The Witcher: Son of the Planes.

The Black Skull.

It has been more than a month since the last Battle of Holtz. Jack's business has been very bad recently. He went into battle twice, and either encountered an ambush or the navy arrived very quickly. A lot of supplies were lost, but they were never replenished. It was not known whether the nail in the Port of Oakland had been pulled out, and the news was cut off a lot. Even his beloved Rose could not comfort Jack's bad mood.

"Honey, why don't we go to the Azure Empire to develop? It's a neutral country and they don't crack down on pirates that hard. We have people and ships, so we'll be able to survive." Jack's mistress Rose advised gently.

"Rose, you don't understand. The environment over there is much better than here, but there are also many pirates who make a living. The Imperial Navy just doesn't actively attack pirates, but if they find you attacking merchant ships, they will still annihilate you. After all, that country is an island country and they still attach great importance to maritime trade." Jack explained.

"Damn Barto, damn Commander Hedram Bergs, I have bribed other naval admirals, but Hedram is a stubborn person. And that Barto has been against me since the last Battle of Holtz. I just take a little money from him, but he is a slave trader, much more cruel than me." Jack said angrily.

"Rose, take a break first. I'll go out to the deck and take a look."

"Okay, dear, I'll prepare dinner first, you go ahead." Rose said.

When I got on the deck, I saw the first mate Armand and the second mate Jimmy chatting.

"What was it, guys?" Jack asked.

"Boss." said Armand and Jimmy.

"Armand, please pay more attention to the Port of Oakland. We haven't received any news for a long time. Could it be that old guy Hansen betrayed us?"

"Okay, Boss, I will go to the Port of Oakland soon."

"Jimmy, how are the brothers feeling?"

"Boss, this is not good. The last few naval battles have gone badly, and the brothers have some opinions. I feel that the target chosen by the boss is not suitable, and the brothers' efforts are wasted."

"Jimmy, you should comfort the brothers and be patient. Once Armand gets the news, we must make a big deal."

Time passed quickly, and during the conversation, a maid came to see Jack.

"Captain, Mrs. Rose is calling you for dinner."

"Come on, let's go, Armand, Jimmy, follow me to try Rose's cooking." Jack called.

……

Cavendish House.

"Your Excellency the Marquis, Baron Richard asked me to bring you a letter." Simon stepped forward and handed over the letter.

After opening the letter and reading it, Johnson understood clearly, "Emerald Island is thriving and developing very quickly. Farmers have already reclaimed a lot of wasteland. Although the map of the island has not been completed, overall, the environment on the island is good and the area is not small. It is a good fiefdom for low-key development. The main thing it lacks is population. Food and other supplies are also in short supply before the crops are harvested."

"I understand what you Baron is thinking. Currently, the Duchy is negotiating with Burgundy. I believe that an armistice agreement will be signed soon. But when you go back, you must tell Richard not to relax and not to neglect the training of soldiers. The Duchy may continue to launch a campaign at any time. As for the population and materials, I will find a way. Simon, go down and rest first. If you need anything, tell Earl Terry."

"Yes, Your Excellency the Marquis." Simon bowed and left the hall.

"Terry, we have to continue to support Richard with people and materials. It is difficult to develop a private army in the capital. Too many people will arouse the suspicion of the royal family. It is better to be more casual with Richard."

"Understood, elder brother. I will arrange it as soon as possible."

……

After his last night exploration of the forest, Colin became much quieter, knowing that with his own strength, he would not be able to gain anything in the forest. Although he had the opportunity to enter the forest again during the daytime training with the militia brigade, it was just a quick glance. With Knight Gary around, there was no danger and no chance to explore.

There was a decline in food. Although there was a constant supply of salted fish and occasional snacks, such as rabbit meat, venison and other wild animal meat, the black bread seemed to be in short supply. It seemed that there was something wrong with the supplies on the island. Fortunately, with Nora, the "internal thief", Colin did not starve.

However, Colin was not too worried about these things. After all, the Baron was there, and the tall man would hold up the sky if it fell. It was not his turn to worry about these things. He just needed to exercise well and master the skills to kill the enemy.

"In less than two months, we will be leaving the militia training ground. We have recently started taking courses in horse riding, archery, musket shooting, etc. There will be a new diversion by then, and I don't know what they will be arranged to do." Colin thought.

……

"Admiral, Jack is probably at the end of his rope now. He has suffered heavy losses after several naval battles. If we have another chance, we should be able to eliminate him and get a bounty on him. His bounty is not low," the subordinate said attentively.

"Oh, yes, 1 Nomisma. The principality has been at war for years, and we can hardly pay the brothers' salaries. It's hard to say how much you can get from the 1 Nomisma by then." said General Hedram Bergs.

"Sir, if there are not ten thousand, five thousand will be fine. The higher-ups are also aggressive. Don't you see how much the quality of life of the people in the country has declined compared to previous years? The other fleets are just trying to make money. There is still a hint of the principality's navy. This is mainly a land battle. If it is a naval battle, I think only our fleet can pull it out. The admirals of the other fleets will be hanged."

"Don't talk nonsense! Don't talk about state affairs." It is enough for us to do our own thing.

"Sir Admiral..."

"Stop talking. Keep an eye on Jack's ship's movements and go to Hansen's Tavern more often. Maybe there will be new information."

……

Black Skull - Captain's cabin.

"Come on, brothers, let's drink this glass." Jack said drunkenly.

The recent setbacks made Jack want to get drunk. Before Armand and Jimmy had much to drink, Jack was almost drunk.

"Honey, eat something and try the braised herring I made." Rose said with concern.

"Yeah, boss, just drink slowly. Why are you drinking so fast?" Jimmy also said with concern.

Not to mention that Rose and Jimmy were trying to persuade Jack, but Armand's attention was not on Jack, but on Rose with envy.

Armand followed Jack to become a pirate when he was fourteen years old. Eight years had passed, and he had been working diligently, taking care of everything. Of course, Jack trusted him very much. But two years ago, by chance, he met Rose, a girl in a tavern. Armand felt that his spring had come. He prepared for a long time to express his love, but before he could say it, he found that Rose had already become a couple with Captain Jack. That night, Armand was smashing things in his room and was so angry that he almost fainted.

I feel like the mentality of following Big Brother Jack for so long has collapsed. Why would Big Brother Jack want to compete with me for a woman? He has all kinds of women. I was only attracted to him once, and there is no future.

From then on, Armand began to have some obscure thoughts. Although he seemed to be as obedient as ever and ran around for Jack on the surface, he knew best what he was thinking in his heart.

He glanced at Jimmy again, "Hey, this silly boy is still working for Jack."

"It will be soon. It will be soon. Rose will be mine sooner or later."