Lord: I can see loyalty.

Enjoy reading "Lord: I Can See Loyalty" and savor your reading time.

"As a soldier, I cannot..."

White Shark gritted his teeth, a sharp pain shooting through the wound on his face. Blood trickled down his cheeks, dripping onto the deck. He gripped the long knife in his hand tightly, his knuckles turning white.

But Vio didn't give him a chance to catch his breath.

He activated his breathing technique at full power once again. Although his dark skin could be concealed after reaching the second level, the immense power within him could not be hidden from a true master.

He stomped his foot, and the deck cracked open. He shot off like an arrow, hurtling straight at the white shark.

So fast!

The white shark sensed the danger, its pupils contracted sharply, and it raised its longsword to block, but it only managed to parry Vio's sword.

No, that's not the sword's edge, it's a feint!

Vio's sword suddenly changed direction in mid-air, slashing diagonally upwards at an angle so cunning it was outrageous.

White Shark could only lean back with all his might, the sword tip grazing his chin and shaving off a few stubbles that weren't even that long.

"What kind of swordsmanship is this?!"

The white shark was terrified.

He had received formal warrior training in the empire and had fought in the western border of the Kingdom of Rovia for many years, encountering countless sword masters.

But this young man in front of me, who is clearly just a count on the border of a small country, has a swordsmanship that is ruthless and terrifyingly skilled!

What's even more terrifying is that his speed... is actually faster than mine!

Vio didn't give him any time to think.

The first sword missed, but the second followed immediately, then the third, the fourth... The sword light poured down like a torrential rain, each sword aimed straight for the vital points, forcing the white shark to retreat repeatedly, leaving it no room to retaliate.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

White Shark parried with all his might, cursing Vio in his heart. His hands were numb from the impact, and several nicks had appeared on the exquisite longsword.

He glanced at the battlefield out of the corner of his eye; the pirates were retreating steadily. Although Jimmy was wounded, he and his knights held off the elite pirates.

Axel, along with the old pirates from the Black Pearl, slaughtered the pirates who boarded the ship, leaving none alive. Favorable positions were also occupied by crossbowmen and archers from the Southern Territory, each volley of fire taking several lives.

We're going to lose!

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he forcefully suppressed it.

No, not yet. Just wait a little longer, until...

"Ugh—!"

A long, drawn-out horn sounded from the sea.

The white shark's eyes lit up.

They've arrived!

He parried Vio's sword with all his might, then used the momentum to leap back several meters, landing on the ship's side. His gaze went over Vio's shoulder and looked towards the distant horizon.

There, another fleet is approaching.

Two large warships and five fast boats, their black sails billowing, and the ballistae on their bows gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"It's Lord Philip's backup plan!" the Gold Tooth Pirate shouted excitedly. "Hold on, men! Reinforcements have arrived!"

The pirates' morale soared, and their previously crumbling defenses instantly became even stronger.

Vio did not pursue them, but simply stood there, coldly watching the newly appeared fleet.

"Your Excellency!" Jimmy, clutching his wound, staggered over. "That guy was right, they really are Philip's reinforcements! We..."

"I know," Vio interrupted him, but the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

Jimmy was taken aback. The smile was clearly not the smile of someone in dire straits; rather, it seemed as if the situation was still under the Earl's control.

"Axel!" Vio suddenly shouted to the other ship.

"Here!" Axel cleaved a pirate in two with his sword and looked up to answer.

"Raise the signal flag!"

Axel paused for a moment, then grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "Understood!"

He turned and yelled towards the mast, "Raise the signal flag! The tallest, red one!"

The red flag slowly rose, fluttering in the sea breeze.

On the distant horizon, Philip's reinforcements drew ever closer: two large warships, five fast boats, and at least three hundred elite pirates.

With the existing forces in the Western Territory added, the Southern Territory Navy will face more than twice the number of enemies!

White Shark stood on the ship's railing, wiped the blood from his face, and sneered.

"Count of the Southern Border, your swordsmanship is indeed impressive. But you are too greedy. If you had retreated to the mainland earlier, you could have preserved your strength. Now..."

His words were cut short.

Because he saw the direction of the southern border, there was new activity in the village of Keslow.

There are only two ships coming this way.

But that wasn't a warship.

There seemed to be only a few figures above.

White Shark rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things. The two ships were much smaller than warships, but their speed was astonishing.

The ship's hull was covered with intricate patterns that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Several figures stood at the bow, led by an elderly man with white hair, followed by a young man and woman.

That's a magician!

The Western pirates looked at each other in disbelief. Having traveled for many years, they could easily recognize the attire.

"Damn it..." the gold-toothed pirate muttered, "There are magicians in this godforsaken place called the Southern Territory?"

"Everyone, don't worry! Maybe the Southern Territory is just bluffing! Besides, what can a mage do at sea? What's the difference between them and an archer?"

But White Shark's expression was grim. He could sense the danger these people posed, stemming from his fear of the unknown, magic.

Vio stood at the bow, watching the two ships get closer and closer.

Valentine stood at the bow of the ship, still with his usual unreliable demeanor, but now, bathed in sunlight, he actually possessed a certain air of a reclusive sage.

Behind him, Luca and Winnie gripped their staffs tightly, their faces showing tension, but even more so excitement. This was their second real battle.

"Vio!" Valentine's voice boomed, "Old man, am I not late?"

"Perfect." Vio smiled.

He raised his hand and pointed at the newly arrived fleet.

"Uncle Valentine, those pirates seem to look down on your magic. Let them see what real magic is."

Valentine simply sneered, turned around, and faced the two large warships.

He slowly raised his hands, his lips moving as he chanted an ancient incantation.

The sea began to churn!

These were not ordinary waves, but seawater rising rapidly, condensing, and transforming into columns of water that shot skyward!

"What, what is this?!" the Gold Tooth Pirate cried out in terror.

Valentine waved his hands, and the water jets seemed to come alive, rushing towards the pirate fleet!

boom!

A speedboat was struck by a jet of water, causing it to rock violently. Several pirates lost their footing and fell into the sea screaming.

Another warship was struck by the wall of water, its sails torn, its masts broken, and the pirates on deck tumbling into a heap.

Luca's chanting of the spell also rang out.

A fireball the size of a fist flew from his hand and landed on the deck of a speedboat, instantly igniting the piled-up ropes and barrels.

Flames shot into the air, and thick smoke billowed.

Winnie was not to be outdone. She began chanting a spell, and a fist-sized stone ball materialized out of thin air, hurtling towards the other ship.

Bang! A large hole was smashed through the hull, sending splinters flying.

The pirates were completely panicked.

The once-fierce reinforcements were now thrown into disarray by the turbulent waters of Valentine, their fleet scattered and unable to mount an effective attack. While Luca and Winnie's magic wasn't particularly powerful, its sheer number and harassment were extremely effective, forcing the pirates to fight on multiple fronts.

"retreat!"

White Shark had sensed something was wrong long ago and retreated to the last warship. He gritted his teeth and finally gave the order.

"My lord..." the gold-toothed pirate wanted to say something more.

"I said retreat!" White Shark grabbed his collar. "Can't you see? With that mage around, we can't even get close! Continuing to fight will only result in total annihilation!"

The gold-toothed pirate opened his mouth, but ultimately kept it closed.

The pirates felt no shame for fleeing, only relief. They charged and jostled each other in a chaotic manner, fearing they would be the next to be caught in the crossfire.

The retreat horn finally sounded, and they were as if granted a pardon. They turned their boats around and fled in panic.

As for the pirates who had fallen into the water, they could not be cared for and could only let them flounder in the sea.

Vio stood at the bow, watching the black sails recede into the distance, and the smile on his lips slowly faded.

"My lord," Axel leaned closer, his face still beaming with excitement, "so, what's next...!"

Vio paused, then looked towards the western border.

"Get the sailors ready, we're going to continue the pursuit! Even if they reach Frido Port, we'll catch up!"

Axel excitedly agreed and didn't ask any further questions.

On the sea, several fast ships from the southern border began to clean up the mess, salvage the pirates who had fallen into the water, and count the casualties.

The others cheered and prepared to give chase at full speed.

Vio turned to look at the ship carrying Valentine and his two apprentices, where the old man was giving him a smug nod.

"Thanks to you this time, Uncle," Vio said softly, a genuine smile finally appearing on his lips.