After spearheading the first maritime operation, Arcana Cero began to grasp an unavoidable truth: war and expansion came at an immense cost. The expenditure of gold to mobilize fleets, fortify defenses, and maintain food supplies steadily drained his G balance. While the gold mines on the island continued to operate, Cero understood that their output would not suffice to sustain long-term operations—eventually, the small mines would be depleted.
This harsh reality forced Cero to think beyond the immediate. The island's limitations extended beyond gold; it lacked other vital resources like iron, silver, and bronze—materials essential for expanding and defending his territory. Only by exploring the world beyond could he hope to find the resources necessary to continue his grand plans.
At this point, Cero led a modest community of about 690 inhabitants. The population included farmers, craftsmen, technicians, and a small military force. Although the system aided him in managing the base and sustaining this fledgling society, Cero was determined not to rely entirely on its assistance. If he were to build a true empire, he needed independent strategies and tangible steps.
To initiate this new phase of expansion, Cero decided to personally lead the exploration mission. Not as a leader who commanded from the safety of his quarters, but as one who sailed alongside his men into the unknown. This marked his first venture into open waters—a journey into a foreign world rife with challenges and uncertainties.
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The next day, Cero and his naval fleet prepared for departure. Two patrol ships and a larger transport vessel were equipped for the journey, stocked with provisions, weaponry, and crews composed of experienced sailors and soldiers. As the fleet departed the island, Cero stood at the bow of the transport ship, gazing at the vast horizon ahead.
Among the crew, conversations revealed a mixture of excitement and tension. A seasoned marine named Jarek, a middle-aged man with significant combat experience, broke the ice with a question that drew the attention of those nearby.
"So, what do you think this world is like?" Jarek said, shrugging slightly, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "They say it's not like Earth. Maybe we'll see creatures we've never imagined."
Lyron, the wise captain of one of the patrol ships, responded with a calm smile. "Exactly. We're like Columbus, sailing toward a new world with no map, no clue of what lies ahead. Who knows what awaits us beyond the horizon?"
The crew exchanged mixed reactions—some spoke with enthusiasm, while others expressed their unease. As people from Earth, they had the instincts of explorers, yet the unknown dangers ahead filled them with an undeniable anxiety.
Listening to their chatter, Cero turned to address them. His voice was calm yet firm, filled with resolve. "Fear is natural. We are venturing into a world entirely foreign to us. But remember, this mission is greater than exploration. This is our first step toward something monumental. We are here not to wonder, but to find answers. Whatever lies ahead, we will face it together."
In the midst of this alien uncertainty, Cero's words reignited the crew's spirit. Though the foreign world remained a mystery, having a strong and determined leader bolstered their courage to venture into the unknown. They knew there was no turning back—only the path forward.
Cero's fleet consisted of three ships: two RFS *Sovershennyy* warships armed with subsonic turbojet anti-ship missiles (8 × 3M24 Uran) and a frigate-class transport ship, which carried supplies and served as the command post. The warships led the formation, prepared to confront any sudden threats, while the frigate followed as the logistical backbone of the operation.
The sea remained eerily quiet as they sailed, the only sound being the hum of engines cutting through the waves. Standing on the bridge of the frigate, Cero watched the endless expanse of water, feeling as if the ocean itself dared him to press onward. He knew this military operation was no ordinary expedition; it was the beginning of something far greater—something that could shape his destiny in this world.
Suddenly, the sonar operator, a man named Rurik, detected an anomaly. "Captain, unidentified object detected in the waters, approximately one mile southwest!" he called out, his voice taut with tension.
The atmosphere on the bridge shifted instantly. The crew sprang into action, monitoring the radar and estimating the object's trajectory.
Cero, inexperienced in direct military operations, froze momentarily. While he lacked expertise in naval combat tactics, his sense of responsibility as a leader pushed him to adapt. Feeling slightly unsure, he turned to Operations Commander Ragner, a seasoned veteran, and asked seriously, "What are we dealing with, Commander? What's your recommendation?"
Ragner saluted and responded firmly, "Sir, this could be a foreign vessel or an unidentified sea creature. I suggest we observe further while maintaining a safe distance and prepare for any potential threat."
Cero nodded and ordered the fleet to full alert. The ships slowed, maintaining a cautious approach while observing from afar.
As they neared the detected object, the sonar displayed a faint silhouette, moving slowly as though trailing their fleet. The distance closed, yet the object's shape remained unclear. The crew readied their weapons, gripping rifles and missile controls tightly.
"Arm the missiles and ballistae on both warships," Cero commanded, his tone steady despite the quickened pace of his heartbeat. "We won't fire unless provoked, but ensure everyone is prepared."
Moments later, the object emerged at the edge of their view. Through binoculars, Cero and Ragner discerned what appeared to be a small ship, sailing silently. However, it looked unusual—its masts were ancient, its tattered sails moving lazily with the breeze.
"That doesn't look like a modern vessel," Ragner remarked, frowning. "It's more like an ancient ship. But how could such a thing be here, in the middle of the ocean, and heading toward us?"
Cero observed the mysterious ship in silence. Its presence underscored the enigma of the world he was confronting. A creeping tension filled the air as every second stretched longer.
"Try to contact them. If there's anyone aboard, we might gather valuable information," Cero finally ordered. A crew member quickly grabbed the radio, broadcasting messages in multiple languages, hoping for a response.
As they waited for a reply, the mysterious ship suddenly accelerated at an impossible speed. Its sails swelled unnaturally, moving as though propelled by some supernatural force, defying the wind. The ship sped forward, leaving Cero and his crew stunned.
"Commander, order your men to pursue! We won't let them escape. I want everyone on that ship—they might have valuable information about this world," Cero commanded firmly, his voice cutting through the tension.
Commander Ragner immediately grabbed the telephone hanging in the corner of the bridge and issued orders to the crews on the other ships. "Understood, Sir! Fleet, prepare to pursue the target! Full chase, maintain distance, and stay alert!"
The fleet surged forward at maximum speed, closing in on the mysterious vessel that raced along the horizon. The crew readied themselves, hands gripping their weapons, eyes sharp with anticipation as they awaited the order to board. Thanks to the modern technology aboard their ships—the RFS Sovershennyy warships and the frigate Gorshkov—Cero's armada steadily gained on the enigmatic target, despite its extraordinary speed.
Onboard the fleeing ship, its captain—a burly man with a cunning face and calculating eyes—grew increasingly uneasy. He was a notorious slaver from the Kingdom of Delos, a powerful nation on the western continent. His ship was laden with what he deemed worthless cargo—slaves taken from villages subjugated by the Delosian empire.
When his crew first reported a massive iron ship floating on the sea, approaching rapidly, the captain had dismissed their warnings with scorn. "Don't drink yourself stupid out here! No ship made of iron can stay afloat!" he had barked.
But when he peered through his spyglass, the sight of steel-clad vessels bristling with weapons unlike anything he had ever seen drained the color from his face. His hands trembled as he realized the threat was far beyond anything his small wooden ship could withstand.
He dashed below deck, calling for the two magi he had hired to protect his voyage. These seasoned spellcasters had proven invaluable in the past, capable of boosting the ship's speed or concealing it from hostile forces.
"Hurry! Use your magic to accelerate the ship. We need to get out of here now, or they'll capture us!" the captain shouted, panic thick in his voice.
The magi raised their hands, chanting incantations in an ancient language. The ship's sails swelled unnaturally, catching an unseen wind that propelled the vessel forward at incredible speed. The wooden ship surged ahead, leaving the pursuing fleet struggling to keep up.
On the bridge of Cero's frigate, the crew watched the accelerating ship with mounting astonishment. Its supernatural burst of speed defied every principle of conventional sailing. Cero studied the radar, noting the vessel's impossible velocity. His mind churned as he began to grasp the presence of magic in this mysterious world.
"Commander, we won't let them get away. Prepare a warning missile! Aim for a point ahead of their trajectory to block their path," Cero ordered decisively.
The crew swiftly coordinated the launch. A single missile was armed and fired, streaking through the sky and leaving a trail of smoke as it hurtled toward the ocean ahead of the fleeing ship. The explosive detonation sent shockwaves across the water, erupting in a massive spray of seawater directly in the ship's path.
The blast sent the slaver's ship rocking violently, waves crashing over its deck. The captain was thrown to the floor, his face pale as he realized the sheer power of the forces pursuing him. This was not a typical naval encounter—this was a clash with an unknown power that could obliterate him with ease.
Above the chaos, the magi exchanged wary glances, their confidence visibly shaken. Even with their magic, the steel giants bearing down on them were a force beyond anything they had anticipated. The captain scrambled to his feet, shouting desperately, "Do something! Use everything you've got! We can't let them catch us!"
But in the back of his mind, a chilling thought began to take root: escape might no longer be an option.