Luke stood on the bridge of the "Loyalty". In front of him and on the left and right were other ships of the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet. Under the cloud sails, the sailors on the deck prepared for the bombardment. One by one, the smoothbore cannons were loaded with powder and shells, and then pushed out of the gun ports.

However, the range of this type of artillery is very short, with a maximum range of less than 2,000 meters, which is more than three times the range of the main gun of the "Unit-01". Fortunately, there are many such smoothbore guns, with a warship carrying 30 to 40 guns. Once they are within range, bullets will rain down.

Luke picked up the telescope, activated the Thunder Fire Boy and observed the Brilliant Island in the distance. The "Loyalty" continued to bombard the sea in front of the port of Brilliant Island. Although the splashing water columns were not dense, they made the port area more chaotic.

Anyone who makes a living at sea knows what this range of artillery fire means. Not to mention that no ship at sea can fight against a ship equipped with artillery of this range, even the coastal defense artillery of Brilliant Island can only passively take the beating when facing this kind of artillery.

As long as the enemy has enough artillery shells, they can block all the firepower of Brilliant Island and target the targets in the port and the island one by one.

Now all the people on Brilliant Island can do is to try their best to start the ship and leave here. Even if they can't run away, they must stay away from the berthing area of ​​the Saxon Engineering Fleet.

The Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet was waving warning flags while speeding towards Brilliant Island. The two steam airships following the fleet passed the fleet and flew towards the palace on the top of the mountain on Brilliant Island.

Lady Tassia stood beside Luke, staring through a telescope at all the targets on the island that might threaten their fleet.

"Chief Inspector, we have entered the firing range of the Brilliant Island Coastal Defense Battery, and the enemy has not attacked."

In the entire Brilliant Island waters, there was no other sound except for the "Loyalty"'s bombardment from time to time. 5,000 meters was the limit of the range of Brilliant Island's land-based artillery, and there was no movement in the artillery turrets guarding the port.

Luke said: "Baron Jeff is a smart guy. The fleet continues to move forward and concentrates all firepower to attack when it reaches the attack position, leaving no chance for the Saxon engineering fleet."

"Yes, Chief Inspector." Lady Tasia gave the order through the pipeline communication system, and then said to Luke worriedly: "I still suggest that you and the Loyalty stop at the edge of the maximum range of the coastal defense battery of Splendid Island. I will go to the Coral Reef and lead the fleet to close the attack."

Luke knew that Lady Tasia was worried that Splendid Island could not withstand the threats and offers from Saxon Engineering.

Although the "Loyalty" has strong defensive capabilities, if the opponent is lucky enough to hit an important position, the iron battleship will still be severely damaged.

But Luke said calmly: "If the Loyalty stops, the chances of Splendid Island attacking us will only increase. On the contrary, as long as the Loyalty keeps charging, it will rush into the port of Splendid Island.

I think the smart Baron Jeff will be able to withstand all the pressure."

Mrs. Tasia asked in confusion, "Why?"

Luke looked at the island getting closer and closer and said, "The army doesn't need to know why. You just need to lead the fleet to win this war."

"Yes, Chief Inspector."

As the distance shortened, the four Adonis-class steam warships in front of the Cape District Anti-smuggling Fleet launched artillery fire at the Saxon Engineering Fleet that came into range. The fleet continued to advance, and it was necessary to fully exert the firepower of the entire fleet, and the artillery range should be within one thousand meters.

The warships of the Saxon engineering fleet were still lying on the dock, with thick smoke coming out of the chimneys of some of the warships. They wanted to move out to intercept the approaching surprise attack fleet.

Shells fell from the sky. The densely parked ships made the hit rate of the artillery fire extremely high, and as long as the shells were fired, they would always hit something.

The deck was filled with panicked sailors, many of whom abandoned ship and ran away from the dock.

In the palace on the top of the mountain, Baron Jeff stared at the fleet coming from the sea with a telescope. His eyes were full of the shining metal warship, and his eyes seemed to fly through the telescope.

"It's so beautiful! I'm going to buy one no matter how much it costs."

The old butler came to Jeff again: "Master, Captain Jonas is still waiting outside. He said..."

Jeff turned his head and looked over: "What did he say?"

"If you do not rescue his fleet, you will completely offend Saxon Engineering. You will lose all your privileges in this sea area, and the cabinet will push the Empire to take back Splendid Island and build it into an Imperial Navy base."

Faced with this threat, Jeff had to reconsider his position.

He asked the butler, "If my father were still alive, what would he do?"

"Always be on the side of the winner. When you don't know who will win, stay neutral."

Jeff laughed and said, "It sounds easy, but it's hard to do. Now I have to make a choice, but who will be the winner?"

The old butler looked towards the ocean.

The all-metal steam battleship actually increased its speed and moved from the rear end of the fleet to the front of the fleet, like a charging knight with unstoppable momentum.

"Master, do you think there is anything on the ocean that can stop this battleship?"

"One on one, no. But using some special tactics, or concentrating a large number of warships to siege it, we can still defeat it."

"What if it's not just one ship, but a fleet of these warships?"

Jeff looked back at the all-metal battleship.

"I understand what you mean... An all-metal warship is not scary. What's scary is that the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet doesn't value it. The Cape District of Nutao City must have mastered its manufacturing technology and is able to build it in large quantities.

Brilliant Island belongs to the ocean, and we must have good relations with those who master this technology.

Please ask Captain Jonas to come."

The old butler was a little puzzled: "Master, what do you mean..."

"The view here is wide. Captain Jonas won't be able to go back to the fleet anyway, so why not admire this warship that opens a new era of the ocean here? I think Saxon Engineering can understand our difficulties... If they can't, it won't be good for them.

Brilliant Island is mine, no one can take it away from me."

After the old butler figured it out, he said happily: "The master will definitely be able to earn more wealth than the old master."

Jeff took a sip of his wine and said, "I've already earned more than him. The airship of the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet is coming soon. Please ask the people on it to come here as well."

"Yes, Master."

After a while, Captain Jonas, led by the butler, came to the terrace. He was shabby and absent-minded. After anxiously taking a look at the situation in the port, he ordered Jeff: "On behalf of Saxon Engineering, I demand that Brilliant Island immediately attack the invading enemy fleet."

Jeff brought a glass, slowly poured the wine into it and put it into Captain Jonas's hand.

"Captain, the enemy is the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet, which is affiliated with the Secret Affairs Bureau of Nutao City. Brilliant Island's attack on them is a betrayal and declaration of war against the Empire."

Captain Jonas threw the glass off the terrace.

“No matter how powerful the Secret Affairs Bureau of Nutao City is, they will not attack the fiefdom of the Imperial Baron at will. The attacking fleet is not the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet at all. They are pirates pretending to be pirates.

Eliminate them and protect the assets of Saxon Engineering, and Brilliant Island will receive rewards that you dare not even imagine. Baron, do not try to anger Saxon Engineering. The Prime Minister of the Imperial Cabinet, Lord Gabriel, will never watch the Saxon Engineering fleet perish. "

"Calm down, Captain Jonas." Jeff waved his hand to let the woman sitting on the throne leave. He sat down and drank, his face showing drunkenness: "Look at the sea carefully. Do you think that even with the support of Brilliant Island, your fleet can avoid the fate of destruction?

If I ordered my men to attack the fleet at sea, the shells from that all-metal steam battleship would have hit me in the face. It's not that I won't help you, but I can't protect myself either."

Facing Jeff's evasion, Captain Jonas said, "You name the price!"

"This is not about money, my life is priceless."

Captain Jonas took a step forward and tried to threaten again, but the old butler immediately stood between him and Jeff. He warned, "Captain, please recognize where you are!

And you are facing a baron who was personally appointed by Emperor Augustine, so don't be disrespectful."

Captain Jonas had no choice but to retreat. "I'm sorry, Baron. I beg you to give me support again. Saxon Engineering will definitely compensate you for all your losses and reward you for your contribution."

At this time, two airships flew over and landed under the command of the palace guards.

Jeff said, "Inspector General Meteor's men are here. Let's first listen to their purpose."

"But..." Captain Jonas looked towards the port. The Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet was approaching very quickly. Moreover, the warships converted from merchant ships were turning and aiming their broadside guns at the Saxon Engineering ships on the dock.

Jeff stopped talking and just drank his wine.

He quickly drank a bottle of wine.

A group of spies in Secret Service uniforms came over, led by Kylena.

Kylena saluted Jeff and said, "Good day, Baron. I am Kylena, the confidential secretary of Chief Inspector Meteorite of the Secret Affairs Bureau of Raging Waves City. I am here to negotiate with you on the orders of the Chief Inspector.

The purpose of our military action this time is only to threaten the pirate fleet in Cape Port, and we have no intention of offending Brilliant Island.

After we destroy the pirates, the Secret Affairs Bureau of Nutao City will give us full compensation for the damage we have caused."

After that, Kylena presented her ID and the official document signed and sealed by the Secret Affairs Bureau of Nutao City.

Jeff looked at the beautiful Kylena for a few more times, then took the document and looked at it carefully.

Jonas looked at Jeff nervously. If he admitted that the document was true, he would have to bear the responsibility that the fleet on the sea was the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet. Brilliant Island could not openly attack the fleet of the Imperial Secret Service for a private fleet.

After reading it, Jeff handed the document to the housekeeper, and then asked Kylena: “Is it only compensation?”

Kailina smiled and said, "I can't agree to the other conditions. But our chief inspector is on the Loyalty. He will go to the island after the battle to discuss with you the next joint maritime military operation between Fishbone Island and Brilliant Island."

"He's on the 'Loyalty', the all-metal steam battleship?" Jeff was a little surprised by Meteorite's arrival, but he still did not acknowledge Meteorite's identity.

"Yes! The 'Loyalty' is the first ship of the 'Unit-01' class battleship designed by Chief Detective of Meteorite and built by Yinbul Shipyard. As soon as the 'Loyalty' was completed, it was transferred to the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet to participate in the military operation to eliminate pirates.

After this long-distance voyage and actual combat, the Yinbul Shipyard has improved the design of the 'Unit-01' class battleship and can accept orders for mass production. "

Kaileena seduced Jeff according to Luke's instructions.

Sure enough, Jeff couldn't help but pick up the telescope and look at the "Loyalty" on the sea. Only then did he understand why this all-metal battleship was so dazzling.

It turned out to be built in a hurry and not even painted.

One can't help but marvel at the boldness of the Meteorite Chief Inspector, the reliability of the design of "Unit-01", and of course the powerful shipbuilding capabilities of the Yinbul Shipyard.

The more Jeff looked at it, the more he liked it and wanted to own it.

However, even if the technology of the "Unit-01" class battleship is mature and can be mass-produced, it is not something that can be purchased on Brilliant Island.

You can’t buy it even if you have money.

Under normal circumstances, it would take more than ten years... or even several decades before you could own such a warship.

Jeff thought of what Kylena had just said.

"You said that Chief Inspector Meteorite wanted to talk to me about... the next joint maritime military operation between Fishbone Island and Brilliant Island?

What military action is this?”

When Jeff called out "Chief Inspector of Meteorite", Captain Jonas closed his eyes.

At sea, the Cape District Anti-Smuggling Fleet launched a full-scale bombardment on the Saxon Engineering Fleet. More than 30 ships and hundreds of various artillery pieces fired at once, pouring tons of shells at the stationary Saxon Engineering ships.

Everyone in the port watched this one-sided massacre and saw the shining "Loyalty" up close.

This was the first time that an all-metal steam battleship appeared in a naval battle.

Kylena also saw the scene in the port. Even though she didn't understand naval warfare, she could see that the advantage was on her side. Next, it depended on whether she could eliminate the last possible danger for the Chief Inspector.

I will not let the Chief Inspector down.

Kaileena showed her confidence and the aura of an imperial spy and answered Jeff: "We are imperial spies, and all our actions are to maintain the stability and security of the empire. Now the ocean controlled by the empire is facing challenges from all sides.

Chief Inspector Meteorite believes that not all maritime affairs need to be handled by the Imperial Navy. Private maritime armed forces can play a greater role in safeguarding the Empire's maritime interests..."

Kaileena's words stopped here, because this was all Luke said to her.

But to Jeff's ears, it was a broad blueprint.

How did old Jeff get rich?

It was the opportunity seized by the Empire's invasion of the Rio Republic.

The rapidly developing Rio Republic is speeding up its naval construction, and Brilliant Island has long felt the pressure from Rio.

The Chief Inspector of Meteorite is the eldest princess's man. His intention is obviously that the empire intends to support private maritime forces and suppress the growing strength of the Rio Navy on the basis of maintaining normal diplomatic relations with Rio.

Jeff said to Captain Jonas, "Captain, I am very eager to meet with Chief Inspector of Meteorite. Can you surrender first?"