Chapter 586
Inciting War
Chapter 586 Inciting War
"Are they on the run?"
Leo followed the Scarlet Prince to the Raven's Nest and looked out at the horizon.
The water bridge connecting the ocean and sandwiched between the deep sea is collapsing because of the death of the stone-skinned parrot.
If they do not escape the radiation zone of Fallen Feather Island in time, even a ship as massive as the legendary Black Goat will surely be swallowed up and submerged.
"I can tell," Ferdinand said calmly.
Of course, the tone is still strange.
Ferdinand Villarreal was very approachable; yesterday, when Shirley asked to examine his body, he actually agreed.
Shirley was amazed by everything she had discovered and couldn't understand how the skeletal body moved.
Leo, however, found it strange that Shirley's specialty was botany, so why was she so interested in animals?
Or is it that scholars are simply fascinated by all that is unknown?
Leo asked, "So what should we do?"
The skull's fingertips tapped lightly on the wooden railing, producing a rhythmic sound. After a moment, Ferdinand said, "Let's go meet it."
Leo immediately frowned: "This is not a rational move. They have so many ships, while we only have one, and we don't have any weapons to fight back."
"arms?"
"Giant crossbows," Leo replied. "Naval battles today are different from those of the past. Victory can often be decided from a great distance. The Silk Veil is a ship designed to combine traditional boarding maneuvers with modern naval warfare. Its heavy hull can withstand the attacks of giant crossbows."
Ferdinand turned to Leo: "Then what do you have to worry about?"
"The problem is in numbers," Leo said. "Even the strongest warrior will perish in a hail of arrows."
Ferdinand paused for a moment, then turned his head forward again.
He then continued, "From what I've observed, the anomalies on Fallen Feather Island seem to have caused all the ships that landed on the island to attempt to escape."
"Yes," Leo nodded, "only a fool would not back down if he knew it was a dead end."
Ferdinand continued, "From what I observed, those ships could be divided into two categories. One category had standard ship types, forming neat formations and advancing and retreating in unison. The other category had ships of varying types, and their formations were loosely arranged on the sea, clearly lacking discipline."
Leo nodded. "You mean, those are two factions?"
“There are at least two groups,” Ferdinand said. “If the pirates you’re describing to me are all lawless thugs, then those loosely shaped ships should belong to pirates, but they could also belong to other forces.”
“Pirates aren’t always friends,” Leo said. “I’ve heard that pirates often fight amongst themselves, just to gain control of the islands.”
"That makes things even more interesting," Ferdinand said. "So give the order to move closer to them."
"But why?"
Ferdinand pointed south: "The ocean currents over there have become extremely turbulent. It's clear that Stoneskin Parrot and Feathered Island are heading in that direction. Therefore, all ships now have no choice but to escape by going north."
"Then what,"
Leo nodded; even he, a complete novice, could see that.
"All the ships are gathered in one place, but they all seem to want to leave as soon as possible, so they have all chosen different directions. In my opinion, it is not necessary to take so many people away from Luoyu Island to carry away the secret. But with your small boat, there is only so much you can do, so you can only provoke them to fight among themselves."
Leo finally understood what the other party meant: "You want to use the Silk Veil as bait?"
"Is it not possible?" The Crimson Prince gazed into the distance. "Only by daring to take risks can one obtain greater rewards."
Leo laughed: "That's business logic."
"Everyone is a businessman, and everyone needs to bargain with life," the Scarlet Prince said. "If you've experienced enough, you can even bargain with death, and the rewards of escaping death are often extremely tempting."
Leo agreed with the Scarlet Prince's statement.
However, he said, "I don't see what I can gain from this."
"I need you to do these things for me," the Crimson Prince turned to Leo. "My daughter has been stolen, and only when the ships are together will I have a better chance of finding her."
"But it's also possible that it won't be found."
"But I still hold onto hope," said the Scarlet Prince. "I want to see her again."
He fell silent, as did Leo.
To be honest, while Leo could understand, he couldn't truly empathize.
Businessmen cannot be swayed by emotions, otherwise they will inevitably lose control of their profits.
Leo said, "That won't convince me."
“Then I’ll give you another reason,” said the Crimson Prince. “Do you think other ships didn’t discover the Silk Veil?”
"At this distance, it's impossible not to see."
"Then why don't they attack you first?"
"They're on the run," Leo said. "The surrounding waters are extremely vulnerable right now."
"But once you cross the water bridge, you'll be a fat lamb in their eyes, a lone, cumbersome ship, and no better prey. Don't forget, there are pirates among them."
"I killed a lot of pirates on the island," Leo argued. "They may have been ruthless, but they weren't good at strategizing, and I was able to shake them off."
"The ocean is not land; this is their home turf. Otherwise, why would they be called pirates? Moreover, that well-organized fleet clearly came to the island with a specific goal in mind. They are perhaps the biggest threat. Once they adjust their course, given this ship's speed, the only possibilities are that it will be sunk or captured."
"Then it wasn't too late for you to seduce them back then," Leo said dismissively.
"That's not how war is fought," the Crimson Prince said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Passive resistance is always a last resort. Only the side that seizes the initiative on the battlefield can ultimately reap the desired benefits. You only have one ship, while they have a massive fleet. Do you intend to wait for them to regroup before launching your attack? That's suicide! Now is the only way..."
Opportunity lies in seizing opportunities when one's foothold is not yet secure.
"But even if they are defeated, you will not be able to find your daughter," Leo said.
"No, I have my own way," the Crimson Prince said coldly. "No one knows more about dragon crystal than me. You just need to help me create a chaotic battle among all the ships."
Hearing this, Leo felt that the Crimson Prince's analysis made some sense, but it was undoubtedly in the best interest of the other party. For Leo, the risks and rewards were not proportional.
However, since he had to bring the Crimson Prince to Sun City, what could he do?
Leo sighed: "This ship is now under your command; you don't need my permission."
“I have never been a tyrant,” said the Crimson Prince, “so I must convince you first?”
"So what exactly do you want to do?"
"Charge at the pirates first," Ferdinand immediately suggested. "They're more easily swayed by emotions and instincts—"