King Arthur, Apprentice of Roger’s Company Chapter 243

“Heh—”

Wang Zhi coldly snorted, his gaze lowered.

Although his heart was stirring, he ultimately suppressed it.

The Iron Empire, in coordination with other allied nations and vassal states, had launched an all-out attack, attempting to achieve victory in one fell swoop, launching a decisive battle to cripple Great Britain.

It seemed like a grand display of power.

But in reality…

The top powerhouses hadn’t shown their faces at all!!

Wang Zhi’s face was grim, his subtle gaze extremely complex.

While surging crowds were formidable, for the top powerhouses on the high seas, they no longer possessed the overwhelming annihilation effect they once had. Otherwise, the ones dominating the seas wouldn’t be those renowned pirate crews, but these powerful nations.

It seemed like an opportunity, but if the two of them were to intervene, they could easily get bogged down.

Leaving aside other matters.

To deal with Arthur, reclaim the treasures and the historical Poneglyph coordinates from him, and thus plan for Roger’s great treasure, the most insurmountable obstacle was the aurora that instantly killed John!

He didn’t even have the ability to resist or struggle…

Even Armament Haki’s counter to elementalization shouldn’t be that exaggerated!

Wang Zhi secretly clicked his tongue.

His solemn expression continuously settled in his heart, pulling his entire being deeper into an abyss.

Others might still hold onto a sliver of hope, thinking that Arthur’s burst attack might not hit them. But Wang Zhi and Silver Axe, who had personally witnessed John GG in the aurora, weren’t so foolish.

It was no exaggeration to say!

The move where Arthur unleashed his seal had long since shattered their spines, leaving an unspeakable psychological shadow in their hearts: even Captain Rocks didn’t possess such a technique…

The diversity of the sea endowed them with superhuman physiques; even slightly renowned powerhouses rarely died in battle, which was why it was called an “undying drama.”

But the sudden appearance of Arthur had personally shattered this established rule before their very eyes.

At least—

Before a higher power could stop him, Wang Zhi and Silver Axe would absolutely not enter the fray easily!

There might be people on the high seas as bored as Kaido, who were invincible in their physical bodies to the point of seeking death, but it would certainly not be the two of them. Don’t let their wild drinking from barrels fool you; they were absolutely among the most life-preserving individuals!

“Let them have this fun!”

“Us?”

Wang Zhi shook his head disinterestedly, picking up the entire bottle of high-proof liquor from the table and drinking directly from it.

“We’ll just stay on the sidelines and watch the show…”

Britain was indeed no match for the Iron Empire, but with Arthur’s strength, if he couldn’t win, couldn’t he at least run away? He also didn’t know where he recruited so many younglings.

Despite their obscure reputation, they possessed the strength of top executives…

With their protection and encirclement, wanting to capture the young Arthur? At least the entire Navy would have to be deployed!

Wang Zhi glanced disdainfully.

Though he didn’t voice it, that was indeed what he thought.

Britain facing the Iron Empire!

The two forces were simply not on the same scale. Did they really think that a top nation that had dominated the seas for so long was a pushover? Their military might was on a completely different level!!

However…

If the Iron Empire could cripple Britain, or even drive it from its original sea territory, turning the young Arthur into a stray dog, stripped of his power, then perhaps there would be an opportunity…

At this thought, Wang Zhi’s eyes lit up. He quickly buried his head again, pretending to drink, while complex expressions flickered in his eyes, as if calculating and planning something.

Anyway, with the Round Table Knights around, Wang Zhi didn’t believe Arthur would easily fall. At most, he’d lose everything and become a wandering pirate. Then, there would be much more room for manipulation!

A sinister cold light emanated from him, like a hidden venomous snake.

Biding its time!

New World!

Near the outer defensive line of the British waters.

The sky was vast and boundless, the sea turbulent and magnificent.

The normally tranquil and expansive sea had unexpectedly welcomed a large fleet of warships, breaking through the waves and speeding across the ocean, shattering the calm, gem-like surface into fragments.

One ship!

Two ships!

…

Hundreds of warships, scattered and formidable, formed a battle array and charged across the sea.

Lined up in a single file.

As if to block off heaven and earth, a pervasive murderous aura emanated from the massive fleet of warships.

On the tall, tiered ships, layers of troops were stationed, their faces solemn and unsmiling, their backs straight as bamboo, clearly an elite force. Their strict coordination and impeccable discipline were far beyond what ordinary pirate crews, those scattered rogues, could compare to.

Professional soldiers!!

Dark clouds press on the city, threatening to crush it; armor gleams in the sun, scales of gold unfold!

On the grim warship fleet, there was no smoke of battle or cannon fire.

But the pitch-black, iron-like hulls and the chilling silence of the warships made one’s heart involuntarily tighten. The uncomfortable sense of oppression instinctively bred fear, making one’s heart pound.

The towering, hundred-meter-tall fleet ships were all cast from steel. The entire army was arrayed, covered in thick iron armor. The wooden decks were even laid with a layer of specialized steel, providing both corrosion resistance and powerful defense. The menacing steel spikes on the ships and the dense array of cannon muzzles on the turrets all boasted their brute strength to outsiders.

In terms of war potential alone, they absolutely crushed the vessels of any pirate crew.

A single glance!

One could feel a strong psychological impact, as if every cell in one’s body was screaming:

This—

Is the Iron Tide!

The dark hue and cold color temperature were the unique symbols of this fleet.

At the very front, surrounded by dozens of large and small warships, clearly the brain of the fleet, the wide deck was already covered in steel, stained with the unique colors of the Iron Empire.

Countless figures stood on it, many with high military ranks, powerful regional warlords who were forced to the edges of the deck, lowering their heads and furiously writing notes.

Much like low-ranking, peripheral figures in a company.

“~You say…”

“Why did the Empire suddenly launch a decisive battle against Britain? This is too sudden!”

The skinny Silver Hammer frowned, looking at the person beside him.

“Why?”

“It’s simply because Britain’s prominence has grown too much, causing panic and fear among those fat-bellied old men in the Imperial Council!”

The golden-haired, curly-haired General Gold Hammer, his chest bared, sneered dismissively.

His exposed pectoral muscles rose and fell with his words: “However…”

“That youngling named Arthur… tch”

“He’s caused a lot of trouble!

“First he raided Whole Cake Island, then he got involved with those old fogeys on Rocks’ ship, and he even killed that treasure thief John in one go. The commotion he’s caused is truly extraordinary…”

“It’s no wonder those council old men are scared.”

General Gold Hammer rotated his wrists, making a sound like bamboo tubes frying beans. He clearly held nothing but contempt for those fat-bellied individuals.