Chapter 905

Episode 905: The Imperial March (8)

The Livorno naval port began to move busily after receiving the message from Bhikkhu.

“It says it’s a large fleet, but I don’t know exactly how many ships there are! Clear the marina! Gather all the tugboats and oarsmen you can find!”

“yes!”

Following the port commander’s orders, the tugboats began to move busily.

* * *

The military port of Livorno had piers of various sizes built so that ships could dock according to their size.

However, the docks have rarely been operated for their intended purpose.

The imperial front lines patrolling between Livorno and Prince Henry’s Port were mostly small galleons or carracks, and there were more merchant ships anchored there than at the front lines.

And the merchant ships lined up and anchored at the longest and widest pier among the piers built at the military port.

“If you dock your ship at the longest pier over there, it’s easy to unload and load!”

“that’s right! “The crane and potter’s wheel on this dock are the biggest!”

“Easy to get in and out!”

* * *

Because of this situation, not only the tugboats that had gone out to sea on their turn, but also the tugboats that were taking a break, had no choice but to rush out.

Luminous signals and flags were constantly fluttering from the high watchtower built at the dock mooring, and tugboats attached to large and small commercial and military ships and towed them here and there to clear the dock.

While the tugboats were busy moving, the Imperial Military Band, which had been staying at the Imperial Military Garrison in the military port, began moving to the dock.

The military band, dressed in cleanly washed and properly stringed uniforms, checked their instruments once again and departed for the dock.

* * *

By the time the uproar had subsided to some extent, the squadron that had gone out on patrol in the morning returned to the port.

pop! Puff! pop!

A signal shingle was fired into the sky from the front line, and the military port commander, as well as military officers and signalmen on the dock, deciphered the signal without realizing it.

“...Imperial fleet... 22 ships... 22 ships? 22 ships!”

The commander, surprised by the number, looked back at his subordinates around him.

“Have you prepared enough seats?”

“yes!”

The adjutant who answered loudly looked back at the other military officers standing right next to him. The military officers responded as one to the unspoken command.

“There are enough seats!”

But inside, everyone was muttering the same thing.

‘Maybe...’

There was a reason why they were so unsure.

Even at our military port, it was rare for 22 large battleships, such as challenger-class ships or assault ships, to dock at the same time.

In most cases, the routine was to set anchor a short distance from the dock and then ferry boats would come and go to unload their crews.

The only time a ship was docked directly was to load or replace ammunition and food.

But this time was different.

The first was a fleet that came from Shinji across the East Sea – the Great East in the Empire and the Atlantic in Europe.

Since there were power lines coming across the ocean, it was clear that they were all large ships.

It was certain that the imperial troops and supplies to be stationed in Italy were being brought there. Therefore, we had no choice but to dock at a dock equipped with a large crane and a potter’s wheel.

These were the last ships to have completed their long-distance voyage. In order to properly check its condition, it had to be docked at the dock.

Therefore, the military officers in charge of maintaining the military port looked at the sea with eager faces.

‘Please...’

In reality, the tugboats at the military port were suffering to death.

Usually, even if a large merchant ship came in, it could be easily moved with 2 to 3 tugboats.

However, it seemed that the incoming battle lines could barely move if there were at least 6 ships attached.

“How are we supposed to pull that thing and move it...”

As if they knew that the tugboat’s oarsmen were in tears, the fleet’s front lines and transport ships were unloaded.

As ferry boats and tugboats worked together to pull the ship, power lines and transport ships began docking at the dock.

* * *

The first to dock at the dock were Heukgyeong and two assault ships.

“You also had a hand in the assault return line.”

The eyes of the naval officers who saw the assault return ship docked at the dock all brightened.

“Is that the rumored ocean-type assault return ship?...”

The docked assault return ship had a slightly longer and slimmer hull than the existing assault return ship. The bow also had a distinctive crown, but the bow beneath it was sharper and more pointed.

Most of the naval officers here had experience in long-distance sailing and had learned and experienced a lot about the shape and characteristics of hulls since their days at the military academy.

“I heard there is a possibility that a new ship type will be created because of that....”

“A new ship type?”

“There are rumors that several names are being mentioned. It is called a ‘jehaeseon (制海船)’ in the sense of dominating the sea... It is already too big to be called a ‘cruiser ship’ or a ‘ship’ just because it sails across the sea, so it is already too big. ), and there is talk that the name should be used....”

“Hmm....”

While the military officers were talking, the military band that was waiting began to play the ‘Imperial March’.

As the Imperial March began to play, all the military officers and sailors standing on the dock, starting with the commander, straightened their postures and looked at the assault ships and the black mirror docking at the dock.

Cooung.

With a dull sound, the docking of the assault return ships and the Black Guard ended, and soon after, the pier was connected and people began to disembark.

The imperial troops who got off the ship soon began to split into two. As the Imperial Navy, wearing white naval uniforms, and the Imperial Army, wearing green military uniforms, stood in a line, a middle-aged soldier wearing a thief’s rank insignia stepped forward.

“Welcome. “I am Ahn Young-gyu, the thief in charge of Livorno.”

“I am Lee Si-ae, a thief in command of the Imperial Army stationed in Florence. “Nice to meet you.”

Soon after, a naval thief got off the assault ship and approached.

“I am Song Il-won, a thief who commands the East Sea Cruiser Fleet. “Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Two people who would cause a stir in the Mediterranean and Europe had arrived in Italy.

* * *

Meanwhile, the arrival of the imperial fleet from New Zealand in Italy shook Europe.

“West?”

“I came across the western sea!”

“Those are large ships we’ve never seen before? “Have you misunderstood the challenger level?”

“what? “Is the challenger level the smallest?”

“what! “There are ships without sails?”

The naval officials of the European powers were confused by the imperial fleet appearing in the most unlikely direction.

“Wake! What has already appeared cannot be helped! “It is urgent to check how much power we have!”

As naval officials barely came to their senses and tried to send spies, bizarre rumors began to circulate among the general public in Europe.

-I came to Italy from the Land of Flowers, dragging sea monsters with me!

-In the Land of Flowers, there was a wizard who controlled sea monsters!

“Sea monster?”

The rumor spread, starting with fishermen in the Mediterranean region who saw a charging return ship crossing the Mediterranean Sea, emitting black smoke.