I Have a Dice Left by a God

Chapter 680 - 272: Pirates

The azure sea surface, with waves rolling layer upon layer toward the distant horizon, the scorching sun beams down on the deck of the Mermaid Ship. They’ve been sailing for many days, with the blistering and humid sea breeze tormenting every crew member equally. The first mate loudly urges the crew into action, making sure everyone has work to do — polishing the deck, rebinding the ropes... Sometimes, idleness is the most terrifying enemy at sea.Standing on the bridge of the Mermaid Ship, Simmons is accompanied by Lancer and Salana, who are fiercely debating the truth and falsehood of the information concerning the Wish Book. Mekro, who only knows how to fight, and the big Bucklera cannot participate in such profound discussions, so they sit nearby maintaining their weapons, applying Holy Oil to ensure that the equipment doesn’t get corroded by the dampness of the Netherworld Sea.

Listening to Lancer and Salana’s analysis, Simmons’ thoughts begin to drift away. Officially, this voyage aims to go to Shalu Island to once again examine the original notes regarding the "Wish Book."

The reason he provided is that apart from the explicitly recorded secret knowledge and spells, the ancient notes might have used secret alchemical potions or Spiritual Imprints, hiding other interpretations. This is a perfect excuse, reasonable and showing his diligence towards the King’s orders. But in reality, the information was personally gathered and provided by his cousin, Avery. With Avery’s meticulously terrifying style of work, there won’t be any omission among the reasons he provided.

Of course, the reason is for certain people in the fleet to see. Simmons’ reason for coming to the Netherworld Sea was never the Wish Book, even if the Prince reminded or warned him, it wouldn’t matter; he’s already been transformed by Brother Li, and once a person’s mind is free, it can’t go back.

Dragon Mother... Thinking of that figure who rode him for half the night and let him ride for half the night, Simmons feels somewhat eager and expectant.

After confirmation with his cousin’s intelligence again, the Dragon Mother is highly likely to be on Shalu Island.

Simmons lightly rubs the railing with his fingers, his mind repeatedly reflecting on the question: "Why would she appear there? Is it for the notes recording the Wish Book information? Or is it because of the ethereal legend of the Dragon God on Shalu Island?"

"Lord Simmons, we should accelerate."

The diligent voice of the first mate interrupts Simmons’ contemplation. This first mate is an old subordinate of the George Family, skilled in commanding naval battles, extremely diligent, and part of the team left by Old George.

The older generation never plays all their cards.

Simmons comes back to his senses, nods slightly, and turns to walk deeper into the ship, passing through layers of tight security doors, arriving at the core of this battleship.

As he pushes the door open, several Priests of the Earth Mother Goddess Court are busy. The air here is filled with a strange scent, mixing sulfur, sea brine, and holy spices.

At the center of this chamber lies a huge Secret Art Pool. More accurately, it resembles a large water storage tank forged from peculiar metal. The surface of the tank is engraved with complex, indiscernible runes, these engravings are very old, and faint blue light nourishes and slowly flows through these ancient patterns.

Inside the Secret Art Pool, there is a heap of astonishingly mysterious materials: white bone powder ground from unknown creatures, dried sea monster tongues, and some mineral crystals emanating terrifying power. These materials are mixed together according to extremely strict special proportions, presenting a color too strange to behold.

Several Priests in the robes of the Earth Mother Goddess Court gather around the pool, their expression solemn.

"Activate it," Simmons commands.

This is the core ability Mermaid Ship prides itself on as a legendary flagship.

"Yes, my lord," replies one Priest, and under his direction, several Priests swiftly spring into action.

"Begin infusing Holy Water," the head Priest chants softly. Under his command, another Priest, the eldest, carefully lifts a crystal bottle containing Holy Water, slowly pouring it into the Secret Art Pool.

Sizzle...!

As the Holy Water touches the mystical materials, it feels like cold water splashing into a sizzling pan, and a violent spiritual reaction erupts instantly.

Intense white light bursts forth from the pool, illuminating the dim chamber, and a vast, pure energy instantly activates the Water Control Runes buried within the ship’s Keel, spreading throughout the warship.

Thrum...

The entire Mermaid Ship emits a low, powerful tremor, and then, as if the seawater surrounding the ship gains life, it contradicts natural laws under the drive of Rune Power, transforming into a huge thrust that propels the Mermaid Ship forward like a speeding shuttle gliding on the sea, slicing through waves, speeding faster and faster.

However, at this moment, an abrupt mutation occurs.

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion shatters the sea surface! The roaring waves cause even those inside the chamber, including Simmons, to pale!

"Enemy attack! The right flank is hit!"

The first mate’s roar reverberates throughout the ship, accompanied by a booming sound as Simmons staggers from the violently shaking ship, quickly stabilizing himself and rushing towards the deck.

The midsection of the right flank is in complete disarray, the iron hull blown open entirely, with the waterside tasting like a giant monster’s bite, mangled bodies burning amidst charred planks, the mix of blood and fire overwhelming Simmons. Being a practitioner of the Knightly Path, he has the courage to face death, but such a battlefield is a first.

Several sailor soldiers are fighting the fire, "Engage with the left flank! Engage with the left flank! Cannon shooters ready! Faster, quicker! Distance 1200 yards! Load the damn shells!" The first mate bellows, directing the Mermaid Ship as it swiftly turns, the Hex main cannon on the deck and the secondary cannons on the first and second second decks move in sync under his command as the cannon shooters nervously load the artillery shells.

Simmons turns to gaze at the sea, and a black warship bearing a pirate flag comes into view.

The shape of the ship is extremely unusual, with a transverse central section that isn’t a normal deck or cabin, but a terrifying giant cannon that cuts through two layers of the hull with a caliber of five or six meters!

"Alchemical Element Cannon!"

Simmons feels like cursing; when did pirates afford Alchemical Element Cannons?

"Fire!"

The first mate seizes a rare opportunity, roaring out the command, and the Mermaid Ship shakes as the principal cannon on the deck and the secondary cannons below spew angry flame!

"Main cannon hit!"

Lancer shouts, peering through binoculars at the shell fired by the Hex main cannon, which hit the target, yet... it had no effect?

It seemed something absorbed the shell’s power.