Chapter 1066: Chapter 936: Flying Mother Ship and Flapping Wing Machine

The "Warthog" has a top speed of 29 knots, not much slower than the 30-knot torpedoes, with excellent steering efficiency.

Under the seamless cooperation of the Chief Engineer and the Helmsman, the fast cruiser’s colossal steel hull, like a city wall, carved a perfect arc on the water’s surface.

That deadly waterline passed by the stern of the warship, the entire process thrilling yet without danger.

"Irina, activate the [Ship’s Figurehead: Navigator Whale]..."

Elante barely finished giving his command.

Bzzz—!

A wave of chaotic elemental ripples suddenly spread from the submarine’s position.

This was an inspiration the Black Wizards got during the exploration of the "Broken Star Sea"—the [Magic Element Turbulence Bomb], also known as the [Poverty Bomb].

Just like how an [Electromagnetic Pulse Bomb] can paralyze electronic equipment, this low-cost weapon can temporarily paralyze [Witchcraft Tools] and greatly disrupt spell casting.

For the side with weaker Extraordinary Power, this weapon can be considered a cost-effective Divine Artifact.

However.

Even with the temporary exclusion of the Extraordinary Power for the [Crown Prince], although slightly slower than a torpedo, it wasn’t too fearful of these non-tracking straight-driven torpedoes.

A reliable power system was one of the biggest advantages of the [Super Dreadnought Level].

With 12 fuel-based boilers, 2 Watt IV-type steam turbines, 2 gear-driven cruise steam turbines, a total power of 26,500 horsepower, the speed could reach 27 knots.

While making a large-angle evasive maneuver, Elante had already transmitted orders to the artillery group via the shipborne radio system:

"Target spotted, fire secondary guns rapidly!"

The powerful battleship’s main guns had a slow firing rate and a limited supply of nearly one-ton ammunition, so at this moment, a series of secondary guns would be put to use.

"As you command!"

Unlike the Sea Monsters that can attack from the deep, submarines must surface to a depth of 3 to 15 meters to launch torpedoes.

In such shallow depths, its shadow is naturally easy to spot, especially in the Eritrean Sea, where the water is relatively light in color.

Particularly when the [Sea Snail] had fired two torpedoes in a full salvo to expand the results, causing the submarine to lose balance and momentarily half-surface, becoming a very noticeable target.

Clang... Clang...

White steam spewed forth.

Inside the shipborne analyzer modified by Babbage, countless brass gears quickly spun, spitting out a printed card into the hands of the rangekeeping crew.

"Report..."

As the strongest warship of the Duchy, the [Crown Prince] had half of its artillery group commanded by experienced [Gunmen].

Two Fire Control Officers, one being a [Steam Master] capable of operating the shipborne analyzer and interpreting parameters, and the other a peak-level Tier 2 [Gunman].

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!...

Upon the command of the Fire Control Officer, all 21 of the [Crown Prince]’s 127mm secondary guns within the firing sector opened fire in unison, with the scorching gunfire unleashing a level 8 gale over the sea.

The Engineering Institute had initially submitted two design plans for the secondary guns to Aiven, one being the [Gun Gallery Type Secondary Guns] placed on the sides and the other [Turret-type Secondary Guns] on the upper deck.

The [Gun Gallery Type Secondary Guns] had the advantage of a unified secondary armor belt, being relatively inexpensive, and less susceptible to destruction by enemy medium-caliber artillery.

However, this configuration had a poor firing sector, ineffective against aerial targets, and if struck by a large-caliber shell, the entire side-mounted secondary guns could be wiped out.

Ultimately, with the foresight of Aiven, who defied opposition, all of the Duchy’s battleships chose the [Turret-type Secondary Guns].

The [Turret-type Secondary Guns] offered a better firing sector, effective against both surface and aerial targets, and even if hit, wouldn’t take out the entire secondary gun group, also allowing for space savings to install necessary anti-aircraft weapons.

Splash! Splash!....

Massive splashes erupted next to the surfacing [Sea Snail], and although the target above water was small, these scorching shells seemed to have eyes, landing closer and closer to the submarine.

This was the cross-firing method of the [Gunmen], with the forward turrets firing based on the parameters set by the shipborne analyzer, and the aft turrets adjusting the fire for further accuracy.

Then, repeating the process until the shells bracketed the target, initiating an all-out attack to eliminate it in a single wave.

Of course, for the [Crown Prince] to execute evasive maneuvers while still achieving this was something only the exceptionally skilled [Gunmen] could accomplish.

When Aiven had captured the [Eagle Spirit], the Mysterious Source of the [Gunmen], anticipating the rapid escalation in the use of hot weapons in future battles, he had strongly promoted the training of [Gunmen] within the army over the years.

Allowing this new emerging profession unique to the New Continent to almost rival the status of [Knights] within the Duchy.

Some [Gunmen] had even been ennobled, stepping into the upper ruling class. In almost all monarchies, this was traditionally a privilege of the [Knight Profession].

The entire fleet would agree.

Even though His Majesty was not personally involved in this historic battle, the fleet’s comprehensive response reflected the wise and godlike leadership of His Majesty, with years of strategic foresight and planning.

"Quick! Flood the tanks, submerge again!"

The submarine captain intended to strike unexpectedly, catching the Duchy Fleet off guard, but didn’t expect the quick response from the Duchy Navy.

He even felt as though they had always trained in antisubmarine warfare.

However, the intense battle left no room for more thoughts.

Having been so many years, the [Siren’s Song] invented by Aiven had long ceased to be a secret, equipped by the entire Alliance since the Age of Sails, inevitably spreading to other countries.

However, while the Golden Palm side also had [Electrical Engineers], their progress in [Sonar System] research was never satisfactory.

In the meantime, the ’periscope’ was the key during attacks.

Even if the submarine was intact, damage to the extended periscope would effectively take the submarine out of the battle.

Yet, the captain of this Federation Navy submarine wasn’t too disappointed, issuing orders while the communication antenna was still above the water:

"Send a signal, requesting support!"

At the last moment, as shells rained down on their position, the [Sea Snail], at the expense of a slightly dented hull, successfully completed a timely re-submersion, avoiding a disastrous fate.

Just as a radio wave pierced through the sky seconds later.

Having just evaded the torpedo and adjusted its posture toward the submarine’s submergence site, the Radar Officer on the [Crown Prince] suddenly stood up to report:

"Report to the captain, a gigantic object is drifting through the clouds."

Elante looked up at the ominous sky; the [Mind Network] hadn’t yet achieved global coverage, its precision in the Eritrean Sea was still inferior to radar.

The Peak Grand Knight’s keen hearing could already catch faint noises from the sky. As he frowned slightly, he forcefully waved his hand:

"Chief Navigator, activate the... Cloud-Breaking Device!"

A bizarre machine composed of a series of parallel hollow metal tubes, operated by two [Power Engineers], was directed toward the cloud layer where the radar detected anomalies. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Warden Cliff, known as the "Electric Mage," had recently completed his magnum opus that bridged the boundaries between science and the extraordinary—the [Cloud-Breaking Device], also known as the [Weather Controller], which had been applied in combat.

Crackle, crackle...

As the powerful and controlled electromagnetic field surged into the sky, parting the clouds above like invisible hands, the officers on the bridge widened their mouths:

"What a massive... airship!"

Soon after.

A smug voice echoed through the loudspeakers into everyone’s ears:

"Hahaha, taste the might of the ’Akron’ you bumpkins from the Alliance!"

The [Akron] was a colossal airship, 305 meters long with a carrying capacity of up to 260 tons, capable of speeds over 120 km/h, and a maximum range of 11,000 km.

But that wasn’t the most shocking part.

In the skirmishes of "Broken Star Sea," the Navy had already determined that if an airship dared to fly within anti-aircraft gun range, it would surely crash.

Despite its large size, it didn’t exert overwhelming pressure on everyone.

However.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!...

Six manned flying devices, flapping their wings like giant birds, rapidly emerged from the inside of the airship and initiated a high-speed dive toward the fleet.

Each seemingly modest flying device carried two large black bombs.

Could this be a "Flying Mother Ship"?!