Earth's Greatest Magus
chapter-2232

Despite his outwardly brash demeanor, Xavier was a seasoned and strategic commander. He quickly set about organizing the attack formations with meticulous precision. He ordered the fleet to adopt a wedge formation, placing the strongest and most heavily armed warships at the forefront, with the more agile and versatile ships flanking them. This arrangement maximized their offensive capabilities while ensuring mutual protection.

To safeguard against potential ambushes from behind, Xavier dispatched three ships to stay back and guard their rear. These vessels were tasked with monitoring the void for any sudden attacks, ready to respond swiftly to any threats that might arise.

"ATTACK!!" Xavier's order echoed through the communication channels, filling the fleet with determination.

The warships surged forward, their engines roaring to life as they advanced towards Turtle Rock. The massive asteroid base, now fully visible, was a hive of activity. Pirate ships swarmed around it, forming a defensive perimeter and preparing to repel the Armada's assault.

Staying near their massive base, the pirates received continuous supporting firepower from the heavily fortified Turtle Rock. Both sides unleashed a devastating bombardment of high-energy blasts, the void between them lighting up with streaks of deadly energy and the explosive impacts of advanced weaponry. Being at the forefront of the battle, the Gilgamesh bore the brunt of the assault. The warship shook violently under the impact of enemy fire, its hull groaning as high-energy blasts struck its shields. Inside the command bridge, the chaos was palpable. Panels sparked and exploded, sending showers of sparks and debris across the room. The crew worked frantically to maintain control and keep the ship operational amidst the onslaught.

"Shields down to 45%!" shouted one of the crew members.

Magus Camila, the science expert of the group, immediately sprang into action. Her mind raced as she assessed the situation, quickly formulating a plan to reinforce the ship's defenses. She tapped into the ship's systems, diverting power from non-essential functions to bolster the energy shields. "Stay in formation!! Keep shooting!!' Thrax bravely commands.

As the battle raged on, the Armada's superior tactics and firepower began to turn the tide. Gaps started to appear in the pirates' defensive lines as their ships were picked off one by one. The Turtle Rock itself, once an impregnable fortress, came under heavy fire. Its surface was scarred and pitted from the relentless bombardment, sections of its structure crumbling under the sustained assault.

At this critical juncture, the pirate fleet executed a maneuver. They charged forward in disorganized groups, attempting to overwhelm the Armada with sheer numbers and chaotic tactics.

"Rotate formations!" Xavier commanded, his voice cutting through the cacophony of battle.

The order was a strategic move designed to protect the vanguard ships, which had suffered the most damage. The fleet's formation shifted with precision, the second layer of warships moving forward to take the brunt of the enemy fire. These ships, with their shields still relatively intact, absorbed the incoming blasts, providing much-needed respite to the battered vanguard.

Thrax, now part of the second line, watched as the enemy ships closed in. The tactical maneuver gave the Gilgamesh and other leading ships a crucial moment to recover. Engineers and repair teams worked furiously to patch up damage and restore shield integrity. Meanwhile, the gunners continued their relentless barrage, targeting the pirate ships with deadly accuracy.

Within just 15 minutes, the Golden City Armada's superior tactics and firepower had decimated most of the small-sized pirate ships, which comprised nearly half of the enemy force. These smaller vessels were obliterated before they could even get close to the Armada's warships, their wreckage drifting lifelessly in the void. However, this strategic annihilation of the smaller ships inadvertently created space for the medium-sized pirate ships to execute a bold and desperate maneuver.

These assault-class ships were specifically designed for a unique and perilous purpose. They were built to withstand heavy fire and ram into enemy warships, attaching themselves to the hulls. This allowed pirate Magus to board the targeted ships, aiming to take control of them from the inside through brutal close-quarters combat.

One of the primary targets of this audacious boarding attempt was the Gilgamesh. Two of the transporter-class ships managed to latch onto the Gilgamesh, and two squads of pirates swiftly boarded the warship. Knowing the enemy infiltrators pouring onto his ship, Thrax felt a surge of excitement. His eyes blazed with fierce determination as he rallied his crew.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!!" Thrax's battle cry echoed through the corridors of the Gilgamesh, galvanizing his crew into action.

While the Gilgamesh and other warships fought to repel the boarders, the Golden City Armada faced an overwhelming onslaught from the remaining pirate forces. In the midst of this chaos, the ten pirate warship made their move. Each warship flew its distinctive banner, representing some of the most feared and notorious pirate factions in the galaxy. The Iron Hawks, the Blood Reavers, the Star Vipers, the Night Buccaneers, and the Cosmic Falcons.

These warships, bristling with heavy weaponry and armored hulls, advanced with deadly intent. Their coordinated assault aimed to break through the Armada's defensive lines and deliver a decisive blow. "Stop them!! do not let them get close!!"

Xavier gave the order decisively, his voice resolute as he commanded the 10 Zodiac City fleets to advance from their rear positions. The tactical maneuver was a turning point in the battle, one that would leverage the combined might of both the Golden City and Zodiac City forces.

When all the ships were in position, interlocking in a close battle, dozens of Grand Magus began to pour out from the vessels. The sight was awe-inspiring, with the involvement of high-tier spells, the intensity of the battle escalated dramatically.

One Grand Magus could personally shatter a spaceship with sheer force, while another could conjure barriers capable of deflecting any attack.

The pirates, despite their initial confidence, found themselves at a severe disadvantage. The Golden City fleets boasted twice the number of Grand Magus compared to the pirates. This overwhelming magical superiority quickly turned the tide. Spells of immense power tore through pirate ships, dismantling their formations and sowing chaos among their ranks.

In the heat of battle, notable duels began to emerge. Overseer Kurma, the leader of Zodiac City, squared off against the infamous one-eyed Khazrak. Meanwhile, Xavier sought out the Pirate King himself, Gaira D. Reis, issuing a direct challenge.

Answering Xavier's call, a massive cruiser-type ship emerged from the pirate's base, the infamous Flying Tiger, the flagship of the Pirate King. The two strongest figures from each side now faced one another, a confrontation that would determine the fate of the battle.