Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 406: Fruits of one work

Chapter 406: Fruits of one work

Blake finally laid eyes on the fruits of his relentless labor. With a slow turn of his head, he took in the sight before him—the fleet anchored in the bustling port of the Call. The salty breeze carried the scent of the sea and the distant sound of waves lapping against the hulls of the warships.

Seventy-nine vessels stood ready, their masts reaching toward the sky like the spears of an army poised for battle. And yet, he could not ignore the absent ships. Ninety-seven captains had cast their votes when choosing the High Admiral, but nearly twenty had not arrived in time. A shame, but not a disaster. Their absence , at least he hoped , would not change the course of what was to come.

Blake let out a slow breath, his fingers tightening behind his back.

They were more than enough. Blake could see it in the restless energy of the captains who had made it to the island—men eager for battle, their patience wearing thin with each passing day. And truth be told, he had no desire to wait any longer. Time was not on their side. The longer they lingered, the greater the risk.

The island was a fortress. But It could not withstand a siege, not with a population that despised its new masters. Between the steady stream of merchant ships that once filled its docks and the pirate vessels that now called it home, the people had made their preference clear. They merely endured the new order, waiting—perhaps even praying—for an opportunity to turn against them.

How long until they opened the gates for the oil-drinkers?

Blake exhaled sharply. No, they couldn't afford to wait. What they needed was an overwhelming victory, a crushing blow that would shatter any hope of the Romelians reclaiming the isle. The people had to understand that this was their new reality—whether they liked it or not.

The sandy shores of the Call were alive with the presence of the fleet. Captains and crews sprawled across the beach, their voices merging into a chaotic sea of laughter, murmured prayers, and hushed excitement. The salty breeze carried the scent of the ocean, but soon, it would be overpowered by the rich, metallic tang of blood.