Chapter four is here. I apologise for not uploading earlier. I promised myself to try and upload a chapter every day but I found this chapter challenging to write. But I got there in the end. Now the story is getting some where. Again I warn you. There will be A LOT of violence and blood in later chapters… but then again, there's lots of blood and violence in the actual manga and anime so there's not much point warning everyone.

Hope you enjoy

Carefully balancing on the bowsprit, Captain Levi smirked smugly at the seaport and city encaged in a wall of granite. There it was. Utopia and Trost ready for the taking. From a distance, he could see the many merchant ships slowly edge their way closer to the great oaken and iron gates. Whenever a ship passed through, he would quickly catch a glimpse of the bright white city beyond the fortress. He ordered one of his crew, Eld Jinn to examine the land from the crow's nest. He was satisfied as Jinn told him beyond the fifty-meter wall was a city of alabaster and marble, building structures taller than anything they had ever seen. Apparently, the city and market was alive with activity. Money and a variety of goods were easy to obtain. This was the perfect spot to conquer.

Nevertheless, Levi had not anticipated the rigid security of its central trading routes Hestoss and Reiss nor did he expect that immense and impressive fortress protecting the inner most city and the harbour. From a far away distance, he spotted at least twenty naval ships for patrol missions. If this was the number used just for survey missions, then the kingdom of Utopia's fleet must be a large and formidable one, just as Petra said. Even from his telescope he spotted at least, ten look outs at the wall. The wall itself was a trap cleverly designed to withstand the erratic and forceful waves that continued to crash into the barnacle encrusted rocks. The only safe entry was through that oaken door.

"Captain Levi?"

"Not now Miss Petra. I need to think of a plan to secure Hestoss trading route somehow. I can't rely on brute force and a direct attack this time" Levi snapped.

Petra stood patiently, hands folded behind her back waiting for her Captain to form a significant plan. After five minutes, Captain Levi huffed in annoyance and swung down from the bowsprit and back onto the main deck.

"Fuck this. I can't think. What do you want Miss Petra?"

Petra ignored the gruff and somewhat rude question. She was used to it by now. The Captain wasn't known for his cordiality and manners.

"I'd like to discuss the trade route Hestoss with you. Mr. Eld Jinn and I managed to make a rough estimation of its location"

Captain Levi gave an exasperated sigh.

"Well at least someone knows what needs to be done here. Come to my Cabin in five minutes. Bring Jinn and the charts with you. I hope you have something worth while to look at"

"Yes Captain"

Levi's private quarters were welcomingly cool due to leaving the built in cabin windows open. As a result, refreshingly crisp salty sea air circulated within the room. Petra fetched Eld Jinn from the upper deck as she was ordered. Together they reviewed a roughly drawn estimation of the direction and length of the Hestoss trading route on a large piece of worn parchment to their weary and irritated Captain.

"As you can see Captain, the shape of the trading route itself is similar to an 'S shape' and spans over five kilometers. Another two kilometers of the trading route leads straight into Port Trost. Altogether that's seven kilometers." Eld Jinn explained, tracing a calloused finger along the smooth line of the mapped current"

Levi nodded and looked at the hastily drawn Port Trost then slowly moved his eyes to the farthest curve which made half of the unusual 'S' shape within the trading route.

"And the navy ships? Where do they patrol Mr. Jinn?" Levi commented, still staring hard at the map.

"When we sailed closer to land, I noticed most of the navy ships focused on surveying the trade route in the second half of the 'S' curve as well as the final 2 kilometres. That is at least four kilometres of surveillance"

Levi frowned.

"Why is that?"

"Well sir, I also so noticed when they surveyed, the navy rallied most of the merchant ships within the two kilometer curve" he replied pointing to the curve closest to the city.

"That way, they can inspect the merchant ships up close in case any of them are carrying illegal goods and immigrants"

Levi pointed to the three-kilometre curve farthest away from the city.

"And here? Does the Navy monitor this space of water"

"Not that I am aware of sir. I couldn't see the Naval fleet's flag on any of the ships there. They were all merchant ships. Many of them were spread out unlike the ones closer to the city but all were following the same route"

"You better not be lying to me Jinn. Are you sure you only spotted trading ships?"

"Yes Captain. I used my strongest telescope"

Levi was silent for several minutes. His brows were furrowed and if possible, his mysterious dark eyes became more dangerous. If what Jinn said was true then he had the answer right in front of him. It was right there on paper. He didn't need brute force or direct attacks. All that needed to be done, was to commandeer one of these merchant ships and capture a few of the sailors for a substantial amount of money in exchange for their safety and freedom. Due to Utopia's dependence on imported goods, this will hopefully outrage the navy to the extent they will send a few ships from the navy fleet to occupy the outermost section of the Hestoss trading route. When that occurs, he will make his final strike; commandeer one of their own in exchange, to use the Hestoss route and access into Port Trost.

Captain Levi smirked, letting out a menacing chuckle startling his subordinates.

"Captain? Is something wrong?"

"Wrong Miss Petra? Why nothing's wrong, in fact I'm quite pleased"

"What are your orders Captain?"

"Fall back. Move the Maria farther out to open ocean"

Eld Jinn choked slightly, thinking his Captain had lost his mind. For years, his Captain never left without a fight. This was very unlike him.

"Captain you want us to retreat?"

Captain Levi met Jinn's eyes. From his perspective, he watched Jinn tremble slightly from fear. Jinn had every right to be afraid. Captain Levi's face was a mask of treachery and evil.

"Retreat? Who said I wanted to retreat? I said move the Maria to open ocean, out of sight from the navy and away from land to the outermost circle of the Hestoss trading route"

"Sir, are you sure?" Petra asked confused.

"I'm quite certain Miss Petra. I realize brute force will not work for the Utopians. They are too clever for that. They strive for business and successful welfare". Levi answered darkly.

"So what is it that you have in mind?"

"We'll play the bastards little game of trade, exchanging one life for something valuable"

Petra's eyes widened, realizing Levi's intent and continued to watch her Captain laugh darkly at his answer until he finally spoke to them.

"Mr. Jinn, Miss. Petra, how do you fancy manipulating the Utopia's navy?"

That's all for now. Not a long chapter I know. Don't worry. There's more to come.

Evening Falls signing out. DINNER TIME!