Chapter 39: Sailing into the Distance (Two-in-One)
At the edge of the World Star River, the Vanguard Fortress Cluster, ‘Distant Harbor’.
The originally dark void had been illuminated by the tail flames of countless warships, transforming into a world of light.
In the void port, which had been hastily expanded over consecutive days, thousands of various types of void vessels quietly docked around stable space-time anchor points. From the orderly formations, it was evident that all fleet members were well-trained and properly commanded.
The Mycroft Joint Expeditionary Fleet, Dreadnought-class battleship, flagship ‘Dreadnought’, was positioned at the very front of the entire fleet. Within the battleship, all fleet members and accompanying Transcendent Beings were at their posts, silently awaiting inspection.
Soon, accompanied by a deep blue space-time fluctuation emanating from the base of Distant Harbor, a space-time rift slowly unfolded. Six powerful Transcendent Beings, each dressed differently, stepped out from within and advanced to the front of all the warships in the joint fleet.
It could be seen that nearly ten thousand massive void warships of various shapes, like rows of straight lines extending outward, stretched into the dark void. The light emitted by their thrusters, stabilizing their positions, was even brighter than the starlight radiating from a world. The roar of mana engines consuming energy could not be heard in the void, but the fluctuations, capable of dispersing even space-time turbulence, were more shocking than thunder.
But this energy consumption, enough to instantly destabilize the energy cycle of a small world, dimmed and quieted instantly because of the six people who had just emerged from the space-time rift. The aura and power of each of these six individuals surpassed the combined might of the entire fleet.
Now, it was the 841st year of the Era of Falling Stars, December 27th.
It was also the scheduled day for the Mycroft Joint Expeditionary Fleet to depart for the Otherworld Star River.
After countless people’s struggles, the personal efforts of multiple Legendary Experts, and support from other civilizations, after such a long period of preparation, the Mycroft Civilization, exhausting the strength of the entire world, had finally barely completed the planning of the expeditionary fleet.
Joshua stood at the forefront of Distant Harbor. He surveyed the entire star domain. At the very center of the Vanguard Fortress Cluster, Distant Harbor, was the core fleet directly under the Mycroft Civilization. Its total warship count was 510 main battleships and 2400 logistics support and escort vessels.
Among them, there were a total of six ‘Dreadnought-class’ void battleships, each serving as the flagship for one of the six sub-fleets. Then there were twenty-four ‘Courage-class’ battlecruisers, providing the main firepower output for the fleet. Ninety-six high-speed cruisers were mixed with three hundred and eighty-four destroyers, serving as nodes for the fleet formation and defensive arrays.
Of the remaining two thousand four hundred ships, most were small escort frigates. On normal days, they were directly docked onto the Dreadnought-class void battleships and battlecruisers, combining into a large void port, with joint power accelerating void navigation. When combat was needed, they could be easily separated through specially designed structures to act as independent escorts for auxiliary defense and attack.
The other smaller portion were not warships but ‘Eco-ships’ specialized in producing supplies. Because the supplies a fleet could carry could never meet the needs of an unpredictable, lengthy void voyage, these large, disc-shaped Eco-ships, resembling yurts, were designed. These Eco-ships were the protected center of the fleet, completely surrounded by the six sub-fleets from all six directions: top, bottom, left, right, front, and back.
This total of nearly three thousand ships formed the Mycroft Civilization’s core fleet, the main force of this expedition. Besides the Mycroft Civilization, most of the ten thousand ships gathered at Distant Harbor belonged to other civilizations.
Among them, the eight Void Behemoths belonging to the Star Shepherds were particularly conspicuous. These young, massive beasts, carrying a world on their backs, had a size that surpassed the concept of warships, nearly becoming moving continents. These Void Behemoths, controlled by eight Kings of the Void, would serve as the vanguard of the joint fleet, responsible for leading the way through the long dark regions.
To the right of these Void Behemoths was the void fleet of the Shalt civilization. These uniquely shaped, golden-glowing void warships had their own distinct classifications and types. Because the Shalt people, due to the great chaos caused by the Plague Evil God, could hardly maintain these warships, they gave them all to the Mycroft Civilization for free, along with corresponding crew members. Now, sixteen super-large motherships of the Shalt people could be seen floating in the void. On the circular rings created by these motherships, one thousand six hundred and ninety-six golden warships of various sizes were stably suspended.
The Shalt motherships served the dual function of Eco-ships and large battleships. Thousands of years ago, each mothership could carry enough colonists and the Shalt world’s ecosystem to other worlds for large-scale otherworld colonization. Each mothership could carry a large number of small escort frigates, releasing them for battle when needed. The Mycroft Civilization’s Dreadnought battleship and its frigate combination design was inspired by the Shalt design, and of course, also by the Star Shepherds’ Void Behemoths.
Furthermore, the motherships had powerful energy cores that could rapidly recharge other warships. The Shalt fleet’s combat was entirely centered around the motherships, differing from ordinary civilizations.
Finally, Joshua looked to the left of the Mycroft fleet.
It was a fleet hidden in the void, invisible except for a few sparks of molten rock. The lava fleet of the Abyss Demons was always like this; unless it was time for battle, they would hide in the darkness, then invade one world after another.
The Abyss Demon fleet varied in size and had no fixed design or form. They were more like primitive void pirate ships than warships. Except for some main vessels equipped with large mana cannons, the only combat method for most lava warships was to close in at full speed on other void warships or worlds, then dump the demons stored inside en masse—the so-called boarding action.
These nearly two thousand lava warships essentially lacked long-range combat capability in the void, but including Joshua, no one underestimated these primitive warships.
Because within these unremarkable primitive void warships resided five Legendary-rank Demon Lords—and among these five Legendary-rank Demon Lords, one was a Demon King surpassing ordinary Lords.
With these Demon Lords who had pushed the path of Transcendence to the extreme, what did it matter if the lava fleet lacked long-range attack methods? Even if the entire demon fleet was destroyed, as long as the Demon Lords did not die, the demons could retain over ninety percent of their combat effectiveness.
Staking all the assets of the Sixth Abyss, betting on the Joint Expeditionary Fleet, Joshua could sense Goliath watching him across the void. He nodded towards the direction of the Gluttony Demon King, acknowledging the other’s sincerity.
Joshua was not worried that the existence of the Demon Lords and Goliath would create a situation that was too big to control.
Because the Mycroft Civilization would also send six Legendary-rank experts to command the six sub-fleets.
After finalizing the composition of the Joint Expeditionary Fleet, following a period of discussion, the Mycroft Civilization would send six Legendary-rank experts with the fleet to the Otherworld Star River at the other end of the void.
One of them, the overall Field Marshal of the entire expeditionary fleet, was Joshua von Radcliffe. The body of the Legendary Warrior was still deep within the Genesis Maelstrom, resting and recovering, but his strongest incarnation would accompany the fleet. It could be seen that behind the eight Void Behemoths of the Star Shepherds, there was a rapidly rotating small silver star. He would act as the vanguard along with the Void Behemoths, exploring the dark void star domain.
For Joshua, there was no difference between his main body and his incarnation. He himself was his own teleportation beacon. Whenever needed, Joshua’s main body could instantly support his incarnation through the connection within the world. It was precisely because of this unique ability that he absolutely had to join the fleet. No one else possessed the capability to guarantee support anytime, anywhere like this.
Besides Joshua, the other five Legendary-rank experts boarding the fleet stood beside him. They were: Rune Master - Baniel Gaskell, Radiant Legendary; Soul Walker - Yarnamirro Cangyi; Holy Swordbearer - Lamotte Tiernan; Nature Mentor - Eydriel Galannod; and Ocean Sage - Faina Nolan.
A total of six Legendary-rank experts. These six were far superior to the Abyss Demons in both strength and ability coordination.
As for the entire joint fleet, if the strength of the Void Behemoths was included, there were a total of nineteen Legendary-rank existences. Coupled with the firepower of the Dreadnought-class void battleships, which boasted Legendary-rank firepower, and other firepower warships, the lineup was so luxurious it could be called the strongest since the Era of Radiance.
“I never thought I would participate in such a grand expedition in my lifetime.”
Beside Joshua, the Nature Mentor squinted her eyes slightly and sighed with satisfaction. “Almost all the elite forces in our World Star River are gathered here. With this power, I don’t fear going to the Otherworld Star River at all.”
“What do we have to fear?”
On the other side, the Holy Swordbearer Lamotte touched his scabbard again and said with a smile, “It’s those guys in the Otherworld Star River who should be afraid.”
The six Mycroft Legendary-rank experts each had different roles. Among them, Joshua served as the absolute force, suppressing the entire joint fleet. He would not act lightly. If he did act, it would definitely be against an existence at the star domain level, or if the enemy also produced an extremely powerful Legendary-rank expert. Besides that, his power was also key for construction. Upon arriving at the Otherworld Star River, Joshua could directly deconstruct matter and rapidly build a large fortress-level void port and base on site.
Baniel was the fleet’s technical advisor and maintenance chief. His Rune creature army, after modifications in recent years, had become a professional repair and maintenance legion. Whether it was setting up magic net beacons along the way or building a space-time hub after arriving at the Otherworld Star River, the involvement of this Legendary-rank expert who had mastered runes to the extreme was necessary.
The silent Winged Human Legendary-rank expert from the Era of Radiance, Soul Walker Yarnamirro Cangyi, her main role was coordination using her rich fleet command experience. Of course, she also really didn’t want to stay in the unfamiliar Mycroft World anymore. Before the other seven Legendary-rank experts from the Era of Radiance awakened, she always felt she was alone. Only in the fleet could she find a trace of the warmth of the former Era of Radiance.
Now, Yarnamirro’s strength had recovered by one-third. Her soul wounds had basically healed, leaving only more delicate coordination and adaptation work. At least in terms of the soul, no one in the entire Mycroft Civilization except the Psychic Overlord William Charles could compare to her.
The Holy Swordbearer Lamotte’s main task was targeted special attacks against possible enemy experts or enemy targets. His abilities were not suitable for construction work in the Mycroft World itself, only for combat. So, the idle Lamotte volunteered, ready to contribute his strength to the joint fleet.
The Nature Mentor’s role was easy to understand. Galannod’s power was key to maintaining the Eco-ships. If an Eco-ship had a problem or was accidentally damaged, Galannod could directly regenerate the Eco-ship using the material wreckage. Besides that, upon arriving at the Otherworld Star River, she could directly establish a large ecosystem there, working with Joshua and Baniel to build a large void ecological base on the spot.
Faina was an all-rounder. She could perform maintenance on the fleet with Baniel, fight like Joshua and Lamotte, and like the Nature Mentor, she could repair and improve the ecology of the Eco-ships. In terms of warship energy, Faina was also a large walking power bank, capable of temporarily maintaining the fleet’s energy issues when some warship engines malfunctioned.
Now, everything was ready.
At the highest point of the Vanguard Fortress Cluster, a group of people led by Legendary-rank experts like Eagle, Nostradamus, and Barbarossa gazed at the nearby ‘Distant Void Port’.
These Legendary-rank experts, who stayed in the Mycroft World for subsequent construction and maintaining world stability, watched intently as the six expeditionary Legendary-rank experts boarded their respective flagships. They listened to the psychic communication fluctuations spreading through the void, remaining silent without a word.
They had rehearsed many times, trained many times. Now, there was no need for more words. The fleet was about to depart.
“All personnel are ready. Begin reforming the formation.”
Joshua von Radcliffe’s deep and clear voice could be heard spreading with psychic fluctuations. Following the Legendary Warrior’s command, the Star Shepherds’ Void Behemoths, the Demons’ lava fleet, the Shalt people’s golden fleet, and the Mycroft people’s own core fleet all began to turn and reform their formations in unison.
Massive mass fluctuations stirred the space-time fluctuations in the void, causing the originally calm, ice-like void to ripple like a lake during a rainstorm.
“Destination space-time coordinates: WCCH1228, NEGT9467, YTSY1022, QZZA9510. All fleet in position. Status complete. Begin retrieving space-time anchor points. Target designation: All Heavens and Stars.”
“On my command, start void engines. Deploy space-time flow stabilizers sequentially.”
“Joint Expeditionary Fleet, prepare to depart!”
Joshua’s solemn, deep voice echoed with the reverberation of psychic communication waves. There were no speeches, no oaths, none of the elements that should have been there. But it was precisely such a brief slogan, such a simple command, that triggered cheers from the crew across countless warships. Mycroft people, Abyss Demons, Star Shepherds, Shalt people—everyone began to cheer with excitement. Their reasons for cheering were different, their reasons for excitement were different, but at this moment, they all felt glory and joy for this command.
Era of Radiance, year 6171. Era of Falling Stars, year 841, December 27th. Once the central star river of the multiverse, the most glorious and glorious civilization stopped its long confusion and stagnation. They awakened from their lost slumber and returned to the starry sky of the multiverse.
Six thousand one hundred and seventy years ago, a Saint was born in an ordinary village in the Mycroft World. Unable to bear the wars between the myriad races, he unified all races and established a great civilization, making the name of the Era of Radiance resound across ten thousand worlds.
Five thousand three hundred and thirty years later, amidst the ruins after the destruction of the Era of Radiance, the Western Mountain Shelter opened its doors, sealed for nearly a hundred years. Confused people looked up at the sky, only to see countless meteors falling, countless stars losing their luster. The name ‘Era of Falling Stars’ was thus established.
Six thousand one hundred and sixty years after the Saint’s birth, eight hundred and thirty-one years after the birth of the Era of Falling Stars, a soul from an unknown place descended upon this world.
He brought fire and blood, war and lamentation. The man walked forward on scorched earth, accompanied by a desolate horn sound.
He brought change, altering the destined path. He grasped the throat of the future, changing the trajectory of fate.
Joshua von Radcliffe and his companions commanded this great fleet. But this time, their goal was not to restore the Mycroft Civilization to its former glory, but to find the truth behind this dark multiverse.
So, after spending countless efforts, they finally completed their planning and began to advance into the boundless void.
Within the Vanguard Fortress Cluster, the old Pope Eagle stood at the very front. He gazed at the fleet, a suppressed sound coming from his throat. The old man, who had labored for his civilization all his life, felt he should be shedding tears of joy. But he, who had long since transformed into light, simply had no tears. But that was fine; now was not the time to cry. Now was the time to smile.
So, amidst a relieved and hearty laugh, it could be seen that nearly ten thousand warships, guided by eight Void Behemoths and a silver star, flew towards the long nebula layer. They followed the predetermined trajectory, heading towards the predetermined direction, steadfast and without hesitation, departing.
Silver-blue tail flame jets propelled the fleet, gradually leaving the port. Until the huge port became blurry, until the starlight turned into points of light, until they surpassed the boundary of the World Star River, disappearing into the hazy nebula layer, vanishing into the unseen darkness.
And then, like this, amidst the farewell gazes of all those left behind.
They sailed into the distance.