Chapter 836 Battle
Chapter 836 Battle
After a week of sailing from Jowa, they arrived at an island near Malac. Chris, the leader of the mercenaries, peered through his binoculars and cautioned Abigail, "These islands are notorious pirate hotspots, especially with this thickening fog. We need to stay vigilant from tonight onward!"
"Absolutely! Protecting the Queen is our duty!" The deputy leader, Abe, quipped. He was young and enjoyed flirting, but since he couldn't flirt with Sage, he turned his attention to Abigail.
Abigail smiled at him. "In that case, I shall entrust my safety to you, Abe."
Taken aback by her statement, his enthusiasm surged. "Certainly, my Queen!"
Having encountered his fair share of women, Abe realized that Abigail was the only one who could engage with his jests while maintaining seriousness.
"What do you mean by 'my Queen'? We're just here for a business deal."
"Yeah, it's our duty to protect her. You're not trying to steal all the glory, are you?"
"You rascals, enough with the banter. The one who brings back the most pirate heads will earn favor with the Queen." Chris stowed the binoculars away and scolded playfully, prompting everyone to join in the banter.
As night descended and the dense fog settled in, Abigail found herself unable to sleep. She glanced at the navigation line, eagerly anticipating the reunion with Xavien and the others in a few days. Unable to resist, she peered out of the window.
Such a vast sea with freezing temperatures… Gosh, Sean must've suffered a lot.
Abigail averted her gaze, feeling a pang of sorrow that made it hard to catch her breath.
Despite the initial anticipation, the first night passed without encountering any pirates, as did the second. By the third night, with still no sign of pirate activity, everyone began to relax slightly.
They were still a day's journey away from Xavien's island. The progress was slower than Abigail had estimated.
"Everyone must stay extra vigilant tonight," Abigail warned Chris.
"Yes. After three days of silence, they likely think we've lowered our guard," Chris responded, his expression grave.
It was late into the night when Abigail couldn't sleep again. Glancing out of the window, she caught sight of a distant, faint light. She immediately shouted, as soon as she sensed danger, "Stay alert!"
Before the sentence had fully left her lips, the ship lurched abruptly. Abigail swiftly dressed, armed herself, and rushed outside. She arrived just in time to hear Chris swearing, "D*mn scoundrels! Rise and arm yourselves to take some heads!"
Having anticipated the pirates' arrival for days, the crew reacted with excitement rather than panic as they hurried to the deck. Abigail was about to join the crowd when Simond stopped her. "Stay here. This is the mercenaries' job!"
"Are you attempting to make me back down?" Abigail questioned coldly.
It was not the right time yet, or else she would have sent him to the afterlife, too.
"Pirates are my enemies too." Abigail's gaze turned icy.
Hearing that, Simond let her go. Abigail dashed to the deck, just as their ship collided with the pirates' vessel. Without a word, both sides immediately opened fire. The echoes of shots filled the air.
Finding cover behind a pillar, Abigail took the opportunity amidst the chaos to incapacitate a few pirates attempting to board their ship.
Just as she felt somewhat relieved, Simond lurked behind her, covered her mouth, and yanked her into the ship's cabin.
"You can't keep doing this! Just because I let you take down the first one doesn't mean you should risk yourself," Simond admonished, concerned for her well-being.
Abigail slapped him and pressed the gun against his forehead. "Who are you to order me around? My affairs are none of your business, and you're just a coward who's afraid of death, so don't get in my way!"
"Do you want to die here? Did you even manage to rescue Luna Smith?" Disregarding the pain on his face and undeterred by her gun, Simond shouted with anger boiling within him.
Abigail narrowed her eyes at him, hesitating before lowering her weapon.
"Will killing a few more pirates truly avenge Sean? Look at yourself. Have you forgotten that you have to live on?" Simond questioned, breathless from his outburst.
The sound of gunfire and explosions persisted outside. Amidst the chaos, Abigail began to regain her composure. Indeed, she had been consumed by hatred. In the past, she wouldn't have even considered such actions. But now? She was courageous enough to think and act for herself. NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
As the pirates outside continued their assault, Sage appeared and led Abigail into a room, served her a glass of water, and whispered, "I understand why you're hostile to us, but once this is over, we can resolve our differences."
Abigail scoffed, "Resolve our differences? Are you for real? I never laid a hand on your father. It was you who betrayed me, bound me, and manipulated Sean to his death. Both Sean and I are innocent
in this, yet you think we can just reconcile?" Abigail's eyes blazed with fury.
Sean might have fallen into this part of the sea!
"Your words mean nothing without evidence! You have to prove it!" Sage shot back sharply. "You're capable of lying to save yourself. Everyone knows that!"
"I will never try to prove myself in this lifetime!" Abigail declared.
"What is it do you want, then?!" Sage asked coldly.
Abigail aimed the gun at her forehead. "I want you guys dead. How about that? For what befell Sean, I'd like you to pay for it with your lives!"
Her eyes were bloodshot, tears threatening to spill like blood from her eyes.
At that moment, Sage finally comprehended her anguish.