Chapter Four: A Hero Saves the Maiden?

On the deck of the Imperial England cruiser, an officer held a monocular to study the pirate ship. Once they were within cannon range, he closed the telescope and issued a direct order: "Solid shot, fire!" With the command relayed down the ranks by the signalmen, the cruiser, already battle-ready, unleashed its fury broadside at the pirate vessel.

One by one, the cannons lining the cruiser’s hull spat out iron shot, recoiling back through their gunports with each thunderous blast. Unfortunately, the distance was too great; not a single shot struck its mark, the accuracy abysmal.

"Get closer! Since the English are coming to us, let’s charge right up and engage them at close range. Let them witness the resolve of our Wood Elf warriors!" Su Yun Yun, seeing the English fire first, relying on their greater cannon range, swiftly ordered her crew to bypass the enemy’s broadside and close in.

"Adjust course. Move to intercept," commanded the cruiser’s officer, noting the poor hit rate and the pirates’ reckless approach. He ordered his ship to move closer as well.

The two gunships’ bows drew nearer across the waves. When the silhouettes of those aboard became clearly visible, both vessels pivoted simultaneously, presenting their broadside—armed with the majority of their guns—toward the enemy. At extremely close range, both ships moved forward at nearly equal speeds, each seemingly intent on blasting the other into submission.

"Fire!" At Su Yun Yun’s sharp command, the pirate ship, smaller and more agile, completed its turn first and unleashed a full broadside. Eight cannons thundered in rapid succession, and the gunners began reloading with practiced speed.

At such proximity, the accuracy soared above eighty percent. The English cruiser was battered, splinters flying everywhere; two gun positions were completely destroyed, and the gunners there were obliterated, their bodies reduced to fragments.

Unflinching in the face of his ship’s carnage, the cruiser commander adjusted his vessel and ordered a return volley. The broadside from over a dozen cannons dwarfed the pirate ship’s destructive power. In an instant, several gaping holes pierced the Wood Elf pirate ship, its timbers groaning and creaking ominously.

Meanwhile, Sun Li, the young noble held hostage, was bewildered by the commotion outside. Suddenly, an iron shot tore through the wall before him, missing his face by a hair’s breadth and smashing through everything in its path within the hold. Sun Li was stunned, feeling the searing heat brush past him, beads of cold sweat instantly covering his brow as a thousand curses thundered through his mind.

"Damn it! I’m just sitting here quietly as a captive, and a giant iron ball nearly takes my head off. Are they trying to kill me for fun? No way—these huge shots are clearly from large-caliber naval cannons. Even if my battle aura is strong, one hit and I’ll be saying goodbye to this world. I can’t keep playing dead; this risk is too high!" Sun Li raged at the heavens, realizing that if he kept this up, he’d end up dead. No longer caring about exposing his abilities, he unleashed his battle aura to break the ropes binding him and dashed toward the deck. He had to find out what was happening if shells were already penetrating the hold!

Along the way, the Wood Elves were too busy fighting to notice the sudden appearance of their prisoner. Unhindered, Sun Li soon reached the deck and was met with a scene of chaos: wounded sailors screaming, cannons roaring, and carnage everywhere. The pirate ship’s mast had been partially severed by chain shot from the cruiser, its speed sharply reduced. The Wood Elves were clearly on the losing side; the cruiser had taken several hits but remained largely intact.

Yet, why hadn’t the English fired grape shot? As Sun Li pondered, the English commander, confident in his advantage, ordered, "Move in, prepare to board! Capture these Wood Elves alive—they’re worth a fortune. Tell the men: anyone who brings in loot gets forty percent of the proceeds. Let’s get everyone moving, haha!"

Nimbly sidestepping corpses, Sun Li approached the Wood Elf pirate captain, Su Yun Yun. Watching her command amid the enemy cannon fire, he felt a pang of sympathy—such a beautiful girl forced to shed blood on a brutal battlefield. What tragedy had the Wood Elves endured to bring them here?

"The enemy is an English warship. Looks like they’re about to board. You haven’t much time," Sun Li remarked in a deliberately mysterious tone.

Su Yun Yun, frowning at the unfavorable situation, was startled by the voice behind her. Turning, she saw the prisoner who should have been in the hold grinning cheekily at her. Fury welled up inside—at such a dire moment, this useless noble was still mocking her. Once again, Su Yun Yun misinterpreted Sun Li’s words.

"You’re a captive—you should stay in the hold. If the English board us and mistake you for one of us pirates, you’ll be killed alongside us. Let’s see if you’ll still be smiling then. I don’t know where you get the confidence to stand here spouting nonsense. Either go back, tie yourself up, and wait for the English to rescue you, or stay here and die with us!" Despite her annoyance, Su Yun Yun’s kind nature kept her from wanting to see the innocent young lord slaughtered. She used a provocation, hoping he’d understand and return to the hold, where he might be spared by the English.

Hearing this, Sun Li quickly realized Su Yun Yun meant well. Since the beauty was advising him kindly, he had to respond. Striking a pose he thought was cool, he declared shamelessly, "Miss, when the English board, have your people fall back. Watch as I clear out the enemy and seize their ship. If you fall for me after, don’t forget to let me know—I’m very reasonable, you know, haha."

Su Yun Yun’s face instantly flushed crimson—whether from anger or something else, it was hard to say. She spat, "Shameless!" and turned away, refusing to acknowledge Sun Li further. If this arrogant young lord wanted to die, so be it—she could only wish him luck. Truly an incorrigible egomaniac!

Su Yun Yun had lost all hope in Sun Li’s character, firmly branding him as reckless and oblivious, and continued to command her faltering crew amid the battle.