Chapter 229. Spider
"Governor, although the current war is happening on home turf, the enemy's strength is too overwhelming. They have weapons we've never seen before. Our navy is barely holding on. We only have three Royal Titan ships remaining."
As Governor Daniel listened to his subordinate's report, his hands clenched tightly into fists, and the flesh on his jowled face twitched ever so slightly.
He had anticipated this day from the moment the first cannon was fired, but it had arrived much earlier than expected.
He had rather skilled men, but there was nothing they could do to defend themselves against the enemy's flying machinery. Embark on a quest to the commencement at n0v#lbin★
When a conflict escalated to a full-scale war, individual prowess mattered little unless one possessed strength on par with Julio, the Governor of Cat Island.
"Hire those guys from the Explorers Association and conscript every fishing and cargo ship. Recruit every able-bodied man on the island. According to the intercepted enemy telegrams, they're also struggling. It's a battle of reinforcements now."
"Governor, there are some debates going about on the island... Some believe we should surren—"
Bang!
Daniel smashed the wooden table, effectively cutting off his subordinate's words. His roar echoed through the room.
"Tell those cowards that as long as I live, the Isle of Whereto will never surrender!"
Daniel's chest heaved with emotion. Had those shortsighted people lost their heads after living a good life for so many years? If surrender were useful, he would have already done it.
In the Subterranean Sea, the rule had always been the winner takes all. Any benefits earned through subservience would be easily stripped away by the victor.
"Who's there?" Daniel suddenly looked up toward the door. When he saw Margaret entering the room, his stern expression instantly softened.
"Ah, my precious daughter. I heard from Jack that you have been doing exceptionally well at sea these past days."
Margaret's face displayed less naivety and more determination. The harsh realities of the brutal war had surely left a profound impact on her.
"Father, Brother asked me to bring this to you," the young woman handed a file to Governor Daniel.
"Hmph! Maybe that guy is too scared even to negotiate now. If this gets out, how will he ever hold his head up in the Northern Sea again? Let's go back. Your mother hasn't seen you both for a long time."
As soon as Daniel finished his sentence, he began to walk toward the cabin. Just a few steps in, he noticed his children rooted in their spots, their gazes fixated on the horizon behind him.
He turned around, and his eyes widened in surprise. A hazy, white light appeared on the previously dark, inky expanse.
As the light grew increasingly closer, everyone on board gaped in shock. It wasn't the searchlight of a vessel. Rather, it was a mechanical city spanning two to three kilometers in diameter.
Black smoke billowed endlessly from the chimneys on the high buildings. Complex metal gears formed the city's base, and ten gigantic metal legs stretched out from beneath the base into the dark sea.
The entire city resembled a massive spider. Hundreds of ships followed this enormous spider as it slowly advanced toward the Isle of Whereto.
In the face of this monstrous spider, the Royal Titan seemed nothing more than a mere toy.
"What... what in the world is that?! Even the most advanced turbines wouldn't be able to power a machine this size!" Jack shouted, his voice tainted with terror.
Daniel's neck creaked like a rusted bearing as he slowly turned to face his son. His face was painted with despair as he instructed, "Take your sister and run! Now!"
With a sharp thud, a brass box with a black lens dropped from the sky and landed right before Daniel.
"Heyyyyy. Isn't this the once overlord of the Northern Seas, Mr. Daniel? What's up with the pale look? Are you perhaps feeling unwell?" Swann's arrogant voice sounded from the brass box.
Daniel picked up the box and choked out his words with much difficulty. "Swann, you've won. The Isle of Whereto and the other two islands are now yours."
"HAHAHA! I'm so happy to hear that from you. I almost wanted to let you off," Swann replied with evident glee.
The lens of the box retracted slightly before turning toward Margaret. "Daniel, your daughter is such a beauty. I had planned to keep her for my own personal use, but unfortunately, she's a Cavendish. Looks like I'll have to send your whole family on your way together."
Bzzzzz.
A tube extended from the lower part of the mechanical city. A white light appeared at the tube's mouth and glowed brighter and brighter with each passing second.
"Have you forgotten the rules of the Explorers Association?! I've surrendered the islands! You must spare my family!" Daniel roared.
"The rules of the Explorers Association don't need to be followed anymore. They have lived way past their time. You have no idea of the marvelous technology I've acquired. With these devices, the sea is mine!" Swann declared triumphantly.