Several miles from the merchant ship
Seven to eight pirate vessels had split into two groups:
Half remained behind to block and observe, while the other half advanced toward their target.
They intended to make this a major haul—then lie low for a while.
Liyue Harbor's patrols had become increasingly strict, and piracy wasn't as easy as it used to be.
So before things got worse, they wanted a big strike.
If they captured a rich merchant, this raid would be a massive success.
While they were at it, the pirates planned to grab a few beautiful women as "rewards."
The pirate captain laughed loudly while signaling commands with his flag.
"Let's hope this haul brings us a few nice fat sheep!"
A quarter-hour later…
Four pirate ships drew nearer and nearer to the merchant vessel—
until they were within ten meters.
Hook after hook flew across the gap, clamping onto the merchant ship's rails.
They were preparing to board.
The captain of the merchant ship, clearly not the brave sort, surrendered immediately
raising a white flag and abandoning all attempts to flee.
If the pirates wanted only money, maybe the passengers could still survive.
Most ship captains and sailors wouldn't be harmed, the pirates believed them too worthless to bother killing.
But the passengers panicked instantly.
Families trembled, especially men with beautiful wives or daughters.
Wealthy merchants grew pale, whispering and clutching their valuables.
The deck filled with cries, curses, and chaos.
Inside one of the private cabins, however, Lory and his group sat calmly
unbothered by the panic.
Even Noelle's worry was for the civilians, not for herself.
Meanwhile
Several miles behind the islands, approaching from the opposite direction…
A large-scale fleet surged after the pirates.
Its sails bore a familiar symbol: The Crux Fleet.
A powerful, armed fleet operating out of Liyue Harbor
and among all its ships, one stood above the rest:
The flagship "Alcor," better known as the "Death Star."
Today, the entire fleet was gathered, targeting the pirate vessels directly.
On the deck of the Alcor—
A woman with long black hair stood at the bow, gazing through a spyglass.
Even with her bangs covering one eye, her sharp red gaze left nothing unseen.
After a moment, she lowered the spyglass, her expression turning fierce.
"Brothers! The time's about right—MOVE OUT!"
With a sharp kick to the helmsman's backside, she barked:
"Haishin! Move faster!"
"Aye aye! Captain Beidou!"
The helmsman slapped his chest. "With my skills, no problem! We'll be on them in no time!"
"Hmph. You'd better!"
The woman—Beidou, the notorious "Uncrowned Lord of the Ocean"—strode across the deck with charismatic dominance.
"Chongzai! Tell the other ships: same plan as always
Bomb the rear ships first!"
"Xuliushi! From the lookout tower—report enemy positions clearly!"
"And Kazuha! First priority is protecting civilians!
Only after that—wipe out every last pirate!"
At the final name, her tone softened slightly.
Standing nearby was a handsome youth:
White hair tied into a short ponytail, two ahoges sticking up, with a streak of red matching his eyes.
His half-worn kimono and red maple patterns clearly marked him as not a Liyue native.
He calmly wiped the blade at his side.
"Don't worry, Captain," he replied gently.
"I will not allow any civilians to be harmed."
His confidence came from strength.
Kaedehara Kazuha, newly taken in by the Crux Fleet, had been shown kindness by Beidou after a difficult period.
Grateful and respectful, he saw the fleet as a temporary home.
The crew trusted Beidou's judgment
if she believed in the young samurai, they would too.
Beidou laughed heartily and clapped his shoulder.
"I know you've got the skill!"
With that, she returned to the bow and raised her arm.
The Crux Fleet responded instantly, accelerating into position.
Lookout Xuliushi gave precise coordinates, and artillery crews made swift adjustments.
Beidou's roar cut across the wind
"FIRE!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A barrage of cannon fire erupted.
Flaming shells rained down on the rear pirate ships.
The pirate vessels guarding the back had no warning—
They were obliterated instantly, sinking into the sea with barely a scream.
Some pirates leapt into small boats, desperately rowing away.
The pirate captain, initially furious—thinking a rival crew had ambushed them—
looked back, saw the Crux Fleet's flags, and nearly wet himself.
Beidou's reputation as the "Dragon-Slayer of the Seas" was legendary.
No sane pirate would dare fight her.
All thoughts of resisting vanished.
He shouted for retreat and fled with his closest men, abandoning the rest to die.
The pirates scattered like frightened birds.
Beidou snorted coldly.
"As if I'd let you all run so easily."
With a swing of her flag, the Crux Fleet closed in from all sides
a net tightening around the helpless pirates.
"Close the net!
Haishin—FASTER!"
"Y-Yes, Captain!"
The Alcor surged forward like a thunderbolt
a streak of black and crimson slicing across the waves.
Ahead, the four remaining pirate ships were still trying to board the merchant vessel.
But Beidou was coming.
And nothing survived when the Southern Cross descended upon its prey.