Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-2231

The Golden City Armada, a formidable fleet of 45 warships, embarked on a perilous mission into a notoriously treacherous area of space known as the Shadow River Zone. This vast expanse was notorious for its dense asteroid fields and the unpredictable void space rivers that crisscrossed the region, shifting their positions every few months. These hazardous conditions made the zone an ideal hideout for space pirates, who established their base amidst the chaos.

Navigating through this region was no simple task. The Armada's advanced radar systems and traditional navigational instruments were rendered useless due to the chaotic nature of the void space rivers and the dense asteroid fields. The fleet had to rely on special devices, often referred to as "sirens," which emitted unique signals to guide the ships and maintain their formation. Additionally, the spirit master among them would employ their divine sense, to detect subtle shifts in the environment and anticipate potential dangers.

The consequences of a navigational error in this volatile space were severe. A single misstep could cause even the most sophisticated warship to become disoriented and lost for days if not weeks.

Each warship in the Armada was equipped with powerful weaponry capable of obliterating incoming asteroids, ensuring the fleet's path remained clear. However, the unpredictable nature of the zone meant that danger could strike at any moment. Pirates could emerge from hidden bases or from behind asteroids, launching sudden and deadly attacks.

To mitigate these risks, the fleet moved with extreme caution, advancing slowly through the hazardous space. Scouts were deployed ahead to identify potential threats, while the main body of the Armada maintained a tight formation to provide mutual support and protection. There was also the daunting task of locating the pirate base itself. The Shadow River Zone was a vast and sprawling region, making the search akin to finding a needle in a cosmic haystack. The pirate stronghold, known as the Turtle Base, was a mobile construct capable of hovering and shifting its position within the space. This mobility made it incredibly difficult for the fleet to pinpoint its exact location.

As the Golden City Armada ventured closer to the heart of the zone, the challenges intensified. The fleet began encountering clusters of floating debris and flying scraps of metal, remnants of past battles and purposely left out to scare off incoming ships. This detritus, however, was far more perilous than the asteroids. The pirates had cunningly repurposed the wreckage, hiding traps among the twisted metal.

Space mines, concealed within the debris, posed a significant threat. These mines were equipped with sophisticated sensors and detonated upon detecting the proximity of a warship, unleashing powerful energy blasts designed to cripple or destroy the vessels.

Thrax, as the acting commander of the Gilgamesh warship, had been in a state of relentless vigilance. The past few days had been particularly grueling. Despite their exhaustive search efforts, they had only encountered a few smuggler ships in the area. These minor skirmishes offered little solace, as the real threat—the pirate stronghold—remained elusive.

Compounding Thrax's frustration was the damage inflicted on the fleet by the treacherous space mines hidden among the floating debris. Over a dozen of these mines had detonated, causing significant harm to the fleet. Already, five warships bore the scars of these encounters, their hulls breached and systems compromised before the true battle had even begun.

Hence, when the long-awaited message arrived from the Golden Ship announcing the discovery of the target, Thrax's exhaustion gave way to a surge of excitement.

"Everyone, all hands on deck! Prepare for battle!"

The fleet's destination, the Turtle Rock, loomed into view—a colossal asteroid, roughly half the size of a moon, modified into an imposing pirate base. The sight of it was both awe-inspiring and daunting. Surrounding the base were over 200 spaceships of various sizes, ranging from nimble fighters to more formidable medium-sized vessels. Among them, were ten warships, their silhouettes bristling with weaponry.

As the Armada approached, the tension was palpable. The sheer number of enemy ships exceeded their initial estimates, and the prospect of engaging such a formidable force weighed heavily on everyone. Xavier, the fleet commander, recognized the gravity of the situation. His voice, calm yet resolute, carried through the communication channels, reaching every warship captain in the fleet.

"They have more numbers than we expected," Xavier had been strategizing for this encounter with the pirates long before the fleet left Golden City. His tactical acumen extended beyond the immediate preparations; he had been playing a game of wits and deception with the pirates from the very beginning. The decision to call for action five days prior served multiple purposes. It was not merely a rallying cry to gather allies but also a calculated move to manipulate the pirates' response to their impending campaign.

He anticipated that the five-day window would create a strategic dilemma for the pirates. On one hand, the duration was long enough to prompt some of the less committed pirate factions and opportunistic mercenaries to abandon the base, thereby reducing the enemy's overall strength. On the other hand, it was short enough to pressure the more significant and influential criminal figures to stay put, defending their interests and the pirate stronghold.

However, as the fleet drew closer to the Turtle Rock, the unexpected number of enemy ships cast doubt on Xavier's calculations. There were two plausible explanations for this. Either Xavier had underestimated the depth of the pirates' commitment to their base, or the Pirate King, possessed an unwavering confidence in their ability to repel the Armada's assault. This confidence could be attributed to substantial payments or incentives that convinced the mercenaries to stay and fight.

Xavier pondered the source of this confidence with a wary mind. It implied that the Pirate King might have a significant advantage or a hidden ace up his sleeve. The possibility of ambushes or unforeseen traps weighed heavily on his thoughts.

Thrax, who had been patiently awaiting the command to advance, could no longer contain his eagerness. He voiced his thoughts with fervor, "Commander, we from Terra City volunteered to be the vanguard and flush out any of their traps!"

His bold declaration caused an immediate reaction. Grand Magus Anpu and Fantasme, who were standing beside Thrax, turned pale at his proposal. The gravity of leading the vanguard, especially in such a perilous environment, was not lost on them.

However, Xavier responded to Thrax's enthusiasm with a hearty laugh, his voice booming through the command deck. "I admire your bravery, but I must reject your offer! I will lead the vanguard myself! Everyone, follow behind me!"