The Sea of Penicius is often referred to as the home of the Siren by the people who travel to and from the Aegean Sea.

Countless fishing boats and merchant ships have been swept aground and sunk in these waters, and there are many scattered uninhabited broken islands around it, which is an absolute hell for ships if it is shrouded in fog. It was rumored that an island bay in the Sea of Penicius was once the cradle of pirates in the Mediterranean.

It was at the edge of such a forbidden area that the door to the Admiral's room aboard the Ebius Radiance was suddenly slammed open by two seamen.

"Lord Admiral, the ship of the Genoese! The ship of the Genoese! ”

"The bow of the ship is southeast, with a range of several hundred meters remaining, and it is estimated that there will be about twenty ships, but it does not include that there are other fleets around."

"It's finally here!" Francisco snapped up and said, "Follow me to the deck." ”

Although the Genoese fleet may have an advantage in the number of ships, it does not mean that they can go toe-to-toe with the main force of the empire with just two fleets.

What's more, the Venetians may have been watching from the shadows, after all, this war was a gamble for both the empire and the Genoese on trade in the entire Mediterranean Rim within a hundred years. If the Empire can gain the upper hand in naval warfare, I am afraid that Venice will rush to reap the smash and fulfill the treaty of friendship and peace with the Empire.

"It doesn't seem to be as simple as we thought."

Twenty-two ships, on par with the Empire. But I am afraid that in the Broken Isles of Nethius, there are still some Genoese ships hiding in them.

Luckily, there is no fog on the Penicius Sea today, and the afternoon sun is warm and warm. It may be even more romantic if you drink a cup of flower tea on the terrace of the garden of the palace of Constantine and admire the handmaidens in long dresses.

The Genoese fleet, of course, also spotted the Phoenix fleet, and at the first time hoisted its sails and hurried away.

"Load the main gun, chain gun and Urban heavy artillery. Don't move the side yet! It's not like there's an unexpected encounter...... Genoese ships were missing a few, but not a complete entire fleet. They had just the right number of ships to match the Empire on the front. No matter how you look at it, it seems to have been premeditated. "When the fleet is deployed, line up horizontally to meet the enemy, fire closer, and try to ensure the hit rate!" Other than that...... Let the four galleys leave the battlefield and enter the Broken Isles, and I'll make other arrangements then. ”

Artillery warfare was not the primary form of naval warfare, and not all ships on either side were armed with heavy guns and light guns. Broadside battles, angle battles, bow and crossbow firing and other means will not fall, but artillery can undoubtedly cause the greatest damage in the shortest possible time.

The biggest problem with the Ebius Radiance was that the sheer hull, sturdy double deck, and large number of guns had put a huge strain on the waterline, so the number of shells it could carry was relatively limited, otherwise it would have affected the speed and stability of the ship.

"Advance forward at a constant pace, wait for the Genoese to come into range and then open fire......"

"Prepare ......"

"Shoot me!"

The firepower of the main guns of all the battleships of the Phoenix Fleet poured out in an instant, sending out a deafening roar over the sea of Penicius. The artillery fell around the Genoese fleet, although Francisco repeatedly stressed the need to pay attention to the hit rate, but for the artillery of this era, it was still a luxury on the sea with wind and waves.

Of course, there are lucky ones.

A Genoese galley was even hit in the bow and capsized. However, the Genoese had no intention of stopping.

"What are they doing?"

"The Genoese must have equipped the battleship with broadside guns, too! They must have come prepared. The Venetians could have used such weapons as folding artillery a few years ago, and the Genoese would not be willing to lose to Venice in armaments! "In an instant, Francisco captured the mystery hidden behind the hull of the Genoese fleet, behind the wooden baffle.

There were obvious traces of chimerism in the baffle, which showed that behind the baffle, there were probably countless gun muzzles sticking out, and the Genoese were in a hurry to cut into the line of the Imperial fleet at all costs, also for this wave of concentrated fire on the side of the volley.

"Broadside loading! The fleet was centered on the Ebius Radiance, the wings were spread out, and the Genoese were surrounded in a semi-circle! Don't let their flanks touch our ships! ”

"Lord Admiral, they're sailing too fast! I'm afraid the flanks won't have time to dodge! ”

Because of the huge scale of this naval battle, it was a relatively common way to test the formation and shoot, but the Genoese fought desperately when they came up, which really caught Francisco a little off guard.

"This group of businessmen is really dead...... However, their target, if nothing else, should be our flagship, and if the sinking of a few galleys can paralyze the Ebius Radiance out of battle, it will be a sure-fire deal. It will also give them the permanent initiative in the following battles, but unfortunately, with the kind help of the Venetians, the daily maintenance of this flagship in the port of Piraeus has added some fierce material. ”

"If the Ebius Radiance is just a larger Clark sailboat, I'm afraid they'll have to pay some price. Lavia, go. ”

"Yes, Admiral!"

The so-called fierce material was actually a method of modifying the hull of the ship that the empire purchased from the Venetians at a high price. The Venetian's shipbuilding skills are still among the best in continental Europe. In particular, the improvement of galleys and warships used for inland sea operations has always been the target of spies in various countries.

Broadside guns are the densest, fastest, and most ferocious way to output a ship, and in the traditional naval concept, the larger the hull can carry more guns, and the more intensive the damage can be caused. However, the Venetians improved the side of the galleys, using light planks from the cleats in the cabin, sacrificing protection and increasing the number of guns that could be carried.

The vast majority of galleys have to make sacrifices, but unfortunately, this is not the case with the Ebius Radiance, the unique double deck, so that the Ebius Radiance can make its flanks spit out dense tongues of fire, any warship, will be given a range sieve by such a salvo. Even the walls of an offshore fortified port, as long as they are not of the same strength as the walls of Galata or the Golden Horn, can be blown down after a few volleys.

"Remember, reload with all the bullets and move quickly!"

"The Genoese have come from afar, and we cannot fail to prepare gifts for them."