By the time the Velaryon fleet reached the burning sea, the wind carried a choking mix of scorched wood, charred flesh, and blood straight into their faces.
The surface was littered with floating limbs and wreckage. Some warships had burned down to blackened ribs, still belching thick smoke from glowing embers.
Black oil mixed with dark red blood stained the waves. Bodies bobbed in the water, some still wearing charred rags frozen in their final desperate poses. The scene looked like the aftermath of a living hell.
Every man aboard the Velaryon ships stared in stunned silence. Soldiers instinctively covered their mouths and noses; many turned pale.
They gazed at the ships still crackling with flames and could not imagine what kind of hellish method Logar had used to turn an entire enemy fleet into this sea of fire.
On the deck of Windbreaker, Daemon gripped the rail so tightly his knuckles whitened. His voice came out in a stunned whisper.
"Terrifying… To burn an entire enemy fleet like that… Logar is a demon. Thank the gods he's not our enemy!"
Beside him, Malentin was speechless. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, unconsciously shrinking back.
He suddenly remembered every time he had abandoned Logar and his company. Cold sweat broke out down his spine — he had been offending a truly terrifying figure all along!
"Uncle! It was incredibly unwise not to support Logar when it mattered!" Daemon turned to Malentin, his tone carrying clear displeasure. "I'm taking my squadron in to help him hunt down the survivors. You can stay here and do as you please."
With that he gave the order and sailed straight into the heart of the burning sea.
Malentin's face flushed red then turned white, but he didn't dare stop him. He merely snorted coldly. "Fine. Let Daemon help the sellswords clean up. Once the Stepstones fall into our hands, Lord Corlys will be more than satisfied!"
The thought of his uncle's rewards improved his mood slightly, and he chose to ignore his nephew's disrespect.
When Daemon's fleet finally linked up with Logar, the battle was already winding down. Logar had already sent his men to sweep the sea for the few remaining enemy vessels.
On the last stubborn ship, a handful of Triarchy soldiers were still fighting desperately.
Logar was about to order them shot when a plump, turban-wearing middle-aged man stumbled out of the cabin. He dropped to his knees, voice trembling.
"My lord! Spare me! I wish to serve you! I will even deliver our commander as proof!"
"Oh?" Logar raised a hand to halt the archers, eyes narrowing. Sharako Lohar is still alive?
Sure enough, seeing a chance to live, the soldiers on board lowered their weapons.
Moments later a fat man in scorched half-plate, his beard burned clean off, was dragged out bound and gagged, still struggling furiously.
When Bloodfang caught fire, Chaman had jumped overboard with Sharako. The two managed to reach a small escape boat and barely survived the inferno.
But before they could get far, they were surrounded by Logar's fleet. Seeing no way out, Chaman immediately betrayed his commander, helping the remaining crew tie Sharako up to use him as a bargaining chip.
The betrayed Sharako Lohar glared with bulging eyes, muffled curses coming through the gag.
When he was forced to his knees before Logar, all his former arrogance had vanished.
"So you're Sharako Lohar?" Logar studied the prisoner. This was his first time seeing the Triarchy's commander in person.
He hadn't expected this big fish to survive the flames. A pleasant surprise.
"Hmph. Winner takes all. Nothing more to say," Sharako spat once the gag was removed, eyes full of hatred.
Thinking of his fleet — years of work — reduced to ash, and how his family back in Lys would likely be punished for this disaster, his gaze toward Logar burned with both fear and fury.
"Hahaha, excellent!" Logar laughed. He turned to his men. "Bind him tightly and guard him well. We'll present him to Lord Corlys and Queen Rhaenyra!"
He then turned to the nervous Chaman. "Your name is Chaman?"
"Y-yes, my lord!" Chaman wiped the sweat from his brow and forced an obsequious smile. "This humble one is willing to serve you for life. I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"
In his eyes, the young man known as the Sea Burner was a hundred times more terrifying than Sharako had ever been. As long as he could keep his life, he would do anything.
"Hahaha, relax." Logar sheathed his sword and patted the man's shoulder. "Serve me well and you won't be mistreated."
Logar knew that whether it was clearing out the remnants on Grey Gallows and Bloodstone or defending against future Triarchy retaliation, he would need every capable man he could get.
Chaman was a turncoat, but he knew Bloodstone well. He could still be useful.
After capturing Sharako Lohar, Logar was in excellent spirits. He ordered his men to continue clearing the sea of survivors and began organizing the aftermath.
Once most of the work was done, Daemon came ashore and approached him with open admiration.
"Captain Logar, congratulations! You've single-handedly crushed the combined forces of Dorne and the Triarchy. No one in these waters can stand against you now!"
"Lord Corlys will be overjoyed when he hears of this. Next time we meet, I may have to address you as Lord of the Stepstones."
Logar gave a faint smile. Corlys might keep his promise, but the Stepstones were a vital and troublesome place. If it were truly valuable land, the Sea Snake would have given it to his own kin long ago.
"Also… I must apologize on behalf of House Velaryon," Daemon said, looking embarrassed. "We failed to support you when it mattered most. Please forgive us…"
He truly regretted not standing up to Malentin earlier. Had they helped, the glory of this victory wouldn't have belonged solely to Logar's company.
"It's fine," Logar replied calmly, giving him an easy way out. "I understand your position. Besides, without the supplies and men you provided, we couldn't have held the island this long."
Logar had his own plans. He had not forgotten Malentin's repeated betrayals, but revenge would have to wait until he firmly held the title of Lord of the Stepstones — and had dragons from the Blacks in his grasp.
Seeing Logar wasn't holding a grudge, Daemon breathed a sigh of relief and said enviously, "This battle was incredible! Everyone is already calling you the 'Sea Burner.' That name will spread across all Seven Seas before long!"
Logar smiled faintly. Sea Burner was certainly better than Throat-Cutter.
Daemon glanced at Logar's men escorting prisoners and suddenly asked, "By the way, after fighting alongside you for so long, I still don't know the name of your mercenary company."
Logar looked out over the burning remnants of the fleet, his violet eyes gleaming. His voice rang with absolute certainty:
"World Devourers. From this day forward, our company shall be known as the World Devourers!"
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