Mystery Detective of the Steam World

Chapter 398 Before Dawn
Li Wei wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep at night; Commander Barnes of the Fifth Fleet of the Imperial Royal Navy and Commander French of the First Expeditionary Force also had trouble falling asleep.

According to the plan, the Fifth Fleet was supposed to break through Port Dlai as quickly as possible, and then the First Expeditionary Force would land and carry out the operation. However, the Kingdom of Krant seemed to have anticipated this. They built a large number of fortresses and cannons in Port Dlai, and also took advantage of the surrounding mountain terrain to build bunkers in them, making the entire Port Dlai impenetrable.

Incidentally, although Barnes commands the Fifth Fleet of the Navy, it does not have airships; it is a true "naval fleet." This is a strange aspect of the current Imperial organization. At present, the Empire does not have a systematic air force, and airships are classified as "warships" and are therefore included in the Navy.

Because the fortress of Port Der Lai was very heavily fortified, several attacks failed.

Therefore, all they can do now is maintain the port blockade, at least preventing the other side from leaving the port is one way.

But tonight...

"We just received an urgent telegram from the Navy."

Barnes looked toward French, the commander of the expeditionary force.

"They want us to prepare for landing."

"play one more time?"

Commander French frowned at Barnes's words.

"I will not send my lads to their deaths unless the fortress complex is breached."

"We have just received word that the Third Fleet and the Thistle Knights will be coming to reinforce us."

"The Third Fleet?"

Upon hearing this, Commander French paused for a moment.

"I remember they were assisting the Duchy of Tiris in defending against Krant's attack?"

"We just received news that they have annihilated Krant's vanguard legion and are currently heading towards Port Drei."

"Annihilate them? Impossible!"

It must be said that when Commander French heard this news, his first reaction was that it was impossible.

"Is the Third Fleet made up of air combat ships?"

"Yes, the Third Fleet is mainly composed of the Cyclops and armored airships."

"How did they annihilate the vanguard legion? I remember intelligence indicated that the vanguard legion had a total of 120,000 men?"

"I don't know the specifics, but that's what the Navy told me."

Barnes shook his head.

"Isn't that amazing?"

"It's truly amazing..."

Barnes was also curious about this news. Even if the airships were in the air and the enemy couldn't hit them, the enemy wasn't crippled; they wouldn't just stand there and take a beating. If they couldn't win, couldn't they at least run away? Annihilate them? They couldn't possibly be standing there in formation letting them attack them.

Yes, that's pretty much true.

Two hours later, General Howe and Li Wei finally arrived and joined up with the Fifth Fleet and the First Expeditionary Force.

Li Wei also learned firsthand intelligence from the reports of both sides.

"In other words, the Kingdom of Krant has guarded Port Delai very well."

"Yes."

Commander French began to speak.

"Both sides of Port Derlai are steep cliffs, and they have built a large number of fortifications on these cliffs. Moreover, Port Derlai is not a deep-water port, and it is difficult for large warships to penetrate into it. They can only land by assault boats, but they cannot advance in the face of such firepower."

"It's a big problem that the fleet's artillery can hardly damage its fortifications."

"In that case, it would be difficult for an air raid to destroy the fortifications."

Levi glanced at the port of Derley before him and frowned. Kron, aside from his exceptional skill, was truly a master of tunneling. Their fortifications were mostly modified from the cliffs beside the port, and even naval cannons couldn't flatten those cliffs, even with bombs…

To be honest, it is indeed difficult.

Ok?
Just then, Li Wei looked at the map and suddenly thought of something.

"I say, would this work? The enemy has clearly concentrated most of their forces on this side of the port. Could we use airships to transport our soldiers to the other side and launch an attack from the rear?"

Upon hearing Li Wei's suggestion, the three of them were taken aback and then fell into deep thought.

"That's one way... from the rear? But what if the other side requests reinforcements..."

"Wasn't the vanguard legion closest to here already wiped out by us?"

"what!"

Upon hearing this, everyone finally realized what was happening.

Indeed, the vanguard legion has been wiped out, and there are currently no reinforcements available near Port Derley. Even if the enemy were to call for reinforcements, it would be difficult for them to arrive in a short time. This is why the Admiralty ordered General Howe and Li Wei to come to the rescue immediately, as they are the closest to the location.

"However, airships can only transport a limited number of people and cannot carry too many mechs."

General Hao calmly pointed out the problem: more people could be brought along, but it was a different story when it came to mechs.

"No, it should be possible."

Commander French's eyes lit up at that moment.

"We can have the Third Fleet bombard the enemy's military camps and mechanized battalions, destroying as much of the mech equipment as possible. This will greatly reduce the obstacles the assault team will face!"

"I can order the fleet to bombard the fortress complex, which will at least tie down the military forces in the port."

Captain Barnes also made a quick decision.

"The Sky Eye can provide cover for the assault team."

Li Wei perked up now, realizing that the Eye of the Sky was clearly more suitable than the Cyclops for providing cover within the town. This reminded him of his experiences in the game, and he immediately became excited. "However, I require the commando team to maintain constant contact with us."

"Isn't it supposed to be coded telegrams? Radio communication?"

Commander French was somewhat surprised.

"That's right, it's more convenient and faster this way."

"But there is a possibility that we could be eavesdropped on by the enemy..."

"I'm not afraid of them eavesdropping."

Li Wei said, "I have the eye of the soul, so why would I be afraid they'll run away?"
"Then it's decided."

Commander French didn't give it much thought. Speed ​​was of the essence in war, and he understood that the Navy's order for the Third Fleet and the Thistle Knights to rush over and provide support was to seize the moment. After all, even if the Kingdom of Krant knew of the Vanguard Legion's defeat, it would still need time to regroup. In the current gap, Port Dray was isolated and without support. If they didn't seize the opportunity to take Dray, it would be a delay in the war.

"The operation will begin in one hour."

It's already 3 a.m., and there's not much time left until dawn.

Port Delai was originally just an ordinary commercial port until the Kingdom of Krant decided to transform it. However, due to its unsuitable terrain for large warships, it was ultimately developed into a fortified complex to protect the port. It primarily served land warfare and didn't have many warships.

The port is flanked by steep cliffs, but the interior is flat and easy to navigate, making it ideal for transportation. However, because it was originally a commercial port, there are no walls or anything like that, making it relatively easy to invade.

According to the operational plan, the Fifth Fleet would first attack the fortress from outside the port, making it appear as if they intended to force a landing in Dley Port, thus tying down the forces already stationed there. The Third Fleet would then bombard military targets in Dley Port, causing as much damage as possible. Meanwhile, a commando unit from the First Expeditionary Force, under the cover of the Sky Eye, would launch a surprise attack from the rear, first capturing the city hall and command post, followed by reinforcements attacking the port fortress complex from the other side.

After all, these fortresses were only for external defense; they probably never considered defending against enemies behind them.

only……………

"Please stay outdoors as much as possible and don't go into the tunnels, because it's troublesome and I can't provide cover."

Yes, the tunnel warfare of the Kingdom of Krant is really annoying. Those burrowing moles are incredibly troublesome, and Levi can't handle them. He has a feeling that if things continue like this, the Kingdom of Krant might focus on developing its underground technology. If that happens, even with [Soul Vision], Levi won't be able to use it; even the Eye of the Sky can't burrow underground, right?
According to General Howe, many of the soldiers of the Duchy of Tiris died fighting in the tunnels. The enemy was quite skilled in tunnel warfare, and sometimes they would even dig fake tunnels to mislead the enemy. Sometimes, even when there seemed to be only one path, the enemy would suddenly launch an attack from a hidden tunnel on the side, resulting in heavy losses.

It seems that the Kingdom of Krant has indeed made considerable tactical preparations.

Tick, tick, tick.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Captain Barnes looked at the pointer on his wrist pointing to the top, then looked up and gave the order.

"Attack initiated!!!"

With Captain Barnes's order, the nearby warships' gun turrets all turned and aimed at the fortress, and then... a barrage of cannon fire erupted.

"Boom boom boom boom!!!"

Accompanied by flashing flames, piercing alarms echoed over the Port de la Riviera fortress. Soon, searchlights appeared, illuminating the surrounding sea.

"Here we go again? These imperialists really don't know how to give up."

The fortress commander frowned, listening to the surrounding cannon fire, and muttered to himself. The Imperial Navy had already repelled two previous attacks, and in the commander's view, the enemy was clearly determined to launch another attack under the cover of darkness. But what was the point?
"Notify the artillery group to open fire immediately upon detecting any approaching warships!"

"Yes!"

Perhaps the enemy thought the darkness would provide excellent concealment, but it was the same for them. The dazzling searchlights could perfectly cover the position of the artillery, while warships on the sea had no such cover. Once their position was locked, they would face certain death...

"boom-----!"

However, at that moment, the fortress commander suddenly heard a muffled sound coming from behind.

Wait, what about the rear?
"Go and see what's going on."

The fortress commander looked at his subordinates and gave orders, but before the latter could even leave the command post, a messenger rushed in, panting heavily.

"Report! The mech battalion is under attack!"

"How is that possible! The Empire's warships couldn't possibly reach that area!"

"It's an air raid!"

"An air raid?! I see!"

At that moment, the fortress commander immediately understood what the other party meant.

"No wonder those bastards launched an attack at night. Are they reinforcements? Immediately send a telegram to the vanguard legion requesting support! Also, launch air defenses..."

"Rumble rumble rumble..."

However, before the fortress commander could finish speaking, another violent explosion rang out, and a moment later, another messenger, covered in dust, rushed in.

"Sir! The air defense position has been destroyed!"

"what?!"

The flames and roaring sounds awakened the port town from its slumber. Lieutenant Lawrence raised his binoculars, looking at the thick smoke and flames rising from the city in the distance, and then picked up his walkie-talkie.

"This is the assault battalion. We have arrived at the designated combat location and are ready to launch an attack at any time. Sky Eye, please give instructions."

"Yeah, I heard that."

Hearing the communication from the ground while high in the sky, Li Wei spoke up, then stood up, walked to the observation scope, and reached out to grasp the handles on both sides.

"From now on, I will control the weapon system."

As Li Wei spoke, the observation scope slowly rose, and Li Wei gripped the handle—this is another feature of the Sky Eye. As the captain, Li Wei has the authority to manually take over the Sky Eye's weapon system whenever he deems it necessary, meaning that Li Wei can simultaneously perform the tasks of observation, aiming, and firing.

Li Wei looked at the ground through the observation mirror, and then activated Soul Vision.

In an instant, everything around turned completely black. Only the radiance of the soul shone brightly within it.

"The Eye of the Sky is ready. Operation begins."

(End of this chapter)