Chapter 1078 948: Navy Showdown

New Continent, the "World Bridge" connecting the Black Sea and the Broken Star Sea, on the southern side.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!....

In an instant, a blaze of orange-red flames lit up, almost illuminating the gradually darkening evening sky, as rockets soared into the sky like spears thrown by the god of fire.

They fiercely charged towards the Federation position eight kilometers away.

[Rocket Cannon: Black Gold's Justice Iron Fist]

The Duchy's replica [Sak-type: M217 Rapid-Fire Cannon], the [221 Rapid-Fire Cannon], also opened fire simultaneously, pouring raindrop-like shells over the heads of the Federation people.

The greatest contributor among them was the so-called "Treasure Maiden" named "Purple Snail."

Her true form was the very first [Purple Lacquer Inlaid with Mother-of-Pearl Fish and Algae Pattern Golden Treasure Box], the most primitive root of human civilization.

As Olivia ascended to [Truth Embodiment], the power of the [Treasure Maidens] significantly increased, especially so for Purple Snail's fundamental ability [Civilization Sages].

Effect: As long as the technology developed in the Material World traces back to the techniques within the box, she can easily decipher, replicate, and innovate based on them.

Aiven even gave her a most fitting nickname: "Return the favor in its own way!"

However, when the [221 Rapid-Fire Cannon] entered the battlefield catalyzed by the [Industrial Mother Machine], the battlefield's ruler, the "King of Land Combat," had already advanced to [Rocket Cannon].

Thus, Aiven also realized his grand declaration made when he once played the part of an arms dealer:

"In future battlefields, we must unleash steel and flames, not soldiers.

Leaving countless craters on the enemy's position, craters so dense one could jump from one to another; this is the great art of changing geography with artillery!

With sufficient logistical support and overwhelming fire coverage, there's only one thing to say — blow it to smithereens!"

At this time, it was already the latter half of Sea Origin Calendar year 221, and the stalemate on the western frontline had turned into a "blood and flesh mill" grinding away millions of lives.

The eastern line saw much chaos due to the incursion of the "Regeneration Corps," yet as long as there was a sufficient supply of oil, the Command did not expect Heimar to achieve any major victories.

The northern line saw the decline of the Atlant Republic, with its limited fleet of cruisers repeatedly defeated by the Phaletis Navy.

If it weren't for its opponents in the Tulip Sea, including the Lowland Republic and the Sak Empire, Atlant's navy would already be obliterated.

During this period, the three parties fought fiercely in the Black Sea, Treasure Sea, and Eritrean Sea, causing great misfortune to any merchant ships caught in these major sea regions.

The only consolation was that, since the onset of war, countries had successively adopted international conventions like the "Ransom Rule" and the "Black Sea Agreement."

These required all parties engaged in naval battles to refrain from harming crew members of unarmed enemy merchant ships and to provide them with safe evacuation methods.

To put it simply, seizing ships and cargo was permissible, but ensuring "money over life" was mandatory.

This was already far more advanced than past situations of "reaching the river center, choose between being chopped or drowned."

On the decisive battlefield of the New Continent.

The Hilus Empire's Vice-Kingdom of La Plata, surviving for thirty years, had completely fallen, while the northern Vice-Kingdom of New Granada became the primary battleground between the Duchy and Federation.

It was a bona fide civil war between the North and the South.

The Duchy's population had soared from 12.2 million at the outset of westward expansion to 54 million, growing rapidly at a high natural increase rate of 5% annually. Its population structure was optimal, with talent emerging in abundance.

Even without Aiven personally overseeing everything, the army was already brewing a major counteroffensive. The young officers were eagerly preparing, setting their ultimate strategic goal to unify the entire 42 million square kilometers of the New Continent.

To establish an unprecedentedly large empire in Herag Star's history!

However, before this, the fleets of both sides had already reached their maritime showdown.

In the depths of the Broken Star Sea, north of the East Two Islands.

The Federation fleet consisted of 99 warships: 16 all-heavy cannon battleships, 5 battlecruisers, 78 fast cruisers, and 12 submarines patrolling the ocean.

The Duchy fleet comprised 151 warships: 28 battleships of various classes, 9 battlecruisers, 112 fast cruisers, 1 minelayer, and 1 seaplane carrier.

At this moment.

The flagship of the Galliot Duchy was no longer the [Super Dreadnought: Prince] but the temporarily unique [Spear of Royal Authority].

[Basic Parameters]: Length 263 meters; width 38.9 meters; full load displacement 7300 tons; personnel: 2400; total armor protection weight 22,895 tons; speed: 32 knots.

[Power]: 12 fuel boilers, 4 steam turbines, main engine output power 153,000 horsepower, fuel capacity 6400 tons, 4-shaft transmission.

[Armament]: Three triple-mounted 460 mm caliber guns with a barrel length of 45 calibers, totaling 9 guns; four triple-mounted 155 mm caliber guns with a barrel length of 60 calibers, totaling 12 guns; 12 dual-mounted 127 mm caliber guns, totaling 24 guns;

45 triple turrets, 21 single-mounted 25mm naval guns, totaling 156 guns; two twin-mounted 13.2mm machine guns, totaling 4; two quad-mounted 533mm torpedo tubes; 7 aircraft onboard.

The main materials of "Spear of Royal Authority" are "Titanium Alloy" and "Large Bundle Carbon Fiber," which even in Aiven's previous life, marked the pinnacle of the giant ship cannon era.

On the other side, for the Federation.

Bankers undoubtedly commit themselves to creating war, fiercely urging countries of the "International Democratic Alliance" to borrow money. Where normal people see blood, bankers see money.

However greedy they may be, they have not forgotten that military force is the foundation of their financial empire's rule.

Especially after twenty years of continual friction, they realized that under the current technological level, battleships and stronger battleships are the right path; everything else is just roundabout ways.

Based on this philosophy, they've concentrated national efforts to create the flagship "Light of Democracy," which is not to be underestimated.

Basic Parameters: Ship Length: 253.6 meters; Ship Width: 36.0 meters; Full-load Displacement: 52,900 tons; Crew: 2,600 people; Maximum Speed: 30 knots.

Power: 12 high-pressure heavy oil boilers; 3 steam turbine engines; Maximum stable power: 150,000 horsepower; 3-shaft propulsion.

Armament: Four twin-mounted 380mm naval guns, totaling 8 guns; Six twin-mounted 150mm naval guns, totaling 12 guns; eight twin-mounted 105mm naval guns, totaling 16 guns; eight twin-mounted 37mm anti-aircraft guns, totaling 16 guns; 6 20mm anti-aircraft guns; 18 quad-mounted 20mm anti-aircraft guns, totaling 72 guns; two quad-mounted 533mm torpedo tubes; 4 aircraft onboard.

Blare——!

Thick smoke billowed, representing human peak technology and military might, the steel creation pressed the ocean, covered the sky, even those bloodthirsty Sea Monsters in the Broken Star Sea fled for their lives.

Ratatatata...

Before the fleets engaged, both sides' air forces had already started intense air combat. Artificial flying devices replaced ancient times' active Flying Dragons in this sea, spitting flames in the sky.

War is the best catalyst for weapons and tactics, and in combat, air force tactics matured rapidly.

They all used various advantages of altitude, speed, tactical maneuvers to get to the rear position of enemy aircraft, then fired from the nose. The "tailing" mode has become one of the basic air combat tactics.

And the duchy's ace pilot Lafayette further deeply improved upon this tactic.

Forming at least a six-aircraft "Horned Eagle Fighter" squadron, circling and climbing during flight to gain height advantage for attack, known as "Lafayette Circle."

Howl——!

Above the fleet, flying devices continuously pulled black smoke, falling from the sky and exploding into the sea with thunderous noise.

Inside the towering bridge like a mountain of "Spear of Royal Authority," Aiven's "clone," wearing a marshal's uniform and girded with "Mother-of-Pearl Gilded Lion Sword," grandly waved his hand:

"How many years has it been, not easy, we've finally reached the point where we can crush enemy ships with superior firepower. Command: Entire fleet, squadron line formation, chase forward, wipe them clean!"

"Crown Prince received!"

"Bright Moonlight received!"

"Red Rose received!"

"Sharpshooter received!"

"....."

Suddenly, an unharmonious voice comes from the radio wave, from the cruiser responsible for scouting in front of the fleet:

"Report! Unknown battleship sighted at eight o'clock, distance 25 kilometers! That's a... sailing battleship!"

The Mind Network has already synchronized the view.

Whoosh——!

A rare antique-level sailing battleship in this era is sailing from east to west outside the battlefield, forming a triangle with the fleets of both countries.

With six extremely sturdy masts at the front, middle, and back, the hull covered in layer upon layer of black armor like scales, glinting with extremely hard metallic sheen.

Total length 269.06 meters, width 28.19 meters, draft 10.5 meters, height from waterline to deck 18.3 meters, displacement 52,310 tons, speed 24 knots.

Larger than "Spear of Royal Authority," saying it's a sailing battleship is more like calling it a fierce prehistoric giant beast.

And it seems afraid others won't notice it.

Not only swaggering past the soon-to-engage large fleets of both countries, but also emitting a deeply suppressed sigh from within the hull.

"Alas——!"

The eyes of more than 100,000 naval soldiers of both countries simultaneously leave a trail of tears.