The Black Sea First Detachment, which departed from the Odessa Military Port in a straight-line formation, finally arrived near the Sevastopol Fortress in Crimea after nearly three hours of sailing.

At this moment, on the observatory of the Sevastopol Fortress hillside, reconnaissance sailors without night blindness were observing the sea situation through telescopes. Any foreign vessel detected would be reported by the sailors to the garrison inside the Sevastopol Fortress, as well as the navy in the Sevastopol Port, so that they could quickly enter a state of war.

When the Black Sea First Detachment grandly approached the Sevastopol Fortress waters, they were immediately spotted by the reconnaissance sailors on the observatory.

Upon seeing this, the sailor promptly informed his Major of the detachment's approach to the Sevastopol Fortress. After hearing the sailor's report, the Major immediately frowned and asked, "Are you saying an unidentified fleet is heading towards the Sevastopol Fortress?"

"That's right! I saw it with my own eyes!" the sailor firmly responded to the Major.

"Did you see the flag the fleet was flying?" the Major inquired once more to the sailor.

After recalling for a moment, the sailor shook his head and said to the Major, "No! The light on the sea is too dim; I could only vaguely see warships approaching through the telescope!"

"Alright then!" The Major regretted the sailor's failure to spot the fleet's flag, and then immediately informed Commander Nakhimov, the highest command at Sevastopol.

"What? A fleet is approaching?" Nakhimov kicked away the vodka bottle on the ground and asked him.

"According to reports from my soldiers..." the Major could only relay the message the sailor had just conveyed to him to Nakhimov.

"Alright! I know!" Nakhimov nodded, nonchalantly saying, "If there's nothing else, you can leave now!"

"But, those fleets..." the Major still worried about whether those fleets might be enemies.

"I have my own way!"

Subsequently, Nakhimov called a subordinate captain and ordered him to immediately take a steamship to reconnoiter the situation.

"Yes!" The captain responded promptly and left the office.

"I wonder who's bold enough to invade here!" Nakhimov chuckled after finishing his instructions, then laid back with his legs propped on the table, assuming a relaxed posture with his eyes closed.

No one understood the defense capability of the Sevastopol Fortress better than he did. Even if it were indeed an Ottoman Empire attack, with the equipment they possessed, they couldn't possibly conquer this fortress.

Nakhimov wasn't worried about enemy fleets attacking; his only concern was the superiors dispatched from St. Petersburg.

After all, as the commander of the Eastern Black Sea Fleet, he should have been on the fleet at sea overseeing and hunting down the Ottoman Empire, whereas now he was idly enjoying himself inside the Sevastopol Fortress, unbecoming of a soldier.

However, Nakhimov didn't believe St. Petersburg would send a superior in such a short time, especially when he was taking a rare moment of leisure.

Meanwhile, the captain sent by Nakhimov left the Navy Camp and immediately hurried to the Sevastopol Fortress Military Port.

At that time, a large number of ships were berthed at the military port, their numbers comparable to the fleet led by Kornilov.

The captain quickly jumped onto a steam launch upon reaching the military port and promptly headed to the steamship under his command.

Upon boarding the steamship's deck, the captain wasted no time in ordering the soldiers to start the steam engine and hoist the sails.

The sailors on the steamship began acting upon hearing the captain's orders. Under the moonlight's clear glow, the steamship gradually accelerated and departed from the Sevastopol Military Fortress.

Having left the Sevastopol Fortress, the steamship headed towards the fleet cluster after nearly 10 minutes of travel.

Under the clear moonlight, the captain discerned the emblem hoisted at the masthead; it was none other than another fleet responsible for patrolling the Eastern Black Sea.

Weren't they supposed to be patrolling the eastern shoreline of the Black Sea? Why were they appearing here?

With suspicion, the captain ordered his flag signal soldier to inquire for some information using flags.

The flag signal soldier used signals to inquire the other ship, and soon, the flag signal soldier on the opposing ship responded using flags.

The flag signal soldier reported this situation to the captain, who immediately told him, "Invite them to follow us into the port!"

"Yes!" The flag signal soldier promptly left and conveyed the simple message to the Black Sea First Detachment upon receiving the order.

The other side also indicated understanding using signal flags.

The steamship started once more, followed by the Black Sea First Detachment's forces.

Under the guidance of the steam-powered torpedo boat, the fleet quickly sailed to another military port located southwest of Sevastopol.

All the steam-powered torpedo boats and the ships of the Black Sea First Detachment docked in the crescent-shaped port.

Numerous manned motorboats were placed on the sea. Under Menshikov's orders, apart from the necessary personnel staying behind, the remaining crew could take the motorboats to Sevastopol for rest and recuperation.

Prince Menshikov and Admiral Kornilov were naturally among them. The motorboat slowly made its way to the dock, where the captain, who had just guided them, was already waiting for Admiral Kornilov's arrival. (The captain was unaware that Prince Menshikov was also on board.)

When Menshikov and Kornilov set foot on the lands of Sevastopol, the captain immediately greeted Kornilov and another unfamiliar figure (Menshikov).

"Where is your superior? Where is he now?" Menshikov asked angrily, showing no courtesy as he inquired about Admiral Nakhimov's location.

The captain cast a disapproving look at the elderly gentleman in front of him, who appeared to be over seventy, and glanced again at Admiral Kornilov.

"This is the Supreme Commander of Crimea and the Caucasus. From now on, all naval and army operations fall under his command!" Kornilov said to the captain.

Upon hearing that Menshikov was there to manage them directly, the captain immediately changed his attitude and informed Prince Menshikov of Admiral Nakhimov's location.

Menshikov immediately ordered the captain to lead the way. Due to the warships being docked on the other side, the path was much more treacherous than when the captain had left.

Menshikov, Kornilov, and the captain crossed a valley named Naval Dock, reached the outskirts of the Sevastopol Fortress, and then traversed through the fort group and artillery emplacements to finally arrive at the core area of the Sevastopol Fortress.

Subsequently, under the captain's guidance, Menshikov and Kornilov quickly arrived at the navy camp and reached Admiral Nakhimov's location.

When the captain brought Menshikov and Kornilov before Nakhimov, it gave a startled fright to the relaxed-looking Nakhimov.

Nakhimov quickly stood up and loudly addressed Prince Menshikov: "Your Highness Prince Menshikov, why are you here!"

"Hmph!" Prince Menshikov responded with a cold expression, without uttering a word.

Admiral Nakhimov looked at Admiral Kornilov with embarrassment, not understanding how he had offended this stubborn old man.

"Admiral Nakhimov, this is a military camp. You should address him as Commander!" Kornilov quietly reminded him.

Upon hearing Kornilov's hint, Nakhimov shivered with realization, finally understanding why Menshikov showed him a stern expression right from the start.

He should have been patrolling the eastern Black Sea, rather than being present here at this time.

Menshikov, coming at the command of "Chairman" Nicholas I to inspect and oversee fleet progress, was naturally unhappy seeing him still in Sevastopol.

"Your Highness, I..." Nakhimov attempted to explain to Menshikov.

Menshikov raised a hand, interrupting Nakhimov's speech: "Admiral Nakhimov, I don't care what you have done before, but from this moment, from my arrival here, you must meticulously execute every one of my orders. Otherwise, you can immediately pack up and head home. Understood?"

"Understood!" Nakhimov immediately assured Menshikov.

Given Nakhimov's willingness to follow his command and respect his authority, Menshikov had no intention of dwelling on his past mistakes, as long as they did not affect the forthcoming plans.

Conversely, should Nakhimov impede his plans, or resist executing them, Menshikov would not hesitate to replace him.

After all past mistakes were brought to a close, Menshikov inquired, "Tell me, did anything happen during your patrol of the western Black Sea?"

Nakhimov reported in detail to Prince Menshikov, including information about the troop carriers traveling between the Caucasus Region and Constantinople.

However, Nakhimov was bolder than Kornilov. Even before the Ottoman Empire officially declared war on the Russian Empire, Nakhimov had already begun covertly attacking these supply ships.

The supply ships transporting from Constantinople to the Caucasus Region were sunk multiple times by Nakhimov using the encirclement tactics of steam-powered torpedo boats.

After sinking the supply ships, these steam-powered torpedo boats would leave the firing range of the Ottoman Empire's main fleet at lightning speed, eluding capture.

"You did well!" Menshikov praised Nakhimov unreservedly. However, he then continued, "But this is far from enough! We must eliminate the entire Ottoman Empire navy!"

"The entire navy?!" Nakhimov exclaimed in surprise, "The Ottoman Empire's naval fleet is only a few ships fewer than the combined fleets of Kornilov and myself; to desire their complete annihilation seems rather challenging!"

"Since I have promised His Majesty to eliminate them within a month, I absolutely won't go back on my word! Admiral Nakhimov, starting tomorrow, you will lead all steam-powered torpedo boats to search the Black Sea! Once you encounter an escort fleet with sparse numbers, attack immediately. If we can take them down, all the better. If not, don't engage in a prolonged battle! Expand the battle results as much as possible before the enemy's main fleet arrives, and then retreat swiftly!"

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