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The night deepened, and the fires in the conference hall gradually extinguished.
Everyone exited with their documents and orders, and Elliot was about to follow them out.
“Elliot, stay,” Louis’s voice came from behind him.
He paused, then immediately turned and closed the door, leaving only the two of them in the room.
Louis looked up and smiled, “Don’t stand like that; it’s not an interrogation. Sit down.”
Elliot hesitated for a moment before sitting down, still sitting ramrod straight, appearing reserved.
Even after a long time together, he still held a heartfelt respect for Louis.
“What is the fleet’s armament status?” Louis’s tone was calm, as if asking about routine matters.
“We have six fully equipped dawn main ships and one light cruiser,” Elliot reported clearly.
“Each dawn is an armed vessel, equipped with twelve dual-row main cannons, eight secondary cannons, rotating ballistas, and Magic Energy Blazing Fire Launchers.
Each ship has a crew of eighty, including forty sailors and twenty gunners, with another sixty Red Tide Knights assigned to the ship in groups, responsible for boarding and defense.
Ammunition and Magic Bomb reserves are sufficient for three full-ship volleys, and the shore cannons and ballista positions have been calibrated and are ready to support sea engagements at any time.”
Louis nodded, calculating silently in his mind.
Everything was almost exactly as he had envisioned, even slightly better than expected; the fleet’s configuration finally had a solid foundation.
“Very good.” Louis walked to the window, pushing open half a pane, and the cold, salty wind blew in.
Then he turned to Elliot and said, “Last night, a merchant caravan came to me for help, saying they encountered a pirate attack in North Bay. Several of their ships were hijacked, and one of them carried the merchant’s family.
After plundering the goods, those pirates fled south and were last spotted by our scout ships at the edge of the fog bank, heading in this direction.”
Louis spoke as if narrating a minor incident, “They probably thought we were their next prey.”
He paused, his gaze falling on the harbor lights outside the window, the Dawn Harbor defense system he had personally helped design, faintly visible in the night.
This defense system was primarily practical, with continuous ballista towers, stone catapults, and rolling oil troughs along the outer embankment. The inner harbor had thick wooden and stone defensive walls and fire trenches, and some fortresses were even equipped with Magic Bomb launching slots.
Although it couldn't compare to the imperial capital’s magic-guided defenses, it was sufficient to withstand non-large-scale assaults from mermen and pirates.
All of this looked flawless on paper, but Elliot still felt a hint of tension.
This would be Dawn Harbor’s first time facing a real attack, not just a drill.
He immediately stood up, his expression serious, “Sir, should I order a state of alert?”
“Of course, we need to be on alert,” Louis smiled and raised a hand, signaling him to sit down, “but don’t be too nervous. It’s not that serious.”
He returned to the table, tapping his pen tip on the surface, “Let’s treat this as a test. The dawn’s firepower, rudder speed, communication, boarding coordination... It’s time to see if the ships we built can hold up on the waves.”
“It sounds like a battle, yet you speak so calmly.”
“Because we are prepared,” Louis replied with a smile, “Proceed at the usual pace; there’s no need to be nervous. This is an opportunity, not a threat.
Other ships can directly use Magic Bombs to destroy enemy vessels, but that main ship must be preserved. No one is allowed to accidentally damage it.
Its structure is intact, which is crucial for testing the Red Tide Knights’ boarding and grappling coordination. More importantly, I want the captives on that ship alive. In any case, these pirates won’t escape our net of fire.”
Elliot nodded, his voice filled with respect, “Understood. I will arrange the fleet’s rhythm and will not disappoint you.”
“Good.” Louis stood up and patted his shoulder, “Relax a bit. If it truly comes to a fight, I’ll be on the ship too.”
Elliot’s expression changed slightly. After a moment of hesitation, he spoke, “Sir, forgive my presumptuousness. You shouldn’t personally go on the ship. Even if the risk is minimal, you shouldn’t expose yourself on the open sea.”
Louis was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and waved his hand, “I’m not that fragile, Elliot. If I don’t see it with my own eyes, how will I know the results of your efforts?”
Elliot was silent for a moment, then finally bowed his head, “Understood, Sir. Just... please be sure to pay attention to your safety.”
“I promise you, I won’t take risks. I just want to see if they can perform as I wish.” Then Louis chuckled and waved his hand, signaling him to get busy.
After Elliot left, he didn’t return to his room to rest but went directly to the dock, summoning his adjutants and helmsmen to begin adjusting the night’s departure deployment.
Only Louis remained in the room. He reached out and closed the window, keeping the cold wind out.
The merchant caravan seeking his help was, of course, a fabricated reason, the true motive being to conceal the source of intelligence.
Moreover, according to yesterday’s Daily Intelligence System alert, that ship was not merely carrying plunderers; intelligence indicated there was an alchemy master on board.
Alchemy masters, a title that was exceedingly rare throughout the entire Empire, and even the world.
Silco, perhaps with the support of his infinite resources, or perhaps having already attained the skill of an alchemy master in Magic Bombs, possessed considerable expertise.
Such individuals held rare formulas and principles; no matter their specialization, they were invaluable assets.
If that person could be captured, the Red Tide’s technological advancement in that area would leap forward by years.
This was the true reason he had the dawn fleet set up an inescapable net.
If it were merely for eradication, a single round of Magic Bomb bombardment would suffice.
But he needed that main ship to capture that alchemy master, and also to take the opportunity to test the dawn’s firepower, pressure resistance, and combat coordination.
“Killing two birds with one stone,” he murmured softly, a mix of calculation and anticipation... The night was heavy, and sea fog rolled over Breaker’s Bay, as if brewing a silent storm.
Twelve black-sailed ships rose and fell on the waves, their mast shadows intertwined, and the beast bone decorations on their bows creaked as they were battered by the tide.
Bagg stepped onto the railing, his flask swaying in his hand: “Hahaha, sixty brothers, twelve ships, that’ll give them a good scare.”
The crew responded, their shouts mixing with the sound of the waves. Some tapped on barrel lids with their drinks, others gestured with long knives.
Laughter and curses rose and fell, carrying a wild frenzy that had been suppressed for too long.
“Boss, do we really move now? The fog’s so thick, no one can see anyone,” the second mate leaned over, whispering a reminder.
“Can’t see? That’s perfect! They’re in the light, we’re in the dark, a god-given opportunity!” Bagg’s lips curled into a smile. “If we take Dawn Harbor tonight, I’ll let the brothers drink for three days!”
At this, the fleet erupted.
Sailors tapped their oar shafts, whistles and shouts a chaotic din.
Bagg raised his spyglass, aiming it at the distant shadows.
The fog rolled there, the port lights flickering on and off, as if taunting them.
He saw no patrol boats, heard no alarm bells, the emptiness fueling the fervor in his heart.
He grinned, then suddenly turned and roared, “All hands, listen up! Maintain formation, follow me into port!”
The twelve black-sailed ships moved in response, their sails billowing, the waves breaking beneath their hulls.
The booming sound of oars echoed in the fog, crew members yelled, cursed, and shoved each other, the atmosphere like boiling oil.
“Tonight, we drink the blood of the Empire!”
“The Mad King’s fangs are still sharp!”
Bagg laughed loudly, flinging his flask, and the strong liquor splashed into the sea: “Advance! Let them go to hell!”
The fleet roared forward like beasts in the fog, oars booming, sails and ropes rattling. Their laughter and shouts intertwined.
However, the next moment, a low, unusual sound came from the distant sea.
Boom!
A Magic Bomb exploded on the sea surface in front of them, the explosive fire churning up a giant wave, instantly capsizing the nearest auxiliary ship.
The core of the explosion spread light in the darkness, the seawater evaporated into white mist by the high temperature, and shattered wooden fragments rained down like confetti.
The pirates on that ship barely had time to scream before the hull broke in two, half the deck was directly torn away by the air blast, and the mast was engulfed in flames, turning into a giant fiery club that sank into the sea.
The air was filled with the smell of scorched wood and burnt flesh.
Another adjacent ship was struck by the rising wave, its mast tilting, and several sailors were directly thrown into the inferno.
Someone thrashed in the water, screaming for help, only to be swept away by the shockwave of a second explosion.
Bagg staggered from the blast, almost falling, clutching the railing tightly with both hands, his eyes wide as he stared at the firelight, his throat dry as if scorched.
“Boss, was that a Magic Bomb?!” someone shrieked, their voice trembling.
“Yes, but this power... something’s wrong!” Bagg gritted his teeth, his eyes red from the firelight.
Flames churned, and the fog was completely torn apart. He saw it clearly.
A complete auxiliary ship disintegrated in the blast, its planks turning to ash.
He had seen the Emerald Federation’s Magic Bombs before, but those things could at most flip a deck, whereas these seemed capable of overturning the entire sea.
He swallowed a mouthful of salty air with difficulty, muttering, “This is them goddamn bombing the sea.”
The explosions continued to spread, one after another, but they didn’t hit their main ship. Instead, they exploded in an arc around their fleet.
Each explosion was accompanied by tearing screams and the sound of breaking wood, and the tightening circle of fire was slowly encircling them.
More explosions flashed in the distance, one after another, but they didn’t directly hit their main ship. Instead, they carved arcs across the sea surface, falling into the surrounding waters.
The explosions formed a ring, and the shockwaves, carrying high-temperature-generated waves, approached. Only then did they realize that this was not an accidental hit; it was an encirclement.
The pirates’ laughter completely vanished.
Some knelt in fear, others clutched the mast tightly. All their previous arrogance was shattered, leaving only terror.
“Hold steady! Everyone hold steady!” Bagg roared, his voice almost swallowed by the waves. “They’re not aiming at us; they want to trap us here!”
The fog was illuminated by the explosions, and the sea outside Dawn Harbor’s arc became a gigantic ring of fire. Cannon flashes flickered in rows, forming a complete encirclement.
“It’s a trap!” Bagg suddenly turned his head, his voice hoarse. “All hands, listen up! Break through with full force! Don’t let them corner us like dogs!”
His response was still a continuous series of explosions and roars.
Bagg’s heart pounded, sweat and seawater mingled on him. He looked up and saw a colossal silhouette emerge from behind the fog, the cannon lights on the embankment forming a line, and Dawn Harbor’s outline illuminated in the fireworks.
In the fog, an ironclad ship broke through the waves, its iron hull reflecting the firelight, its massive mast casting a shadow on the sea.
The dawn appeared directly in front of them, like a steel behemoth crawling out of the deep sea. ƒreewebɳovel.com
The searchlights on the bow illuminated the sea, white light piercing through the fog. The pirates saw the colossal vessel for the first time—its heavy armor, its numerous gunports. It slowly turned, its broadside main cannons aiming at them.
“What... is that...?” someone murmured, their voice trembling.
Bagg hadn’t even had time to curse before the muzzles flashed.
Boom!
Six dawn-class warships were neatly arrayed, their iron hulls gleaming coldly in the firelight.
But strangely, their cannon fire was not aimed at Bagg’s main ship.
Explosions formed a circle around them, forcing their ships to crowd closer and closer to the center.
“They didn’t miss...” A chill rose from Bagg’s feet. “They’re doing it on purpose. They want something on this ship, or they want to capture us alive.”
“Fight back! Fight back for me!” he roared, ordering the crew to man the cannons.
Several old ship cannons and ballistas mounted on wooden frames fired in unison. The cannonballs flew out, # Nоvеlight # hitting the dawn’s iron armor, only scattering a few sparks.
The sound of crossbow bolts hitting metal was as faint as a toothpick breaking, utterly meaningless.
“Damn it, this thing can’t be penetrated at all!” the second mate yelled, watching in horror as the ironclad ship showed no reaction whatsoever.
The dawn was continuously closing in, the shadow of the giant ship covering their vessel like a mountain.
The pirates frantically loaded gunpowder and reloaded crossbows, only to find their firepower was a joke; all their attacks were easily swallowed by the thick armor.
“What kind of hell is this...?” someone stammered.
Bagg’s face was pale, the tiller in his hands creaking as he gripped it. He was filled with regret now.
Regret for not faithfully completing the Mad King’s task, regret for that moment of greed.
If he had just delivered the goods back to the Madfang ship, perhaps he would still be drinking rum now, instead of watching death approach.
Bagg suddenly gritted his teeth, the approaching ironclad ship reflected in his pupils, and he roared hoarsely, “Break through! All ships, charge out with full force! Don’t wait for them to cage us!”
“Full speed! Charge!” The sailors were in chaos, ropes flying everywhere, sails and rigging snapping in the strong wind.
But undercurrents entangled them like chains, fixing their ships in the center of the wind and waves. frёewebnoѵēl.com
The pirates pushed, shoved, and cursed each other. Some frantically tried to light cannons to retaliate but were thrown back by the shockwaves.
The sound of oars, roars, and explosions intertwined into a cacophony.
The dawn’s muzzles flashed again, but this time the cannonballs landed on the wave crests in front of them, creating a wall of fire that nearly capsized their ships.
Subsequently, the six dawn-class warships gradually closed in, the sound of their iron hulls rubbing echoing in the sea fog, like invisible chains tightening.
Boarding ramps were lowered, iron chains crashed into the seawater, splashing waves, and the Red Tide Knights stepped onto Bagg’s flagship via the iron bridges.
Their voices were loud and cold: “Hands on your heads and squat down! Otherwise, you will be cut down immediately!”
The pirates fell into disarray. Some fearfully dropped their weapons, others hesitated for a moment, wanting to fight back, but in the next second, they were torn apart by blades sharpened with battle aura.
Blood permeated the air, and firelight reflected on the Red Tide Knights’ armor plates, like a cruel judgment.
“Hands on your heads! Hands on your heads and squat down!” a Red Tide Knight shouted. The pirate at his feet knelt in fear, hands on his head.
Those who still held weapons had their throats or chests severed by battle aura within a few breaths, unable to even let out a complete scream.
Bagg watched the scene before him, his face ashen.
He knew in his heart that this was no longer resistance, but a massacre.
He trembled all over, dropped the scimitar in his hand, knelt on both knees, and slowly put his hands on his head.
The cold sea wind swept past, and splashes of blood landed on the back of his neck.
Two Red Tide Knights stepped forward, dragged Bagg up, and tied his arms with thick rope.
The sound of the thick rope tightening echoed in his ears, but Bagg had neither the strength nor the courage to resist, his heart as dead as ashes.
