Extraordinary Voyage

Aside from this, the battleship is also equipped with a powerful Ocean Treasure, compensating for its lack of firepower due to its extreme pursuit of speed.

[Ocean Treasure: Dragon Breath Torch]

Effect: Outside of winter, it can be used three times a day, capable of releasing scorching flames with a range up to two hundred meters, even capable of burning through seawater within this range. Except for the slightly short attack range, there are no other drawbacks.

Combine it with the speed of "Red Maple," and it's definitely any enemy's nightmare!

However, this battleship, known internally in Hilus as [Red Judgment], has equally obvious drawbacks as advantages, being completely sealed in winter and not much stronger than an ordinary Level 4 Battleship.

This is also why, despite its speed, it was not sent to the front line during the Potosi contest support.

The captain's cabin, sparse like an ascetic's residence.

"Commander, sir! Post-battle cleanup is completed; although there is hull damage, no ships were capsized, personnel losses total 52.

Additionally, we are about to enter the 'Eye of the Black Sea' area, where we have no islands or Navy Base to dock.

How should we respond to the imminent storm, your orders!"

"I understand, proceed, just strengthen vigilance.

This kingdom's main route has crossed the Black Sea Ridge, there's no record of a fleet capsizing due to storms here.

Just take a week to cross here, and even if damaged, we can get repairs on the other side at the Suvi Islands Navy Base."

With a full head of red hair and youthful appearance, the Fleet Commander, actually over sixty, rubbed the hilt of his longsword at his waist, issuing his orders.

Based on past experience, this decision naturally poses no problems.

The adjutant, thinking the same, raised no objections before saluting and turning to leave.

"The voyage is already halfway, having left the kingdom for a year now. Upon returning, I must visit the Holy City 'Novigrad' and listen to the Pope's holy teachings to cleanse my soul."

Watching the adjutant's departing figure, the Commander muttered to himself.

The captain of "Red Maple," also the Commander of the Treasure Fleet, Vice Admiral Dale Griffith, although an acclaimed Peak Grand Knight of the Kingdom Military.

Initially, he was from the Volcano Knight Order of the "Eternal Flame" Church, a devout "Eternal Flame" believer, still retaining clergy status within the church.

Breaking through to Grand Knight before the age of thirty, becoming famous and entrusted with important duties, influenced by the Church's aggressive style, Vice Admiral Griffith is notably hardline, even in the audacious Hilus.

More accurately, a war faction advocate, one strategy being: strictly block the routes with military force and monopolize colonial interests!

At this moment.

A finely carved wooden box lay by his feet, containing silver ingots refined by craftsmen working overtime from Potosi Island No.1 and No.2, totaling one hundred kilograms, although minor compared to the total reserves, symbolically significant.

A gift jointly presented to King Philip II by colonial executives.

Glancing coldly at the valuable gift, procured through warfare and significant sacrifices, Vice Admiral Griffith snorted:

"Humph! If only they had listened to me earlier, how could those hyenas have grown so powerful in the colonies, forcing even the kingdom into compromise?

These years, His Majesty the King has grown increasingly distant from God's will, even vainly dreaming of marrying into the Habsburg Clan, inheriting the Holy Rosar Empire's Imperial Crown and acquiring the exalted Emperor's position.

Upon returning, maybe within the kingdom, I'll need more like-minded companions..."

Then, as expected, the storm arrived.

....

Whir... Cries... Groans...

Amidst the torrential storm, the fleet navigated for three days, nearing the center of the "Eye of the Black Sea."

The storm's intensity, though not drastic enough to capsize ships, greatly distressed the crew; fortunately, most sailing ships were heavily laden, providing enough ballast to stabilize, avoiding capsizing thus far.

Of course, if time shifted to summer, outcomes might differ.

Even so, this return journey is not as smooth as anticipated.

Crack——

Lightning slashed across the sea surface.

Aboard the "Red Maple," tasked with the critical mission of reconnaissance, a lookout lashed himself to the mast amidst the pelting rain and suddenly shrieked in terror:

"Bad news! That's...the Great Vortex!"

Clang! Clang! Clang!... The alarm bell tolled like a death knell, echoing amidst the storm.

A kilometer-wide massive vortex suddenly materialized ahead on the sea surface.

Without hesitation, the Fleet Commander issued his orders.

"Full left rudder!"

"Aye! Full left rudder!"

Behind the "Red Maple," the fleet arranged in three columns collectively turned. Discovering it early, they had ample time to evade.

However, the next moment.

One, two, three, four... No less than nine equally massive vortices emerged around them.

Whoosh——

It seemed enormous creatures suddenly opened abyssal maws beneath the sea.

No! Those were indeed giant mouths!

Under the gleaming lightning across the sea, sailors on deck stood dumbfounded, peering into the vortex bottoms beside them, seeing flesh-lined channels of sharp ring-like teeth leading to hell...

"Eternal Flame above!"

In the final prayer, the sails of a ship spanning dozens of meters were sucked into the vortex, crushed and devoured like a biscuit.

Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap! Snap!...

Gripping the rapidly spinning "Sea Monster Compass" on the verge of exploding, Dale Griffith's face turned a steel blue: "Wild Sea God's Son, 'Great Vortex' Charybdis!"

Legend holds 'Great Vortex' Charybdis once challenged "Mother of Sea Monsters" before being deified, the most fearsome Sea Monster in the Black Sea.

No one has ever seen its true form; rumors only describe it having ten mouths capable of creating massive vortices that would engulf any vessel.

Death inevitable beneath Legendary Battleships!

Now, Griffith watched helplessly as ships powerless under attack were swallowed by the vortex.

Not daring to attack, eyes blood-red, near roaring his command: "'Red Maple' full speed ahead, we're breaking through!!!"

Crunch! Crunch!...

Amidst the crisp sound of fragmenting biscuits.

Ultimately, only "Red Maple" shrouded in intense Extraordinary Spiritual Light, blessed by the Angel, successfully escaped the Great Vortex unscathed...

All others perished to the sea depths.

Long afterward, when no trace of ships remained visible on the sea surface.

"From today, 'Eye of the Storm' like 'Summers Trench,' is a forbidden zone for human vessels!"

Thunderous roars issued from the turbulent whirlpool, seemingly with a voice.