"Yes, Elysia."
Eden gently took Elysia's hand, gazed into the Pink Fairy Lady's clear eyes, and let out a deep sigh.
"Other than Moros, I don't think anyone on this ship could make such a huge commotion."
But since they had already guessed that the Spectral Dragon had been summoned by Moros, Elysia and Eden had no intention of investigating further.
They believed Moros would not harm them.
Ignoring the panic of the passengers and sailors, Moros commanded the Spectral Dragon.
"Go, my servant. Carry out your task."
"Roar!"
Having received the necromancer's command, the Spectral Dragon let out a roar that shook the skies. Then it beat its tattered dragon wings and flew toward the distant glow of fire where the wraiths had gone.
Standing beside the porthole, Moros fixed a deep gaze on a distant stretch of sea, a cold curve forming at the corner of his lips.
Moth to Fire, let me see what you are capable of.
Moth to Fire's Decision and the California
Time rewound.
After learning that the mercenary team had failed and discovering that the culprit was the necromancer Moros, the director of Moth to Fire's Ninth Research Institute felt his heart shudder.
He understood that his rash actions had caused considerable trouble for the organization.
Although Moth to Fire's database contained records on Moros, they were far from complete.
However, even that incomplete information was enough to make the director realize Moros's
power and danger.
Thus, after cutting off contact with the mercenaries, the director of the Ninth Research Institute decisively contacted his backer—Councillor Vincent, who represented the interests of the only great power on the North American Continent.
After receiving the director's report, Councillor Vincent also realized the severity of the situation.
Without hesitation, he contacted the other councillors and convened an emergency video conference to discuss a response.
"...That is the situation. Everyone, feel free to speak."
After giving the councillors of the Moth to Fire Council a detailed account of what had occurred aboard the Ocean Miracle, Councillor Vincent stood with his arms folded, calmly watching the shock and concern appear on the other councillors' faces.
Although this mess had been caused by his subordinate, the situation was fundamentally different for Councillor Vincent.
After all, the mercenaries only knew that they had accepted a commission from Moth to Fire. How could they possibly know about the factional conflicts within Moth to Fire?
Since the mercenaries knew nothing of the secrets behind the mission, even if the necromancer possessed strange powers, he could not possibly discover who had orchestrated the attack on the Ocean Miracle.
Under such circumstances, Moros would certainly put this score on Moth to Fire's tab.
And with the other members of Moth to Fire serving as "company," Councillor Vincent naturally remained calm and composed.
Likewise, although the other councillors of the Moth to Fire Council were furious over this undeserved disaster, they understood that their most urgent task was to clean up Councillor Vincent's mess and resolve the crisis.
However, they silently made a decision deep down.
After this incident, they would definitely make the country behind Councillor Vincent pay the price it deserved and surrender a larger share of the benefits.
"I believe we must first eliminate those mercenaries, ensuring that Moros cannot obtain any more information from them."
After a moment of silence, Councillor Eugene of the Mu Continent broke the deadlock and made the first proposal.
"That will not be difficult. Our California is patrolling those waters. It is fully capable of handling this matter."
Faced with Councillor Eugene's proposal, Councillor Vincent accepted the task without hesitation, deciding to silence the mercenaries and eliminate all future trouble.
"The Ocean Miracle will dock at Quanzhou Port. We can take responsibility for communicating with Moros then."
Councillor Wang, who came from the East Asian Continent, took on the task of handling the aftermath.
Once the three most influential councillors in the Moth to Fire Council had spoken, the video conference suddenly progressed much faster.
One plan after another was proposed, carefully discussed, and revised until a consensus was reached.
Just as the emergency meeting was about to end, Councillor Eugene put forward a proposal that greatly tempted everyone present.
"Gentlemen, since our submarine is already in those waters, why not use it to test Moros's strength?"
He swept his gaze around the councillors and continued explaining his idea.
"Imagine it. If we could eliminate Moros, what kind of impact would that have on Moth to Fire?"
Staring into the eyes of every Moth to Fire Council member on the video call, Councillor Eugene urged them on with great persuasion.
"I can state responsibly that as long as Moros is eliminated, the Mu Continent is willing to provide technical assistance to every country represented by the councillors present."
Councillor Eugene's proposal was like a blazing flame, instantly igniting everyone's interest.
Technical assistance from the Mu Continent was an incredibly tempting gift to any nation.
Naturally, the councillors understood the risks hidden behind Councillor Eugene's proposal, but considering the enormous potential gains, taking some risks was worthwhile.
Thus, after intense discussion and negotiation, Councillor Eugene's proposal was ultimately approved.
Councillor Vincent had initially opposed it, worried that such a proposal would expose his country to excessive risk.
But when Councillor Eugene proposed a private deal and offered more valuable technical assistance, Councillor Vincent changed his stance.
There was no helping it. Councillor Eugene was simply offering too much.
So much that he and the country behind him were willing to risk an attack nuclear submarine.
At the same time the Moth to Fire Council reached its consensus, a hundred-and-twenty-meter steel behemoth silently moved beneath the deep, dark seafloor of the Pacific Ocean.
It was the California, an attack nuclear submarine belonging to the North American Navy's combat fleet.
Powered by the immense force of an S9G pressurized-water reactor, it could roam freely through the depths of the ocean at an astonishing speed of thirty-four knots.
"Attention, all hands!"
Upon receiving an order through the encrypted channel, Colonel Marvin, commander of the California, immediately rose from his command chair.
"All hands to battle stations. We have a mission!"
Under Colonel Marvin's command, the crew moved swiftly, skillfully operating this pinnacle of North American naval technology as it headed toward the mission area.
Soon, the sonar system at the California's bow detected the acoustic signatures of two artificial objects of differing sizes.
"Ascend to torpedo-launch depth!"
Colonel Marvin's eyes swept back and forth across the rows of instruments before him as he carefully judged the timing for launching the torpedo.
"Load Torpedo Tube Number One!"
At Colonel Marvin's command, a MK48 Torpedo was swiftly loaded into the launch tube by the sailors in the torpedo compartment.
The entire process was orderly, every step the product of rigorous training and coordination.
"Target within range. Prepare to fire!"
The crew's breathing grew tense. They knew that the next few moments would determine whether the mission succeeded or failed.
Everyone waited with complete focus for Colonel Marvin's order.
"Fire!"
At the command, the torpedo shot out like an arrow, cutting through the dark seawater as it raced toward the target.
The dozens of seconds of waiting felt as long as centuries.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the result.
Suddenly, the smaller acoustic signal on the sonar display underwent a violent change before falling silent.
"Target destroyed!"
Before the crew could celebrate, Colonel Marvin issued a new order.
"Shift to attack position. Target: Ocean Miracle!"
Under Colonel Marvin's command, the California's stern planes quickly turned. The submarine began a tactical maneuver, preparing to attack its next target.
However, before the steel behemoth could reach its designated position for the next attack, the wraiths that had traced the torpedo's path in reverse had already locked onto it.
Hunting the Submarine
Guided by the wraiths, the Spectral Dragon swiftly flew above the California.
It assessed the submarine's depth and discovered that its Death Dragon Breath might not achieve the expected destructive power in water that deep.
Therefore, in order to carry out the necromancer's command, the dragon that represented death decisively folded its damaged wings and plunged into the sea.
"Captain! Something's happened!"
A tense cry shattered the silence within the submarine and drew Colonel Marvin's attention.
"What is it?"
He immediately asked, his eyes fixed on the sonar operator.
The sonar operator's face was pale, and his voice trembled slightly.
"Captain! There's a splash from a massive object entering the water! It doesn't sound like a depth charge. I've never heard such a strange acoustic signature."
"Are you sure?"
Colonel Marvin frowned deeply, confusion and vigilance showing in his eyes.
Before Colonel Marvin could question him further, the sonar operator suddenly shuddered, his pupils contracting.
"Captain! That unknown object is rapidly approaching us! It's incredibly fast—faster than a torpedo!"
Although dragons were true rulers of the skies, their mobility in the ocean was equally formidable.
And while the Spectral Dragon was inferior to ordinary dragons in physical strength and dragon breath, it did not need to breathe, giving it superior diving ability.
At that moment, the California attack nuclear submarine had to face the majesty of this ruler of the ocean.
"Evasive maneuver!"
Though he had no idea what the unknown acoustic signature actually was, Colonel Marvin had no intention of letting it approach his submarine.
The California's maneuverability was among the best of submarines in its class, second only to those of the Mu Continent.
Yet even so, against the Spectral Dragon's pursuit, the California's maneuverability seemed utterly feeble.
The Spectral Dragon was not particularly fast among dragons when swimming, but compared to the cumbersome attack nuclear submarine, it was extraordinarily agile.
Inside the command room, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
The acoustic signal on the sonar display continued intensifying, signaling the rapid approach of the unknown object.
Cold sweat beaded on the crew's foreheads, and unmistakable fear appeared in their eyes.
Realizing that their speed could not shake off the enemy's pursuit, Colonel Marvin immediately adjusted his tactics.
"Load Torpedo Tubes One through Four!"
Since they could not escape, they would fight to the death.
"Turn the hull!"
Under Colonel Marvin's command, the hundred-and-twenty-meter steel behemoth began to turn.
Colonel Marvin's order had come at a critical moment. Had he given it even a few minutes later, the California would never have managed to turn around before the Spectral Dragon caught up.
At that point, the attack nuclear submarine carrying more than a hundred elite naval personnel would likely have been torn apart by the Spectral Dragon's claws without even a chance to retaliate.
It could not be helped. All of the California's torpedo tubes were concentrated in its bow, with none installed in the stern.
But even with such a timely order, Colonel Marvin had only gained enough time for one round of attacks.
Given the Spectral Dragon's speed through the sea, the attack nuclear submarine would have absolutely no chance to reload its torpedoes for a second
round.
"Prepare to fire!"
Colonel Marvin stared intently at the sonar screen. It displayed a massive red dot constantly closing in on the California—the Spectral Dragon's position.
Fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Bearing the lives of everyone aboard weighed heavily even on Colonel Marvin, an outstanding military academy graduate.
However, Colonel Marvin understood clearly that this was not the time for hesitation or retreat.
Before you continue