Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 226 Technology and Magic: Ruthless Operation - The First Ship's Amazing Sea Trials
Everyone has their own blind spots, and Chen Mo is no exception.

Standing on the deck of the "Qiming" ship, gazing into the distance, the azure sea and sky seem to move backward at a seemingly gentle pace at the edge of my vision.

The relative motion of such a giant reference point can easily give people the illusion that the speed is not very fast, just like sitting on a high-speed train and watching the distant horizon and mountains slowly rotate.

Immersed in the expansive feeling brought by the voyage, Lord Chen Mo was not particularly aware that the fleet, with its sails fully extended thanks to modern technology, had reached a rather exaggerated speed.

As a high-level warrior, Liu Shuang has a very keen sense of the external environment.

Moreover, with her eyes covered and free from visual interference, she was perfectly aware of the speed at which the "Qiming" ship beneath her was traveling south.

Logically speaking, a magic-based class like the Tidebringer, which doesn't rely on physical strength, shouldn't be able to keep up with the speed of a ship just by wagging its tail in the seawater.

And that is indeed the case. Every so often, this tide sorcerer would leap out of the water, unfold the membrane behind him, and glide across the sea at high speed with an elegant posture, as if gliding through the air.

Upon receiving Liu Shuang's reminder, Chen Mo immediately became interested. Faced with the sincere inquiries from these two "good friends," Xi Lan proudly showed off while stuffing sticky but not greasy little cakes into her mouth.

"We, the tide sorcerers of the sea race, all possess the ability to control the ocean. The waves can make us fly. Wherever there is water, we are dancers on the waves!"

Xi Lan made a spinning gesture and casually shared this little spell that lifted her out of the water with the lord.

Because the standard spell names are a bunch of tongue-twisting sea creature proper nouns, when Chen Mo sent the data back to Dongxia, Dongxia provided translations and annotations.

"Suggested name: [Flowing Waves], a technology for the dynamic extraction and conversion of water elements while moving near the water surface."

This unexpected gain suddenly filled the last crucial bottleneck technology for Dongxia. This dynamic water element absorption and guidance spell completely made up for the defect that "Ser Water Element Support" could only work on relatively static conditions.

The Sixth Institute of Eastern Xia Spiritual Energy has been dedicated to painstakingly analyzing magic circle technology and is almost turning it into their own signature skill. After receiving this latest information, they completed the large-scale development of the [Flowing Wave] magic circle in just half a month.

Next, with another major campaign spearheaded by the [Compassionate Voyage] Engineering Department, a new type of weapon that caused serious divisions within the Eastern Xia military was born.

From its appearance, its body is undoubtedly that of a warship, with a core length of 89 meters and a width of 11.6 meters. It is a light frigate of the fifth or sixth class in the Dongxia warship system.

On both sides of the hull, four wings with a total wingspan of over 42 meters were extended, and a tail fin was added to the stern. With the addition and modification of other internal equipment, its displacement jumped to 2,200 tons.

Oh no, I shouldn't say displacement, I should say takeoff weight.

It's stopped draining water now!
Overall, this is a masterpiece that integrates cutting-edge technologies from both the industrial and commercial sectors.

The experts from the Psionic Research Institute who were responsible for the report had eyes full of fervor.

"Because the length of the Tier 5 and 6 light frigates is just between that of the Flower-tailed Pigeon and the Caspian Sea Monster, many of our previous research results can be directly applied."

"As can be seen from the lower outline of the hull, we have made minor adjustments to the outer shell based on the prototype of the fifth and sixth class light frigates to better fit the aerodynamic shape of the ground effect vehicle."

"The original steam turbines installed on the hull have been replaced with laboratory-grade gas turbine generator sets produced by Western Heavy Industries. In addition to maintaining the operation of the warship's electrical equipment, the more important function is to output power to the new nested magic array in the middle of the warship—[Resonance]."

"This is a psionic synergy amplification array invented by Master Anthony Herrick of the Starry Sky World, and improved twelve times by the Seventh Psionic Research Institute. Its main function is to use electricity to amplify the output of psionic energy, greatly improving the efficiency of psionic crystal usage. The latest version of [Resonance] can increase the efficiency of mana crystal usage to 227%!"

"This amplified psionic energy will be supplied to the three magic application systems of the new Tier 5 and 6 frigates."

On the large screen at the scene, a cross-section of a warship was projected, with bright gold and light blue lines representing different levels of magic arrays extending from the bow to the stern inside the ship.

As the video presentation progressed frame by frame, the presenter's face glowed with excitement.
"The first system is a stabilization and protection system. This magic array system consists of two parts. One part comes from the 'Amber Force Field Anchor' technology purchased from the Magic Academy, which ensures the stability of the ship's structure under high speed and complex maneuvers. The other part comes from the 'Shield of Glory' obtained from the Rainbow Holy City of the Misty Moon Divine Court, which can deploy a magical defense rated as level three protection when needed!"

"The second system is the levitation support system, the 'Ser Water Element Support' from the Starry Sky Magic Academy, which will provide the new Tier 5 and 6 frigates with water element support up to 32 meters above the water surface."

"The third set is a water element absorption array, which is the [Flowing Wave] spell from the 'Sea Clan'. It has been optimized into a [Dynamic Flowing Wave Matrix], which allows the new Tier 5 and 6 frigates to still replenish elemental power to the 'Ser Water Element Support' array while moving at high speed."

"Finally, in terms of horizontal power, we have added twelve of the latest domestically produced Emei 30 engines, as well as two sets of high-thrust afterburning cycle hydrogen-oxygen engines for acceleration in emergency situations."

"..."

All attendees stared intently at the presentation on the screen, overwhelmed by a sense of witnessing history.

With a carrying capacity of several thousand tons, according to the data provided by the Psionic Research Institute, theoretically, as long as there is sufficient mana crystals, it can even lift tens of thousands of tons.

Because it is free from water resistance, the new Type 56 corvette is designed to fly at a speed of 580 knots, or 1,024 kilometers per hour.

It appears to be the work of a programmer.

In terms of weaponry, beneath this old hull, the Dongxia crammed in the latest radar, the most powerful fire control system, the fastest rapid-fire cannon, and the most powerful anti-ship missiles...

In short, this is a super weapon platform with the speed of an airplane and the hull of a warship.

Although it can only fight in environments with abundant water elements, such as close to the water surface, ice surface, snow, and swamp, you have to consider who its opponents are.

Bald Eagle, touted as the world's most advanced nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, has a speed of just over 30 knots. Even if you were to drive it ahead for a day, it would only cover less than 1,500 kilometers. A new Type 56 with a nitro boost could easily overtake it in an hour.

The naval commander sitting next to him couldn't help but make a small joke: "If we installed a ram on this ship, whoever it hits will be crippled, and whoever it glares at will get pregnant?"

The air force commander shook his head: "No need. Just fly close to the sea surface at full speed. The waves created by the airflow will be enough to give the enemy a hard time."

"Also, this is clearly our air force's ship, what do you mean by 'your ship'?"

The naval commander was furious: "Nonsense! Look, the hull number is still there. You're trying to rob us right after we pulled it out of our warehouse?"

"That's your old ship that's about to be decommissioned. Look at the Emei engines on it; isn't that clearly standard equipment for the Air Force?"

The Rocket Force immediately chimed in, saying, "If that's the case, then we get a share too!"

That's right, this is the source of the serious disagreement within the military: who should own this new weapon?
Chief of the General Staff Gu Liyang had already briefed and communicated with the leaders before the meeting, and now he stepped forward and stated directly: "The new weapon requires the strong support of the psionic system. So many magic array systems need to be activated, applied, and maintained. For now, you can forget about it."

"Place it under the military's psionic special forces for now, and then make the next allocation when the technology is fully mature."

The ownership has been put on hold for now, but there are still quite a few miscellaneous issues that need to be resolved.

For example, we can't just keep calling it "New Five Six" every day; it needs a name.

The General Staff and think tank offered several suggestions, and the top leaders discussed it in hushed tones before deciding on the ship type: ground-effect flight combat ship.

The current class is [Talang 061], and the lead ship is the first ship.

Next, there's the issue of sea trials.

"Due to security requirements, we conducted small-scale tests in a closed dock and short-distance tests at night." "After all, such a large warship, once it's out at sea, is hard to avoid being spotted by the enemy."

"Now that all indicators of the first ship, [Talang 061], have been verified, we request instructions from the highest command: should we continue the testing and operation under classified conditions, or should we conduct standard sea trials together with the fleet?"

Another round of whispers broke out among the leaders.

"Let's test it in Shanghai. To develop combat effectiveness, we always need to test it in complex environments."

"There's no need to keep some things hidden forever. We should quickly figure out the advantages and disadvantages of [Wave Riding], and then work on larger tonnage versions to create a weapon gap with the enemy. That's the greatest value we should actively strive for by utilizing these new psionic abilities and applications!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Initially, none of the countries paid much attention to this sea trial.

Although Earth is now filled with war and conflict, it exhibits a strange turn-based characteristic.

For example, in wars between countries, today you launch a wave of missiles, tomorrow I launch a round of drones; you smash my bed, I burn yours, and so on, in a well-organized manner.

For example, even though it is a confrontational military exercise, everyone will try to stagger the time, you on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, focusing on a remote confrontation, virtual target shooting.

Therefore, it's perfectly normal for Dongxia to respond with an exercise after the Bald Eagle, along with its henchmen like the Four-Clawed Sea Serpent and the Jasmine Griffin, had just staged a lot of noise but little action around Dongxia.

Anyway, it's always the same few warships, everyone's familiar with them. However, given that the fleet also has the leader with electromagnetic catapults, satellites passing through the exercise area still took a few moments to take a look.

Upon taking a glance, he spotted someone who seemed a bit odd.

A light frigate, which looked to be a class 5 or 6 light frigate, with four dragonfly-like wings spread out on both sides, sailed leisurely in the fleet. A group of destroyers protected the leading ship in front, while a group of destroyers protected the younger ship behind.

The heroes from all walks of life became slightly interested.

Overall, the exercise proceeded uneventfully, involving artillery fire, cruise missile firing, launching one or two anti-ship missiles for target practice, and the aircraft carrier leading the way by flying its carrier-based aircraft. It was not much different from previous exercises.

On the penultimate day of the exercise, the exercise segment for the No. 1 ship, "Treading the Waves," began.

Sunshine, thin clouds, gentle breeze, and ocean waves.

The steel behemoths of Dongxia deployed in a massive goose-shaped formation, and the command ship issued a clear instruction: "Attention all units, the first sea trial of the 'Talang 061' ship has officially begun. All participating vessels shall proceed to Area A according to the pre-arranged plan."

This exercise could be called: a frigate's solo breakthrough.

After the escort fleet group with the aircraft carrier at its core took its formation, the first ship of the 061-class destroyer, which had been just going through the motions until today, finally "stood up".

The generator starts, the [Resonance] magic circle starts, the [Ser Water Element Support] starts, the [Dynamic Flow Matrix] starts, the [Amber Force Field Anchor] starts...

The powerful water elemental force gently yet firmly lifted the more than two thousand tons of steel behemoth upwards. The first ship, the Wave-Treading 061, swayed gently, as if supported by several invisible feet on the water's surface, and thus stood up and entered a state of levitation.

Its massive hull was completely detached from the water, hovering about ten meters above the sea! Because the absorption of water elements is a gentle action, there were no surging waves or loud noises; the whole process even had a wonderful sense of lightness.

With a roar, the first ship began to move and accelerate!
The ship's wide wings firmly gripped the air cushion generated by the ground effect, while the scorching airflow from the twelve Emei engines at the stern distorted the air, propelling this nearly ninety-meter-long steel behemoth into the exercise area at an ever-increasing speed.

It hovered in the air, leaving behind not the usual V-shaped trail, but a wide and short white waterway plowed by immense pressure, which was then smoothed out by the airflow brought by the high speed.

"My God! What did Dongxia release?"

"Report—Report immediately!!!"

The heart-wrenching screams echoed throughout every corner of the major power's intelligence agencies.

The exercise, or rather the performance, of the first ship was actually very short, but the leaders of the entire planet who were urgently brought out couldn't sleep.

The area around the Octagon, where the bald eagles were seen, was instantly blocked off. The poor pizzeria owners were jolted awake by the abrupt phone calls and rushed to their shops in a daze amidst the furious warnings.

The high-definition images captured by the satellite were played repeatedly on the big screen, causing the pupils of everyone who saw them to contract violently.

As the highest-ranking military officer in charge of the bald eagles and the head of the War Department, Walter Paul's face was ashen and his eyes were bloodshot. He roared repeatedly, "What's the speed? Have you measured it? What exactly is the speed?"

"Five hundred knots, at least more than five hundred knots, possibly even more; it has change of direction maneuverability!"

Is it a new type of large aircraft?

"No, it's a warship, a frigate from Dongxia! The kind that's several thousand tons, I've checked it dozens of times!"

"F**K!"

"Why don't the intelligence agencies just die? They can't find anything, they know nothing, and they spend billions of dollars every year just to stuff women's pants?"

"Quickly! Report to the President immediately! Red alert!"

"The President... the President already knows! He just updated his social media!"

Walter slowly turned his head: "What did he say?"

His subordinate nervously handed him the tablet. On the screen was the president's familiar, highly personalized account update:

"The Dongxia people stole our technology and launched cute little toys at sea. Our generals spend a trillion dollars in military spending every year, but they can't even build a single ship that can fly."

Those damn parasites who only know how to organize transgender marches and partisan strife have been holding me back, which is really terrible!

I have ended nine wars and saved many lives. If I had full power, we would have had a better plan and a greater warship! We would have made Dongxia submit.

Only I can end this humiliation and restore the white eagle's glory!

Walter Paul felt his blood pressure spike instantly. He pressed his hand tightly against his chest, which was throbbing with tightness, and breathed heavily for a long time before he managed to swallow back the angry curse that was about to burst out.

I closed my eyes wearily, took a deep breath, and when I opened them again, all that remained in my eyes was clarity.

Walter reached out, picked up his phone, unlocked it, logged into his social media account, and then, with slightly trembling hands, sent the President's latest message...

I gave it a thumbs up!

He replied with a row of smiley faces, raised hands, and bowing emojis, fully expressing his sincere respect for the President!
　Thank you so much to the patron of 【Book Sea Rolling By】! Thank you so much!
　　I'll work on it this afternoon and try to add another chapter tonight.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)