Chapter 15: The Incomparable Fleet
Darwinian Calendar Year 61632.
The Falmartian Orthodox Church was the oldest and most powerful religious institution in Falmart, they worshipped the twenty New Gods and Goddesses created by the Old God Falmart. Each deity possessed unique attributes and powers, shaping the lives and beliefs of the Falmartian people. Prince Zorzal had always been fascinated by their mythology and fervently admired their divine might.
The twenty gods included Emroy, the God of Darkness, War, Death, Violence, and Insanity; Hardy, the Goddess of the Underworld; Elange, the God of Knowledge; Duncan, the God of Blacksmithing; Miritta, the Goddess of Fertility; Wareharun, the Goddess of Trees and Forests; Flare, the God of the Sun and Navigation; Palapon, the God of Revenge; Zufmuut, the God of Light and Order; Deldort, the God of Covenants; Lunaryur, the God of Music; Ral the deity of Learning; Darwin, the God of the Sea and Storms; Aradia, the Goddess of Dreams and Prophecy; Seraphina, the Goddess of Healing and Restoration; Ignatius, the God of Fire and Volcanoes; Valerinau, the Goddess of Love and Compassion; Morriganda, the Goddess of Trickery and Seduction; Zephyrhills, the God of Messengers and Speed; and Aetheria, the God of Time and Moons.
It was these gods who created demigods, numbering two hundred and forty in total. The demigods served as apostles to their divine patrons and constituted the Sacred College of Cardinals, the supreme authority of the Orthodox Church. Their wisdom and influence reached far and wide, guiding the faithful and shaping the destiny of the world.
The brightly lit chamber of the Sacred College of Cardinals was filled with an air of anticipation. Prince Zorzal El Caesar, adorned in his royal robes, kneeled before the imposing figures of the demigods, members of the Sacred College. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows on the stone walls, as the voices of the gods echoed ominously.
"Prince Zorzal," boomed a voice that seemed to emanate from all directions, "you stand in the presence of the divine. The time has come for the Holy Darwinian Empire to rise once more."
Zorzal trembled, overwhelmed by the sheer presence of the gods. "Your Divines, I am but a mere mortal, honored to serve the Empire and the Falmartian Orthodox Church. How may I be of service to our cause?"
Emroy, the God of Darkness and War, stepped forward, his eyes shining with an otherworldly radiance. His voice dripped with malevolence as he spoke, "The darkness looms upon Falmart. A great peril threatens the balance of our world. The Goddess of Dreams and Prophecy has foretold this calamity and entrusted us with a mission of utmost importance."
Zorzal's heart quickened, sensing the weight of the imminent danger. "What must I do, O Mighty Emroy? Speak, and I shall fulfill your command!"
He nodded to Duncan, the God of Blacksmithing, who held a scroll containing ancient designs of colossal warships. "The Incomparable Fleet, once ridiculed as Tillman's Vanity Fleet, holds the key to our salvation. It is a fleet unlike any other, infused with sapient-metal and imbued with the power of our gods."
Zorzal's eyes widened in awe as he examined the intricate designs. "But Your Eminence, why was such a prodigious fleet deemed as a waste of resources in the past?"
Elange, the God of Knowledge, stepped forward to answer his query. "The Empire at the time deemed the Incomparable Fleet too extravagant, as its cost could have built a hundred regular fleets. But time has revealed the folly of that belief. With the impending darkness, we require a mighty armada to combat the impending doom."
Zorzal pondered upon their words and asked, "But how will the Incomparable Fleet aid us in this trial?"
A voice, smooth as flowing waters, resounded from the back of the chamber. It belonged to Darwin, the God of the Sea and Storm. "The Incomparable Fleet shall be your vessel of salvation. Using the might of the Incomparable Fleet, the Empire shall pierce the veil between realms and infiltrate the Borderland of Chaos. These demons, formidable as they may be, are not impervious to our divine strength. You shall steal the mountains of magic gems they hoard, unleashing a torrent of power that will enable us to replicate the Incomparable Fleet a thousandfold."
Palapon, the God of Revenge, interjected, his voice filled with a simmering anger. "They shall know the wrath of the Church and the Empire. We shall avenge our fallen believers and strike at the very heart of Chaos."
The room fell into silence as the gravity of their plan sank in. The Borderland of Chaos was a realm teeming with malevolence and ruled by 999 formidable Demon Princes.
Zorzal listened intently, his heart pounding with equal parts fear and excitement. He had always dreamed of embarking on grand adventures, of writing his name in the annals of history. Now, fate had granted him an opportunity to partake in a quest of unimaginable proportions. Zorzal, filled with determination, spoke, "I shall lead the Incomparable Fleet. We shall reclaim the magic gems from the grips of Chaos and bring them to our Empire."
Flare, the God of the Sun and Navigation, approached Zorzal with a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Prince Zorzal, the gods shall bestow their blessings upon you and your fleet. Arm yourself with unwavering faith, for misfortune shall accompany your journey. But with it, the light of our gods shall guide your path."
Zorzal bowed before Flare and the other gods, his resolve unyielding. "I am a humble servant of the Empire and the Church. With your blessings and guidance, I shall steer the Incomparable Fleet into the heart of Chaos and emerge victorious."
As the gods slowly retreated into the shadows, their voices echoed once more, "Go forth, Prince Zorzal El Caesar, and may the blessing of Falmart be with you."
Chipangu Sea, Darwinian Calendar Year 61639.
Prince Zorzal El Caesar stood upon the deck of the battleship HDES Andromeda, his heart swelling with pride. The massive living metal warship towered above the waters, its presence radiating power and dominance. The Holy Darwinian Empire had long been renowned for its naval power, but today marked a moment of unprecedented glory. Before him stood the result of centuries of ambition and determination, the Incomparable Fleet. This fleet, once derided as Tillman's Vanity Fleet, now stood as a testament to the might of the El Caesar clan and the Falmartian Orthodox Church. The Supreme Pontiff of the Falmartian Orthodox Church, Sika Madu, stood beside Zorzal, his demigod-like aura blending with the magical energy emanating from the ship.
Never had the El Caesar clan been bestowed with such an honor as constructing the strongest fleet to ever grace the Falmart seas. The Sacred College recognized the need for unparalleled strength in this era of uncertain times, and it was upon their command that the monstrosity fleet was born.
At the heart of the Incomparable Fleet lay the crowning glory, the Darwin-class superbattleships. Zorzal proudly proclaimed their specifications to his esteemed customers, his voice resonating with both admiration and authority. "Exactly 600 meters long, displacing 700,000 tons at full load," he declared, "the Darwin-class battleships are the second heaviest living metal ships ever grown by the living machine.
The assembled demigods marveled at the colossal size of the Darwin-class vessels. They were twice the length of the formidable Adamantine-class battleship and nearly nine times the weight. The living metal battleships sported the largest naval artillery ever fitted to a warship, twenty 920-mm naval guns housed in five quad turrets. Each gun was capable of firing 14-ton shells, designed to pierce even the sturdiest of armor. The ships also boasted a formidable secondary armament of sixty 280-mm dual-purpose guns in thirty twin-gun turrets along the superstructure.
Sika Madu's eyes widened as he felt the immense magical power coursing through the Darwin-class battleships. The living machine that comprised their hulls resonated with the energies of the sea god Darwin, granting them unparalleled strength and resilience.
"Breathtaking indeed, Prince Zorzal," the Supreme Pontiff muttered, his voice filled with reverence. "Such a display of magical prowess has not been witnessed since the Age of Monster. These warships shall ensure our dominance over the Chaos seas."
Meanwhile, the gunnery officers prepared for a grand demonstration of the devastating firepower of the Darwin-class battleships. Zorzal, eager to showcase the might of his fleet, ordered them to initiate the main guns' charging sequence.
"Charging the main guns!" announced one of the gunnery officers, his voice echoing across the ship.
"Path Dimension connection open! The Type 10 APFSDS shells are in," responded another officer, his fingers dancing over the control panel. The room's atmosphere seemed to shift as the magical potential surged through the room, resonating within the living machines.
The atmosphere grew tense as the officers meticulously prepared the battleship for its demonstration. The massive ship's living metal hull hummed with anticipation, as if eager to unleash its destructive potential.
"Gravity acceleration charge at 70%... 80%... 90%... 100%!" called out an officer, intently monitoring the charging process. The vessels' inner workings thrummed with augmented gravitational forces, amplifying the impact of their destructive onslaught.
"The main guns are now charged and at the ready," one of the officers confirmed, a noticeable tremor of anticipation in his voice. "Target data downloaded from the magical search radar. Support spells cast."
Through the flickering images on the radar, the officers downloaded target data, their focused expressions betraying a sense of meticulousness. The gunnery officers worked swiftly to align the battleship's immense firepower with their chosen target. The air crackled with magical energy as powerful spells were cast to enhance the efficacy of the impending bombardment.
"Countdown to mass salvoes: 10... 9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Firing!" Zorzal's voice boomed across the ship.
In perfect synchronicity, the battleship's enormous Type-109 rapid-firing guns erupted in a thunderous roar. Each cannon unleashed a relentless torrent of destruction, firing round after round of the extremely powerful Type-10 APFSDS shells.
The shells soared through the air, propelled by the Level 13 Gravity Acceleration spell enhancing their speed. They streaked across the sky at a staggering 1,700 meters per second, bearing the weighty burden of devastation. As the shells hurtled towards their target, the Level 5 Fly spell extended their firing range to a staggering 660 kilometers. No place was safe from the impending rain of destructive force destined to be unleashed. To add to their relentless assault, the battleships employed the Level 10 Time Acceleration spell, reducing the flight time to the target by 1024 times. Any hope of evasion or defense was rendered futile as the shells neared their destination with blinding speed. The APFSDS (Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot) shells, each weighing a monstrous 14 tons, carried within them an unimaginable destructive force. Their piercing capabilities were unrivaled, engineered to breach even the most fortified entities.
As Zorzal's words painted a vivid picture of this formidable fleet, excitement filled the air. The vision of an unstoppable force, fueled by both unmatched firepower and the power of ancient magic, captivated the minds of those present.
Sika Madu watched with awe as the sky darkened with the incoming barrage, his eyes reflecting a mix of fear and wonder. The might of the Falmartian Orthodox Church, embodied in the Incomparable Fleet, was unleashed with unabated fury.
The skies trembled as the first salvo of shells crashed upon the distant target, decimating it with overwhelming force. Explosions erupted, lighting up the darkened horizon as the shells tore through structures and entities alike.
Each of the Darwin-class battleships possessed 20 Type-109 rapid-firing guns, capable of unleashing a barrage of a thousand shells per minute each. The combined might of these super guns meant that a staggering 20,000 14-ton APFSDS shells could rain down upon the enemy every sixty seconds.
It was a sight to behold, the very embodiment of destruction on an unprecedented scale. The target, a distant island fortress, was quickly reduced to a smoldering, devastated ruin under the relentless bombardment of the Darwin-class battleships.
Zorzal, his chest swelling with pride, turned to Sika Madu, who stood beside him, his eyes wide with both awe and terror. The Prince's voice oozed with arrogance as he gloated, "Behold, Supreme Pontiff, the power of the Incomparable Fleet! No army, no nation, can stand against the might of our naval forces!"
Zorzal, basking in the reverence of his demigod customers, was eager to showcase the impregnable defense capabilities of his flagship, the Andromeda. "Let me show you the defense power of the Andromeda," he commanded the technical officers standing nearby. "Engage magic particles and strengthen our armor!"
In response to his orders, the Andromeda's armor was permeated with magical particles, instantly enhancing its strength. A bright blue, screen-like film materialized above the battleship, causing light to refract and distort, creating a mesmerizing effect.
The other Darwin-class battleships surrounding the Andromeda wasted no time, unleashing a relentless barrage of armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds from their 920-mm main guns. The magical particle membrane acting as a thick layer of explosive reactive armor shielded the Andromeda from harm. Despite their massive size and destructive potential, the 14-ton rounds harmlessly bounced off the main armor of the Andromeda, their energy sapped by the resilient barrier.
"The Darwin-class armor, when strengthened, is equivalent to 10 meters of RHA steel against APFSDS rounds and 14 meters against HEAT warheads," Zorzal proudly declared, his voice filled with triumph. The immense power of their fleet was now laid bare for all to witness.
Sika Madu, his divine eyes gleaming with admiration, spoke fervently. "Truly, Prince Zorzal, the Andromeda and her sister ships embody the indomitable spirit of our Holy Darwinian Empire. With such power at our disposal, none shall dare challenge the might of our nation."
"Indeed, Your Holiness," Sika Madu agreed, his voice resonating with deep satisfaction. "This fleet shall secure our dominion over the seas and bring glory to our sacred cause. The enemies of the faith shall tremble before it."
With a touch of pride, Zorzal turned his attention to the Cyclone-class super heavy aircraft carriers that supported the Darwin-class battleships. Forty of these colossal carriers, each stretching to a length of exactly 700 meters and displacing 875,000 tons at full load, were the heaviest living metal ships ever constructed, capable of launching heavy bombers into the fray.
"The Cyclone-class carriers are no mere vessels, Your Eminence. A marvel of engineering, they possess a dual-catamaran design, featuring two airstrips for launching and receiving aircraft," Zorzal explained, his voice tinged with excitement. "To defend themselves, they carry 14 twin 280-mm anti-aircraft guns on both the port and starboard sides, with an additional 12 on the command tower. We've also equipped them with 2 triple-510mm magic cannon turrets, positioned at the front and rear of the command tower, and 500 vertical launch tubes for missiles at the aft providing it fearsome offensive capabilities. Each carrier can accommodate 20 super heavy bomber-fighters, 400 supersonic interceptor-reconnaissance ornithopters, and 800 ultra maneuverable air superiority ornithopters."
Sika Madu marveled at the strategic prowess inherent in the fleet's design. "These carriers will strike fear into the hearts of our enemies. Tell me, Prince Zorzal, what is their speed?"
Zorzal's eyes shone with anticipation. "Both the Darwin-class battleships and the Cyclone-class carriers can reach astonishing speeds of up to 305 knots thanks to their latest anti-gravity cores, propelling the empire forward with unparalleled velocity."
As Prince Zorzal unveiled the grandeur of the fleet, a sense of awe and admiration swept over the assembled audience. The knowledge that such colossal machines roamed the Falmartian seas was a testament to both the power of the Holy Darwinian Empire and its unwavering devotion to the Falmartian Orthodox Church. With the unveiling complete, the preparations for the maiden voyage of the Incomparable Fleet commenced. The imposing warships and carriers, an amalgamation of ancient designs and modern technologies, resonated with an otherworldly aura. Their sleek hulls shimmered with an ethereal glow, captivating the imagination of all who beheld them.
As the demigods exchanged determined glances, a surge of hope washed over them. The path before them was treacherous, but their faith in their patron Gods would guide them through. With their collective strength, they believed they could overcome the looming darkness and protect the world they cherished.