Chapter 291: Senior, This Stealth Mission Has Failed

“It’s a pity we couldn’t conquer the first level of Saint Michael City. Otherwise, the wealth obtained there might have exceeded that of the lower six levels combined.”

Charlot Mecklenburg's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of High Priest Auguslatin, who descended from above with a cheerful expression. The High Priest smiled and said, “Mr. Mecklenburg, congratulations are in order.”

Charlot returned the sentiment. “Likewise, congratulations to you!”

Auguslatin chuckled knowingly. He was fully aware of what “likewise” implied. This infiltration of Saint Michael Island had indeed been a cause for mutual celebration!

Beside them, Ban Lamorak was visibly elated and joined in the cheerful exchange.

Charlot knew that, as a scion of a prominent noble family, Ban Lamorak might not care much for wealth. Therefore, Charlot allocated him a fleet, allowing him to select ten warships and crew members of his choosing.

Though Ban Lamorak was indifferent to money, he was deeply fixated on achieving greatness and surpassing his father. However, no matter his accomplishments, people would always compare him to the Count of Lamorak, concluding that he fell short of his father’s legacy.

Ban Lamorak didn’t openly challenge this judgment, but each time he encountered such situations, a rebellious seed would sprout in his heart. Charlot's gesture of giving him the fleet was akin to watering that seed.

With his own fleet, Ban Lamorak, as a noble scion, could now legally own and command a private naval force.

This act was like opening a vast door for Ban Lamorak—a door he’d never imagined. It was akin to showing a curious boy, unfamiliar with girls or technology, the dance section of a streaming platform.

Occasionally, Ban Lamorak would feel grateful to Aurora Soumet. If not for this woman, he wouldn’t have crossed paths with Charlot. Without his duel with Charlot and the resulting "solid friendship," Charlot wouldn’t have taken him along to assault Saint Michael Island.

And without participating in that assault, how could Ban Lamorak, at just twenty years old, have acquired a personal fleet of ten ships? Moreover, he could freely select seasoned sailors to man them. Most importantly, these sailors required no pay.

Charlot had promised the pirates that after five years of service, they would gain legal residency in Cappadocia, land ownership, and a free house. If they disliked island life, they could relocate to one of eleven cities in the Fars Empire. Listing all the cities would take too much space, so Charlot refrained.

For those unwilling to serve, the alternative was execution and their heads cast into the sea.

Hardly any pirate chose the second option!

When Charlot’s fleet crossed paths with Menielman Soumet’s, Charlot, accompanied by High Priest Auguslatin and Ban Lamorak, leaped aboard Menielman’s flagship.

Charlot’s fleet then merged with Menielman’s.

Charlot said, “Senior, this stealth mission has failed.”

“Circumstances changed, forcing an early return.”

“Although I sent messages several times, I failed to locate the Golden Rams Fleet or establish contact with the rebel forces on Saint Michael Island. Worse, I couldn’t find the detention site of the three Saint ranks.”

“Hmm, it might be in the first level of Saint Michael City. Unfortunately, I couldn’t conquer it due to the protective shield, and even High Priest Auguslatin was powerless against it.”

High Priest Auguslatin coughed lightly and added, “Among those you brought back are all the members of the Golden Rams Fleet. Once captured, they immediately revealed their identities.”

Charlot was stunned. “How did they end up captured? Without them on Saint Michael Island, they’re useless as insiders. Should we send them back?”

Auguslatin’s face beamed as he replied, “They have all expressed an unwavering refusal to return. In fact, they are eager to join us.”

Menielman asked, “Did you bring back many others as well?”

Charlot replied, “Roughly eighty or ninety thousand. I freed all the slaves and recruited the lower-ranking pirates. Senior, you may select a group for your purposes, and I’ll handle the rest. I have other plans for them.”

Sabastine interjected skeptically, “Eighty or ninety thousand? That sounds like an exaggeration. Did you empty Saint Michael Island entirely?”

Charlot chuckled awkwardly, ready to offer a modest response, but his attention was caught by the tall and athletic Sabastine. Distracted by counting loot earlier, he hadn’t noticed her presence. Suddenly, he blurted, “Wonder Woman?”

Realizing his mistake, he quickly corrected himself. However, Sabastine’s elegant yet powerful demeanor, combined with her finely crafted leather armor, indeed reminded him of Gal Gadot’s portrayal of the superhero.

Sabastine smiled faintly and said, “Wonder Woman? I like that nickname. Is it your gift for me?”

Sensing the Saint rank aura emanating from Sabastine, Charlot quickly replied, “If you like it, it would be my greatest honor.”

Menielman, though somewhat skeptical of Charlot’s claims, chose to support her junior. “Let’s return to Cappadocia first.”

When Charlot encountered Tumisan, he made no mention of the orc Saint rank scaring him previously. Instead, Charlot adopted a warm and respectful demeanor, greeting Tumisan as an elder and showing deference. This left the old leopardman slightly uncomfortable.

When the fleet finally reached Cappadocia, the sight was overwhelming: over two hundred ships, comprising both merchant vessels and refitted warships, made an awe-inspiring display.

Once ashore, Menielman confirmed Charlot’s claims. Cappadocia was indeed bustling with new arrivals, even though Charlot had already sent a portion of them to Machubi. Naturally, Charlot ensured he reaped some benefits for himself in the process.

The freed slaves proved far more reliable than the pirates. Having endured slavery, they cherished the promise of a better life even more.

Menielman found herself too busy managing the integration of so many prisoners and ships to catch up with Charlot.

Meanwhile, Charlot idled for a few days while Menielman, Tumisan, and Sabastine remained occupied.

Even High Priest Auguslatin and Ban Lamorak realized that when it came to “building an army,” the so-called "First Rose of the Empire" was far outclassed by her junior. Charlot’s methods of subduing and recruiting were nothing short of an art form.

First, he dismantled any cliques, ensuring no small factions formed. Then, he divided and restructured groups, offering promises that served as motivation. To secure loyalty, he identified reliable individuals and rewarded them with excellent treatment. This incentivized others to work hard, striving for similar rewards.

Finally, Charlot developed a system of identity recognition, erasing divisions of region, race, nationality, and cultural differences. The results were extraordinary...

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