Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 407: Chapter 406: Sneak into the Village, Don’t Fire the Gun

”Is that the legendary Ghost Fleet?”

At that moment, at the rear of the Sea Mist Fleet, a tall girl dressed in a white dress with a blue ponytail stood on the bow, gazing at the nearby Warship of Sea Mist light cruiser that was ablaze with raging flames and sinking. Her expression was serious, her eyebrows tightly furrowed, showing a look of unwillingness.

”Indeed, as troublesome as the legend describes.”

As a member of the first Eastern cruiser fleet of the Sea Mist Fleet, Takao had heard more than once of a Ghost Fleet appearing in this sea area. Rumors said it came and went without a trace, each time accompanied by fierce torpedo and missile bombings. Originally, Takao thought it was merely the incompetence of the other Sea Mist below, but now it seemed the situation was more severe than she had imagined.

The enemy had already struck her fleet three times, but up to now, her searching radar still couldn’t detect where the enemy actually was. The only thing she could ascertain was that the enemy must be in the direction from which the torpedoes came, but even so, Takao couldn’t pinpoint their exact location.

What on earth is that?

Takao didn’t believe humans could possess such technology, yet this ”Ghost Fleet” couldn’t just have appeared out of nowhere. Given the characteristics of the torpedoes, the enemy should be Sea Mist. But... according to Takao’s memory, the only one who had betrayed the Sea Mist to surrender to humans was I-401, and that was just a submarine... Could it be that humans, through some modified technology, had transformed 401?

I refuse to believe that you can just keep hiding forever!

With this thought, Takao clenched her fists tightly, stamped her feet forcefully, and issued an order.

”All warships, air defense formation, full speed ahead!”

No matter where you hide, I will definitely catch you!

”Something’s not right here.”

Watching the Sea Mist warships, which were originally retreating, suddenly assemble in formation and speed toward his location, Fang Zheng was also stunned. He hadn’t expected these Sea Mist to be so reckless... No, based on Fang Zheng’s combat experience these days, the Sea Mist had always been reckless but not cowardly!

This is going to be troublesome.

Although the enemy charging over also provided Fang Zheng with the opportunity to kite them, truth be told, relying solely on Iona and the Vampire was not enough, and for now... he would have to take it one step at a time!

”Iona, maintain optimal firing range and retreat, Vampire, continue to stay hidden.”

”Yes, Master.”

”Got it, but when can I take action!!”

Fang Zheng decisively blocked the Vampire’s complaints, and then saw Iona reactivate, turning to fly towards the rear. Simultaneously, rounds of torpedoes mixed with electromagnetic bombs were again fired out, howling through the sky and heading toward the distant targets.

”Boom, boom, boom!!”

Facing the incoming bombs and torpedoes, the Sea Mist Fleet also fiercely fought back with fierce firepower for defense, while continuing to charge forward like mad hounds. Even if other warships were hit and disabled by electromagnetic bombs or exploded as a result, it didn’t change the thoughts of these Sea Mist warships, and after another round of attacks, they had closed nearly half the distance to Fang Zheng and his group.

”This really is troublesome.”

Watching the Sea Mist Fleet, which clung to his tail like hounds, Fang Zheng felt a bit of a headache. Nymph’s electronic infiltration could handle these guys, but since Little Angel’s Hacker Realm didn’t have such a large coverage area... No, wait... Right!

”Iona, cease attacking, activate invisibility, and let’s make a loop.”

”Yes.”

Although Iona didn’t know what Fang Zheng planned to do, she nodded and then ceased attacking, swiftly entering stealth mode. Soon, the hovering white warship, along with a distortion, quietly disappeared into the air.

”Iona, mark the current position of the Sea Mist Fleet and Takao’s searching range.”

”Okay.”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s order, Iona obediently nodded her head, then stood up and waved her hand gently in the air; soon, the screen displayed the enemy-search range of the Sea Mist Fleet, denoted by a circle. It was unclear if it was because the attack had stopped, but the Sea Mist Fleet also quickly halted, yet they didn’t relax their vigilance. Instead, they regrouped into their original formation and began searching the surroundings.

”Nymph, what is the maximum range of your Invasion Field?”

”This... about this big.”

”Sigh...”

Seeing the range marked by Nymph, Fang Zheng frowned as well; the reason was straightforward—Nymph’s marked Invasion Field was, unfortunately, only half the current range of the Sea Mist Fleet. This meant that to hack all the warships of the Sea Mist Fleet at the same time, Iona needed to fly to the center of the Sea Mist Fleet.

And that location... was where the Heavy Cruiser Takao was positioned.

”How long would it take to invade all these Sea Mist warships and cripple them?”

”Hmm... if it’s only one ship, it would take just a few seconds, but with so many Sea Mist warships together... at least five minutes... ”

”Including Takao?”

”I can’t say for sure, the inherent awareness of those Sea Mist warships we encountered before was very weak, but it’s hard to say for those like Takao that have a Mind Model.”

As she spoke, Nymph also looked at the proud figure on the screen, showing a troubled expression.

”In the best case, if I get in touch with her, I could invade successfully instantly. But if it’s done through the Domain, she might defend against it, although direct contact... ”

”Let’s not count on that.”

Fang Zheng shook his head at Nymph’s suggestion. After these days together, he and Nymph were very clear about what a Mind Model really is. It wasn’t some 3D image projected, but rather a body made from nanomaterials by the Warships of the Sea Mist. So, one shouldn’t be deceived by Iona or Vampire’s appearance as frail young girls; in fact, each of them had the strength to combat a tank with just one hand.

And to have Nymph, who is a weak melee fighter, engage in close combat with these Mind Models was obviously too dangerous. It was possible that the moment she reached out, Takao could slap her to the ends of the earth.

”Anyway, let’s give it a try. Iona, move into the detection zone... stay alert.”

Ultimately, Fang Zheng made a decision.

”Vampire, be ready for my command to act.”

”Yes.”

”Why should I listen to you?”

Though a bit displeased, Vampire still nodded in agreement. Subsequently, Iona, in her stealth mode, once again turned around and slowly advanced towards the Sea Mist Fleet.

Distance to detection range—10KM... 5KM... entered the detection zone!

No reactions!

Watching the screen showing the unresponsive Sea Mist warships, Fang Zheng involuntarily clenched his fists. He had previously suspected whether the Purification Level’s stealth device could shield against the scans and searches of the Sea Mist warships, and now it seemed, his idea was correct. The Sea Mist warships had completely failed to detect that Iona had invaded their territory, as they continued their vigilance and search.

”Iona, keep moving forward.”

As Iona continued to advance, the Heavy Cruiser shimmering with red radiance became visible in front of Fang Zheng—then, Iona entered Takao’s detection range.

”Hmm?”

At that moment, Fang Zheng saw Takao look up in puzzlement, glancing towards the direction where he and the others were.