Chapter 425: Before the Battle

"Miss, is that how you think?"

Oliver asked with a smile: "Then miss, do you think your younger brother will definitely lose to them?"

Jennifer's breath caught slightly. She wondered, will Andre definitely lose? Given today's situation, that might not be the case—

She then shook her head, suppressing the thought: "Have you investigated that news story? What's the real situation?"

"It's true. I called a few friends, and they all sensed the magic tide of legendary falls in the city—six times!"

Oliver's eyes glimmered: "Now the security department of Rising Sun Group is at war with the Dragon Witch Cult nationwide, and they're achieving remarkable results. Your brother, his power is growing stronger."

Jennifer said no more, turned, and walked out of the lounge: "Let's go. In ten minutes, it'll be our turn."

Oliver sighed and followed close behind Jennifer.

'Wiltonstein Castle' was the location of the magic energy array controlled by the Wiltonstein family. Four hundred and fifty years ago, they built a massive militarized castle here.

From here, they would next head to the Dark World, to the military base Jennifer had named 'Serenity'.

"Miss, I really don't think this is a good idea. You've only been using the Dragon Vein Stone and Prometheus's Blood for less than ten days. I think it's best to consolidate. A lord-level Blackwing Demon Wolf is too much for us. We need at least a few main battle tanks."

"But I have no other choice, do I?"

Jennifer gripped the Oath Sword at her waist, her gaze resolute: "This is my last effort, Oliver—"

As she spoke, she saw a young man ahead, surrounded by a large group of armed personnel, emerging from the 'Array Hall'. When he saw Jennifer, he chuckled: "Oh, isn't this cousin Jennifer? I heard you're about to go bankrupt. That can't be true, can it?"

Jennifer ignored him, walking past without a word.

The young man shook his head: "So cold—two weeks ago when you asked me for money, you weren't like this. Oh, I forgot to mention, my haul from the Dark World this time was pretty good. I made at least twenty million gold shields, so I finally have some idle funds. Want to consider it?"

Jennifer suddenly stopped, glancing sideways at him, her eyes blazing with fury, seemingly on the verge of eruption. But when Oliver slightly turned to block her view, she regained her composure.

"Sharnold, I'll remember what you said today."

And as her figure stepped into the 'Array Hall',

Sharnold Wiltonstein, the young man, sneered disdainfully: "Look, the bark of a loser—"

"Who says otherwise?"

A middle-aged man beside Sharnold added: "What is your mother thinking, Sharnold? I think she might side with her brother. She's a bitch, still a bitch even after a blood change. She's just lulling you."

"I know."

Sharnold laughed heartily: "But I don't think that Andre can be her support. That guy, he's doomed, you know? Someone told me he won't be able to come back from the Antoria Continent."

Just then, his mobile phone rang. Sharnold answered it with some confusion, and his face turned slightly cold.

"Sharnold, Calvin, our cousin Calvin, he died near the airport. I think the killer is likely that Andre."

...

On the evening of the meeting with Old Luo and the others, the atmosphere in the fleet had become strange.

More than one shipowner sought to meet Li Mochen; some were appeased by him, others left in anger. Then every ship began urgent preparations for battle.

Li Mochen was not unaware of the undercurrents beneath the fleet's surface, but he didn't care much. He had said what needed to be said; if these people chose the wrong path, he could do nothing about it.

At this moment, Li Mochen was not afraid of internal turmoil. With the destroyer First Dawn, ten armed ships, plus three from Franks, three from the Targaryen family, six from the Lynden family, and twelve from Old Luo and his allies, his share of power within the fleet was considerable, nearly half. Add to that Wang Daina's group, who served him under a Styx contract. He could ensure no internal problems arose; even if someone rebelled, he could suppress it immediately.

Given the current situation, these shipowners dared not leave on their own. So many pirate ships would not reason with them; the outcome of being alone was obvious, even a fool could see it.

So Li Mochen calmly began to adapt to the sniper position Anthony had prepared for him. It was still a temporary demiplane space, but Anthony had put much more effort into it than Lind had at the time, and was willing to spend money.

Not only was this space very stable, but it also had a magic energy array embedded inside, which could double the lethality of his firearms.

Then there was the 'Light Magic IV' that Anthony had modified for him. Its energy output was now more stable, and it was better suited for using firearms. The richest man had also personally helped him optimize the 'Pseudo-Dragon Might', using particle-level micro-manipulation to correct the precision of the magic array and the gun barrel.

At nine o'clock in the evening, the First Dawn, now on high alert, launched two 'Ancient Demon Axe' missiles in succession. These satellite-guided magic cruise missiles could attack ground targets or be used for anti-ship purposes. However, the ones Li Mochen bought were a downgraded version; their original range of 2,300 kilometers was halved, and the warhead and explosive charge were only two-thirds of the original. Fortunately, their terminal penetration speed was still astonishing, reaching Mach 60 under the magic array's propulsion, and they could perform evasive maneuvers. Even a legendary marksman would find it difficult to intercept them.

Thus, the results were quite gratifying. The two targets illuminated by the fire-control radar at 350 kilometers were both sunk or destroyed.

Brigadier General Wallace Clayton's ability as a level 20 'Magic Energy Shooter' was well applied to these two magic missiles.

Shortly after, white fog began to spread over the sea, and large amounts of chaff were scattered in all directions, jamming the First Dawn's radar.

But Brigadier General Clayton still boldly launched a second wave of 'Ancient Demon Axe' missiles, this time seven in number, all aimed south. About half a minute later, their side's magic mages observed the results.

Four hits, two ships sunk; the other three were destroyed by the enemy's legendary experts.

"They won't probe anymore; that would only cost them more ships. Unless they launch a general assault, covering their battleships at all costs for a close-range attack, or they're confident we can't locate their ships' coordinates."

Brigadier General Clayton assured Li Mochen with a cold smile: "These pirates have many ships, but they can't afford too heavy a price."

His confidence came from the large number of 'Ancient Demon Axe' missiles Li Mochen had brought.

The price of this downgraded missile was as high as one million each, but this time Li Mochen had brought as many as 320 on board.

Of course, the First Dawn's magazine couldn't hold them all; most were distributed among three other cargo ships. So how to quickly load and unload the missiles was a major problem, determining the First Dawn's combat effectiveness.

But at a distance of 400 kilometers, Brigadier General Clayton was confident he could severely damage one of the three major pirate groups: Gray Wolf, Blackfire, or Battle Axe!