By the time the information, along with the box of treasure dug up from the pirates' hideout, was relayed through Eira, passed Sinai, and delivered into Losa's hands at Alexandria Port, an entire week had passed since Captain Hog had left the edge of the Red Sea.

"That Hog, he's learned to act first and report later by now."

Hog could be reached by Anna, and they could communicate, although he had mentioned not to use this method unless necessary.

Losa frowned, "Opening new trade routes isn't impossible, but Hog mentioned wanting to become a 'legitimate merchant' in his letter—sounds unlikely to me."

In Eastern Africa at that time, although the majority were unsophisticated natives, there were some "civilized" countries, like those established by Fire Worship immigrants, including Saracens and Persians, such as the slave-city states of Kilwa, Mombasa, and Mogadishu.

These city-states profited immensely from selling slaves, dominating Black people to mine gold, and hunting ivory.

Even though Losa didn't pay attention to these forces, with them around, Captain Hog's ambition to earn his first fortune through legitimate business activities wasn't that easy, and any conflict might lead to a battle.

"Are you worried Hog will suffer?"

"He's not the type to willingly suffer losses. Who knows, by the time we receive another letter from him, he might have already conquered those Fire Worship immigrant city-states and established a pirate kingdom."

Losa joked orally, but in his heart, he hoped Captain Hog would succeed in this venture.

He had gotten the land of Egypt and Transjordan, the critical junction between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean; ignoring the potential for Eastern trade was impossible. Making money as a middleman was one thing, but getting directly involved was another.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have organized a caravan in Limassol to Europe, intending to eliminate an intermediary step and pocket the price difference.

To win twice is better than once.

New trade routes won't just trade with Eastern Africa natives, but further to places rich in spices, gems, fabrics, and warhorses like India, and even further to Shilifoshi and the Khmer Empire of Southeast Asia, or the Song Empire, rich in silk, porcelain, and tea.

Even Jerusalem has traders from the Song Country that have traveled far. The value within this trade route is unimaginable.

Jeanne curiously asked, "If he truly conquers a native kingdom and asks you to send someone to take over, what would you do?"

"I won't go, I don't have the energy."

Losa shook his head, "The African Continent is full of fierce beasts, natives, venomous insects, and plagues. Those Saracens and Persians took generations to occupy some coastal strongholds. If we get involved, at most, we could seize these strongholds. It's better to directly support local forces to act as our agents. The Fire Worship immigrants did a good job; replacing them would mean we are strangers trying to make profits in a short time, which is too hard."

He didn't have the energy to invest in opening new routes. Captain Hog would have to see for himself what he could achieve: whether it would be conquering an Eastern African city-state or a native tribe; it would be his choice.

The affairs in Alexandria had been roughly managed, and he should now prepare for the promotion of his followers.

He currently had three blank battle records, and there were exactly three who were about to be promoted to six-star—Prajna, Viviana, and Demon Dragon Ladon.

Prajna's promotion was indisputable. She had been delayed for far too long. As Losa's closest, and the first follower, promoting her now was already considering the larger picture.

As for Viviana and Demon Dragon Ladon, their terms were too short, and their promotions could be delayed, especially Ladon, the defiant one. Losa still considered subduing his temperament, though his promotion would bring the greatest increase.

How to allocate the advanced battle records was a difficult decision.

Although there were two cards, one needed to be used for a world war, which was too challenging to address immediately, leaving only one that could be utilized. Meanwhile, those urgently awaiting promotion included Lavinia, Furinjira, Jeanne, and Cherina, all at full elite level one.

How to choose was indeed a dilemma.

Post Furinjira's tier two, she could awaken Tyrant Transformation, with a formidable increase in combat strength, enough to wrestle with ordinary Blood Royal Court ancestors.

Though Jeanne's tier two skill "Radiant Myriad Phenomena" and Cherina's "Torrential Rain" were both considered "big moves," their amplification wouldn't exceed Furinjira's "Tyrant Transformation."

Of course, Losa's most favored was Lavinia. Though her tier two skill Words Become Law was no longer purely a supportive ability, combining it with her original skills would significantly enhance the strength of many of the followers.

Yet, Losa worried about how to appease everyone's emotions, especially Furinjira, who had autonomously completed her elite transformation initially. Her tier two growth would be the greatest personally, with Lavinia having not followed him long.

"Why are you troubled?"

"Nothing, recently things aren't that hectic, let's have Prajna finish her promotion first."

Losa said, spreading his hands, revealing a blank battle record. As he gently shook it, words appeared on the record—Second Defense of Texas.

Description: After the Wolf Race's failed expedition against Texas, the Texas Clan entered a golden period of development. They cleared the territory of demons and established towns and plantations, turning the once barren land into a paradise through Texan diligence.

Until the northern Thirteen Colonies' armed forces crossed the border and were defeated by the Texas Clan, sparking the swift ignition of the Second Defense of Texas' flames due to civil colonial armed conflict.

Your enemies are the Thirteen Colonies ruled by the Sun Never Sets Empire, in its prime.

From the south, Mexico positioned troops at the border, attempting to snatch a juicy piece of meat from the jaws of the Thirteen Colonies' proud army.

Your objective is to enable Texas to win the war as much as possible, maintain its independence, and let the name of the "Lone Star Clan" resonate across the American Continent, and possibly reach the Wolf Race's homeland in Europe.

...

After several consecutive days at sea, just when Captain Hog thought this life would continue indefinitely, sailing south along the East African coast, Hog finally saw traces of human settlement over the yellow earth.

"Bring that Persian over, let him see where we have arrived."

The Persian sailor, with half of his head decayed and harboring an undead fiddler crab, observed the charts for a while before unsurely saying, "We should be close to Mogadishu!"

Captain Hog decisively ordered: "Prepare to anchor; isn't there a native tribe over there? Let's bring some gifts ashore and interact with them!"

Hence, the Ocean Disaster docked slowly near the shore, as vigilant eyes of natives armed with wooden long spears watched.