Claude watched the three Shiksan patrolling ships leave and breathed a sigh of relief.
During the two-and-a-half-hour inspection, it wasn't as if there weren't any transport ships that showed flaws. For example, some of the sailors were lazy and didn't clean up the mess left behind by the soldiers in their cabins the night before. Anyone with a discerning eye would've suspected that.
There were also a few transport ships that did not cover up the passageways leading to the cabins. It was easy to suspect that many people were entering and exiting the cabins. Not to mention anything else, just the exposed shiny floor of the cabin was a huge loophole.
Fortunately, Zeek managed to divert the attention of the Shiksan marines and the major. He used a few crates of fruit wine to indulge the soldiers and casually glanced at the approaching ships before waving his hand to signal that the inspection was over. That was how he managed to fool his way through.
When the three patrolling ships left, Claude and Zeek cursed the careless captains and sailors on the spot. They were practically playing with the lives of Thundercrash 1st Folk.
If the major and the Shiksan soldiers noticed something amiss, none of them would be able to escape.
Claude was certain that the cannons of the three patrolling ships were already aimed at the transport ships.
If any of the ships were exposed, it would be pointless even if Claude took the major and the marines as hostages. The three patrolling ships wouldn't let a big fish like the transport fleet go just for the lives of a few dozen marines. They would definitely open fire. All Claude could do was order the transport ships to rush to the coast and save as many as they could.
Fortunately, the two-and-a-half-hour inspection was over. Claude felt like he was on tenterhooks and almost had a heart attack.
He ordered every transport ship to do a self-inspection and clear away any signs that could expose them before setting sail again.
However, they didn't run into anything like that again in the next two days. Even when they did run into Shiksan patrolling ships, they only greeted them from afar before leaving.
On the 18th of February, Year 594 of the Sacred Light Calendar, the coastal transport fleet departed from Port Vebator and entered the Gulf of Loducus after sailing for eight days and seven nights.
The Shiksan supply base near Cape Loducus had already received news of the arrival of the Wild Bull Company's transport fleet, so they had left enough space near the coast to dock.
It was just that it was a little far from the main camp, but it was convenient for them to move at night.
Zeek and Claude steered their transport ship towards the docks in front of the camp. The ship was filled with high-quality food and some fruit wine, some of which were gifts for the Shiksan officers in charge of logistics.
The Shiksan logistics officers gathered at the docks and waited for the ship to dock before boarding. They hugged and greeted Zeek one by one.
Then, they went down to the cabin with practiced movements, dug out their gifts, and shouted for their guards to bring them to the carriages.
After the gifts were taken away, the Shiksan logistics officers got down to business with Zeek. Zeek had Claude take out the account book and introduced him as an accountant of Wild Bull Merchant.
What came next was to check the bill and haggle over the price.
That bargaining wasn't about the price of the goods, but how much the logistics officers could get in return for the price of the goods.
Soon, both sides came to an agreement. Everyone was satisfied with the doubled price. The only one who would lose out was the Shiksan treasury, who had to pay double for the goods.
After opening a few bottles of fruit wine to celebrate, the Shiksan logistics officers invited Zeek and Claude to a tavern in the city to celebrate.
However, Old Zeek refused. He said that it wouldn't be too late to go after he delivered the goods and received the payment tomorrow. He would treat them then. Tonight, he had to return to the transport fleet to keep an eye on the goods to prevent those greedy sailors from stealing some of the good goods.
On the way back, Zeek grumbled in Claude's ear that such deals would never happen again. Doing business with the Shiksans was really profitable. They paid really well and had a good reputation. Even if they lost out, it would only be a loss to the Shiksan treasury. Everyone would benefit from it.
However, after Thundercrash's attack, Shiksans would no longer be seen in the colonies on Nubissia.
Claude didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He finally understood why Wild Bull was able to do business so well with the Shiksans in Cape Loducus. Not only did the spies not reveal their identities, they even turned out to be experienced merchants.
With rich customers like the Shiksans, who wouldn't want to do business with them?
At half past eight in the evening, the three Shiksan warships returned to Cape Loducus and docked at the docking point of the Alliance's ships.
A large number of marines and officers from the Alliance swarmed down from the three warships and headed for the brightly lit Shiksan supply base.
"The Alliance has a total of 78 warships and 28 transport ships docked there, making a total of 106 ships.
Most of the navy officers and soldiers stayed in the main logistics base for the winter and didn't stay on the ship.
"Based on our observations, every ship has a small team of marines on duty. They stay on the ships for a day and only get off the ships at nine in the morning to take their turn.
"The same goes for the three warships. They take their turn every two days.
I heard from the officers and soldiers of the Alliance Fleet in the tavern that their captains would draw lots. Every time, they would draw three unlucky fellows, and the three unlucky fellows would be in charge of the next three cruises.
"The only good thing is that the three unlucky ones won't have to draw lots for the next three cruises. The hundred-odd captains draw lots every time and it's like a lottery. Many soldiers would crowd around to watch and make a ruckus.
"The cruises take two days each time and they have to spend a night at sea, so it's a tough job for the captains.
"It's said that one of the unlucky captains who drew lots paid 30 gold keptons to someone else to take his place on the cruises. He won quite a lot that night anyway.
However, his luck turned bad and he lost all his money in one night and ended up with a huge debt.
"So, the captains who drew lots would rather suffer at sea than hire someone else.
"You're really lucky this time. The three cruises will be returning tonight and we'll be able to capture the entire Alliance in one fell swoop.
"However, the docks where the Alliance ships are anchored are heavily guarded and no one is allowed to get close.
"There are a total of 13 trestles leading into the bay. Ten warships or transport ships are anchored on each side of the trestles.
"The ships are connected to the trestles by a net of ropes.
"There's a marine battalion stationed at the docks, but they're mostly holed up in the row of wooden houses. There's a small team stationed at the gate.
"They'll send four teams to patrol the trestles in the morning and afternoon. They'll also do it twice at ten at night and four in the morning. The rest of the time, there's no activity. They can't be bothered to move in such cold weather.
"I suggest you approach the docking area from the sea. The Shiksans aren't very vigilant about the sea. That might be because they're in the bay.
"If there's an attack, the lighthouse outside the bay will alert them and they'll have enough time to react.
"So, use a few small boats to row to the lower part of the warship and avoid detection by the Shiksans on duty. Then, you can climb up and take control of the warship easily."
The person relaying the latest intelligence to Claude and the other high-ranking officers of Thundercrash 1st Folk was the manager of the trading company in the city. He was also the head of the spies in the war zone. He left the city under the guise of taking over with the transport fleet and arrived on the transport ship Claude was on.
"Then, we can use a few transport ships to approach the docking area at night and use grappling hooks to get the soldiers to climb onto the ships. That way, we'll be able to take over the warships and transport ships," Berklin suggested.
Claude shook his head. "There's no need for us to do that. It's February now, the coldest season on Nubissia.
The ships anchored in the bay will have a thin layer of ice on their sides due to the moisture and cold weather.
During this period, the sailors on the ships will have to clear the thin layer of ice on the deck to prevent slipping.
"That's why using grappling hooks to climb onto the ships will only add to our troubles. The ice outside the ships won't be easy to use and we might even slip into the water.
"We can attack the docks from the front and wipe out the marine battalion hiding in the wooden dormitories. Then, we can climb onto the ships from the ropes connected to the bridges and wipe out the garrison.
Myjack, your tribe 131 will be in charge of taking the docks. Drivick, your tribes will assist Colonel Myjack in wiping out the Shiksan garrison on the warship. "
Myjack and Driweyk pounded their chests with their fists to express their acceptance of Claude's orders.
At this point, the two of them couldn't shout "Yes, General!"
There was a hand-drawn map of the bay on the table. Moriad pointed at another spot that corresponded to the one where the Alliance Fleet was docked. There were also pictures of ships of various sizes drawn there. "General, what should we do with these transport ships? Are we just going to let them go?"
That was another berth in Loducus Bay. Most of the ships anchored there were transport ships from various western colonies.
Some of them had just arrived with supplies, but most of them were hired by the Shiksans to transport goods and soldiers for a short period of time.
For example, the three Shiksan corps that landed at the fishing town in the war theatre were their handiwork.
At this moment, there were about three hundred inshore transport ships of various sizes still anchored in the bay. They were connected into several large groups based on their relationships, like floating islands on the sea.
Claude waved. "If we catch those transport ships transporting Shiksan supplies and soldiers during the battle, we can destroy them or confiscate them.
However, they're only anchored in the bay and aren't carrying any Shiksan supplies or troops, so we can't touch them. Let's just let them go. Otherwise, we'll bring even more trouble to the war theatre.
However, even if we don't touch them, we still have to be wary of the Shiksans hiding in the transport ships after we attack the enemy's main camp.
Anders, send two battalions from your 4th Line to set up a cordon between the bay and the main camp, as well as between the main camp and Bay Loducus to prevent the enemy from escaping.
"Remember your positions during the attack on the Shiksan main camp. Dyavid's 3rd Line will attack from the main gate. Berklin's 1st Line will attack from the left. Leave the right to Colonel Moriad's 2nd Line. Anders' 4th Line will set up two cordon lines. The remaining troops will act as reserves.
Colonel Myjack's Tribe 131 and 3rd Line's Tribes 123 will be in charge of dealing with the Alliance's watchmen. Captain Bloweyk, your Wolfang will be in charge of dealing with the Shiksan signalmen and communication falcons. Don't let the news of the attack reach the three Shiksan fortresses.
That's because we still have to attack the Phunbix Ridge defence line. Unprepared enemies are much easier to deal with than prepared ones. You all know that. "
Claude looked at the high-ranking officers around him. "Are there any more questions?
If not, return to your ships and gather your subordinates to make arrangements for the attack. I don't need to tell you what to do, do I?
The sooner we finish this, the sooner we rest. Be careful and don't let the Shiksans get suspicious if we expose ourselves at such a crucial moment.
We're attacking at five in the morning and we have to set off at four. Prepare your troops for the attack. If you understand, go back. "
The group of senior officers silently hammered their own chests with their fists, then walked out of the cabin as if a party was over, cursing and laughing as they made their way to their respective transport ships.
They were all dressed in plain clothes and looked like sailors or captains.
Old Zeek, on the other hand, appeared at the bow of the ship and loudly boasted to the two sailors about how smart he was with his card game just now. He had swept all the bets from all three houses and won two thales from that game alone.
A few passersby heard Old Zeek's voice and came over to say hello, but Old Zeek refused their suggestions to go to the tavern and gamble. He pointed to the large number of transport ships behind him and said that he would have a good gathering with everyone after he delivered the goods tomorrow. Everything looked very normal and harmonious, and there was nothing suspicious about it.
As the night grew darker, Cape Loducus gradually quietened down.
The lights in the camp in the distance were also extinguished one by one. The clamor of gambling on the floating islands built by the offshore transport ships in the bay also gradually subsided. A tranquil atmosphere enveloped the entire bay, the floating islands, the camp, and the city in the distance …
"Wipe your face and wake yourself up. Drink a bowl of hot soup and stretch your limbs. Finally, check your weapons and equipment. When you're done, line up at the hatch.
Pay attention, we're about to move out. It's dark outside, so keep your eyes open and watch your comrades in front. "
All the ships carrying 1st Thundercrash's soldiers were lit up with a dozen or so lanterns, illuminating the cabins.
Fortunately, all the portholes were covered with thick blankets, ensuring that no light from the lights could penetrate outside.
A coastal transport ship was carrying a company of more than two hundred to three hundred soldiers. At this moment, all the basic officers were carrying out the final preparations before the battle, mobilizing and inspecting.
Black silhouettes arrived at the docks one after another before disappearing into the night.
After what seemed like a long time, but also seemed like a short moment, the clear sound of gunfire broke the silence before dawn. Soon, gunshots rang out in the Shiksan's supply base and the docks where the Alliance docked. Cries of pain and pleas for mercy rang out one after another.
In the distance, the torches on the walls of Cape Loducus and the lights on the floating transport ships in the bay began to light up …
The sky was already starting to brighten. It was just past six when Claude received reports from the frontlines that the Shiksan supply base and the docks where the Alliance docked had been taken over. The garrisons on the Alliance's warships were basically wiped out in one fell swoop and the warships were being checked to see if there were any survivors.
On the 21st of the 2nd Feb, 594, at five in the morning, Aueran's Thundercrash descended from the skies and launched a surprise attack on the Shiksan supply base and the Alliance docked in Cape Loducus. Not only did they take over the base within an hour, they also captured all of the Alliance's warships and transport ships.
On the 24th of the 2nd Feb, Thundercrash's 1st Folk launched a surprise attack on the Shiksan supply base and the Alliance docked in Cape Loducus. Not only did they take over the base within an hour, they also captured all of the Alliance's warships and transport ships.
On the 28th of the 2nd Feb, Thundercrash's 1st Folk arrived at the northern border in four-wheeled carriages. The Shiksan 4th Expeditionary Corps stationed there mistook them for a supply convoy and easily let them in.
So, 1st Folk's two lines used the heaven-sent opportunity to launch an all-out attack alongside 2nd Folk, who were on standby at the northern border. After three and a half hours of intense fighting, 4th Expeditionary Shiksans surrendered under the white flag with 40,000 of their men captured.
On the 3rd of the 3rd Feb, the two lines of 1st Folk and 2nd Folk, as well as the two garrison lines stationed at the northern border, launched a fierce attack on the Shiksan 2nd Expeditionary Corps and 1st Retribution Corps.
The Shiksans' morale plummeted when they were attacked from the back and 2nd Expeditionary Corps was quickly routed.
But due to 1st Retribution Corps' desperate resistance, the battle was still dragged on.
However, as the Second Monolith Division and three local garrison regiments, which were guarding the eastern mountains, launched a counterattack under the command of General Birkin, they were attacked from both sides and lost their camps. The remnants of the First Disgrace Legion and the Second Expeditionary Legion, who were trapped in the mountains, ran out of ammunition and food after holding on for eight days.