The southern sea breeze carried the tang of salt and gunpowder along the winding coastline of the Saint Poplar Kingdom. The darkness before dawn was at its deepest, yet countless torches and ships' lights illuminated the sea like a boiling furnace. The main force of the kingdom's proud Poplar Fleet had turned out in full, over a hundred warships forming three tight, curved defensive lines across the landing beaches. The massive ships resembled moving fortresses, their prows sheathed in coldly gleaming rams. Behind the dense rows of ballista ports along their sides were the tense but determined faces of the defenders.
"Hold formation! Patrol thoroughly! We cannot let the enemy's iron hooves tread upon our sacred shores!" The fleet commander stood on the bridge of the flagship, the Crown of the Poplars, his voice carried throughout the fleet by Den Den Mushi.
As the fleet stood ready for battle, a low, suppressed rumble drifted faintly from the horizon, like the breathing of a deep-sea beast. It grew closer and clearer until it became a deafening roar of breaking waves! Dozens of oddly shaped black warships, their hulls low and sturdy, cut through the waves like giant sharks flying just above the water, charging straight toward them at astonishing speed! Crimson battle flags bearing the enormous character for "Zhang" snapped above their bows.
"Enemy attack! It's Hua Country's Landing Fleet!" A lookout on the Crown of the Poplars screamed his warning hoarsely from the lookout platform.
"Ready the ballistae! Fire!" the fleet commander ordered at the top of his lungs.
In an instant, shrill whistles tore through the sea breeze! Countless heavy projectiles rained down on the speeding black fleet, carrying destruction with them. Huge columns of water erupted across the sea, flames and splintered wood flying in every direction. Several