touchnovel Chapter 203 The Three-Day Pact
Chapter 203 The Three-Day Pact
Chapter 203 The Three-Day Agreement
On the dock, the air seemed to solidify into heavy blocks of lead.
Oman's face went from ashen to flushed, then gradually faded to an unsightly ashen white. He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms.
Erm's resolute decision completely disrupted his plans. He had thought that his past relationship and the power of the dynasty would be enough to subdue Erm and even win him over as a capable assistant in the affairs of the archipelago.
But he never expected that Erm would go to such lengths for these islanders, whom he considered like ants.
Forced suppression?
Lady Dila does indeed need black algae, and she also needs manpower.
But if things escalate, leading to fierce resistance on Black Reef Island, or even if Erm really dies and the island falls into chaos, and the requisition mission cannot be completed, how will he explain this to Lord Dira?
At that point, let alone the chance to go to Aykar, I'm afraid I won't even be able to keep my current position.
Orman understood the mindset of those in power all too well; what they needed was results and efficiency, not trouble.
But if we back down now...
Looking into Erm's calm yet unwavering eyes, and at the islanders who stood behind Erm despite their fear, a tremendous sense of humiliation and anger almost overwhelmed his reason.
He represents the Eternal Night Dynasty!
It is a massive force that is about to rule the entire Boers Islands!
On a remote island, he was forced to retreat by his former brother who threatened him with his life?
If this gets out, he, Oman, will become a laughing stock!
Two conflicting thoughts battled fiercely in his mind, causing veins to bulge on his forehead and his breathing to become heavy and labored.
Time passed slowly, and every second seemed exceptionally long.
The islanders were so nervous they could hear their own hearts pounding, their eyes darting back and forth between Erm and Oman.
"Erm, you—don't force me."
Oman's voice was low and hoarse, as if squeezed out from the depths of his throat, carrying a sense of suppressed tension on the verge of losing control.
He stared intently at Erm, his eyes a mixture of anger, struggle, and a barely perceptible hint of pleading.
He hoped that Erm could understand his predicament and that Erm could back down gracefully, giving both sides a chance to catch their breath.
He can't back down, or at least he can't back down in such an ugly way.
But he dared not actually take action, lest things escalate to an irreversible point.
The phrase "Don't force me" was less of a threat and more of a test he threw out after a fierce internal struggle, a plea for Erm to give in on his own initiative.
On the dock, everyone's heart was in their throat.
The islanders behind Erm gripped their weapons tightly, watching his retreating figure with tension.
Erm could sense the genuine struggle and final hesitation in Oman's words.
Erm remained silent.
He saw the complex emotions in Auman's eyes and understood the meaning behind those words.
If he remains defiant at this moment, Orman may be completely enraged and take action without regard for the consequences.
If he were to back down even slightly, he might gain temporary peace, but the price would likely be more compromises and humiliation.
Time seemed to slow down again.
The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy smell, swept by and ruffled Erm's gray hair.
His hand gripping the staff was sore that his knuckles turned even paler from the force he exerted.
Finally, Erm took a slight breath, and his tense shoulders relaxed slightly.
He did not completely back down, but he was no longer in that resolute stance of mutual destruction.
"Oman".
His voice remained calm, but it lacked some of the tension it once had.
"The tides wait for no one; this is the law of the sea. Forcibly defying it will only increase casualties and will not benefit the dynasty's mission."
Three days, give me three days to prepare.
Three days later, at the next low tide, I will personally lead a group to collect black algae, to meet the dynasty's needs as much as possible.
He avoided the issue of the list and only provided a clear and reasonable solution for harvesting black algae.
This both adhered to principles and demonstrated a certain degree of cooperation.
Oman stared intently at Erm, his chest still heaving, but Erm's response clearly gave him a way out.
Although they couldn't get the list and the black algae immediately, Erm acknowledged the dynasty's authority and gave a specific timetable, which was better than a complete breakdown in relations.
"----good!"
Oman squeezed out the word through gritted teeth, as if he had used all his strength.
"Just three days! Erm, remember your words! If you don't see what I want after three days—"
He didn't finish his sentence, but the lingering threat remained in the air.
He glared at Erm, then swept his gaze over the tense islanders, as if trying to memorize their faces.
Then he turned abruptly and growled at his followers, "Let's go! We'll come back in three days!"
The large black ship set sail again, slowly departing from the Black Reef Island pier.
The black sails of the large ship finally disappeared below the sea level, and the tense atmosphere on the dock seemed to dissipate instantly, replaced by a sense of exhaustion after surviving a disaster and a deeper silence.
Some people's legs gave way and they collapsed to the ground, panting heavily; others began to sob softly, a natural release of emotions after intense tension.
However, Erm had no time to dwell on these emotions.
He slowly turned around, facing faces that were still shaken, filled with dependence and questions.
The setting sun cast his long shadow onto the rough dock, like a spine supporting the land.
"Everyone saw it."
Erm's voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying a weary yet undeniable power.
"The ships of the Eternal Night Dynasty will come again. We only have three days."
The crowd stirred, and unease spread like ripples on the water.
"Elder, are we really going to harvest black algae in three days? What about that list—"
One of the bolder young men couldn't help but ask, his voice filled with fear.
"The black algae must be harvested."
Erm's gaze swept over the crowd.
"But not in their way, not by using our lives to fill the gap."
We understand the patterns of tides better than they do.
Three days later, at low tide, the reef we are most familiar with will be exposed, posing the least risk.
He paused, then gently tapped his staff on the ground, drawing everyone's attention back to him.
"But the list will not be given."
This statement was made with absolute certainty.
"Once you're on the list, you're a slave to the Eternal Night Dynasty, and you'll never come back. We people of Black Reef Island can work for survival, but we cannot lose our freedom and become ants."
"But—Lord Orman, if he doesn't see the list in three days, what if—"
An elderly woman said with deep concern that she had experienced too much suffering and knew all too well the horrors of power.
When Auman was mentioned, Erm's eyes dimmed for a moment, but then became even more determined.
"Oman has his difficulties. He is burdened by the dynasty's mission and dares not let the island descend into chaos, which is why he accepted this three-day buffer period. But this buffer period is not for us to sit idly by and wait for our demise."
He looked up at the dark and rugged rocky forest deep in the island, which appeared particularly dark and precipitous in the twilight.
"We have three days to do three things."
"First, organize the most capable sailors and algae harvesters, prepare the tools, and three days later, I will lead them to collect as much black algae as possible using the safest and most efficient methods."
This is not surrendering to the dynasty; it is using our wisdom and labor to buy ourselves a chance to breathe, and it is also a way to prove our worth.
Without us, they wouldn't get enough black algae.
"Secondly, the elderly, women, and children began to quietly move to Eagle's Beak Gorge behind the island. The terrain there is treacherous, with numerous caves, making it easy to hide."
They also transported grain and fresh water in batches.
In case—in case the negotiations break down in three days and Orman turns hostile, we must ensure the continuation of the island's bloodline.
These words gripped everyone's hearts, and a somber atmosphere filled the air.
This means that Erm has prepared for the worst.
"third----"
Erm lowered his voice even further, with a resolute tone.
"Send two of the fastest boats to set off under the cover of night."
One group went to the northern Grey Rock Island to find the old chieftain Hak; the other took a detour to the southern White Sand Bay to find their fishing association leader.
Tell them what's happening here, tell them that the Eternal Night Dynasty has reached out to Black Reef Island.
Oman represented not just himself, but the dynasty's ambition for the entire Boers Islands.
Today it is us, tomorrow it will be them. We must unite, or the archipelago will never have peace!
As the islanders listened, their eyes gradually lit up with a glimmer of light, replacing the initial fear and confusion.
Erm did not lead them into a blind, head-on confrontation, nor did he grovel and submit. Instead, he pointed out a clear, difficult, yet dignified path:
Prepare for war, relocate, and seek aid.
This is the most rational and courageous choice a true leader can make in a desperate situation.
"Listen to the elder!" someone shouted from the crowd. "Yes! We'll listen to you!" "Prepare yourselves! We can't just wait to die!"
The crowd began to move, their steps still heavy, but they had a direction.
Soon only Erm and a few key figures from the island remained on the dock.
The sea breeze grew cooler, ruffling Erm's graying temples.
He gazed at the bustling crowd, then at the twilight descending and the turbulent sea beneath.
Three days.
These three days will determine the fate of Black Lagoon and may also affect the future of the entire Boers Islands.
He was not only dealing with Orman, but also engaging in a power struggle with the vast Eternal Night Dynasty.
Meanwhile, on a large black ship far from Black Reef Island, Auman stood by the ship's railing, his face so gloomy it seemed to drip water.
He recalled Erm's calm yet resolute gaze at the end, and the humiliation and unease in his heart did not dissipate but instead grew stronger.
"Erm—my good brother—"
Oman muttered to himself, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the cold gunwale.
"You gave me three days, is that just a delaying tactic? What are you really planning?"
He turned and whispered to his trusted aides, "Immediately release the homing seagulls and give Lord Dila a brief report on the situation here. At the same time, have the fleet patrol the waters surrounding Black Reef Island. Keep a close eye on everything; investigate every single bird that flies away! I want to see what tricks Tarm can pull in these three days!"
The storm hasn't gone away; it's just quietly brewing between the sea and sky. The real battle has only just begun.