CHAPTER 514: CHAPTER 467: FLAWS AND THE GATHERING STORM

"Go, go, don’t cause more trouble!"

Aiven waved his hand to shoo away these self-satisfied but obstructive bunch.

They really lacked self-awareness. On a ship, hitting targets forty kilometers away—how could an electromagnetic cannon even hit something that far, and could you guys even aim accurately?

Even with the dual assistance of "Mind Network" and "Data Visualization," shooting at such a distance was very challenging for Aiven himself, let alone for them.

Even with an initial deviation of just 0.1 degrees, after forty kilometers of flight, you wouldn’t know where it would land. In fact, the first shot he just fired was slightly off, and it was only by luck that it didn’t miss the target, preserving his radiant image.

Guns and cannons are a man’s romance, but a group of officers, including Milan, could only look on with envy. Just like when a rich guy buys a PS5 and a group of friends gathers around to watch.

Honestly, this long-distance engagement where I can hit others while they can’t hit me, doesn’t feel much different from a video game experience.

Aiven rubbed his hands in preparation to send all those warships into the sky; using a fleet as a sacrifice for the first battle, this electromagnetic cannon had even more prestige than the quasi-legendary battleship "Storm Horn."

Yet, he was unexpectedly poked in the waist by Olivia from behind.

"Ahem..."

His hand that was reaching for the electromagnetic cannon paused slightly, reminding Aiven of the ownership agreement between them after the cannon was built. The cannon body belonged to him, but the unpaid power source still belonged to Olivia.

He took 0.01 seconds to seriously ponder whether a "PS5" or a woman was more important, and then decisively chose... to follow his heart.

Seeing the scene where the two switched positions, all the officers, who were equally unfulfilled, internally muttered.

’Feeling envious here, Captain, we were here first!’

However.

To save face as the captain, after leaving the electromagnetic cannon, Aiven explained to the officers: "Hmm, Captain Roddy, like me, possesses the talent of a sniper musketeer, so it’s just right to give him an opportunity to train as well."

The officers’ expressions shifted from sour to suddenly enlightened, then they all became invigorated. After all, the stronger their companions on the same ship, the better.

Only Milan, who had already seen through everything, didn’t believe a word Aiven said, pushed up the nonexistent glasses on his nose, and asserted:

"There is only one truth, you’re off!"

Not caring what others thought.

Bang—

Olivia, without hesitation, maintained the extreme testing speed of one shot every 20 seconds, firing ten shots in succession. In the process, she also tested the explosive power of Aluminum Bullet No. 2, which could destroy the living force on a Level 5 ship with about two shots.

In this ultra-long-range shooting, "mysticism" was obviously more useful than technology; firing ten shots consecutively without missing once.

However, the last test with the tungsten steel warhead failed as the range reduction was already less than forty kilometers.

Five minutes later.

All four Hilus warships were rendered useless, barely floating on the sea with their strong resistance to sinking thanks to their wooden structure.

Even with the standard battleship configuration, with at least six official knights and a dean-level priest in the fleet, they had no resistance against this form of attack.

At the technological level of this era, the opponent of a quasi-legendary is a quasi-legendary!

Moreover, as quasi-legendary only have some highlighted abilities, unlike legendary battleships which are comprehensively strong, the existence must also possess a specialized counter ability to be effective.

Like an equally matched "shield" or an even better "spear."

However.

During the test firing, they also discovered many defects and shortcomings of the [Electromagnetic Cannon 1.0].

First, using aluminum lightweight bullets was fine, but using heavier tungsten steel bullets with stronger impact caused initial speed and range to decrease sharply. In other words, the power of the electromagnetic cannon has limited short-term potential for increase.

Second, with fixed energy limits, the coilgun indeed holds more advantages than a railgun, but it requires much higher precision.

The core multi-stage drive coil relies purely on spending money and witchcraft to withstand. When accelerating to supersonic speeds, the excessive current in the drive coil puts tremendous pressure on the engraved runes, and no matter how good its silver conductivity is, it’s still not a true superconductor.

Even with enchantment, the subtle rune engravings would have slight deformation after just ten or so shots, requiring a thorough overhaul after ten minutes of rapid fire.

Otherwise, it would only greatly reduce the electromagnetic cannon’s reliability, safety, and precision.

Even Olivia, during normal firing, needed Aiven, a Tier 3 Extraordinary, to standby to handle potential incidents.

Third, this is not the most significant issue; the biggest problem of the electromagnetic cannon, as a 1.0 version prototype, is the energy source.

The six-sided crystal system "Aquamarine," capable of powering the electromagnetic cannon, is not cheap; stones large enough and sufficiently pure are only a single piece in Olivia’s possession.

And, like Olivia’s other "Gem Witchcraft," as a witchcraft creation rather than a technological product, each charge and discharge is akin to a spell, inevitably consuming spirituality from the gemstone.

Each shot not only incurs the cost of an enchanted aluminum bullet, but also the cost of a priceless witchcraft gemstone.

Using it to hit battleships below Level 3 is an immense loss, and currently cannot be treated as a conventional weapon, otherwise, all the money he earned from penicillin would be inadequate for this expense.

To become a mature extraordinary weapon, like the "Alchemy Firearm" or "Alchemy Fire Cannon," it still has a long way to go.

Nonetheless, Aiven was not in a hurry to achieve overnight success. After all, experimental weapons were meant to identify problems for continual improvement, and essential early research investment was unavoidable.

He glanced at Olivia beside him.

’Maybe the "Method of Cultivating Organic Gemstones" obtained earlier in the Spirit Realm with Hesi can now be put on the research agenda.’

An hour later.

With the "White Shark Patrol" initiated, the "Storm Horn" has reached the edge of the "Slaughterhouse."

Aiven waved to the Marines already lined up on the deck.

"Leave no one alive!"

"Yes, invincible in battle!"

Plop! Plop!...

Led by Gary, who had transformed into a "rhino shark," the group donned with "Activated Skin" leapt into the water like dumplings.

"Ah—"

"Monster!"

In the blink of an eye, blood stained the sea red under the cover of the [White Shark Aura], encountering at least apprentice peak Fish Monster Warriors.

Whether they were aboard lifeboats or clinging to broken planks, the Hilus officers and soldiers could not escape.

Even if the [Electromagnetic Cannon 1.0] is far from mature, the secrets of this new weapon absolutely cannot be exposed to the Hilus people.

Otherwise, Griffith and his "Red Maple" will definitely hunt me down before doing anything else!

...

Bang!

"Intelligence Department, explain to me what exactly is going on here?"

The wrath of a Peak Grand Knight made the Navy Headquarters in Luanda seem to have undergone an earthquake.

Because the Deputy Commander of the Expeditionary Army, Steel Knight Kungang Tita Major General, had... gone missing!

After an attack early in the war, the high command carried out a major cleanup of any potential spies in "Treasure Tree Bay,"

There were no civilians living here, the personnel composition was simple, and there were a group of wizards cooperating.

It’s not 100% clean but even if there were any loose ends, they wouldn’t have the ability to transmit information in a short time. Nonetheless, the stationed Hilus garrison had clearly realized something was wrong.

Although Steel Knight was tasked by Philip II with executing a secret mission, many attentive people in both factions noticed the preparations he made before departing.

However.

He had been away from Luanda for more than twenty days, a time far too long to avoid raising suspicions. After all, aside from his secret mission, he was also the Deputy Commander of the Expeditionary Fleet and had to adhere to wartime protocols.

No faction could cover up such a significant event, choosing instead to report it immediately to Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Griffith.

Though outwardly he seemed enormously angry, upon receiving the news, Griffith had his own calculations.

No matter if Kungang had actually met with an accident or was carrying out a mission for the Royal Faction, this was his chance to bypass hindrances and gather all his resources to win the war according to his plans.

The crucial step was to thoroughly defeat the currently heavily outmatched Tulip United Fleet!

Even the battle line was primarily composed of Level 3 Battleships as make-shift products, direct combat would absolutely not favor Hilus. Right now, they are solely relying on the mobility of ships and relatively superior shipborne artillery to constantly harass and delay time.

As long as they can capture the main fleet of the United Fleet, this war is almost over.

Therefore.

Once the superficial tasks were completed, this Peak Knight did not rush to find this strong Great Knight ally, instead, he issued a series of orders as Fleet Commander.

All cruisers are to engage in high-intensity harassment along the routes to force a direct confrontation.

He called up all battleships affiliated with the Royal Faction, ordering them to collectively set sail for a showdown with Tulip’s United Fleet!

He even strongly ordered colonial troops to cooperate.

"As you command, Commander!"

This was something absolutely unthinkable when the Steel Knight was still Deputy Commander; Originally intended to weaken the Church Faction, the Royal Faction would never willingly follow his orders.

Even if joining the fleet, it would only be under the command of the Steel Knight.

However.

Thinking about that small Cape Verde fleet that mysteriously vanished like the Steel Knight, Griffith’s face also darkened. Unlike Steel Knight, that fleet was part of his direct force.

Moreover, without a Quasi-Legendary accompanying Tier 3 Extraordinary strength, achieving this is impossible.

Clearly, there’s something beyond his control happening on the battlefield.

"I can’t wait any longer, the war needs to advance faster!"

....

Dragon Cavalry Pirate Gang’s Private Port No. 1.

Three cruisers flying Flame Banner flags, along with a considerable number of pirate ships bearing the "Crowned Skull Blood-Dripping Saber" black flag surrounded here.

But when they aggressively stormed the island, they furiously found it long abandoned.

Only a dead White Egret hung upside down, swaying in the breeze from a dock pillar; it’s Hilus Kingdom’s national bird.

Undisguised provocation.

Bang—

Among the leaders, a young wizard in a black robe raised a hand that emitted a ghastly green beam, turning the White Egret to ashes.

Among a group of soldiers and pirates shivering in fear, the young wizard remained expressionless:

"Dragon Cavalry, you did well, but this is just the beginning!"

At the same time.

In the command room of Hatrafa Port, diametrically opposed to Private Port No. 1.

Bess stood in its designated spot, slowly opened its eyes, and stretched out its paw to scratch its feathers.

"Hoo-hoo-hoo... The frequency and intensity of Hilus people spying on the Privateer Fleet have been growing.

This time, it was purely good fortune that we discovered a massive fleet gathering in advance, but constantly avoiding like this will eventually lead to problems. If Hatrafa Port is discovered again, surely we can’t just leave.

Currently, due to cautious actions, it’s somewhat affecting pirate operations—perhaps it’s better to let them pause activities? When will the commander return?

I’m just a five-year-old owl, the fate of the Privateer Fleet shouldn’t be a responsibility for someone my age!"