Chapter 353: Chapter 353

As expected, heavy rain once again descended over the Bantaan Archipelago. It was the most advantageous weather for the octopus Warships to engage in combat, and Byron would have been surprised if they chose any other weather to make their majestic return.

WHOOSH—! ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝘯𝘦𝘵

Five Wonder Battleships, lined up in single file, sliced through the water, leaving a long white trail as they boldly headed three hundred kilometers toward the Windward Strait.

No one knew better than Byron just how difficult it was to kill the cunning octopus Warships. This time, they had almost all emerged from their nests to seize the head of the May Wind.

Affected by the Sacred Relic "See Ship Fast," The Golden Deer had to serve as the Fleet’s Flagship and lead vessel. Next was the Support, a Fourth-rate Ship and former Flagship of The Seventh Fleet, commanded by Beret Tanya, known for "Preempting the Enemy." Then there were three adventure ships that had hurried back from the Celestial Orbital Belt to provide reinforcement: the Hawkeye, James Kent’s ship, the Cold Crow; the Boar Wizard, Kriegan’s ship, the Boar Warrior; and finally, a rare sight on the high seas, the female Pirate Captain Ice Witch Jeanne Seyida, with her ship, the Butterfly Fish.

The combat power of these five Wonder Battleships was at least comparable to that of a Fourth-level Nominal Battleship armed with fifty standard guns. Such an impressive array was fully capable of entangling with the May Wind and its escort fleet, even going toe-to-toe with them. There was no need to worry about having to hide in ambush as the earlier Privateer Fleet did, barely daring to face their adversaries head-on.

His uncle, Andrew Lancaster, continued to hold the fort with his Privateer Fleet at the main base, ready at any moment for a deep-sea deployment and a decisive Fleet broadside. This was also to prevent the large Fleet from being penetrated by enemy formations after deployment, which would allow the enemy to exploit their superior maneuverability and begin an unparalleled slashing spree.

On The Golden Deer alone, there were three Third Order Transcendents: Byron himself, Violet, and Jacqueline, making them utterly fearless even in a boarding battle.

Even if, worst-case scenario, the enemy broke out of the encirclement and escaped their pursuit to enact vengeance, the defenses of their various hideouts were also thoroughly arranged. Rapid Stream Port was defended by the Unbreakable Fortress, Sam Leopold, while International Port was under the watch of his sister, Catherine, who had obtained the Legion’s Sacred Relics and was ready for major action.

As for Jamestown Royal Harbor, the last of the three major ports, if it, seemingly undefended, were to be attacked... Well, that would be most unfortunate for any attacker.

After a battle, if you ask why there are so few soldiers left? "Oh, there were indeed over three thousand soldiers to begin with, but didn’t they just fight so ferociously that only three hundred are left? I can’t help it, can I? And if you ask where those extra sailors from the Pioneer Guiding Colonial Trading Company came from? I don’t know what nonsensical stuff you’re spouting. I’ve never heard of embezzling funds to raise my own troops in my life."

"You’re inquiring about the Royal Warehouse of the Governor’s Mansion—which pays tribute to His Majesty the King—why it, along with its ledgers, was burned to ashes? Humans face fortune and misfortune, just as the heavens face unpredictable changes in weather. We’re all risking our lives for the Kingdom; surely you’re not going to quibble over such a small matter as not putting out the fire in time, are you?"

"You’re asking how the May Wind managed to traverse hills and mountains to plunder all the wild spice groves on the island? You should ask that Infinite Evolver. How would I know..." If it really makes it to Jamestown Royal Harbor, then what ’Disaster of Rampant Bloodshed’? You’d clearly be the most beloved Great Ledger-Balancer of my ’Backdoor Listing Plan’!

Byron, having thoroughly prepared on all fronts, was in good spirits. He didn’t rush to initiate a Deep Sea Leap to deploy to the battlefield immediately. Instead, while firmly holding the helm to personally steer the ship using "Riding," he seized the time to experiment with "Dream Execution," a new technique he had just loaded into his Spirituality.

Sharpening your spear only when the battle begins means it won’t be fast, but at least it’ll be sharp. Practicing in advance was much better than panicking during an assault in the Dream Realm. Referring to the knowledge he had received, an Executioner, when still unskilled, would usually set up an activation phrase that could provide a mental cue.

Byron set his to: "Astral Projection!"

With the ability activated, a brilliant thread of colorful Divine Light shot out from the top of his head, forming a hazy cluster of colorful spiritual energy overhead.

As his thoughts stirred, the cluster of spiritual energy immediately transformed. One moment it was a swimming fish, the next a galloping horse, then jellyfish and octopuses drifting freely in the air... All were so vividly lifelike they were indistinguishable from the real things.

Moreover, octopuses and squids appeared most frequently, accounting for almost eighty percent of the forms, reflecting a certain undeniable inclination hidden deep within Byron’s heart.

Violet, watching him silently without blinking, felt a hint of blush creep onto her jade-white cheeks as a thought occurred to her. Why do I get the feeling Byron has a special fondness for... sticky, tentacled things? It was the same last time during the sensory sharing. When he saw that indescribable octopus Warship, his craving and desire to eat it were crystal clear. I’ve never asked him about his forbidden knowledge. Could this be some kind of incurable side effect? What if, after I complete the ’Deep Sea Origin’ ritual, I really end up in that kind of form, and he... wants to eat me? What would I do then?

Engrossed in the marvelous experience of his spiritual excursion, Byron was completely oblivious to Violet’s wild musings. Only by detaching from this heavy body and roaming as a Starlight Body can one experience true freedom. This feeling is simply too wonderful.

This cluster of colorful spiritual energy actually had its own name; it was one of the seven constituent parts of the Human soul: the "Starlight Body."