However, nautical charts can be further divided: general nautical charts, offshore nautical charts, coastal nautical charts, coastline charts, bay charts, and so on.

Each type of nautical chart serves a different purpose, and their values vary. For instance, the one Adrian has is merely an offshore nautical chart, with a very limited scope, only covering the patrol route of the "Conch" and some nearby coastal cities.

Despite this, Adrian treasures it as if it were a prized possession, as this is essential for a Chief Navigator's livelihood.

To be honest, from the nautical map's perspective, the fishing town Leopold and the Third Fleet's base Gabred are not very far apart. Back when Aiven left there to join the military, traveling by the "Yellow Crane" took only two days in total.

Yet from the time he enlisted until a year later, it was only now that Aiven had the chance to revisit the familiar grounds due to overlapping missions.

Reflecting on the various experiences throughout this year—reuniting with Uncle Gel, battling sea monsters and pirates, escaping death multiple times, and even facing the Evil God—his experiences were more thrilling than those of many people in a lifetime!

For a moment, Aiven felt quite sentimental.

"Is this the usual patrol route of our 'Conch'?"

This was, after all, Aiven's first patrol mission, so he straightforwardly asked Adrian, the Chief Navigator, about what he was unsure of, as pretending to know while being ignorant is the most dangerous thing for a commander.

"Captain, it's not always like this. Our patrol routes are adjusted based on the season, wind direction, and changes in trade routes.

However, most of the time, it's just a routine, and encountering pirates cruising in this offshore region isn't frequent throughout the year.

As soon as we appear, the small pirates with just a broken fishing boat typically flee on their own; genuine firefighting situations are very rare."

"Alright, I understa...."

Crackling.... crackling....

However, Aiven's words were interrupted by a strange continuous sound coming from outside of the captain's cabin.

"What's happening?" The two people in the captain's cabin simultaneously turned to look outside the porthole.

By this time, a sailor on the deck was already shouting:

"It's a swarm of flying fish! So many fish!"

Stepping out of the captain's cabin.

Aiven saw that the sea outside was already a dazzling silver, impossible to distinguish whether it was a wave or a fish tide. Countless flying fish leapt from the water, gliding for dozens or even over a hundred meters, before plunging back into the ocean.

The flying fish formed a vast mass, making the "Conch" appear as if it was sailing in a vast silver sea.

Quite a few flying fish couldn't dodge in time, directly crashing onto the ship or conveniently landing on the deck, giving the sailors a free catch.

Each flying fish, at least as long as an adult's palm, had a carplike body, a deep blue spine, and broad pectoral fins spread like semi-transparent wings. Even on the deck, their vitality was strong, tails vigorously bouncing in an attempt to return to the sea.

With eyes squinted slightly, in another view from the sea birds above, the scale of this fish swarm was indeed not small, stretching at least several kilometers. It even attracted several sea birds scouting nearby to join in the feeding, ignoring their reconnaissance duties.

Just that I was focused on the nautical chart and didn't connect to the perspective of the sea birds, perhaps Bess didn't think this "feast" for the sea birds was worth notifying me, only when the flying fish were already nearby did I notice it.

"Captain! The large-scale emergence of flying fish is unusual." Seeing Aiven kept silent, the Chief Navigator Adrian couldn't help but remind from behind.

"Level 3 War Preparation!"

Without waiting for further comment, Aiven exhaled and voiced the readiness command.

Dong, dong, dong...

The ship's alarm bell was struck, and all the crew immediately stirred, hurrying back to their respective posts, even ignoring any flying fish landing at their feet.

Aiven nodded in satisfaction, although just a Level 6 Battleship, it continually ventures the ocean, perpetually facing various dangers, ensuring the crew's military skills are reliable.

Meanwhile, he flicked his cloak, turning to ascend to the best vantage point at the stern for command.

Flying fish surfacing indicates that there might be some predator lurking beneath the water, given the size of this school and their intense reaction. Either there's a large creature below or a group of hunters, in either case, caution from the "Conch" is essential.

After all, last time the "Silver Wings" on its offshore route even encountered a sea monster attack, clearly, perils aren't exclusive to dangerous waters.

Now with my identity changed, being a battleship captain, entrusted with the lives of over a hundred on board, losing vigilance is unacceptable.

All these actions felt lengthy, though only half a minute passed.

Beneath, hunters had already begun pursuing the fleeing school of flying fish into the "Conch"'s view.

"Is that... Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish?"

The seabirds that live in the ocean naturally possess sharp eyes that can see through the sea water, and, thanks to their vision, Aiven spotted the hideous creatures earlier than anyone else.

They were large fish with an average body length exceeding twelve meters, even bigger than the fierce killer whales!

Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish, also known as Gun Gills Split-tooth Fish, is a kind of demonized creature unique to the Black Sea.

With long, snake-like dark gray bodies, sharp heads and large mouths, their gill edges extend backward into four or five spear-like spikes, with tusks sticking out, signaling their ferocity just from their appearance.

They are inherently fierce and extremely aggressive, with a very wide diet that ranges from the large-bodied whale to small fish like flying fish. Even the "Sea Monster", ruler of the deep sea, dares to gnaw a bite when driven by hunger.

If Aiven had to describe it with an animal more familiar to the public, it would have to be none other than the honey badger.

Moreover, like wolf packs, they enjoy hunting in groups, and the group in Aiven's view consists of three large and two small Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish.

The hunting pattern of demonized creatures is really hard to predict, and the "Conch" is directly on their path, making it uncertain if a conflict will arise, something Aiven cannot discern.

It's better to be prepared.

"Level 2 War Preparation! Gunpowder Chief, prepare portside cannons! Load grape bombs!"

"Yes, sir!"

With the order given, the gunners on the main deck's portside swiftly loaded small packets filled with pellets into the cannon muzzles.

The grape bomb is one type of cannonball that spreads out to form a barrage upon firing, damaging a wide area of enemies. Although it has a very short range, it is the best way to deal with these slender and nimble sea beasts.

Swish swish swish —

Watching them from the high viewpoint of the seabirds was not shocking, but seeing them up close, Aiven was astonished by the commanding presence of these large fish.

They skimmed swiftly across the water's surface with their knife-like dorsal fins raised high, cleaving through the sea and trailing five snow-white water lines. Even though they were still far, the sharp slicing sound seemed all too audible.

Stab.. stab.. stab..

Because of the arrival of these "Overlords," all kinds of marine life in this sea area for miles around either hid or fled, only not jumping out of the water like flying fish and thus unnoticed by the sailors.

Due to the strong power and fierce nature of the demonized creatures, they looked down on all marine life with disdain, naturally not regarding a mere sea ship as an obstacle.

Showing no sign of veering from their path, under the lead of the largest fish monster, they charged forward.

Aiven could not gamble on whether the "Conch"'s hull was tougher or the Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish's head more stubborn, so he decisively ordered to open fire:

"Target the sea surface ahead, distance 70 meters! Ready... fire!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!...

The ten shipborne artillery pieces on the port side fired simultaneously, orange-red flames illuminating the sea surface as countless grape bombs turned into a black barrage and instantly covered all space across the side.

Swoosh.. swoosh.. swoosh.. swoosh..

The wild demonized creatures, as though never having seen the power of modern firearms, charged headlong like primitive people wielding spears and hide shields.

Although weakened by seawater, they eventually pressed close to the surface, and the grape bombs, propelled by the enormous kinetic energy of gunpowder, penetrated the seawater and struck them, boring through scales and into flesh.

Gurgle gurgle...

The domineering and rarely challenged sea demons were stunned by the head-on impact, swishing their long tails to dive underwater to evade, leaving only foaming bubbles and bits of red momentarily.

"It worked!"

"Don't let your guard down, watch the underwater!"

After being enriched with the knowledge from the "Shadow Library," the now widely read Aiven, thoroughly understanding the traits of the Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish, was quite vexed by these creatures very much like the honey badger in personality.

Moreover, as the lowest rank of the Level 6 Battleship series, its weaponry was not much more advanced than that of a transport ship, especially the alchemy bombs specifically used against underwater targets, which were out of the question.

If these big guys kept lurking underwater to launch sneak attacks, it would indeed be troubling.

Thud —

Thud —

Sure enough, brashness does not equal stupidity. Very soon, two low muffled sounds came from underwater, and the ship shook twice with it.