Woosh!

Several small galleys rapidly sped through the waves of the coast.

Each vessel contained a total of 30 rows, 15 on each side. The rowers were the former Winter Storm Pirates and the residents that had occupied the Winter Storm’s islands.

“Heave! Ho!”

A knight and a dozen soldiers from the 7th regiment were shouting their orders on the narrow deck, but the rowers continued to row diligently without speaking a word. Rather, they seemed to be trying way too hard for people who were once pirates, or sympathizers.

But there was a reason for their obedience.

The Governor-General of Leus and the 7th regiment’s commander had pardoned them all with the authority granted to them by the emperor.

Naturally, they weren’t given complete liberty without a price to pay.

Starting with Captain John Myers and the Swordfish, the pirates were sentenced to become the “Winter Storm Labor Force” under the orders of Alan Pendragon, with his authority as a duke and governor-general of the empire.

One of the dominators of the inland sea had become mere laborers overnight, but no one dared to express their dissatisfaction.

On the contrary, they were thankful that they did not share the same fate...