King of Marble

The searing dragonfire was like a massive lance as it slammed into the conspicuous Union Jack on the London's flank.

The enormous vessel was instantly shoved aside and tilted, yet its armor plating remained intact, only having been scorched crimson.

It stood in stark contrast to the little ship from earlier, which had practically shattered at the first touch.

A magical energy shield?

Lothar was somewhat surprised. Then he increased the output of his dragonfire again. Ripples spread ever more violently across the translucent shield, which looked on the verge of breaking.

Inside the London.

The First Mate let out an urgent roar as he sprinted through the somewhat cramped corridor.

"Add magic stones! Yes, you heard me right—not powder, whole magic stones! Hurry, hurry! Where are the stokers? Everyone, get moving! The shield won't hold much longer!"

"By the captain's orders, open the gun emplacements immediately and launch a double-charged counterattack!"

"Yes, that's right, double-charged counterattack! Under normal conditions, our aerial batteries can't even scratch a single one of its scales!"

The colossal vessel, over two hundred meters long, began charging all the gun emplacements extending from its sides and deck. The muzzles glowed red as high-purity white crystal bombs were loaded into the barrels. With a volley, the already-tilted airship slid sideways another several dozen meters, nearly crashing into a friendly vessel beside it.

Boom—

The shells exploded around the dragon. The violent shockwaves became a storm, and the briefly uncontrolled dragonfire carved chaotic trails through the sky like blades. One airship failed to evade in time. Its ammunition depot was struck by dragonfire, and it exploded instantly.

Scattered wreckage and fragments rained down upon the sea.

On the Sea King, flagship of the vast steel fleet upon the ocean, the captain came to the bow and urged