Extraordinary Voyage

"The Dean of this 'Eternal Flame' is quite capable!"

Apart from a slight flaw in the response to the 'bomb' due to being too hasty, the other actions were executed with textbook precision.

Clearly, he was a battle-hardened practitioner from the New Continent, not just a 'civilian' priest who only performs baptisms, weddings, and funerals for the believers.

For the navies of the continental countries, unless conditions absolutely do not permit, they generally staff dean-level (Tier 2 Transcendent) clergy on main battleships of Level 3 or above. These massive battleships are their stationed churches.

Even some ocean-going ships or merchant ships, if not reaching the battleship level, will have ordinary priests equivalent to apprentice-level stationed on them.

There are many benefits.

These clergy typically bear responsibilities such as maintaining faith, expelling evil spirits, conducting funerals, and acting as fill-in doctors, and can even provide necessary divine art support at critical moments.

Due to the significant role of clergy, during the initial establishment of colonies by various countries on the New Continent,

churches dedicated to each belief ranked among the top three constructions needed, with even the smallest village having to have a stone-built altar.

The clergy of the 'Eternal Flame' Church, apparently due to the divine authority relationship, are among the most formidable in combat abilities within the churches of the Seven Gods.

As a member of the Phaletis Navy aspiring for maritime dominance, Aiven has, of course, done considerable research on his opponents and hypothetical enemies.

The critical question: Who exactly is this 'Eternal Flame'?

Is it the ever-burning flame, the symbol of human continuation, the path in the darkness, or the god's promise of a bright future for believers? The Eternal Flame is the hope of all humanity!

His followers would inevitably answer this way.

According to the church's propaganda, the image of this deity is an eternal, inextinguishable sacred flame.

During every sacrificial ritual, believers toss their meticulously carved wooden pieces, engraved with Holy Words and carrying their devout faith, into the blazing fire basin.

The faith and offerings of the believers are His eternal, undying fuel.

Although the 'Eternal Flame' is the state religion of Hilus, it is actually believed in by many countries, with vast parishes and even broader influence in the entire southern part of the Old Continent.

Moreover, it is well known that although the real relationship between the two deities is unclear, the 'Eternal Flame' Church has always regarded the 'Dawn' Church of the Sak Empire, which shares some overlapping clerical duties, as a mortal enemy.

Their domineering style is intolerant of different ideas and beliefs, and sometimes their actions are even more extreme than the 'Dawn' Church, whose comprehensive strength is subtly regarded as the continent's best.

It is said that the various 'heretics' they burned at the stake – pagans, demons, witches, frontier scholars... exceed those of all the True God Churches combined.

However, the domineering nature of Hilus paired with a more domineering church doesn't necessarily result in one plus one being greater than two.

Even Aiven has heard that as Hilus's maritime authority grows, the current Philip II already harbors the ambition to turn the consecutive generations of kings' 'emperor's dream' into reality.

However, there is an irreconcilable contradiction!

All crowns in the Old Continent originate from the Holy Rosar Empire (the so-called Sak Empire is just a self-proclaimed emperor occupying the former imperial capital, without any country recognizing his imperial title), while the legitimacy of the Holy Rosar Empire's throne comes from the Primordial God Tirentius.

This was the only figure on the continent once hailed as 'Creator', 'World Creator', 'King of Kings', 'God of Gods'.

Although everyone knows he is not a personal god and never had his own temple or priests, existing only in the primitive beliefs of the early Holy Rosar Empire.

Even so, as a purely symbolic Rule God, he remains intolerable to the fanatical followers of the 'Eternal Flame' Church.

They do not oppose the pursuit of secular power and have reaped numerous benefits following Hilus's expansion.

But if Philip II gains this emperor title, and the Hilus Kingdom is elevated to the Holy Hilus Empire, where would this empire place the 'Eternal Flame'?

Because that 'Holy' does not refer to... 'Eternal Flame'!

This might not mean much to more progressive churches, but for the increasingly radical 'Eternal Flame' Church over the years, there is absolutely no room for negotiation.

This is where the crux of the struggle between royal and religious power lies!

Although Aiven is not as well-informed about the internal situation of Hilus as he is about Ilya, his fellow in Tulip, even imagining it shows that it might not be as harmonious as outsiders perceive.

Nonetheless, whether or not there is internal conflict in Hilus does not hinder Aiven from making the judgment that the 'Eternal Flame' priest is a formidable enemy.

Their hero, our adversary!

Being excellent clergy is not a reason for Aiven to show mercy.

Amidst the chaos within the fleet, two Level 4 battleships had already lined up in battle order behind them.

"They have flame immunity; Scorching Bullets aren't very effective. Load solid rounds for me, increase the firing rate, and blast their sterns!"

"As you command! All gun crews prepare, load solid rounds! Fire!"

The Extraordinary Spiritual Light on the command saber simultaneously overflowed.

[Extreme Cannon Skill!]

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

Under the cover of mist, the Level 3 battleship 'Stendeburg' became the primary target.

The surviving poop deck, after the alchemy bomb explosion, was finally torn apart by several 24-pound cannons fired in succession as the broadsides of two battleships passed by.

Two cannonballs even shot directly onto the lower gun deck, wrecking multiple heavy cannon mounts as they bounced around.

Rumble——

Massive iron cannons, weighing several tons, rolled uncontrollably on the gun deck with the ship's pitching, easily crushing several cannoneers preparing for battle here into pulp.

"Ah! Save me!"

"My leg..."

"....."

The sounds of miserable cries and calls for help were continuous.

Apart from the two cruisers that had nearly completely lost their combat effectiveness, the last intact Level 5 battleship also suffered significant damage while serving as the escort for the "Stendeburg" ship.

"Gunpowder Chief! Fire back!"

Colonel Stanley listened to the noise coming from the lower deck, his face turning pale. Though unable to see the enemy, he was still composed, decisively organizing a probing counterattack.

At the very least, they needed to make the attackers apprehensive, trying to interrupt their attack rhythm.

The cannons aboard the battleship, within their firing range, started firing towards the direction indicated by Dean Edmund's finger.

Boom! Boom!...

However.

The Fire Control Officer in charge of each deck could not see the target, even if they knew which direction the attack came from, it was not of much use. Without determining the distance, they couldn't determine the firing angle.

The chance was far greater for shells to hit the sea than to land on a battleship.

As an elite combat priest of the "Eternal Flame," Edmund, despite his powerful strength, was not omnipotent.

He could neither adjust the cannons for the Fire Control Officer nor share his Extraordinary Vision with others.

But at this moment, they were in the same boat, and naval combat is no place for being selfish.

He gritted his teeth fiercely.

He removed a shimmering ruby hanging from his neck and smashed it into the fire basin at his feet.

Bang!

[Divine Skill: Gem Sacrifice: Flame Beast!]

The transparent ruby, evidently of great value, seemingly vaporized and vanished instantly in the bright yellow roaring flame.

At the next moment.

Roar—

A volcanic eruption-like flame stream suddenly flew out from the fire basin, transforming into a huge red monster. Its long beak was filled with triangular sharp teeth, and its wings, formed by membrane mutation, spanned over 12 meters.

It seemed to be a pterodactyl entirely ablaze... enormous!

Whoosh!

The pterodactyl, wrapped in endless flames, quickly circled above the "Stendeburg," and before the next round of shells arrived, the brightness between its chest and belly grew more intense, roaring furiously into the sky.

A massive red halo spread far out, centered on its body.

Within this area, the fog summoned by the "Mist Silver Lamp" was naturally swept away, indistinguishable from the natural water mist.

Sunlight poured down anew, forming a perfect circle with a radius of one kilometer.

Simultaneously revealing two battleships preparing to turn back and bash the Level 3 Battleship with their rear, they were actually only 300 meters away from the "Stendeburg."

Due to the turning angle, at this moment, a large part of the battleships was exposed within the firing range of the "Stendeburg's" cannons.

Growl—

Without hesitating, under Edmund's control, the Flame Pterodactyl was already charging towards the two battleships.

"Damn rats, you cost me a flawless Top-grade Ruby, I'll take your lives as repayment! Let all impurity be utterly purified in flames!"

Chirp chirp...

Squeak—

Several "Black Feathered Frigatebird" and "Great Albatross" attempting to stop the flaming "monster bird" were easily defeated, turning into blazing fireballs falling into the sea.

Plop! Plop!...

This was the first time Aiwen's air force suffered losses in air superiority, and it was large sea birds numbering only in double digits.

Pained, he hurriedly ordered them to evade to minimize losses.

Watching the Flame Pterodactyl charging madly towards the "Storm Horn," as if swearing to turn the battleship into a fiery hell, Aiwen stood motionless.

"The priests of the 'Eternal Flame' have a shield, so does a formal wizard like myself not have a shield?"

He fiercely pulled off the iron-black "Oak Fruit" tied to his chest, chanting high-pitched curse words like echoes in the mountains:

obic—

[Official Witchcraft: World Barrier!]

A green light blossomed, and a Spiritual Wind, warm like a spring breeze, was summoned.

Though the name of the witchcraft sounded grand, it actually belongs to the same series as the "Wizard Shield" of various schools.

However, the name "World Barrier" comes from the central continental Life Tree Stump that separates east and west, obtaining invisible blessings from the school's mysterious source!