In this world, giant sea creatures whose sizes rival ships are commonly called "Sea Monsters".

In general terms, all Sea Monsters are Extraordinary Creatures. Even the smallest Small Species are at least 30 meters long, while Large Species typically range from 50 to 100 meters long. It's important to know that the largest human-made warships of this era, Level 1 Battleships, are only 70 meters.

The Giant Species typically measure around 500 meters, longer than seven Level 1 Battleships lined up end to end.

Above them, the top-tier Sea Monsters are called the "Sea God's Son", with lengths exceeding a thousand meters, comparable to a small island.

The current Large Species "Sea Demon" has a main body length of eighty meters, not to mention dozens of arms that extend over twice its body length, obviously at the peak of Large Species, with even one foot already in the Giant Species category.

As a beloved of Echet, it harbors a deep-rooted hatred for humans, inexplicably captured by them, and now forced into a desperate situation by an unknown power. As soon as this Large Species appeared on the sea surface, it went into a frenzy, launching a frenzied charge towards the nearest warship to the north!

"All gunners, attention! Load solid shot, prepare... fire!!"

On the same Level 2 Battleship, even with the crew already inundated with the stinking sea breeze, the captain remained calm and issued the command to fire with great composure.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!....

Orange-red cannon flames blossomed over the sea, turning the surface under the port side of the warship a glowing red.

Three decks of cannons, forty-five cannons on one side of the vessel, unleashed their power, including thirteen terrifying thirty-two-pound cannons weighing 3.3 tons each. The scorching cannonballs, carrying immense kinetic energy, shrieked through the air, and thunderously crashed into the horrific and menacing "Sea Demon".

At a distance of about eight hundred meters, there's really no reason to miss such a large target.

A large cloud of blue blood mist burst open on the Sea Monster's body.

The scorching iron cannonballs easily drilled into the Sea Monster's flesh, some tumbling inside its body, while others severed its tentacles, hurling them further into the sea.

Just one salvo was enough to directly interrupt the charging of the Large Species Sea Monster. With over twenty hits, it nearly lost half of its life.

"Reload!"

The Gunpowder Chief calmly issued the order, and the gunners quickly reloaded the ammunition.

The use of special powder bags wrapped in fire-laced cloth ensured all substances could fully combust in the cannon barrel, greatly speeding up the reloading process.

Thus, even operating the heavy 3.3-ton 32-pound cannon, experienced gunners could guarantee a firing rate of two shots per minute. The 24-pound, 18-pound, and 12-pound smaller calibers were faster, ensuring sustained firepower.

"Fire!"

No assistance was necessary from the other three battleships slowly surrounding it; after the second salvo, the "Sea Demon", torn and riddled with holes, was completely incapacitated.

By then, the "Frost White Sword" had finally approached the battlefield, where the smoke had yet to disperse.

Aiven could finally see the full picture of this Large Species Sea Monster; at least, during his long time at sea, Aiven had never encountered a Large Species.

That being said, never encountering one is indeed fortunate; if faced with such a monster without the protection of a bigshot (such as the Rose Sword Saint), one might have already failed to return.

It is said that the Hilus Great Treasure Fleet had overturned at sea four times in total, twice due to storms beyond endurance limits, and twice due to encountering swarms of Sea Monsters...

As a Large Species, the "Sea Demon" was undoubtedly much more resilient than the previous "Mirage Sea Star".

Bang! Bang! Bang!...

Even though it drifted motionlessly at sea, dozens of stout arms continued instinctively thrashing the surface, and Aiven had no doubt that a casual strike could destroy a single-masted fishing boat.

However, everyone knew that this battle... was over.

It ended without causing any personnel loss!

The "Sea Demon" was now merely in its death throes; as time went by, it would naturally fall silent.

At least in battles on the sea, a Large Species Sea Monster was truly no match for a Level 2 Battleship equipped with humanity's most advanced conventional weapons.

Moreover, the outcome of the battle also demonstrated the success of the "Siren's Song"!

This test mission was perfectly completed.

As the inventors of the "Siren's Song", Aiven and Anthony couldn't help but lightly clap, celebrating the battleship's victory, which was also their triumph!

"Perfect! Hahaha..."

At this moment, the four battleships had reassembled.

In his excitement, Aiven then noticed that the battleship previously guarding the west was one of the only few Level 1 Battleships in the Kingdom — the "Weston Castle", with the Royal Family's flag flying high on its mainmast!

There's no doubt, the most distinguished person present was aboard this Level 1 Battleship.

"Lieutenant Colonel Aiven, Lieutenant Colonel Anthony, please come over here for a moment."

As they noticed that Level 1 Battleship, a voice echoed in their ears, as if it were speaking right beside them, even without using the identity card of the "Violet Eye."

It was... Principal Princeton's voice.

The two exchanged glances, simultaneously recognizing the source of the voice.

Members of the "Violet Eye" often have dual identities, serving both the Kingdom Navy and the secret association "Violet Eye" as wizards.

Regardless of perspective, Principal Princeton, as a former Navy Marshal, Royal Navy Academy Principal, and association leader — an Upper-Rank Wizard — was a bona fide bigwig to them!

With such an invitation from a bigwig, the two hurriedly abandoned the longboat provided by the warship and rowed over at once.

Whump—

Aiven directly jumped off the deck, his military boots gliding swiftly over the waves, faster even than on land.

Anthony, a seasoned player, needed no worry from Aiven, as a "Water Walking Ring" had already perfectly resolved everything.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Without much delay, the two leaped onto the "Weston Castle."

"Your Highness/Principal, good day!"

Seeing a crowd on the deck led by a young lady and an elderly man with white hair, they respectfully saluted.

"Hahaha, look at these handsome young men, our benefactors have arrived!"

Principal Princeton, like a kindly and gracious elder, smiled sincerely as he introduced the inventors of "Siren's Song" to the "visitors" from the Royal Capital behind him.

With his current status and power, he could already disregard many complicated and cumbersome etiquettes and simply speak his mind.

"Under Principal Princeton's leadership, the Navy Academy and Violet Eye have been brimming with talents over the years. Thanks to pillar figures like Principal, young talents like these two have the chance to thrive!"

The leading observer, a tall man dressed elegantly and with a noble emblem embroidered on his collar, spoke in a voice resonant as a bell, praising the old principal.

In one sentence, he managed to commend three people. Ah, this is very noble indeed.

Aiven glanced at the noble emblem embroidered on the man's clothing, representing loyalty and truth in blue, military perseverance and courage in red, a white horse ready for the monarch, and on the right side, the unique sunflower.

To Aiven, he remembers the appearance, names, strengths, likes, and dislikes of hundreds of people clearly; thus, the art of heraldry that requires rote memorization is no challenge for him.

Hmm, it's undoubtedly the staunch royal faction of the Hansa Marquis Clan, old bureaucrats indeed.

The old principal smiled lightly; compliments are simply to be heard, especially as the speaker was a Great Knight Tier martial faction great noble.

When the country is in a period of stable ascent, most factional conflicts are masked by tangible benefits, appearing harmonious with mutual well-being. But believing that heartfelt sincerity is absolutely foolish.

The second to speak was an elderly clergy dressed in a black robe, positioned at the Church, speaking with insight and grand vision:

"Half a month's test plan has been completed, the effectiveness of 'Siren's Song' is evident to us, and the pace to explore the unknown areas of the ocean can be appropriately accelerated.

Clearing obstacles will significantly advance human maritime enterprise! The Goddess's glory will spread to even farther places!"

This person was not anyone else but Bishop Benedict, who cooperated with Principal Princeton to annihilate the projection of Evil God Perseus at the New Inn Cathedral when the evil god descended.

However, due to the strong local support headed by the Royal Family, plus the successful rescue by his dispatched "Iron Wall Knights" squad of clergy and some populace in "White Whale Port," being one of the few stellar official performances in the mass massacre event.

In addition to his decades of diligent achievements, this old bishop is set to soon take office as the district bishop of Phaletis District.

Before leaving "New Inn Port", he arrived here as a representative of the Goddess Church to verify the efficacy of the new "Alchemy Tools."

Moreover, it was a proactive invitation from the Kingdom to the Church.

It's not that the Kingdom's upper echelons lack confidentiality awareness; unlike the previously practical and replicable "Scurvy Prevention and Treatment Plan", "Siren's Song," as a sophisticated alchemical device, has a higher technical complexity, its secrets not easily uncovered by mere observation.

This significant invention can form a monopolistic military product, produced by the Phaletis Kingdom, which holds its secrets, enriched with various confidentiality measures, and sold to allied nations as weapons procurement.

And the Church, with its more robust credibility, stands as the best intermediary!

The kingdom's high officials do not care whether the Goddess benefits from a thriving maritime endeavor gaining more strength, as infinity plus a hundred plus a thousand still results in infinity. The Church is the Church, and the Goddess is the Goddess; they are more concerned with worldly profits.

Exploration of unknown oceans has always been a high-risk activity; even possessing a new weapon like "Siren's Song," it's impossible to immediately bring about groundbreaking changes in maritime exploration progress.

But.

The enhanced safety at sea is already enough to prompt military forces of various countries to spend generously.

They have already seen the steady and abundant returns from ocean exploration beckoning to the Kingdom....