Chapter 25

As the main continent's war largely subsided, the human forces, having lost their organizational capabilities, were reduced to scattered remnants and refugees, making sporadic resistance in the interior. Suppressing such localized unrest was more than enough for the goblin garrison troops; elite forces like the goblin commandos were overkill, akin to using a dragon-slaying technique where it had no place. Seizing the opportunity, Mordo Blackwater, who was adept at seizing opportunities, used his connections in the military to secure a regiment of goblin commandos from the Senate to serve as the main ground force for the pursuit fleet. At this moment, with the goblin fleet's firepower being suppressed by the shore-based artillery, it was time for the goblin commandos to showcase their prowess.

The fearsome goblin infantry formations, known for their iron discipline, could grind any opponent into dust. However, the goblin commandos were not as heavy and steady as the infantry formations. The goblin warriors selected for the commandos were all battle-hardened elites, and the overemphasis on organizational discipline and uniformity in the infantry formations only constrained their abilities.

At this moment, launching small-scale, fluid attacks like a flood of mercury, seeking opportunities to tear through the enemy's lines and flesh like wolves in a snowy night, was the only way to fully unleash the terrifying combat power of the goblin commandos.

No matter how many fortifications the Milly Atoll had, the intense artillery fire could not be sustained indefinitely. Without considering the ammunition stock, the risk of overheating and exploding barrels was also a concern. As soon as the shore artillery fire weakened or showed any gaps, the goblin commandos would seize the opportunity to advance, quickly approaching the fortifications guarding the Milly Atoll. The most vulnerable part of the shore artillery was its base; once the enemy approached to this distance, even the most powerful artillery was doomed.

"Charge! Kill these green skins!"

The residents of Milly Atoll, well aware of the danger of the enemy approaching the base of their artillery, transformed from peaceful islanders into ferocious pirates, wielding various weapons like fishing spears, spears, swords, and bows to launch a counterattack against the landing goblin forces.

"For the glory of the Empire! Charge! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Senate!"

The goblin land forces had never feared anyone. The goblin commandos, elite units capable of taking on ten enemies at once, were not intimidated by these retired and amateur pirates. Within ten minutes, the pristine white sand was stained a ghastly purplish-red. The goblins suffered only minor casualties while suppressing the desperate counterattack of the Milly Atoll residents, demonstrating the vast gap in combat power between a ragtag group and a well-trained army. Without the ability to single-handedly turn the tide, even the most valiant individual would be crushed in an organized army.

This scene did not surprise Luo Zhengdao, who had anticipated that Milly Atoll would not withstand the goblin fleet's attack. He decisively ordered the sailors:

"Anchor up and set sail. We didn't set out to die here. Move quickly."

The boatswain, Zola Hegel, whose dark cheeks twitched unnaturally, had been pushed to the brink by the goblin fleet twice. Luo Zhengdao, as the captain, was frustrated, but Zola was no less angry. However, with their inferior strength, they could only focus on how to escape most efficiently.

Zola Hegel, suppressing his anger, stepped forward and said to Luo Zhengdao:

"Captain, I know the safe route. Let me take the helm this time!"

Luo Zhengdao looked at Zola for a few seconds and then said to the helmsman:

"Alright, take a break and hand the wheel to the boatswain."

The intense battle on Milly Atoll continued, with the local residents using buildings to counter the goblins. However, their resistance was weakening. Adhering to the principle of not leaving anything behind, Luo Zhengdao, after the Yangwei set sail, fished out many of the local residents who had fallen into the sea. By the time the Yangwei reached the entrance of the atoll's lagoon, the goblin fleet, which had gathered outside the port, had just found a safe route using a lead line and was beginning to advance into the atoll. The two sides met head-on in the narrow waterway.

In a narrow encounter, the brave prevail! Recalling this ancient saying, Luo Zhengdao sternly shouted:

"Push harder! This is the moment that decides life or death. Full speed ahead."

"Boom! Boom! Boom..."

The goblin fleet, approaching from the opposite direction, formed a single column. Although they were far from achieving the ideal T-shaped formation, the countless stone projectiles from the goblin warships rained down like a storm, continuously passing over and beside the Yangwei's deck. The whistling of these projectiles reminded the sailors that death was eagerly inviting them, and the ship's hull occasionally trembled from the impacts. No one could predict how long the Yangwei could withstand the dense barrage of stone projectiles. The sailors were genuinely praying that the ship would hold out as long as possible.

Not only Luo Zhengdao and his crew realized that Milly Atoll's days were numbered. As the Yangwei led the charge against the goblin fleet, many single-masted sailboats and small sail-and-oar vessels in the atoll's port also followed the Chao Yong, attempting to break out of the port.

Different types of light and heavy weapons took turns firing, and from the surface, the desperate last stand of the escapees seemed no less formidable than the goblin fleet's advantage. The whistling of the projectiles created a time-dilation illusion, making each second feel like a year. As the Yangwei struggled through a dense white smoke cloud formed by burning stone powder, the sea ahead suddenly opened up, and the goblin warships were nowhere to be seen.

Seeing this, Zola Hegel, the boatswain, became unusually excited, his face flushed as he raised his arm and shouted:

"We've broken through! Hooray!"

"Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!"

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with a silk handkerchief, Luo Zhengdao, standing on the command deck, watched the jubilant sailors and the unfortunate ones injured by the stone projectiles, showing no signs of relief. Instead, he urgently urged:

"Alright, stop celebrating and check the damage."

The sailors lowered the dinghies to inspect the two pirate ships and tally the casualties. Zola Hegel later reported to Luo Zhengdao:

"Captain, our ship has no significant damage, but some gun ports need repair. Three cannons on the gun deck and five on the upper deck were destroyed. We lost about a third of our supplies, and our fresh water, which was supposed to be replenished before departure, is now low. We have 32 casualties, 11 dead, and 5 missing."

Hearing the boatswain's report, Luo Zhengdao, rubbing his temples in distress, asked:

"How about the Chao Yong?"

"It seems to be in slightly better condition. The Yangwei was in front, so we'll need to wait for their report."

Luo Zhengdao, thinking that the goblin fleet might turn around and pursue them, felt even more anxious. Sighing, he turned to Vina Dubov and said:

"Send someone to ask the locals if they want to work on the ship. If they refuse, send them to the small boats that followed us out."

The half-elf beauty, knowing this was not the time for jokes, responded gently, like a well-mannered lady:

"Alright, I'll take care of it."

Everyone was busy, but Luo Zhengdao was alone, reflecting on the future. The first thing that came to mind was how the goblins had tracked them. Could there be a traitor on his ship? This thought, like a venomous snake gnawing at his heart, lingered in his mind. After much deliberation, he approached the half-elf beauty, who was resting after a busy morning, for advice. To his surprise, Vina, hearing his concerns, dismissed them with a carefree attitude:

"Traitor? Hahaha, Will, you're overthinking it. It could be a divination spell, or some kind of tracking device. There are too many possibilities."

Luo Zhengdao's serious expression was momentarily petrified by the blow. He rubbed his nose, feeling embarrassed, and said:

"Yes! This world is not what I'm familiar with."

Hearing this, Vina, feeling a bit guilty, tried to comfort him:

"Don't worry, you've just lost your memory. We'll find a way to cure you."

Luo Zhengdao silently recited a prayer for the soul of the deceased Will Needham to rest in peace, then nodded with a bitter smile, saying:

"Uh, I hope so."

After inspecting the Yangwei from top to bottom, maintaining a gentle and approachable demeanor, Luo Zhengdao confirmed that the ship was in good fighting condition. He thought to himself:

"The Blue Dragon can't handle the goblin fleet, and Milly Atoll won't hold out much longer. The goblins will eventually catch up. To be safe, we need to set sail immediately after repairing the ship and can't afford to waste any more time."

Although Vina Dubov didn't know what Luo Zhengdao was thinking, she still offered her advice as a tutor:

"The situation is strange. As far as I know, these green skins have never sailed this far. Will, it seems they really, really want you dead!"

Hearing this, Luo Zhengdao couldn't help but laugh, despite the grim situation:

"Hahaha, they can have me dead, but they'll have to wait a hundred years. By then, I'll definitely be dead, and I hope they'll be satisfied."

After this not-so-funny joke, the conversation fell silent again. This was the third time Luo Zhengdao had escaped from the goblin fleet's guns. Who knew if he would have such luck next time? The situation was so dire that only someone with no heart could laugh.

"Captain, the lookout reports an iceberg ahead."

Without hesitation, Luo Zhengdao immediately responded:

"Wait, tell Zola to reduce speed and carefully navigate around the iceberg. The weather is getting colder, so the lookout in the crow's nest should be rotated frequently to maintain alertness. Double the number of lookouts on both sides of the ship."

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