Extraordinary Voyage-Chapter 830 - 711: Legendary Battleship Skill: Celestial Kingdom of Light
Woo woo woo...
On the deck of the "Crown of Miracles," a sudden gale arose, and the missile launching wells simultaneously initiated a volley, sending 128 "Hurricane Missiles" soaring into the sky, stirring the clouds fiercely above the battlefield.
At this moment, the distance between the opposing fleets was still three kilometers, far from being within the range of conventional shipborne artillery, making even the most imposing fleet just a display.
During the last "Battle of Benin" on the Southern Continent.
The "Crescent Array" commonly used by the Hilus Navy, which maximizes land forces, indeed revealed its disadvantages in equipment and tactical philosophy when facing the Tulip's swift maneuvers and superior artillery long-range bombardment.
They were unable to draw the main forces of the Alliance into the brawl their side specialized in from start to finish.
Thus, with the premise that the dominance of land forces must not waver, they also learned from the previous war's defeat. Besides the fifty-two fortress-like Level 3 or higher battleships, they pulled in a batch of more agile Level 4 ships and well-equipped Level 5 ships to form an auxiliary battle line.
This is the strategic advantage when having an overwhelming force!
However, for Aiven, formations were meaningless because caliber is justice! Range is truth!
With the pinpoint location provided by the "Mind Network," one missile was enough to take down an enemy ship, crushing them all before the battle even truly began, even with a legendary battleship at their side.
Though there are unwritten rules in warfare, if you can't handle powers of the same level, you can't blame others for using dimension reduction strikes.
Whew! Whew! Whew! Whew!...
Moreover, the distance between the two sides was exceedingly close, and the missiles fired their propellant right after launch, covering the three kilometers in less than ten seconds.
Before most of the Hilus people could react, 128 missiles were already above their heads.
However.
The high-ranking officials of the prepared Invincible Fleet had already acknowledged the legendary battleship, which first appeared in the "Campaign of Rebellion," had long-range strike capabilities. The "Flame Bright Light" was specifically dispatched to counter it, so how could it be easily taken out by one wave?
Clang! Clang! Clang!...
Suddenly, majestic bell tolls echoed over the sea as if from the Celestial Holy Mountain, followed by billions of voices chanting holy hymns, fervently praising the Holy Name of the True God "Eternal Flame":
"Holy is the Eternal Flame!
May everyone on earth hallow Your name, may Your kingdom come to earth!
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil! For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours, forever and ever!"
In the midst of these holy sounds.
The "Flame Bright Light," equivalent to a normal Level 1 battleship, stood firm amidst the waves, yet bright lights swiftly appeared above it, appearing slow yet fast.
In the next moment, a beautiful kingdom of light shrouded the majority of the fleet overhead.
Towering buildings, exquisite marble columns, children with wings holding hands crossing the sky, white deer drinking by a clear stream with golden ripples...
At the center of this kingdom was a grand golden flame, faintly resembling a human figure wearing a thorny sacred crown and a smiling face. Countless angels and saints gathered tightly around this figure, all wearing expressions of infinite bliss.
"Legendary Battleship Skill: Celestial Kingdom of Light"
"Eternal Flame, Supreme and Holy!"
Voices from the Hilus fleet erupted in fervent shouts, instantly boosting their morale to the peak.
On the Tulip side, the officers and soldiers were left dumbfounded.
This awe-inspiring scene, rather than calling it a legendary battleship skill, seemed more like a miracle.
Heretics or non-believers with weak faith might immediately prostrate themselves upon seeing this sight, swaying to convert under the Eternal Flame's banner.
"Is this... the descent of the Divine Kingdom of the Eternal Flame?!"
Legendary battleship skills are core secrets of any nation, for where there's a technique, there's a counter. To maintain the deterrent power of these "Titled Sacred Artifacts," secrecy always has top priority regarding such information.
Even if it falls into the hands of other powerful factions, it would be tightly guarded as a valuable bargaining chip, never casually shared.
On the seas, the meaning of "Legendary Battleships" is akin to a Mushroom Bomb; while the broad details of who has how many may be known, it's exceedingly rare to see them used frivolously as playthings.
In the many years Hilus established its maritime dominance, there were hardly any conventional naval battles involving battle lines to decide a nation's fate, let alone battles involving legendary battleships that would expose their secrets.
The Hilus people had little insight into the "Crown of Miracles," and Phaletis knew as little about the "Flame Bright Light."
Even Queen Livena, who controlled the kingdom's most classified information, only knew that this battleship's apparent ability was to manipulate "light," not limited to visible light, infrared, ultraviolet...
Its name sounds righteous, but its tactical style was elusive, adept at sneaking attacks unnoticed.
Yet, at such a close range, pure light didn't deceive the "Crown of Miracles'" sonar system or the Great Wizard's perception. No matter how genuine the light seemed, it couldn't hide the stirring sea currents; they were concretely there.
Unexpectedly, the other party directly unleashed a spectacle full of sound and light effects, deserving of a bouquet in a VFX artist's box lunch, a "Legendary Battleship Skill."
In the next moment, most of the "Hurricane Missiles" were directly swallowed by the "Celestial Kingdom of Light."
Then.
Rumble! Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!...
Violent explosions followed in succession within, as if echoing from a distant sky. Although the light and shadows within the "Kingdom" rippled like water waves, the explosions' power evidently hadn't exceeded the "Kingdom's" tolerance limit.
A portion of the Divine Kingdom of "Eternal Flame" can be summoned. This is why the Hilus rulers initially believed that this Legendary Battleship had what it took to counter the [Crown of Miracles]'s ultra-long-range attack-type "Legendary Battleship Skill".
Only on the outermost periphery of the formation, beyond the reach of the "Celestial Kingdom", did five battleships in the battle line turn into huge fireballs amidst the earth-shattering explosion.
On the bridge of the [Crown of Miracles], everyone had a solemn expression: "Is this an extremely powerful [Innate Barrier Wall]? Such strong defense!"
However, the effect of this imposing Legendary Battleship Skill was clearly not limited to just this.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! ...
Aiven had only just finished speaking when countless flaming meteors, dragging long red and white tails like a swarm of locusts, came crashing down from the [Celestial Kingdom].
Clearly, it would be impolite not to reciprocate. They were intent on showing the Tulip Fleet their own response.
Without needing Aiven's command, countless streams of data flashed quickly through Mei's black eyes, having already simultaneously locked onto every locust.
At the top of the warship's towering spire, a hexagonal red crystal suddenly took shape, and in an instant, it erupted into a blaze of light, unleashing hundreds of blazing red rays.
With almost no delay.
Every single ray accurately struck a "locust", and the intense energy clash blew them up one by one in mid-air, turning a good portion of the sky into a burning fiery cloud.
Whoosh—
The white clouds overhead were instantly swept away.
[Beam Defense System: Red-haired Witch]
After this offense and defense exchange, neither side gained much advantage. Both Legendary Battleships now had a rough understanding of each other's strength, and they no longer lingered in the regular fleet's battlefield, maneuvering their bows towards the deep sea.
The appetizer had finished; now it was time for the real fight to begin.
Seeing this, the fleet commander on the "Storm Horn", Vice Admiral Gustav, immediately issued an order through the [Mind Network]:
"Order: entire fleet switch to guerrilla mode; avoid engagement!"
Just like light cavalry against heavy cavalry, if they get caught they will be pinned down and battered. To be cautious, it's wise to avoid the edge and preserve their strength until peak forces determine the outcome, which will mean victory.
"Mei, prepare the main cannon!"
Though seemingly a fair duel between Legendary Battleships, the reality was more like... buying three bowls of tofu pudding, one sweet, one salty, eat one and dump one...
It was also Aiven's confidence to stay calm amidst the chaos!
In a situation where opponents thought it was a one-on-one battle, suddenly bringing out something to completely overwhelm them!
However, he's not the only one who can write the script. Realizing their Legendary Battleship might not hold a crushing advantage, Hilus immediately played another trump card - the absolutely strong peak combat force!
Swish—
Three figures instantly leaped into the sky.
On the cusp of birthing a [Titled Sacred Artifact], the Titled Knight "Thorny Fire" Balboa, wielding the[Holy Sword: Leivodin]without losing to an ordinary Titled Knight, Peak Grand Knight Mark Lunn, and the "Death Messenger", the chief Peak Grand Witch of the unknown real name from the "Curse School".
According to Hilus intelligence.
The peak combat strength of the entire Tulip Alliance in the New Continent consisted of the not-long-accomplished Grand Wizard Aiven Galliot, and a young "Gem School" Grand Witch Nymph who also hadn't broken through to veteran rank.
Gaining renown, rumored to briefly contend with the "Crowned Demon", the "Jade Light" was only half a match, and the Holy Knight himself could easily take her on.
How could they possibly lose with this force comparison?
But in Aiven's eyes, the force comparison looked quite different.
After more than two months of adaptation, Aiven had fully embraced the power bestowed by the [Creator's Blood], more powerful than when intercepting "Thorny Fire" and his group.
Anita had completed the transformation into a Pure-blooded Giant Dragon species. Though she hadn't broken through to Titled rank yet, even a regular human Titled Knight might not be her match.
So, aside from that peak Grand Witch, the threat from the two Hilus people wasn't very large.
The past ten days of not launching a forced attack was due to the "Death Messenger's" deterrence. If the Hilus fleet under this Black Wizard's protection was directly destroyed, he might become enraged, break unspoken rules, and counter-attack their personnel.
Even with all his faction's high-end Extraordinary power gathered, Aiven had no confidence in eliminating a peak Grand Witch.
However.
If they could, on the frontlines, powerfully break through Hilus' main force, it might make him back off.
As Serra put it, all Black Wizards share the same nature; they never partake in losing ventures, and there's never been a case of foreign aid fighting at the forefront for others.
This too was their compromise with power.
"Lady Serra, Madam, Angie will pilot the [Jade Coronet]! Please handle the 'Death Messenger', and be careful."
"Understood!"
"Sister, you take care of that Holy Knight; Hesi, you pilot the [Sea Soul] and join Mei in attacking the [Flame Bright Light]."
"Alright!"
And Aiven himself took a deep breath, firmly fixing his gaze on the true pillar of this war, "Thorny Fire". The heaviest burden fell onto his shoulders; he aimed to slay this Titled Knight in the shortest time possible!!!
