Majestic Dinner

"What the..." Grand Master Errticol became astounded after seeing everyone's faces look behind him. When his eyes landed in the same direction, he dropped his jaw, his eyes widened, and he nearly cursed out loud before a mighty powerhouse. Then, he turned his head to look at Heian Ciemnosc slowly and said, "This... I'm assuming it's your doing?"

“Aha, come. Take a look at them,” Heian Ciemnosc nonchalantly nodded with his mouth open and flew forwards. He spoke towards everyone, but he ‘secretly’ directed them to the Empress, whose sight was the most intrigued and perfunctory from everyone else. The Pavilion and Cult’s pair nodded and waited for the Empress to fly over first before following after. The Empress was slowly moving forwards, not being in a hurry as she looked at the rapidly incoming battleships.

“... Ah, Mr. Heian Ciemnosc, how are they equipped? I’m talking about the little toys,” the Pavilion Head felt overwhelmed as he saw far too many machine guns, among other things, on the smallest battleships from the convoy. Heian Ciemnosc stopped, finally sensing the Empress stop a meter before him, with some of her veils and mantles tracing his hair, dark coat, and pale nape, before grinning as he responded.

“Those are the Frigates,” Heian Ciemnosc’s darkest eyes narrowed, looking down as the convoy was about 10 seconds from passing below them. There are Offensive and Defensive Frigates. They were made in under a few months, all this year. The Offensive type has from 4 to 5 thousand crew members’ capacity, fully equipped. For machine guns, they have a few anti-missile turrets, 2 VRF, and 1 HHD. Additionally, they count with 3 L-CD artillery guns.”

“Fully equipped?!” Pastor Miguel’s face remained, but his mouth still gaped as he looked at Heian Ciemnosc, humped, and lost his composure. There were 4 Frigates right there! And 2 were Defensive! How dumb and crazy could that be?! Knowing well what the Pastor’s mindset was… and that only Third Step organizations care to check the market for buying any military vehicle with an offer, Heian Ciemnosc nodded again before continuing.

“The Defensive ones are also fully boarded, and their crew members’ capacity is between 4 and 8 thousand. Those 2 are Destroyers. They are a Low and a Medium class. If this was a Medium Flotilla and not a Small one, there would be at least 1 Advanced class. The Low class has the machine guns: 1 VRF, 2 HFD, and 1 UPF. For artillery guns, they have 6 L-CD and 1 F-PD. With up to 25,000 crew member capacity.” Heian Ciemnosc finished with his arms crossed.

“You mean to say…” Grand Master Errticol’s eyes slowly went from the Frigates, 300 m long and 75 m wide, made of a specific metal, and holding a tall infrastructure, to the even taller Destroyer, 500 m long and 110 m wide. Needless to say, it nearly looked like a submarine with half its body under the water. Who knew how many floors it had. They had to have large spaces to allow for movement of any kind. These were indeed the world’s top-notch battleships, however… “The Blauw Empire did these from scratch?!”

“?!” - “!” They hadn’t processed it until now, but now that the Grand Master recited it, they felt the heaviness of what those words meant. Heian Ciemnosc looked at them with a side glance before responding as he aimed at the Medium class Destroyer. “It’s not like they did it on their own. I myself had to help, and I come from the Wrath Nihility Academy. I am also a reputable Craftsperson. At least in the Academy, I believe. Besides, I can already craft spacecraft Frigates. Planning the creation and helping others understand how to create a battleship is much less difficult.”

“The Medium class Destroyer 3 VRF, 5 HFD, and 2 UPF machine guns. As for artillery guns, it has 9 L-CD and 3 FPD. It has a crew member capacity of up to 35,000. So far, it is the best Destroyer the Blauw Empire has. Oh, and that one… is the Cruiser.” Heian Ciemnosc finished saying before suddenly pointing at the largest battleship within the convoy. The Medium class Destroyer was 710 m long and 135 m wide, but it was still smallish compared to the Cruiser.

The Small Flotilla was in formation, rapidly advancing and heading to the center of the North Sea. The 4 Frigates were at the front and on the sides, ready to speed up at any moment. The 2 Destroyers were to their lateral sides, behind them, already in position to respond or engage. Lastly, the Cruiser was in the middle of the formation, between the rear and the center, and was the commandeering force in every Small Flotilla.

Pointing at that Cruiser, 2.4 km long and exactly 657 meters wide, looking stern and unstoppable to a certain degree, Heian Ciemnosc continued. “It has the machine guns: 7 VRF, 4 HFD, and 4 HHD. As for artillery guns, it has 7 FPD, 4 L-CD, 2 R-CD, and 1 MBH. As for rocket launchers, it has 4 LBFD and 1 GFD. Mn, they are currently at maximum work with all 240,000 crew members operating it, ready for anything. Oh well, a pity we were too short of money to get some materials for Fighters. And time, we lack time the most…”

Heian Ciemnosc looked at the Pavilion and Cult leaders as he finished that sentence, making them feel slightly heavy at the back of their minds. After licking his lips and frowning for several seconds, the Pastor said with a cough and a rueful, little smile. “They have all rocket launchers too, haha… I will assume they are fully equipped, too. Which includes a few rounds for battle… What about missiles, assigned supervisor. Do they have them, too?”

“Mhm, and just as you said, for several rounds,” Heian Ciemnosc politely smiled as he put his hands in his dark coat’s lower pockets. His words left the Pavilion and Cult’s folk pensive and slightly lost. Little Ish was looking at the toys beneath her feet, already passing by with those outside saluting her and her mother, while Empress Shuna’s face was unreadable, but her eyes were glued to the toys.

“This is… incredible… and a lot to take,” Grand Master Errticol said, as his eyes didn’t want to depart from the ‘Small’ Flotilla that was leaving them behind. He and the others kept looking until Heian Ciemnosc’s voice rang again, “Let’s go then. They are about to start a hunting season just for today. You can also return immediately, right now, if you want.”

“Let’s watch the Empire’s new… growing army in action. I’m sure they will be a show to delight us.” Pastor Miguel said as Heian Ciemnosc brought the Empress and the little royal princess into the Ornament. Looking in the Small Flotilla’s direction, the pensive Pastor, Preacher, Head, and Grand Master returned to their respective Fighters and waited until the Ornament flew ahead to fly over. They spent several minutes in silence until they saw the Ornament halt and its people get off of it.

Heian Ciemnosc gave them a look but said nothing, sat cross-legged in the air beside the Empress and started meditating without closing his eyes. Behind them, floating while already in the Spirit Formation realm 10th stage, Little Ish watched her teacher’s back with undisguised admiration while Empress Shuna’s aura was too much to even glance at her by mistake. A minute later, the Small Flotilla caught up to them.

“...” Heian Ciemnosc suddenly tilted his head down to look and slightly nodded. His motion caused eyebrows to raise as they looked at the Small Flotilla and scanned a technological device utilized to watch over Heian Ciemnosc’s expression just now. As soon as the nod happened, the Small Flotilla started to move in formation towards a specific location. Meanwhile, the Carrier’s crew carried a cannon out, placing a smelly, fleshy ball in its mouth before it dropped to its base.

Pum! The Pavilion and Cult leaders watched as an array formation activated, and the cannon shot the massive, fleshy ball. The cannon’s mouth was about 20 meters in diameter, and the ball of flesh was approximately 15 meters in volume. As it was shot, it started smelling more and more until it fell into the water, rapidly sinking as if it had dozens of anchors hanging from its body, but it was just too heavy.

Several seconds passed, and the water was still. Nothing was happening. But then, ripples emanated where the fleshy ball had fallen without any other movement, as if the water was responding in a way. However, the Pastor and Preacher knew this was no nature’s abnormality or incoming disaster… This was a Second Step Preternatural’s raging exposure to the surface!

Splaaasshhh! … ROAAAAAAAAAAAA~~~RRR! Splash, splash, swuooooshhh~~!

A huge, monstrous thing came out of the water, showing part of its long, cylindrical body and head, with thin, fleshy whiskers and frog eyes. Its head was elliptic and flat, like a reptile, and had no teeth, but it had a limb below its neck on both sides. It had moved rather rapidly, and from nothing appearing underwater, a few hundred meters of its body floated above the water’s surface. Its color was purplish pink. Its mouth could only open a few dozens of meters and was smelly.

Gurgle, gurlge~! It looked at the battleships around it just as Heian Ciemnosc detected the Small Flotilla’s communication channel get noisy, as it is supposed to. His darkest eyes watched as he noticed one Frigate took 2 seconds to move in time and got a little delayed. It could recuperate in less than a quarter of a minute, but an unnecessary delay, nonetheless. He didn’t intervene, however, and watched as the Hana-Saga realm Preternatural started shaking in anger.

Piu! Piu! Piu! WHOOOSHH! Splash! Several dozen small fish jumped from underwater, targeting the battleship, but they ended up headbutting against its hull and returning to the water, dazed. It only lasted for a few seconds, though, as they seemed decisive to get back into the air. The second round of adult-sized fish jumped out of the water and aimed at the people above, but before they could lunge at one of them, one of 2 things happened.

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Pshift! Plassshhh~, cuuuh- staaab! Whooooosh, splash~~!

The cultivators walking outside repelled these Creatures and Monsters, each crazily trying to devour whatever flesh and blood they could find that wasn’t from their kin or comrades. Neutral Energy blades, bouts, Elemental techniques, attacks, and weapons swinging, firing, and defending flashed everywhere from the battleships to outwards. The fish were beaten back, and virtually no injuries happened in the Frigates and Destroyers. The Carrier was too tall for these weak fish, with most not even in the Neutral Encephalon realm. Even then, they couldn’t be underestimated.

If one of the battleships didn’t repel a small number of these fish, they could infiltrate and start making some mess, possibly causing damage to the battleship from the inside or to its toys. These babies weren’t indestructible! Unfortunately for the fish, however, Heian Ciemnosc had these crew members’ training be as solid and strict as possible, so even if a First Step cultivator newbie boarded the battleship, it would be quickly dispatched or caught for interrogation if the battleship’s safety is confirmed.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang! Tarararararara…

Or the citizens could also take up their rifles and start blasting those shits, taking position in their defensive sections where they could be temporarily saved from long distance, energy or not, attacks and explosions. Additionally, the anti-missile turrets, not mini turrets, would turn and aim at the fish still trying to hop aboard, incinerating them into tiny pieces before they could overwhelm the citizens.

Meanwhile, the Preternatural submerged underwater again after commanding its soldiers to fight and entertain the enemy. Knowing damn well it wasn’t over, the Small Flotilla continued moving. The Frigates were the speediest and nimblest of them all, turning and increasing to their maximum speed without stopping while taking mobile position between the Destroyers and with the Cruiser at the front.

On the other hand, the Destroyers slowly moved forwards. Whenever the Destroyers arrived at a certain point, they stopped advancing and turned around as nimbly as possible, preparing for the incoming Preternatural, who was once again about to emerge.

SPLAAAAAASSSSHHH~~! With more water exploding upwards than before, the Preternatural showed up. But this time, the Small Flotilla had already used enough analyzing and radar systems to catch this Fauna’s information, ready to hunt it and share its base information to the navy’s net. Thus, as soon as the Preternatural emerged again, they started firing at it within a slightly widespread formation.

ROOOOAAAR- Boom, boom, boom- tarararararararararararararararara~~~...~~~!

What came out of the battleships were missiles. Dozens and dozens of those beautiful weapons flew from their systems and rapidly struck the Preternatural’s lengthy body as it showed nearly 2 kilometers of its purplish skin this time. One missile did nothing to its innately armored body, but a few of those landing on the same spot directly opened a mark, and it let the incoming machine guns’ bullets penetrate easier, as it was the second action the Small Flotilla took as a group.

After launching several missiles each, the battleships illuminated their reflection in the water, with only some of their machine guns opening fire on a different section of the Preternatural’s body each. The Cruiser remained silent for now while even the Destroyers were showcasing the might of top-notch machine guns such as these. The Small Flotilla’s artillery guns were mostly unmoving, also remaining quiet.

Gurgle, gurgle… bubbles~... swish- Piu! Piu! Piu! Piu! Piu! Piu! Piu! Piu! Piu! Piu! Piu!...

The water 10 km around the Small Flotilla was suddenly filled with bubbles popping as soon as they emerged to the surface. The machine guns, which had been inactive up until now, started moving. Some aimed at the sides, and others, such as the HHD And HFD, aimed at the Preternatural. Meanwhile, the artillery guns started rotating at last, signaling the start of the battle’s one of many or few climaxes, depending on the difficulty and the Small Flotilla’s capabilities.

Tarararararararararararararararara~~~~!! Boom, boom, boom, boom!… Pum, pum, pum, pum, pum, pum, pum, pum! Splash, gurgleee~! Swishhh… pshift, pshift- tararara- cuuuh!... ROOAAARR~! Piu! Piu! Plash! Bugsh… phhshk, phhshk… crreeshhk…

With all machine guns active, the already glowing morning light on the ocean turned blinding. The trails of impossibly fast bullets rained on the Preternatural and the water, eliminating a piece of flesh after flesh from the Preternatural and killing thousands of fish every few seconds. Despite the moving Frigates and the separation of only about 400 meters between each battleship, there was no friendly fire. All battleships were now in movement, but the Cruiser held back most of its artillery guns and hadn’t used the gigantic rocket launchers hidden within its interior.

The sound of these toys was wonderful, eliciting a trembling through the air that arrived before Heian Ciemnosc and the Ornament. Heian Ciemnosc felt some sort of excitement course through him as his memories resurfaced, from good to bad, and he honestly didn’t know what to feel. On the other hand, the 2 mightiest organizations’ leaders felt overly surprised and were stunned. They only felt this at the worst points in their battles against the Empire years ago.

But that wasn’t all. Despite the line of fire from each machine gun painting an exotic scenery from above, and even at the same level, the artillery guns were the main attraction here. Each time one sounded its firing noise, in the next moment, a tremendous, flashing-striking-like ring, attracting one’s eyesight and Spirit Sense no matter how much one wanted to avoid doing that.

On the other hand, the machine guns aimed at the sides aimed at the water, dispatching any large congestion of fish trying to overwhelm the cultivators, let alone citizens aboard. And this was just the beginning. The Preternatural didn’t stand there and did nothing. Its body, already scanned by the Small Flotilla to be over several tens of kilometers long but not so good at direct confrontation against several enemies, was struck on the face whenever its maws opened.

If the Preternatural moved, the Cruiser’s initiative artillery guns all focused on it. If it opened its mouth, it fired at it together with an artillery gun from the Frigate or Destroyer in danger. It would become blocked and unable to move forward or down towards that battleship. If its body moved, the Cruiser would trigger at least 1 LBFD rocket launcher, sending rounds of rockets and halting its body from any movement, as if it had hit a wall midair.

Whenever the amount of fish increased to the point a Frigate or Destroyer couldn’t deal with it, the Small Flotilla would change their formation, allowing 2 of their Frigates to move in a wider circle before returning. When it was already back in formation, the Carrier took the lead to sail backwards while the Destroyers and the other 2 Frigates faced the Cruiser. The Cruiser would open fire with its other artillery guns, striking any large enemy congregation before it fully formed.

However, the heavy brunt of the enemy’s forces at their retreat descended on the 2 returning Frigates. They would face the enemy in diagonal positions as if attracted to each other, on the 2 retreating Frigates. Their arsenal would be at full work, creating fire out of simply rushing bullets through the air. But they weren’t left alone. While the 2 returning Frigates had to bear the retreat’s brunt, the others would cover them from the sides. The front was theirs, and it was incredibly dangerous.

If it wasn’t for Heian Ciemnosc’s regulations regarding ‘overly’ supplied battleships, going against common sense and the untold rules for safety in the world, this Small Flotilla’s Frigates would be nearly 0 ammunition from their machine guns just from employing their retreating tactic. However, despite the mighty organizations’ leaders thinking one or two Frigates would fall in the next few minutes, they kept themselves afloat and superficially damaged, ready for their even braver engineering and Craftspeople repairing teams to start working hard on the battleships.

At one point, in the middle of the encounter, the Preternatural amassed a tremendously scary Neutral Energy bout, with pure energy covering its front body as it rushed into the sky. Right then, with all excellence, the Cruiser used all 4 LBFD rocket launchers to target different parts of the Preternatural’s body as it soared. One aimed at a lower section where its body kept going upwards, another at a higher altitude, another at the base from where its body kept resurfacing, and the last one blew its rockets to its front and rear to disrupt its speed.

The GFD, scarier and over-the-top than even 8 LBFD together, waited for 2 different situations before firing. One was when the Preternatural decided it was enough altitude, gaining itself enough momentum as its extremely long body coiled in the sky as its head directly sky-dived towards them. The Small Flotilla were locked in a 5 kilometer radius and couldn’t escape. The moment the Preternatural stopped, dozens of rocket launchers shot towards its forehead.

Managing to delay the dive, the Cruiser then moved to the front and started focusing on the Preternatural’s body with all its artillery while its machine guns fired everywhere around it, allowing the other battleships’ artillery pieces to focus on the Preternatural’s body, too. The second time was when the Preternatural was just 100 meters above the Cruiser’s tallest structure, immediately sending shockwaves everywhere atop the Small Flotilla, causing 20-30 meters tall waves to swim outwards from their formation.

However, in the end, the Preternatural’s head became bloody, with only half its face left, and its body shockingly halting altogether!! It stagnated in the air for a whole damn minute before it fell straight into the water a moment later! And the battle continued!

… After a bitter yet unexplainably smooth battle, the Preternatural’s corpse floated in the water, rapidly cut down by the winners, storing its chunks bit by bit. The fish floating around it were mostly charcoal or tasteless after so much waste entered their bodies, and destruction corrupted their properties. Any living being receiving this much firepower would turn useless even for being a starving living being’s last delicacy.

However, a gigantic Fauna wouldn’t have it that easy, and much less if it was a Preternatural, as it was the case. While the Small Flotilla picked its prize, not feeling tired at all, Heian Ciemnosc suddenly dropped a good piece of news to the Cult and Pavilion. “Oh, tell you what. For every 3 large Fauna we kill, we’ll give you one of them. Now, would you like to accompany us to see some more?”

“!!” Their faces were yet again astonished as they didn’t have any more stamina to recompose themselves. How much ammunition did these top-notch battleships in the world have?!

…