A column of water shot into the sky from the sea a short distance ahead of the leading Guard Frigate, then scattered high overhead into a shower of spray.
"Pass down the order. All ships, stop." Supervisor Aldrich frowned deeply at the dark mass of ships on the distant sea. "What exactly is the Candel Empire Navy trying to do?"
After leading the Third Fleet of the Xinfei Merchant Guild's Transport Fleet out of Nixi Harbor, Supervisor Aldrich had thought that, with clear skies and calm seas, they would reach the designated waters before nightfall today if nothing unexpected happened, and begin work on the first designated island tomorrow.
That would give the entire plan a good start, and he would have carried out his assignment perfectly.
Yet before they had traveled even three hundred kilometers from Nixi Harbor, they encountered a massive fleet flying the flags of the Candel Empire Navy.
At first, Supervisor Aldrich had not found this unusual. He assumed the Candel Empire Navy was on a mission, or simply conducting routine exercises, so he intended to greet them, sail around them, and continue on his way.
But just as they were about to approach, the Candel Empire Navy launched several boulders that landed in the sea directly ahead of them-a clear warning.
This came as a great surprise to Supervisor Aldrich.
Ever since the Candel Empire Navy had purchased three Guard Frigates from the Xinfei Merchant Guild, the two sides had maintained various forms of cooperation and enjoyed quite a good relationship.
The Xinfei Merchant Guild's Transport Fleet and Guard Fleet often encountered the Candel Empire Navy in these Southern Waters. There had never been any trouble; on the contrary, they had always gotten along very well.
Why had the Candel Empire Navy suddenly attacked them