Chapter 150
Shannon smiled and simply gave small hints to him, "Yes, This time something big will happen . Expect for the good news if everything goes according to the plans . I can't give you any more details . But it will be a big operation this time around . "
Shannon thought, 'Currently we are going to make our biggest raid in the history of Fjord's reign . Last time we did such a raid was against the Dwarves, Elves and that half-elf . I guess looking at the size of the fleet . This is a much bigger raid, I guess this will mark the start of Ballistae War . '
Shannon sighed and spoke in a light tone, "This time even Darius is joining us in our raids, I hope he doesn't ruin my plans . Okay, I will leave for now . I have a meeting with Minister Jonas for now before I leave . I will meet you later"
"Darius, hmm . . . Lately, he has been grumpy a lot . I hope everything goes well . I will leave for now . "
***
At the Laguna Mansion, there was a meeting going on between the ministers .
Duke Fjord asked one of his ministers, "So report me, are there any new developments on that upstarts end? And how are the preparations for the war going on? are we ready for a full-scale war yet?"
One of the ministers spoke, "Yes Lord, We are already prepared, Captain Shannon is going to carry out the biggest raid in our history that he started yesterday . We will be indiscriminately targetting the north and eastern ships going north for trade and the same for the ships coming south . The war will officially start from tomorrow as they will meet the ships tomorrow and ambush them . "
Jonas, Grim's strategist reported, "As for any unusual or new developments, The Radiant Church is recently contacting Prince Charlie a lot while that upstart Count is recently worried about the dwarf invasion and is currently increasing the northern patrols in case of an invasion by them . We also recently helped those spies to penetrate deep inside the Northern domain . "
Fjord nodded as he heard about the dwarven spies, "Okay, no need to speak more on those spies, there are many ears in this court . What about the movements of the Templar armies of the Radiant Church . Are there any movements from their side?"
Jonas nodded, "Recently, they have all been recalled at the Radiant City . While some are deployed for the safety of Bishop Robert in North . I guess they too are preparing something . This time our naval fleet will certainly be able to teach that count a lesson . We are also fully prepared to take those new ballistas from that count's fleet . We have also hired a lot of engineers and craftsmen to replicate that weapon when we get our hands on it . We will be making full use of the speed of our ships to dominate them in water . While Lord Darius is also accompanying Admiral Shannon with his knights in this raid on the Morgan family ships . The Morgan family fleet is not being accompanied by Duke Sapphire and hence this would be our best chance to attack and get those ballistae with minimum casualties . "
Fjord nodded, "Okay, we will wait for the good news . I hope they don't disappoint me . "
***
In the Eastern Seas,
One of Shannon's subordinate reported him about the current status, "Captain we are ready, We will most likely meet them in a few hours . "
Shannon nodded after hearing the report, "Okay, alert the men and make sure they are ready . I don't want anyone slacking off today . This time our targets are those ballistas in Morgan Family Ships, so everyone needs to be focused . I have also deployed 50 ships so that we have a numbers advantage over them which would be helpful in acquiring the ships . This will be the biggest raid for me and I guess this would also mark the start of North-South War as it would likely engulf the north mainly and later south if Duke Sapphire Retaliates . "
The subordinate thought and asked, "I don't think we should be worried about the south . Aren't all those lords who were rallied recently are at southern borders facing Duke Sapphire's army . "
Shannon nodded and agreed, "True, they were bought so that they can contain Duke Rose . As for the real battle, it will take place in the seas . However, we need to be careful and things can change at any time . As for Darius, how is he currently?"
Subordinate as he heard about Darius, "Lord, Currently he is with Lord Grim in one of the other ships . They said they won't be interfering with your decisions so you can handle the whole fleet as you wish . "
Shannon looked at one of the ships where Grim and Darius were traveling as he heard some voices and spoke, "Then, why do I hear the voices of women? Are we here for a picnic?"
The subordinate hesitated and finally spoke, "Lord, Actually, it was Darius and Lord Grim who bought those women at the end moment . They thought that as we have the numbers advantage they can . . . "
Shannon was quite infuriated but kept his calm and spoke, "Enough . No need to explain . I hope they don't interfere with my plans because of their antics and happy picnic . It seems they are already near . Ready the men for raids regardless of any promise I make to them . Do you understand?"
Subordinate nodded and left to inform everyone on the main ship, "Yes, Sir, I will immediately inform the men . "
***
scout rang bells as soon as he spotted the ships 5 km away from them at both the sides and informed Sean,
Scout asked Eric and Sean, "Captain, Sean, There is a big fleet of 50 fifty Ships surrounding us . What are your orders?"
Sean Spoke to Eric and the Scout, "It seems they have finally decided to attack us now that we are not traveling with Duke Rose's ships . "
Eric gave orders as soon as he saw the report, "No need to panic, it was expected . It seems they are finally all but ready for War . Sean, it will be a big battle this time around . Prepare all of our men for battle . It's good that they were able to rest before this upcoming battle . Inform Everyone, We will fire at will without any hesitation . As soon as they reach the 500 meters mark, use the full force of our attacks, this includes the runic ballistas as well . This time we will show them what real wrath and war is like, We will make sure none of them survives this brutal battle . "
As their fleet came near, Shannon ordered his men, "Bring me the tool . "
"Yes, Sir . "
Admiral Shannon used a magic tool to convey his orders before Eric's fleet of 5, "Captain Eric of Morgan Family, As long as you surrender without bloodshed I am sure our Lord will take mercy upon you guys and give the minimum punishment for your offense . Remember this is the eastern seas, where only the Fjord naval fleet rules over it after the Royal Family and you can do nothing when you are outnumbered so massively with a 10:1 ratio by us . As I know you are one of the smart men belonging to the Morgan Family, you can do well to save the lives of your crew mates . We don't want any unnecessary blood spilled . You guys can very well join our army if you drop your arms while at the same time you can get wages at officer level men if you can provide us the expertise on those ballistas . "
Eric too bought a tool to communicate,
Eric laughed as he heard Shannon, "Ohh Please, Don't give me that Bullshit, Do you really think I am a naive young man who will your lies? And you really have so much power to bestow us all these things? The very fact of Henry's fate is already clear to most of the men from North-frontier city despite his Loyalty . At the same time, we have spoiled Fjord's party a lot of times when you guys tried to raid us even with the help of Pirates . It was good that the pirates understood who was the king of seas and backed down after watching the fate of the main pirate group funded by Duke Fjord . "
Eric made a face full of mockery and asked, "So do you really think that Duke Fjord will be merciful to us? I think, by mercy, you mean a quick death, right? As for that offer, we already get good salaries by Joseph, it is the same as Count John's officers . "
"As for you guys, you will face a fate far worse than those pirates who we annihilated earlier . your very honor of knights will become a hindrance for you today . This time I will make sure to penetrate the word called fear right into your bones . "
Darius was watching the commotion for a long time,
Darius couldn't take it any longer and roared, "The fuck are we waiting for after this humiliation? Charge . "
Shannon's subordinate looked at Shannon for orders . Shannon nodded which indicated that the order will be followed . Shannon finally gave orders, "Don't Stop . Keep Advancing . "
Finally, both the fleets were 1 km away from each other .
Eric still gave orders calmly after watching Fjord's fleet on both the sides, "Fire the ballistae as soon as they come in 500m range . No need to bother about the bullshit he spoke earlier . These guys need to be taught what is real fear in their minds so that they will think twice before attacking us again . "
Grim was quite surprised after watching Eric's behavior while Darius roared after hearing Eric rebuke and ordered his men ignoring Shannon, "No one will hold back, I will make sure that these guys will wish for death after such a proclamation . Follow right behind the vanguard, we will be targetting the main ship of that arrogant son of a bitch . "
Eric sighed as he saw the scene and coldly ordered his men that would claim a lot of lives, "Fire . No holding back . This will be our biggest battle today . We the men of seas should Live like a king and Die like a king . We will either go back with Honor and victory in our hands or Die with honor protecting our ideals and resolution . No need to worry about your families if we die . You can take my guarantee that the Lord will honor all of his promises even if it means that he is going bankrupt . "
Sean smiled and spoke, "Are you really saying this at such time? We have followed you for such a long time . Everyone understands the importance of this battle . "
This time Grim thought, "Why are these guys still unfazed by such a large force? Are their minds made of steel or have they gone mad just because they have some ballistas?"