Most of it was located in the tropical Eritrean Sea. It was the second largest sea in the known world, second only to the Black Sea. It was also an important transportation hub for the various civilizations to communicate with the Peacock Islands through the Treasure Sea.
Due to the climate, the seaworthiness season in this sea was extremely long. Apart from the dangerous and stormy summer, there were large numbers of merchant ships traveling between the east and west of the source continent.
Among them, the Shilius who occupied the Peacock Islands and monopolized the local trade were the most prominent.
Whoosh!
There were no clouds in the sky, and there was a huge fleet on the blue sea. With the escort warships outside and the large merchant ships in the center, they were in three columns.
The total number of ships reached an astonishing thirty-one, and it was not much worse than the former Treasure Fleet.
Most of these ocean-going ships had the flaming flag of the Shilius Empire flying above them. One could still see the strong shadow of the current number one power in the sea.
However, apart from the Shilius, there were many dark-skinned, short, and indigenous people in the fleet. Most of them had dark brown curly hair.
They were the indigenous people of the Peacock Islands, the Nigritos.
The Peacock Islands looked like a whole on the surface, but it was just a general name for a series of natives on the Peacock Islands. Only the races were not much different.
Most of them were employees of the Shilius Santabbia Company that currently managed the Peacock Islands. Of course, they were not much better than slaves. Even if they died in an accident, they would not have to pay any compensation.
Pa! Pa! Pa!
Whips sounded above their heads.
"Quick, take advantage of the good weather and bring all the spices to the deck to dry! If I find even the slightest trace of mold, I will skin you alive. "
Facing the burly Shilius merchant ship owner, these dark-skinned Nigritos were submissive. There was not even a trace of dissatisfaction on their faces, as if obedience was engraved in the depths of their blood.
The truth was more or less the same.
This was because since three thousand years ago, the Peacock Islands had experienced at least nine invasions from the west, and there had been nine waves of owners. This had indirectly caused a comprehensive integration of blood, culture, and faith.
Also, because of the unique geographical environment, they had a relatively closed cultural environment and maintained a certain degree of independence.
It could be said that although they still maintained their own culture, they were already used to being ruled.
In the Peacock Archipelago, which was very mysterious to most people, the natives mainly believed in a series of deities with the "Lord of War Elephants" and the "King of the Ivory Throne" as the main deities.
There was also the Varna Cult, which was formed by the Wind God Fayu, the Rain God Pachennie, the Water God Apas, the Fire God Azni, the Sun God Suryeh, and other nature gods. It ruled the spiritual world of the Nigritos.
However.
On the surface, these primitive gods did not monopolize the faith of the Peacock Islands. They were all located in the Source Continent, but they had long since been infiltrated by the Seven Gods and the various demigods.
Even the [Deity Names] mentioned above might not necessarily be the sockpuppets of some great deity.
There was also a saying that the Peacock Islands were the "Museum of Races and Beliefs" of the entire human world. However, the current secular ruler was undoubtedly the Santabarbia Company, which was jointly owned by Philip II and the nineteen gentlemen.
Every year, they would plunder large amounts of profits from this place and send them to the Shilius mainland. They were one of the important roots that supported this massive empire. Of course, now that it had become the only root, its importance was self-evident.
However, although these Nigritos were resigned to their fate, they had actually contributed greatly to the scientific and technological enlightenment of the entire Old Continent in modern times.
There was also a very mysterious legend about the source of their technology.
It was said that the first unified dynasty on this archipelago was during the period of the Peacock Dynasty.
One day, when King Chandragupta was praying by the sea, a golden chest suddenly floated out from the "Storm Belt" further east. It was picked up by the kingdom's attendants and presented to the king.
Under the guidance of a wise man, King Chandragupta fasted and bathed for a month before finally successfully opening the treasure chest called the "Purple Lacquer Golden Chest Inlaid with Snails and Algae Patterns".
Including ceramics, silk, tea making, paper making, gunpowder, compasses … and other primitive technologies that had been passed down to the modern era, they all came from that treasure chest. It also deeply affected the civilization of the world in this era.
However, the Peacock Islands had never been completely unified since then. After thousands of years of wind and rain, the "Purple Lacquer Golden Chest Inlaid with Snails and Algae Patterns" had long since disappeared.
In fact, only the few indigenous demigods with endless lifespans knew if the Treasure Chamber that had escaped from the "Storm Belt" had really existed or not.
Suddenly.
"Hum …"
Everyone in the fleet who was busy didn't notice that the pupils of a huge formless creature at thirty thousand meters in the air had contracted slightly as it quietly sent out a fatal signal.
It was from the perspective of this "seagull spirit".
Soon, another naval fleet composed entirely of fast warships suddenly emerged from the surface of the sea. With lightning speed, they slanted into the formation of this fleet and launched a brazen attack.
"Fire!"
On the cannons on the upper and lower deck, the cannons moved in unison.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! "
The orange-red cannon flames reflected the sea surface red and also reflected the eyes of every Shilius.
During this period, these "Galot Heavy Patrol Ships", all equipped with 24-pound or 32-pound cannons, were like a pack of wolves waiting for an opportunity to ambush the main route of the Eritrean Sea.
When they had the chance, they would tear a piece of meat off the merchant ships of Shilius. The larger the fleet, the more they liked it.
Those who could beat them couldn't outrun them, and those who could outrun them couldn't fight them. Of course, most of them couldn't outrun them or fight them.
The design concept of the sailboat that was at least two body lengths ahead gave this lousy fleet a huge advantage.
"It's that elusive fleet again. Damned Tulip people, retaliate!"
On the flagship at the forefront of the fleet, a rear admiral roared angrily.
A great battle at sea began.
However, when the Shilius fought back bravely, the Nigritos on the ship had no intention of resisting at all. They had already fled to the lower cabin.
The Shilius didn't expect them to help, or rather, they didn't want the Nigritos to interfere in the battle.
After all, they had once done a strange thing where they were lazy and went to the toilet on the ship. In the end, the battleship was blown up by feces. Who would believe that?!
The Shilius flagship, Glider, welcomed its opponent. The commander's eyes were red, and his voice was like thunder.
"Damn Tulips, you dare to openly attack the Empire's official fleet in a non-wartime state. You can't bear the wrath of His Majesty the Emperor! "
A young major wearing a close-fitting 'Venom Armor' and holding a blood-red longsword sneered disdainfully.
"Emperor? As early as a year ago, the Shilius no longer had the right to talk to us from a higher position! Take over the side, seize the ship, and charge! "
They had taken advantage of the fact that the Shilius couldn't take care of itself to directly intervene in the war and completely cut off the last root that supported this huge Empire. They didn't care what the Emperor thought.
* Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! *
The sound of battle shook the sky, and smoke filled the air.
After two hours of fierce battle, apart from those that scattered and fled, about half of the Shilius merchant ships were left here.
While the soldiers were cleaning up the battlefield.
As the boatswain, Ilante, who took the lead, removed the self-cleaning and spotless' Venom Armor 'on his body and sat on the ground, panting heavily.
After resting for a while, he pulled out a brass amulet with a gear structure from his neck, and a blissful smile appeared on his face.
Obviously, this was a parting gift from the little Alchemist School of Alchemy to him.
"Hey, Ilante, take it."
He reached out and caught a bottle of rum thrown to him by his captain. He first put away the amulet like it was a treasure, then pulled out the cork and took a big gulp, exhaling a long breath of alcohol.
"Today's harvest is not bad. In a few more battles, your military rank will be equal to mine, a colonel."
Ilante smiled and clinked his bottle with the captain's.
"Captain, you're too kind. It doesn't matter whether I'm in the military or not. I just want to find an opportunity to train myself."
The old captain couldn't help but roll his eyes.
First, give me that 'Transcendent Armor', 'Blood Lake', and all the amulets on your body before you say that.
He couldn't be bothered to discuss such unpleasant topics with this guy who had a deep background and was treated like a prince.
Looking at the few supply ships that belonged to his own fleet, he couldn't help but sigh again.
"If the sea is filled with these flying scissors ships in the future, even our heavy cruisers might be retired. As expected of Saint Elvin, beloved by the goddess."
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
In the distance, there were three large ships with hollow bows, a length to width ratio of more than 6: 1, and wide sails that looked like they were flying close to the surface of the water. They were the 'flying scissors ships' that Elvin had never brought to reality after he completed the design.
Currently, there was no pirate ship in this world that could catch up with them.
Even if they were fully loaded, they could still run at 12 to 14 knots. They deserved to be called the king of speed in the age of sail!
Take crossing the Black Sea as an example. It would take others at least two months with the help of the ocean currents, but it would take less than a month. The prosperity of sea trade was bound to greatly help the rise of the New World and the Duchy of Garriott.
For now, it was only for military use, and there weren't many of them in the water.
But when they were truly popularized, it would be enough to make the pirate ships eat dust behind them. It would indirectly sound the death knell for the existence of the pirate profession.
In the future, when the ironclads were launched, the pirate profession would usher in the end.
Elvin: Well, I've already washed my feet and come ashore. Who cares?
God of Black Wings: …
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