Upon the gloomy sea, the flag of the Black Whale Group fluttered incessantly in the storm atop the mermaid ship.
Knee-high waterproof boots slowly tread across the blood-stained floor.
The flesh mage brushed back his thoroughly wet hair, carefully walked past over a dozen sturdy women, and finally approached a massive red sofa.
In front of the red sofa sat a tall, fiery woman with scant clothing and curly red hair, teasing those around her like a noble queen.
The flesh mage began:
"Big mama, I'm back."
Carol casually puffed on her pipe, seemingly barely noticing the little flesh mage before her.
The flesh mage hastily added:
"Big mama, the Flower Witch refused to join us, Blood Blade Pirate Group..."
Whoo! Carol exhaled a thick cloud of smoke,
"Get to the point! That witch lady, she wouldn't join us anyway, given we're mortal enemies. But what about the new Hunter that's appeared in the sea? I feel he fits quite well with the style of our Black Whale Group, much like my little Raven and the Black Plague Doctor..."
"Not him either."
The flesh mage replied calmly.
Smack!
The moment he finished speaking, a sturdy iron whip struck his face, splattering blood on the floor in an instant.
With an expressionless face, as if devoid of any pain, the flesh mage accepted it as punishment for his failure.
Endure it, it's just a minor mission, the punishment can't be too severe, and for many, being struck by the fiery big mama Carol is considered a reward... the flesh mage comforted himself internally.
However, the next second, he saw Carol's fierce, tiger-like expression.
Carol fiddled with the iron whip in her hand:
"Did that Hunter firmly refuse? If I give you another chance, a private one, to meet him alone, what are the chances he would join?"
Hearing this inquiry, the flesh mage fell silent momentarily.
The usually impetuous Carol was persisting on this matter.
Is this answer really that important... the flesh mage reluctantly replied:
"Ninety percent, I guess. If it's just the two of us privately, with my strength, seeing my flesh spell in an instant, he'd lack all confidence, coupled with just a touch of temptation, he'll undeniably be ours, and by then, Meat Cutting Bone Breaking would fold as well..."
"Ninety percent?"
Carol's lips slightly curved upwards, then she leaned back:
"Forget it, in my opinion, it's only fifty percent, unless you use violence. You simply can't overtake him, just like that little dark-eyed guy from the Sawshark. Only absolute violence can tame that Hunter. I'm very interested in this fellow.
Also, remember, don't kill him without my orders."
Saying this, Carol casually twirled her gun:
"Remember, this is an order, otherwise, I will use you to brew wine."
An order... A cold sweat broke out in the flesh mage's hand.
Why? Why did Carol want that Black Hunter so badly? Why? Was the Black Hunter's life more precious than his own? Or was it because the Black Hunter's charm exceeded his?
The flesh mage did not understand for a moment, feeling a twinge of jealousy.
To think, he, who was chasing power wholeheartedly, didn't even qualify to be Carol's lover!
"Forget it, this matter needs to be approached slowly. Without the Blood Blade Pirate Group, whether it's the Black Hunter or the Witch, this sea region will eventually be ours."
Then, Carol continued to ask:
"By the way, what was their reaction to this operation?"
The flesh mage answered truthfully:
"Lady Blood grieved as usual, and Fenrir, upon seeing the shell dragon at my feet, was struck with fear."
"I think, after this threat, the Blood Blade Pirate ships will quickly dispatch an exploration ship toward the Navy Research Base, and to save time, they'll definitely choose the shortest route, no, there are no safe routes there..."
Hearing the affirmative response, a faint smile curved Carol's lips:
"Good, good. Once the Blood Blade Pirate Group's ships join this battle for bait, everything else will be easy."
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Bait... An inexplicable chill emerged in the flesh mage's heart.
Because next, he would also be aboard the exploration ship, heading to the Navy Research Base!
He was to be the head of this exploration mission.
He clenched his fist and slowly asked:
"Big mama, may I ask, those exploration ships that entered the Navy Research Base before, what exactly did they encounter, so that we require the Blood Blade Pirate Group's involvement as so-called 'bait'..."
This mission, apart from enticing the Witch and Black Hunter, had another more crucial objective: to intimidate the Blood Blade Pirate Group into immediately joining this battle for control, sooner rather than later.
In the past three days, ten exploration ships that were supposed to return had been lost without a trace amid the ocean's waves.
To avoid further loss of combat strength, the Black Whale Group needed a powerful 'vanguard,' a significant 'bait.'
This warning was to turn the Blood Blade Pirate Group into 'bait' earlier.
"You really are a curious little cutie..."
Carol stretched her athletic, wheat-colored legs, cocked her head and gazed through the thick haze, over the gloomy, undulating sea.
The flesh mage also followed Carol's gaze towards the distant sea. In that moment, he almost heard the waves roaring like a dragon.