"I never thought I'd return to the ocean. We've been flying around ever since we got hold of the ether jets. I feel like I truly belong to the sea, hahaha!"

"By the way, this part of the sea is between our lands and the Titan's kingdom, right? Just how big these titans are?"

"Do you remember the giant devil we've fought?"

"Yeah..."

"That's just as tall as the Titan King's knee!"

"...Yeah, saw that coming."

Holy cow, that's big.

That should be like a skyscraper in my world. Crossing this part of the ocean should be easy for the titan king.

"No, this part is really deep. The Titan king is an abomination of magical energy. He used magic to walk on the surface of the water."

"Seriously? So you are saying that he is at least as tall as the atmosphere?"

"Quite. He is, by his kin, branded as the last bastion against the Gods. He is someone who towers every creature in sight and the only living being that can reach out to the upper world where the Gods and Goddesses resides."

"If somehow, the heart of the Titan King is dug out, the one using it will have magical power equal to the Titan King?"

"Possible. Not only that, he or she may be able to revive the Titan King with the right procedures. The Titan King isn't wholly an organic creature but a sentient machine-like creature."

"Eh?"

"Hmm?"

Why of all the important information, you chose to not say this in front of everyone?!

If I am hearing this correctly, the Titan King is like a huge machine that operates independently as it has its mind. Being a machine and all, it can be potentially more dangerous than the flood of devils if it were to be revived!

"Do you think Fonfon and Alstroemeria can do something about the Titan King if it gets revive?"

"Possibly. I have already witnessed Alstroemeria's full capacity and I am certain that she will defeat the Titan King."

"Phew..."

"However, considering the size of the Titan King and its height when it stands up, it could destroy one or two continent when it falls."

"Ah, I see. When it dies and falls into the land, it will create a tremor and cause an earthquake. If it falls into the water, it will create tsunamis that can potentially drown a whole kingdom."

"I never thought that far, but yeah, it will bring forth destruction."

"How did Ishtal even defeated it?"

"If I remember correctly, they uprooted the entirety of the Titan King's legs with thick vines for two weeks before they destroyed him."

"Anything else useful?"

"Ugh...not much. A mortal's body is just forgetful. Geez, instead of talking about a creature we wouldn't let be revived no matter what, let us focus on the current situation."

"Well, if the situation escalates to where we need to defeat the Titan King, we need all the information available."

"Damn...you are jinxing it, huh."

Wha-?!

Am I setting up a flag?! Isn't that dangerous?

I doubt anyone can defeat Alstroemeria if I buff her with Divine Ascension, however, the power itself is just too great it could potentially bring destruction to this world simply just by letting her presence flow into it.

There is also the adverse effect of extreme weakening to Alstroemeria in a form of reverting into a child. The reason she couldn't recover is because of the Seed of Revision implanted by Nil prevents her from doing so.

She has lost focus of her connection with the world and needs to remain on a meditation until they figure out how to extract the Seed.

I wonder how Alstroemeria is doing. I hope Master Tzari and Hydrangea are taking care of her.

"By the way Asagao, what do you plan to achieve by making us standby in front of the enemy's humungous force with only us, The SS Iowa, alone here."

I had everyone else focus on the western district of the Elven Capital and made Merissa and her whole crew planted on the southern district that faces the sea.

"This is...Suicide?!"

"NO!"

"Eh, then what?"

"Merissa, If you have a huge force at your disposal, what will you do?"

"Hahaha! As a true pirate at heart, I'd say surround them and let em have it!"

"Yes, that's exactly what I am thinking."

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"Rounds us up, eh? That's some mighty tactics."

"If their objective is the land's resources, they would still need people who are native to these lands."

"Aye, like a dear damn pirate! Take a crew away and make the barnacle lead you where the goods are. Excavating the Titan King's heart would be dreary so they wanted to at least round up a few kittens for their bidding and maintaining stability in the land."

"Yes, and I believe that they did not bring their entire forces with them yesterday. It was just to show us what they have. Gordio also told us earlier about that, right?"

"Eh, I am not going to listen to some second-generation dwarf."

"Listen!"

At first, I was astounded from what Gordio said. Stern Lostfell has rounded up at least seven ships of similar design. Deploying all of those ships would royally put a stop on this war with their victory.

"Seven of those things, huh."

"Right, that's why we are going to wait here. I trust Emby's premonition but I also trust my guts."

"Guts?"

"Yes. my guts. I also have a hunch of things."

"Isn't that like intuition? No, it's more like precognition of events."

"...?"

Was it that special? Is my guts a special skill that I have?!

"So, what do your guts told you about?"

"Eh? Well, if you look at things objectively, they won't be able to drop off any units in the sea, right?? Except if they have any sea-borne golems."

"We have already confirmed that they do not have any from the lowly second-generation dwarf."

"Right. so that's why...like what you did yesterday..."

Before I could finish, Merissa and I was immediately stopped by Ferd. He seemed to have hurried into the deck with the announcement I was waiting for.

"Is it finally here?!"

"Yes, two of them."

"Eh, I was expecting three. I guess they are pushing it on the western district."

I couldn't help but form a grin on my lips as It was within my expectations. Some pieces started falling into places. Stern Lostfell, as I read correctly, is easy to read.

"Gao! We are about to engage in them! What are you grinning about?!"

"Merissa, why do you think they are persistent in attacking the western district of the elven capital?"

"Because it has already been badly damaged and infiltrating from there to destroy the Center of the Elven Capital would be easier. Their formation will completely fall and they can gain whatever control within there."

"But attacking the Southen District, where we are right now, with their forces could imply the same result."

"Well, even with the resisting dwarves taking up our side, it would be completely useless to fight back against them."

"That's why it doesn't even matter if they attack the Southern or the Western district, however, they have a reason why there."

"...The Heart...?"

"I really cannot say for certain but, with Dylan, an Etherian, with them, finding the Titan King's heart would be as easy as cooking breakfast. Maybe before even coming to invade, they have already located the Heart."

"If you have guessed that much, what the hell are we even doing here?!"

As Merissa and I are talking, the SS Iowa engine starts ramping up and the two Etherian ships emerge from the sea of clouds. Merissa's eyes widened as it was filled with fear.

No...

She's trembling with excitement. Her whole body shook in great arousal as the machinery maniac inside her emerges.

Realizing my intentions, Merissa looks at me with the same shit-eating grin. She started with a low growl of laughter before bursting.

"Hahahahaha! I can't believe this! You want to do the impossible yet again! Do you know how complicated this will be!"

"I trust you and your crew of madmen!"

Taking that as my confirmation, Merissa excitedly climbed up the mast in the center of the ship and stopped halfway. The whole crew gawk at their captain and judging her expression, they worked up a sweat and was infected by her crazed smile.

As the two Ehter Ship soars ever so closer to us, as the tension slowly builds up, the crew of mixed races has their heart thumping in sheer adrenaline, ready to let loose.

"I don't know how many times we've said our farewells with each other, seeing these faces in the afterlife or hell, but, I will say it tirelessly! Y'all ready to die for this excitement, aye?!"

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

"Aren't we just the darndest, most disposable pirates out there?! Hahahaha! I get it, ya bastards just really want the excitement! So, I'll let ya all on mine and our princess lil secret!"

Another thunderous cheer shook the SS Iowa as the pirates start banging their feet on the board.

"That's right, ya bastards! We are going to hijack those motherfuckers with our tiny wee ship!"

Fight fire with fire.

I realized that we cannot conventionally fight against their forces, so I just thought to myself, unconventionally fight them.

Before leaving the Western District, I have already talked about this with Lady Hinoki and Gordio who represents the Osthorio faction. Upon the conclusion that we will face defeat, I propose to intercept the invades from the Southen District, blatantly lying that we will try to round up some help.

At this point, I know it is fine to call for Fonfon's help or even Senya's backup, however, in diplomatic ways, we would wind up damaging the elves sanctity. Until this ends up the Titan King's revival, I would use up everything at my disposal to not escalate this further.

Is it me getting ahead of myself or me picking up the initiative? I do not know.

It is foolish, in my standpoint, it is. I have always been like this, however, this time, I am ready to carry the responsibilities.

"Then, let's head off! Charge!"

SS Iowa deployed its two ether jets and propelled itself upward.

Emby's premonition showed the there will be invading Ether Ship here in the Southern District. These two Ether Ships must be a decoy for the main force going for the Western District.

These are all assumptions solely based on factual timestamps, but, the invading ships on the Western District will have a lag on their invasion to lure our forces on the Southern District to thin out the population.

Our success here will decide whether we can gain the upper hand or not. Casablanca and Hibiscus are already in their Divine Ascension mode and I permitted them to use Astlan Ira to defend the Western District. Topaz will confront Ivory, one of the dangerous outliers of this conflict.

And then, for Daisy...

"Are you ready, my king?!"

I look up at the top of the mast where Daisy, currently King Arthur right now, stands atop with Caliburn already at hand, showering the ship with its golden brilliance.

He swung it in a crossing motion before pointing Caliburn at the ships.

"I may never save my kingdom again, but I will not let this second opportunity to fight to go to waste. I oath to this blade and thine vessel!"

At this point, the Ether Ships deployed their barriers before the collision happen. Since we are running at a wind-cutting speed, we immediately rammed SS Iowa on the barrier.

"Sally ho, hoes! Ferd, don't hold back!"

"Aye, Cap'n!"

The Ether jets of SS Iowa started blasting a whole new level of power. They have improved the Centerpoint Ehter Core of the ship, raising its meltdown threshold. SS Iowa was so powerful in its ramming that the first Ether Ship, even with its weight, starts getting pushed back.

However, at this point, all we could do is push back and forth. That's where our ace comes into play.

"King Arthur, now!"

With that signal, King Arthur thrusts Caliburn into the barrier that the first Ether ship deployed. Because of how special the Caliburn is, it tore down the barrier that it slowly tears, letting SS Iowa further enter into the inside of its barrier zone.

Without breaking a sweat, SS Iowa rams into the Ether Ship exterior, shaking the whole ship and a loud metallic noise erupted.

"Listen well, you damned second-generation dwarves! I, Merissa, owns both the seas and the skies, so you can go screw yourselves!"

Merissa shouted as we have successfully penetrated the first Ether Ship.