Free Web NovelThe hull swayed slightly, and the mast and iron chains occasionally clanged.
On the deck, several pirates were squatting, repairing cracks, their tools tapping the wooden planks, carrying the scent of dampness and fish.
The Mad King's latest order was for them to detour to the southern route, intercept a merchant fleet from the Azure Tide Guild, seize specific goods and people, and then send them to his flagship on the deep sea.
Bagg was the captain of this small squad, but he had no idea what these goods actually were. The items were sealed so tightly that even they hadn't been able to get a glimpse.
Some crew members said it was an alchemical product that could set the entire sea ablaze, while others claimed it was an offering the Mad King intended for a devotee of an Old God.
No one cared about the truth; it was just a diversion from their monotonous life at sea. The fact was, they had plundered the Azure Tide Guild's ships but hadn't received any spoils.
Furthermore, a full third of the fleet's men had been lost in that attack, and even the second mate had fallen.
Now, the waters of Breaking Wave Bay held thirty more bodies of their brothers, in exchange for a pile of bottles and jars, and a few captives.
Bagg sat in the cabin, picking fish bones from his teeth and slowly chewing.
"Thirty brothers for a pile of weird trinkets in an iron box and a few men, not even half a woman. The Mad King might want treasure, but we didn't even get half a barrel of rum."
After speaking, he kicked a wine barrel in frustration, sending it toppling to the ground. The blood-tinged alcohol seeped into the wooden seams, and the pirate crew quickly rushed to set it upright.
"The boss is right," a pirate leaning against a barrel slurred, shaking his liquor flask. "Thirty brothers, drowned for nothing in that cursed place. The Mad King is truly mad. He just finished fighting the Empire, and now he dares to poke the Federation's balls. Doesn't he fear getting bitten off?"
"Hmph, it's not the first time," a helmsman with scars all over his body said, biting open a bottle cap and taking a large gulp. "The Mad King wants to claim the entire sea for himself, but he doesn't understand those alchemy contraptions. We lost men, and we still don't know what we're transporting."
"Perhaps he knows," the old ship's doctor, sitting by the water tank hatch, said slowly. "It's just that people like us aren't worthy of knowing."
As soon as these words left his mouth, the deck erupted in laughter.
"Unworthy of his mother's tide?"
"Am I unworthy of shitting?"
"If the Mad King makes me deliver these cursed jars again, I'd rather tie a rock to myself and jump into the sea!"
"Maybe he really wants us to jump."
"Hey, seriously, who knows what's in that iron box? Maybe it's the Mad King's own broken teeth."
"It's not gold coins, anyway."
"Then it's worthless."
While shouting, someone propped their foot on the railing and looked out at the distant gray sea.
"I remember, on the way back after delivering the goods last time," the young pirate began, his tone hesitant but he spoke anyway, "near that frozen sea on the southern route, we saw a dilapidated harbor. I wonder if it's been built yet."
Everyone fell silent for a moment.
"Are you sure it wasn't a hallucination?"
"There was no harbor there before."
A pirate suddenly recalled, "Wasn't it because we had to complete the mission that we held back from plundering it that time?"
"Oh, oh. My hands were itching then, I wanted to rush up and grab some women. But the mission was important, so I could only watch and give up." Bagg was drunk, but he remembered.
"Hehe, aren't we on the way back now?" a pirate excitedly turned to look at Bagg. "Boss, can we go in and check it out this time?"
"Brothers," Bagg leaned on the railing, his voice hoarse and drunken. "I haven't forgotten, thirty brothers, what did we get in return?
A belly full of seawater, a few barrels of broken jars, and a 'well done' from the Mad King. We can't come out this time and get nothing, can we?
Tonight, we turn the rudder and head that way. New harbor or ghost nest, we'll go in and see. If they really dare to receive goods, hoard wine, and women, then don't blame us for being impolite."
He swayed his shoulders: "The wine is yours, the gold coins are mine, the silver coins are for everyone to share, and as for women—grab them quickly yourselves."
Amidst a burst of laughter, he gritted his teeth and added, "This trip, let's get something for ourselves too."
The crew erupted in shouts like a tidal wave, "Rum!" frёewebηovel.cѳm
"Women!" freewebnøvel.com
"Silver!"
"Boss is brilliant!"
"The Mad King wants jars, we want beauties!"
Bagg grunted softly, like a response and also a curse: "The Empire's new harbor? Just right for the brothers to feast on."
The sea fog was as thick as sticky cobwebs, and even a lamp couldn't illuminate two steps ahead.
"Light to the south!" a shout suddenly came from the masthead, the scout's voice carrying a hint of barely concealed excitement.
Hearing the sound, Bagg rolled over and stood up from beside the wine barrel, his feet slipping. He grabbed the mast to avoid falling.
He exhaled, his nose filled with the smell of rum: "Where?"
In the distance, a point of light flickered in the fog, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, like a beckoning prostitute, attracting them.
They approached little by little.
Most of the crew could only vaguely see outlines rising and falling in the fog, the lights swaying. Some were still guessing if it was firewood from a fishing village.
"So close and still no movement, it's probably empty," a cabin hand with a lumpy leg muttered.
"Bullshit, I see rows of warehouses. A fishing village?" another shook his head, his eyes fixed on the bright spots in the fog.
Bagg ignored them, raising his old but brightly polished brass telescope. Through the lens, he saw more clearly.
The lighthouse was quite large, the breakwater extended straight into the sea, warehouses lined the shore neatly, and figures with torches patrolled the top of a tower.
"Damn it—" Bagg muttered under his breath, his voice laced with alcohol and gnashing teeth. "Who the hell said this was a small, broken harbor? This isn't a harbor; this looks like some Imperial official's maritime treasury."
He kicked the side of the boat, a hint of retreat rising, but it immediately dissipated. Although his head was full of strong liquor, his mind was still working.
"Say we don't fight now? Then I'm afraid I'll have to jump into the sea myself tonight," Bagg said softly, his mouth curving into a grin. "If these drunkards hear I backed down, they'll tie me to the mast and feed me to the seabirds."
He suddenly turned his head, his voice rising a few octaves, filled with both drunkenness and anger: "Don't attack during the day, go at night! We'll launch a night assault!"
The cabin hand had just nodded and hadn't even turned around when the cabin erupted.
"Boss is brilliant!"
"Hey, his brain hasn't completely burned out, he really has a way!"
"Now that's strategy!"
"Chopping people at night, clean and swift!"
Someone started slapping the deck, and others directly raised their axes and spun them around, as if to dance.
The air was filled with drunkenness, sweat, and excited roars.
Bagg originally wanted to curse a bit, but with all this chaotic flattery, the corners of his mouth involuntarily curled up.
"A bunch of drunkards, if you keep calling me that, I'll start believing I'm an Imperial general," he cursed, but didn't stop them.
He even walked further forward, gazing at the light in the fog, which looked more and more like a seductive woman.
Bagg chuckled and raised his hand: "Turn the cabin to the west, slow down. No noise, wait for my command."
The conference hall was located on the third floor of the Dawn Harbor's administrative main building. The exterior walls of this building were painted in alternating red and blue, completely different from the original wooden house.
The only thing that remained unchanged was the emblem of the sun and tide intertwined, still hanging on the outer wall.
Outside the window, one could see the entire harbor basin and the newly built breakwater. Several ships were docked in their designated positions, and the fog gradually dispersed, revealing the outline of the harbor.
Louis sat at the head of the table, wearing plain clothes without any insignia.
Elliot, Russell, Bernard, and Rida stood by the table, ready to report on their respective work progress.
Everyone was fully prepared, knowing that today's report not only concerned the future of Dawn Harbor but also directly affected their standing in Louis's heart.
In the corner of the conference hall, a conference board from the wooden house era was still preserved.
Its surface was wiped clean, and on it, in Red Tide script, were listed the six phases of the harbor's construction and their current completion status.
Red lines outlined the completed portions, while the unfinished parts had sticky notes attached, a few appearing somewhat messy.
Although the content on the board was already very clear, Louis still required each official to report orally.
"Data is data, judgment is judgment." Louis glanced at the few people seated around the table, getting straight to the point: "Begin with the harbor project."
Russell stood up and reported: "Currently, the foundation is 95% complete. The breakwater structure is stable, berths and tracks have been put into dispatch, and the sewage channels are clear.
The cargo handling area is not yet finished; materials were delayed by two days and are expected to be delivered within fourteen days."
Louis nodded slightly and then spoke: "What about the transport tracks? Will they crack when it freezes in winter?"
Russell lowered his head and glanced at the board in his hand: "Pressure tests have been done. For areas prone to problems, we used buffer adhesive with modified ratios; it should hold."
"And the connecting welds?"
"Some have been checked. Temperature differences have little impact. I've arranged for people to check the remaining joints."
"Mm, make it a priority," Louis said softly. "'No problem' isn't enough to withstand a snow disaster."
Russell didn't retort, just nodded.
"Next," Louis raised a hand.
Bernard stood up. He was now the shipbuilding superintendent, having spent his entire life building ships in shipyards. This was his first time formally reporting at a conference table, and he seemed a bit nervous.
"Uh—the dawn warships, nine of them are already built." He swallowed. "Sea trials have been conducted, and combat drills have been run several times—during simulated enemy attacks, they successfully intercepted twice, and the pursuit accuracy is also good."
He paused, glanced at Louis, and quickly added, "Average hit rate is around 80%."
"Have they been tested in extreme waters?"
"Ice layer sea trials are scheduled for next week. The diagonal ribs are a double structure with buffer space inside."
Louis nodded.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Bernard mustered his courage and continued: "Our two new models, the Chenxi and the Chaoxi, the blueprints have been finalized—they've been modified according to your previous ideas."
He paused, then added in a low voice, "They're larger, with a deeper draft, capable of carrying people and cargo, and the aft cabin also has reserved space for a steam engine—that's also from your sketch last time."
"Can they withstand sudden gusts in sea fog?"
"Yes, the ship's frame is made of cold iron. I used to not believe in these fancy tricks, but now I'm truly convinced. My Lord, your designs, I initially thought they were unreliable, but after testing, they all proved effective."
Bernard scratched his head, as if embarrassed, "I've built ships for decades in my life, and this is my first time sitting at this table. To be honest—it feels a bit unsettling."
Louis said softly, "Just be clear. Take your time."
He paused, "Keep a close eye on the blueprints. The shipyard's rhythm cannot be disrupted. No rush, but no omissions."
The third to stand was Elliot, his demeanor as resolute as ever.
"Fleet training has completed three rounds. Existing tactics cover night combat, long-range projection, and boarding strikes. The sailors' condition is stable."
"Casualties?"
"Three minor injuries, fractures, no personnel reduction. The medical team is keeping up, and food supply is stable."
Louis did not respond immediately, tapping his fingers on the table. After a moment of thought, he said, "Increase the frequency of hot meals for the knights, and deliver hot soup during night shift changes."
Elliot nodded.
Finally, Rida, who was now the city dispatcher, and one of the first refugees to pledge allegiance to Louis.
Louis had discovered her unique management abilities through the Daily Intelligence System and promoted her to temporary coordinator for the Red Tide Territory construction site, where she gradually worked her way up to her current position.
Wearing a formal official robe for the first time, she still seemed reserved, but her speaking speed was slightly faster than the previous speakers, as if she was accustomed to switching between multiple tasks.
"The urban area's layout is stable, and the allocation of residential areas, workshops, and markets is proceeding smoothly. We have three bathhouses, two theaters, and two sets each for laundry and infirmaries. The population exceeds three thousand, and public order is relatively stable."
"Is anyone still sleeping outdoors?"
Rida shook her head: "Not currently, but some laborers are still living in wooden houses. We still lack seventy winter houses."
"Construction material situation?"
"Fifty percent of inventory remains."
"Submit a plan to me within three days. If it's not enough, transfer from Red Tide City."
Louis paused, then added, "Don't let people worry about their roofs leaking during winter."
Rida replied, "I've had people keep a close eye on the nights for the next two days, especially the housing areas in a few corners. If any family's stove breaks down, we have spare braziers in our warehouse that can last a few days."
Louis nodded: "Well done, keep monitoring it. Don't let anyone fall behind, for example, keep an eye on the school and the hospital."
"Understood, I'll confirm again with the hospital administrator, and ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) I'll also go check on the school," Rida nodded in response.
After Rida sat down, several officials who had not yet reported stood up in succession, reporting on harbor patrol dispatch, shipyard logistics, material procurement, and the selection of outer city sites.
Although their tones were not as seasoned as the chief officials, they were well-organized, and their answers reflected practical experience.
Louis did not interrupt, just listened quietly, occasionally making a note.
It had been some time since he had left Dawn Harbor, but the city had not become disorganized because of it; instead, it was more orderly than he had expected.
When the last person sat down, Louis scanned the room and said, "Winter is fast approaching for Dawn Harbor. What we need to accomplish is not just a single project, but the entire foundation of Dawn Harbor.
The city, the harbor, the shipyard, the people—all lines must remain firm. Ensuring everyone has a stable winter is our most important task moving forward. Although there are many things to do, as long as the plans are clear and the systems are well-defined, nothing is impossible."
As his voice fell, the conference hall was silent for a moment, followed by the neat scraping sound of chair legs.
The officials stood up in succession, first nodding, then applauding in unison.
The meeting then adjourned, and the crowd gradually moved out of the hall. Some conversed in low voices, while others had already pulled out their notebooks to revise dispatch orders, their steps quickening.
When the last footsteps faded, silence returned to the hall. Only Elliot was kept behind by Louis.
