booktalesy Chapter 206 Unknown Fate
Chapter 206 Unknown Fate
Chapter 206 Unknown Fate
This is a test, and also an effort to secure the maximum living space for the island in a desperate situation.
The islanders behind him gripped their weapons tightly, their palms sweating, anxiously awaiting a response.
All eyes were on Oman.
Seagulls circled above the fleet, emitting sharp cries that only served to accentuate the deathly stillness and tension of the moment.
The satisfied smile on Oman's lips seemed to deepen slightly.
He slightly raised his hand, silencing the barely concealed restlessness of the archers and sorcerers on the ship's side behind him.
"very good."
Oman's voice remained steady, yet carried an oppressive sense of control.
"Then let me see just how far Black Lagoon can go. Begin, Erm. Show me your sincerity."
He didn't mention the list, nor did he launch an immediate attack. Instead, he passed the buck back, temporarily turning a potential bloody conflict into a demonstration of "efficiency" and "sincerity."
The pressure has returned to Erm and Black Lagoon.
The faint flame of hope in Erm's heart flickered uncertainly.
Orman didn't act immediately; this might be an opportunity, but it could also be an even crueler cat-and-mouse game. Was he waiting for the Black Reef islanders to lower their guard?
Or do they really only care about the efficiency of black algae collection?
In any case, there is no other choice at the moment.
Erm turned to face the islanders waiting anxiously on the dock, his gaze sweeping over each familiar yet resolute face. He took a deep breath, his voice steady and powerful: "Algae harvesting team, get in the water! Use the methods we know best, watch out for the currents, and ensure safety!"
His command, like a stone thrown into a still lake, broke the suffocating silence.
The algae harvesters, who were already prepared, picked up their specially made tools and headed towards the treacherous reef area covered with slippery black algae that was exposed after the tide receded.
They moved with practiced skill and coordinated with each other, but each of them had a wary look in their eyes, glancing frequently at the massive fleet on the sea.
To be or not to be, the initiative seems to be temporarily out of our hands.
All they can do is try their best to meet each other's demands, while praying that this fragile balance will not be easily broken.
Erm, meanwhile, turned his gaze once more to Oman on the bow of the ship, trying to discern his true intentions from those deep eyes.
The sea breeze continues to blow, carrying an air of the unknown and danger.
The algae harvesting team members exchanged glances, took a deep breath of the salty sea breeze, and resolutely stepped into the icy water.
They have been dealing with this sea area for many years and know how to maintain their balance on slippery reefs and how to avoid hidden whirlpools and sharp reef edges.
Soon, the skilled harvesting began, and clusters of dark black seaweed were carefully cut off and placed into the waterproof basket they carried with them.
Throughout the process, the atmosphere on the dock and in the reef area remained tense.
The islanders' focus shifted back and forth between the hardworking algae-gathering teams and the silent fleet at sea, never daring to slacken their efforts.
Erm remained standing on the high place, his staff tightly gripped, like a guardian deity, but his self-aura never left Oman.
Time slowly passed amidst silent labor and wordless confrontation.
The algae harvesting is progressing well; the people of Black Reef Island have indeed done their best. However, it will obviously take a considerable amount of time to collect enough to meet the needs of a fleet.
As the sun rose higher, the fog on the sea dissipated, and the details of the Eternal Night Dynasty's fleet became clearer.
The silent soldiers, the gleaming crossbow bolts, and the sorcerers who appeared and disappeared beneath their black robes were like swords hanging overhead.
Auman stood quietly at the bow of the ship, the scrutinizing satisfaction on his face gradually fading, replaced by an elusive calm, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible fatigue.
He would occasionally raise his hand to signal, seemingly listening to the whispered reports from his subordinates behind him, but most of the time, he simply watched in silence.
As the seaweed harvesting team's baskets gradually filled and the first batch of seaweed was transported back to the dock and piled up on the open ground, Auman finally spoke again.
His voice was still amplified by the magic, but it seemed to have lost some of its previous oppressive quality, replaced by a businesslike indifference: "The efficiency is acceptable. Erm, it seems Black Reef Island truly knows how to deal with the sea."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the black algae piled up on the dock before returning to Erm.
"These can serve as the first batch of tribute. But—"
This "but" made all the islanders' hearts jump again.
"The Eternal Night Dynasty's needs go far beyond this. The dynasty is determined to obtain the black algae in this sea area. And the manpower capable of efficiently collecting them is equally crucial."
He didn't mention the "list" directly, but the meaning was crystal clear.
Erm's heart sank. What was bound to happen had finally arrived. He stepped forward, his voice steady yet unwavering: "The people of Black Reef Island can work, can pay tribute—this is the price of survival, we understand. But we are not slaves. We will not write our names on a list of people at the mercy of others, whose lives are not in their own hands. This is the bottom line, Oman."
A suppressed murmur of approval rose from the dock.
Although the islanders were terrified, no one was willing to back down on this bottom line concerning freedom and dignity.
Oman looked at Erm, at the islanders whose eyes, though filled with fear, remained resolute, and remained silent for a moment. The sea breeze ruffled his robes.
"The bottom line —"
He repeated the word softly, as if savoring its meaning. His own light seemed to transcend Erm, projecting into the depths of the island, towards the hidden caves.
Then, he did something that surprised everyone.
He slightly turned his head and whispered a few instructions to a black-robed follower behind him. The follower bowed, accepted the order, and quickly withdrew.
Oman looked at Erm again, his face no longer showing the satisfaction or scrutiny he had shown before, but only a deep, almost indifferent calm.
"Erm, I've heard your bottom line. But the will of the dynasty cannot be defied."
"Today, I'm taking these black algae with me. The matter of the list—will be put on hold for now."
These words stunned everyone, including Erm. Postponing? What did this mean? Was it a delaying tactic, or—
Orman offered no explanation, but continued with an undeniable resolve: "From today onward, Black Reef Island will have to pay a fixed monthly quota for black algae. I will leave a small team to assist and oversee the harvest. If the quota is paid on time and in full, the island will remain safe."
His so-called "assistance" and "supervision" were actually stationing and monitoring.
"If anyone disobeys—" Oman's gaze suddenly turned cold as he swept across the entire dock. "Gray Rock Island is a cautionary tale."
,
After saying that, he waved his hand without waiting for Erm's response.
Several medium-sized ships separated from the fleet and slowly approached the dock, clearly there to receive the black algae and leave behind personnel.
Oman gave Erm one last deep look, his gaze complex and unfathomable, as if it contained countless unspoken words.
Then he turned around and went back to the cabin.
The massive flagship began to slowly turn around, and most of the other warships followed suit, as if they were really about to leave!
The crisis seems to have been temporarily alleviated in an unexpected way.
There was no bloodshed, no immediate enslavement. But everyone understood that this was by no means the end.
The shadow of the Eternal Night Dynasty has already materialized, leaving behind the tentacles of surveillance and the sword of monthly tribute hanging overhead.
Black Reef Island was temporarily spared destruction, but it lost true freedom.
The days to come will be like walking on a knife's edge, struggling to survive under the watchful eye of the Eternal Night Dynasty.
Erm watched the fleet's main ship gradually disappear into the distance, his brow furrowed.
What is hidden behind Auman's seemingly yielding move?
Why did he suddenly change his attitude?
What kind of turmoil lies hidden deep within those seemingly calm eyes?
The sea breeze still blows, carrying away the massive fleet, but leaving behind deeper doubts and a heavy future.
The fate of Black Lagoon has entered a new, more complex and uncertain phase.