A Fu

From the sky, the entire Broken Isles area appears to be boiling and churning.

Amidst the vast expanse of blue waves, the sea churned restlessly, and beneath the hazy shimmering light, an astonishing number of terrifying shadowy figures darted swiftly across the water like arrows.

The powerful Predator of antiquity have arrived.

"--What's that?!"

When the sound of the explosions near Ajinsi Island reached them in the distance, the cargo and passenger ships still adrift at sea were still in shock, which then turned into fear, and panicked shouts rang out from the ships.

Has war broken out?

The captain of a cargo ship, pale-faced, rushed to the bow and strained to look out. He feared the Shadow of war, yet he could not leave, for his family had served an island lord for generations. His wife, children, parents, and family were too deeply bound together; to escape was to betray, and betrayal was the cruelest punishment.

Commercial activity on the island has ceased, but his ship continues to serve as a transport vessel, this time carrying goods between the two islands. He had prayed that war would not break out, but the sound of cannons shattered his illusions.

"Gods..." he prayed silently, his face pale as he gazed at Ajinsi Island. "Please, do not let war break out! Please, merciful gods, do not let war affect my master and my wife and children. I am willing to pay any price for this..."

"--captain!"

The first mate, who had climbed onto the mast, shouted, "The mage tower array hasn't activated!"

The captain paused, then his face lit up with joy, and he exclaimed, "Right, right! The island's defense system hasn't been activated yet! It's probably just a simple provocation and demonstration. It's alright, nothing to be afraid of..."

Before he could finish speaking, the water around the ship, which had been churning with undercurrents, suddenly exploded. The captain felt a swift figure fly past him. He instinctively reached out to block it, but he was a fraction too slow. Then, a sharp pain shot through his neck as he felt something bite him!

"Aaaaaaah!"

The excruciating pain caused the captain to scream in agony.

He flailed his arms wildly, staggered back in pain, and screamed as he tried to grab the creature that had bitten his neck, but it was slippery and slippery. After several attempts, he couldn't get a hold of it at all!

"Captain!"

Hearing the captain's screams, the sailors looked over in surprise and saw their captain stumbling and flailing his arms on the deck, with a strange, pink creature about the length of an arm tightly biting his neck. The thing didn't look like a fish, or even like anything from the sea. At least, in all their years of making a living at sea, they had never seen anything like it!

Several sailors immediately rushed towards the captain.

The captain, seeing a glimmer of hope for survival in his own crew, stumbled toward them as he futilely tried to grab the attacker from his neck.

But after a few steps, his body began to tremble violently. The strange creature that had been coiled around the captain's neck yanked hard, and blood gushed out. The terrifying predator tore off a piece of flesh and swallowed it with glee, then roared to the sky!

The artery ruptured, exposing even the trachea to the air. The captain's throat made a gurgling sound, his body stiffened, he swayed in place, his neck twisted strangely to one side, and blood gushed out like a fountain, splashing into the sea!

"Captain--"

The sailors, their eyes bloodshot, grabbed their knives and charged at the monster that had killed the captain. But at that moment, they saw countless splashes of water erupt, and one after another, dark shadows rose up from the sea in front of the ship, leaping onto the deck and landing on the ashen-faced captain, pinning him to the ground!

Water droplets splashed as bizarre monsters, as thick as a forearm, kept rushing onto the ship, emitting chilling hissing sounds. They surrounded the captain's body, climbing and circling around him like rats smelling meat, covering his head, neck, chest, abdomen, limbs, and feet, and then opening their mouths to tear at him desperately!

Pebbles of skin, bits of flesh, and splattered drops of blood onto the wooden deck. Fear gripped the sailors' hearts. They stared blankly at everything, at the captain struggling in agony, his body stiff and contorted, at the fleshy limbs revealing pale bones, at a monster burrowing directly into the captain's eye socket!

"Aaaaaaaahhhhh!"

They screamed and backed away, crawling on their hands and feet.

The monsters, who were circling the captain's corpse but were blocked by their companions and unable to get any meat, kept turning their heads to look at them, their small, fierce eyes darting around.

In an instant, people subconsciously understood the meaning behind that look.

"They can all eat."

They let out a shout and fled towards the stern. The monsters at the bow roared, and just then, water surged up from both sides of the ship, and countless monsters leaped out of the sea on both sides, raining down on the sailors, then opening their terrifying mouths and biting down!

People falling into the water, people struggling on the deck, screams, the sound of flesh being torn apart, the sound of chewing, the surrounding seawater boiling and surging, Shadow darting swiftly beneath the surface—the predators have arrived!

The docks, ships, and beaches were attacked almost simultaneously by terrifying predators, numerous in number, leaping from the sea and even able to walk on land, endless and countless.

"We are under attack!"

At the docks of Ajinsi Island, the Knight Astolfo roared furiously.

Multiple M61A1 Vulcan cannons and quadruple 23mm anti-aircraft guns, taken from the Shilka Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun, intertwined to create a long river of Flame, sweeping back and forth across the nearby sea. Twelve AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers frantically poured high-explosive shells into the distance, and 76mm rapid-fire cannons bombarded back and forth, turning the sea surface into a bloody mess, with pieces of flesh churning. But even though the Afu's close-in defense system was extremely sophisticated—these human weapons were never designed for the current situation and battle conditions from the beginning!

There are too many of them!

This hellish barrage of firepower was enough to shatter any army's charge, but it couldn't kill all the sea monsters surging in from all directions—especially since they came from the bottom of the sea!

At close range, Horus didn't even dare to use weapons with greater power.

Even if the Afu could barely withstand the shockwave of the underwater high-explosive, there were still other people on board!

Monsters kept crawling up the deck, clinging to the hull. The situation underwater was even worse. Countless terrifying monsters, waving their claws and tails, covered the underside of the Afu, desperately gnawing and tearing at it. The smell of blood and flesh from the countless monsters torn apart by the shells attracted their kind, and more and more monsters gathered here!

The ship was already engulfed in smoke. Through the smoke, stragglers kept rushing onto the deck. With flashing blades, Han Guangcheng focused intently and cleaved one of the sea monsters in two.

Three more attacked from the side, but flames erupted, and a circle of fire exploded, filling the air with a pungent, acrid smell. The monsters roared in pain as they fell, their bodies shrinking and convulsing.

"Fire and lightning!" Mei Xizhu sharply, "Ailike!"

A bolt of lightning struck, slamming into the water and spreading the current. Yet, within the life detection field, the dense points of light in the water remained completely unaffected, retaining their ferocious vitality!

The mages were horrified. "They're immune to electricity! What are these things?!"

"Back off!"

Monsters kept circling the ship's defenses and charging onto it from the bow and stern. But their figures flashed swiftly, sending shockwaves flying. Two figures unleashed powerful punches, creating sonic waves that shattered these ferocious and fast deep-sea monsters. Even when some escaped and bit into their bodies, only their mouthparts were broken.

Because it's a dragon!

Two giant dragons transformed into human form, roaming and sweeping the deck of the warship. Mages provided support with fire spells, but as the life scouts looked out, endless monsters poured out from below, attacking and devouring the ship's crew from afar, and crashing into the docks and hunting pedestrians on the shore, like a living hell!

Lord Horus!

Lacking long-range attack capabilities, the new army members had been driven into the cabins. On the bridge, Han Guangcheng, holding a walkie-talkie, shouted, "Friendly ships are sending out distress signals! They're entangled!"

"I know! Tell them to hold on!" Horus shouted sternly, "Father will be here soon!"

Distant Harbor, City Hall.

Kang De pushed open the door to the governor's office. The people inside, who were reporting to Hong San, were taken aback and bowed in unison. The Dragon of Cathay waved his hand, and the officials quickly left with their heads down.

Kang De succinctly stated. "Something has happened to the Broken Isles."

Hong San's expression changed. "They made the first move?"

"It's not certain yet. Horus's report says they were attacked by a large number of strange sea creatures." Kang De rubbed his temples. "I had a feeling something was going to happen, but I didn't expect it to be this..."

Hong San thought for a moment, "If it's the work of the Broken Isles, then Distant Harbor will most likely also be attacked."

That's why I came to find you.

Kang De said, "Regarding the Distant Harbor, I will leave four missile boats, operated by the level-two puppets left by Horus. Although their intelligence level is not high, they can still operate and have combat capabilities. The Royal Guard and the Dragon mercenaries will also be under your command. Together with the three-nation fleet left behind, you must maintain order."

Hong San nodded and said, "Your Highness, please go ahead. I will take care of things at Distant Harbor."

Kang De cautioned, "Horus and I will be focusing most of our efforts on the Broken Isles from now on. Your task may be quite demanding. If this is a conspiracy by those island lords, then Distant Harbor is likely to descend into chaos, especially since we just transported many people from there..."

He sighed, "We still don't have enough manpower, we can't be in two places at once, this is going to be very troublesome..."

"Your Highness, please rest assured."

Hong San said, "With the Dragon Mercenaries, the Valentan Guards Regiment equipped with advanced weaponry, and the assistance of navies from various countries, even if the immigrants on the Broken Isles were to riot, it would be completely suppressed. To those people, His Highness is benevolent and magnanimous, but as His Highness's strategist, I must play a different role."

As he said this, although he smiled, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

"Even without Horus patrolling the heavens and monitoring any unusual activity, I have other methods. The most suitable way to monitor unusual activity is still through the eyes of everyone around us."

Hong San said softly, "Break the group into smaller teams, have each member monitor the others, reward those who report others, execute the entire clan of accomplices, and execute the entire group who conceals or fails to report... There are plenty of methods, it's just a matter of whether to use them or not."

Kang De paused for a moment, then said, "Thank you for your hard work... I'll get it done as soon as possible."

Just as he was about to leave, Hong San asked again, "Your Highness, should we summon reinforcements?"

Kang De paused for a moment, then shook his head. "The journey to the Broken Isles is too long, there's no time..."

Before he could finish speaking, Hong San interrupted him, "Your Highness, there has to be a first time."

Kang De remained silent, while Hong San simply gazed at him quietly.

After a moment, Kang De looked up. "Understood. I'll go to the Broken Isles first to observe the battle situation and confirm the plan. In the meantime, I'll gather the Destruction Squadron, complete pre-battle mobilization, and select volunteers."

"Yes," Hong San said solemnly, "But there are no volunteers, Your Highness. Everyone is ready."

A black light flashed, a spatial portal opened, and Kang De's figure vanished from the spot.

Across the Broken Isles, the communication channels echoed with shouts from officers of various fleets. The Knight Astolfo was temporarily holding off the relentless attacks with its powerful firepower, but its underwater defenses were in dire need of attention. If the A Fu was struggling, the sailing warships of the three nations were even more vulnerable.

We need help!

They're everywhere!

"Injuries!"

"Lord Horus, we request your assistance!"

The next moment, a calm voice rang out from the chaotic channel.

"I am Kang De."

All the doubts, requests, angry shouts, and anxious voices were swept away.

The Fire Thief's voice was as firm as a rock.

"All ships report their location and damage status, starting with the Imperial ships."

In the blink of an eye, the extreme chaos returned to order.

The next moment, a tense voice rang out. "Your Highness Kang De! The Imperial Fourth Subfleet's sailing battleship, the White Peak Snow, is here! We are trapped in the waters near Mudeng Islet..."

A total of four warships reported the situation.

Now, five days after the war ultimatum was issued, the evacuation operation was nearing its end, and the remaining target population had been placed under house arrest or intimidated by the island lords of the Broken Isles. Kang De also judged that war was imminent, and the fleecing had been exhausted to the point of exhaustion. Most of the fleet had already returned to the mainland.

The four warships remaining on the Broken Isles, plus the Afu, make a total of five. They stayed there for two reasons: first, to check if any overseas Chinese had not been evacuated; and second, to continue to annoy the island lords, maintain political bullying over the Broken Isles, and constantly remind the islanders that the Empire, the Elves, and the Council might join Prince Kang De in launching a fierce attack on the evil, illegitimate regime of the Broken Isles.

In Kang De's plan, the last batch of the Combined Fleet would gradually withdraw from the territorial waters of the Broken Isles tomorrow, and then the fleets of the various countries that had completed the evacuation would rendezvous to carry out battlefield observation missions.

But now...

Kang De looked into the distance from the bridge.

He had already used the Power of the Fire Thief and the Phoenix Eyes to see that the waters of the Broken Isles were teeming with danger. The terrible threat came from the deep sea below. Before this trouble was resolved, ocean voyages were already fraught with peril. The creatures on land were merely passersby on the sea; these unknown beings were the true masters there.

"I am already aware of your situation."

Kang De said, "Now, let me explain the plan. The sea and ships are extremely unsafe. We will move ashore and will not leave until victory is achieved. I now order all ships to actively defend and continue to resist. The two dragons on this ship will take to the air to provide you with aerial support. The Knight Astolfo will set sail immediately for the islands in your area to carry out the evacuation operation."

"Before that, I ask each and every one of you to fight with all your might, to save yourselves and your comrades. The Flame of war will forge true warriors, and everything that happens today will be remembered. Besides that..."

He shouted, "If you are still filled with fear, confusion, cowardice, and helplessness, then listen carefully! The horns of the Knight Astolfo will resound throughout this sea. This war machine, unlike any other in the world, will become your guardian angel. Gentlemen, have faith in A Fu!"

"Now, execute the command!"

Kang De shouted sternly, "Horus, sound the alarm and activate the high-speed power system!"

With a thunderous roar, the LM-2500+ gas turbines of the Horizon class frigate provided surging power to the twin-shaft, four-bladed propellers. The eight sharp blades, resembling Guan Yu's halberds, whistled and spun, and the terrifying suction force pulled the surrounding alien beasts into it, cutting them into pieces, with blood gushing out!

The piercing air raid siren blared, its sound echoing throughout the entire sea area.

"It's A Fu!"

The main warships of various countries scattered across the islands are fighting desperately. The mages are sparing no effort, and the magic attack platforms are operating at full power to construct a Flame defense line to block the monster's attack. The situation is extremely bad, and personnel are constantly being injured. Just then, all the sailors who are fighting and feeling anxious hear a distant horn.

They looked up, some surprised, some delighted. Those speaking to Kang De were all high-ranking officers from various ships; the lower-ranking soldiers were unaware of the good news that His Highness Kang De had arrived—but now they knew.

"It's A Fu!"

This nickname originated from His Highness Kang De, first learned of the three commanders, and then gradually spread throughout the army. Everyone agreed with the nickname, and this slightly cute name added a touch of cuteness to the powerful and cold warship that was like a Valkyrie.

She's like a lovely girl.

And now, his bugle call sounds like the most valiant warrior sounding the war song.

"A Fu is here!"

The soldiers were invigorated; their despair vanished, and the Flame of hope ignited.

This Horizon class corvette, named Knight Astolfo, shocked the world when it made its debut at the Battle of Distant Harbor. It was highly regarded and admired by the monarchs of various countries. Made of steel, it possessed powerful firepower and incredible speed, seemingly without any weaknesses. It was as if it were a creation and a flagship of the gods. To the captured navies of the three nations, this warship was the same: noble and untouchable, like a mystery, a statue of a deity. When they spoke of her, they only expressed amazement, doubt, rumors, and awe.

And now, they eagerly await its arrival, calling out its name, longing for its protection—for the first time, this godlike, invincible warship...

It embodies the meaning of "human".

Amidst the rolling waves and grotesque shapes, and boundless danger, A Fu cleaves through the vast expanse of water, moving forward like a Valkyrie, in accordance with all the beautiful imaginations and expectations.

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PS1: Ah! The college entrance exam is over! I can write more now!