Another World: Naval Storm

Chapter 108 The End of the Old Era

The result of the Battle of Heligoland Bight soon spread throughout the world. People were shocked at the loss of a large number of warships by the Royal Navy of Talen and at the Royal Navy's poor raid plan, which was in stark contrast to the Royal Navy's performance in dominating the world for a hundred years.

Although the warring parties immediately announced that they had won the battle and inflicted heavy damage on each other, the people had sharp eyes. Neutral countries and some Allied countries began to send people to secretly contact the Drake government, which slightly improved the dire situation of the Drake Empire.

The most direct impact of the Battle of Heligoland was that Leo was ranked first on the list of the most hated people of Taren. Of course, this was just a show for the people of Taren to entertain themselves.

Prime Minister Hochukis is now in a state of panic, as the people of Tarun and newspapers are increasingly critical of the Royal Navy. The Tarun Parliament has to summon the Prime Minister and the Navy's top brass to hold them accountable. Hochukis is overwhelmed by the situation, and his position as Prime Minister is shaky.

Admiral Jericho was lucky to escape blame, and he had more and more supporters within the Royal Navy. People began to seriously consider the feasibility and necessity of the long-range blockade theory.

Admiral Fisher, who held a high status and prestige in the Royal Navy, had already resigned, but Hochkirk did not allow anyone to oppose him. After the defeat at Heligoland, Hochkirk did not allow Fisher to return to the Royal Navy, although many people wanted him to return.

"Here you are, kid. Come and try the delicious food prepared specially for you and look up at the stars!" Fisher summoned Liam to his country villa in Elba.

"Marshal, thank you for your kindness. I haven't eaten this dish for a long time!" Liam began to suspect that Marshal Fisher wanted to kill him.

"Oh? This is a delicacy that Taron is known for. He really liked it when I treated him to it last time!"

"Maybe I've been in Xunyang for too long, so I'm not used to the food!"

"If I remember correctly, you met Leo in Xunyang!"

"Yes, Marshal! For many years!"

"What kind of man is he?"

"He was a good man, very kind. When he was in Xunyang, he often helped the poor there, and he didn't think they were dirty and barbaric at all!"

"What else?" Fisher, the old man, was a bit mean and kept asking questions.

"A strategic genius, he once said a lot of things I didn't understand when we were together, but my intuition told me that what he said was very important."

"Oh? What are they?"

"With the use of new weapons such as airplanes and airships, it is said that battleships will eventually become obsolete!"

"Hehe, he is quite advanced!" Fisher was shocked. You know, battleships are the main force in today's naval battles, and any country with a coastline wants to own battleships.

"Marshal, you know my character. What is your specific purpose in looking for me?"

"Nothing, I just want to take a serious look at someone who can fight against Leo! Maybe the Royal Navy will rely on you in the future?" Fisher's gaze touched people's hearts.

"Um...you...the Royal Navy is full of talented people, and there is also Admiral Jericho!"

"He is good at defending the status quo but not aggressive enough. If it is just against Aperven, his long-range blockade theory will be very successful. But it will be very difficult to deal with a strategic and tactical genius." Marshal Fisher stared at Liam and continued, "You and Leo are evenly matched. If there is anyone who can deal with him in the future, it must be you! And I hope that the Royal Navy can move forward courageously under your leadership!"

"But the Prime Minister and I..."

"Do you want to say that you are the Prime Minister's man? Or your father-in-law has a close relationship with Hochukis?"

"Probably both!" Liam told the truth.

"What does it matter? You are Liam Taylor of Talen! Royal Navy Liam Taylor! As long as you are loyal to the Kingdom of Talen, it's all for this country, so what difference does it make to whom you belong!"

"You are absolutely right, the Royal Navy is everything to me!"

"That's no problem. Congratulations, Liam Taylor! You will have a bigger stage. I don't need your reward. I just want you to bring victory to Tarun!"

"Marshal! I swear to do my best to bring glory to Taren!"

"Go, the future belongs to you young people. It's time for Piltz and I to retire." Fisher sighed.

As the victorious party, the Drake Empire not only suffered losses in the naval battle, but also lost the founder of the Ocean Fleet. Marshal Piltz submitted his resignation to the Emperor on the grounds of illness.

In August and September 1916, the highest commanders of the navies of Talen and Drake resigned one after another. Their era had passed. Everyone knew that the ocean would undergo earth-shaking changes, and the time to test both sides had arrived.

In the Drake Empire, Commander Leo Sivens of the First Reconnaissance Fleet became a hot figure. Newspapers were full of reports about him, from his admission to the Carey Naval Academy to his stationing in the Far East, from fighting the Japanese to beating up the Royal Navy, it was like a novel that people talked about it with relish.

The First Scouting Fleet was commended from top to bottom. Except for Leo who only received a medal, everyone was very satisfied. After all, he was the fastest promoted general in the Empire who was not of noble origin. Lieutenant General was already a high rank.

The Battle of Heligoland Bight proved once again that the Royal Navy could be defeated, and the morale of the High Seas Fleet, which had been low since the start of the war, rose again.

The Drake Navy intends to take advantage of the situation and bring down the Royal Navy, which has dominated the oceans for a hundred years.

In the face of the glorious victory in the Battle of Heligoland, the voice of the young naval officers headed by Apeven and Leo continued to expand. The so-called existence fleet theory and conservative strategy were already shaky and could not restrain the restless Drake Navy.

As soon as the complacent Leo arrived at the Admiralty for a meeting, he was poured with a bucket of cold water. The newly appointed Admiralty Minister Holding von Beck read out the newly drafted military order.

"The current strength of the Talen Royal Navy is still strong. A large-scale naval decisive battle is not advisable. The main fleets of the Ocean Fleet must be anchored in the military port and wait for the opportunity. All warships are not allowed to be dispatched without permission. Violators will be subject to military law!"

"Sir! Can we send out the First Scouting Fleet?"

"Vice Admiral Leo, of course the First Reconnaissance Fleet can be dispatched at will! All reconnaissance fleets can be dispatched, but I remind you that every battleship is accumulated by the hard work of the people of the empire. I hope you will not let them lose it at will!"

"Of course! I won't let them rust in the port!" The Empire still wants to win this world war with the army. Is it possible? How long has the Western Front been deadlocked? Only a few hundred meters can be advanced every day, or there is no progress at all. It is impossible to make the Franconian Republic surrender.

As for the eastern front, the terrifying strategic depth of the Rakshasa Empire and the cold winter made the Drak people extremely uncomfortable, and it was impossible to defeat the Rakshasa Empire in a short time.