In the vast expanse of the ocean, three massive battleships cruised forward, their heavily armed structures radiating an aura of unyielding dominance.
The sheer force of their presence sent ripples through the surrounding air, their engines roaring with a resonance that seemed to command the elements within a radius of several miles.
The powerful sound waves even unsettled three colossal creatures lurking beneath the ocean's surface, their movements growing restless under the oppressive vibrations from above.
However, amidst this show of technological might, inside the fleet at the front, tearing through the ocean while creating a buzz of announcements and alerts reverberating inside the main control room.
Alert: Superior-class vessels detected.
Five battleships of unknown origin have entered range, 990 miles distant.
Energy signatures exceed current fleet power ratings by 37%.
Classification: Dominant.
Threat level: Critical.
Immediate tactical reassessment required.
"Sergeant, this seems to be coming from the direction of the Jade Dominion," the radar operator informed his superior, a mix of machinery and humanoid shape with arms and most of the body clearly made of technical parts.
"Hm, are they static or moving?"
Standing just behind while gazing at several screens was a bulky figure appearing to have a head of a tiger with the body of a muscular human.
Added with stitches and mechanical parts, it appeared to be a combination of machinery, beast skin, and human.
Given the intimidation exuding from its body, the figure appeared to be the chief of the army currently present inside this battleship.
Hearing the response from the handler, he inquired whether those battleships detected by the radar were static or moving, as it could mean that they were either heading towards enemies or simply present there.
"Sir, they seem static," the handler reported once again.
His eyes narrowed as he entered some commands, noticing that they weren't showing any movement.
However, it was clear that those battleships were on standby, indicating that if anything entered their radar direction, they would not hesitate to fire.
This prompted him to look back at the chief.
This sound wave forced most of the soldiers inside to cover their ears and fall, given that they appeared to be a mix of beast skin, human, and machines, as if some kind of experimentation had been conducted on them.
They fell one after another before the commander turned towards the window, pointing his hand toward it and declaring, "We are under the command of Angelica Devereaux!
Don't forget it!"
The commander declared, causing those fallen to once again remember that behind them was someone strong enough to command the entire Jade Dominion, let alone that they should fear mere demonic cultivators.
They were not the weak humans or beastkins from the past, but rather enhanced versions of themselves, bestowed with power by their master, Angelica Devereaux (*Aunt of Ryuk/Sister of Alisia Devereaux).
"W-we understand."
Finally gathering their strength, they slowly rose, given how that roar had affected their enhanced hearing, particularly that of the beast skin.
However, their bodies, being a combination of human and mechanical, allowed them to recover and stand, showing how 60% of their bodies were made of mechanical parts and the other 40% was a mix of human and beast skin to enhance their strength.
"Now we are turning the ship—SIR!!"
The one handling the ship informed how they were switching direction and taking a detour.
Suddenly, he noticed several red marks, like dots—dozens of dots, coming from a certain direction at a distance of 2000 miles away.
His hands trembled as, due to the advanced systems of the battleship and radar, they were able to detect ships even from that far.
However, noticing the number of dots heading in their direction, the handler instantly called his commander.
"Th-this?"
The chief, who seemed strong enough while motivating his subordinates, trembled the moment he noticed a dozen ships as red dots heading in their direction, with clear energy signatures indicating their race.
This caused an instinctive fear to rise in him, deeply etched in his memory, as before receiving the blessing from his master, he had been nothing but a source of food for that race.
He clenched his jaws as he revealed the name of those to whom the ships belonged, "V-VAMPIRES!?"
"Kugh!"
Not only the commander, but most of them who had memories of that race, which they had once stockpiled as food supplements, clearly winced as the instinctive fear etched into their minds seemed to overwrite their strength. Even though they had been manually enhanced after several experiments, memories of that day continued to flood back one after another. The thought of waiting to become food for that race made them tremble.
"Th-this!? They are the elite force of the Bloodmoon Clan!"