CHAPTER 534: CHAPTER 482: SMOKE RISING FROM ALL AROUND_2

The battleships are far more nimble than Hilus’ "Wall", with excellent maneuverability, and a hidden commanding master skillfully directing them. Because he didn’t see any signal flags, commanding cannons, or any other means of command.

Three Level 4 ships didn’t advance, maintaining a distance of roughly three hundred meters with the current, preserving wind advantage and flexibility, only battling the flagship with long-range artillery.

"Switch sides with the wind, we’ll block it from downwind!"

The "May Wind", positioned at the top of this squadron, decisively changed course, blocking the retreat path of the "San Juan".

Gel and Elante, already donned in brigadier uniforms, were among them.

The remaining thirty battleships continued forward, fiercely engaging the left wing of the Crescent Array.

Amid the continuous roar of cannon fire.

Another Level 3 battleship from the Hilus Fleet raised a command flag, temporarily taking over command.

The key to Battle Line tactics is obedience to command and courageous combat, with success hinging on persistence. Whoever cannot endure and breaks away from the "chain" loses the possibility of overturning the situation.

And given the current artillery power, this process might be prolonged indefinitely.

Meanwhile.

A group of sailors wielding lined Kentucky-style rifles quietly climbed the main masts of their respective ships, silently aiming their sights at the adversary.

The Kentucky-style rifle is characterized by a relatively long barrel, smaller caliber, lighter weight, and high precision. While it also has drawbacks such as slow loading and high cost, it becomes a rarely potent weapon in suitable hands.

Just like these divine archers, who after being honed in the wilderness forests of the New Continent, were recruited anew.

Though they might not compare to Sniper Musketeers at long distances, during battle line volleys, they can snipe discreetly, not aiming for every bullet to eliminate an enemy, but killing a single enemy officer would be a huge gain.

Extraordinary individuals might dodge bullets from the barrel, but amid the flying shells on the battlefield, being struck by an inadvertent stray bullet would still bring them to their knees.

Bang—

The battle fully commenced.

Perhaps the outcome of this battle not only determines the positions of Hilus and Tulip on the seas but will also dictate the future development trends of naval battle equipment and tactics.

Whose path is correct will be evident.

...

As thousands of cannon shots echoed, seemingly shattering the ocean.

"Spectacular!"

Aboard the Quasi-Legendary battleship "Storm Horn", responsible for outer flanking combat, Aiven, Olivia, and most officers witnessed, for the first time in their lives, a battleship fleet battle of this magnitude.

The refinement of tactics, command skills, equipment application, and other areas are indescribably profound.

The Mind Network built by seagulls will faithfully record every detail on the battlefield, for Aiven to review and learn after the battle, turning into his invaluable experience.

Upon seeing the "May Wind" join the sequence to besiege the "San Juan", Aiven gave Olivia a directive:

"Hesi, pay attention to support!"

"Understood!"

The spirited female officer had already set up the "Electromagnetic Cannon" on the stern tower, ready to support any corner of the battleground, giving Gel and Elante precedence over even the commander’s priority.

At the same time.

Splash... splash...

The "Long-nosed Shark", which had previously stood up the "Storm Horn", was now dragging a long white line, rapidly charging forward.

The battle belonging to the "Storm Horn" hence commenced.

...

At the northern part of Benin Gulf, the Phaletis Colony largest port of Nigeria—Lagos.

Almost simultaneously as the battle commenced.

"Great Lord’s grace!"

"Everything returns to the Great Lord!"

"Ura—"

Batches of dark-skinned aboriginal warriors shouted as they charged the port on small boats. Clearly, this was the Dahomey Kingdom, which had swung towards Hilus thoroughly, yet no cruiser appeared in the battlefield.

The alliance had nearly committed all its main battleships to the battlefield, with only a few nearshore cruisers remaining, unable to stop these dark-skinned aboriginal forces.

This was Hilus’ strategic deception, no one mentioned that direct fleet battle and rear area interdiction couldn’t occur simultaneously, regardless of the alliance’s detection system’s discovery of anomalies, they couldn’t withdraw to defend the home front.

For Hilus people, there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for victory.

Even when faced with the feared attack of Alchemy Fire Cannon, the losses weren’t Hilus peoples’ lives.

According to Hilus intelligence, the Dahomey intentionally changed landing craft to numerous nearshore small skiffs to avoid being annihilated by the Alchemy Fire Cannon.

Hilus promised them that all plundered gains belonged wholly to Dahomey, even capturing Tulip People as slaves wouldn’t be interfered with.

Indeed, the bait was beautifully drawn.

However, when they attacked the port wishing to capture it easily, as they had with other native tribes before, breaking through this defenseless city, reality mercilessly struck them down.

The female commander of the Dahomey Kingdom vividly demonstrated what was called a colorful mix of dark:

"Why are there so many alliance soldiers here?

Those boastful Hilus people didn’t claim the Tulip army suffered heavy losses?"

The Dahomey Kingdom soldiers surged like a tide onto the port city, only to encounter a large number of neatly lined alliance army soldiers.

Under the artillery cover from the port fortress.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!...

The military-standard rifles, far superior to trade rifles, spat flames, hot lead bullets like a steel dam firmly held the black tide at bay.

In these extraordinary times, even the colonial governor Sir Winston personally came to the city wall. Only after witnessing the battle did he breathe a slight sigh of relief:

"I’m somewhat glad about the timely intelligence and that these lads could still jump up and protect their homeland after recovering."

Next to him, the army commander gazed at the black tide, darker than the coal mined in Nigeria, and remarked faintly:

"Your Excellency, I’m even more thankful that the Anuma didn’t hold until night for a night raid..."

"Uh... You’re right."

Considering the typical casualty ratio for injured soldiers of this era, substantial casualties indeed occurred in wars against Hilus, but certainly not as exaggerated as claimed by Hilus people to Anuma.

Moreover, the widespread "Divine Medicine" across the Southern Continent colonies had revived many soldiers who were destined to die.

Before the final battle commenced, the alliance’s main base had already begun shifting toward the vortex’s center in Benin Gulf, with recovering soldiers not being an exception.

Hence, the Dahomey commander understandably felt that the actual situation seriously contradicted Hilus intelligence; those cursed Hilus people had practically pushed Dahomey into the fire pit.

Seeing their soldiers struck down, the commander, also a queen consort, was heartbroken.

Aiven: Cough, my fault?