Chapter 132: The 3rd Battle of the Northern Sea Bernard Empire’s 2nd Fleet vs the Kingdom of Latvia’s Armada (2)
As the Latvian sea monsters surged from the abyss, their massive, grotesque forms eclipsed the Ocean. The Kingdom of Latvia, believing its ancient beasts to be invincible, had unleashed them as a final trump card against the forces of the Bernard Empire.
Yet, amidst the chaos and fury of the deep, Admiral Akari stood unshaken.
"Deploy all submarines," he ordered coldly. "Hunt them down."
The Bernard fleet moved with precise, ruthless efficiency—a symphony of steel and fire against the nightmares of the deep.
Beneath the waves, Type XXI U-boats—U-2511, U-3008, U-3537—slipped into the depths, their hulls vanishing into the black abyss. Each vessel carried the deadly G7e (T11) acoustic homing torpedoes, engineered to track and obliterate moving targets.
Elsewhere, the USS Tang and HMS Amphion prowled the deep, their Mark 37 torpedoes primed for deep-sea penetration, while BNS Vanguard and USS Des Moines rained Mark 46 torpedoes and depth charges into the inky darkness.
Above, the night sky trembled as B-57 Canberra bombers roared overhead, their payloads bristling with 500-pound bombs and sonar-guided depth charges, poised to turn the abyss into a graveyard of leviathans. Enjoy new stories from My Virtual Library Empire
Then, from the depths of the underworld, it emerged—a 200-foot-long serpent clad in obsidian scales, its eyes burning like molten gold.
With a monstrous roar, it surged toward the USS Des Moines, jaws stretching wide to swallow the battleship whole.
But death was already hunting it.
From the shadows below, U-2511 fired two T11 acoustic torpedoes, each one locking onto the Leviathan's heartbeat.
The first torpedo struck deep beneath its armoured underbelly, sending a shockwave of ruptured flesh and blackened blood surging into the sea.
The second found its mark within the beast's cavernous chest cavity—a thunderous detonation that shattered bones and sundered organs.
The Abyss Leviathan convulsed, its agonized screams rippling through the water, a sound too deep and terrible for mortal ears. As its mangled form twisted and writhed, the ocean itself seemed to tremble. Then, as swiftly as it had risen, the great beast sank into the abyss, vanishing forever into the depths that had once birthed it.
Yet the horror was far from over.
A colossal cephalopod, its fifty-foot tentacles writhing like the arms of a vengeful god, erupted from the depths.
"Fire depth charges!"
From the sky, the B-57 Canberra bombers released their payloads.
The first depth charge exploded beneath the Kraken's monstrous head, shattering half of its beak in a rain of jagged bone.
The second struck deep, rupturing the creature's primary nervous system and sending its titanic body into violent convulsions.
The third and final charge found its way to the heart of the beasts—an apocalyptic detonation that obliterated its brain, sending scattered chunks of flesh and shattered cartilage into the raging sea.
As the Krakens' lifeless form descended into the abyss, the sailors of Latvia stood paralyzed, their faces etched with horror and disbelief. Their ancient creatures of the sea, their immortal protector, had been slain like nothing more than a common beast.
And still, the enemy rose.
From the abyss soared a winged monstrosity—half-dragon, half-sea beast, its blackened scales gleaming like volcanic rock.
With a guttural snarl, it inhaled deep, the very air trembling in its lungs before it unleashed a searing torrent of superheated steam.
The steel plating of a Bernard destroyer melted like candle wax, the ship's hull glowing red-hot under the onslaught.
Like the wind itself, a squadron of F-4 Phantoms tore across the sky, their engines screaming as they unleashed AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
The first missile struck true, tearing through Drakothor's left wing and sending the beast into a death spiral.
The second and third detonated deep within its torso, rupturing its internal organs in a symphony of destruction.
The fourth, the executioner's blade, found its final mark. Locked onto its skull, the missile struck with unerring precision—an explosion of bone, blood, and brain matter that obliterated Drakothor's head in an instant.
With a final, shuddering death cry, the beast plummeted into the sea, its boiling blood turning the waves into a cauldron of death.
Within the span of an hour, the Kingdom of Latvia's greatest weapons—beasts that had ruled the abyss—lay slain.
Their invincible sea monsters had been reduced to nothing more than bloated corpses adrift in a sea of blood and ruin.
Yet Admiral Akari was not finished.
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Borsk watched in horror as his forces were decimated. His once-proud fleet was now a graveyard of burning wrecks.
Then, he saw it.
Something fast—something on fire—rushing toward him.
Missiles inbound!" The destroyer crewman shouted.
The Bernard Fletcher-class destroyers had launched Harpoon anti-ship missiles at the LNS Caspian. The missiles, sleek and deadly, streaked across the sky.
Borsk roared, "Raise the barrier! NOW!"
But his magicians had no mana left.
The first missile struck the Caspian's port side. A massive explosion engulfed the deck, hurling sailors into the sea. The second and third missiles struck moments later, rupturing the hull. Fires spread uncontrollably, and ammunition stores detonate in secondary explosions.
The pride of the Latvian navy was sinking.
Borsk bloodied and furious, watched as the LNS Caspian split apart, water rushing in. He clutched the railing, his knuckles white with rage.
"This… isn't… possible…"
Then, an F-14 Tomcat from the BNS Yorktown swooped down and fired its 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon. The rounds shredded through the command deck.
Borsk fell to his knees, his vision fading. The last thing he saw was his once-mighty ship vanishing beneath the waves.
The End of the Latvian Navy
With their flagship destroyed, the surviving Latvian ships panicked. Many tried to retreat, but Akari gave no quarter.
"Destroy them all," he ordered coldly.
The Bernard submarines, including the HMS Amphion, launched Mark 37 torpedoes, sinking any stragglers. The USS Neosho and support ships refuelled the fleet.
Within hours, the Kingdom of Latvia's navy ceased to exist.
As the smoke cleared, Admiral Akari exhaled and gazed upon the burning sea.
"The North belongs to the Bernard Empire now."
The victory was absolute.
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Britannia Royal Palace
"You are helping us a great deal," Queen Maria began, her voice regal yet measured. "But may I know what your country seeks in return for this assistance?"
Joseph inclined his head respectfully. "Your Majesty, our demands are modest. We seek control of the Elysian Archipelago. The region has declared independence and rebelled against your rule. It is a source of instability, and we believe it would be best managed under our administration."
The Prime Minister stepped forward. "Diplomat Joseph, we are deeply grateful for your support. However, the Elysian Archipelago is a significant part of our kingdom. It is not only vital to our economy but also home to many of our citizens. To cede control of it would be... excessive."
Joseph's expression remained calm, but his tone carried a subtle edge. "I understand your concerns, Prime Minister. However, the reality is that you no longer have the strength to reclaim the archipelago on your own. We are offering to reduce your burdens and secure the region for you."
Queen Maria interjected, her voice firm yet thoughtful. "The Elysian Archipelago is not just a piece of land. It is home to many of our people, and it serves as a crucial hub for our trade routes. Even if you were to capture it, the people there would not accept foreign rule easily."
Joseph paused, as if considering her words, then replied, "Your Majesty, our interest lies solely in the region's resources. We have no desire to govern its settlements or disrupt its people. You may retain control over the trade routes and the populated areas. We seek only the mountainous regions and the natural resources they contain. In exchange, we will continue to provide military assistance during this war and offer post-war support to help rebuild your kingdom. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement."
He paused again, his gaze steady. "Additionally, we will dedicate our resources to helping you locate your daughter."
The mention of her daughter caused a flicker of emotion to cross Maria's face, though she quickly masked it. The room fell silent as the weight of Joseph's offer hung in the air.
Some of the nobles could no longer contain their objections. One stepped forward, his voice tinged with frustration. "Your Majesty, this is too great a concession! The Elysian Archipelago is part of our heritage. We cannot simply hand it over to a foreign power!"
Another noble added, "Your Majesty, surely there must be another way. We cannot allow the Bernard Empire to carve up our kingdom!"
Maria raised her hand, silencing the room. Her voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority. "Enough. We have no other choice. The Bernard Empire's offer is the best solution available to us. Without their assistance, we risk losing far more than the Elysian Archipelago. We must think of the survival of our kingdom and the safety of our people."
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared to challenge her further. Maria turned back to Joseph, her gaze steady. "Very well, Diplomat Joseph. I agree to your terms. The Bernard Empire may claim the mountainous regions of the Elysian Archipelago and its resources. In return, you will provide the military support we require and assist us in locating my daughter."
Joseph bowed deeply, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Your Majesty, your wisdom is commendable. This alliance will ensure the stability and prosperity of both our nations."
As Joseph stepped back, the room remained tense, the gravity of the decision settling over everyone present. Maria rose from her seat, her presence commanding the attention of all. "This is not a moment for division. We must stand united if we are to overcome the challenges before us. The road ahead will be difficult, but with the support of our allies, we will prevail."
The council members and nobles bowed their heads in acknowledgement, though some still harboured reservations. Maria turned and walked toward the large windows overlooking the palace gardens, her mind racing with the implications of the agreement.
The Elysian Archipelago was a significant loss, but she knew it was a necessary sacrifice. The war had already taken too much, and the survival of her kingdom depended on difficult choices. As she gazed out at the horizon, she silently vowed to reclaim what had been lost and to ensure that Britannia would emerge from this conflict stronger than ever.
For now, the alliance with the Bernard Empire was a lifeline—one she could not afford to let go.