The Rich Cultivator-Chapter 440. Attack on Verga City; The Hunter Pirates

"Oh... Nooo... The Federation ships are falling...!"

A desperate cry echoed from the docks as explosions rocked the horizon. Flames engulfed the once-proud Federation ships, their polished hulls now splintered and burning, crashing into the sea like wounded beasts.

From humans to horned folk, elves to Giants, every race residing on the island began to panic. Screams erupted in every district of Verga City. Parents called for their children. Vendors abandoned their wares. Many scattered in every direction, eyes filled with fear as the sky darkened not with clouds— but with cannon smoke.

WEEEEEOOOO — WEEEEEOOOO—!

Siren blasts screeched through the air, echoing across the towering structures of the floating island.

Then came the announcement, cold and grim.

"This is a Red Alert. I repeat, Red Alert! Pirates are attacking Verga City. This is not a drill!"

"Evacuate all non-combatants to designated shelters. Guardians and defenders, report to your posts immediately. Hold your ground —we must endure until Federation reinforcements arrive!"

Chaos intensified as magical screens displayed scenes of destruction. Federation patrols were being decimated. The protective fleets stationed near the island had been overwhelmed in a matter of minutes.

"Move it! Faster, damn it!" barked a hoarse voice aboard a pirate ship. "Get into position! We need to conquer and loot before those Federation dogs send reinforcements!"

The sea around Verga churned with activity. Twenty-five pirate ships circled the island like vultures, firing volleys of cannonballs and magic projectiles. Any ship that tried to flee or counter-attack was swiftly destroyed, swallowed by the flames or torn apart by explosive prana bursts.

Verga City was located in the Northern Waters, one of Island that is under Federation protection. Its towering spires of polished crystal and white marble pierced the skies like spears of light, gleaming brilliantly under the sun’s rays— until today.

Normally, pirates avoided Federation-controlled islands. They preferred raiding weaker targets, striking quickly and disappearing into the open sea. But today, things were different.

Verga City was under direct siege from one of the most feared forces in the world— The Hunter Pirates.

Inside the central watchtower, high above the city, chaos reigned as leaders and strategists gathered around glowing crystal displays.

"We’ve already lost fifteen ships," shouted a rabbitfolk commander, his voice cracking with tension. "And they haven’t lost even one! Their coordination is frightening!"

"They’re too well-organized," said a bull-horned man in armor, slamming his fist onto the table. "It’s no ordinary pirate crew. These are the Hunter Pirates. According to recent reports, they’ve taken out merchant fleets, adventurer ships, even other pirate groups. They’re brutal... but tactically brilliant."

The City Lord, an aging elf draped in ceremonial robes, stood in grim silence before finally speaking.

"And the thing is .... This is not even their full force..."

"Activate the Ascension Protocol."

Gasps rippled through the command chamber.

"But, my Lord—! The levitation arrays— "

"We have no choice!" he snapped. "We must lift the city. Buy time. Survive."

With a series of hand seals and spoken incantations, the order was given. At the base of the city, ancient runes flared to life. Hundreds of cores pulsed, feeding into the floating matrix. The island trembled as arrays illuminated its underbelly.

Then, slowly... Verga City began to rise.

The sea below shimmered as the city lifted several meters into the air. But just as hope bloomed—BOOM!

Gigantic harpoons, each the size of a tower, shot out from the pirate ships’ magical circles. Enchanted chains followed, screaming through the sky like metallic serpents.

THUD!

CRACK!

The harpoons embedded themselves deep into the island’s foundation. Chains larger than any ship wrapped around the city like iron tentacles.

The floating island groaned, straining to ascend—but it was no use. Over a hundred reinforced chains from 25 pirate ships anchored Verga in place.

And then the true invasion began.

From the pirate fleet, raiders launched into the sky— some on gliders, some on hoverboard, some on flying beasts, some flew by themselves and others simply sprinting across the chains that now served as makeshift bridges.

Screams filled the air as the pirates descended.

Battle erupted in every street.

Guards clashed with the invaders. Magic spells and cannon blasts shattered windows and scorched buildings. The once-beautiful streets were now warzones.

"Protect the Childrens." shouted a female warrior before being impaled through the abdomen. Her blood painted the marble plaza crimson.

The pirates showed no mercy. They stole treasures, captured women and men regardless of race or age, and stripped entire districts of valuables. They looted enchanted weapons, rare minerals, and Lydia. Some even broke into the branch of the prestigious Bank of Atlantis, emptying its vaults despite the staff having fled hours earlier.

"We can’t stop them!" cried a defender, bloodied and exhausted. "They’re too powerful!"

Entire squadrons fell. Resistance grew weaker with every passing hour.

For almost a full day, the city endured the torment. Its proud defenses were reduced to rubble. Flames danced along the rooftops. Smoke blackened the sky.

Then, suddenly—BOOOOM!

A low horn sounded from the lead pirate ship.

"Huh? That’s the retreat signal?" a young pirate muttered in surprise. "But I haven’t finished looting!"

"Then stay behind," a scarred veteran smirked. "See how long you last when the Federation arrives."

"Like hell I will..."

Grumbling filled the air, but none disobeyed.

"Damn it. Couldn’t crack that last barrier," spat a pirate in frustration. "The rich bastards are hiding underground."

"We’re pulling out," barked a voice over the communicator. "Anymore than this, and we’ll be caught in a Federation net."

Most pirates groaned, but they knew better than to argue. Orders were orders.

Aboard one of the larger vessels, a figure stared into a glowing pool of water. His small aquatic familiars had returned, sending psychic signals.

"A ship is approaching," he said softly. "I can’t sense the ship that much. But it has powerful auras on it. Could be a scouting ship or just some random ship that is passing by."

"Are we engaging?" asked a subordinate.

"No," the man replied without hesitation. "We’ve already made more than enough profit. Cut the chains. Load the loot. We leave within the hour."

The Hunter Pirates were as cautious as they were cruel. They never overstayed their welcome. Once a risk was detected, they vanished like shadows.

Within the hour, the enchanted chains were retracted. The harpoons disappeared beneath the waves.

They didn’t bother to check for stragglers. If anyone from their crew had been left behind... so be it.

By dawn, the fleet was gone.

The city floated in eerie silence, still chained in grief, still bleeding from its wounds— but alive.

Smoke rose from the ruins. Fires burned quietly in the distance. Cries of the wounded echoed in the air.

Verga City had survived... but it had paid a terrible price.

┉┈ ◈ ◉ ◈ ┈┉

Nearly an hour had passed since the pirates retreated from Verga City. The silence left in their wake was haunting. Smoke still curled into the sky, and scattered flames flickered weakly in the ruins. The once-beautiful floating city had descended from the skies and now rested solemnly on the sea’s surface.

Most of the city was in ruins—its marble towers shattered, its streets scorched. Markets were looted, homes destroyed, and the protective barriers had long since faded.

From one of the watchtowers, a tired voice broke the stillness.

"A new ship is approaching..." said the bull-horned guardian, his right horn snapped halfway down, and his armor scorched from battle.

The City Lord, now swathed in bandages from head to toe, leaned against the wall, barely able to keep himself upright. His once-proud voice was reduced to a hoarse whisper. "Only one ship...? Is it a Federation reinforcement? Did they... did they finally send an Immortal?"

The bull-horned man squinted his monocle. The watchtower Telescope like lens also adjusted itself.

"No... it doesn’t look like Federation. Just some random ship."

"Huh... Let’s hope it’s not another pirate group," the City Lord muttered with a weary sigh.

The ship in question was painted white, with silver trims along its sides. On its hull, written in elegant letters, were the words ’White Pearl’.

Standing on its deck was a woman with long hair flowing behind her like a banner in the wind. It was Lily Gomes, Vice Captain of the White Pearl.

Her sharp eyes scanned the devastated island. What was once Verga City now looked like the remains of a battlefield.

"Oh... Looks like the island was raided." Lily spoke calmly.

"That’s Verga City, right?" said Darla, her companion, stepping beside her. "Seems like some really powerful pirate group attacked them."

Lily nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Judging by the lingering damage, it wasn’t long ago. This is the aftermath of battle.."

"Send a radio signal," Lily ordered. "Let them know we mean no harm and are requesting permission to dock. Keep it formal."

"Yes, Vice Captain," Darla replied with a salute before heading inside to send the message.

As they waited for a response, the calm sea suddenly stirred. A strange pressure erupted nearby— an unstable divine sense bursting without warning, sending a shockwave that scattered fish and caused seabirds to flee.

Lily closed her eyes and sighed.

"Again?" she muttered under her breath, "Someone tell the captain to get inside the pocket dimension and practice controlling his divine sense before he provokes some Immortal Level Titans from the depth."

Crew members scrambled to pass along her message.

New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on free(w)ebnovel(.)com