Deep beneath the sea, three Leviathans slipped silently beneath the pirate fleet and opened their concealed hatches.
Palm-sized creatures shaped like fish were released one after another, slipping soundlessly into the icy seawater.
To the pirates, everything looked normal.
The Golden Sail Merchant Guild's convoy was still "fleeing in panic" ahead of them, and the spoils of victory seemed within reach.
Aboard a fourth-rate ship of the line named the Black Shark, the chief mage maintained the shield's energy output with an arrogant expression. A pale blue curtain of light enveloped the entire warship, giving everyone aboard a powerful sense of security.
"Boss, those merchant ship idiots don't even dare try to dodge us! They're heading straight out into open water!"
A helmsman laughed as he shouted to the captain.
The captain spat, the flesh on his broad face quivering. "Once we catch them, all the treasure aboard those ships is ours!"
He had no idea that dozens of Shield Mimic Fish had already slipped beneath his hull.
A faint glow pulsed across the little creatures' bodies at the same frequency as the shield. A moment later, like one drop of water merging with another, they passed through the energy barrier without resistance.
They pressed against the thick hull planking and burrowed into the gaps around the rudder.
Inside Leviathan One, Veylin watched the tiny dots representing the torpedoes on the light screen settle into position, then raised a hand toward the bridge of his nose.
"Elwin."
"Here!" Elwin adjusted his glasses, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"Begin."
"As you command, my lord!"
The detonation command was transmitted.
The Black Shark's hull shuddered violently, as though an invisible giant hand had given it a brutal squeeze! The laughing helmsman slammed headfirst into the wheel, while the chief mage stumbled