Aldred's battle against many other fleets was seen by a lot of merchant ships passing by. The news spread that on the southern sea of Duria, there was a major battle between fleets.
A lot of people came with their own private ships and stayed at a safe distance to watch the battle. It had been decades since a naval battle this large occurred, and since there were many epic stories about sea battles, almost everyone wanted to see it.
A ship exploded from the distance, and the people gasped in shock. Some cheered and applauded for such an amazing show.
"What ship is that?"
"I think it's from one of the winged-man races."
"Ohh, nice explosion."
"That fleet from Ceraisian did most of the killing."
"There are two fleets from Ceraisian. Which one are you talking about?"
"The ones with a steel wood. You know, powerful magic steel that looks like wood. Wait, now that you mention it, why are those two fleets from Ceraisian fighting each other?"
"Do you even need to ask?"
The man was silent at first, then he realized. "Ahh, right. The Dragon and the Phoenix conflict."
Soon after, all of the fleets began to retreat.
"Oh, they're stopping already?"
"They have fought for more than a week now, so they must have run out of supplies."
After the battle ended with all the fleet losing dozens of ships, the audience named the battle 'Raging Sea' due to how destructive the battle was to the surrounding ocean.
Not only was it destructive, but it was also personal as the motherships approached and boarded one another.
A lot of money was being made because of this battle. People with ships rent the ships to wealthy people and offer them dinner and fine wine on the ship as they enjoy the scene.
Sadly, after the battle ended, these people had to find a different way to make money.
Nevertheless, everyone got a good show, and the ship owners got a big chunk of money.
…
The conclusion of the battle was Aldred won and everyone else was defeated, although with a huge cost. The Devourer received significant damage to its upper deck, and especially to the cannon deck.
Its hulls were fairly intact as it was the strongest part of the mothership.
Three important figures died in this battle: Bishop Horris, Xoros Goldenbelt, and Commodore Alark. These three were very influential in their nation, and their death might bite Aldred in the ass.
And sure enough, right after the battle, Tarrar reported that their tax had been increased, and almost everything was taxed. From transportation, collection of minerals, and transactions. Everything.
It was also said that Paphia funded Aldred's rival companies to create something better and possibly cheaper.
Aldred didn't feel threatened by the second part, but the meaning was clear—Paphia considered him an enemy.
"After I help them stall the bugbear… is this how they repay me?"
Tarrar further reported that their expansion to Torvenia, the nation of the leonine race was stopped. And their shadow company in Montcresia was also banned because they found out Aldred was the real owner.
This was their way of punishing him. By giving him sanctions on his business.
Aldred wasn't worried about that. He got a big customer in Thignia where Zafrina's father personally helped his business. Not to mention there were a lot of nations on the east side that needed his product and service.
"What do we do now?" Tarrar's voice came from the communication crystal.
Aldred had given him one before, so he now could communicate long distances.
"Expand anywhere we can, and flood the black market with our product. They cannot sanction me that way."
"They will be angry."
"That's my intention. I want to let them know that even if they banned me, they will see my product in their everyday life. Make sure you produce a lot of worker golems and make them cheaper. I want my golems to be everywhere."
Aldred was planning to sell his golems like drugs. They can be banned, but could not be stopped completely. Sure they might fine or imprison his customers, but there will be people who are smart enough to use his golems effectively and discreetly.
His worker golems were more efficient and obedient than a slave. Anyone in this world would have a use for slaves, especially ones that could never tire, complain, felt hunger, and cold. They didn't need shelter from the environment, and they could be treated as objects. Literally.
With that advantage, the government would never succeed in stopping its product from entering the nation.
Aldred laughed maniacally.
"What are you laughing about, Aldred?" Mareona asked. "What do we do with this girl?" She pointed at Mally who was known as York before.
Aldred looked at her from top to bottom. She was beautiful and petite.
Standing up, Aldred crossed his arms and pretended to think. "I got an idea."
"What?"
"Let's bring her to bed. She must be so tired after all of that fighting."
…
Deep within the sea, a mighty creature laid dormant with hundreds of its eyes closed shut. If one saw the size of its tentacles, one would be terrified, but if they looked closely, they could see that there was a door under its body.
…
A fishing boat sailed past.
"Joger! We should turn around and leave this place. This place is dangerous."
"There's a lot of fish here. We can catch a lot of them."
"You fool! Haven't you heard of that thing?"
"What thing?"
The man approached him and dragged him to a corner. "A lot of ships never return from this place. I heard this place is cursed."
"Bullshit. Listen to me. Do not believe any of that stuff. We will cast our net here and catch a lot of fish."
"Why can't you just listen to me?"
"I am sick of listening to you. It's your turn to listen to me."
"I am your big brother!"
"Fuck you! You were born five seconds before me. It doesn't count!"
As they argued, something moved and shaded them over the sun.
When they turned around, their eyes widened, their skin turned pale, and they aged 50 years at that moment as their skin wrinkled like paper, and their knees turned weak.
That thing approached, and soon, the whole ship vanished.
