Chapter 256: Sea Battle Ends

"Iron Blood" battleship, open-air command platform.

The sea breeze seemed to bring a stronger smell of blood and gunpowder. On the distant sea, the previously blazing "torches" were being extinguished one by one, not because the fire was under control, but because they were sinking into the sea faster.

In several places on the sea, huge whirlpools were gradually calming, leaving only a mess of floating debris. Occasionally, sporadic explosions could be seen—these were the German vessels conducting a final "cleanup" of the completely powerless wreckage.

Sato Kenichi, fixed in his wheelchair, had a dazed gaze that shifted with the changes on the sea surface. He saw it, he clearly saw it! Just moments ago there had still been several destroyers and a cruiser desperately dodging gunfire; although they were in a sorry state, at least they were still sailing.

But just after those few muffled underwater explosions, they were as if an invisible giant hand had violently dragged them into the seabed, disappearing so quickly and completely! Not even a semblance of struggle remained.

What…… is this?

Not shells! No shells were seen falling just now!

Mines? Impossible! This is the high seas—how could there be a pre-laid minefield? And the explosion sites are so precise……

A horrible thought, like a venomous snake, burrowed into his already chaotic mind—submarines! Torpedoes!

That damned Chinese warlord not only possesses such a powerful surface fleet, but also masters this sinister, deadly underwater attack method!!

At this moment, Sato Kenichi truly understood what "all-directional strike" meant, what "no power to retaliate" meant. The navy he took pride in, the Great Oriental Empire's navy, was not only overwhelmed in guns, armor, and fire control, but also completely on the defensive in underwater warfare—they didn't even see the enemy submarines' shadows before being sent to the seabed!

This was no longer an evenly matched contest, nor even a lopsided battle; it was a thorough, one-sided slaughter caused by a technological gap! Everything he believed in, everything he was proud of, seemed absurd and ridiculous in the face of Lin Yu's absolute power.

"Ah… ahhh… no… impossible… devils… you are devils!!"

Sato Kenichi's turbid eyes almost burst from their sockets, filled with horrifying bloodshot veins. His utterances were no longer the previous howls or mutterings, but an inhuman shriek mixed with extreme terror, utter despair, and utter madness! His body convulsed violently in the wheelchair, the strain so great that the ropes binding him creaked under the load.

Saliva and blood foam uncontrollably spilled from the corners of his mouth; he tried to struggle, but could only futilely twist his maimed body. He saw Lin Yu's calm, cold profile in the distance, that gaze as if looking at a dying ant's struggle.

Overwhelming fear and total mental collapse swept over his last remnants of consciousness like a tsunami.

"Uh… huh…"

A strange "huh" sound came from Sato Kenichi's throat; immediately, his frantically twitching body went rigid, his head limp and drooping, eyes rolled back, and he completely lost consciousness.

Extreme fear and despair finally destroyed his last shred of mental defense, causing him to faint outright.

Lin Yu seemed to notice the movement behind him; he slightly turned his head, glancing with the corner of his eye at Sato Kenichi, limp in his wheelchair like a dead dog—the cruel curve of his lips showed no change.

East Sea, night fell, stars and moon devoid of light.

The gunfire and explosion sounds on the sea surface had completely ceased. Clamor and chaos ebbed like a tide, leaving only a suffocating silence. The previous deafening roar was replaced by the slapping of waves against wreckage and the occasional faint cries for help from survivors, but those too soon vanished into the cold seawater.

Under the darkness, the vast sea became a huge graveyard. Everywhere drifted twisted steel wreckage, thick oil slicks, shattered planks, and countless Oriental military corpses rising and falling with the waves. Flames still burning in a few spots flickered on the wreckage like ghostly fire, illuminating this hellish scene of carnage. The air reeked of thick gunpowder smoke, fuel, and the stench of death.

"Iron Blood" battleship, main bridge command room.

All cleanup and verification work had been completed; the ships were beginning to regroup. Shen Chonghai straightened his attire, briskly walked to the edge of the open-air command platform, and looked out toward Lin Yu's rear.

"Reporting, Marshal Lin!" Shen Chonghai snapped to attention and saluted, his voice brimming with restrained excitement and pride, "The sea battle is over! According to each ship's reports and verification, the invading Oriental Special Mixed Detachment Fleet's **core main force**—including one 'Long Gate'-class battleship, two 'Leaning Mulberry'-class battleships, four 'Exquisite Height'-class heavy cruisers, and eight 'Blowing Snow'-class destroyers, a total of fifteen capital ships—has been confirmed sunk!"

He paused briefly, then added, "Furthermore, during the battle we also confirmed sinking several auxiliary vessels that accompanied the main force and were not listed in the initial intelligence—one 'Ancient Hawk'-class, one 'Green Leaf'-class heavy cruiser, two 'Inner River'-class light cruisers, and several small gunboats or transport ships. The enemy fleet has been confirmed utterly annihilated, with none escaping."

He straightened his chest once more, his tone even more exalted: "Our fleet—'Iron Blood' suffered only minor scratches, 'Bismarck' was hit twice by small-caliber shells, neither penetrating the main armor, thus combat effectiveness unaffected. All other ships remain intact! Personnel-wise, only a handful of sailors sustained light injuries during operations, with no fatalities! In this engagement, our forces have won a complete victory!"

Annihilating an enemy fleet of massive composition, containing the latest battleships in its special mixed main force, and also destroying all its attendant vessels while sustaining virtually no damage ourselves—such a glorious result would be considered a miracle even in world naval history! This stark contrast once again proves that this German fleet possesses unparalleled combat strength.

Lin Yu slowly turned around, his face bearing a confident, cold smile befitting a victor.

He patted Shen Chonghai on the shoulder and praised, "Well done! General Shen, you and your troops have not disappointed my expectations."

Lin Yu again turned his gaze toward the dark sea littered with enemy wreckage; the sea breeze fluttered the corners of his commander's uniform, making a rustling sound. He drew a deep breath, his voice not loud but carrying an undeniable authority and power, as if declaring to this sea, and to the whole world:

"From tonight onward, this East Sea will no longer be a backyard where Orientals can run rampant!"

"The maritime gateway of Shen City will be firmly held in our own hands! Any who dare covet this land and threaten Shen City's safety will meet the same fate as tonight's fleet—buried in the bellies of fish!"

"A new era has arrived!"