On the mist-covered sea.

Like a terrifying ghost ship from Hell, the pitch-black hull covered with seaweed and shells, reeking of decay, quickly approached, scraping the side of the pirate ship and tearing a large gash.

The ship's planks emitted a bone-chilling creak of unbearable weight.

Planks and grappling hooks were swiftly placed on the opposite side as pirates were violently shaken, unable to keep their footing.

Captain Hog landed steadily on the wildly swaying deck, as if on solid ground, rushing into the chaotic crowd of pirates, launching a slashing storm.

His swordsmanship was exceptionally skillful, his weapon in hand moved with the precision and swiftness of a viper, piercing every pirate's throat with effortless ease.

Following closely behind.

Were the zombie sailors, stepping on the planks and hooks, launching a boarding attack.

These water-swollen undead bore sinister smiles filled with malice toward the living on their faces.

At the forefront was a burly, giant-like zombie sailor, Hog's most loyal mate in life and death.

"Flay their skins, extract their guts, and delight our flagship with their blood!"

The mate roared in a hoarse voice.

The zombie sailors followed suit with low, eerie howls.

In the terrified eyes of the pirates, they boarded the deck one after another. A bold pirate decapitated a zombie sailor with a single sword swing.

However, it felt nothing, immediately swung its blade back, slashing the opponent's throat, the spurting blood soaking its headless body.

This scene utterly shattered the pirates' will to resist.

Despair quickly enveloped every pirate's heart.

The pirate captain's face turned deathly pale; he was a Caster wielding Extraordinary Power, fortunate to have studied ancient Witchcraft from tribal Witch Priests.

But even he couldn't fight against so many undead!

"Whether it's Sacred Fire, Crocodile God, Hapi, Poseidon... I beg you, quickly punish this terrifying evil."

"Shut up, you blasphemous fool!"

The pirates were in disarray, many hurriedly jumping into the sea; the shore was not far from here, and jumping in might not mean certain death.

A pirate shouted in despair: "We can't possibly kill these ghostly things!"

Actually, they could be defeated.

Captain Hog grinned, revealing a large gold tooth; there's nothing in this world that can't be killed.

Even the most terrifying oddities have a way to be resolved.

The crew on the Ghost Ship, as cursed beings, were actually tied to the "Ocean Disaster."

Once the item bearing the curse, the "Ocean Disaster," is destroyed, all the undead will be released; moreover, if the Ghost Ship itself runs out of magic power, the crew will lose the ability to resurrect infinitely, falling into a dormant state.

And replenishing the Ghost Ship's consumed magic power is actually simple — through rituals of blood and fear, the Ghost Ship can not only restore magic power but also shed decay and grow stronger.

Seeing the pirates already collapsing, Captain Hog strode over to the bow of the pirate ship, where a ramming horn supposedly made from a narwhal's tusk stood.

The narwhals of this world are nothing like in Losa's previous life.

They are vicious oceanic giants instead.

Many floating Sea Beast carcasses, gradually decaying under the blazing sun, were often their handiwork.

"Oh, you poor little thing, you're freed now."

Captain Hog affectionately stroked the pitted, scarred ramming horn, as if comforting a forlorn soul enduring hardships, unable to be freed.

"From now on, you shall follow the great Captain Hog and sweep the entire ocean."

"Of course, Paul won't be happy with you on my flagship, but I promise to dismantle you before I can summon Paul."

"Paul" was Captain Hog's affectionate name for his beloved pet, a Norwegian Sea Monster, a giant octopus.

At least half of Hog's notoriety as the Catastrophe of the Ocean was thanks to this similarly undead giant Sea Beast.

...

Losa's first breakfast at Eira Port satisfied him greatly.

The main course was a kind of Indian biryani introduced during the Abbasid Dynasty's rule.

It contained various spices, fruits, vegetables, and essential lamb, simply stir-fried with butter and then steamed.

The long-grain rice grown in Egypt was soaked in the lamb stew, allowing Losa, who'd accustomedly eaten bread since crossing over, to rediscover the happiness of having rice.

Hans sat opposite Losa, holding a piece of roasted bread with parsley, dipping it lightly in lamb gravy and savoring it in small bites.

They were discussing the current situation at Eira Port.

"The man who came to meet us last night, fluent in Gaulish, is the owner of Eira Port's largest shipyard, monopolizing nearly all shipbuilding in Eira."

"By the way, he also runs the North African slave trade, shipping textiles by sea there in exchange for gems, gold, and tame, loyal eunuch slaves."

Losa swallowed a mouthful of biryani and nodded, "Mm, this person can be retained. What about that bearded man who came with him?"

Hans said, "I was about to tell you, that guy is the leader of the largest gang in Eira Port, monopolizing almost all lending businesses inside and outside the city, with countless lands and estates at home."

"Usury?"

Losa tersely inquired.

"Of course."

Hans frowned, "There are countless who can't pay back, their lands seized, and their entire families sold into slavery."

Losa slightly nodded, "Good."

"We'll use him as an example, kill a chicken to scare the monkeys."

Hans hesitated a bit, "These people are quite powerful in Eira Port, and indeed suffered quite a bit of trouble from Zain Aladdin, they're probably genuinely submitting."

"The shipyard owner in front still controls a trade route and might be useful, but the one after him..."

Losa casually said, "I hate lenders, and besides, didn't you say they even dared not resist Zain Aladdin, so do they dare resist me?"

Hans nodded, "In that case, I'll get to it."

"Mm, let's follow the routine we used in Hebron, public trial, win the people's hearts, confiscate — and we profit."

With just a few words, a local powerful family's fate was sealed.

Without any outsiders present, Losa spoke very bluntly.

At that moment, a Winged Cavalry soldier strode into the room, reporting, "My lord, a broken galley is drifting toward the shore."

Losa picked up a handkerchief, wiped his hands clean of grime, "Does the ship have any distinguishing features?"

"A Double-headed Eagle flag is hoisted at the top of the mast — it's the same as your crest, but there doesn't seem to be anyone on board."

This was the pre-agreed signal between Losa and Hog!

Losa felt somewhat excited, "I didn't expect such quick results. This is our ship, send someone to guide it to dock."

...

Losa soon met Hog on the port's galley.

Hog wore a slightly ingratiating smile, "My lord, this ship can serve as a training ship for your coastal defense fleet. Unfortunately, it's badly damaged, meaning if it undergoes intense impacts, it might even disintegrate."

This kind of nearshore galley couldn't compare in structure to the great oceanic giants of the Age of Navigation, which could endure various bombardments.

The cost of crafting such a ship wasn't high either.

"But my lord, the trophy I offer isn't this ship, but the treasure aboard — they probably just plundered a merchant convoy and haven't yet hidden it."

Losa smiled, "Rest assured, I remember my promise to you, a portion of these treasures will be allocated for your upgrade."

Hog bashfully replied, "My lord, I didn't mean that."

Losa playfully punched Hog's shoulder, "Come on, if you didn't mean it, why'd you go through the trouble?"

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