Navigator: I Have a Legendary Exploration Log

"The rats have come out of their holes..."

Upon hearing the reminder from the megaphone, Cheryl, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them.

At this moment.

The Return Home ship is rising and falling with the waves.

The Brilliant Turbine is currently in idle mode.

Because they had already arrived at Maro Island.

They just didn't get close.

Looking from afar.

That small black dot on the horizon is Maro Island, a transportation hub located between Simon Island and Gran Island.

This location is in the waters surrounding Mara Island.

As long as you avoid them in time, you won't encounter other ships.

However, if one is determined to track them, one can quickly locate and catch up with other passing ships.

soon.

Lucar opened the cockpit door and Buck stepped in.

"position?"

"Chai Lisi asked succinctly."

"Southeast, about eight nautical miles."

Buck took out a palm-sized black compass from his pocket. Instead of an ordinary pointer, there was a slender crystal needle in the center of the dial.

now.

The crystal needle was pointing steadily in the southeast direction, emitting a faint, ethereal blue light.

"This is a spiritual tracking compass that resonates with the signal source placed on the target ship."

Buck explained, "As long as the distance is within twenty nautical miles, you can pinpoint the location accurately. Once it comes into view, you can confirm it visually."

"It was a converted medium-sized cargo ship, painted dark red, with a blue and white striped flag flying at the top of the mainmast."

Buck walked up to the chart, pointed to a spot, and then drew a line.

"They are heading towards Gran Island, and at their current speed, they will pass through the open water ahead in about ten minutes."

Chalice glanced at the nautical chart and quickly projected the target's current location onto the chart in his mind.

He didn't rush to say anything.

They were simply gathering a lot of information in secret.

The windshield has been replaced with a clear and bright porthole.

The original piece of glass, which looked like it was "nearsighted," has been melted down and remade.

The weather conditions are pretty good today.

The customs were pleasant, visibility was good, and the sea had only slight waves.

This is good weather for sailing.

It's also a good time to kill.

"All personnel, to your battle positions!"

Chalice's voice was transmitted throughout the ship via the communication channels.

"First mate, maintain course, forward two."

"The chief engineer repeated the order: Advance two steps."

"Chief gunner, lead your squad to get to work. Load high-explosive shells into the main guns and armor-piercing ammunition belts into the secondary guns. Prepare to adjust firing data."

"Yes, Captain!"

"Understood, Captain!"

The Homecoming, which had been idling along, seemed to awaken from its slumber in an instant, and a flurry of footsteps echoed on the deck.

The gunners of the artillery squad quickly took their positions.

The barrels of the two Sea Serpent rapid-fire cannons behind the gun emplacement shields extended out of the gun ducts. The muzzles were adjusted to different angles, and the gunners took out the ammunition belts and began loading.

The 76mm Seahawk naval gun emits a slight hum when driven by a hydraulic system.

Thorpe personally operated the main gun.

The remaining gunners are on standby.

Cheryl stepped out of the cockpit.

The sea breeze ruffled his black hair as he raised his binoculars and peered southeast.

About five minutes later.

A dark red spot appeared on the dark green sea at the edge of the field of vision.

"Target spotted."

"The distance is about five nautical miles, and the speed is about twenty knots," Chalice shouted.

Buck walked over to him and raised his binoculars as well.

After a while.

He confirmed, "That's right, a dark red hull with a blue and white striped flag, a converted cargo ship... they're moving at full speed."

Chalice lowered his binoculars, his gaze gradually sharpening.

He returned to the cockpit, took the helm, and began to steer the ship himself.

Once the target is locked in.

Chalice could keep up with the other side without even looking at the nautical chart.

"Prepare to intercept, begin acceleration! Forward three!"

"Yes! Move forward three times!"

The magnificent turbine emitted an even more powerful roar.

The bow of the ship cleaved the waves with increasing force, and the speed of the ship increased significantly.

The Homecoming, meticulously refitted by Old Wright, was remarkably stable at high speeds. The comprehensive reinforcement of the keel and hull gave the Homecoming a level of durability comparable to that of a warship.

It can handle any speed change and turn with ease.

The distance between the two ships closed rapidly.

Four seas...

Three nautical miles...

Chalice was able to observe more details of the cargo ship with the naked eye.

The other side had obviously also spotted the Homecoming.

In open sea, it is almost impossible for two ships to approach at such close range without being detected.

"They've started to change course."

Wirtz, holding binoculars, reported, "There were no warning horns or attempts to communicate via flags; they changed course immediately upon noticing our approach!"

"There really is a ghost..."

Chalice remained calm. "Don't panic! The Homecoming has enough power and holds the advantage of its position. They won't be able to turn around so quickly."

As he spoke, Chalice reached for the throttle lever, preparing to go full throttle and pursue them.

but……

He hesitated for a moment and thought about it.

The order to "advance four" was not given.

According to the intuitive display on the nautical chart, the Homecoming's current speed is sufficient to reach the predetermined position before the target completely changes course.

If you push directly to the forward fourth gear, full speed sailing will actually reduce the margin for error.

After all, Chalice didn't expect the gunner to score with a single shot.

On the undulating sea, the gun mount is also unstable.

At least two calibrated shelling shots are needed to roughly determine the firing data.

Unless the shells have eyes and can track themselves automatically.

But that would have to be an artillery piece with an exceptional kit...

The distance continues to shrink.

Two nautical miles...

One nautical mile...

There was already a noticeable commotion on the deck of the target ship; sailors were running back and forth, and some were pointing at the Homecoming and shouting loudly.

Chalice frowned slightly.

He thought he saw a small-caliber cannon on the hull of the target ship.

This is bad...

Even though Cherries generously transformed the entire hull into an armored shell, it still couldn't guarantee absolute protection against artillery fire.

If the opponent poses a long-range threat, then Chalice wouldn't mind sinking them directly.

A slight sense of psychological uncertainty and shame was far less important than his own life, and even less important than the iron plate of the Return Home ship...

"Target the stern! Main guns ready!"

Chalice shouted into the communications pipe: "Don't wait for them to fire before you retaliate, enter firing range and fire immediately!"

"If the enemy retaliates, immediately activate the secondary guns for suppressive fire and destroy the target!"

Chalice looked at Thorpe at the bow of the ship, raised his arm, and gave him a thumbs up.

Cherries had great faith in this "veteran" gunner.

Although this was the first combat engagement and the first artillery battle after the Homecoming was armed.

But Charys showed no tension whatsoever; instead, he entered a state of almost cold concentration, like when hunting a giant whale, focusing his mind on the "prey" before him.

As Thorpe at the bow of the ship raised his arm and waved it in a circle, Cherries immediately understood his intention.

This is a request for permission to fire.

Without any hesitation, he gave the order himself.

"Main gun! Fire!"

Everyone in the cockpit held their breath.

After a brief silence.

bang——

The muffled cannon fire caused the entire ship, the Homecoming, to tremble slightly.

The 76mm cannon vibrated, spewing out a fleeting flash of fire and smoke.

A high-explosive shell shot out of the cannon barrel at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, tracing a nearly straight trajectory through the air.

At such a close distance, there's no need for a parabola.

Chalice stared intently at the blurry black figure.

The extraordinary being's powerful vision allowed him to capture the blurry trajectory.

Although it's difficult, at least we can see a little bit.

The shells accurately hit the sea surface near the stern of the target ship.

A brief dip appeared on the surface of the sea, followed by a splash of water.

Then the water burst open!

"boom!!!"

A massive fireball exploded near the stern of the target vessel; the transport ship's hull simply couldn't withstand such explosive devastation.

The wooden hull was torn apart!

Metal parts inside were flying everywhere!

The target vessel has visibly slowed down.

Obviously!

Although the shot just now did not hit the hull, the shock wave successfully destroyed the turbine located at the stern!

Chalice's face lit up with joy, but he quickly composed himself.

The matter is not over yet.

That ship may have lost power, but it hasn't lost its firepower for a desperate fight...

……