716 War (2/2)
He paused for a while before grabbing the hilt of his knife tightly. His eyes turned cold. ”No need for proper identification. Regardless of fishing boats or warships, as long as they are within shooting range, attack immediately. Remember our mission. We must subject those that have turned their backs on God with absolute extinction! If God is not going to show them mercy, then neither will we!”
All the captains of the warships fell silent for a moment in the comms set. Then, with firm determination, they all replied simultaneously, ”I stand with the truth!”
”Indeed, I stand with the truth,” the commander muttered quietly. After giving this set of order, his unease was finally replaced with determination. Amidst the sounds of countless running footsteps, all warships have been warmed up and all preparations have been made. No one even realized when did the waves vanish completely.
Only the metal roars of countless machinery in operation broke the silence. On the deck of every warship, 16 revelation musicians obeyed the command, that was circulating the channel and played the movements. As a result, burning beams of light shot up into the sky and hung above the vault in heaven. 16 burning stars rained down beams of light, chasing away the night.
Soon after, they saw the pale white wall ahead. There was a thick fog that enshrouded the entire Anglo sea. They were thick and towering, so much so that they resembled a white wall. Amidst the dim light, silhouettes began to form in the fog, but no one could tell just what was the fog concealing.
The commander bit on his lips subconsciously, yet there was a smirk on his face. ”Just as expected, they are waiting here for us. Activate our instruments of harmonious melody and observation formations. I am curious to see just what the Anglos have hidden behind this fog!”
There was a huge roar and from the vault in heaven, the burning stars shone their starlight towards the fog. The starlight pierced through the fog instantaneously like a sword, leaving behind a deep crack. When the beams of light swept across, the thick fog seemed to be completely shredded and was rapidly dissipated, revealing the daunting formation behind it.
Countless main cannons, that had clearly been warmed up, were aiming towards the Asgardian fleet. This was…
”Anglo Royal Fleet?!” The commander did not even need a report from the signal officer. He jumped up from his seat and was completely stunned. ”What is the Royal Fleet doing here?!”
At this moment in time, beneath the starlight and on the surface of the calm sea, more than a hundred warships were already in their positions and were ready for war to begin.
The commander was furious and confused, but at the same time, he had a very, very bad feeling. Wrong… this was all wrong… They had predicted that the Anglos would not split up their military forces in order to counter the three-way attack. It would be suicidal. Indeed, just as they had expected, the Royal Fleet did not split up its forces.
But what are they doing here! Have they given up on the battle at the frontline? Could this bunch of lunatics be thinking of giving away their capital just like that?!
There was no time for him to think. Before he could even think of any answers, countless powerful beams of light shone at them. The war had finally begun.
…
At the same time, in the northern region of Anglo seas, Sylvaine heard the huge roar. It was the sound of turbulence in the ocean. It was almost as if the ocean was in fear.
The night sky was as bright as day. The ocean was burning. Due to the terrifying nature interference, the sea had turned into flames. The flames rose and chased away the thick fog, while lighting up the ocean that seemed to have been flattened. A terrifying silhouette was charging forward.
It was Stronghold on Sea. Amidst the countless roars of majestic melody, the gigantic iron city was raining down nature interference at all times and turning its surroundings into a foreign world. Tens of miles away on the sea, one could still hear earth-shattering roars that accompanied the arrival of hurricanes.
On the bridge of the Sovereign, Sylvaine stared at Stronghold on Sea and could not help but mutter under his breath, ”How terrifying.” He was merely looking, yet he could not control both his hands trembling behind his back. His insides were churning in fear, and he could feel a chill in the air. The bridge was dead silent. No one spoke a word. After a long time, the signal officer spoke in a hoarse voice, ”Officer, we are about to enter the combat range.”
Sylvaine fell silent for a moment before raising his head and looking at his surroundings. ”In that case, everyone, are you all ready to make the sacrifice? What we are facing now is an enemy that is hundreds of times more powerful than us. There is no doubt that we will all perish in this battle. We are the abandoned ones. Not a single person thinks that we have a chance of victory at all. Does everyone have the courage to face this with me? To face the enemy and launch an attack?”
”We will follow your command, my Lord.”
The Chief Officer laughed lightly. ”Of course, if we lose, it will be your fault. Are you prepared to pen down your statement of confession?” Sylvaine was stunned for a moment before the Chief Officer and the rest began to laugh together uproariously. Death awaited all of them, yet the atmosphere on the bridge was easy and happy.
”All you bunch of…” Sylvaine shook his head helplessly. If they lost, everyone would die. Why would there be a need to write a statement of confession by then?
The Chief Officer stretched out his hand and took out a flat flask of wine. He shook it in front of Sylvaine, daring to go against the rule that prohibited alcohol on the fleet. ”I had wanted to sneak a small sip after our victory. Looks like that's not possible anymore.” The Chief Officer took a big gulp before trying to pass the wine flask around. ”Anyone?”
”If you say so.” Sylvaine smiled and cocked back his head to take a huge gulp. He no longer felt afraid anymore. It's only death. So be it, damn it.
The wine flask was too small, so everyone on the bridge only took a small sip to moisten their lips. Nevertheless, their eyes brightened from the bitter taste of the alcohol in their mouth. They felt as if they were on fire.
Sylvaine drew his sword and raised it high before declaring to everyone, ”In that case, let us swear to our ancestors that we are willing to fight to our deaths for the kingdom!”
”Blood of honor can never be stained,” all 142 members screamed at the top of their lungs at their impending doom. The sole iron warship, the Sovereign, charged towards the Stronghold on Sea!
The high-pitched whistle sounded, just like the horn on the battlefield that signified the start of war.
…
”Only… one ship? Confirmed?” In the command center of Stronghold on Sea, the commander stared at the sole enemy that was launching an attack in their direction. He wanted to laugh but he could not. ”Are they kidding me?! Or is there some sort of devious plan?”
What other plan could there be? By leaving behind only one ship, even if it was to self-destruct, it would never be able to breach the defenses of the warships that patrolled around the Stronghold on Sea, much less the Stronghold itself. For some reason, the situation might be in his favor, but the commander could not help but feel confused. These damned Anglos, just what are they thinking!
Just as the Asgardians were still reeling in shock, the Sovereign pierced through the foreign region, which was a distortion of the Stronghold on Sea, like a sharp knife. The ship glowed with golden light and as the royal musicians performed, the ship was shrouded in Firebird, as if an invisible pair of wings have spread open. They produced a massive power that continued to accelerate the ship ahead, despite the enemy's barrage of retaliatory attacks.
In the midst of the daze, there was suddenly a strange hallucination. It was as if the earth was shaking. When the whistle shrieked, it was like a horn blowing. Its roar could be heard in all directions and it reverberated on the seven seas.
A hurricane swept across the deck of the Sovereign as Sylvaine drew his sword and stared at the glorious light on the surface of the sea. He softly chanted the secret verse for initiation, ”Anglo hopes everyone will carry out their duties with dedication!”
With that, the seven seas roared. The majestic melody blasted from the alchemy formation on Anglo lands and Anglo seas. They prayed to the Emperor that there would be a miracle and an arrival of undefeated legend!
The sound of metal grating against metal could be heard from the depths of the sea. Amidst the waves that have been sliced through by the Sovereign, there were suddenly countless undercurrents. Turbulent aether began to surge and shred the ocean, such that the broken gigantic sail rose from the sea.
The gigantic sail was mending rapidly, and soon, the signet of a red dragon and rose danced and flapped loudly in the wind. The glorious light filled the entire sea, as if God had descended. The light lit up the gigantic warship that was floating up from the depths of the sea. King, Revenge, Resolution, Ramillies, Royal Oak…
In the end, the Sovereign merged with the light as well. Its iron body trembled as it transformed rapidly by expanding more than twice its original size. In the end, it transformed into an iron monster with sharp edges. It was 'Royal Pride'!”
With the blessing and permission of the lord, the Sovereign had transformed into a flagship that patrolled for the queen, the legendary Royal Pride!
”We sacrifice our lives for the almighty Emperor!” Sylvaine raised his knife and pointed at the enemy ahead as he gave the order to attack.
The silent fleet replied in unison, ”May heaven protect the kingdom, and may the Emperor protect me!”
With Royal Pride leading the way, the legendary fleet, which had been in hibernation for a very long time, finally appeared once again. The first generation of Royal Fleet that cruised the seven seas had returned!