35: deploy

After the meeting on Thunder Roar Island concluded, Linn did not delay for a moment, immediately leading the Personal Guard back to sea. The sea breeze billowed the sails of the iron sand no. 1, but it could not disperse the chilling aura of death gathered between Linn's brows. Although the Alliance with Nocturne had been established and the spoils divided, he knew that the real test was just beginning. The Flamingo Pirate Group was by no means an easy enemy to deal with, especially those two Gold Rank Experts, who were like a sword hanging over his head, capable of delivering a devastating blow at any moment.

As soon as he returned to Iron Sand Island, Linn immediately rang the emergency bell of the Lord's Manor, and all core members were swiftly summoned to the Council Hall. He had originally planned to return to Tianhai City for another trade run, but now there was no time; everything had to wait until the great battle was over.

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy. The fire in the hearth crackled, illuminating the determined or nervous faces of the assembled people. Linn skipped the pleasantries and immediately laid out the strategic agreement reached at Thunder Roar Island.

"...That is the situation. This battle concerns the survival of my Iron Sand Island, and it is the key to whether we can truly establish ourselves in the Saru Archipelago!" Linn's voice echoed in the hall, clear and powerful. "We have no retreat. Only by fighting to the death can we carve out a path to survival and seize the resources and future we need!"

Everyone held their breath, listening intently to this extremely bold battle plan, feeling both exhilarated and mixed with a trace of fear.

"Ocean!" Linn called out first.

"I am here, my Lord!" Ocean stood up abruptly, his face devoid of its usual liveliness, replaced only by a soldier's solemnity.

"I order you, starting immediately, to lead all the light, swift vessels of the Second Team, carrying sufficient supplies, to advance to the peripheral waters of the Flamingo Pirate Group's territory and conduct uninterrupted reconnaissance!" Linn's gaze was sharp. "I want you to watch them like a ghost! Closely monitor the movements of their main fleet. The moment you confirm they have left their base en masse and are heading toward the Eagle Beak Strait, report back immediately at the fastest speed possible! Remember, your task is to be my eyes and ears; you must not alert the enemy!"

"Understood! I guarantee I'll count every sail they raise!" Ocean clasped his fists firmly, his eyes shining with excitement and responsibility. This mission was dangerous, but crucial.

"Karl, Clay!"

"Here!" Karl, the Captain of the First Squad, and Clay, the Captain of the Personal Guard, answered simultaneously.

"Assemble all the soldiers under your command for final pre-battle inspection and equipment maintenance. Karl, the hundred men of the First Squad will serve as the main force for the landing assault. Clay, your Personal Guard of fifty men, all of whom are Apprentice Professionals or higher, with over thirty already at Bronze Rank, possess the strongest fighting power. You will serve as the Vanguard Assault Team, responsible for tearing open the enemy's defenses and seizing the beachhead!"

"Yes! My Lord!" Karl accepted the order in a deep voice.

"The Personal Guard swears to complete the mission, even unto death!" Clay's voice was firm and resonant, his eyes burning with Battle Intent. His Personal Guard was the sharpest sword in Linn's hand, and now it was finally time to reveal its full edge.

"Angus!"

"My Lord!" Angus, Captain of the Reserve Team, stood up.

"Your reserves, along with all personnel remaining behind, will be under your complete command, responsible for the defense of Iron Sand Island itself. I will prioritize reinforcing the docks and the fortress with all the ballistae on the island. Your mission is to guard our home well! During my campaign, implement a curfew, strengthen patrols, and any suspicious vessel that approaches can be attacked directly with ballistae, without warning!"

"Understood! Rest assured, My Lord, as long as Angus has breath in his body, he will not allow the enemy to set foot on Iron Sand Island!" Angus felt the heavy responsibility on his shoulders and made a solemn promise.

Finally, Linn looked toward Morton, who stood by his side like a shadow.

"Morton."

"This old servant is here." Morton bowed, a sharp glint flickering in his cloudy eyes.

"While I am away, you will manage all internal affairs of Iron Sand Island in my stead! Spring plowing cannot stop, slave management cannot be lax, and material allocation must prioritize the army's needs. If any internal elements dare to seize this opportunity to cause trouble..." A cold light flashed in Linn's eyes.

"This old servant understands!" Morton showed a chilling smile. "I will ensure that those blind fools regret ever coming into this world. Please go forth to battle without worry, Young Master; this old servant will stabilize the rear for you."

With the deployment complete, Linn stood up, his gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of every follower present. His voice was deep and filled with power: "In this battle, I, Lynn Ellis, will personally lead the campaign against Flamingo Island! I advance and retreat with you all, sharing life and death! Victory belongs to Iron Sand Island!"

"Victory belongs to Iron Sand Island!" Everyone roared in unison, their surging Battle Intent dispelling the last trace of doubt and fear.

After the meeting, the entire Iron Sand Island began operating at high speed, like a precise war machine.

Ocean led his reconnaissance fleet, silently merging into the vast sea like an arrow shot from a bow.

At the docks, Karl and Clay directed the soldiers to load bundles of crossbow bolts, stacks of shields, and bags of rations and arrows onto the iron sand no. 1 and iron sand no. 2. The blacksmith workshop was brightly lit, the clanging sounds incessant as weapons underwent final inspection and polishing. Great Master Henry also led the craftsmen in making final pre-battle adjustments to the ballistae on the two warships, ensuring absolute readiness.

Angus was busy organizing the reserves and strong slaves into patrol teams and reinforcing defensive structures. Morton's whip cracked once again between the fields and workshops, overseeing everything with stricter standards to ensure the rear was stable.

Time passed day by day amid the tense preparations for war. Everyone was on edge, awaiting the news Ocean would send back.

Finally, at dusk on the fifth day, a swift reconnaissance ship broke through the sunset like a dolphin and sailed into the Iron Sand Island dock. Before the ship had fully stopped, a sailor from the Second Team leaped ashore and rushed breathlessly toward the Lord's Manor.

"My Lord! Urgent report from Captain Ocean! The main fleet of the Flamingo Pirate Group, consisting of over twenty warships large and small, left their base this morning, heading directly northeast toward the Eagle Beak Strait!"

They're here!

A sharp light burst forth in Linn's eyes. He stood up abruptly and grabbed the staff lying next to him.

"Issue the order! All participating personnel, board the ships according to the predetermined plan!"

"Target, Flamingo Island! Depart!"

A deep, drawn-out horn blast echoed over Iron Sand Island. Fully armed soldiers formed neat ranks, silently and swiftly boarding the two warships. Clay's Personal Guard stood like black Bedrock at the bow of the iron sand no. 1; Karl's First Squad soldiers were filled with resolute Battle Intent.

Linn took one last look at Morton, Angus, Elise, and the others seeing them off at the dock, nodded heavily, then resolutely turned and boarded the iron sand no. 1.

"Weigh anchor! Hoist the sails!"

Following Hogan's (in charge of navigation) loud command, the heavy iron chains were winched up, and the massive sails slowly rose to meet the sea breeze, flapping loudly.

The iron sand no. 1 and iron sand no. 2, like two drawn blades, slowly pulled away from the dock, adjusted their course, and cut through the waves toward the southwest, heading for Flamingo Island.

The residual glow of the sunset dyed the sea a golden red, also reflecting the resolute profile of Linn at the bow. His black hair flew in the sea wind, and his eyes, deep as the night, mirrored the unknown journey ahead and the blood-colored twilight.