo Pirate Group's situation. Since we are to dispatch troops against them, you must provide detailed intelligence."

The messenger didn't hesitate; the intelligence had long been approved by Baron Nocturne to be disclosed to Iron Sand Island: "Replying to Lord, there are approximately 500 pirates on Flamingo Island. Their leader, Cedric, has already broken through to Gold Rank, and he has two High Silver Rank deputies under him. There are also about seven or eight other Silver Rank individuals. Originally, our Nocturne Territory's strength was comparable to theirs, but some time ago, Cedric somehow found a Gold Initial Rank Knight as a helper and also gathered other small island forces from the Saru Archipelago. This is why we sought cooperation with Lord Linn this time."

Linn paused slightly upon hearing this but showed no alarm. Fortunately, when he transported supplies back from Tianhai City last time, the Flamingo Pirate Group was fighting Baron Nocturne. Otherwise, even with Merckdor's Mad Lion Mercenary Group assisting, the outcome would have been dire.

After listening to the messenger, Linn generally understood. Baron Nocturne's strength was likely similar to the Flamingo Pirate Group's, but with the addition of a new Gold Rank and other small pirate groups, the situation had shifted, forcing Baron Nocturne to seek help.

Linn nodded, signaling that he could leave. "Ocean, see our guest out."

The messenger breathed a sigh of relief. Linn's strength was vastly different from what the intelligence had stated. That was why he had seemed so arrogant upon arrival. Nocturne had warned him to be respectful to everyone, but when he delivered messages to the other two newly arrived pioneering lords, he felt a sense of superiority, causing him to completely forget Baron Nocturne's warning.

Ocean, who had been waiting outside, had already picked up his silver spear. He entered the room, his Qi, on the verge of breaking through to High Silver Rank, subtly revealed, and his tone was cold: "Please!"

The messenger, now completely like a lamb, fled in a panic. Iron Sand Island's strength was far greater than what the intelligence had reported. He had to return to the territory quickly to report, fearing that if Iron Sand Island sided with the Flamingo Pirate Group, Baron Nocturne's territory would have no chance of victory.

Soon, Ocean returned to the council hall.

"Lord, if you hadn't stopped me, I would have beaten him to death! He was getting too big for his britches," Ocean grumbled indignantly.

Linn smiled, "You are the man who will become the Pirate King; why bother with a small fry?" Linn then dropped his smile: "You heard what that messenger just said, didn't you?"

"Lord! The Flamingo Pirate Group's strength is too great; we are no match for them right now." Although Ocean was boisterous, he wasn't a complete brute. "But Lord, if we don't send troops, once the Flamingo Pirate Group breaks through Nocturne Territory, they will come for us next."

Linn looked at Ocean, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Ocean, you are on the verge of a Breakthrough, which is one of the keys to our current predicament. I will give you another bottle of specially made level three potion. You will temporarily hand over the daily training of the second team to Hogan and focus entirely on reaching High Silver Rank! When both you and I successfully advance, along with the war slave Hildo, we will have the capital to contend with Gold Novice powerhouses. At least in terms of high-end combat power, we won't be completely defenseless."

As he spoke, Linn took out a crystal bottle from his Huai, containing a deep amber potion brimming with immense energy.

Ocean looked at the potion, his eyes flashing with excitement and gratitude. In less than a year, he had risen from Silver Elementary to Advanced, something he had never dared to imagine during his tumultuous pirate life. He knelt on one knee, took the potion with both hands, and said with a resounding voice: "Ocean will not fail Lord's high hopes! I will Breakthrough with all my might to clear the path ahead for Lord!"