CHAPTER 524: CHAPTER 474: DOUBLE BATTLE PEAK GRAND KNIGHT

Swoosh——

The sails of the "Storm Cape" billowed, slicing through the vast waves like a sharp blade.

"Did you two notice anything unusual about the ’Long-nosed Shark’?"

Aiven stood at the stern deck of the "Storm Cape," leaning on his command saber, with the captain’s cloak [Thunderbird Robe] flapping loudly in the sea breeze.

Directly ahead of them, the quasi-legendary warship of Hilus, "Long-nosed Shark," was racing south like a mad dog off its leash. If speed wasn’t also the strong suit of the "Storm Cape," they might have been left behind by now.

Standing behind Aiven, as wizards, Milan and Olivia both focused part of their spirit on the seagull, even daringly drawing closer to repeatedly observe the various circumstances aboard that ship.

After paying the price of losing two, they still found nothing.

Whether it was the personnel, their conversations, or the faintly visible large fish shadow underwater... everything was the same as before.

"It’s indeed strange, the people and the ship haven’t changed, but the combat style has undergone a dramatic transformation.

While there was pursuit and evasion before, Captain Marz Harry was distinctly slippery. Now, perhaps he’s taken the wrong medicine; there’s no harassment or attack, just a purposeful move southward.

Maybe, if we let them run forward for a few more days and confirm that the ’Long-nosed Shark’ can’t make it back to the ’Benin Gulf’ before meeting up with our fleet, we can just pull back."

Milan scratched his head and put away the crystal ball that showed no anomalies.

Next to him, Olivia shrugged as well, unable to do more when even a "Prophet" found nothing. They had even shot two electromagnetic cannon rounds previously, and apart from blocking with a [Bubble Ring], there was no other response from the opponent.

Aiven’s brow remained furrowed.

Though everything seemed nominal on the surface, their inexplicable gathering and quick dispersal suggested an unmistakable conspiracy lurking beneath.

Not understanding it felt like a fish bone stuck in his throat, causing immense discomfort.

Thus.

He fashioned a ritual setup on the deck with candles, essential oils, crystals, and a seagull’s feather, drawing in the captains of the other two quasi-legendary warships into the mind network. The ritual’s cost was not too hefty as it only served three people.

"Commander, General Seric! How is the situation over there? It’s almost been three days, have you discovered anything?"

He quickly received responses from both sides.

"My ’Firebird’ has been avoiding combat, but no anomaly on the enemy warship.

Yet, has anyone noticed that while the Commander and I continue moving north, General Galliot keeps heading south?"

Major General Seric of the "Five-Mast Peak" reported no anomalies, then noted an oddity that wasn’t really an oddity. As long as they didn’t dive deep into the ocean, they had to go north or south. With two in the north and one in the south, it was not all that special.

"My ’Red Maple’ is similarly running fast and not engaging.

If we’re heading south, Marz might be picking a battlefield favorable to him, General Galliot, keep an eye out."

Finally, even with Vice Admiral Temple Elvis, the Commander, steady and experienced, without more intelligence, that’s all he could conjecture.

In scenarios where strength is closely matched and a quick victory isn’t assured, utilizing external forces is one of the most effective methods.

"Alright, I’ll be careful."

Seeing that the other parties had no discoveries either, Aiven agreed and withdrew from the mind network. But the inexplicable feeling in his heart didn’t dissipate, growing instead more intense.

At this moment.

A report from Milan, the Chief Navigator, drew his attention.

"Aiven, we’re about to approach Egerles Cape, the southernmost tip of the Southern Continent. Should we continue the chase, or guard here and cut off their retreat?

Though it’s still more than half a month away from winter, the vanguard of the giant waves should be brewing.

If we continue past Egerles Cape and head south, entering areas largely unknown to mankind, encountering terrifying weather phenomena is possible."

The southernmost tip of the Southern Continent is Egerles Cape, also known as "Needle Cape" because the magnetic north and geographic north align perfectly here.

This area is known for winter storms and giant waves.

The westerly storm belt blowing from west to east coincides with the cold circumpolar current of the ice land here, conflicting with the warm Egerles sea current in the Egerles Cape region.

With differing densities and opposing directions, these battling currents create extremely dangerous giant waves.

The sea south of Egerles Cape is shallower, with the continental shelf stretching 250 kilometers south before plunging to the deep-sea plains, enhancing the power of wind currents.

Observations have noted waves as tall as 30 meters; imagine the despair if endless "beheading waves" crashed overhead in this maritime realm?

Even invincible Level 1 battleships arriving here at the wrong season couldn’t escape misfortune.

Though more than half a month remains till winter in November, and the all-consuming waves aren’t a threat yet, Aiven remains watchful.

Even aided by the "Iron Cross Medal" gifted by the Goddess to neutralize the ocean’s harm, he understood after several tests.

The "Iron Cross Medal" is mainly effective for individuals, negligibly so for ships. Surviving under beheading waves is sheer wishful thinking.

So, with the treacherous water domain already in sight and recalling the Commander’s recent words,

Aiven decisively ordered,

"Lower sails and slow down, we’re not chasing."

...

On the warship ahead, though,

Peak Grand Knight Griffith stood on the front deck. Externally unchanged, in others’ recognition, Captain Marz Harry of the "Long-nosed Shark" resembled his appearance.

An aging military priest with graying hair stood by his side, the two conversing lightly, devoid of Aiven and the others’ paranoid tension.

"Dean Webster, do you know who first discovered the southernmost point of the Southern Continent, Agulhas Cape? It was Hilus’ great navigator, Diarte!

If it weren’t for the Tulip People’s luck, how could Treasure Tree Bay and the Land Gold Mine have fallen into their hands?

And the victory of this upcoming war will signify a complete reversal of this situation.

Before new continents are discovered, we will gradually reclaim the wealth on known continents that rightfully belong to us, and then... dedicate it to God!"

As a Church’s Divine Favor Knight, he is also a typical military radical, advocating the idea that everything should belong to the Kingdom. He proposed a long time ago to strictly blockade the sea routes with strong military force and monopolize the colonial interests.

In his opinion, this war is not only to divert domestic conflicts but also marks the beginning of realizing his own ideals and ambitions.

"Your piety towards God makes even the Servant of God humble, but I need to remind you that the other party obviously does not intend to enter that dangerous water, and has already started to slow down."

The Great Knight smiled calmly, as if everything was under his control:

"Just as the time is almost up, let’s use this iconic location in the Southern Continent’s navigation history as their funeral.

In this remote water, having ruled out all unexpected factors, no one can save them.

Order, slow down, change tack with the wind, and approach."

Swish—

In Aiven’s eyes, the "Long-nosed Shark" suddenly changed direction and quickly closed the gap, transforming into another appearance with a layer of faint red light flashing by.

Especially the fiery red sails that looked like burning maple leaves, quickly drifting towards their direction from the sea.

"Red! Maple! Ship!"

The crew aboard the "Storm Horn," from the captain Aiven to the ordinary sailors, turned pale at witnessing this scene.

The feeling of horror was akin to playing joyously with a sheep, and suddenly the opponent unveils the wolf skin, revealing a disheveled evil ghost.

Upon seeing this scene, Aiven finally understood the opponent’s plan.

Without anyone noticing, they replaced the battleship, creating the opportunity for the strongest "Red Maple Ship" to duel alone with him, drawing the battle back to a three-on-two from before his arrival.

Moreover, Peak Grand Knight Griffith is at the same level as the Black Sea Pirate King "Octopus Ghost" Hawkins before he ascended to Tier 4 [Lawless].

Remember how formidable Hawkins was back then?

Even though this guy’s name is noted in the little book for revenge for Uncle Gel, Aiven, newly entering Tier 3, has no desire to confront such a monster.

Perhaps the "Storm Horn" is not weaker than the "Red Maple Ship," but if Griffith, the Peak Grand Knight, gets close, neither the sturdy ship nor the sharp cannons would be of any use.

Even achieving a speed of 22 knots after activating [White Shark Patrol], equivalent to 40 kilometers/hour, is still turtle slow to a Peak Grand Knight.

When distributing opponents, why choose to match the "Northern Cold Wind" against him? Specialized battleship ability is one factor, but balance among Peak Grand Knights is the primary element.

This is also why the other two Hilus battleships remain at a safe distance, adopting a combat-avoidance strategy. True cannot become false, and false cannot become true; a Tier 3 Divine Art can alter the ship’s exterior but cannot create a genuine Peak Grand Knight from thin air.

"Full right rudder, distance ourselves!"

In the blink of an eye, Aiven has completely understood the previous anomalies, but it’s still a bit late.

"Prepare to die!"

If quasi-legendary battleship combats were to unfold, who knows how much time would be wasted chasing and evading; Griffiths, assured of victory, certainly doesn’t have that patience.

Whish—

The Peak Grand Knight surrounded by red Combat Qi Flame already shot out from the "Red Maple Ship" deck like an arrow, stepping a hundred meters on the waves with each stride.

Without drawing his sword, he wielded the bronze [Dragon Breath Torch].

Blazing...

Like a scorching sun suddenly descending on this sea, the blazing yellow-white flames transformed into a 200-meter-long Flame Giant Sword, as if one swing would split the "Storm Horn" in half!

Confronting such an attack, the crew’s scalp tingled, knees weakened, and they already smelled the burnt stench of their bodies aflame.

An unprecedented deadly crisis descended, the countdown to death had begun.

"Don’t panic, I’ll hold him off! Milan, activate the Mist Silver Lamp, don’t wait for me!"

Aiven knew that to let the "Storm Horn" escape successfully, he must successfully hold off Griffith.

He had to!

"Understood!"

Knowing this wasn’t the time for sentimentality like "You go," "I won’t go, we go together," Milan resolutely obliged.

Zapping...

Screech—

In the next instant, a huge Blue Eagle wrapped in thunder soared into the sky.

Standing beside Aiven, Olivia, equally aware of the dire situation, without hesitation followed out just like in countless battle experiences shared in the Spirit Realm.

Of course, the one intervening in the battlefield wasn’t Official Knight Roddy but Olivia, the officially wealthy witch from the "Gem School!"

Taking out the "Thorned Gold Rose" from her bracelet, she ascended with a gale shaped like a horse, propelling her into the air.

Flashes sparked in Aiven’s eyes, preparing for a frontal charge.

Bang—

In the sky, a dazzling red fire line already aimed at the Grand Knight’s eyes.