Bab 63: HoG - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Human-Faced Whale Lice

A thunderous boom erupted as the 32-pound culverin, with a bore comparable to that of a second-rate main gun, unleashed its fury. The canister shot, packed with 500 iron balls, detonated in mid-air, transforming into a deadly metal storm propelled by immense kinetic energy.

At a close range of 100 meters, accuracy was irrelevant; even blind, the shot could sweep everything away. The first casualties were the six whale lice in flight, significantly slower than conventional cannonballs. Most were shredded in mid-air, their blue fluorescent bodily fluids glittering as they rained into the sea like confetti.

Only one managed to evade the fiery metal storm, landing with a thud on the deck of the 'Golden Hind' at Byron's feet. With a piercing screech, it launched itself into the air, its twelve hook-shaped limbs extended, aiming to attach to Byron's face.