Rayleigh narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he slowly spoke, "Heh, it seems the result you've calculated is rather unfavorable for this old man."
What was astonishing, however, was that despite facing such circumstances, his weathered face showed not a trace of tension or worry.
On the contrary, his expression remained as relaxed and carefree as ever, even carrying a faint smile.
Rayleigh stood there with utter nonchalance.
His posture appeared extremely languid, as if the events unfolding around him had nothing to do with him.
This unflappable, composed demeanor was the perfect embodiment of the phrase "remaining calm in the face of adversity."
Witnessing this scene, Basil Hawkins, standing nearby, couldn't help but inwardly marvel.
"He's truly living up to his reputation! This legendary pirate possesses extraordinary presence indeed!"
However, after a brief silence, Hawkins ultimately couldn't suppress his curiosity.
Hesitating for a moment, he finally mustered the courage to ask again.
"Rayleigh, aren't you the least bit curious about the precise results I calculated earlier?"
Rayleigh's expression remained placid as water, his tone indifferent as he replied.
"Tell me the specifics."
At this moment, Basil Hawkins stated bluntly: "Based on my meticulous analysis and calculations, Lancelot's probability of defeating you is as high as eighty-eight percent. His probability of capturing you is thirty-two percent. While the probability of him killing you reaches twenty-six percent. However, regrettably, your probability of successfully escaping is a mere thirty percent. Your probability of victory is even lower—only twelve percent."
Upon hearing this, Rayleigh still showed no obvious emotional reaction, but Killer, standing nearby, could no longer contain his shock and exclaimed in disbelief.
"What? How is that possible!"
It turned out that Killer had been harboring a sliver of hope, scheming to seize an opportunity to escape from Lancelot amidst the chaos.
But now, learning such results, he suddenly realized as if waking from a dream—Lancelot's displayed power likely already surpassed even this legendary pirate Rayleigh!
That meant his chances of escape had diminished significantly.
Just then, Basil Hawkins was heard muttering in a slightly contemptuous tone.
"What an utter fool…"
Moments earlier, he had clearly pointed out to Killer the only remaining path to survival.
Yet, unexpectedly, this reckless fool still entertained distracting thoughts and attempted to play messy tricks—this was undoubtedly seeking his own demise!
Did he not know that before absolute power, all schemes and resistance were futile?
Rayleigh cast a casual glance at Basil Hawkins, the corners of his lips curling into a faint, breezy smile.
"Isn't there still a one-in-twelve chance of victory?"
With these words, he slowly rested his hand on the gleaming hilt of the sword at his waist.
"Besides, my fate has always been in my own hands."
Accompanying this resolute declaration, an intimidating surge of immense power erupted from Rayleigh's entire being.
This force swept outwards in all directions like a raging tidal wave, overwhelming and unstoppable.
Wherever it reached, space seemed to tear apart, and strange, black lightning-like substances abruptly manifested.
At this very moment, whether it was those hiding far away in corners secretly peeping, or those concealed within shops lining both sides of the street, all fell to the ground one after another without any warning.
Naturally, the three closest to Rayleigh—Lancelot, Basil Hawkins, and Killer—became the primary targets of this terrifying force's impact.
Faced with such horrifying pressure, Lancelot's expression remained as calm as still water, without even the slightest flicker in his eyes.
In contrast, Killer and Basil Hawkins weren't nearly as composed.
Both looked as if they had been struck by a heavy hammer, their faces instantly turning deathly pale.
"Crack..."
In that instant, Lancelot's hand gripping the back of Killer's neck suddenly exerted force, the strength instantly multiplying several times over!
Then, with a sharp twist accompanied by a spine-chilling sound of bone fracture, Killer's head tilted to an extremely bizarre and horrifying angle.
In that moment, Killer's entire body went completely limp, as if all life had drained away from him!
Witnessing this scene, Basil Hawkins' pupils violently contracted.
His already pale face now flushed with a sickly red hue, as if he had suffered a tremendous shock.
Simultaneously, he felt as if an invisible hand had viciously clenched his heart, the pain unbearable. For a moment, he even thought his heartbeat had skipped a beat.
Just as he had predicted through divination, this reckless fool had ultimately succeeded in completely exhausting Lancelot's last remaining shred of patience.
After all, once Lancelot lost patience, it meant the arrival of death
Aside from Rayleigh who might have a sliver of chance to survive, no one else present could escape their fate.
A gentle breeze swept by, like a cold hand lightly brushing against Basil Hawkins' skin.
He shivered involuntarily, the chill snapping him back to reality. It was then that he realized, to his astonishment, that he was already drenched in sweat.
The perspiration flowed freely like a burst dam, thoroughly soaking his clothes.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh's gaze remained fixed intently on Lancelot.
He watched as Lancelot decisively and efficiently disposed of Killer, the speed of the action astonishing. Seeing this, Rayleigh slightly furrowed his brow.
He couldn't help but remark, "These are all newcomers who have just set foot on this vast ocean. Their brilliant lives have only just begun—why resort to such ruthless methods?"
Clearly, despite having weathered countless storms, Rayleigh still held a measure of compassion in his heart for these rookie pirates.
Perhaps in his eyes, these young rising stars of piracy all carried their own dreams and aspirations, like dazzling stars ready to shine brightly across the boundless sea.
They should have had limitless possibilities to chase after distant, captivating goals.
"Heh..."
Yet, in Lancelot's deep icy eyes, all that was reflected was endless sin and darkness.
A faint, mocking sneer curled at the corners of his lips.
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