Chapter 436 -436-Resetting the Rules
After entering Cloudspire Harbor, John immediately began establishing a new set of rules.
All surviving residents on the main island were not to be harassed by the pirates.
The civilians living on the surrounding islands were to be treated the same way.
Everything was to remain as it had been before.
Anyone who dared violate these rules...
would die.
Afterward, John began reviewing the postwar statistics.
The greatest gain from this battle was, without question, Cloudspire Harbor itself.
It was an enormous island with an exceptional geographical location, making it extremely suitable for commercial development.
More importantly, it possessed a large shipyard, a major cannon factory, and an almost complete military-industrial system.
Not only could these facilities make up for the losses John had suffered in this battle, they could also continuously provide him with more warships and artillery in the future.
In other words...
this was the first true step in John’s pursuit of maritime supremacy.
From this moment onward, he was formally declaring to the various Maritime Kingdoms that—
John had entered the struggle for dominance.
...
After occupying Cloudspire Harbor, John did not remain there for long.
He left part of his fleet behind to govern the city, then took the main force and began advancing toward Esca City.
At this moment, the Lather Kingdom’s capital still had no idea that Cloudspire Harbor had already been completely lost.
They never imagined that John had already seized it.
As for why John’s next target was Esca City...
that was because he had received a message from Holly.
Holly was currently staying in Esca City.
She sent him a message.
"Guild Leader Brother, I want Esca City to fall under our control."
"I’ll make sure Esca City puts up no resistance."
"You can just bring your fleet over and take control of the entire city."
Naturally, John trusted Holly.
And being able to obtain an entire city without shedding a drop of blood was undoubtedly an enormous opportunity.
Esca City’s status was even higher than Cloudspire Harbor’s.
Even within the entire Lather Kingdom, it ranked among the top three cities.
It was also home to the Craftsmen Academy, the headquarters of numerous merchant guilds, and many other important institutions.
There was even a Naval Corps force permanently stationed there.
If John could take control of all of that...
his military strength would rise dramatically.
...
When John’s fleet reached the waters outside Esca City, he sent a ship ahead to allow Holly to return.
Then, without the slightest attempt at concealment, he openly surrounded the city.
Esca City was indeed completely different from Cloudspire Harbor.
There was no sign that they intended to resist John at all.
The Naval Corps fleet did not mobilize.
There were no defenders stationed on the city walls.
Everything in the harbor continued operating as usual.
John simply led his fleet directly into the port.
The harbor remained extraordinarily peaceful.
He could even see Naval Corps soldiers going about their normal duties.
They merely glanced curiously at John’s fleet before returning to their work.
John, who had only just captured Cloudspire Harbor...
was now docking his pirate warships alongside vessels belonging to the Naval Corps.
The sight was absurdly strange.
And yet...
that was reality.
John sensed no hostility from Esca City.
So he ordered the pirates not to make any reckless moves and entered the city with only a group of elite subordinates.
...
At the City Lord Mansion, John met Holly’s parents in this world.
It was obvious that Holly’s parents here spoiled her to an almost incomprehensible degree.
Otherwise, simply because of Holly, they would never have shown absolutely no caution or hostility toward a pirate like John.
John was almost a little envious of Holly.
Although this was only a tournament world...
the love her parents showed her was undeniably genuine.
Even if that love was somewhat excessive.
"So you’re the great chief of the King’s Edge Pirates?"
Holly’s father looked at John with a faint trace of inexplicable hostility—the kind that existed specifically between men.
He carefully scrutinized John before slowly saying,
"I’ve heard about your deeds from my daughter."
"Starting with just a single battleship, you became the strongest ruler of the waters of two kingdoms."
"And now you’ve even captured Cloudspire Harbor..."
"You are a rare talent."
"A genius."
"A born ruler."
"Someone who only appears once in centuries."
John remained silent and continued listening.
But then Holly’s father, Warren, suddenly changed his tone.
"However..."
"I don’t care how great your achievements become in the future."
"Even if you become the Overlord of the seas!"
Holly’s father spoke sternly.
"Even if you become the most powerful emperor in history, ruling over every Maritime Kingdom..."
"If you ever treat my daughter badly..."
"then even if it costs me my life, I won’t let you off!"
John remained expressionless.
But inwardly, he gave a bitter laugh.
What the hell was this?
Why did this suddenly feel like a son-in-law meeting his future father-in-law?
Weren’t they supposed to be discussing the handover of a city?
How had the atmosphere changed this much?
John had no choice but to nod obediently.
"Hehe..."
Seeing John’s awkward expression, Holly secretly giggled.
This was the first time she had ever seen her seemingly invincible Guild Leader look so uncomfortable.
"As for handing Esca City over to you..."
Holly’s father finally returned to the main topic.
"I heard that your condition is for everything to continue operating as usual."
"The only difference is that the city must provide you with whatever resources you require, unconditionally."
John nodded.
"Correct."
"I have no other demands."
"Very well."
Holly’s father, the Lord of Esca City, smiled.
"I accept your terms."
"But if you ever treat Holly badly in the future, I’ll still turn against you and fight you."
If anyone else had said to John—
I’ll betray you in the future, so you’d better watch yourself—
John probably would have slapped them to death on the spot.
But this was Holly’s father.
What could he possibly do?
He could only sit there and listen obediently.
John practically fled the City Lord Mansion in embarrassment, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
Esca City had fallen into his hands far more easily than expected.
And yet...
he couldn’t shake the feeling that something about this entire situation was strange.
John shook his head.
Whatever.
He couldn’t be bothered thinking about it anymore.
...
Now...
John controlled two cities.
Cloudspire Harbor.
And Esca City.
It was also worth mentioning that the commander of the Naval Corps stationed in Esca City happened to be a member of Holly’s family.
As a result...
that Naval Corps force automatically came under John’s command as well.
John’s strength rose once again.
At the same time, he began preparing a comprehensive conquest plan.
His first order was directed at the shipyards of both cities.
All existing business was to be suspended.
Their priority was now to produce as many small assault boats as possible.
He also ordered the ammunition factories to massively increase the production of gunpowder barrels.
The battle for Cloudspire Harbor had made John somewhat addicted to siege warfare.
The tactic had worked so well that he wanted to recreate the miracle.
Both cities possessed large-scale shipyards.
With John providing all the necessary resources...
they could produce around a hundred small assault boats every single day.
As for the merchant guilds...
John established a new set of rules for them as well.
They were free to conduct business.
But they had to follow the rules.
For example, John introduced a tax-offset system.
Taxes owed on each transaction could be paid in the form of materials instead of gold.
Wood.
Gunpowder.
Slaves.
Wood would be used to build ships.
Gunpowder would be used to replenish ammunition and manufacture explosive barrels.
And the slaves...
would be used to train more pirates.