Another World: Naval Storm

Chapter 119: The Great Fleet Departs

If the Talens only dispatched Liam's First Battlecruiser Squadron, Leo could fight with Liam until the First Battleship Squadron arrived; if the large fleet came out in full force, the worst that could happen was a fight to the death, and by then it was still unknown who would win.

Compared with the strength comparison before the war, now is the time when the Royal Fleet is the weakest. The Ocean Fleet is no longer at a numerical disadvantage, and the Ocean Fleet has a great chance of winning.

"Is Leo taking us for fools? He's obviously trying to lure the enemy deeper. I can see that." Alex laughed.

"Then we won't move out? Come and see!" Liam pulled Alex to the window. Many Tarun people were blocking the gate in the distance. Gravel and beer bottles kept flying into the naval base.

"It's terrible. Are they crazy? Aren't they afraid of the sentinels shooting?"

"Shoot? Then you and I will be sent to the gallows tomorrow!" Liam sneered.

"No way?"

"No? Leo has pushed us into a desperate situation!" Now the people of the Kingdom of Tarun are furious. Any explanation from the Navy Department will be regarded as an excuse. Until the Grand Fleet gives the Drakes a heavy enough revenge, the people of Tarun will not forgive them.

"Then counterattack is inevitable?"

"That's right, the news will be here soon!" Prime Minister Hoqiukis, Grand Fleet Commander Jericho and many other officials were having a headache over whether to send out only the First Battle Patrol Squadron or have all the main forces of the Grand Fleet act together.

"Since we can't afford to lose Liam and the First Battlecruiser Squadron, let's send the Grand Fleet out together!"

"Are you sure?" This battle concerns the country's destiny for the next hundred years. Whoever suffers greater losses may lose the war. The Prime Minister's secretary confirmed again and again.

"Yes, since the Drakes want to fight to the death, I will fight them to the end!" At this time, the crazy blood in Hoqiukis' body was trembling.

After receiving the news, Liam and his First Battlecruiser Squadron immediately sailed out of Rodesis Port in Zilasa Bay and launched a desperate attack on Shipwreck Bay. At the same time, Marshal Jellicoe, the commander of the Grand Fleet, who learned the news, also ordered the Second Cruiser Squadron in Sunland Port and the seven pre-dreadnoughts of the Third Battleship Squadron in the south of Zilasa Bay to meet with Liam. Afterwards, the main force of the Grand Fleet replenished supplies and ammunition as quickly as possible, and the entire army went south to support.

"General, should we wait for reinforcements?" Alex asked.

"No, the sooner the better. Leo doesn't know that we have seized their code book. The Drakes want to deceive us and let us pursue Leo without worry. The main force of the Ocean Fleet must pass through the Skarolak Strait. As long as we annihilate Leo's fleet before the main force of the Ocean Fleet meets up with Leo, it will be useless even if the Ocean Fleet arrives later!"

The Tallon naval fleet, flying the Tallon Union Jack and the Royal Navy's Z flag, advanced southward at full speed. The four cruisers of the First Cruiser Squadron commanded by Commodore Alexander Ward were the vanguard fleet conducting reconnaissance in front; the four battlecruisers Lion, Royal Princess, Queen Mary and Tiger commanded by Vice Admiral Liam, and the three Guardian-class battleships Monarch, Conqueror and Thor followed closely as the main fleet, keeping a distance of 4 nautical miles from the vanguard fleet; the Third Battleship Squadron commanded by Vice Admiral George Budd, including seven pre-dreadnoughts such as Anjou III, Fili, Albion, Union, Bernia, Scepter and Bharadostan, were deployed as support units on both wings of the main fleet.

The strong sea breeze and huge waves in the North Sea constantly hit the steel-made hulls. In such sea conditions, only battleships and battlecruisers can sail steadily, while light cruisers rise and fall on the sea from time to time.

"Leo, this vast world is our battlefield. Nice to meet you, my friend!" Standing on the bridge, Liam looked at the magnificent and vast North Sea in front of her, her mind constantly recalling the past with Leo.

*****

Drake Empire, Platinum Palace.

"Apewen, what are you doing not at the headquarters of the Ocean Fleet?" demanded the Army Chief of Staff Schlieffen. He was ashamed of the Army's inaction for several months and he did not like the triumphant Navy.

"Nothing, just a routine work report to His Majesty!" Apewen didn't care and participated in the meeting hosted by the Army.

"This is an army meeting, you..." Before Schlieffen could continue scolding Apewen.

The aide-de-camp Philemon pushed the door open in a hurry, holding a stack of telegrams. He passed by Apewen and looked at him with an indescribable look.

"Your Majesty, an urgent telegram from the Naval Intelligence Department! Liam and his First Battlecruiser Squadron went out to sea at 10:30, and their whereabouts are unknown; then at 10:55, all the main forces of the Grand Fleet came out in full force!"

Kaiser Wilhelm suddenly turned to look at Apewen, "Where is Leo?"

"Your Majesty, Leo's patrol fleet should be here now!" Apeven came to a map marked with the North Sea and pointed to the Heligoland Bay maritime defense line.

“Your Majesty…” Philemon spoke hesitantly, his eyes wandering over Apewen.

"If you have something to say, just say it!"

"Our intelligence agent in Talen has sent us an unconfirmed report that a Drake naval fleet has attacked Harwich, Delis and other ports!"

"How do you explain, Apewen!" The emperor's voice was full of anger.

"Your Majesty, the battlefield is ever-changing and anything can happen. This fleet may be Leo's fleet, but considering his merits in attacking Taren's homeland, forgive him this time!" Apewen explained without blushing.

"He is disobeying orders! Are all your navy members like this?" These words were a bit harsh, but the German Emperor was already shaking with anger.

"Your Majesty, you can't say that! The ability to adapt to changing circumstances is a quality that a soldier should possess. Leo did a great job in this operation!" Chief of Staff Schlieffen, who was watching the show, defended Leo. In his eyes, as long as it could relieve the pressure on the army, all actions of the navy could be forgiven.

"You..." The German Emperor was so confused by Schlieffen that he didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Hoo~Hoo~Hoo." The Kaiser, who had recovered from his breath, asked Philemon again, "Where are the First Battleship Squadron and the First Scouting Fleet?"

"Oh...oh, General Leon sent a telegram. We are heading to the Sarmatian Sea as planned. The fleet is determined to enter the Sarmatian Sea from the Skalolak Strait."

"That's good. We can still afford to lose a few battleships, Draco!" The emperor did not understand the implicit message in the telegram. As for the many military generals in the conference room, they all kept a tacit understanding and did not remind him.

In addition, the emperor carelessly thought that Leo was leading several light warships, but he didn't know that they were 3 battlecruisers and 1 armored cruiser.