Lucifer: The Swamp Fruit

The next day, the coastline of Fish Scale Island was crowded with people, all members of the Black Serpent Merchant Guild. They had gathered because Wilder, their number one boss, had given an order.

Today, they were opening the shipping lanes.

Cannon after cannon was wheeled onto the scale-like flatlands by the shore, set up, their supports and braces secured. The members stood ready, a solemn atmosphere spreading.

Opening shipping lanes didn't mean forging some unprecedented path; it was literally about carving a passable route for ships through the sea.

Fish Scale Island was surrounded by hidden reefs, making it extremely difficult for outside ships to pass. This was one of the main reasons why such a large island had so little contact with the outside world—the reefs had blocked all the "roads." Medium to large ships simply couldn't get through. Add the dense fog, and one could imagine the frustration or aversion every ship passing through this area must have felt.

The only reason Wilder and his crew had been able to enter was by forcing their way through. With a ship full of individuals, each possessing the power to cleave mountains and shatter stone, it was naturally simple for them. However, "simple" only applied to clearing a path for their single ship. To truly develop, all surrounding reefs had to be leveled. Such a task couldn't be accomplished by one person alone, especially since they needed to control the destruction to avoid damaging the island itself.

"Are the personnel on the perimeter ready?" In the temporary headquarters office, Wilder, who hadn't yet moved, sat with his left leg crossed over his right. His expression was calm yet thoughtful as he addressed the Den Den Mushi on the desk. Of course, his thoughts had nothing to do with opening the shipping lanes.

"Everything is ready," Claire's sweet voice replied.

The "perimeter" referred to the sea area beyond the fog bank. To prevent the upcoming commotion from attracting too much attention, Wilder had specifically ordered a group to guard the waters outside Fish Scale Island's fog circle. If anyone was spotted, or if any ships "inadvertently" passed by, they were to be intercepted and eliminated on sight.

A total of twenty small to medium-sized ships, laden with cannons. Each was manned by ten crew members and equipped with a cannon at both bow and stern. Those facing the island were to assist in clearing the shipping lane; those facing outwards were for contingencies—that is, to engage if necessary. Additionally, Claire, a high-ranking officer, was present to command and provide top-tier combat support for security.

Hanging up the Den Den Mushi, Wilder rose and walked towards the shore of Fish Scale Island.

Clearing the surrounding shipping lanes was a massive undertaking. Today's task was merely to clear one-fifth of the reefs on the island's eastern side. Three other directions remained, and it would likely take over half a month to finish everything.

When Wilder arrived at the shore, the already prepared crowd instinctively fell silent, their gazes uniformly turning towards him, a mixture of respect and fear in their eyes.

Besides the original Black Serpent crew, some island residents were also present. Some were merely curious onlookers, while others held genuine anticipation… hoping that this group, responsible for the terrifying slaughter on their island, could truly achieve what they promised—clearing the reefs and opening the shipping lanes.

Upon seeing Wilder approach, the island residents, who had been clustered together and murmuring, instantly quieted down. Although Wilder hadn't participated in the slaughter and hadn't shown his face—even now, he was still clad in a black cloak, additionally wearing a red mask adorned with a black serpent design on its edge—the terrifying aura he exuded still caused an involuntary hush to fall wherever he passed.

The rhythmic thud-thud-thud of his footsteps sounded, each step falling with a measured cadence, leaving dead silence in his wake. Some residents didn't even dare to breathe loudly. A few curious children might sneak a peek, but they would quickly bury their faces in their chests again.

His footsteps ceased. Wilder sat down on a scale-like stone platform, just large enough for one person, one leg bent, the other dangling down, facing the reefs below and the white, churning surf crashing against them.

"If you're ready, begin," a calm, low voice issued from beneath his mask. It wasn't loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

The Black Serpent members tensed, then roared in affirmation: "Yes, sir!"

The cannons were adorned with red sashes patterned with black stripes. Each cannon was brand new. What gratified Wilder was that these cannons were manufactured by their own R&D. The armaments factory had been "established" long ago when they took down the Bronson family. Coupled with the skilled workers on this island, after such a long period of development, this deficiency had finally been addressed.

The Bronson family's original armaments factory didn't produce cannons but specialized in guns and bullets. Their few existing cannons didn't meet market standards. After the Black Serpent took over, they had no choice but to recruit personnel skilled in this area from outside to fill this crucial gap in their arsenal.

Currently, the Black Serpent didn't produce many cannons, nor did they export them. In terms of power and range, thanks to his knowledge from a "previous life," Wilder had offered some "guidance" before production—just a few suggestions. He'd made some minor, almost insignificant changes to this world's traditional cannon craftsmanship. Overall, they were a notch or two better than what was commonly available on the seas.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A dense barrage of cannon fire erupted, the roar deafening. White smoke billowed from the muzzles, quickly dispersed by the wind.

SWOOOSH...! Trailing long, sharp screeches, hundreds of cannonballs of uniform size flew out simultaneously. The scene resembled a torrential downpour—a downpour with explosive effects!

The spectacle was breathtaking! Especially for the island residents, this scene was almost unimaginable! It was impossible to tell how many volleys had been fired. Towering plumes of water shot into the sky from the sea surface, falling here only to rise there, without pause. Black or dark green reefs were blasted to smithereens, fragments scattering or being launched skyward. Occasionally, shrapnel flew towards the shore, but the well-prepared Black Serpent members deflected or sliced it apart with their long swords.

"Hahaha! This cannon fire feels amazing!"

"Yeah, so satisfying!"

"Long barrels really make a difference!"

"Because the barrels were lengthened, their range was significantly greater," a Black Serpent member exclaimed, his voice still filled with excitement and thrill.

After a dozen or so volleys, this stretch of sea had become completely murky. Just as the cannon fire subsided and the shattered reefs began to sink…

Suddenly! A colossal shadow burst forth from the sea near the shore! Its massive, ferocious body could only be described as blotting out the sky. A huge maw filled with fangs was already open, and a foul stench instantly washed over the shore. Everyone stared, horrified, their bodies frozen.

They watched helplessly as the enormous mouth, rocketing up from the depths, rapidly closed in on the figure seated on the scale-like platform, one leg bent, the other dangling towards the sea.

Time seemed to slow to a crawl... … Finally… the figure was swallowed in one gulp!

"Gulp."

It was unclear whether it was the sound of the massive creature swallowing its meal, or someone else involuntarily swallowing their saliva. In any case… that sound was unnervingly clear in that moment.