Chapter 682: Ashes

Qin Ge's fleet did not linger long at the Sakura Empire home islands; after all, the present situation is urgent, and they still need to head for the Atlantic Ocean, so they must seize every moment.

On the command ship, while everyone was resupplying, Qin Ge and the faction leaders confirmed the future route on the nautical chart.

"If we move quickly to support, we can go straight from the Sakura Empire here to the Bering Strait, cross the polar seas, and reach the Northern Union directly," said King George V, pointing at the chart.

At that moment, A Furore shook her head: "No, it's already nearly November; the Arctic Ocean nearby is frozen, so this route is impossible."

"Even if you try to force your way through, you're unfamiliar with polar conditions; it would be harder than fighting the Siren Fleet."

Qin Ge nodded: "A Furore is right—although crossing the Arctic Circle is the shortest route, we lack experience in polar combat and have no known passage; rushing in would easily get us stuck there.

So we will still follow the originally planned route, crossing the entire Pacific Ocean."

"Then, Commander, which route do you think we should take now?" asked Weineituo.

"From the Sakura Empire we go to Guam, resupply there, then proceed to Hawaii, and from Hawaii we pass through the Panama Canal to reach the Atlantic Ocean," Qin Ge said, indicating this route on the chart.

"I recall Hawaii should be White Eagle's front line in the Pacific," said the Prince of Wales.

"Correct, White Eagle's Pacific front line is indeed in Hawaii, and it is overseen by Washington," said Xianghe.

"That's what I mean: White Eagle's terrain is ocean on both sides; if we can ease their offensive along the western Pacific, they can deploy all their forces to the eastern Atlantic seaboard, allowing us to launch a pincer attack from their homeland," Qin Ge said, pointing at the chart.

"But what if we encounter a large Siren Fleet while crossing the Pacific?" asked Enterprise.

Qin Ge was about to speak, but a voice from beside him interrupted him.

"It won't happen, because I previously came this way."

Everyone turned to see Feilong looking this way; evidently, the earlier words were hers.

"Did Feilong previously come through this Pacific route?" Qin Ge asked.

"Yes, there were several outposts here originally, but Antikesi may have sensed my arrival, so those outposts were canceled," Feilong said.

"Indeed, as one of the outstanding warriors of the Sakura Empire among the Ashes, your and Gaoxiong's presence would make ordinary Antikesi retreat three li," said Gnesenau standing beside her.

"Ashes? Is that your organization?" Qin Ge asked.

Feilong did not answer; Hai Lun Na answered the question.

"Yes, we originally belonged to the Ashes organization."

"Huh? You're all members of the Ashes organization? Including the Enterprise previously seen in North Carolina?" asked Xin ze xi.

"Yes." Feilong glanced at Hai Lun Na and then nodded.

"So the Ashes organization must be very powerful," said Zuikaku intriguingly, after all, she had witnessed Gnesenau's action when Bisimai supported the Sakura Empire.

"Powerful?" Feilong gave a self‑mocking laugh. "If our organization were truly strong, perhaps there wouldn't be so many troubles."

"Huh? Isn't that kind of power already considered strong?" Zuikaku asked in surprise.

"To you, we are indeed stronger, but compared to our enemies we are still far behind," Hai Lun Na said.

"Who exactly is the enemy?" Qin Ge asked.

"You don't need to know for now; if one day your strength is enough to face those powerful enemies, I will tell you even if you don't ask," Hai Lun Na smiled.

"Tsk, is it always like this?" King George V clicked his tongue. "Is it just not enough strength?"

"There's no help for it—after all, you inhabit a Numbered World, and the world's inherent intensity caps your strength.

But this world has undergone some changes, which I'm sure you have sensed. The original limit no longer exists; you can continue to increase your strength, yet the distinction between warships and imitations remains unchanged, so strive on," Hai Lun Na smiled.

"Then what exactly is the Ashes organization?" Qin Ge, unfazed by Hai Lan Na's vague answer about the enemy, shifted the topic back to the Ashes organization.

"Ashes? More accurately it should be called Remaining Ashes, because those who join this organization are the remnants left after being burned," Hai Lun Na said with a smile.

Feilong and Gnesenau did not object to her answer; apparently this answer is accepted by all in the Remaining Ashes.

Qin Ge frowned: "Does that mean everyone who joins this organization comes from different worlds, and also from worlds that have been destroyed?"

"Mostly, though some are not; they are themselves the original warships," Hai Lun Na said.

"Original warships? So some of them come from the primordial world you mentioned, where everything began?" Qin Ge asked in surprise.

"Exactly." Hai Lun Na nodded, "And we have one such person right here."

After Hai Lun Na finished speaking, she turned her gaze toward Feilong, and the others followed her look toward Feilong, obviously implying something thought‑provoking.

However, Feilong said nothing and showed no anger; she simply crossed her arms, as if the people looking were not looking at her.

Qin Ge coughed: "All right, let's drop this topic. Knowing too much is of no use to us now. As Feilong said earlier, this route is safe and sees few Siren Fleets, so we will take it, speed up, and reach White Eagle's front line as soon as possible."

"Understood," everyone nodded.

"Well then, everyone go check your factions' supplies; after finishing, report to the flagship, and I will arrange a joint departure," Qin Ge said.

"Yes." The faction leaders nodded and left the ship to inspect their factions' supplies.

Not long after, Qin Ge received communications from several faction leaders on the command ship, all reporting that supplies were complete.

"All personnel, immediately board under the faction leaders' arrangements; we will set off shortly."

"Yes, Commander!"