Swordmaster's Youngest Son Novel - Chapter 817
Chapter 817
***
At the same time, the Red Legend Tribe attacked two more locations in Zipple’s territory.
The first-class Magic Tower in the Qyun Autonomous District and the Tower of Stories were under attack by the Red Legend Tribe.
However, unlike the Listin Autonomous District, the attackers in these regions weren’t Air Fortresses, but a fleet.
“Indeed, Zipple is still Zipple, capable of fighting well despite facing a formidable fleet,” Quikantel said.
She, along with Valkas and Lata, had infiltrated the Qyun Autonomous District with the help of the nameless executioner, Bizen.
The Red Legend Tribe fleet that attacked the Qyun Magic Tower comprised around two hundred warships, led by the Great King of Battle, Rakiman.
On the other hand, the Zipple fleet stationed at the Magic Tower consisted of around 150 warships, showing that Zipple was inferior not only in flying ship technology but also in numbers.
However, Qyun had Octavia and her guardian dragon, Salion, on their side.
As soon as the dimensional gate opened, Octavia ascended to the top of the Magic Tower and unleashed her mana, thwarting the Red Legend Tribe’s fleet.
“It must be because of Octavia,” Valkas said.
“If it weren’t for her, the tide would have turned quickly. Zipple’s great Magicians are at their strongest when assisted by a guardian dragon and the Magic Tower. She has become even stronger than during the Evil God War. It seems she has gained enlightenment.”
The situation in Qyun was completely different from what Mary and her group had witnessed at the Listin Magic Tower.
The Red Legend Tribe lacked Air Fortresses, and Zipple had one of the highest-ranking superhumans, Octavia, in their ranks, making the outcome predictable.
However, there was only one opponent.
The group marveled at Octavia’s power, realizing that her strength alone could determine the outcome of the battle.
“Because you underestimated Zipple, you will now pay the price for your arrogance and be defeated!”
The flagship of Zipple’s second fleet, Lucia, took off and settled in front of Octavia.
Octavia climbed to the forefront of Lucia’s warship, her eyes gleaming with determination.
Kwark!
Her powerful spell, Vision Magic – Crimson Flame Gaze, which pushed Jin to his limits in the Sword Emperor Castle War, was engulfing the entire sky in flames.
The storm unleashed by the dragon Salion was carrying the crimson flames towards the Red Legend Tribe’s fleet.
The fleet faltered in the spreading flames, forcing them to concentrate on their defensive shields.
To reinforce their protective shield, the Red Legend Tribe had to abandon their dispersed formation and concentrate in one place.
Octavia and the Magic Tower also concentrated their firepower accordingly.
“Flagship Lucia, charge! I will personally break their formation and destroy them.”
“But, Captain, it’s still the initial phase of the battle. Isn’t it too risky?”
“We can’t win against these guys by fighting cautiously and worrying about the consequences. The Red Legend Tribe is an opponent you can’t defeat while thinking about the future. They have probably already defeated the other Magic Towers. Since the Listin Tower Master’s personnel sent a signal before, indicating that the Listin side has already been defeated. We have to win, no matter what!”
“Understood, all Spectre Corps members, gather immediately!”
The scattered Spectre Corps members, who were dispersed throughout each warship and the Magic Tower, quickly gathered around the Flagship Lucia.
Octavia had an expression on her face as if she was prepared to face death.
The Red Legend Tribe had declared war, announcing the target area in the first battle.
If the entire region lost in this fight, Zipple would have no future.
Her fierce determination only made Octavia even more formidable.
The light magic emanating from her staff was infinitely sharp, and the Spectre Corps gathered behind her emitted a formidable bloodlust.
There was no Demon God Orb here.
Therefore, if Octavia and the Spectre Corps were killed, there would be a high probability they wouldn’t be resurrected.
Even if they managed to retrieve their bodies for future resurrection, they would never be whole again.
“5 seconds before collision! 4, 3, 2…!”
Thud, crack-!
The bow of the Flagship Lucia collided with the Red Legend Tribe’s shield.
The bow disintegrated immediately, and cracks appeared on the shield.
The Red Legends, who had been on the deck, fired red lightning bolts towards them.
Octavia and the Spectre Corps repelled the lightning attacks with their magic and staffs, quickly boarding the enemy warships.
“Lucia, keep ramming them until the shield breaks! We will also board their flagship!”
The crimson flames still burned in Octavia’s eyes.
Ordinary warriors trembled and bent their knees just by making eye contact with her, and even the Kings of Battle seemed to hesitate to approach her.
The artillery battle continued fiercely between the two fleets.
Both fleets and the ground, receiving the bombardments and their debris, were vibrating as if they were about to collapse at any moment.
Over 50 warships had already been destroyed on both sides.
The Red Legend Tribe had expected an easy victory, but what they were experiencing now was a fierce and intense battle.
“Not comparable to Jin Runcandel, but she possesses unimaginable power for a human. Octavia Zipple, the Captain of Zipple’s Spectre Corps, right?”
Rakiman observed Octavia and the Spectre Corps from the bridge.
“Yes, Compatriot Rakiman. She is Zipple’s second-in-command. Her momentum is fierce, but it seems that reaching this point was too much.”
“Compatriot Andolin, you still lack the ability to see through things. Unless I personally finish her off, this invasion will undoubtedly end in failure.”
“But, Compatriot Rakiman, you still have injuries from the last battle.”
Rakiman hadn’t fully recovered from the injuries he sustained in the previous battle.
“It’s for the sake of victory. Even if Compatriot Shimat were here, he would have the same opinion. Scatter the warships in front of the flagship Labiet, and open the bridge. I will personally face her. And all the first-class Kings of Battle on each warship, prepare to confront the Spectres!”
As the warships that had been lined up in front of Labiet spread out to the sides, Octavia smiled mischievously.
In the distance, she could see Rakiman’s figure.
“I am Rakiman Hog, Great King of Battle of the Red Legend Tribe. You have valuable blood, Octavia Zipple.”
“Ah, Rakiman Hog. The fool who recklessly challenged the young Patriarch of Runcandel and ended up defeated. I guess you’ve already written your will beforehand?”
“Hehe… you are also in a position where you can no longer afford to be embarrassed. Unlike that day, there is no room for complacency. It’s unfortunate for you.”
“Lucia, charge!”
Boom, crack-!
As soon as the order was given, Lucia accelerated and charged towards the Red Legend Tribe warship where Octavia was.
The warship split in half, and Salion used his wind to anchor Octavia and the Spectres back to the broken bow of Lucia.
Lucia continued to advance at full speed towards Labiet, using Salion’s wind as propulsion.
During this time, Labiet’s cannons hit Lucia several times, but their attacks were countered by Octavia and the Spectres’ defensive magic.
Finally, Lucia and Labiet collided, creating a tremendous shockwave.
The nearby fleets were pushed back, and more than half of the crew on both warships lost their lives after the impact.
Octavia and Rakiman looked at each other, enveloped in the sensation that their bodies were being torn apart.
As her staff and his sword clashed, the two warships couldn’t withstand the pressure and began to descend.
If Labiet hadn’t been damaged in the recent battle against Jin Runcandel, Lucia alone would have broken and crashed.
However, at this moment, the two warships had similar defensive capabilities.
Although the average fleet performance favored the Red Legend Tribe, there wasn’t a significant power difference between the flagships.
The Red Legend Tribe’s first-class Kings of Battle were emerging from the falling warships.
The Spectres dispersed to confront the Kings of Battle, and Octavia concentrated solely on Rakiman.
Numerous spells and attacks of lightning, swords, and staffs clashed in the air, distorting space.
Octavia and Rakiman were already covered in numerous scars.
The fall of the warships was nearing its end.
The ground where the two warships would land was already marked with a huge crater created by the shockwave.
“Spectre Corps!, disperse!, avoid the impact!”
“Kings of Battle!, spread out!”
Octavia and Rakiman shouted. When their respective warships hit the ground and exploded, no one else would survive the aftermath.
As the Spectre Corps and the Kings of Battle launched themselves out of their warships:
Octavia and Rakiman aimed their weapons at each other, preparing their ultimate techniques.
“Argh, Captain!”
“Compatriot Great King of Battle…!”
Crash, boom…!
In an instant, the two warships plummeted, releasing mana and lightning attacks.
Enormous pillars of white and red soared into the sky.
The Spectres and the Kings of Battle could never withstand such a terrifying explosion.
All the fleets momentarily stopped their bombardments and observed the spectacle. The colossal warships were tossed like rafts in a storm.
The explosion continued for over three minutes.
When the heat finally subsided enough for the warships to be seen with the naked eye, Octavia was the first to emerge from the wreckage.
“Hoo, huk, ugh…!”
Octavia looked at the crater as she vomited blood.
A moment later, Rakiman emerged from the debris on the opposite side.
He looked much worse than Octavia.
His body was covered in deep wounds, with blood gushing out whenever he moved.
However, his Light Heart was shining even brighter than before.
Rakiman grabbed his heart and smiled mischievously.
[It’s been a while since I used the Castle Transformation…]
He had activated his transformation.
Now, he was in the form of a giant red serpent-like creature, and unlike before, he showed no signs of fatigue.
[Did you really think you had the upper hand, Octavia Zipple? Your disappointed expression says otherwise.]
“I still have many tricks up my sleeve, come at me. I will finish this!”
Octavia spat blood and raised her staff once more.
***
The Tower of Stories.
“The Spectre Captain is holding her own.”
Beradin looked up at the sky and commented.
He could assess the situation without directly observing the Qyun Magic Tower.
In the sky, Zipple’s first fleet and the Red Legend Tribe’s fleet were locked in an artillery battle.
Zipple’s fleet clearly had the advantage in terms of numbers here.
The invading Red Legend fleet had around seventy warships, while the warships stationed at the Tower of Stories were almost five hundred.
“Fortunately.”
Satrin nodded in agreement, bowing his head.
“That’s why we need to deal with them quickly and support the Spectre Captain. It seems they only came to scout the Tower of Stories today, probably planning to open a dimensional portal and retreat soon.”
“That’s what I believe as well, Patriarch-nim. They sent only around seventy warships, relying on large-scale instant teleportation.”
“However, we should also let them know that there is no escape route.”
“Do you have any way to restrict them?”
“Open the Tower, Consul. I will manipulate their dimensional portals. None of the Red Legend Tribe warships will be able to escape the Tower of Stories today.”