Chapter 51: Adolf and Achilles

At that moment, everyone aboard the cruise ship was thrown into utter shock.

This vessel, purchased by the Rockefeller family, was the pinnacle of luxury cruises, equipped with the most advanced technologies and electronics in the world—far surpassing the famous Titanic of its era. The Titanic, whose name supposedly meant “never sinking,” had tragically sunk on its maiden voyage. Yet the Finis, true to its name, was genuinely unsinkable, outfitted with state-of-the-art holographic radar capable of 360-degree surveillance, monitoring obstacles within ten nautical miles and giving ample time to avoid danger.

Moreover, after the Rockefeller family acquired it, they installed a formidable array of weaponry, dramatically enhancing its security, and even dedicated a satellite exclusively for the Finis. In every respect, the Finis was considered absolutely safe.

Yet the sudden blaring of alarms sent waves of terror through the passengers. What could the rapidly approaching object possibly be?

At that instant, John’s voice came through his personal command system: “Activate the lighting system. Raise the detectors.”

Immediately, beams of light shot out from the hull of the Finis, illuminating the sea for dozens of nautical miles around. Dozens of disc-shaped detectors ascended from the upper deck, soaring in all directions.

Moments later, images began to appear. The walls surrounding the cruise hall transformed, displaying the footage relayed by the detectors.

They saw forty or fifty armed speedboats racing to within four or five nautical miles of the ship, then circling to a halt. The boats were packed with heavily armed operatives, clad in special combat uniforms, wielding standard issue weapons, and even carrying shoulder-mounted rocket launchers.

“What’s going on?”

“Are they pirates?”

“Who dares to attack the Finis?”

The hall erupted into frantic speculation and panic.

Then John spoke again.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please remain calm. This cruise ship is equipped with a powerful arsenal. One round of firepower will send these pirates to the depths of the sea. Rest assured.”

John’s words, paired with the knowledge of the Rockefeller family’s might, finally eased the crowd.

Yan Feihua remained anxious, instinctively clutching Lu Ming’s arm, while Lu Ming stared at the pirates onscreen, deep in thought.

Beside him, Feng Xifan was pale and terrified, repeatedly asking his bodyguard what to do, and the bodyguard could only do his best to comfort him.

Others, having survived the initial panic, regained their composure. They were seasoned titans of their respective fields, accustomed to adversity; though the situation was perilous, they would not lose their heads.

As the images grew clearer, John’s voice rang out: “To the armed personnel outside, who is your leader? I wish to speak with him.”

A moment later, the screen revealed a Western man in his forties, sporting a thick beard.

He laughed heartily and said, “Greetings, everyone. I am Achilles.”

“Achilles?”

“That’s the Shadow Mercenary Corps, one of the world’s top three mercenary groups. Achilles is their leader,” an informed guest immediately explained.

Then, another Western man in his thirties appeared onscreen, his fair face lit by a warm smile. “And me, Adolf.”

“Drift Whale Mercenary Corps,” someone exclaimed.

“Have these two world-class mercenary groups merged?”

“If it’s the two of them, we’re in serious trouble.”

John’s expression grew grave. He spoke:

“Gentlemen, the Rockefeller family has no quarrel with either of you, as far as I know?”

“No quarrel,” Adolf replied with a smile, “but with so many distinguished guests gathered here, I couldn’t resist joining the excitement.”

Achilles laughed. “Looking at you all, I see piles of enormous gold coins. Please, cooperate with us.”

John’s face darkened. “Gentlemen, you must understand the consequences of offending the Rockefeller family.”

The Rockefellers, one of the world’s ten great families, possessed unimaginable wealth and power. Their wrath was not something easily endured.

The two mercenary leaders smiled in unison. “Once this is done, we’ll have all the money and weapons we want. Even the Rockefeller family—what can you do to us?”

Everyone understood at last.

They were about to be kidnapped.

The realization drained the color from their faces. If these two world-class mercenary groups truly went all out and kidnapped them, the ransom would reach astronomical sums. With money and firepower in hand, even revenge from the Rockefellers might not suffice.

John’s face grew cold and he spoke in a low voice: “You think you can hijack this cruise ship with your forces?”

“Prepare the firepower system.”

With John’s command, hundreds of black cannon barrels extended from the hull, aiming coldly in all directions.

Witnessing this, the passengers were reassured. Judging by the caliber, these must be 180-millimeter naval guns—capable of anti-aircraft fire, more than adequate against small speedboats.

“The Rockefeller family is truly remarkable, able to acquire such military-grade naval artillery in such numbers—worthy indeed of a world-leading dynasty.”

Someone raised a glass of champagne and took a sip, chuckling.

Seeing the Finis so well armed, the crowd relaxed again and resumed their lively conversations.

Lu Ming, however, continued to stare silently at the images of the two mercenary leaders.

Adolf and Achilles, still smiling, addressed the crowd: “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to act. See you soon.”

No sooner had they finished speaking than dozens of rocket launchers were raised from the speedboats. With a shrill whistle, rockets soared skyward in dazzling arcs.

With thunderous explosions, the hovering detectors were systematically shot down, and the images on the walls plunged into darkness.

Once again, the crowd was startled. The loss of visual contact with the enemy filled everyone with fear of the unknown.

John, however, remained unruffled. “Activate the satellite feed. Commence cannon fire.”

At his order, the sound of rapid artillery fire erupted outside.

The booming cannons brought a sense of security, and people calmed slightly.

With the satellite feed restored, images of the area around the cruise ship reappeared on the walls, the field of view expanding steadily.

Amidst the dense hail of fire from hundreds of cannons, the speedboats zigzagged rapidly toward the cruise ship. Several boats were sunk during the approach.

Seeing this, the crowd smiled. At this rate, the speedboats would be destroyed before they even got close.

A faint smile appeared on John’s face, too. The Finis, with its arsenal, could stand against a small army. These pirates were no match.

As the satellite feed widened, the displayed sea area grew broader and broader—suddenly, a colossal object appeared.

“A warship!”

Many people shouted out in alarm.

They saw, in the distance, a steel leviathan, its massive gun turrets menacingly aimed at the Finis, ready to devour. Against these monstrous cannons, the cruise ship’s own artillery seemed puny and powerless.

“How can there be a warship in international waters?” someone cried out in panic.

“Is it owned by the mercenary groups?”

“Impossible, pirates couldn’t possibly have a warship.”

As everyone debated, the three main guns on the warship roared in succession.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With three thunderous blasts, three shells were fired in arcing trajectories toward the Finis. Meanwhile, over a hundred speedboats appeared beside the warship, surging forward on the waves.

“My god, what do we do now?”

“How are there so many pirates?”

“We’re doomed!”

The arrival of the warship and pirate reinforcements shattered the calm. In the face of this steel behemoth, the Finis seemed frail and insignificant. Some believed that just those three shells would send the Finis to the bottom of the sea.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With three deafening explosions, the Finis shuddered violently as all three shells struck home.