The leading few smaller, sturdier ships, notably more robust, were pulled by several domesticated large swordfish at the front, boasting an astonishing speed.
"They’re coming!"
The sailor on the lookout tower sounded the alarm, warning everyone.
True to the reputation of professional robbers, their reaction to spotting prey was faster than a dog seeing dirt — no, faster than a shark smelling blood.
"Everyone take your positions! Prepare for boarding! Crossbows ready!"
"Let these sea green-skinned ones taste our might!"
"Oh!!!"
The sailors took their positions, shouting in excitement.
The previously calm Seagull suddenly came to life.
Fern nodded in satisfaction.
Of course, he also knew that this enthusiasm wasn’t exactly his credit; it was more about the confidence bestowed by Gauss and others.
Compared to the busy crowd, Gauss’s team appeared much more composed.
"There are more of them than we expected." Gauss squinted, gazing into the distance, rapidly estimating in his mind.
The sheer number, densely packed, likely exceeded a hundred ships.
A pirate tribe of this scale was indeed beyond what an ordinary fishing boat or merchant ship could resist.
Escaping was not an option, as those "speedboats" pulled by domesticated swordfish couldn’t be shaken off.
Once entangled, they would quickly be surrounded by numerous small boats and rafts, falling into a desperate siege.
During the team’s quiet exchange, the speedboats in the lead already sped in.
Even faster than the ships was their launched assault.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!"
Sharpened bone spears and harpoons were thrown from the goblins’ boats, aiming at the Seagull.
Mixed within were many of their specially crafted "stink bombs."
Crammed with rotting entrails and unknown slime, the clay pots exploded on the deck, instantly spreading a nauseating stench, enough to make one dizzy and nauseous.
"Raise shields, be prepared to dodge!" Fern shouted loudly.
The sailors swiftly raised their prepared wooden shields or ducked behind the ship’s bulwark.
Only a few sailors, unable to dodge, were splattered, their faces instantly turning blue and purple.
"Winding Wind!"
Standing at the stern, Gauss quietly stomped, his Magic Staff hitting the deck. A powerful gust, originating from him, swept forward, sending most of the incoming jars crashing off course into the sea.
"Crossbows, fire!"
Fern seized the moment to give the command.
"Bang! Bang!"
The crossbows at the bow and stern emitted deep roars, the arrows as thick as a baby’s arm shrieking through the air, aimed at the pulling swordfish of the speedboats.
The swordfish, which had slowed their swimming to facilitate the goblins’ throwing attacks, were in trouble.
Some arrows pierced through their bodies, with bright red blood spreading rapidly across the sea surface.
However, the beach goblins seemed unyielding, not deterred by these losses.
Perhaps having plundered similar scaled ships many times, they had grown careless.
Yet the scent of blood seemed to drive these creatures into a more frenzied and excited state.
More and more rafts surrounded the Seagull.
From above, it was spectacular.
Like a swarm of ants besieging a beetle.
"Thunk!"
The crossbow arrows with ropes pierced through the air, firmly penetrating the bulwark of the Seagull.
Yes, this time the crossbow attack came from the goblins.
Pillaging fishing and merchant ships, they naturally dismantled and repurposed some lightweight micro crossbows.
Gauss’s gaze fell on a ship in the distance, the only decent-sized ship among the beach goblins.
Smaller than the Seagull, it looked like a merchant ship too.
But the sails were removed, replaced by a tall mast platform, with goblin archers standing atop.
As for propulsion, it still relied on those restrained sea beasts.
This was a modified goblin "mothership"!
Interesting.
Gauss raised an eyebrow.
He was indeed somewhat impressed by this bunch of goblins’ capabilities.
It felt like these pirate goblins were smarter in utilizing transportation compared to many goblins he had encountered before.
"Boom!"
The goblin "mothership" didn’t slow down but rammed hard.
"Rumble!"
Both ships shook violently.
Once the ships stabilized, the goblin ship penetrated the Seagull’s left bulwark.
Soon, goblins eagerly leapt from the other side of the mast onto the Seagull’s deck.
Additionally, goblins on the other rafts divided into multiple groups, either climbing up with hooks from all directions or climbing aboard the mothership to use it as a springboard to attack the Seagull.
Aaliyah’s prepared spell was cast instantly.
The seed swiftly turned into vines, growing and binding the two connected ships together.
Now, even if the goblins wanted to retreat, it wouldn’t be possible in a short time.
"Kill!"
Unfazed, the goblins leapt onto the Seagull.
The first wave of the boarding battle erupted immediately!
The strong sailors had some advantages over the regular goblins.
Gauss initially didn’t intervene, just silently standing at the stern, observing the battle.
It wasn’t until he saw many goblins climbing onto the Seagull or boarding the other connecting ship that Gauss, knowing he had lured them into a trap, felt secure enough to act.
Goblins at sea were hard to deal with.
But once aboard the Seagull, escaping was no longer up to them.
Gauss lightly tapped his foot.
His figure floated like a feather into the center of the battlefield.
He didn’t immediately swing his sword, just stood quietly there, but an invisible pressure spread out.
The wind seemed to accelerate in circulation around him!
The closest goblins suddenly felt a wave of fear, freezing momentarily, their bodies uncontrollably trembling.
Soon, the sailors seized the opportunity, cutting down the goblins with their curved blades.
Not only the few unlucky ones were affected.
The vast majority of goblins present, even those who hadn’t seen Gauss and theoretically didn’t know of his presence, felt a heaviness in their minds, soon engulfed by an invisible chill.
The goblins’ Star Destruction had arrived!