Port Royal on the island of Jamaica was an important port city in the British Empire just three months ago. It was once the most dazzling pearl of the British Empire in the Caribbean. It was also the time when the British defeated the Spanish and began to move from there. Brilliant proof of maritime supremacy in the hands of many parties!
But now all this has become a thing of the past!
Because Port Royal no longer belongs to the British three months ago! Now, it is the capital city of a new witch force called the Cult of Fire.
So far, there is no one in the entire Caribbean who does not know about the Fire God Cult and witches. Whether in the New World or in Europe, people are gradually starting to talk about the pagans who have occupied the city. Those flags have the Five Flowers Society. Five fireball cultists with moving flame pattern.
It is said that the church has worked hard to connect European countries and plans to organize a new maritime crusade? Use a huge fleet and military power to teach those witches and let them know that the dignity of the church cannot be offended?
However, the Crusade and other maritime expeditions may definitely be out of the question within a year and a half.
After all, the efficiency of things in this world is not that high, and preparations for large-scale military operations are not that simple to complete. And the troubles caused by plundering colonies between countries cannot be solved by the church in a short time. You can straighten them out and unite them within yourself.
Therefore, they decided to temporarily let the witches who were entrenched in Port Royal and destroyed the British Caribbean Fleet continue to play for a while...
Now, at last, the port of Port Royal is once again becoming extremely prosperous.
In the port, merchant ships of various national styles and flags can be seen everywhere, both inside and outside. The employees on the dock are also busy loading and unloading various goods and supplies. However, they are now mostly unloading goods, loading very few goods, at most only some necessary supplies.
Ever since the news about the high-priced bounties issued by the witches who occupied Port Royal spread throughout the Caribbean, all kinds of businessmen, like sharks that smelled the fishy smell, gathered in ships from all over the place and directly issued special bounty missions. The mission's Port Royal office was packed.
Here in the port office, businessmen or ship owners from various countries gathered noisily, whether they were French, Spanish, Dutch or even British! There are even a few famous pirate leaders mixed in among them?
In this day and age, merchants living on the sea, no matter whether your Port Royal is owned by the British or witches, as long as there is money to be made and a lot of gold coins to take, they can make them work for you!
As long as the benefits are tempting enough, such as encountering a poorly armed fat sheep at sea, a businessman who prides himself on being upright can change his profession and become a pirate in a matter of minutes! What's more, is this a legitimate transportation job now?
In short, in one sentence, as long as they have enough money, people like them dare to do anything! Now it's just to accept the witch's bounty mission and help them buy a few ships of goods, let alone that.
As for working for witches, are you afraid of being retaliated by the British?
That would be even funnier. Anyone who is not blind can see the rows of huge and ferocious warships parked on the other side of the Port Royal Military Zone!
It is said that those warships were captured directly after the witches wiped out the Caribbean fleet. They have been parked in the military zone of the port for almost a month, right?
There are rumors that the witches are now having a headache about what to do with these ships! You know, these witches, they don't have enough captains and sailors to sail them.
So, under the current circumstances, how can the British dare to take revenge before they understand the truth of the facts and the witches' falsehood?
Not to mention the British, now, here in the Caribbean, even Spanish, French or Dutch warships, when they want to pass by Port Royal, they deliberately avoid and go in a big circle. Yes, what I'm afraid of is accidentally provoking the terrifying witch and causing unnecessary trouble.
Since the witches occupied this place, Port Royal has become more and more prosperous. The witches and these merchant shipowners have formed a mutually beneficial situation: the witches rely on the merchants to obtain various urgently needed supplies, and the merchants also obtain various urgently needed supplies from the witches. They earned a huge amount of gold coins, and the citizens of Port Royal even made more money than they could have imagined from the arriving sailors.
After all, merchant ships always have to load and unload cargo after arriving at the port, and they often stay there for several days. Those crew members always have to eat, drink and have fun, right? Not many merchant ships that have unloaded their cargo are willing to leave empty, so you have to bring some souvenirs, right? This inadvertently boosted the economy of Port Royal, making the place prosperous.
If we just talk about the flow of merchant ships, it is at least several times higher than when the British occupied it!
This can be seen from the port piers, because now more than 20 simple wooden piers have been built for small and medium-sized sailboats to unload and dock!
However, even under such circumstances, the port of Port Royal was still extremely crowded. Many ships had no choice but to anchor directly outside the pier, relying on those small boats to continuously load and unload cargo. .
"Hi! How are you? Old Billy? What mission have you taken on recently?"
A bearded old man, smelling of alcohol and dressed as a captain, walked over with open hands, stepped forward and gave a big hug to another old captain who was supervising the sailors hoisting supplies on the pier at the dock.
Their boat was docked on both sides of this largest and best stone pier. That's because their ships happen to be huge merchant ships, and they have recently helped the witches transport a lot of supplies, so they are naturally qualified to use this largest and best unloading dock.
"So it's you! An old drunkard? Tsk tsk, the smell of alcohol on your body is still so strong!"
After the two hugged each other warmly, they even patted each other on the back before they separated. Then Old Billy began to pay more attention to the old friend in front of him.
"My mission is still the same, providing luxurious building materials and recruiting a group of workers who can sculpt. What about you? What mission have you taken on?"
They all knew that the witches planned to build a majestic palace outside the city, so almost all transportation tasks recently were related to this matter.
"Me? Haha! I took over the task of making a whole ship of paint!"
The drunken captain wiped the wine residue from his beard and gestured with his hands proudly.
"Raw lacquer? It's hard to get this thing..."
Old Billy frowned. Of course he knew where to get raw paint. He had seen this mission before.
Although the reward for this task is very high, he thinks it is too long and a round trip is too time-consuming. Is it not very cost-effective? Therefore, after much deliberation, in order to take on more tasks and earn more money, he gritted his teeth and gave up the task, and instead took over the task of acquiring luxury and precious building materials.
"Normally, it's difficult to get it, after all, the place of production is too far away! But... I recently had a friend who happened to know where such a batch of goods could be found, and the price was only 60% of the usual price! So... , Haha, you know."
The old drunkard smiled proudly at Old Billy, winked, and gave the other person a look that both of them could understand. As he spoke, bursts of unpleasant smell came out of his big, generous lips. Smells of alcohol.
"Haha...I understand, I understand!"
Old Billy looked at his old friend angrily and patted him hard on the shoulder.
This bastard must have acquired such a batch of raw lacquer from some pirate, right? What a bargain for this old bastard, to find such a bargain at this stall!
You know, when pirates sell goods, they usually sell them for only 60 to 80% of the normal price, sometimes even less! In this way, it is not difficult to imagine how much profit the drunkard in front of him can make after this trip.
"Okay, okay! Let's not talk about these annoying things for now! Now I'll treat you to a drink! My treat! Drink as you wish! How about it?"
This old drunkard who had always been stingy became extremely proud after making another windfall. It seems like he must have made a lot of money recently?
"Drink..."
Old Billy frowned and thought for a while, mentally estimating how long it would take for his merchant ship to unload and load supplies.
Because, he knew from experience that once he goes drinking with this old drunkard who has no taste for alcohol, he will be hungover for at least a day or two! At that time, if you miss the best date to leave the ship, it will be very bad. After all, time now is equivalent to shiny gold coins!
"Get out of the way! Get out of the way! Everyone, get out of the way!"
While Old Billy was weighing in his mind whether to accept the old drunkard's invitation, groups of cavalry in red cloaks rushed towards the stone pier where they were standing.
Behind these cavalry, there were hundreds of ordinary silver-armored soldiers holding muskets. These foot soldiers are not full-body armor like cavalry, but only have silver breastplates with flame patterns and a silver open helmet. They also carry a shield behind their backs and a short sword at their waists.
In the past three months, especially after the previous annihilation of the Caribbean Fleet, the strength of the witches has once again made great progress!
More and more citizens began to believe that the witches were powerful enough to continue to develop in the Jamaica Islands, so more people chose to join the Fire Cult.
Therefore, in just three months, Charlotte already has more than a hundred fighting witches under her command, plus more than a thousand knights from the Guardian Knights. The outside world also calls them the Flame Knights. .
Then, there are nearly two thousand ordinary soldiers. These ordinary soldiers are also called flame soldiers by the citizens. They were equipped with daggers simply enchanted with flames, iron shields with five flame patterns on their backs, a musket, and some ammunition at their waists.
Most of these ordinary soldiers were converted from British soldiers after being captured. Anyway, the witches have captured nearly ten thousand prisoners. Among them, the most indispensable ones are those who only work for money. There’s grass on the wall! They often only need to slightly adapt and change their attire, and they will soon become people under the command of the Flame God Cult!
Those who refused to do this are still working as coolies on construction sites outside the city! Until someone comes to redeem them, I'm afraid they can only continue to work. How can these young people who take refuge in witches live comfortably?
"Whose are these two merchant ships? Now, sail out of here immediately! This place has been temporarily requisitioned!"
Mary Chaska reined in her horse a little unfamiliarly, and stopped dangerously in front of old Billy and the old drunkard.
It has only been less than three months since she started practicing horse riding. To be able to reach this level without knocking the two of them into the sea is already quite good!
"Sir, sir? These two ships belong to us. Excuse me, did something happen? Why do we need to requisition the dock?"
This happened suddenly, catching the two of them off guard.
Because both of their ships have just started unloading cargo, and if they have to change the dock again, they will waste at least a whole day.
"Don't ask any questions! Now, move your ship to the dock over there immediately!"
After Mary took off her helmet, she glared at the two of them fiercely.
Then, she held her red helmet in one hand and pointed to a wooden temporary dock in the distance that was still empty. Things are a bit urgent now, and she doesn't want to waste time here with these two ship owners, otherwise, Sister Charlotte will definitely punish herself!
"Yes, yes! We're leaving right away! Let's leave now!"
After seeing the angry witch on the horse, the two of them quickly bowed their heads in response.
Then, they turned to greet their sailors, untied the cables tied to the dock, and prepared to move their cargo ships to the low temporary dock in the distance.
"Who is in charge here? Come out quickly!"
After sending away the two old captains, Mary began to look around anxiously and shouted questions.
This time the time was very tight and the task was very arduous, and she seemed to have never had similar experience before, so she couldn't help but be nervous!
She had just received an order, and she had to take care of everything at the dock before dusk arrived.
After that, more people will rush towards the dock. Today's mission is very important to the witches and the Flame God Cult, and there is no room for any mistakes on her part!
"Dear Priest Mary, I am Charlie, the port chief officer here. May I ask, how can I serve you?"
At this time, a middle-aged man with a gentle appearance hurriedly walked out of the crowd of onlookers and gracefully took off his hat to Mary Chaska on the horse.
Of course he recognized the attire of Mary and the other party, the red armor and the golden flame cloak. Those were the special armor and cloak for the goddess priests in the Fire Cult! It is said that there are only four in the entire Flame God Cult? Therefore, it is impossible for him to make a mistake.
He, Charlie, was originally a down-and-out little aristocrat. Later, relying on his aristocratic appearance, he managed to become a steward of the wharf in Port Royal, and his life was worry-free. However, if you want to get rich or get promoted, it is definitely hopeless.
However, after the witches occupied Port Royal, he saw the opportunity and immediately transformed himself and became one of the first believers to surrender to the Flame God Cult!
Then, of course, with his experience and knowledge, he got the job of port officer, managing the entire port and all civilian docks. As a result, not only did his salary double, but even gray income made him rich quickly.
Therefore, now when it comes to the degree of support and loyalty to the Flame God Cult, perhaps, in the entire Port Royal, he is one of the highest group of people!
"Oh? It turns out it's you... That's easy to handle! Now, I hope you will clear up all the debris from the pier to the city gate before dusk! Moreover, there are fifty meters on both sides of this road. No one is allowed to get close inside! These soldiers behind me will assist you, what’s the problem?”
Of course Mary knew this Charlie Herbert. He was one of the earliest believers of the Flame God Religion. Now, he also had a high reputation in the Religion.
It is said that he also has strong management skills and is loyal to the divine religion. Unfortunately, he is a man and too old. He can neither enter the witch academy to study magic nor join the army of the divine religion. With his qualifications, maybe he can only be a missionary in the future? Or rule a place as a governor?
Anyway, Mary also knew that Sister Charlotte would not be satisfied just by occupying Port Royal. She had seen that Sister Charlotte had drawn a big red circle across the entire New World. By then, this Charlie There's definitely a place for it.
"As you wish, respected priest! Soon, I will take care of everything."
Charlie bowed again and turned around to leave. He planned to summon his group of men and then quickly assign tasks.
This kind of thing is too easy and simple for him. Before dusk, he will definitely be able to exceed the task!
This action of the divine sect was very unusual. Although he had a vague suspicion in his heart, he was so wise that he did not ask any more questions.
Having been in the officialdom for many years, he would not be stupid enough to ask his superiors why they do things. For him, it is the right thing to immerse yourself in doing things, so as to leave a good impression on his superiors that he knows how to do things and can do things!
Moreover, he is very confident in the development of the Flame God Religion! Now, he is very satisfied with the speed of development of the divine religion. In addition, his current status in the divine religion is not low, so he is very excited about his future achievements!
Although he did not know the saying that political power comes from the barrel of a gun, he also understood that if the Flame God Cult continued to develop continuously and steadily, with the extraordinary power of the witches, with their fanatical beliefs and magic, this Everything in the world will be unstoppable!
Now Charlie Herbert has long dismissed his original identity as a minor British aristocrat!
What he wants is those higher and more noble existences! You know, this new continent is very big, and this world is even bigger!
