Chapter 573.5: The Shift in Offensive and Defensive Momentum
She swiftly adjusted the angle, aimed at the pre-calculated zone.
She waited for the target to reach the zone's edge and fired with lead compensation.
Fighting the urge to check the impact, Udala opened the cannon's rear to reload.
"Nice work, Udala!"
"Great aim!"
"Awesome!"
"Udala, you're amazing!"
"..."
Rika spoke first, followed by the team's excited praises.
Udala couldn't help but smile, holding back her urge to jump up in celebration.
After quickly reloading, she finally looked to see the result.
The targeted ship had a massive hole below its waterline.
Moments ago charging fast, it now came to a halt.
Its stern lifted as it slowly sank.
"Was that really my doing?"
The question floated in her mind, but her eyes gleamed with joy.
Udala felt energized, clenching her fists with excitement.
The squad leader shouted loudly:
"Group Four has destroyed the target!"
"Next target—second ship to the right of center!"
"Fire!"
Another cannon volley!
The spinning cannonballs whooshed toward their target.
Hit confirmed!
Cannon fire boomed nonstop across the sea.
A barrage of 120 cannons created a deadly blockade.
After just 6–7 volleys, four pirate ships were lost.
The fastest pirate ships barely closed to within 700 meters.
They paid no attention to their fallen comrades.
Because the Bay Territory was now focusing fire on the ones in front.
Boom!
One ship after another was struck.
The Wa pirates began returning fire, aiming at the Bay Territory transports.
Cannonballs crossed midair, spinning toward their targets.
The Bay Territory ships were also hit, causing the savage Wa pirates to roar with pride.
But soon, they noticed something was wrong.
The Bay Territory's magical warships, even under heavy fire, showed no gaping holes and remained intact.
Meanwhile, their return fire was growing in power.
The closer the distance, the more destructive the Bay Territory's magic cannons became.
With 5 to 10 cannons focusing fire—
Even five-masted warships could only endure 3–4 volleys
Before they were blown open and sunk.
The Wa pirates' damage to the Bay Territory was negligible.
Watching from behind, Echan quickly realized the situation.
Cannonballs from pirate magic cannons at 500 meters—
Could only dent the Bay Territory's ships, not pierce them.
He saw two shots hit the same spot on one ship.
Only the outer steel plate was damaged.
On the third hit, the steel plate fell away, revealing enchanted hardwood beneath.
There was a second layer of defense!
Echan lowered his spyglass, realizing the Bay Territory wouldn't be easy.
Especially when he saw that eight five-masted ships—once thought heavily armored—
Were already sunk, with only 29 still charging.
The smaller vessels had only five left.
They charged fastest, and died fastest!
For the first time, Echan found the Bay Territory troublesome. Watching the ceaseless cannon fire, he gave a firm order:
"All ships charge—ram them—prepare for boarding combat!"
Beijin and Tianwen, too busy to mourn their losses, immediately issued the full assault order.
The more casualties below, the greater the 'compensation' from their "godfather."
Overall they might lose, but the pirate generals would profit handsomely.
Watching the closing pirate ships, Udala grew increasingly nervous.
Her movements didn't falter under pressure—they actually became faster.
Even though Echan made the right call in time.
The pirate warships charging en masse still lost nearly one-third of their number under the Bay Territory's fierce cannon fire.
The remaining pirate ships began to feel fear as they surged toward the Bay Territory's ships.
Once the ships collided.
No matter how powerful the Bay Territory's magic cannons were, they couldn't fire through an entire ship!
This was the suicide tactic of the Wokou pirates—their only chance at victory!
Boom!
The deafening crash, along with the ship's shudder, made Udala feel a rush of blood and discomfort.
Next to her, Rika rubbed her aching ears and shouted at the top of her lungs:
"Target ship, 50 meters!"
Everyone could now see the seaweed and parasites on the enemy pirate ships through the gun ports.
Noticing the enemy tactic, Annie mentally reviewed the follow-up plan and decisively ordered:
"Keep firing! Prepare for impact! Melee teams to combat stations!"
Cannons roared and struck the hulls.
Even with steel plating, the magic warships began to show breaches.
Some were too damaged to be repaired in time, exposing fallen soldiers inside.
The Bay Territory's fleet was taking casualties too!
But the Wokou pirates fared worse—another four five-masted ships sank.
Cries for help rang from the panicked Wokou pirates.
The pirate ships rammed forward with suicidal force, slamming into the magic warships.
Crack!
Splash!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Cannon fire, battle cries—they all rang loud.
Wood splintering, hulls shattering, seawater rushing in—it all came at once.
Add in bowstring twangs, spell blasts, and golem stomps.
Everything one could expect, and more!
Grim-faced Wokou pirates crawled from the wrecked ships, wiping blood from their mouths.
Like demons, they scurried on all fours, swarming toward the magic warships.
More ships followed, cramming the beach area.
Seeing their cruel, bloodthirsty eyes, Annie rubbed her fingers, feeling an itch to operate.
As the shudders of impact faded, she said to the soldiers on Big Fish's deck:
"Raise crossbows, fire!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A rain of heavy bolts covered the boarding Wokou pirates.
The bolts easily pierced iron armor, let alone their ragged gear.
If they failed to dodge, they died on the spot.
Wounded? You're done for!
The Wokou pirates who made it past the bolts and reached the rail met a wall of long spears.
Squelch!
The weaker ones had no time to react—skewered mid-air like meat on sticks.
Some elite Wokou blocked a few thrusts, barely making it aboard, only to crash into a despair-inducing shield wall.
The Wokou pirates were utterly frustrated.
They never expected the Bay Territory soldiers to ignore naval combat norms.
On a rocking sea surface.
Dueling prowess and fluid tactics were the standard.
Who fought like Bay Territory troops, stiff like they were on land?
Formations, spear walls—
Which pirate could break that?
Spears jabbed in unison, leaving no room to dodge on the narrow deck.
No way to escape, no way to hide!
It was a slaughter.
The first wave of Wokou attackers suffered heavy losses.
Thankfully, they weren't as suicidal as the Cole Elves charging cities, wasting lives on the Bay Territory's shield formations.
They jumped back, waiting for another chance.
But the Bay Territory didn't give them peace—more bolts rained from above.
Advance and die!
Retreat and die!
In an instant, the Wokou momentum was stopped.
In the rear, Echan ordered eight main ships to halt.
Seeing the Wokou advance stalled, he calmly stroked his sword hilt and said in a cool tone:
"Target the enemy decks. Fire."
Beijin and Tianwen glanced at the field and realized this would cause friendly fire.
But they didn't care—as long as Echan was pleased.
The main ships aimed at the battlefield 500 meters away.
But before they could fire, a volley of cannonballs came flying.
Boom!
Two five-masted ships were destroyed instantly. Others were badly damaged.
Caught off guard, Echan sensed danger.
He looked up and spotted Big Fish packed with soldiers and cannons.
So that was the Bay Territory's trump card!
Watching the cannon trails, Echan gave a cold smile:
"So the intel was right—most of their navy is here..."
No regret in his tone, Echan glanced toward Councilor Kaledor's magic ship.
Refocusing on the battlefield, he looked at the breached decks and told Beijin and Tianwen:
"Open the holds. Release the Winter Wolves!"
Inside the ship, over 20 iron cages were unlocked.
Massive four-to-five-meter-long Winter Wolves bit off the heads of their handlers.
Tearing corpses and devouring them, they charged upward, ignoring the terrified Wokou pirates.
Over 50 wolves reached the deck, spreading panic.
These terrifying beasts sneered at the pirates—strong and intelligent.
Echan pointed to the biggest and ordered:
"Break the blockade and you're free."
The 6-7 meter long leader stared coldly at him and said icily:
"Our deal ends here."
Awooo!!!
With a howl, the wolves leapt overboard.
Wokou pirates stared in shock—the wolves walked on water!
Ice formed beneath their feet, giving them footing.
In moments, they bounded hundreds of meters to the chaotic field!
Echan signaled the nearby main ships.
Beijin and Tianwen, dodging cannon fire, ordered a full assault.
Watching the battlefield in chaos, Echan smirked:
"Dear Councilor, how goes your offensive?"
...
Not well at all!
Twenty kilometers from Fisher Island, two small isles.
Dozens of Wokou ships encircled them, firing nonstop.
Wokou infantry launched a fierce siege.
The seemingly doomed outpost had held for over 30 minutes.
Defenders still held the walls.
Like a deadly abyss, they devoured every pirate who climbed up.
Artillery still flashed brightly.
Blasting away at the surrounding ships!
Six or seven enemy ships neared sinking.
The massive losses made Councilor Kaledor furious.
But he restrained himself and ordered more Wokou pirates to attack Fisher Island directly.
Hundreds of ships surged toward it.
The snarling pirates aboard were eager to slaughter.
Kaledor pulled his gaze from the island's outpost. He had mobilized nearly all Wokou forces along the eastern coast.
As long as he took Fisher Island, he didn't care how many Wokou pirates died!