Violent explosions erupted one after another. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NoveI(F)ire.net
Some cannonballs even detonated randomly, sending massive plumes of water skyward near the [Musketeer]'s waterline.
Although Alfred had never heard the saying about Lancers being notoriously unlucky, the fortune of the Level Five Cruiser [Musketeer] clearly wasn't very good.
Damned luck, truly damned awful luck! How did we suddenly run into the company's arch-enemy here? The captain said that Bone-Eating Clown Koraskin has almost gone mad. He permanently lost his nose at the International Port. Seeing a company-affiliated ship, he'd undoubtedly pounce like a rabid dog. The area where Silvergold Island is about to appear is so vast, yet he had to show up right where I am to join the chaos. That damned bastard!
Before that island truly appeared on the sea's surface, for Navigators to determine even a general area using a crude treasure map was already an incredible feat.
They had come early merely to be prepared, so they could rush over the moment they observed the phenomenon signaling Silvergold Island's appearance.
Although, as time drew nearer, more and more adventure ships converged on this stretch of sea.
For these two particular parties to encounter each other so unexpectedly, their misfortune had indeed reached a considerable level.
Amidst the violent tremors of the ship, Alfred grabbed a nearby rope to steady himself.
Watching the [Circus] draw ever closer, his expression grew increasingly grim, and he spat fiercely.
Is it because I've done too many bad things recently that the Creator is punishing me? If things get really desperate, maybe I'll take a portion of our plundered loot and buy a few Indulgence Certificates from The Great Cathedral of the Holy Mother's Mercy of the Church? I heard a benevolent Nun recently arrived in the Bantaan Archipelago and is starting to reorganize the faith issues in various colonies. She supposedly has a full range of Indulgence Certificates. If buying certificates isn't enough to atone for my sins, then donating an entire church to the Church should do it, right? The [Circus] looks like it's on the verge of becoming a Bizarre Evil Spirit; that undoubtedly falls within the Church's primary area of business.
He activated his Spirit Vision, looking towards the approaching [Circus].
Countless strands of tainted spiritual light, resembling a clown's colorful hair, permeated every corner of the ship and every crew member. The vessel itself had even taken on the overall appearance of a maniacally laughing clown, making it look less like a pirate ship and more like the terrifying nest of some gaudy, writhing worm. It was clearly not far from completely degenerating into something Bizarre.
Besides, this Fourth-rate Ship is clearly much larger than ours. How can it be faster than our Cruiser?
"Command! All gun crews, load your cannons! Fire at will! FIRE!"
But the bombardment was ineffective. A significant number of cannonballs, upon striking the enemy's hull, were deflected sideways, inflicting only limited damage.
Meanwhile, the distance between the two ships was closing at a visibly rapid pace. The crew of the [Musketeer] could already hear bursts of inhuman laughter drifting from the enemy vessel.
"GA GA GA, run faster, keep running! The clown will catch you soon!"
"Welcome to the world's number one circus! We have the world's best clown show! Come play, come play! We are to offer Death and terror to the world, and keep the joy for ourselves."
"Bone Gobble Joker allows you all to join in the performance. Come play the role of apples in the flying knife act, and the human cannonball launched from the cannon! AHAHA, AHAHA, GA GA GA..."
However, their luck went from bad to worse.
As the two Warships continued to close the distance, just when the [Musketeer] still possessed a fighting chance to give its adversary a nasty surprise, disaster struck.
The Doldrums, hidden within the 'Celestial Sphere Circulation,' suddenly expanded, instantly swallowing the two Warships engaged in the chase.
The fleeing Cruiser immediately lost speed. After drifting forward a short distance due to inertia, it gradually came to a halt.
The [Circus], in contrast, only lost some speed and still retained considerable maneuverability, continuing its pursuit.
"AHAHAHA! A random expansion of the Doldrums! It must be the Capricious Joker, who loves to toy with Fate, showing us favor! You little bugs can't escape now! Come and play with the clown!"
Although the [Circus] had retreated in defeat from the Celestial Orbital Belt before, it was, after all, an outstanding Warship that had been tested by the Doldrums.
While it might not have been equipped with beastly galley slaves, it possessed a formidable Figurehead capable of dealing with the Doldrums.
[Wonder Ship Figurehead · Comical Clown]
Inscription: Comical, comical.
Ability One: Clown Trampoline. Allows the ship to treat the seawater beneath it as a trampoline, easily borrowing the force of waves from any direction and converting it into propulsive thrust in any desired direction. Maximum conversion angle of 93 degrees, meaning it can utilize waves from almost any direction except those directly opposing or perpendicular to its course.
Coincidentally, although the wind here had ceased, a 'North Celestial Orbital Belt' still flowed from east to west, spanning latitudes 10° to 20° North. While some areas within it were windless, the current as a whole was still moving. Even at the very center of the Doldrums, a compensatory current flowed from west to east, sufficient for the [Circus] to harness for movement.
Ability Two: 30-Degree Deflection. Beyond a firing range of 30 meters, can deflect or even repel 30% of cannonballs aimed at the ship.
Ability Three: Joker Bombs. 10% of its fired cannonballs will explode after coming to a stop.
In comparison, the [Musketeer], lacking such preparations, immediately became a sitting duck.
Given enough time, the [Circus] could have slowly sunk it with long-range bombardment.
Unfortunately, it didn't have that luxury.
This expansion of the Doldrums would only last for half an hour; cannon fire was far less reliable than boarding.
Under Bone Gobble Joker's command, the [Circus] immediately turned its bow and charged towards the [Musketeer].
Seeing this, Alfred didn't hesitate to employ the tactic of 'if you can't beat them, call for backup,' and then loudly ordered, "Musketeer Corps, form ranks! Snipers, to the mastheads! Prepare to engage! Lord Sea Hunter's support is on its way! With me, we are invincible! Kill!"
They were ruthless pirates, prone to instigating massacres at a moment's notice. Even cornered, they wouldn't simply close their eyes and await death.
This was especially true for a few surviving remnants of the Bloody Mary Faction on board. Their fingers flicked out sharp nails, and fangs protruded from their mouths, giving them a ghastly, Ghoul-like appearance reminiscent of the former Bloody Eye.
The Ruling Inscription on Byron's copy of *Bloody Mary's Gourmet Cookbook* read: Praise the Lord of Gluttony.
The Lord of Gluttony was, in essence, a Ghoul.
The Bloody Mary Faction's standard second Promotion Ceremony, the 'Blood Banquet Holy Grail,' required possessing a noble title of at least lord-rank. Aspirants also needed to cultivate their noble etiquette to be perceived as members of the upper class at first glance. Only a few fortunate individuals were destined to achieve full promotion.
The Ghoul path, however, involved compromising with one's 'Beastliness,' choosing the secondary transformation into a non-human Ghoul, and potentially a step further into the Mythical Creature, the 'Lord of Gluttony.'
And as everyone knew, in myths and legends, Ghouls were merely minions kept by Night Demons to guard their homes, naturally suppressed by fully promoted Night Demons.
This was also the source of Byron's confidence in accepting them and keeping them completely under control.
Several exceptionally talented Musketeers, armed with muskets, climbed the masts and aimed their weapons at the enemy ship.
Even newly promoted First Order Servants possessed three abilities: 'Ranged Weapon Mastery,' 'Absolute Precision,' and 'Lurking,' which allowed them to enter a semi-hibernative state and blend with their surroundings, instantly surpassing all mortal sharpshooters.
All these men were products of Byron's tutelage.
Byron's own expertise included: Storm Swordsmanship, Fisher Swordsmanship, Silver Cross Swordsmanship, and Military Swordsmanship, qualifying him as a Storm Knight, Pirate, Holy Knight, or Fortress Guard. His knowledge of Sailing, Artillery Skills, and Musketry allowed him to be a Navigator, Navigator, Artillery Expert, or Musketeer. His studies in law and natural history qualified him as a Law Mage or Naturalist.
The extraordinary learning he had accumulated through diligent study since childhood made him more than qualified to be an instructor for these respective paths.
It was as if he carried an entire Royal Navy academy within him. When mentoring and guiding others, he could easily tailor his instruction to individual talents, thereby nurturing the most outstanding students.
By now, many of the officers-in-training in the Privateer Fleet had privately begun to call him 'the Principal.'
As the distance between the two sides shrank, a fierce boarding battle was imminent.
Suddenly, a tremendous splash was heard on the other side of the [Circus], followed by a thunderous voice shouting towards the ship, "Koraskin, surrender at once!"
While Bone Gobble Joker was momentarily stunned, a Warship leaped out from the whirlpool.
"The enemy refuses to surrender and has chosen the path of death! All cannons, fire!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...
The cannons roared, and crimson Blazing Bombs shot forth.
[Figurehead·Avenging Angel]:
Unique Effect: Resentful Retaliation.
Shout for the enemy to surrender. If they refuse or dare to retaliate, they are marked by the Avenging Angel as having chosen the path to death. An invisible Anchor will then connect the two vessels, forcibly locking onto the enemy as this ship's sworn nemesis. When firing under this effect, all cannons gain an additional 30% ballistic correction, effectively increasing the hit rate by 30%!