Chapter 43: Leviathan

My bad I was too busy yesterday, so here are yesterday's and today's chapter.

Sorry and enjoy~.

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Orlan United States Territorial Waters, Eastern Continent Route.

On the calm ocean, a fleet of four large cargo ships, all fully loaded, sailed at full speed.

Each cargo ship bore the large white seagull emblem, identifying the fleet.

This fleet belonged to the Tian'ao Group, the only mega-corporation among the five major conglomerates of the Orlan United States Zhuhai Commercial Association that could operate between the Eastern and Western Continents.

At noon, under a clear sky, two young men were having lunch and talking in the luxurious dining room of the lead cargo ship.

One was dressed in a white Orlan Navy uniform, looking calm and composed.

The other was short and plump, dressed in luxurious clothes but with a fawning expression.

"I've told you, I can't agree to such a long-term commission. You'd get the same answer in any port," said Zhao Rui, the young port commander, shaking his head as he put down his chopsticks.

The short, plump man's face fell. He anxiously said, 

"Brother Zhao, you're like my elder brother. Considering how many commissions I've introduced you to, please help me out this time. Otherwise, those old men on the board are sure to strip me of my director's candidacy!"

Tears almost spilled from the worried face of Sun Dewang, who was desperately pleading with Zhao Rui.

Sun Dewang was not an ordinary businessman.

As he mentioned, he was one of the director candidates for the Tian'ao Group.

However, there were at least seven or eight candidates currently, and he was one of them, now on the verge of being eliminated.

"Ah… Old Sun, it's not that I don't want to help you."

Seeing Sun Dewang almost in tears, even Zhao Rui, as the port commander, looked troubled.

"Admittedly, the Tian'ao Group is the closest among the five major conglomerates to our Navy, and I've always been grateful to you."

"But you are part of the Zhuhai Commercial Association, and recently, Sirens have been attacking frequently. The missions from the command have been getting tougher and tougher."

Zhao Rui sighed deeply and looked at Sun Dewang before continuing, 

"You remember that Siren attack on your passenger ship a few days ago, right? Even with two destroyer shipgirls escorting it, it nearly got wiped out by Sirens."

Mentioning this, the flabby skin on Sun Dewang's face seemed to twitch.

He certainly remembered, as the attacked passenger ship was under his charge.

The ship's captain abandoned the passengers and fled during the attack, which led to fierce criticism from other director candidates and media backlash.

As the main person in charge of passenger transport, he faced harsh criticism from the board members.

Had it not been for the timely rescue by a powerful but unpublicized port commander, resulting in no casualties, his director candidacy might have been immediately revoked.

"The Navy strictly prohibits us port commanders from working with conglomerates. Only due to the unique management situation in our port are we allowed some leeway."

"Usually, as long as no shipgirls are injured in our escort missions, the higher-ups don't interfere."

"This time, Old Hong's two prized shipgirls almost got sunk by the Sirens. With the escalating Siren threat, every shipgirl's loss is a huge blow to the Navy."

"I've heard the Military Police have already detained him for a typical punishment."

"Being able to accept such a short-term commission with you is already pushing the boundaries."

After saying this, Zhao Rui took a breath and patted Sun Dewang's shoulder in a gesture of consolation.

"It's not that I don't want to help you; I'm in a tough spot myself."

"That damn captain, damn it!"

Sun Dewang slammed the table in frustration.

Thinking of the captain who abandoned the ship, he was infuriated.

If the captain had stayed, the situation could have been managed.

But the irresponsible captain's escape exposed the Tian'ao Group's credibility, drastically lowering it.

Tian'ao Group monopolizes maritime transport, and the other four major conglomerates were eyeing it closely.

In particular, the war industry group, located on the Eastern Continent like Tian'ao Group's headquarters, began planning maritime aviation and saw this as a long-awaited opportunity for a backstab.

Looking at Zhao Rui, who was around his age, Sun Dewang knew that the decision was final and sighed deeply.

Had it not been for the Sirens blocking all routes between Orlan and other countries, Tian'ao Group would have been the largest transoceanic conglomerate globally.

Now, Tian'ao Group has become the weakest among the five major conglomerates in Orlan.

Just as Sun Dewang was about to speak again, the ship suddenly tilted sharply.

Before they could react, the ship was filled with loud alarms.

"Enemy attack? Is it the Sirens?"

Sun Dewang's face turned pale instantly, while Zhao Rui steadied himself by gripping the table as dishes scattered everywhere.

"Even if it's the Sirens, it should be fine. My main fleet is here…"

Before he could finish, deafening explosions and cannon fire erupted outside.

"Let's go, check it out!"

The massive cargo ship rocked violently on the ocean, seemingly on the verge of capsizing.

The sounds of cannon fire and explosions continued.

When they reached the bridge and looked outside, they were stunned.

A monstrous, dark-colored beast from the abyss, blocking the fleet's path, was towering over the water.

Its body was taller than the several dozen-meter-long cargo ships, with seaweed-covered green tentacles thrashing wildly in the ocean.

Its gaping, toothy maw emitted a chilling roar, and its eight crimson eyes were fixed intently on the small figures attacking it from the sea.

"How could this… Leviathan?"

Zhao Rui's face also changed, unable to believe his eyes.

Sun Dewang recognized the terrifying creature and shouted, 

"It really is Leviathan! I… I can't believe it. Aren't these things supposed to lurk in the deep trenches of the Saint Lothar nation? How did it end up here?!"

The Leviathan's massive and hideous form, like a monster from the abyss, exuded an evil aura.

To their shock, its thick hide barely sustained damage from the shipgirls' cannon fire.

Several aircraft circled above, dropping bombs on the beast, but it seemed unharmed.

"Use torpedoes and smoke bombs, everyone retreat! We can't handle this thing!"

Zhao Rui immediately pulled out his communicator, anxiously issuing orders to his shipgirls.

The massive, towering tentacles were like huge steel whips. Even shipgirls in their gear would be severely injured if struck.

Sun Dewang panicked, grabbing Zhao Rui and trembling, "What do you mean? Are we abandoning these four cargo ships?"

Zhao Rui shook off his hand, gripping his shoulders and shouting, "Are you insane? Is cargo more important than lives?"

"As far as I know, only the 'Holy Judgment' of the Saint Lothar nation can drive away these Leviathans."

"Without battleship shipgirls or large-caliber cannons, it's impossible to fight Leviathans. My fleet only has light carriers, light cruisers, and destroyers. I can't send them to their deaths!"

After saying this, Zhao Rui, face full of despair, ordered Sun Dewang, "Get all crew members onto the lifeboats immediately. If you're late, no one will escape…"

While they were speaking, the enormous Leviathan raised all its massive tentacles, seemingly blocking half of the sky's sunlight.

Under the shadow of this gigantic creature, both the cargo ship and the shipgirls in their gear seemed as insignificant as ants.

The deep-sea monster was like a demonic deity, ready to crush any humans daring to challenge it.

"Commander, run away!!!"

The anxious cries of his shipgirls came through the communicator. Zhao Rui, in despair, looked up at the massive tentacles blocking the sun and sat down, giving up on escaping.

In just a few seconds, this Leviathan, which shouldn't have been here, would crush both the ship and its occupants with its tentacles.

There was no escape now.