Pirate Kingship

Chapter 446 - 350 New Members and News of the Pirate King_2

Chapter 446: Chapter 350 New Members and News of the Pirate King_2

Not only was he a dazzling prodigy, having awakened autonomously at fifteen, but by just eighteen, he had reached the limit of the Second Order. Furthermore, he had also learned the corresponding forbidden knowledge of "divination," making him capable of taking the place of a Prophet.

Doing two jobs for the price of one was naturally a great deal.

Although there were some minor side effects, they were not so grave as to be of concern.

Of course, all of this stemmed from Byron’s appreciation for talent. It had absolutely nothing to do with the [Nautical Logbook] unintentionally revealing that Violet’s father was the vice-chairman of the Lighthouse Union.

Absolutely no relation!

Byron casually finished writing his reply, agreed on a boarding time with Delia, and after handing the letter to the Messenger, did not forget the most important task—feeding the seagulls.

"Some fries?"

He took a bag of fries out of the Snake Skin Bag, which were meant as a snack, and offered them to it.

This 9526, unlike its kin, didn’t prefer fish; it had a special fondness for fries. It would always be delighted after being fed and would work especially hard afterward.

"Some fries. Mister Councilman, just like everyone says, you are indeed a good man," the seagull took the fries and placed them into its bag, but then spoke with a hint of regret,

"However, this might be the last time I deliver a letter for you.

"Some of us Messengers who have reached the level of Extraordinary Creature are about to be dispatched to the ’Celestial Orbital Belt’ to establish a new postal network.

"It’s to lay the infrastructure for the imminent major changes at sea.

"If you take a look at the Lighthouse Weekly that will be urgently published tomorrow, you’ll know that something big is about to happen here.

"Goodbye, sir!"

After finishing its parting words, it saluted in a human-like manner once again and flew off, flapping its wings.

"A big event? An urgent extra issue?"

Byron felt an ever-stronger premonition in his heart and eagerly opened the envelope, with Violet also approaching to peer over his shoulder.

Inside was only a newspaper that had not yet been released.

Byron could always receive first-hand Intelligence about the progress of Adventurer teams under the Hightins system.

But his knowledge about the exploration progress of other nations, large forces, and private Adventurers was far less comprehensive compared to what the Lighthouse Union possessed.

Once the Union encountered valuable Intelligence, it would also notify its internal members in advance, allowing them to react a step ahead of others.

As he unfolded the newspaper, the bold headline on the front page read:

"Shocking! The Fifth Order Pirate King, one of the strongest within the Bantaan Archipelago, [Ocean Throne] Barbarossa Hailidin actually did this?!"

Byron: ...

Because he was mindful of Violet right beside him, he refrained from letting an outburst of colorful common language spew forth.

Yet, in his heart, he cursed the junior editor for many generations and hurriedly continued to read on.

"Humanity is about to welcome a great extraordinary energy revolution..."

"[Ocean Throne] Barbarossa Hailidin took the initiative to report a world-shocking discovery to the Lighthouse Union. He claimed to have found a huge gathering place for Leviathan Whales somewhere south of the ’Celestial Orbital Belt,’ a natural and perfect whaling ground..."

"Lighthouse Union reporters urgently interviewed the President of the Continental Artisans’ Guild, the Fifth Order Legendary Grand Artificer, Mister Thomas Sevili. Mister Sevili confirmed that the oil from Leviathan Whales contains a high concentration of Source Material. This oil can serve as a top-quality fuel (for heating water) or as a pure energy source. It can drive spells, rituals, alchemical machinery, various applications of forbidden knowledge, or power heavy equipment.

"This Whale was initially discovered by a Wilderness Sequence [Monster Hunter] professional, a whaling Captain Melville, on the edge of the Ekdna Triangle. Regrettably, the living environment of the Leviathan Whale is too perilous for humans, and for decades, capture numbers have remained too low. Until now, whaling ships could not penetrate deep into the Sea of Monsters. Consequently, it was difficult to scale up Whale hunting and Whale Oil production, let alone establish a related industry."

"Now that a large whaling ground has been discovered in the Southern Hemisphere, it could be something even more valuable than Spices for all of human civilization.

"It means an unlimited source of renewable energy!

"Sufficient to spark a Whale Oil power revolution..."

"This news has already been divined by a High Sequence Fifth Order [Prophet], confirming its authenticity.

"Gentlemen and ladies, please cheer for yet another great discovery as humanity conquers the unknown world.

"Of course, don’t forget to get your whaling ships ready, to brace yourselves for a feast on a scale comparable to the Spice trade!"

"Furthermore, it is said that some first and second-tier Adventurers have already answered the Pirate King’s Summoning. They are reportedly fighting their way to the specified coordinates. Information should be coming in shortly."

To their surprise, the newspaper was reporting the very core of the secret trade between the two Pirate Kings, as recounted by ’Blue Hair’ Barbarossa Halding—the Whale Oil power revolution!

After reading the newspaper scheduled for release tomorrow, a profound unease settled over both of them, lasting for a long time.

They could fully imagine what kind of tempest would be stirred up in the Bantaan Archipelago and the entire Silver Continent come the next day.

There were many clever people in this world.

It wasn’t just Byron and Violet; many could see the value of Whale Oil. It was likely that a minority of well-informed people of action had already set sail.

Finding a specialty in the New Continent more valuable than Spices meant that distance, cost, loss, danger... none of these would be an obstacle anymore.

Even if fireballs rained from the sky or sharp blades fell, nothing would stop the Colonizers from pressing forward relentlessly.

After tomorrow, no one would care anymore about what was different in the war of glory on native lands. Nor would they care who exactly the new [Lord of Heaven] was.

Instead, humanity would once again rush en masse into the unknown oceans, facing death, or unimaginable wealth!

"But why would [Ocean Throne] publicize the secret of the Whale Oil power revolution at this critical juncture?"

Byron and Violet exchanged glances, seeing the confusion in each other’s eyes.

Violet, biting her cherry-colored lower lip, silently analyzed, "Many years have passed since Father gave the ’Whale Oil power revolution’ information, news of the whaling ground, and a partial Nautical Chart to his peer, the Pirate King [Ocean Throne]. Throughout these years, that Pirate King had kept the news to himself. He had left the affairs of the Pirate Kingdom to his brother, Blue Hair Halding, while he personally and quietly explored with the Sea Monster Legion. Clearly, he was keen on monopolizing the discovery."

Byron nodded in agreement. "Indeed, the whaling ground isn’t going anywhere. If he could achieve resource monopoly right from the source, he could have every nation craving this new energy source at his mercy. [Ocean Throne] originally hailed from the West Coast’s Star Moon Empire. If he maintained a firm hold on the Whale Oil, he could instantly transform into a ’Dog Landlord.’ This referred to the type of tycoon who, with ’a cloth on their head, becomes the richest in the world.’ But now, every Adventurer ship is steadily advancing toward the New Continent, and new Intelligence is returning daily. Why would he suddenly disclose this information? And why include coordinates even more detailed than the original Nautical Chart, allowing others a share of the spoils? It’s not likely he suddenly developed a conscience, is it?"

Having reached this point in their analysis, both of their expressions turned solemn.

There’s only one answer! Some kind of difficult situation has arisen that even he couldn’t handle. He’s not announcing good news to the whole world but sending out a distress signal to all naval powers, Adventurer ships, and Colonizers. Although the newspaper contains many words, if you scrutinize closely, it’s clear that between the lines it’s practically written: ’Danger, brothers... all hands on deck!’