Reincarnated with the Country System

Chapter 77 The Devil Whales Emerge and The Third Fleet

Many ships were moving in the sea. It is the newly built third fleet of Bernard Empire which has a total of 37 naval vessels. The flagship of this fleet is the USS Independence, a light aircraft carrier. The ship measured 888 feet in length and had a beam of 108 feet, with a displacement of approximately 13,000 tons when fully loaded. Independence was equipped with a flight deck that could accommodate a variety of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, and reconnaissance planes. The carrier was armed with a combination of anti-aircraft guns, including 5-inch and 40mm Bofors guns, providing a defensive capability against enemy aircraft.

The aircraft carrier was positioned in the centre of the fleet, while at the forefront sailed the Musashi, the most powerful ship in this fleet. It is renowned as one of the most formidable vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It is a Yamato-class ship designed to project naval power and was armed with heavy armament. The length of this ship is 1,032 feet, and it has a beam of 121 feet, with a full load displacement of approximately 73,000 tons. Also, this ship is equipped with nine 18.1-inch (460 mm) main guns, which were among the largest naval artillery pieces ever mounted on a warship, as well as numerous secondary and anti-aircraft guns. The battleship's armour was designed to withstand significant damage, making her a formidable opponent in naval engagements.

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Admiral Harrington sat behind his cluttered desk. A half-empty ashtray sat beside a stack of reports, the remnants of his last cigarette still curling in the air.

The door swung open, and Lieutenant Commander Sarah Mitchell, a sharp and determined officer in her early thirties, stepped inside.

"Admiral, we have just received information. A group of monsters has been detected 27 nautical miles from our current position," she reported, her voice steady despite the urgency of the situation.

Admiral Harrington's brow furrowed as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. "Tch! These monsters are not going away. We have conducted three clearing operations so far, but they have not yet been cleared from the sea."

"Admiral, there are reports that these monsters are coming from outside the sea. Also, according to the Leviathan Research Institute, the reproduction rate of some monsters is alarmingly fast."

Harrington nodded. He stubbed out his cigarette, "How many monsters are there in total?"

"Admiral, our radars have detected 120 Devil Whales," she replied.

"Okay, tell the fleet to turn in that direction. We need to clear the entire area," Harrington ordered his tone firm.

"Yes, sir," Sarah saluted sharply and turned to leave, the door clicking shut behind her.

Harrington leaned back in his chair, the weight of command pressing down on him. He knew that the safety of his fleet and the surrounding waters depended on swift and decisive action. The monsters would not wait, and neither could he.

He stood up, straightening his uniform as he moved to the window, gazing out at the vast expanse of the sea. The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange glow over the water, but the beauty of the scene was lost on him. All he could think about was the impending confrontation.

After a moment, he turned back to his desk and activated the communication console. "Bridge, this is Admiral Harrington. I want a full briefing on the fleet's readiness status and an update on our weapon systems. Prepare for immediate engagement with the Devil Whales."

"Aye, Admiral," came the crisp reply from the bridge officer.

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With the order given, the entire fleet began to manoeuvre toward the monsters' location.

As they approached the designated coordinates, the radar screens lit up with blips, confirming the presence of the Devil Whales. The monstrous creatures breached the surface, their massive bodies glistening in the fading sunlight. Blood-red eyes glared menacingly from the depths, and their razor-sharp teeth glinted ominously as they surfaced, exhaling great plumes of mist.

(Devil Whales were classified as average A rank monsters. They were as big as blue whales, but what set them apart was their unique features: their eyes were blood red, their teeth were razor-sharp, and their bodies were sleek black. Their skin, as hard as steel, provided formidable protection. Known for their aggressive nature, these creatures were notorious for their insatiable appetite, relentlessly pursuing and devouring anything that crossed their path.)

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"Admiral, we have visual confirmation of the Devil Whales," Lieutenant Commander Mitchell reported her voice steady but laced with urgency.

Harrington's jaw tightened as he surveyed the scene from the bridge. "Prepare to launch aircraft. We need to assess their numbers and behaviour from the air. Maintain a safe distance until my next order."

"Yes, sir!"

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Everyone on the aircraft carrier's flight deck became busy as several Lockheed P-2 Neptunes prepared for takeoff. Crew members moved with precision as they signalled to the pilots. The roar of the engines filled the air.

[The Lockheed P-2 Neptune is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. It's a long-range patrol aircraft, the P-2 featured a distinctive design with a wingspan of 103 feet and a length of approximately 91 feet. It was powered by two Wright R-3350 radial engines. The aircraft was known for its impressive range of over 3,600 miles and a crew complement of up to nine personnel.]

As the first Neptune rolled forward, its propellers whirred to life, sending a gust of wind sweeping across the deck. The pilots communicated with the flight control team, who monitored every detail from their stations.

With a final wave from the deck crew, the first P-2 Neptune surged down the flight deck, lifting off gracefully into the sky. One by one, the remaining aircraft followed suit. As they ascended, the pilots adjusted their formations.

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Harrington turned his attention back to the radar. The blips were multiplying, indicating that more Devil Whales were emerging from the depths.

"Admiral, these monsters are coming towards us," a crew member reported.

"Maintain formation and prepare for engagement," Harrington commanded.

As the aircraft soared overhead, the pilots reported back, relaying information about the monsters' movements and behaviour. The Devil Whales were aggressive, lunging toward the ships with alarming speed, their massive bodies creating waves that rocked the vessels.

"Admiral, they're closing in!" Mitchell warned, her eyes fixed on the monitors. "We need to engage before they reach striking distance."

"All right, initiate defensive measures!" Harrington ordered. "Fire at will!"

The fleet erupted into action as guns and missile systems were activated.

The fleet shifted into a staggered line, with the Musashi, the pride of the fleet, at the forefront, flanked by destroyers and cruisers. The smaller vessels positioned themselves to provide cover, their anti-aircraft guns trained in the sky while their main guns were aimed at the approaching monsters.

The crew of Battleship Musashi worked with precision, loading shells into the turrets as they prepared for the first volley.

The Musashi's main guns roared to life, unleashing a barrage of shells that arced through the air, striking the water with explosive force. The shockwaves rippled across the surface, sending plumes of spray into the air. The destroyers followed suit, their guns barking in unison, creating a symphony of destruction.

On the other hand, The Neptunes released their depth charges, which plummeted into the water with a series of splashes.

The charges sank rapidly, and the pilots pulled up to a safe altitude, their eyes glued to the ocean below. Moments later, the sea erupted in a series of explosions as the depth charges detonated, sending shockwaves through the water. The explosions were so powerful that several devil whales were killed and injured, their dark blood staining the ocean and turning the once-green waters a deep, ominous black.

"Direct hits! The charges are effective!" one of the pilots exclaimed. "We've disrupted their formation!"

The fleet also continued to unleash a relentless barrage of gunfire, the Musashi's main guns booming as they targeted the nearest Devil Whales. The combination of aerial and naval firepower created a chaotic symphony of destruction, with the sea churning violently from the impacts.

"Admiral, we have multiple breaches in their formation!" Mitchell reported, her voice rising with excitement.

"Good! Shift the fleet to a staggered line ahead of the remaining monsters. We need to create a crossfire," Harrington commanded, his mind racing with tactical possibilities. "Destroyers, move to flank the remaining Devil Whales. Engage with torpedoes at maximum range!"

The destroyers swiftly repositioned themselves, their crews working in unison to prepare the torpedo launchers. As the ships manoeuvred, the Devil Whales, sensing the threat, began to dive and change direction, but it was too late. The destroyers unleashed their torpedoes, the projectiles slicing through the water with deadly accuracy.

"Impact in three... two... one!" a crew member shouted, and the ocean erupted once more as the torpedoes struck true, tearing into the sides of the massive creatures. The water churned violently, and the cries of the wounded monsters echoed across the battlefield.

"Admiral, we've taken out several monsters!" Mitchell reported. "But there are still too many left. We need to keep the pressure on!"

"Understood. All ships, maintain fire! Focus on the remaining Devil Whales and ensure we don't allow them to regroup," Harrington ordered.

The fleet's guns continued to roar, and the Neptunes circled above, providing aerial support. The pilots coordinated their attacks, diving low to drop more depth charges while keeping a watchful eye on the movements of the remaining monsters.

"Admiral, we have a large group of Devil Whales approaching from the starboard side!" a lookout shouted, pointing toward the horizon where the dark shapes of the creatures surged through the water.

"Reinforce the starboard flank! All ships, prepare to engage!" Harrington commanded, his heart racing as he realized the threat was more significant than anticipated.

The Independence shifted its positions. The destroyers moved in closer, their crews readying their anti-monster weaponry.

The fleet unleashed a devastating volley. Shells screamed through the air, striking the water with explosive force, sending geysers of spray into the sky. The Devil Whales, caught in the open, were battered by the relentless barrage, their massive bodies thrashing in pain.

"Admiral, we're seeing significant damage to their ranks!" Mitchell reported. "But they're still coming!"

"Keep firing!" Harrington replied, his eyes fixed on the chaos unfolding before him.

As the battle raged on, the Neptunes continued to drop depth charges, creating a deadly perimeter around the fleet.

"Admiral, we have a group of Devil Whales attempting to flank us from the rear!" a crew member warned.

"Reposition the fleet! Bring the rear destroyers to intercept!" Harrington ordered.

The destroyers quickly adjusted their course, moving to intercept the incoming monsters. As they closed in, they unleashed a barrage of torpedoes, striking the creatures with deadly precision. The water erupted in a series of explosions.

"Admiral, we're making progress! The remaining Devil Whales are starting to scatter!" Mitchell exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

"Good! Pursue and eliminate any that attempt to escape!" Harrington commanded, his determination unwavering.

The fleet pressed forward, the ships moving in unison as they hunted down the remaining monsters. The Neptunes continued to provide aerial support.

As the last of the Devil Whales fell beneath the relentless assault, Harrington allowed himself a moment of relief.

"All ships, report status!" he ordered, his voice steady as he took stock of the situation.

One by one, the ships relayed their conditions.

"Admiral, we've successfully neutralized the Devil Whales in our vicinity," Mitchell reported, her voice filled with pride. "The sea is clear."

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An unknown place, a mysterious figure loomed, shrouded in darkness and the flickering light from torches cast eerie shadows that danced along the stone walls. At the center of this space, a magic orb pulsed with a ghostly glow, illuminating the face of the man who observed it.

His eyes, as dark as the void itself, were fixed intently on the swirling images within the orb. A sinister smile crept across his lips, revealing sharp, protruding teeth that glinted in the dim light. The expression was both unsettling and predatory, a reflection of the malevolence that radiated from him.

"So these are the 'Iron Fear' of the Monstrous sea," he murmured, his voice a low, gravelly whisper that seemed to echo in the stillness of the chamber. The words dripped with a mixture of amusement and contempt, as if he found the naval fleet's efforts both laughable and intriguing.

He turned his gaze away from the orb, his smile widening as he looked back into the shadows behind him. There, kneeling on the cold stone floor, was a figure cloaked in tattered robes, their head bowed in submission.

"Yes, master," the figure replied, their voice trembling slightly, betraying a mix of fear and reverence. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation, as if the very walls were holding their breath, waiting for the next command.

The mysterious man's smile widened, "Interesting! Worthy opponents after all these years." His voice dripped with malice, each word laced with the promise of chaos. "Let us see how they fare against the darkness I have summoned. Prepare the next phase of our plan."