Chapter 152

Chapter 152: Naval Warfare

"The Albatross was engaged in battle?" Sonia’s eyes instantly chilled.

Like the Star of the South, the Albatross was also a renowned three-masted full square-rigged ship. Moreover, its captain was female. In this maritime world where women held weaker positions, achieving captaincy demanded mutual support among them.

Sonia shared a sisterly bond with the Albatross captain. Witnessing her ally under attack, the red-haired captain immediately ordered her ship to turn toward the Albatross.

"Mr. Faye, a fierce battle approaches. Ensure your companions’ safety," Sonia warned Midi gravely.

Midi remained impassive, simply nodding.

Though paying handsomely for passage, passengers held no authority to issue orders – a strict Southern Sea rule. Had he wanted obedience, Midi would’ve taken a Hamilton family warship instead. Since going incognito required commitment, he maintained his role.

Moreover, this conflict now seemed trivial to him.

Previously, he’d have calculated risks – whether delays might disrupt Belmar’s strategic layouts. But after fusing Ultimate Intent with the demon god and forging the golden small sword through first awakening, even level 50 peak fighters posed no threat.

Curiosity outweighed concern. Having never commanded large-scale naval warfare in his past life, he watched keenly from the bow, observing how cannon-armed ships battled. Controlling the West Coast would demand such knowledge.

Different strength, different perspective.

Let storms rage and schemes unfold – one swordstroke sufficed.

Midi acknowledged Sonia’s warning but stayed rooted at the vantage point, as if awaiting theater rather than carnage.

The first mate scowled, mistaking the noble’s calm for ignorance or disrespect. Veteran sailors exchanged smirks, anticipating the unblooded youth’s panic when cannon fire roared. His ornate longsword seemed mere decoration.

Sonia noted this but relaxed. The coming battle would test Midi’s capabilities – exactly what she wanted.

She focused on the Albatross’s position at three o’clock.

Salt winds carried gunpowder’s sharp tang. Distant booms echoed as dark specks on the horizon resolved into white sails.

Four ships emerged – the leading three-masted Albatross matching Star of the South’s build, pursued by two agile three-masted fore-and-aft rigs and a towering five-masted behemoth.

The flanking fore-and-aft ships exploited winds better than square riggers, hounding the Albatross like wolves. Their sporadic cannon fire from the gunwales forced the larger ship to slow despite their limited shells.

As the Albatross faltered, the five-masted giant closed in. Three bow gunports yawned open, nine linked cannons targeting the stern.

BOOM!

Deafening roars flashed as the broadside struck. The Albatross shuddered violently, its stern reduced to splinters resembling skyborne snowflakes. Flames licked upward from the shattered ruins.

Not only that, but the Albatross’s aft mast sustained heavy damage during the bombardment, swaying dangerously as its sails collapsed onto the deck, instantly killing several crew members who couldn’t dodge in time.

A single volley had drastically reduced the Albatross’s speed.

Fortunately, the large ship showed no intention of sinking the Albatross, holding fire after the initial strike. The two fore-and-aft rigs closed in again, this time clearly preparing to board.

Boarding would allow them to transfer crew directly onto the enemy vessel. With sufficient numbers, they could seize control of the ship outright.

Their goal was clearly to capture the Albatross.

But just then, the Star of the South penetrated the battlefield.

Since the ships were approaching head-on rather than chasing, their relative speed was extreme. The fore-and-aft rig had no time to react before the Star of the South reached its flank.

At Sonia’s order, every cannon port facing the enemy snapped open. Dozens of massive cannons emerged from their dark mounts. Thunderous booms shook the air moments later, blinding bursts of fire erupting with the stench of death and smoke. The fore-and-aft rig’s slender hull shattered instantly, a third of its structure disintegrating in a storm of splinters.

An excellent surprise attack!

The Star of the South’s lightning strike made Midi’s eyes gleam.

This mirrored the blitzkrieg tactics he’d favored on land – exploiting speed for a decisive strike, much like his Nightblade Leopard Cavalry charges.

Yet Midi knew better than anyone: a thunderous blow meant nothing without hitting the vitals.

While the Star of the South had relieved the Albatross’s predicament, victory remained distant.

To win this battle, they needed to confront the massive creature.

Midi’s gaze locked onto the five-masted ship.

Even a naval novice like Midi understood this, let alone Sonia.

After crippling the portside fore-and-aft rig, the Star of the South accelerated instead of slowing. It streaked past the five-masted ship, now positioned perfectly on its starboard side!

Cannons took time to reload, but the starboard guns hadn’t fired yet – they’d been waiting for this exact moment.

"Focus all fire amidships! Launch!" The red-haired captain’s raspy order carried across the deck.

Seasoned gunners sprang into action. With earth-shaking roars, the starboard cannons unleashed dozens of shells trailing fiery tails, all converging on a single point below the five-masted ship’s waterline!

"Done!" Sonia’s eyes glittered triumphantly.

She knew standard volleys couldn’t breach such a sturdy ship. Only concentrated fire on one weak point could cripple it. By striking first against the vulnerable waterline before the enemy’s cannons deployed, this assault should have disabled even this massive vessel.

But metallic clangs louder than thunder assaulted everyone’s ears.

Even Midi, with his flowing Ultimate Intent, winced slightly.

The red-haired captain’s face drained of color.

The Star of the South’s shells had smashed against metal armor.

This five-masted ship was an ironclad!

Conventional ironclads moved like turtles under sail alone. Yet this magic-powered warship matched ordinary five-masted ships for speed while retaining armor.

What Southern Sea faction could build such a vessel?

Sonia’s heart churned with storm of emotions, but there was no time to ponder. The ironclad’s gunports began opening.

Each broadside boasted two decks – thirty gunports total, each mounting triple cannons. Ninety barrels formed a nightmarish wall of firepower.

The ships’ head-on approach proved their salvation. Before the ironclad could fully deploy its guns, the Star of the South surged forward, leaving it behind.

But then black light lanced across the waves, piercing the Star of the South’s deck.

Not a cannon – a 360-degree rotating ballista on the ironclad’s deck. While hiding its cannons to avoid spooking its prey, the enemy had zeroed this magic-enhanced harpoon. The barbed projectile lodged deep in their hull like a venomous sting.

Now anchored by this spike, the Star of the South lost all speed and maneuverability.

More ballistas emerged on the ironclad’s deck – second, third, fourth – their glittering harpoons training on the trapped ship like death’s arrows sighting prey.

An ironclad with flawless offense and defense!

Midi’s eyes shone brighter than ever.