With that, some of the soldiers took the captain and the rest away..... while Ian proceeded to the last floor below.

The entire floor was like a dungeon.

And there, they found numerous prisoners all packed into different prison cells like sardines.

It was so packed that there wasn't even squeezing space within them.

And right away, Ian and his men could get the strong scent of several dead bodies within some of the prison cells as well.

Obviously, some of these people had died due to Oxygen deprivation..... as well as lack of food too.

They all looked haggard and boney as if they were skeletons or something.

What the hell?

Weren't these people feeding them at all?

Seeing Ian and the rest approach, many of the slaves didn't know who they were or why they were here.... as they couldn't recognize the military clothing that these people wore?

At first, the prisoners were scared, but after assuring them numerous times..... Ian finally opened up the cell doors and led them towards the deck.

Ian looked around and found that the other 6 enemy ships that surrounded the lead enemy ship.... also had numerous slaves on deck as well.

Ian saw the leaders of the other units, who were now addressing the hostages.

It looked like everything had been finally taken care of.

Nodding to himself, Ian turned around and faced the panicked people before them.

There were children within the group, as well as adults (people above 15) thee too as well.

So first off, he decided to start with the hostages that he had just rescued.

"We come from a newly formed empire within the Pyno continent, called Baymard.

Some of you May have already heard of us, while others might have not.

But either way, we mean you no harm.... and are only here to rescue you all.

Our leader, His majesty Landon Barn.... has given you all the option of joining Baymard if you want to.

We do know that some of you have families back at home..... so the choice is entirely up to you.

If you want to go back home, that's not a problem as well.

So those who want to go back to their empires, step to my left.... while those who want to follow us back, please step to my right."

Some of the hostages were taken aback.

Baymard?

It was actually Baymard?

Many of them who didn't have a home to go back to, gif Ivey excited, as they couldn't believe that such a blessing would come out from today's misfortune.

'Din! Din! Din! Din! Din! Din! Din! Din! Din! Din!'

Immediately, everyone quickly made their decision and either stood to Ian's left or right.

Those on the right were then led onto the battleship.

While those in the left stayed behind on deck.

And while they stayed, Ian had someone check if there was enough food supply that could last them a trip back to Arcadina.

Of course, they also took out several valuables like gold and silver coins.... as well as any documents or information that might seem useful to his majesty Landon.

For sure, they also distributed out some of the money that they had found to the slaves as requested by his majesty Landon.

From what they had been told, they were to give out 40% of their findings to the hostages no matter what.

So whether the hostages chose to go to Baymard or go back to their various empires, everyone would be given an equal amount.

Of course, those who wanted to go back to their empires would definitely use one of the enemy ships available.

So after they arrived, if these people wanted.....they could sell these enemy ships again and make a ton of money as well.

Also..... all dead bodies were also thrown into the ocean, as there was no need in letting them rot onboard.

In short, It took 3 hours and 43 minutes for everything to be properly organized.

And with everyone on their perspective ships, Ian quickly went back on board the battleship.

As for those on board the enemy ships, they hastily sailed away from the scene.... as they truly missed home.

On the other hand, onboard the battleship, all the injured..... be it soldiers, enemy captives or rescued hostages... were all treated and looked after immediately.

And while all this was going on, all unit leaders including Ian..... quickly had a meeting with their mission leader, Lieutenant Felix.

They reported all their findings, as well as how much they distributed to the hostages and so on.

And at the end of the meeting, everyone just had one thought in mind.

'Mission Accomplished!'

Of course while Ian and his crew where smiling merrily about their mission success, some others were literally seething with rage about theirs.

--Somewhere within Arcadina--

Standing over a massive fireplace, was a slightly chubby man.... who was currently wearing a green coat that was made from the skin of some sort of green animal.

And behind the man..... were 7 knights, who were all standing some distance away from their master.

Only they truly knew how fierce their master could be when he was in rage.

They waited in silence.... until the door behind them opened up violently.

'Bam!'

In came several other knights, who were holding 2 pitiful knights as well.

The men had blood all over their body, as well as swollen purplish bumps that looked like horns on their faces too.

'Plop!'

They dropped them to the floor, stood back a little, and pointed their swords right at them.

Even though the men kneeling down on the floor were terrified to death, they didn't even bother struggling and just sat there in total silence.

What was the point?

--silence--

The entire room was drowned in the silence.

And soon.... the slightly chubby man turned around and coldly looked at the men kneeling down.

"I read your reports.....

But I need you all to explain one thing to me.

What the hell do you mean by saying that King Alec Barn is missing?!"

"_"