Chapter 442 Naval Battle

  Tormo Frega stood at the bow of the ship, looking down at the Black Water Bay below with condescending eyes.

   As one of the most prominent nobles in Braavos, Tolmor has the pride and ambition to match.

Braavos is the most powerful, richest, and most special city among the free trade cities. It is located at the northernmost tip of the continent of Essos. It was founded by a group of slaves who escaped from the Valyrian Peninsula about 800 years ago. .

   As a result, the city is often referred to as "Valyria's Bastard Daughter".

  Precisely because the original founders of Braavos were a group of people who hated oppression and slavery, the city's politics were designed to prevent the emergence of centralization from the very beginning.

  While the ruler of Braavos is known as the Sea King, the position is not hereditary, but is chosen from among the citizens by the city's doctors and wardens through some mysterious and complex process.

  In order to avoid the emergence of powerful families, Neptune rarely chooses from nobles, but in many cases, they are ordinary civilians.

  Tolmo knew very well that if he followed normal procedures, he, who was born noble, would most likely not become the next Neptune.

  But the serious illness of the current Aquaman gave him a chance.

   Now, relying on the influence of the Frega family, he has won the support of most of the nobles in Braavos, and even won the support of the iron treasury, which is incomparably rich.

  If he can gain the support of the army again, it may not be impossible to break through the political tacit understanding of Braavos and become Sea King.

   To gain the support of the army, the best way is naturally military merit and prestige.

   And this requires a war.

  So, when Tywin Lannister sent an envoy to extend an invitation, Tolmo agreed without hesitation.

   Subsequently, he tried his best to pressure the seriously ill Sea King to agree to join the war in Westeros, but he did not win the position of fleet commander himself.

  As long as he can help the Lannister family win in this battle, then Tormo will also gain the friendship of the Iron Throne, which is also extremely crucial for him to compete for the Sea King in the future.

   "Where are we?" Tormo asked, pointing to the looming island ahead.

   "The front is Tidehead Island." A respectful and flattering voice sounded from behind, and a smiling officer appeared behind Tormo, "It is the territory of the ancient Velaryan family."

   "House Velaryon..." Tormor smiled thoughtfully, "I haven't heard their name for a long time."

   "That's right, the Haima family has declined, and it's no longer as powerful as it used to be."

   "Because they lost a war that mattered."

"Yes. A war can destroy a family, but it can also bring a family to its peak." The officer flattered, "I believe you can win this war and let Frega's name resound throughout Brasilia." Foss!"

  Tolmo laughed out loud, his arrogant laughter almost suppressing the sound of the bow of the ship splitting the waves.

   After a while, he restrained his smile and asked:

   "How long will our fleet be able to enter the Blackwater River?"

   "According to the current speed, if everything goes well, it will take another two days."

   "Too slow." Tolmo said dissatisfied, "speed up."

   "Yes, my lord." The officer bent down and responded with a bow.

  But at this moment, a sharp whistle suddenly sounded, which was particularly harsh on the calm Black Water Bay.

   Tormo frowned and looked up at the lookout post on the top of the mast, and saw that the sentry above was issuing a battle alarm through gestures and whistles.

   "Is there a battle ahead?" Tormo wondered after reading the sentry's sign language, "Who is fighting with whom?"

  At this point they are too far away from the battlefield to see clearly, so this question obviously cannot be answered.

  However, Tolmo cautiously ordered all the warships to prepare the soldiers for battle.

  At this time, the sun at noon is particularly bright, and the sky and the earth are pure, and you can clearly see things in the distance.

  As the Braavos fleet approached the western end of Tidehead Island, the details of this naval battle gradually emerged before Tolmo's eyes.

   "It's Caesar's fleet fighting the Iron Fleet." Tolmo put down the Myr lens and said in surprise, "But why did they appear in Blackwater Bay?"

   Obviously no one can give an answer to this question.

  Even the top politicians of the Seven Kingdoms like Tywin Lannister couldn't figure out what Euron Greyjoy was thinking, and the rest of them naturally couldn't.

   Fortunately, Tolmo didn't get too entangled.

  No matter why the Stormland Fleet appeared here, one thing is certain—

   They must be enemies of Braavos.

   "Blow the horn!" Tolmo ordered, "Ready to fight! Target, the Stormland Fleet flying the double-headed eagle flag!"

  The sound of the rumbling horn crossed the sea, hoarse and deep, like the call of the devil, passed from one ship to another, until the sound of the horn resounded on all the ships in the entire fleet.

  The deck was busy, and the crew was running around, making preparations for the battle.

  Tormo Frega still stood on the bow of the ship, looking at the distant battlefield with reserved pride, as if he couldn't wait to join the battle.

  Although he also heard that the Stormland Fleet had just defeated the prestigious Arbor Island Fleet, Tormo still firmly believed that his fleet would never lose.

   This is the pride of the Braavosians.

  However, as the battleship approached the battlefield, the expression on Tolmo's face suddenly became serious.

  Because he discovered that this naval battle seemed to be different from what he had imagined.

  Boom!

  Amidst a series of thunderous roars, puffs of thick black smoke rose from the side of the Stormland Fleet, accompanied by dazzling white lights.

   "What is that..." Tolmo just uttered the words, when waves exploded from the sea, as if they were hit by countless boulders.

   At the same time, the ironborn's longship was also hit.

Tormo saw with his own eyes that a glaring flame erupted suddenly on the long ship closest to him. The tall mast immediately turned into countless fragments and sprinkled high into the sky. It was extremely fierce, and soon enveloped the entire longship.

  The ironborn screamed and jumped into the sea one by one, letting the longship turn into a ball of fire behind them, and finally slowly sank into the sea, forming a small **** vortex.

   Is this witchcraft?

  Tolmo watched all this in disbelief.

  Suddenly, he seemed to understand why the Qingting Island Fleet was defeated by a newly established Stormland Fleet.

  The idea of ​​withdrawing troops suddenly came to mind, but was forcibly suppressed by Tolmo.

  How could he withdraw troops now.

   Once he retreats, he is finished.

  His family, his ambitions, his throne are all over.

   "Attack! Go at full speed!" Tolmo roared hoarsely.

   woo woo woo —

  The rapid sound of the horn conveyed the commander's order.

  The sound of the drums suddenly accelerated, and the speed of the oars followed immediately. The leaves were flying in the sea, and the Braavos battleships rushed towards the battlefield like sharp arrows leaving the string.

  The Stormland Fleet obviously discovered this group of uninvited guests, and immediately adjusted its deployment and changed its angle. Soon, a series of roars resounded across the sea.

  Clatter—

  Tolmo watched countless waves explode before his eyes, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

   We are sailing to hell. He looked at the muzzles of the roaring artillery in front of him, and suddenly thought of this desperately.

  (end of this chapter)