At the same time, Aiven decisively ordered:

"Forget about Bertram, Vid, Trish, let's break formation and steer clear of that guy!"

"Yes, Captain, sir!"

Sailor Vid and Helmsman Trish cooperated seamlessly to quickly turn the "Storm Horn," avoiding the path of the "Ironclad Hippocampus" charge.

Because it was clear by now, even another round of volleys wouldn't do any harm to this iron-hard sea monster.

Aiven didn't want to risk his own "Storm Horn" to find out just how tough it was!

Besides, this wasn't a national war against an enemy fleet, so there was no need to worry about leaving the battle line and... uh, being sent to a military tribunal.

Whoosh—!

As the battleship turned, Aiven had already pulled out his "Thorned Gold Rose," leaping onto the forecastle to the nearest point to the "Ironclad Hippocampus."

Even as the mysterious large waves made the warship increasingly bumpy, Aiven steadily focused his alchemy firearm's crosshairs on the opponent's golden eyes that could rotate independently in every direction.

Wave height: 1.32 meters; wind speed: only 3.31 meters per second, really bizarre! Distance: 802.45 meters, 780.31 meters....

Exhale—inhale—

His body gradually relaxed, and the [Mind's Eye] led by activated spiritual power quietly opened.

Beyond all physical parameters, the [Mind's Eye] had already sensed the target's next move in the coming second.

Now is the time!

Strong Strike Mode!

Bang—!

The scorching alchemy bullet drew a dazzling streak of fire across the dim sea surface.

After almost a second of flight, it precisely shattered its "fragile" right eye.

Pop!

Multicolored fluids splattered everywhere.

The constricting pharyngeal muscles in the sea monster's throat issued a sharp wail of pain, causing its charging direction to involuntarily swerve to the left, avoiding the "Storm Horn" position.

Aiven was about to shout a reminder to Solomon, but when he turned around, he unexpectedly saw that, pushed by the great sea dog Sais, the "Royal Guardian" was running even faster than he was!

"Hopeless at everything else, first-rate at escaping!"

Aiven felt utterly speechless toward Solomon and the great sea dog Sais, the master and pet duo.

Not strong? With a battleship and a large elemental creature, there's hardly anything on the ocean that can catch them; strong? Yet they run even from a battle-hardened monstrosity.

It can only be said that they have strong support but weak attack, just like Bertram Solomon's own slippery nature...

Boom—!

Very soon, Aiven saw the now-one-eyed "Ironclad Hippocampus" grazing past the wake of the "Royal Guardian." Its speed didn't match the "Royal Guardian," and even its hasty sudden turn couldn't catch up with the battleship.

Nevertheless.

Solomon could still rely on Sais to escape quickly, but the "Storm Horn" wasn't faster than the "Ironclad Hippocampus."

As expected.

Understanding the strategy of picking on the weaker and seeking revenge for that shot, the Ironclad Hippocampus swiftly turned towards the "Storm Horn," charging at high speed.

Countless tentacles as strong as steel churned up a wild sea current beneath the water, accelerating the terrifying monster's upper body towering 40 meters above the sea.

Boom! Boom! Boom!...

Irritated by interference shells sent by the "Royal Guardian," it was determined to sink the "Storm Horn" no matter what!

Aside from its eyes, ordinary cannons couldn't even scratch its defenses, as if facing a steam ironclad of another era, absolutely crushed in defense capability.

Having no choice, Aiven could only resort to old tricks.

Standing on the sterncastle, watching the closing distance between the two, he decisively fired!

Bang—!

A crisp sound echoed over the sea as the other eye of the "Ironclad Hippocampus" shattered as well!

"Hard left rudder!"

"Aye, hard left rudder!"

With its sight completely lost, the charging of the "Ironclad Hippocampus" slowed significantly, but Aiven wasn't sure how long it would take for its eyes to regenerate.

Even though the ship had deviated from its charge path, Aiven was still uneasy: "Keep a safe distance, let's meet up with the 'Royal Guardian,' for now we can only rely on their 'Cassaray Bronze Cannon.'"

Swish, swish, swish....

But.

Just as the "Ironclad Hippocampus" passed by the warship, it suddenly turned, accelerating abruptly and using its chest armor, risen like a siege hammer, to smash hard into the stern of the "Storm Horn."

Ah——!

In the weightless sensation, like riding clouds and mist, a dozen unsuspecting crew members were suddenly hurled into the sea.

Plop! Plop!....

Obviously, the seahorse's keen perception wasn't just about its sight; countless thick tentacles weren't merely accelerators. They were covered with innumerable sensory organs, granting the "Iron Armor Sea Horse" an extremely keen perception ability of sea current fluctuations.

"Captain! The rudder is damaged, we've lost our steering ability!"

Helmsman Trish hurriedly reported another piece of bad news to Aiven.

However, even without losing steering ability, a warship on the sea couldn't outrun any Sea Monster. We have to find a way to take it down!

"Bertram, what's going on? Why did the cannon go silent after one shot? Hurry up and fire!"

Seeing the "Iron Armor Sea Horse" stirring the sea currents, sensing the ripples left by the "Storm Horn," and abandoning all the overboard crew to chase after them again, yet no action from the "Royal Guardian," Aiven was so anxious that he almost jumped to his feet.

....

In the distance.

When the "Golden Horn Deer" arrived at the nearby waters in reverse, what greeted them was this very scene.

Sailing urgently against the tide of fleeing marine creatures toward the estuary.

Unexpectedly, midway, Anita heard news from the fish in the sea that two military ships were suspected to be engaged in battle with a large Sea Monster nearby.

Anita had no hesitation in changing course. At this time, being able to engage in battle with a Sea Monster obviously could only be Tyrone Kingdom's garrison troops and... the "Navy New Star" that had come from an allied nation to assist.

Indeed, from afar, she had already seen the fluttering flag on the "Storm Horn."

At the masthead, the deep blue pendant flag of the Phaletis Navy was flying, the captain's flag on the foremast, and another flag that Anita was extremely familiar with—the "Thorny Crown Sea Serpent Family Banner" of the Galliot Clan (after reclaiming the title, Aiven was now entitled to openly display this banner).

Thud!

The robust heart of the Great Knight, comparable to a Demon, thumped heavily.

Her eyes gleamed with emerald flame-like streams, and Anita's eyes had transformed into golden azure vertical pupils of a Sea Dragon.

"That's..."

After her vision was enhanced several times over, she easily caught sight of Aiven, standing on the poop deck, desperately commanding the rear small cannon to fire.

Even though he appeared much more mature than in her memory and was wearing a crisp Navy Officer uniform... it was her long-lost brother!

She also saw the terrifying Sea Monster "Iron Armor Sea Horse," towering 40 meters out of the sea, relentlessly pursuing the "Storm Horn."

Her hand gripping the Dragon-slaying Sword hilt tightened suddenly!

....

"It's not that I don't want to fire. In these sea conditions, even at a distance of 500 meters, I can't guarantee a hit on the first try!"

After the first shot failure, Bertram was understandably frustrated.

Soon, through Needle-tailed Swift, Aiven understood from his words that although the "Cassaray Bronze Cannon"'s Bomb Cyclone was matchless in power, it wasn't without flaws.

Unlike the human Witchcraft Creatures, which were flexibly used, the "Ocean Treasure" seemed not to consume energy but had to adhere to very strict rules.

In winter, limited to three rounds a day at two-minute intervals, in summer just one round a day, and in spring and autumn, two rounds with at least a two-minute interval, resetting at midnight.

This meant they would have only one usage opportunity left in the next nearly 12 hours.

"Unreliable guy, put down the bronze cannon, let me do it! Stop the ship, don't move, I'm coming right over!"

Having witnessed the power of Aiven's Alchemy Firearm, Solomon recognized his shooting skills, but he also doubted Aiven: "You're coming, how will you come? Can you outswim the Sea Monster? Hey, hey, hey...."

After having his attitude clearly conveyed through Needle-tailed Swift.

Aiven no longer cared about the "Iron Armor Sea Horse" relentlessly pursuing him, he jumped down from the poop and came to Milan's side.

"Milan! Remember the situation we encountered trapped in the Black Dike Lagoon before? Use the warship main mast and Strong Illumination Technique to create a shadow bridge for me, I need to reach the 'Royal Guardian.'

At this point, Milan had no time to question whether Aiven was daydreaming and immediately took action.

mico——

[Witchcraft: Strong Flash Skill]

Meanwhile, continuously adjusting the light direction, the main mast's diameter, close to 1 meter, projected a slender shadow toward the already stationary "Royal Guardian" floating at sea.

Without hesitation.

Aiven immediately stepped into the shadow, melding his shadow with the shadow bridge.

"Kaka!"

Hearing Aiven's call, a purely black lizard, flat as a gecko, leapt out from beneath his feet.

"Kaka... Kaka..."

With a few gentle calls, shadows likewise spread from its body, and it disappeared together with Aiven, who had activated the "Shadow Talisman," on the shadow bridge constructed from the warship's main mast.

"Until I return, First Mate Borg is temporarily responsible for the warship's command!"

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