Our Treasure Fleet was completely destroyed at the hands of that Pirate Emperor. This time, we’ll collect a little interest in advance.
Let this pirate nation taste the might of our Pyrenees Empire’s Invincible Fleet!
My Deputy Commander, General Antonio, immediately activate the [Meteorological Scepter] to change the wind direction. Even a lion must exert all its strength when hunting a rabbit."
"As you command, Commander."
Deputy Commander Antonio Vice Admiral saluted and received his orders, as a phantom blue scepter appeared in his palm, gently tapping on the nautical chart.
The core professional ability of a Fourth Order Hero [Navigator] is the [Meteorological Scepter], which can manipulate ocean currents and even change the weather conditions on the battlefield in a short time.
Moreover, with the assistance of [Henry’s Navigation Map], the Navigator’s abilities are greatly enhanced.
He can use this map to manipulate external weather phenomena with minimal spiritual energy; whatever appears on the map becomes reality.
Because of this, he dared to boast that supporting for three hours would be no problem.
Rumble...
From the Coral Clouds above this sea area, thunder roared, and the sea breeze was instantly twisted into a northeast wind, dispelling the dense fog surrounding the fleet.
"Open the gun ports, load the Blazing Bombs.
Target: Escort warships of the North Sea Empire, all fleet concentrate fire, open fire!"
[Human-shaped Gun Platform] Franco Bampton’s order echoed across the sea area.
When the North Sea Empire’s ocean convoy and the heavy cruiser responsible for holding the line discovered the ambush, it was too late to react.
Just after ringing the alarm, they saw twenty warships in a pocket formation ahead, with their broadside cannons flickering in the night.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!...
Hundreds of crimson trails cut through the night sky, most missing due to the momentary high mobility provided by the water-spouting Figurehead of the [Pearl Bay].
But this was a concentrated fleet fire; even if only a few Blazing Bombs hit the ship, they caused significant casualties.
The oak hull was easily pierced, and the heated projectile bounced rapidly across the lower gun deck, blowing the soldiers, who were resting there in three shifts at night, into a horrific, charred mist of blood.
Then it shot out from the other side of the hull, leaving a charred black hole and igniting large areas of combustible materials along the way.
"Aaaaahhh..."
A piercing scream instantly filled the entire warship.
The war came quite unexpectedly.
In the past, when the two countries had not declared war directly, any raids on each other’s merchant ships were conducted under the guise of privateers or pirates.
No pirate ship on the sea could match a Third Level Battleship or heavy cruiser, so this escort formation was flawless.
It all went wrong the first time!
This was the first time the Pyrenees Empire, in the capacity of a formal navy, deployed two Fourth Order Heroes and a First-Class Holy Relic, just to ambush the overseas supply line of the North Sea Empire, aiming to starve them.
Of course, the Pyrenees Empire did not consider their actions in violation of international norms and knightly spirit.
Because the Pope had already designated the religious war factions, and Empress Isabella I had just signed the "Trade Priority Act."
With their actions obscured by the First-Class Holy Relic, once completed, the Pyrenees Empire would naturally declare war formally against the North Sea Empire the next day.
By that time, they might not even realize their transport convoy was gone.
"Activate legion title ability: Unbeatable Banner!
All fleet free to shoot, look for opportunities to board, crush the enemy vessel, and capture that heavy cruiser and all sea wagons."
[Human-shaped Gun Platform] Franco Bampton’s words had just settled when a phantom military flag suddenly rose above the fleet of this Invincible Fleet detachment, spreading out a blood-colored ripple swiftly.
Both the tamers on the wagons and the already heavily damaged [Pearl Bay] soldiers, upon contact with this ripple, instantly became aware of the true identity of their attackers.
Panic spread swiftly.
"Invincible Fleet?!"
"We can’t possibly win."
"Help..."
The gunners who had just pushed away the corpses of their comrades and were about to fire back, after a shriek, felt their bodies uncontrollably tremble, as if facing not humans, but an unbeatable Giant Dragon.
This is the titular effect of the "Invincible Fleet"—Unbeatable Banner.
Effect: "If the strength difference between two sides is vast, merely seeing the Invincible Fleet’s banner will cause morale to collapse rapidly, leading to retreat without a fight.
Even if strength is equal, there would be a negative morale effect, significantly reducing combat capability.
And the soldiers of the fleet, when engaged, would receive additional morale inspiration, greatly enhancing combat effectiveness.
This effect may not seem extraordinarily exceptional, yet it makes the Castilia Marine Corps unbeatable in favorable battles."
It is said that when the Invincible Fleet gathers around the Legendary Warship [Holy Trinity] as flagship, forming the largest and most powerful sail battleship fleet in the world.
It could activate an even more powerful transcendent form of [Unbeatable Banner].
However, since the start of the Great Nautical Age, no country has ever deserved this kind of treatment.
Thus, the true form of the "Invincible Fleet" remains legendary, unseen by anyone’s eyes.
Until now, the Invincible Fleet has always remained an invincible existence.
Unless this fleet can experience a comprehensive defeat, the title "Invincible" will always belong to the people of Castilia, to the Pyrenees Empire.