Setting a Trap

[Su Ming, have some decency!] Miao Xin was almost laughing out of anger. Suddenly, she remembered something, [Right! Send me a copy of the dragon combat parameters I just collected! I want to try and see if I can win in close combat with them while piloting a fighter jet!]

"[What era are we living in? Still playing dogfights?] "Su Ming couldn't help but complain. "[Isn't the Thunderbolt Missile better? Isn't beyond-visual-range combat more elegant?]"

"Just in case!" Miao Xin argued. "Look at Gundam, they're also clashing with beam sabers, sparks flying everywhere!"

"[The problem is you're not piloting a Gundam.]" Su Ming said. "[This isn't an anime.]"

[Pshaw! At times like this, you can actually have a bit of that nerdy romantic spirit!]

"I wish I could!" Su Ming sighed. "When I get back to Earth, I'll definitely have a ton of anime series to catch up on!"

****

March 13, the third day after the Battle of Giant Horn Island. About 400 kilometers northwest of Grodno port, at sea.

A large supply ship floated on the waves, thick smoke billowing from its hull, and a pungent, acrid smell filled the air. The deck was a scene of carnage, with the corpses of sailors scattered everywhere, telling the story of the fierce battle that had just taken place.

A group of ruthless robbers were carrying valuable goods out of the ship's hold amidst the still-burning flames.

As the Vanguard Warrior cut through the grey-blue waters and sailed through this area, it was this desolate and chaotic scene that came into view.

As the newest "Dawn Pioneer Class" cruiser commissioned by the Temple of Light, the Vanguard Warrior boasts a speed superior to its older counterparts. When the devastating accident occurred on Giant Horn Island and the fleet was routed, it was able to escape the vortex of death at the first possible moment, placing it at the forefront of the fleeing fleet!

No, that's not right! This is a strategic shift towards the Northern Continent Jurisdiction of the Temple of Light!

However, this speed advantage came at a price. The supply ships that were traveling with the main fleet had long been left far behind and disappeared without a trace.

Therefore, when he discovered that the ship billowing smoke and being looted was one of his own supply ships positioned at the transit point, a rare hint of delight flashed across General Tai'ao'duo's tense and weary face.

This means they have the opportunity to obtain much-needed supplies directly at sea, without having to waste precious time traveling to ports.

The speed of Bone King's strange warship was unfathomable, making it impossible to predict when they would catch up. Tai'ao'duo absolutely did not want to pin his and his entire crew's hopes of escape on the fragile wishful thinking that the enemy "might not pursue them."

The Vanguard Warrior quickly sounded the piercing battle alarm. The massive triple-gun turret on the bow began to rotate heavily, its dark muzzles carrying a chilling killing intent, precisely pointing at the pirate boats surrounding the supply ship ahead.

During the campaign to annihilate Bone King, this newly built warship hadn't even had a chance to fire a single shell. Unexpectedly, its first combat deployment was to be unleashed upon this group of despicable raiders.

General Tai'ao'duo raised his monoculars and observed carefully. The raiders were traveling in light, small boats. Through the telescope, he could clearly see that the resistance on the supply ship's deck had completely subsided.

As the massive Vanguard Warrior approached with overwhelming force, the raiders on board immediately stirred.

Without hesitation, they stopped fighting the fire, swiftly abandoned the large ship, and jumped back into their respective small boats, scattering like a school of startled fish.

Clearly, this rabble knew their own limitations and had no courage to confront the Temple of Light's regular warships head-on.

The mage captain strode forward and whispered to Tai'ao'duo, "Your Excellency, we sensed strong necromancy! Among those raiders... there are quite a few necromancers mixed in!"

These days, necromancers who are still out in the world are extremely rare. Upon hearing Tai'ao'duo's eyes showed not fear, but rather a hint of joy.

If we can capture them, or even bring a few back alive... then claim that they were captured during a fierce battle with Bone King.

This would at least create a tragic scene in front of the Pope and the Council of Cardinals, portraying our army as having suffered setbacks but still fighting valiantly and desperately, yet still unable to defeat that terrifying White Bone Fortress, thus saving face and mitigating the punishment.

However, these raiders were quite cunning. Their small boats deliberately evaded the supply ship's axis, using it as a natural, massive shield, making the Vanguard Warrior hesitant to fire its cannons.

But this was hardly a troublesome problem. The massive Vanguard Warrior simply adjusted its course slightly, easily bypassing the supply ship that had become an obstacle, and regained a clear firing line of sight. The three main guns on the bow roared in fury!

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Three heavy cannonballs whistled through the air and hurtled towards the pirate fleet!

To Tai'ao'duo's slight surprise, the raiders reacted with incredible speed. Seeing the flashes of gunfire, they decisively abandoned their small boats and used flight spells or magical artifacts to take to the air, narrowly avoiding the deadly bombardment!

Instead of landing back on the sea, they continued their rapid escape through the air. Meanwhile, General Tai'ao'duo, through his binoculars, caught a glimpse of the outline of a large ship on the distant horizon—clearly the raiders' mothership, there to aid their retreat.

General Tai'ao'duo's eyes flashed coldly, and he immediately decided to give chase. The raider's mothership looked like just an ordinary, unarmed cargo ship, about the same size as the supply ship that had been raided, and could not possibly be a match for the Vanguard Warrior!

However, on the supply ship, after the raiders gave up fighting the fire, it began to get out of control and became even more intense, with thick smoke shooting into the sky.

The Vanguard Warrior was quite close. Tai'ao'duo decisively waved his hand, and the mage squad immediately cast flight spells to take off from the warship's deck and fly towards the burning supply ship, quickly taking over the firefighting work.

They cautiously separated a few men and carefully searched the interior of the ship's cabin. The search was completed quickly, confirming that no enemy survivors remained.

****

"Reporting to the General, we found two surviving crew members in the cabin, both wounded," the mage captain reported to Tai'ao'duo, then added with a boastful tone, "One of them is the ship's healer, and... she's very beautiful!"

"Beautiful?" Tai'ao'duo raised an eyebrow. "Male or female?"

It was a woman.

Upon hearing Tai'ao'duo's interest, which had just begun to rise, quickly faded, and even a barely perceptible hint of disappointment flashed across his eyes.

No matter how beautiful a woman is, he can only look at her from afar.