Chapter 333:

Chapter 333:

TL: Etude

Night had already fallen. At the warehouse district of the Port West, Viscount Dillon was still leading a group of officials, overseeing the transportation of supplies.

Two days ago, he had just entertained another fleet from the Northwest Bay – Quik’s fleet had arrived last month, and the fleet that arrived yesterday was led by a captain named Tilbits.

The Northwest Bay fleet had once again delivered a large supply of goods. Since the second half of 1991, they had been delivering goods to Port West almost monthly.

It was now December, and the city had just experienced a light snowfall. In a small house, Viscount Dillon and several officials warmed themselves by the fire, watching through the window as laborers loaded the goods from the warehouse onto wagons.

With the onset of winter, the stalemate between the kingdom’s army and the rebels continued. The demand for supplies from the front lines was becoming increasingly urgent. Both sides were stubbornly holding on, seeing who would falter first.

Viscount Dillon had been busy these past two days. Finally gathering a convoy, they moved to the port area to load supplies overnight, planning to depart for the front lines early the next morning.

The fireplace burned brightly, warming the small room. A pot hung over the fire, cooking meat cans from the Northwest Bay. The viscount and his officials ate their supper, drank wine, and discussed various recent events in the city. Gradually, the conversation turned to a terrifying incident that had occurred at the port two days earlier – the assassination of Navy General Pike. It was called a terrifying incident because its process was beyond imagination.

The annual Day of Descent was approaching. General Pike had held a banquet at his home, inviting many friends from the military, planning to drink to their heart’s content. However, an unexpected incident occurred during the party.

The specifics of the incident were officially sealed, but due to the presence of many witnesses, numerous details leaked out, leading to wild and bizarre rumors throughout Port West. There were even claims of witchcraft being involved.

An official sitting next to Dillon, with a mysterious air, said, “My brother-in-law serves as a guard in General Pike’s residence and witnessed the entire incident. Do you want to know what happened?”

“Stop beating around the bush and just tell us,” someone urged.

Curiosity clearly overrode the order to keep the incident under wraps, even Viscount Dillon tacitly allowed the official to continue.

Savoring the eager anticipation in his colleagues’ eyes, the official took a deep breath and began to whisper about that night, though it was uncertain if the story had been embellished.

That evening, at the peak of the banquet, when the wine was flowing freely, two servants carried in a roasted whole ox, the main dish of the feast. The general and his guests, holding their plates, gathered around to cut meat for themselves.

Just as everyone crowded around, one of the servants carrying the ox suddenly revealed a sinister smile and loudly said to General Pike, “General, Captain Edward sends his regards.”

Before anyone could understand what was happening, the servant suddenly grabbed a carving knife and stabbed it into General Pike’s chest with lightning speed.

Others also looked outside, seeing flames soaring into the sky in the distance.

“That’s... in the direction of the port!”

Dillon was speechless. It seemed like one disaster after another in Port West these days.

“My lord, should we go help put out the fire?” an official asked Dillon. It was already night, and they had the manpower.

Dillon shook his head, “No, the port has its own fire prevention team. We shouldn’t add to the chaos. Let’s go out and see how much has already been loaded and ensure the laborers don’t scatter.”

As they stepped out of the house, they heard a commotion coming from the direction of the fire.

At first, they thought it was the cries of those fighting the fire, but soon they discerned the sound more clearly—it was unmistakably the sound of battle.

Everyone started to panic.

“Everyone, stay calm! Officials, organize the laborers, no running, no shouting.”

Dillon loudly ordered the captain of the city guards guarding the warehouse, “Captain Mark, have your soldiers enforce martial law. Execute anyone who causes trouble on the spot.”

Despite not knowing exactly what was happening, it was definitely bad news. As the highest-ranking official in the warehouse district, he had to take responsibility.

Under the strict control of the guards, the laborers finally calmed down. Dillon immediately sent people to find out what was happening at the port.

Half an hour later, after an anxious wait, the scout returned, covered in blood and panting heavily.

“Lord Dillon! Captain Mark! It’s bad news.”

“What happened?” Captain Mark grabbed him and poured some wine into his mouth.

“Pirates! The pirates have attacked!”

Everyone was shocked.