Most of the area is located in the tropical maritime climate of the Eritrean Sea, the second-largest sea in the known world, second only to the Black Sea. It is a crucial hub for Civilized Countries to connect with the Peacock Islands through the Treasure Sea.

Due to the climate, the region experiences an exceptionally long sailing season. Except for the dangerous summers riddled with thunderstorms, other seasons see a large number of merchant ships traveling between the eastern and western Source Continent.

The Hilus People, who have effectively occupied the Peacock Islands and monopolized the local trade, are particularly prominent among them.

Whirr—!

The sky was cloudless, and a large fleet was on the blue sea, marching in three columns with escorting battleships on the outside and large merchant ships on the inside.

The total number reached an astonishing thirty-one ships, not far behind the former Treasure Fleet.

Most of these ocean-going ships flew the Flame Banner of the Hilus Empire, still showing the strong shadow of the world's leading naval power, sick but undefeated.

However, among the crew of the fleet, besides Hilus People, there were many dark-skinned, short-statured indigenous people, most of whom had deep brown curly hair.

They are the Aboriginal tribes from the Peacock Islands, the Negritos.

The Peacock Islands may seem like a unified whole on the surface, but they are only a collective term for a series of Principalities on the Peacock Islands, with relatively little difference among the races.

Most of them are employees of the Hilus Santababia Company managing the Peacock Islands, but they are merely laborers barely better than slaves, whose accidental deaths require no compensation.

Pa! Pa! Pa!...

The sound of whips echoed overhead.

"Quick, take advantage of the good weather now and get all the spices on the deck to dry! If I smell a bit of mildew, I'll skin you alive."

Faced with the burly Hilus Merchant Ship owner, the dark-skinned Negritos were compliant, not showing a trace of dissatisfaction on their faces, as if obedience was etched deep into their blood.

In truth, this was not far from the reality.

For recorded history spans three thousand years, during which the Peacock Islands have undergone at least nine invasions from the West, resulting in nine different rulers, indirectly causing a total integration of bloodlines, culture, and beliefs.

Additionally, the unique geographical setting created a relatively isolated cultural environment, maintaining a certain level of independence.

It can be said this is a people, who despite retaining their own culture, have become accustomed to being ruled.

On the mysterious Peacock Islands, the Aboriginal mainly worship a series of deities led by the "Master of War Elephants," the "King of the Ivory Throne," Lan Tigos.

They also form the ruling Varna Sect that controls the spiritual world of the Negritos, led by natural gods like the Wind God Vayu, Rain God Pashenye, Water God Apas, Fire God Agni, and Sun God Surya.

However.

These seemingly primitive gods haven't monopolized the beliefs of the Peacock Islands, and being part of the Source Continent, have long been infiltrated by the Seven Gods and various demigods like a sieve over time.

Even the [God names] above are not necessarily the true names of those mighty gods.

There is also the saying that "the Peacock Islands" are a "museum of races and beliefs" for the entire human world, but the current secular rulers are undoubtedly the Santababia Company, jointly controlled by Philip II and the Nineteen Gentlemen.

Every year, they extricate a significant profit from here to send to the Hilus Mainland, which is vital to sustaining this vast empire. At present, it is almost the sole root that holds importance beyond words.

However, despite their resigning nature, these Negritos have significantly contributed to the scientific and technological enlightenment of the Old Continent in recent times.

Their source of technology stems from a rather mystical legend.

It's said that during the first unified dynasty on these islands, the "Maurya Dynasty."

One day, when King Chandragupta was praying by the sea, a golden box drifted from further East in the "Storm Belt," which was salvaged and presented to the King by the royal attendants.

Guided by a certain sage, King Chandragupta underwent a month of fasting and bathing before successfully opening the treasure box called [Purple Lacquer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl Fish and Algae Pattern Golden Treasure Box].

The primitive technologies including porcelain, silk, tea-making, paper-making, gunpowder, and compasses... came from that treasure box, heavily influencing the entire world civilization in this Era.

However, the Peacock Islands never achieved complete unity again, enduring thousands of years of storm and war until today, and the [Purple Lacquer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl Fish and Algae Pattern Golden Treasure Box] has long been lost.

The existence of the treasure box that emerged from the "Storm Belt" is known only to a few Aboriginal demigods with eternal lives.

Suddenly.

Buzz...

No one among the busy fleet noticed when a colossal creature without a physical form slightly narrowed its pupils at thirty thousand meters high, silently relaying a crucial signal.

In the perspective of a "Seagull Spirit."

Suddenly, another fleet composed entirely of fast warships emerged from the sea, swiftly cutting diagonally into the column of this fleet and launching an attack.

"Fire!"

The gun crews on the double-layered gun deck positions moved with perfect synchronization.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!...

The orange-red cannon fire lit up the sea surface and burned fiercely in the eyes of every Hilus person.

During this period, these "Galliot-type Heavy Cruisers," all armed with 24-pound or 32-pound cannons, lay in ambush like a pack of wolves along the main shipping lanes of the Eritrean Sea.

When they get the chance, they tear off a chunk from the Hilus merchant ships, favoring larger fleets.

Those who can fight them can't outrun them; those who can outrun them can't fight them; of course, many can't neither outrun nor fight them.

The sailboat design philosophy is at least two steps ahead, granting this raiding fleet a huge advantage.

"It's that elusive raiding fleet again, damn Tulip People, fight back!"

On the lead ship at the front of the fleet, a Major General commander roared in fury.

A great sea battle followed.

However, as the Hilus People bravely counterattacked, the Negritos on board were completely unaware and swiftly fled to the lower deck.

The Hilus People didn't expect them to help, or rather, they didn't want the Negritos to intervene in the battle.

After all, they had once been involved in the bizarre incident of being lazy and using the toilet on the ship, ultimately leading to the battleship being blown up by feces. Can you believe that?

The Hilus flagship "Flying" confronted its opponent, the commander's eyes were blood-red, his voice thunderous:

"Damn Tulip People, in peacetime, you blatantly attack the Empire's official fleet. You can't withstand His Majesty the Emperor's wrath!"

A young Major dressed in fitted "Venom Armor," wielding a bloody longsword, sneered:

"Emperor? A year ago, the Hilus People lost any right to speak to us from a high position! Prepare to board, seize the ship, follow me in the attack!"

Taking advantage of Hilus's lack of resources, they intervened directly in the war, severing the last root supporting this vast Empire and dragged them fiercely off the Overlord's throne, without caring how your Emperor feels.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!...

The sound of battle shook the sky, smoke filled the air.

After two hours of fierce fighting, apart from those dispersed and fleeing, about half of the Hilus merchant ships were left here.

While soldiers cleaned up the battlefield.

Elante, serving as the Boatswain, removed his spotless self-cleaning "Venom Armor" and sat down on the ground, panting heavily.

After resting for a while, he pulled out a brass Protective Talisman with gear and clockwork from his neck, and his face lit up with a happy smile.

Evidently, it was a farewell gift from the "Alchemy School" wizard Irina.

"Hey, catch this, Elante."

He caught the bottle of rum tossed by his captain, carefully put away the Protective Talisman like a treasure before pulling out the stopper and taking a big swig, exhaling a long breath of alcohol.

"We harvested well today, in a few more battles your rank will equal my Colonel rank."

Elante smiled, clinked the bottle with him:

"Captain, you're too kind. Rank doesn't matter, I'm just looking for an opportunity to hone myself."

The old captain couldn't help but roll his eyes.

'First get yourself stripped of that "Extraordinary Armor," "Bloody Lake Light," and all those talismans before talking about this kind of topic.'

Too lazy to discuss such depressing topics with this guy whose background is deep as the sea and who receives treatment comparable to a prince.

Just watching the few Supply Ships belonging to their fleet speeding in from afar, he couldn't help but sigh again:

"If in the future the seas are filled with these Flying Clippers, even our Heavy Cruisers might retire, truly worthy of the favor of Saint Aiven."

Whiz! Whiz! Whiz!

Approaching from afar were three large sea ships with hollowed bows and length-to-width ratios greater than 6:1, sails so wide they seemed to fly close to the water surface; they were Aiven's designs remained on paper never brought to reality, the "Flying Clipper."

Currently, no Pirate Ship in this world can catch up with it.

Even fully loaded, the large "Flying Clippers" can run at speeds of 12-14 knots, embodying the undisputed speed king of the Age of Sails!

Take crossing the Black Sea for example, others, aided by currents, take at least two months, while it takes less than a month, destined to greatly boost the rise of the New Continent and the Galliot Duchy.

Currently, they are temporarily only for military use and few have been launched.

But once they are truly popularized, they will cause Pirate Ships to directly eat dust behind them, indirectly ringing the death knell for the existence of piracy.

Once the steam ironclad ships are launched, the piracy profession will usher in its swan song.

Aiven: Whatever, after all, I've already washed my feet and landed ashore, who even cares?

God of Black Wings: ...heart-wrenching, my elimination is not by a rival?