The Destroyer's Fleet and the pirate's fleet were still in a locked battle against each other with ships constantly firing shells at each other.
But below the water, Stella and everyone else was swiftly swimming using magic. Protected by a thin barrier around them coupled with their speed, the sea monsters could not attack them at all.
Aldred's wives and Bartrem's soldiers were there.
"Stella, are you sure Aldred was taken by the pirate?" Mary asked.
"I am sure. We have to climb on their ship and take him back."
"Aldred is strong. He is surely fine, right?" Ivette asked. In her image, Aldred was undefeatable and supremely powerful. She could never imagine him in a weak position, not to mention being captured.
He always got things in his control, and that assured Ivette of his safety, but now, she couldn't help but be worried.
Aldred changed her life for the better. She owed him everything, and she wouldn't be able to take it if she lost him.
"He will be fine," Stella said. "We just have to bring him back, and after that, we retreat from this region."
"What about the island?"
"We cannot defend it. The pirate is too powerful. And I prioritize Aldred's safety more than some random islands."
Everyone agreed with that statement. Although they promised the Duke to protect the island, it meant nothing if Aldred's life was on the line.
After swimming through the water, Stella detected the ship and cast sticky limbs spell on everyone. They slowly crawled on the hull of the ships.
Their hands stuck to the hull like they were a lizard. Bartrem was at the top. As they crawled, a pirate stood at the edge, smoking a cigar.
Bartrem signaled for everyone to stop.
The pirate inhaled the smoke and puffed it out. Bartrem slowly put his hand on the handle of his blade. Should the pirate notice them, he would jump and cut off the man's head.
The pirate threw the smoke to the sea and left.
Everyone sighed in relief after that. They began their crawl and boarded the ship.
Their steps were silent, and even their breath didn't make any sound. Stella's spell was very effective.
After hiding behind some boxes, they discussed where to go from here.
"Should we spread out to find him?"
"That will reduce our power," Bartrem said.
"Then what can we do? How do we find Aldred like this?"
"Krista knows where big brother Aldred is."
Everyone looked at her.
"Are you sure?" Mary asked.
"Un." Krista nodded.
"Wait a minute, how come you're onboard?" Mira asked. "We should not put her life in danger."
"Krista wants to help big brother Aldred."
Mira sighed and nodded. "Since you're already here, there's nothing we can do. Stay near me okay?"
"Un."
"Now tell us where Aldred is."
"Big brother Aldred is three floors below us."
They didn't question her and immediately moved. Bartrem and his men ambushed a few pirates and snapped their necks in silence before tying their legs with weight and throwing them into the ocean. This was to prevent their bodies to float and warn the other pirates.
They made their way from the stern to the midship. Ivette ran through the hallway, and the pirates patrolling the ships were shocked.
Before they could say anything, Ivette's blade cut their throat. Stella cast the silence spell as they gagged and fell to the floor. Sophia cast her own spell which removed the blood and odor of their body.
Stella approached the body and turned them into dust that was swept by the air.
"Let's go."
They went down the staircase with Bartrem at the front, making sure there was nobody to intercept them.
As they made their way, they realized they were in the mess deck. Currently, there were no pirates here except two men kissing and hugging each other in bed.
"Those two are men…" Mary blinked a few times.
Mira was shocked as well.
"Leave them be let's proceed."
"Ahh, put your rod in my poop hole."
"Your poop hole stinks like fish. I like it."
Rachel wanted to throw up, but she held it in.
She had heard rumors about this kind of thing before. And she knew the pirates were the ones who did such shameful things. But seeing them with her own eyes was something different altogether.
It disgusted her. But she didn't want to judge.
"Hurry up, let's move."
They passed the mess deck and heard Aldred's voice.
"You want me to join you? Dream on!"
Stella and the others ran towards the room where that voice came from, and kicked it open.
"ALDRED!"
Aldred turned around. "You guys! What are you doing here?"
"Saving you!"
"I don't need to be saved. I can handle it. You guys go back to the ship."
"We're here now, so let's return together."
"You're not going anywhere. Marshton, kill them all."
Marshton expressionlessly looked at them before his face suddenly changed into that of wrath. And then his skin turned red as his body bulged with spikes coming out of his back.
"What is he doing?"
"He's turning into a demon."
The pirates within the room were terrified. They knew this was their commodore's secret technique, and he only used it when necessary. Nobody would be alive when Marshton transformed into the red devil. That meant the pirates here, except Admiral York, would die.
Marshton, now turned into a terrifying red-skinned demon with black spikes on his back glared at them. He charged forward and raised his fist.
Bang!
The pirates widened their eyes. Not because Marshton turned the enemy into pulp, but he himself was turned into a pulp by getting smashed to the wall.
Stella's hand glowed with star particles, and when she released her hand, Marshton's devil body fell to the floor—dead.
"So you limit your strength to Gold Rank to help this boy?" the masked man on the throne said.
"That's right. I am stronger than any Gold Rank you have."
"I don't need Gold Rank. My ship can handle you."
The wall was deformed and a large cannon that was supposed to be outside, appear behind York and aimed at them.
"Fuck! Are you planning to destroy your own ship?" Aldred frowned.
York looked at him. "Worry about your own hide. Fire!"
