Though the Second Fleet clearly surpassed the Third Fleet in both numbers and formation, it was nowhere near as fierce. Like a lurking behemoth, it silently watched its prey, crawling closer inch by inch. Though the beast was incomparably ferocious, it refused to bare its fangs. It advanced without a sound, pressing down on the Lodun Islands' defenders with a heavy, suffocating pressure.
Many defenders watched the Second Fleet draw nearer and nearer in anxiety. But why were they not firing? Why were they moving so slowly? This oppressive atmosphere was driving the Lodun Islands' defenders mad.
They could not bear such a silent, tranquil method of attack. It felt as though a savage beast were toying with its prey.
They would rather the Second Fleet attacked like the Third Fleet, spreading terror through blood and lives, than slowly exert psychological pressure on its opponents as it was doing now, breaking them down!
"Aah!" At last, one defender who could no longer endure the oppressive atmosphere roared and leaped to his feet. He immediately turned his cannon and launched an attack at the Second Fleet. Even though he knew the enemy was still outside their range, he could not take it anymore. He needed an outlet. He could not endure this stifling situation any longer.
"Boom!"
As expected, the shell exploded on the sea, sending up a spray of water, but it did not even come close to the Second Fleet. The Second Fleet was still beyond their attack range.
The nearby islands were stirred by that shot, and many people responded in kind, beginning to bombard the Second Fleet.
Unlike the baiting tactic from that morning, this time the Lodun defenders' Commanders did not feel that the enemy was luring out their cannon fire at all. The battle on