CHAPTER 817
[My ko-fi link:- https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 ]
***
At the same time, the Red Plutonian tribe attacked two more locations in Zipfel's territory.
The 1st-class Magic tower in Qyun Autonomous District and the Tower of Stories were both under attack by the Red Plutonian tribe. However, unlike the Listin Autonomous District, the attackers in these regions were not aerial fortresses but a fleet.
"Indeed, Zipfel is still Zipfel, able to fight well despite facing a formidable fleet," Cuicantelle said.
She, along with Valkas and Lata, had infiltrated the Qyun Autonomous District with the help of the Nameless executioner, Bizen.
The Red Plutonian tribe's fleet that attacked Qyun's Magic tower comprised around two hundred battleships, led by the Great Battle King, Rakiman.
On the other hand, Zipfel's fleet stationed at the Magic tower consisted of around 150 battleships, showing that Zipfel 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 Plutonian tribe's fleet.
"It must be because of Octavia," said Valkas.
"If it weren't for her, the tide would have turned quickly. Zipfel's great mages are at their strongest when assisted by guardian dragon and the Magic tower. She has become even stronger than during the Evil God War. She seems to have gained enlightenment."
The situation in Qyun was completely different from what Mary and her group had witnessed in the Listin's Magic tower. The Red Plutonian tribe lacked aerial fortresses, and Zipfel had one of the top-ranked superhumans, Octavia, in its ranks, making the outcome predictable.
Yet, 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 Zipfel, you now will pay the price for your arrogance and be defeated!"
The flagship of Zipfel's 2nd fleet, Lucia, took off and settled in front of Octavia. Octavia climbed to the forefront of Lucia's battleship, her eyes glowing with determination.
Kwark!
Her powerful spell, Vision magic - Gaze of Crimson Flames, which pushed Jin to his limits at 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 Plutonian tribe's fleet. The fleet faltered in the spreading flames, forcing them to concentrate on their defense shields.
For the sake of reinforcing their protective shield, the Red Plutonian 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 through 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 aftermath. The Red Plutonian tribe is an opponent you can't defeat while thinking about the future. They've probably already defeated the other Magic towers. Since the staff of Listin's Tower master sent a signal earlier, indicating that the Listin side has already been defeated. We must win, no matter what!"
"Understood, all members of the Spectre corps, gather at once!"
The scattered members of the Spectre corps, who were spread across each battleship and the Magic tower, swiftly gathered around Flagship Lucia.
Octavia had a look on her face as if she were prepared to face death. The Red Plutonian tribe had declared war, announcing the target area in the first battle. If the entire region lost in this fight, Zipfel had 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's God's Orb here.
Thus, if Octavia and the Spectre corps were killed, there was a high chance they wouldn't be resurrected. Even if they managed to retrieve their bodies for a future resurrection, they would never be whole again.
"5 seconds before the collision! 4, 3, 2...!"
Thud, crack-!
The bow of Flagship Lucia collided with the Red Plutonian tribe's shield. The bow immediately disintegrated, and cracks appeared on the shield.
The Red Plutonians, who had been on the deck, shot red lightning towards them. Octavia and the Spectre corps repelled the lightning attacks with their magic and staves, swiftly boarding the enemy battleships.
"Lucia, keep ramming them until the shield breaks! We'll board their flagship as well!"
The Crimson flames still burned in Octavia's eyes. The ordinary warriors trembled and bent their knees just by making eye contact with her, and even the battle kings seemed hesitant to approach her.
The artillery battle continued fiercely between the two fleets. Both fleets and the ground, receiving the bombardments and their remnants, were vibrating as if they would collapse any moment.
Already, more than 50 battleships had been destroyed on both sides. The Red Plutonian 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 an unimaginable power for a human. Octavia Zipfel, the Captain of Zipfel's Spectre Corps, was it?" Rakiman observed Octavia and the Spectre Corps from the bridge.
"Yes, Compatriot Rakiman. She is Zipfel's second-in-command. Her momentum is fierce, but it seems like reaching this point was too much."
"Compatriot Andolin, you still lack the ability to see through things. Unless I personally end her, 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. Disperse the battleships in front of flagship Labiet, and open the bridge. I will personally face her. And all 1st-class Battle Kings on each battleship, prepare to face the Spectres!"
As the battleships that had been lined up in front of Labiet spread out to the sides, Octavia smiled slyly. In the distance, she could see Rakiman's figure.
"I am Rakiman Hog, Great Battle Kings of the Red Plutonian tribe. You have valuable blood, Octavia Zipfel."
"Ah, Rakiman Hog. The fool who rashly challenged the Runcandel's young patriarch and ended up defeated. I suppose 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 regrettable for you guys."
"Lucia, charge!"
Boom, crack-!
As soon as the command was given, Lucia accelerated and charged towards the Red Plutonian tribe's battleship where Octavia stood.
The battleship was split in half, and Salion used its wind to anchor Octavia and the Spectres back to Lucia's broken bow.
Lucia continued to advance at full speed towards Labiet, using Salion's wind as propulsion. During this time, Labiet's cannons struck Lucia several times, but their attacks were countered by Octavia and the Spectres' defensive magic.
Finally, Lucia and Labiet collided, creating a tremendous shockwave. Nearby fleets were pushed back, and over half of the crew on both battleships lost their lives in the aftermath.
Octavia and Rakiman looked at each other, engulfed in the sensation of their bodies being torn apart. As their staff and sword clashed, the two battleships could not 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 plummeted.
However, at this moment, the two battleships had similar defensive capabilities. Although the average performance of the fleets favored the Red Plutonian tribe, there wasn't a significant difference in power between the flagship vessels.
Red Plutonian tribe's 1st-class battle kings were storming out of the falling battleships. The Spectres dispersed to face the battle kings, and Octavia focused solely on Rakiman.
Numerous spells and lightning attacks, swords, and staves clashed in the air, distorting the space. Octavia and Rakiman were already covered in numerous scars.
The descent of the battleships was coming to an end. The ground where the two battleships would land was already marked with a huge crater created by the shockwave.
"Spectre corps!, disperse!, avoid the impact!"
"Battle Kings!, spread out!"
Octavia and Rakiman shouted. When their respective battleships hit the ground and exploded, no one else would survive the aftermath.
As the Spectre corps and battle kings threw themselves out of their battleships:
Octavia and Rakiman aimed their weapons at each other, preparing their ultimate techniques.
"Argh, Captain!"
"Compatriot Great Battle King...!"
Crash, boom...!
In an instant, the two battleships plummeted, releasing mana and lightning attacks. Huge pillars of white and red color soared into the sky.
Spectres and battle kings could never withstand such a terrifying explosion. All fleets momentarily stopped their bombardments and watched the spectacle. The colossal battleships were tossed around like rafts in a storm.
The explosion continued for over three minutes. When the heat finally subsided enough for the battleships to be seen with the naked eye, Octavia was the first to emerge from the wreckage.
"Hoo, huk, gasp...!"
Octavia looked at the crater while vomiting 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 every time he moved.
However, his illuminating heart was shining even brighter than before. Rakiman grasped the illuminating heart and smiled slyly.
[It's been a while since I used Castle Transformation...]
He had activated his transformation. Now, he was in the form of a red, giant snake-like creature, and unlike before, he showed no sign of fatigue.
[Did you really think you had the upper hand, Octavia Zipfel? Your disappointed expression says otherwise.]
"I still have many tricks up my sleeve, come at me. I'll finish this!"
Octavia spat blood and raised her staff once again.
***
The Tower of Stories.
"The Captain of Spectres is holding her own."
Veradin looked up at the sky and commented. He could assess the situation without directly observing the Qyun's Magic Tower.
In the sky, Zipfel's 1st fleet and the Red Plutonian tribe's fleet were engaged in an artillery battle.
Zipfel's fleet clearly had the advantage in terms of numbers here. The invading Red fleet had around seventy battleships, while the battleships stationed in the Tower of Stories were nearly five hundred.
"Fortunately."
Satrin nodded in agreement, bowing her head.
"That's why we need to deal with them quickly and support the Captain of Spectres. It seems they only came to explore the Tower of Stories today, probably planning to open a dimensional portal and retreat soon."
"That's what I think too, lord patriarch. They sent only around seventy battleships, trusting in a large-scale instant teleportation."
"However, we should also let them know that there is no escape route."
"Do you have a way to restrain them?"
"Open the Tower, consul. I'll manipulate their dimensional portals. Not a single one of those Red Plutonian tribe's battleships will be able to escape from the Tower of Stories today."
[T/L: You can read more chapters and support me here: https://ko-fi.com/punisher87 & https://bmc.link/punisher87 ]
[T/L: Join $29 membership on my "buymeacoffee" page and read 55 chapters ahead and daily 1 new chapter update. I have introduced new memberships, and you can read upto 75 or 85 chapters ahead.]