The manor within the town is engulfed in shadows after the sunset.
Outside, the sunset's glow continues to cast on Sivier's face.
Sivier asked Heinrich, who followed her, "What happened?"
"The Disaster Pirates have pulled back their offensive; we can see them retreating from our frontlines," Heinrich said.
"Retreat?"
Sivier furrowed her brows, "Why would they retreat now? The destruction we caused isn't enough to make them back off—is something happening with the Disaster Pirates?"
"No, the supervising team hasn't heard anything related. From up above, it looks like they're regrouping at a landing point—could they be planning a full-scale attack?" Heinrich asked.
"Let's prepare for defense in advance; if it's a full-scale attack, we need to be ready for withdrawal too..."
Sivier sighed, "The reality is, we are not equipped to face off against those Pirates."
Though reluctant to admit, this was the undeniable truth before them.
The most powerful Heinrich could only contend equally with the leading Magician and Strange Monk; over prolonged engagement, he'd still be defeated. As for the Shadow Mage, it's impossible to approach closely and rely only on aerial maneuvering.
As for personnel quality, even with her ability boost, they still fall short of the battle-hardened Pirates. Otherwise, they wouldn't be attacking weak spots while dodging encounters.
For a full-scale attack now, the only tactic is to scatter, hide initially, then find opportunities to retaliate later.
They had faced full-scale attacks before, but being familiar with the island allowed Sivier to quickly disperse her troops until the assault ended. It was unrealistic to remain in one place continuously as the consumption was immense.
They would definitely disperse; the Disaster Pirates' approach is total domination, meaning occupancy in every town and village, giving them chances when the forces scatter.
That's how they've fought so far, and it's the same this time.
However, they mustn't underestimate them; whenever the Pirates launch a full-scale attack, Sivier feels like she's dancing on a razor's edge. If the Disaster Pirates capture their King again, the hard-won state of affairs would completely collapse.
"Go inform them, and also other Kingdom soldiers resisting with us. Have them comply with orders uniformly, led by major leaders to enter the deep mountains, temporarily avoiding the Disaster Pirates," Sivier said.
"Understood, Lady Saintess, but they..."
Heinrich looked toward the manor, "They'd already complained last time, not wanting disruptions again. Besides, this town is part of their assets, if abandoned..."
"I'll go and persuade them; the gains or losses of a town, when necessary, must be forsaken. The lords aren't oblivious either, otherwise I wouldn't be in this position today. It's all for the nation; they'll understand."
With that, Sivier turned and walked into the manor again.
Watching Sivier entering the manor, Heinrich reached out to stop her, but his mouth opened, unsure what to say.
Lady Saintess... We don't need aristocratic leadership, just your salvation.
But speaking such words would be too treasonous, he couldn't say it aloud, knowing that the Lady Saintess deeply respected those nobles.
Having fought the Pirates for so long, sometimes he envied them, able to act without reservations, saying whatever they wished.
The shadows above the manor deepen as the sun sets further, like wings fluttering on the roof, resembling a giant fly. Compared to the manor, Sivier appears small, yet when sunlight shines on her back, she seems sacred.
A seemingly perfect manor, buzzing with activity.
Outside, a heart devoted to the nation, perhaps flawed.
But a perfect fly is still a fly. A flawed warrior remains a warrior.
Lady Saintess...
Heinrich clenching his fist, muttered to himself, "We will surely achieve victory!"
...
At a landing point on Hyrule Kingdom's northwest side, camps were set up, and Pirates gathered orderly, each wielding weapons and chatting with vicious smiles.
Though some stomachs growled with hunger, they merely patted their bellies, gazing towards the sea, without expressing dissatisfaction from hunger.
Supplies were burned; townspeople sold them grain, though most avoided selling, citing not wanting to betray Lady Saintess.
Fearful of Sivier's deeds, those terrified did not conceal much, openly spoke up, prepared for robbery.
Under strictures, Pirates refrained from robbing; they had no warm regard for them either.
They revered Governor Sage, not genuinely refraining from plundering civilians; adhering to rules was commendable enough. As for mingling... that's post-subjugation by Sage.
Feeding so many Pirates was problematic; Moriah initially embraced Hawkins' strategy—to launch a full-scale attack, forage from enemies, then feign defeat, inciting internal conflict.
The issue was Sage didn't agree and personally brought supplies.
"Failure."
Inside the tent, Moriah drinking a hot cocoa, took a spoonful of salted caviar in her mouth. Her iconic menacing smile appeared at the corners, mixed with traces of anger.
"Getting Sage to come personally is a failure! We could've secured victory!"