CHAPTER 505: CHAPTER 459: PREY APPEARS AND THE RING

Black Sea East Coast, on the route connecting the Old Continent and the Southern Continent.

Woooooo...

The piercing cold wind carries faint frost flowers, filling the blue and white leather sails. The giant sails with excellent wind-absorbing performance are inscribed with mysterious silver rune techniques, upon which a faint spiritual light of witchcraft flickers.

Relying on the strong propulsion given by advanced alchemy, this quasi-Legendary battleship belonging to the Phaletis Kingdom, "Northern Cold Wind," traverses the vast sea swiftly as if weightless.

Less than a kilometer ahead on its side, another battleship of similar size also speeds across the sea.

However, its appearance strikingly resembles a blazing red maple leaf, making it easily recognizable as the quasi-Legendary battleship of Hilus: "Red Maple."

Clearly, this is a confrontation at the highest level of extraordinary power between adversarial forces.

"Griffith, you dare to personally intercept Tulip’s maritime route, why not dare to truly fight a battle of strength with us?

A Grand Vice Admiral of Hilus can’t possibly be a coward who fears the strong, right? Hahaha..."

Phaletis Navy Commander stationed in the Southern Continent, Vice Admiral Temple Elvis, holds a command saber embedded with sapphire. His bell-like booming voice echoes across the sea, clearly heard by both friend and foe.

Currently, the wartime treaties between nations only prohibit the massacre of ordinary soldiers by high-tier transcendent beings, but don’t limit their engagement. Unless an adversary possesses equal extraordinary power to negate each other out, it’s even possible to kill all resisting soldiers.

To quote a saying, "How could strength be such an inconvenient thing?"

A while ago, Griffith and his "Red Maple" blatantly intercepted Tulip’s maritime route. Any sails appearing before them, whether merchant or warship, was utterly unable to escape.

In just a few days, the alliance has suffered considerable losses, yet Hilus’ sparse colonies in the Southern Continent resulted in concentrated power, making counteractions difficult.

Onboard the "Red Maple" ahead.

"General sir..."

A hand wearing white gloves raised to halt the deputy’s words.

Griffith, standing on the stern tower, originally didn’t want to engage in such emotional disputes. He knew very well his goal was merely to lead the Expeditionary Fleet to victory, methods didn’t matter.

Although "Northern Cold Wind" is fast, it still falls slightly behind "Red Maple" in speed, and naturally, the distance in a bit more time will widen.

Moreover, engaging directly with two balanced quasi-Legendary battleships isn’t as simple as dining, there’s the risk of mutual destruction, significantly delaying their strategic advancement.

But seeing the unpleasant looks on his officers and crew, who’ve been pursued and mocked throughout, the renowned Hilus world’s strongest force hadn’t endured such humiliation.

Morale is something he as captain couldn’t ignore.

Additionally, this high-temperature Southern Continent, almost devoid of ice seasons, is exactly "Red Maple’s" home turf, Griffith finally resolved to harshly teach the ignorant Phaletis people a lesson.

"If you want war, then let there be war!"

The two quasi-Legendary battleships, possessing extraordinary powers, don’t need to seize wind like ordinary ships; their operability and agility are completely different levels.

With the captain’s order, the battleship immediately enters combat status.

However, as "Red Maple" in front decelerates to meet its foe, "Northern Cold Wind" launches its attack first.

Vice Admiral Elvis raises his shimmering sapphire-embellished command saber high, the flowing colors and lights radiate, and the dozen blue-white sails on the warship’s front, main, and rear masts simultaneously emit a visible spiritual light.

Woooooo...

As if the wailing sound from the Eternal White Land’s cold wind, an illusory whale larger than the battleship enveloped by the harsh blizzard emerges from the sails, quickly inflating like a balloon with a deep breath.

Then abruptly opens its massive deep blue mouth, spewing the planet’s coldest natural winds, a terrifying cold snap reaching -93.2°C where even air seems to freeze!

Intending to bring this ocean into winter.

[Ability: Wind of the Frosty Winter]

The sails of "Northern Cold Wind" originate from a giant species Sea Monster "Pilot Whale" residing near the "Eternal White Land," making the processed sea monster skin perfect sail material.

Furthermore, the Wizards of the "Alchemy Tools and Enchantment Branch" inscribe rune techniques for strong wind absorption and extraordinary ability, also sealing the giant species’ soul within the sails, giving the warship a portable Sea Monster pet.

Possessing [Never Lost], [Whale Spirit Escort], [Wind of the Frosty Winter], and other abilities.

Unlike the "Red Maple" relying on Angel’s blessing which is constrained by time and season, as an alchemy creation, provided enough energy, this battleship can operate in all weather.

"Naïve!"

Griffith sneers, each nation’s Legendary and Quasi-Legendary battleship capabilities are of top priority intelligence.

If asked which kingdom in the material world has the richest combat experience, undoubtedly the Hilus people with armies as their backbone.

They’ve risen since over two hundred years ago, spending almost every day in warfare thus understanding the importance of intelligence best.

Raises a bronze-handled torch high with his right hand.

Blazing...

Like an intense sun suddenly descending, a scorching yellow-white flame splits the cold air, shooting towards "Northern Cold Wind’s" sails.

[Ocean Treasure: Dragon Breath Torch]

Effect: Outside of winter, usable three times daily, capable of releasing scorching flame reaching 200 meters, burning even seawater within range.

...

Hilus’ stronghold in the Southern Continent, Luanda.

The deputy rushes into the deputy commander’s office excitedly, eagerly reporting even before standing firmly to Steel Knight Kungang Tita, Deputy Commander of the Expeditionary Fleet:

"Reporting to the Commander! The opportunity has come.

Vice Admiral Griffith has already engaged with the ’Northern Cold Wind,’ two evenly matched Quasi-Legendary battleships are restraining each other, they likely won’t have the energy to pay attention to us in the short term."

Even in his office, Kungang Tita, clad in heavy armor, had a gleam in his eyes. He turned and picked up the two-handed sword from the weapon rack.

"The timing is perfect. That impulsive Vice Admiral Elvis from Phaletis has done us a great favor.

Let’s go, take advantage of this opportunity and set out immediately with the prepared cargo ship!"

He unfolded the crimson cape behind him and took the lead to walk out.

This was Kungang Tita’s second most important task since arriving in the Southern Continent, only second to ensuring victory in the war, and absolutely cannot afford any mishaps.

Most importantly, he must evade the watchful eyes of the Church Faction’s Griffith, as a loyal member of the Royal Faction fulfilling the important mission entrusted personally by His Majesty the King!

...

Once the ’May Wind’ joined the battlefield, it easily slaughtered all the warriors from the Dahomey Kingdom aboard the two ships.

Aiven and his classmate Kelson Augustine, who seemed to be in a very complicated mood, exchanged pleasantries, learning that he is currently stationed at the kingdom’s Nigeria Colony undertaking defense duties.

Being stationed overseas is considered a shortcut to promotion, and unlike the newly developed and more dangerous New Continent, the Southern Continent, cultivated for two hundred years, is much less perilous.

It was undoubtedly his deputy commander’s grandfather’s painstaking effort, only for unfavorable circumstances to occur with the onset of war with Hilus, nearly leading to disaster.

Nonetheless, they shared some school "friendship", and agreed to keep in touch frequently in the New Continent.

Subsequently, the ’May Wind’ took away the most valuable spoils from the aboriginal ship, while the ’Evergreen Ivy’ returned to Nigeria with two battleships, and reported to the higher-ups the news that Dahomey has entered the battle.

The battleship continued forward, arriving at the waters west of Luanda Cape, hidden away at the edge of a relatively secretive island, quietly waiting.

With the Seagull Network in place, even if slightly distanced, they wouldn’t miss the target.

In the captain’s cabin, only Aiven and Olivia were present.

The young lady removed her disguise; her graceful figure filled the military uniform with alluring curves, her waterfall-like black hair cascading over her shoulders, a strand of glossy black hair beside her jade-like cheek, seriously maintaining the Alchemy Firearm.

The gun barrel was silver with faintly dull gleams, and a finely textured wine-red wooden stock, with a golden rose-patterned vine running through the entire gun body. After cleaning and applying gun oil, the Alchemy Firearm shone brightly.

Almost like a piece of art!

Well, both were like that, Aiven quietly nodded in his heart behind his desk.

Noticing Aiven’s constant gaze, Olivia assumed he was looking at the firearm. She cradled the Thorned Gold Rose to her chest, like guarding a precious chick, refusing to let go:

"Aiven, lend it to me. Anyway, you hardly use it anymore. Plus, you haven’t maintained this firearm at all since acquiring it, have you? Listen, the Thorned Gold Rose is crying!"

Squinting at the young lady, clearly revealing "do I look like a fool?", he feigned displeasure:

"Under the protection of Alchemy, the Alchemy Firearm’s resistance to wear is famously strong; you’re just being greedy for this general’s treasure!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Whoosh—

Aiven suddenly raised his hand to catch a shiny object Olivia tossed over.

Upon opening his hand, a silver ring with a blue-black tourmaline embedded in it was revealed, quaint and grand in style, it turned out to be a gemstone ring!

"What is this, for me?"

Due to the ring’s special meaning, Aiven couldn’t help but think a little sideways.

"A very fitting item for you."

Olivia had no ulterior motives, and then explained the purpose of the gemstone in detail.

Tourmaline is classified by color into black tourmaline and colored tourmaline.

For a Wizard from the Gem School, colored tourmaline can be used in disguise witchcraft, while iron-rich black tourmaline is capable of manipulating electric currents.

Aiven quietly sensed the lively Spiritual Essence already awakened in the ring by "Gem Witchcraft," regardless of its enhancement of his electric currents manipulation, merely by Extraordinary Essence alone, it would be a powerful external power source.

For a Branded Swordsman who bases on "Life Magnetic Field," its practicality is significant.

"Yet, how come the gemstone on this looks so familiar. Isn’t this originally the gemstone button you chose with the ’Fairy Spring’?"

Olivia slightly raised her chin like flawless white jade, having successfully snagged it herself. As the seller’s market doesn’t accept bargaining, she snorted softly.

"One sentence, deal or not?"

"Deal! But not for this ring.

In regards to perishable items, you need to consistently help me upgrade. Don’t worry, I’ll cover the material and labor costs!"

The young lady thought for a moment, unable to discern the deeper meaning behind Aiven’s "after-sales service" requirement, believing the activation of Spiritual Essence in gemstones was trivial, nodded in agreement:

"Deal!"

Just then.

From the direction of Luanda Cape, a Level 3 battleship without any flags, accompanied by three massive transport ships, appeared in the Seagull’s Mind Network.

The prey they’ve been awaiting finally showed up!