Fortunately, even though the "Conch" is only a Level 6 battleship, it bears the title of a warship. As a standard configuration, it still has copper plating covering the hull below the waterline.

This design mainly aims to avoid scratching the bottom of the ship and to prevent shipworms from gnawing on the wood, thereby extending the warship's lifespan and reducing maintenance costs after each voyage.

Of course, the copper plating covering the hull is also a huge expense for the Kingdom Navy, one that most ordinary merchant ships and fishing boats cannot afford. If they even have the "black tar" made of pine resin and tar as a coating, it would already be considered good.

In situations like this, the copper plating combined with the giant size of the warship, reaching thirty-eight meters, can temporarily resist the impacts of the large fish.

However.

We can't let them continue attacking so recklessly!

"Gary, bring my Alchemy Firearm!"

From the first voyage I joined that encountered the small species sea monster "Impact Sea Shell" attack, Aiven has been pondering how a surface ship can defeat sea monsters and various marine creatures that can launch attacks from any angle underwater.

Wishing they would accommodate humans and come to the surface to fight is like many film plots from my previous life, really underestimating the audience's intelligence.

If not for the fact that the "Impact Sea Shell" attacks by sliding and accelerating on the low-resistance water surface, and instead were always hiding underwater for surprise attacks, it would not be easy to deal with it.

However, for this era with still very primitive technological levels, conventional technologies of the mundane world are fundamentally insufficient to solve this issue.

Hence, vigorously stimulating one's brain.

While immersed in the "Shadow Library" at the Navy Academy, Aiven collaborated with Anthony, who is skilled in the production of Alchemy Tools and Enchantment techniques, to create a nifty little device that is perfect for use right now.

Aiven has extremely high expectations for this "little gadget." If its value is proved in combat this time, it might become another standard piece for Battleship Captains besides the "Sea Monster Compass" in the future!

Potential value is massive.

Even now, Aiven has in his pocket a "Sea Monster Compass" normally only issued to Level 4 Battleships and above, which he got from Anthony.

As military supplies, such items are extremely scarce, but as one of the bases of the Alchemy School, Anthony, with money, power, and connections, can easily get one from within the "Violet Eye."

Aiven has gone to great lengths for his path as a Navy Captain.

"Splat!"

Instructing the crew to maintain vigilance, Aiven stood alone at the bow, throwing a small brass ball tethered with tough steel wire into the water.

This Alchemy Tool named "Siren's Song" by Aiven has a very simple function: it emits very strong infrasound waves after entering the water, which can drive away underwater creatures, akin to the song of a siren, though it might cause them a bit... discomfort.

Infrasound usually refers to sound waves with vibration frequencies between 0.01-20 Hz, while the internal organs in bodies also have their own fixed frequencies, coincidentally within this range. When these two frequencies approach each other, resonance reaction occurs, causing dizziness, nausea, loss of balance, and in severe cases, even death.

The development of "Siren's Song" is based on this principle.

It's just that the set infrasound frequency maximally excludes human bands while nearing those of marine creatures, especially giant marine creatures.

Buzz——

Sound waves, undetectable by human ears, shot indiscriminately from the copper ball. The propagation speed of sound waves in water is extremely fast, and the "Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish" still bumping against the ship quickly reacted.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!...

They couldn't hold on for even dozens of seconds.

One by one, the fearsomely looking large fish swam away from the "Conch," leaping out of the water trying to escape the sound waves that caused them much discomfort. Among them, three smaller-sized fish monsters with severe symptoms had even crooked bodies by now.

"Great opportunity!"

Well-prepared, Aiven standing at the bow promptly fired in Strong Strike Mode!

Bang——

A brilliant line of fire crossed the sea surface, precisely penetrating the head of a fish monster the instant it leaped out of the water. It entered through one eye and exited through the other, leaving other parts intact.

The death of its companion/offspring infuriated the remaining four fish monsters instantly, triggering their inherently savage and bloodthirsty nature.

Even though their pitiable brain capacity temporarily couldn't discern the real culprit, it didn't prevent them from targeting the most conspicuous "Conch" within their view as the object of their rage.

Disregarding the invisible attack beneath the water unbearable for fish, the fish monsters charged at the battleship again.

However, the closer they got to the "Conch" in their anger, the stronger the sound wave attack from "Siren's Song" became. Unable to maintain balance, they all became live targets for Aiven's gun.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Within less than half a minute, three more Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish fell under Aiven's gunfire.

Only the largest, most well-maintained leader fish monster was left charging alone.

By now, even if stupid they had realized the cause behind their companions falling one by one. As a veritable Demonized Creature, the "leader fish monster" relied on its formidable true-monster physique, occasionally diving underwater to its limit and then leaping to the surface, flexibly dodging Aiven's aim.

Yet as if having a cold, hard steel axle in its brain, the option to turn and flee never appeared in its mind.

Soon, after its companions sacrificed themselves attracting Aiven's gunfire.

The distance between it and the "Conch" had once again closed to less than fifty meters, and the fish monster almost had eye contact with Aiven, its pair of eyes slightly sluggish due to continuous infrasound attacks but still exuding fierce power.

Its throat without vocal organs emitted a silent cry.

The sharp spines behind its gills suddenly dislocated, flipped forward like javelins, turbulent seawater madly gushed out from its gill glands, forming chaotic whirlpools at the base of the spines.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!...

Five on one side, a total of ten spikes behind the gills on both sides shot out with ear-piercing shrieks like bed crossbows under the combined forces of muscle strength and water flow, heading straight for Aiven standing at the bow.

"Duck!"

Tossing the "Thorned Gold Rose" into Gary's arms behind him, Aiven had unsheathed his sword, proactively meeting the advancing "arrow rain."

Clang——

Clang——

A bright flash of lightning cut through the air in the shape of a "z". After two deafening clashes of metal, two incoming "crossbow arrows" were flicked aside by Aiven with his exquisite swordsmanship.

However, the sheer force behind this momentum was not so easily neutralized. Even though he deflected the gun stab, Aiven himself was knocked off the forecastle and landed on the deck, retreating several steps before he could stop.

Luckily, the "Siren's Song" wasn't without effect on this formidable big fish, as at least the accuracy of this wave of "arrow rain" was markedly poor.

Besides these two attacking from the front, the others either soared too high into the sky or too low, blocked by the forecastle, causing no harm to the crew on deck.

Well, except for one that flew too high and pierced through the sail.

But that's just a minor issue, easily repaired.

Bang——

Aiven leapt back onto the forecastle.

Indeed, trusting books completely is not beneficial. The entry for "Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish" in the "Demonized Creatures Lineage" I read didn't mention this magic-like ability to launch "crossbow arrows".

Being unprepared, it got too close and almost caught him off guard.

He thought he had the alchemy firearm in hand and no matter the size of the fish monster, it would only take one shot, so there seemed no harm in leaving it till last.

"Captain, for you!"

Taking the "Thorned Gold Rose" back from Gary, Aiven prepared to end it once and for all.

"Hmm?"

Before Aiven could fire, through the scope, the "Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish" leader was already belly-up, drifting to the surface.

After using the magic-like ability, it was already gravely injured, and enduring the close-range attack of the infrasound wave, even a tough demonized creature couldn't hold on any longer.

"Stand down from combat readiness!"

No need for Aiven to give the order, after the battle ended, the sailors had already lowered dinghies and gathered up the five demonized fish monsters with everyone's combined efforts.

Seeing the fearsome fish monsters averaging over ten meters long, nearly covering the entire deck of the "Conch," the crew looked at their new captain with increasing awe.

On the high seas of this era, it's not like the Army Knight Order that respects seniority and origins; the constant danger and high mortality rate mean only those truly capable earn respect.

Evidently, the new captain of the "Conch," Major Aiven, is just such a person!

Perhaps.

Even if Aiven weren't there today, the "Conch" could have ultimately escaped relying on the sturdy hull of a warship and the intimidation of its cannons, but personnel losses would have been inevitable.

The outcome now, annihilating five demonized fish monsters, is clearly incomparable!

"Captain, what should we do with these fish monsters?" Borg, the first mate in charge of logistical affairs, cautiously approached Aiven and asked.

"Hmm, pick a small one to add to today's meal for everyone. Clean and salt the rest for transport back to port."

Aiven remembered the celebratory banquet they held for the first sea monster caught aboard the "Silver Wings." Although demonized fish monsters were slightly lower grade, they were already rare enough for ordinary sailors.

Although the upper ruling class's general policy is to restrict the spread of the extraordinary, given the long service under perilous seas, the soldiers have some awareness.

Realizing the value of the demonized fish monsters, they cheered in response!

"Long live the Captain!"

The deck erupted in excitement as the sailors not on watch eagerly helped clean up these fish monsters.

"Hold on!"

Two sailors were cradling the head of the "Gun Gills Split-tooth Fish" leader, about to slice it open from its jaw, when Aiven, suddenly excited, halted their actions.

Ignoring the bloodstains on the ground, he stepped forward, pried open the monster's mouth full of sharp teeth, reached in to grasp something, and gave it a firm pull.

Crack——

"Not bad luck, it's actually solidified!"

Under the sunlight, a tooth faintly glowing blue in his bloodstained hand shimmered brilliantly. To Aiven, or any knight, it was more enchanting than the finest jewels.

It was an extraordinary trait belonging to the "Gun Stabbing Split-tooth Fish!"

In terms of quality, this extraordinary trait was only below what Aiven had previously used from a "Blue Flag Demon Shark." Today, he indeed struck a stroke of luck! After an unexpected battle, there was an unexpected windfall.

Hmm, maybe the lucky one is...

Looking back at Gary, who was tagging along closely behind, positioned himself as a bodyguard.

Name: Gary Fafman

Gender: Male

Military Rank: Sub-Lieutenant/Acting Boatswain (Assigned to the Phaletis Kingdom's Third Fleet 'Conch')

Identity: Peak Apprentice Knight

Attributes: Constitution 0.89

Strength 0.91

Agility 0.75

Skills: Phaletis Saber Technique (Beginner), Nautical Knowledge (Beginner), Grammar (Beginner)

"Hmm, quite fitting!"