Chapter 112: Power
TL: Etude
A few seconds after swallowing the pill, Gaden felt a searing heat spreading rapidly from his abdomen throughout his body.
This feeling! This feeling
An indescribable sense of immense confidence surged within him, making him feel as though he could take on ten men, no, any number of adversaries without fear.
Gadens right hand clenched slightly, and he saw the veins on his right arm bulge alarmingly, his muscles swelling to an exaggerated extent.
He suddenly felt an intense heat throughout his body.
Ah the pirate leader yelled, throwing a punch at the table in front of him.
Gadens fist struck the corner of the solid oak table, which shattered like it was made of cheese, both the tabletop and legs breaking into pieces.
Due to the residual force, the table, now missing a leg, toppled to the ground with a clang.
The pirate leader looked at the table in disbelief. Under normal circumstances, it would have been his bones that fractured..
Apart from the sensation of striking something hard, his palm felt only a fleeting pain when he hit the table, and it vanished instantly. Gaden raised his palm to his eyes for inspection; it was neither injured nor swollen, everything was as usual.
After a moment of mild surprise, a thirst for violence surged within him: he wanted to kill, to wreak havoc, to unleash his newfound power.
Barnett, noticing Gadens transformation, muttered to himself, Hmm, I should have reduced the dose a bit, didnt expect his body to be so sensitive.
The pirate leader now looked ferocious, his stature having transformed from short and stocky to a hulking figure, his facial muscles contorting as if he were mad.
But Barnett calmly extended a hand towards the about-to-berserk Gaden, chanting something unintelligible.
As Barnetts arcane words filled the air, the frenzied look on Gadens face gradually faded, returning to normal.
Sorry, I didnt control the dosage properly, Barnett said with a shrug, showing not the slightest remorse.
Hearing this, Gaden, who prided himself on his intellect, didnt know whether to laugh or cry. Is it what I said today that led you to this conclusion?
Barnett shook his head, Its not just about today. Ive been observing you for a long time.
A chill ran down the pirate leaders spine: How long has this wizard been lurking around me without my noticing?
Barnett, noticing his fright, was very pleased with this effect.
Unlike Marltz Kent, a lord still nominally under the king and superior lords, pirates were inherently in opposition to the Kingdom of Ordo. Inciting Gaden to confront the kingdom was much simpler than dealing with Marltz Kent.
Moreover, this pirate leader was quite to Barnetts taste, as he had said, the least foolish one. Using fools might bring trouble that the secret sorcerers werent ready to expose to the world.
For someone he favored, Barnett preferred a more peaceful way of recruitment, like what he was doing now with Gaden, unlike the methods used against Marltz Kent. He was negotiating cooperation in a friendly manner.
Well except for that unfortunate fellow nicknamed Swordfish.
The problem was that Gadens strength was somewhat lacking, but this also meant greater dependence on Barnett.
Barnett decided to stoke the fire a bit more: Leader Gaden, do you want to know where Edward, the former top pirate of the Northwest Bay, went?
Edward? Where did he go?
Gaden was indeed curious. This pirate, who once commanded the Northwest Bay, disappeared at the beginning of the year with his fleet, sparking a series of disturbances in the region.
It was Edwards disappearance that led to the uncontrolled pirates breaking the rules. Shark even killed the old lord of Alda, and the new lord, Paul Grayman, vowed revenge. After annihilating Shark, he established a navy, swearing to eradicate all pirates.
Barnett said with a smile, Edward is now one of us, playing a crucial role elsewhere.
The pirate leaders eyes widened, Edward is cooperating with you?
Barnett nodded, Yes, and thanks to us, hes even more powerful than before.
Gaden fell silent, his head bowed in thought. After a while, he suddenly looked up at Barnett and said, Magician, lets talk about the specifics of our cooperation.