Chapter 1398: The destruction of the Laines Empire Fleet in 1315
At this mont, the naval fleet of the Laines Empire had not yet been entirely annihilated, but their losses were colossal.
The foremost few escort fleets were nearly obliterated; destroyers and cruisers had sunk, and the accompanying supply ships were lost too.
All aircraft carriers of the main fleet had lost combat capability, and the escort vessels were in their death throes.
The subsequent transport fleet was even more chaotic; so fleets began to return ho, so ships waved white flags and fled, while others continued pressing forward as ordered.
The sea surface was littered with oil slicks, and lifebuoys, as well as bits of wooden debris, could be seen from ti to ti. Of course, the sailors standing at the ship’s side could also see corpses wearing life jackets.
There’s no way— not everyone who knew how to swim and wore a life jacket survived the torpedo explosions. So indeed survived, while others perished the instant the torpedo exploded.
Looking at these things, at the ss of fragnts and belongings left from the sunken ships, everyone remained silent.
Capsized lifeboats on the sea, along with so insulating panels, life jackets… proved that a mighty ship once existed here.
But now only these remnants were left, floating in the dark oil, rising and falling with the waves.
Over the radio, soone repeatedly announced surrender on an open channel: “This is the XX transport fleet! We have surrendered! Please do not attack! I repeat, this is the Laines XX transport fleet, we have surrendered, please do not continue attacking!”
Originally, this fleet comprised 40 ships, along with 3 destroyers escorting, setting out mightily, nearly concealing the formation’s end. But now only seven transport ships were left.
The three destroyers had just departed from the formation, annulled their escorting duties, and were ordered to return to the Laines Empire’s port, Brunas.
So transport ships also turned to follow at that ti, and these following ships were generally newer designs, launched more recently. They typically had a speed approaching 15 knots, enough to outpace submarines.
The remaining transport ships here were mostly old vessels, with speeds of just 9 or even 8 knots, unable to flee effectively.
So, they simply hoisted surrendering white flags, turned aside, running while awaiting their fate.
If the Tang people spared them, they would return all the way to Brunas; if they were captured, they would turn towards Dragon Island to surrender… and if attacked, they could only await death.
Sadly, the entire battlefield was filled with old transport ships, moving at seven or eight knots, loaded with personnel, equipnt, ammunition, and food supplies.
These ships moved slowly, and many were conscripted civilian ships, lacking the determination to strictly follow orders or corresponding obligations.
Seeing trouble, transport ships not yet in the warzone imdiately turned around to flee. After all, the electromagnetic interference of the Great Tang Empire did not cover the entire sea, and the news of submarine attacks was transmitted promptly.
As the battle continued, more and more warships sank, more and more transport ships sank, directly leading to the collapse of Laines’ fleet.
So ships received orders from ho to return, while others fled after hearing about neighboring fleet attacks.
The remaining ships either continued forward or turned to retreat, with chaos erupting in seven or eight fleets, rendering command ineffective.
In reality, as the fleet was on the brink of destruction, even the Laines Navy did not know where the flagship was.
They watched helplessly as the Emperor’s flag was lowered from the Laines aircraft carrier, yet did not see it raised on another warship for a long ti.
Originally, the Ice Crystal City Battleship was to take over as the new fleet flagship, replacing the Laines aircraft carrier. Unfortunately, before Laines I could board, the Ice Crystal City Battleship was hit by missiles, severely damaged.
As a result, Laines I could only remain on the Laines aircraft carrier, waiting for another battleship to co alongside. But soon after, the Laines aircraft carrier was struck by two anti-ship missiles, causing a minor secondary explosion.
The violent explosion and the ship’s tremors terrified Laines I, almost causing him to faint, but he was supported by the guard captain, who helped him to a safer cabin at the stern to rest.
After barely recuperating, Laines I did not wish to stay on the Laines aircraft carrier for another mont. He wanted to leave, to leave quickly, to find a safer location.
To be honest, he had been unlucky nurous tis in his life. When he was still king, the Suthers Kingdom nearly captured the capital.
Later, with the Great Tang Group’s support, he beca Emperor, yet he wielded no power. After many years, he finally grasped control over the Empire, becoming a true Emperor.
But now, he faced another crisis, and this ti, he might even lose his life here.
“I don’t want to die!” he shouted fiercely in his heart. Even if he returned to Laines in defeat, he could continue being Emperor, lingering a few more years.
If he died here now, all his power and wealth would belong to his son! It wasn’t fair! He hadn’t enjoyed enough yet!
“Your Majesty! The Laines cannot hold on much longer! We must leave! Leave quickly!” The guard captain anxiously suggested.
He had just seen so soldiers from the stern anti-aircraft gun positions helping to control the fire. The warship had begun to list, which they could feel at the stern.
The people sent to contact Blomayer for rearranging a warship to pick up the Emperor hadn’t returned yet, either perishing in the recent secondary explosion or blocked by the fire.
They had no way to leave now, as outside the portholes, the Ice Crystal City Battleship was hit again. The Tang Army’s anti-ship missile went straight through the Ice Crystal City – a terrifying sight, and now no one dared to even suggest making a dash for the Ice Crystal City.
“How about we head back to the bridge first?” suggested an attendant following the Emperor.
The guard captain imdiately rejected this suggestion: “No way! The explosion just happened there, if we go now, and there’s another secondary explosion, who will ensure Your Majesty’s safety?”
“Then, why don’t we board the small boat first! Waiting here… is not an option!” The assistant, timid as a mouse, couldn’t bear to wait here any longer.
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