Chapter 161 - - 161 King of the North Sea_1

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The renowned Laurent Swann was beheaded just like that?

Aboard the Avenger, all the crew members were stunned, standing foolishly on the spot, at a loss for what to do.

Climbing nimbly past everyone, Duge reached the mainmast and raised Laurent Swann's head high, "Laurent Swann is dead. From now on, I am the King of the North Sea, those who submit, lower your pirate flags, and I will lead you to conquer the world. Those unwilling to submit may leave now, I declare you are free."

The wind was strong at sea.

Duge's words could not travel far.

But the pirate ships around the Avenger heard it, and they saw it.

A few captains hesitated for a moment, looked at Paul atop the mast, then at the Sea Beast Enke circling the Avenger, and commanded their men to lower the pirate flags.

Then.

They ordered the signalers to pass on Paul's command.

One pirate ship after another lowered their flags and chose to submit.

No one left.

Only the wise can recognize the current state of affairs.

On the open sea, no ship could outrun the Sea Beast Enke.

Even those who wanted to avenge Laurent Swann would not choose to come forward at this time.

...

Duge hopped down from the mast and found the Avenger's first mate, asking, "What's your name?"

"Remo Brar," the first mate sighed softly, responding.

"Are you willing to submit to me?" Duge asked.

"I am willing," the first mate glanced at Laurent Swann's head in Duge's hand, standing erect, his gaze utterly resolute.

"Good, from now on, your name is Remo Brar Tigerhead Fish," Duge looked at him and smiled, "Now, repeat your new name."

"Remo Brar Tigerhead Fish," the first mate's brows twitched, and he called out his new name with a flushed face.

"Good," Duge grabbed his hand and raised it high, "from now on, you are the new captain of the Avenger. Command on my behalf, the fleet of the King of the North Sea, to set sail for Herd Island."

...

An hour later.

Antonio, Mahamadu the general stationed at Herd Island, Eddie, the former first mate of Laurent Swann's Avenger, and all the other leaders who participated in the sea battle convened on the Avenger at Duge's invitation.

The navies and pirate fleets were guarded around, not a single ship left.

All the cannon muzzles were pointed at the Avenger, and although they knew the cannonballs couldn't harm Enke, it was better than doing nothing.

On board.

Everyone felt complex emotions.

No one had anticipated that the battle would end in such a way, with the ultimate victor being the leader of a seemingly disorganized small pirate group.

No.

He was now the newly appointed King of the North Sea.

…

“The Fish Era has dawned. I wonder if any of you are interested in appending a ‘Sea Fish’ suffix to your names?” Duge looked around at everyone with a smile. “You have all seen that ever since I changed the name of the pirate group to the Sea Fish Pirate Group, in just a few days we went from one pirate ship to five, and now I’ve claimed the throne of the King of the North Sea. Even the Sea Beast Enke has grown exceptionally close to me.

This can’t simply be called luck anymore. I even feel as though I’m sitting in the lap of the goddess of fortune herself, being spoon-fed by her. If the Sea God Scepter were to leap into my hands on its own, I wouldn’t be surprised…”

The crowd was silent.

One had to admit that Paul’s experiences these days were nothing short of miraculous, completely defying any rational explanation.

However, they were unwilling to believe in that absurd notion of a Fish Era which Paul tirelessly promoted; surely it must be a conspiracy.

“I carry the honor of the Royal Navy and will absolutely not change my name,” Antonio said with a straight face. “Captain Paul, before I boarded, I had already given orders that if anything untoward happens to me, my lieutenant Cecil is to command a full-on assault against your fleet. We might not be able to defeat the Sea Beast Enke, but we are confident we can sink at least half of your ships. A pirate king without his ships is nothing.”

“General, no need to get so worked up if you’re unwilling to change,” Duge said, looking at Antonio with a smile. “Also, don’t you think your threats are almost like jokes to me? An hour ago, I only had five ships, one of which was sunk. Even if you managed to take out half of Laurent Swann’s ships, I would still have at least fifty remaining. But what about you? You have lost a naval fleet and even made a powerful enemy like me for the Navy. Who do you think is at a greater loss?”

“…” Antonio snorted. “In any case, we have sailors who die in battle but never a navy that surrenders. I’m just letting you know that if you force my hand, you will gain nothing.”

He paused, then continued, “Captain Paul, I have all your information. Prior to this, you and your Giant Bird didn’t commit many atrocities. On behalf of the Navy, I extend you an invitation: if you abandon your pirate identity and lead Laurent Swann’s fleet to join the Royal Navy, I assure you that you will hold at least the rank of Commodore, just as I do.”

“Antonio, are you an idiot? Paul is now the King of the North Sea. Do you think the exalted King of the North Sea would settle for being a mere naval Commodore?” Eddie said with a sneer. “Captain Paul, there’s no need to negotiate with him. We have the Sea Beast Enke, and the navy’s morale is low; they wouldn’t dare strike us now. We could take this opportunity to finish off this navy in one fell swoop. Once you defeat Antonio, you’ll truly become the undisputed King of the North Sea.”

Antonio’s expression suddenly changed.

“Eddie, would you swear loyalty to me?” Duge asked with a smile, looking at Eddie.

“I am a general of Mahamadu,” Eddie frowned. “If I were to pledge allegiance to you,Mahamadu would relentlessly pursue you. The Kings of the Four Seas might rub each other the wrong way, but they’ve never truly gone to war.”

“No, it’s different now. From the moment Laurent Swann appeared on Herd Island, the balance among the Kings of the Four Seas was already disrupted,” Duge shook his head. “Besides, I’m planning to attack Mahamadu next to seize the Destiny Sea Map from him and avenge my good friend Witch Marsha. There can’t be peace between us. If you refuse to join me, then out of us three parties, you’d be the first to fall.”

“If you attack Mahamadu, Safra and Jon Ludi would join forces against you. They wouldn’t just watch as you take over Laurent Swann’s territory, then Mahamadu’s,” Eddie stood up. “Even with the Sea Beast Enke, you can’t possibly be enemies with three pirate kings at once…”

“That’s my problem,” Duge said with a smile, before turning again to Antonio. “General, I can let you and your fleet go, but I’ll need the Royal Navy to hold back Safra and Jon Ludi for me during my attack on Mahamadu. No issue there, right? I imagine Admiral Mikaro would also like to see the Kings of the Four Seas fight amongst themselves!”

After a moment of silence, Antonio nodded: “No problem.”

Eddie’s face turned pale: “Paul, working with the navy, you’ll be the enemy of all pirates.”

“I don’t care. Like I said, five days ago, I only had one pirate ship; I don’t have much to lose. If I have to, I can simply start over,” Duge shrugged and said with a smile. “Besides, I firmly believe that fortune is on my side.”

He winked, “Eddie, are you really not considering joining me? Defeat Mahamadu, and we’ll have the power of two seas, plus Enke, and with assistance from the navy, we can easily take care of Safra and Jon. By then, I will truly be the king of pirates. Under my command, perhaps you’ll be responsible for more than just the poor land of Herd Island. To the victor goes the spoils; are you not willing to take a gamble?”

“Alright, I’ll join,” Eddie looked at Duge, then Antonio, and finally at the tentacles of the octopus churning around the Avenger, his expression one of struggle. But in the end, he agreed.

“A smart choice,” Duge snapped his fingers and asked with a smile, “So, are you willing to add a ‘fish’ suffix to your name? It really does bring me luck…”

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