Pirate Kingship-Chapter 641 - 452: Demonic Banquet Council: Next Season, I’m Going to Be Insanely Strong!

Jamestown Royal Harbor, Training Ground.

CLANG!

Sparks flew as two greatswords, swung from each side, collided with immense force. The violent, sharp sword winds carved countless deep ravines into the hard mud beneath their feet, forming earth dragons that surged for over a dozen meters. Any lower-Sequence Transcendents who dared to intrude would have been instantly sliced into mincemeat.

Amidst the swirling dust, the greatswords—which should have been exceedingly heavy, requiring even elite Doppler Greatswordsmen to use both hands—moved as nimbly as Swift Swords in their masters' grips. Flicking their swords in a counter-cut, the broad blades traced perfect, shining arcs through the air as they executed the "Cartwheel Slash" towards each other's necks.

However, Byron's strength was greater, and the Storm Sword Technique fueling his blade was clearly faster. A resplendent circle of white light above his head signified his Whistling Deity's Descent was at full power, leaving no room for the slightest error.

His opponent, the Doppler Greatswordsman and Quasi-Sword Saint Herman, also Byron's Wild Hunt Servant, had finally shed the "Quasi" from his title. A golden halo erupted above Herman's head, symbolizing the unfolding of his divine aspect's Self God, the "Celestial Descent." He assessed the situation with an absolutely calm, Mechanical Mindset. Being only Third Order, his strength and speed couldn't compare to his lord's. His Johannes Lichtenauer swordsmanship, renowned as invincible among greatsword styles, clearly couldn't keep up with his lord, a paragon of multifaceted talent.

Using the Sacred Relic, the "Original Manuscript of Johannes Lichtenauer's Poetic Collection," required two conditions: first, to run naked displaying one's tattoos, and second, to recite the corresponding swordsmanship verses. This would amplify its power by one hundred percent. Bursting out of one's clothes on the spot was hardly polite. After a lightning-fast appraisal of the situation through Celestial Descent, Herman decisively transmitted a single word through the Law Network: "Surrender!"

His primary consciousness, having just ceded bodily control to his instinctual Self God, hadn't even reacted before the battle was involuntarily concluded.

HUMMM!

Herman's sword had only completed half its arc when Byron's blade halted inches from his throat. The enveloping gale and chattering Storm Sprites scattered, disheveling the newly-promoted Sword Saint's hair. Due to the Sacred Relic's conditions, the Sword Saint could only speak by reciting hymns. Fortunately, they had prearranged a surrender signal; otherwise, the situation might have become quite embarrassing.

Byron retracted his "Tidal Echo" and nodded approvingly at his capable subordinate, smiling as he said, "Well done, Mr. Herman. Your Johannes Lichtenauer swordsmanship has reached the pinnacle, matching its creator's level. Your only shortcoming is not being a Mythical Creature yet; the difference in our physical constitutions is too great. As long as you can overcome this deficiency in strength, you will undoubtedly become the most ferocious Doppler Sword Saint on the Old Continent! Reaching Legendary status with the aid of Celestial Descent is not beyond hope. When I return to the Haitings Royal Capital this time, you will serve as my sword. Once I ascend to Pseudo-God, the Blood of Transformation within you will naturally be enhanced."

Herman bowed his head and struck his chest with his fist, singing a verse from The Holy Silver Empire's national anthem: "Only through adversity is true affection seen, hearts of fervent love, steadfast and genuine; from mother to daughter, from father to son, the Emperor, the Emperor, above all else!"

Initially, Herman had felt that being turned into a Wild Hunt Servant by Byron on Silvergold Island, thereby forsaking his chance to become a true Sword Saint, was the greatest regret of his life. Now, after Byron completed the "Dragon-Taming Great Undertaking," he had immediately gathered the relevant personnel and bestowed upon them the Night Demon bloodline through his First Embrace. Under the influence of this transformative power, everyone achieved varying degrees of improvement. Herman, already just a step away from becoming a Sword Saint, was among the foremost beneficiaries. In just a few months of "Transcending Mortality," seizing the opportunity presented by the First Embrace, he broke through his bottleneck in one fell swoop. Moreover, having just awakened Divine Sight, he comprehended his Self God, "Celestial Descent," becoming the bona fide Sword Saint Herman!

Besides him, this First Embrace list included: Conqueror Cortes, King Geronimo of Chichen Itza, the previously overlooked Wayne Dote, and Little Hans. Those left to hold the fort, such as Beret Tanya of Preempting the Enemy, Unbreakable Fortress Sam, and some outstanding performers from the Lancaster Party, also received Byron's First Embrace.

The quotas for the Prince of Night Demons's First Embrace were significantly expanded, enough for Byron to establish a core group of dozens for the Demonic Banquet Council. Each member was his Bloodline. In exchange for their unwavering loyalty, they received a substantial boost in strength and lifespan—living at least a hundred years longer on average—and an Anchoring in the laws corresponding to their council position. Within the Golden Law, they also became one of the central power organizations, alongside The King's Right Hand. This development was immediately communicated to every subordinate branch. The council was merely renamed the "Golden Council."

Many members praised in unison, "Your Majesty (Your Highness), your breadth of vision is as vast as the ocean."

After all, the original name, "Demonic Banquet Council," inherently implied a certain equality among its members, suggesting it wasn't an autocratic organization. This was similar to the egalitarian "Pirate's Ten Commandments," where the leader did not treat members as mere pawns or puppets. This naturally made Byron appear especially benevolent and tolerant. However, the apparent equality of the macro-level system couldn't conceal the fact that, in the mystical domain, the councilors were bound to Byron by a personal dependency. Power remained firmly in the hands of the Prince of Night Demons.

Byron planned to transplant this model to the Sacred Golden Empire and the future Kingdom of Hightens. To enter the core of power, one first had to be his Affiliated. Conversely, talented individuals who fought their way into the power core would inevitably become his Affiliated, thereby strengthening the Demonic Banquet Council.

This return to the Kingdom of Hightens presents an opportunity to select a few useful talents in preparation for the future. The York Family might be strong, but the Church behind them warrants more vigilance. I still need to wait for the opportune moment.

Launching the Demonic Banquet Council clearly wasn't Byron deliberately seeking trouble. Rather, it was because he knew that in a world with a relatively low power ceiling, once productivity reached a certain level, a natural opposition between capital and Authority would inevitably arise. The kings of old who were led to the guillotine served as a stark reminder. It was better to prepare for such eventualities now, rather than be caught off-guard later. This targeted council model ensured both democratic vitality and the stability of centralized power, a concept similar to the theory of sails, anchors, and rudders.

Now, every Affiliated was like Byron's hands, feet, ears, and eyes, enabling him to extend his reach like an octopus into every corner of his own system. His advantages included a step-ahead Whale Oil power revolution, the "savage" indigenous citizens, world-leading military ships, the Online Financial Street, and so on, all coupled with the advanced management system of the Demonic Banquet Council.

Sharpening the axe doesn't delay woodcutting; the foundations Byron had meticulously laid were now gradually bearing fruit. Over the past few decades, the Adventurers of the first and second tiers, in their rush for discovery rights to the New Continent, had left the third and fourth tiers behind to manage the colonies. Each one, viewing issues solely from an Adventurer's perspective, sought only to make history and increase their fame and power, lacking an overall strategic sense and high-level vision. Discovering the Southern Continent was merely the beginning. Territories seized beforehand through the "Wild Frontier Decree" could still be reclaimed by the natives in a single counterattack. The size of the slice of cake one could claim from the New Continent would ultimately depend on a faction's comprehensive strength!

Now, Byron could confidently boast: Next season, I will be exceedingly strong! This was contingent on him having enough time for unostentatious development. For now, compared to his highly capable council members, Byron only needed to steer the ship, a task far easier than before. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

However, in the eyes of Catherine and Violet, Byron, who toiled day and night, seemed truly overburdened. The meticulously recorded Sailing Logbook bore witness to his daily activities:

"Monday night: A tender reunion, gently loving Catherine..."

"Tuesday day and night: Dragon Taming Technique was mighty, gently loving Catherine, and indirectly loving Violet..."

"Wednesday: Schedule finally back on track, gently loving Violet, with a cameo as a Leviathan Knight, indirectly loving Catherine... Byron, oh Byron, how could you become so Fallen? Beauty erodes the will, making one unambitious. Do you think you can be an absent administrator just because everything is arranged? Remember, you must review and address shortcomings daily; this cannot continue."

"Thursday: The Furnace Hammer was installed, greatly improving shipyard efficiency; with great vigor, loving Catherine, indirectly loving Violet..."

"Friday: Gently loving Violet, who was engrossed in researching breech-loading rifles, indirectly loving Catherine..."

"Saturday: Upon hearing that Conqueror Cortes had successfully impregnated both his ex-wife and the Havana Governor's wife, a sense of urgency arose; loving Catherine twice as tenderly that night, indirectly loving Violet..."

Byron's mythical form, the '∞' symbol adorned with golden Dragon Eyes, certainly looked bizarre, but its strength was undeniably real. Though the two demon beastwomen sisters were also strong, they were not Fourth Order Mythical Creatures. In terms of absolute power, they were more than a notch below Byron and nowhere near his match. In one-on-one encounters, he always held back a significant portion of his power.

But just as Byron was most eagerly anticipating the Sunday when both sisters would face him together, a summons from the Royal Capital of Kingston in his native land of Hightens arrived. A projected messenger from the Privy Council urged Byron to set out immediately, to reach the Royal Capital early and prepare for the Count of Torrentfort's investiture ceremony.