This heretic cannot be burned, he must be hung up and whipped!

Red Tide: 1921: Official Map of Europe

As the title says, because the original image is too large at over 50 mb, the website can only send images under 500kb at a time, so Beizhai intercepted parts of the image and sent them separately.

Because the official map was released too late, and some of the content conflicts with the map set by Bei Zhai - for example, the Russian region, no, what is the Golden Horde?! Therefore, according to Bei Zhai's setting, the Balkans, except for Greece and some areas that are still resisting, have been completely conquered by the demons. The Russian Empire remains largely intact, and Bei Zhai will reconsider the Principality of Kiev.

The battle situation on the Iberian Peninsula on the Spanish side uses the previous war zone map version 1914.12 (the map is in the next chapter of Chapter 12). One-fifth of the Iberian Peninsula was taken and half of the area became a war zone.

Regarding the Asia issue, the official response was in the Reddit comments section, stating that the official setting for the Americas is currently unavailable. Therefore, the Asian content in this book follows the "Northern Qing and Southern Ming" setting from the East Asian fanfiction "Trench Crusaders" on Bilibili.

Some people say these messed-up East Asian settings don't fit the spirit of the original. Beizhai still says, "First, find the original." So far, aside from the few dozen lines of chronology in the rulebook on the official website, all other settings have been pieced together bit by bit by Trench Crusaders enthusiasts from descriptions of chess units, some Crusader chapters (yes, not nation descriptions), and fragments of descriptions of other chapters.

Moreover, among the current East Asian settings, the setting set of the Northern Qing and Southern Ming dynasties has the most complete content, the most setting pictures of heretics and human-featured combat units in East Asia, and the images are quite consistent with the official style.

Since the outline of this book also includes the opening of the Silk Road, and the God of this book will focus on Asia after being defeated in Europe, the content about East Asia is indispensable.

As for the content about America, Bei Zhai hasn’t figured it out yet. If you have any ideas about the setting of America, you can post them in the comment area. Bei Zhai might use them and will mark the source.

The following is a screenshot of the official map.

England:

Western Europe:

Eastern Europe:

Nordic:

middle East:

Map Overview:

PS: If the picture is not available, please refresh it in five minutes.

Red Tide: 1921: Chapter 53: The Adeptus Mechanicus and the First Warp Crusade

After dozens of days of emergency modifications, a task force set out from England, crossed the Denmark Strait under the escort of the Holy Roman Empire fleet, and finally docked in Königsberg.

During the ship modification, Neos talked in detail with the Pope about the history of this aspect. The Church had tried to sail in the Warp before, but all the ships - whether they were steel warships or wooden sailing warships, were destroyed in the Warp after entering the Warp under the power of the Paladins.

Some exploration fleets were hit by all kinds of strange debris in the warp as soon as they entered the warp, and then strange phenomena began to appear in the ships:

The murals began to distort, the words on the carpets began to wriggle, the hatches inside the ship opened and closed inexplicably, and occasionally the crew saw distorted phantoms of humans and non-humans, and even dead people.

Within a few hours, these crew members either fell into permanent madness, disappeared directly in the ship, or were killed by those real and fake phantoms. What was even more terrifying was that some people were swallowed by the walls in the blink of an eye, their flesh and blood were replaced by steel and wood, but they still retained a clear consciousness!

Even if a Paladin was in charge of the ship, it would be of no avail. The Paladin's power came from God. Although this divine power could cause harm to creatures in the Warp, on such a large ship, the Paladin could not protect everyone.

Every attempt by the Church to explore the Warp ended in failure. Even if it was just a Paladin and a few mortal followers sitting in a small submarine a few meters long, and everyone was within the Paladin's sight, accidents would still happen! Every time an expedition survived, except for the Paladin leading the team, everyone else would die in the Warp.

"It's hard to say this isn't God's doing," Neos commented.

Therefore, the church was very cautious in this exploration. The designer inquired in detail about the range that Neos could protect and selected suitable ships based on the values. In order to ensure that the accident rate during navigation was reduced to a minimum, every worker who modified the ship was an extremely devout believer.

Every gear and every steel plate has been blessed and prayed for for days by the most prestigious local clergy. Every piece of ammunition transported onto the ship is engraved with sacred prayers. Even the food and wine in the warehouse are selected by special personnel. In order to prevent the generator from malfunctioning, additional oil lamps are added to the ship. The church's precious holy oil is used luxuriously for lighting. The holy oil produced by more than a dozen cathedrals in a year is all brought to this battleship.

This light cruiser, named after Kilkenny, the capital of the Kingdom of Ireland, has been launched for more than half a year. It has perfectly carried out several missions and achieved the record of sinking two heretic destroyers in a firefight with the heretic patrol fleet.

"This is the Kilkenny! She's been modified. All external observation windows have multiple layers of protection, with baffles inside and outside. The radar and communication antennas can be folded and stowed. All crew members have undergone religious investigation, and there are no criminals or heretics in their three generations."

In the port of Königsberg, Captain Scott saluted Neos, and the 630 crew members behind him also saluted Neos.

"Can you show me around the ship?" Neos asked.

"Of course. The church's commissioner has already told me about the possible dangers we might face. It's up to you to decide whether to inform the crew about the voyage. The crew only knows that we're about to embark on a very dangerous voyage westward, entering territory controlled by heretics."

"The Warp - the realm of heresy... er... well, to the mortal crew there really is no difference between the two -

Let me get acquainted with the boat first."

Neos followed Captain Scott onto the ship, and the captain began to proudly explain every part of the ship to Neos.

Neos noticed a detail: the passages on both sides of the ship were hung with eagle emblems and crosses representing Neos and bronze plates engraved with words from the "Divine Word". All the murals of angels and saints were removed and replaced with images of Neos, the Paladin Dominican and the living saint Luce.

They first toured the crew quarters. Despite the limited space, the six-person cabins were neatly arranged. Above each bunk hung a small eagle-shaped cross, and at the head of the bed sat a copy of the Book of the Holy Word instead of a Bible. In the corner of each quarter stood a miniature altar, lit with candles and a shrine containing a statue of Neos.

"We have asked the crew to pray to your statue every morning and evening," Scott explained. "The Church tells us, based on past experience, that firm faith is the best barrier against the temptations of the Warp."

"These are the bloody experiences of our predecessors!" Neos sighed.

Leaving the crew quarters, they arrived at the engine room. Four massive three-barrel naval boilers powered Parsons geared steam turbines, which hummed softly as engineers busily checked various instruments and valves. Unlike other warships, every machine and pipe here was coated with a special paint that shimmered with a faint golden luster.

"What is this?" Neos pointed to the huge brass badge hanging on the engine - on the badge an eagle stretched its wings between the gears, holding a cross and a hammer in its claws respectively.

"That's the symbol of the 'Mechanicus', organized by the venerable Bishop Amos and Colonel Valentine," the captain explained. "The crews maintaining the engine room and other vital machinery have received instruction from the Mechanicus within the Ninth Army. They've become adept at arranging rituals to bless machinery. According to the records of the Mechanicus, blessed machinery possesses souls. We must treat this mute comrade with respect."

"Why does this style look so familiar to me?" Neos complained softly, and suddenly caught a glimpse of the chief engineer standing in front of a huge control console with a small altar on it with candles burning.

Exactly thirteen.

"Before each engine start, we hold a brief prayer ceremony," the captain explained. "You can refer to the ritual instructions in the Adeptus Mechanicus's manual."

He opened the manual:

"Greetings, warriors of the Lord of Mankind!

Today we'll teach you the best ways to maintain your Machine Spirit before battle. Experts from the Adeptus Mechanicus will ensure your weapons, transport vehicles, communications equipment, and mechanical equipment are in perfect working order, allowing you to keep slaying heretics.

Step 1: Sing the Prayer

The first step in awakening a Machine Spirit is chanting a specific prayer for it. These prayers vary in length, so if you are assigned to an Inquisitor Assault Gun, you may need to start chanting before the company's meal in order to complete the prayer before the battle. If the initial prayer is unsuccessful -

He struck the side of the engine with his hand in a reverent, sharp sound (emphasis added), raised his eyes to the sky, and repeated the shorter Machine Spirit Hymn.

This is the most direct way of communicating with machine spirits passed down by the Lord of Mankind. In theory, it can be used on all man-made devices!

Step 2: Anoint with Holy Oil

To the uninitiated, an engine requires nothing more than fuel to operate. However, if you don't also apply the holy oils, crafted only by the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Machine Spirits will become restless. Sometimes, in the heat of battle, there's no time to apply the holy oils. If you and the Machine Spirits have good rapport, you can use the sinful blood of your enemies instead of the holy oils, achieving the same effect for a short period.

Be warned, any Machine Spirit loyal to the Lord of Mankind will gladly feast on the blood of a heretic.

Step 3: Start and shut down maintenance

Start the machines in order. After the battle, be sure to appease the machine spirits, and it's okay to apply more holy oil at this time.

Step 4: What if it doesn’t work?

If your machine is unresponsive, you've definitely done something wrong - start over from the beginning and repeat the steps above. If you hear any unfamiliar rasping, clanking, clanging, snapping, hissing, wailing, shrieking, whining, chanting, or dripping sounds emanating from within your machine, and you are certain there are no enemies within, it is your responsibility to report it immediately to the nearest clergy member or member of the Adeptus Mechanicus.

If you encounter any equipment's Machine Spirit issue on the battlefield, you still have one piece of equipment at your disposal—your trusty Bayonet. Make sure to regularly drown it in the blood of your enemies in the name of Neos.

"pretty good."

Neos will no longer deny something just because "this thing looks unscientific". Existence is reasonable. As long as this thing is useful and effective, then do it. Research can be put off until after the war. The top priority now is to drive those demons back into the shit pit!

As Neos passed by the generator room next door, he could see several technical priests carving the "Holy Word" onto the shell. Neos took a curious look over.

"The generator must be able to generate electricity! —Lord of Humanity"

After touring these cabins, they finally arrived at the ship's main conference room, a spacious space with a huge oak conference table in the center and various nautical charts and paintings covering the walls.

“This is where we discuss tactics and missions,” Scott explained. “All the important decisions are made here.”

Neos surveyed the room carefully. The ceiling was high, and the walls were decorated with murals depicting Neos's battles and life. The windows were sealed with heavy steel plates, and only a few lamps provided light.

"Reverend Saint, the Kilkenny and her crew are now ready to undertake this dangerous mission. Do you have any suggestions for making our ship safer?"

Scott asked, saluting Neos.

Neos thought for a moment, then said, "The large conference room needs to be remodeled."

"Modification?" Scott was a little surprised. "Are you planning to add some equipment?"

"No," Neos said, "this ship is fine except for the church."

"Church? I think we have several prayer rooms."

"It's too small. When sailing in the warp, the crew needs a place to concentrate on praying. I can't take a ship on a warp voyage every time. One day you will have to learn to sail in the warp without my escort.

By that time, all you can rely on are your faith and the gun in your hand.

This conference room is large enough to accommodate many people - if the adjacent cabins are connected, it would be possible to squeeze in two-thirds of the ship's personnel. Every day, the entire crew prays together here."

"Yes! Then where do you think the meeting should be held——"

"We won't need many meetings during the voyage," Neos interrupted. "In the Warp, the power of faith is more important than any tactical discussion. The chapel should be the spiritual center of this ship, just as the heart is to the human body."

Scott understood what Neos meant and nodded immediately: "I will arrange for a craftsman to modify it immediately."

"Very good," Neos stood up. "One more thing. On the bridge—no, that's too dangerous. Set up a navigator's position in the church. The navigator can use protected observation equipment to locate the Astronomican outside the ship. This will help you guide the ship in the warp. When necessary, my power will descend from here."

"The Astronomican's light isn't enough to guide this ship. What if a demon attacks you while I'm away? This altar will be an extension of my power, a spiritual pillar for the crew in the Warp. If you get lost or besieged, pray to it. I can hear you in the Warp, and sometimes there's a lot of noise, so you need to have firm faith."

"Remember, I am the only one you can pray to in the Warp!"

Scott's eyes gleamed with awe: "I will obey your will!"

...

Three days later, the port of Königsberg was bustling with activity. The Kilkenny had completed its final preparations, and the crew of over 700 men were stationed at their respective posts, awaiting the order to sail.

Neos stood on the bridge, his gaze sweeping across the harbor. The ship's cargo hold was already filled with enough supplies, ammunition, fuel, and spare parts to sustain more than three months of sailing. Following his instructions, the former conference room had been converted into a chapel, becoming the spiritual center of the entire ship.

"Everything is ready, Saint." Captain Scott saluted Neos and reported, "We can set sail at any time."

Neos nodded: "Let's get started!"

"beep----"

With a long whistle, the Kilkenny slowly left the harbor.

As the fleet entered an uninhabited area in the open sea, the frigate gradually slowed down and kept a certain distance from the Kilkenny. This was a pre-agreed procedure - no one knew what the impact would be when the subspace entrance opened.

"Attention all departments, we are about to enter a special area. All personnel must take their positions according to the drill plan." Scott's voice spread throughout the ship through the broadcasting system.

Neos walked to the front of the deck, took a deep breath, and gently traced a line across his chest with his hands. As he moved, strange ripples appeared on the sea, as if some invisible force was stirring the water.

"Open it for me!"

He thrust forward, and a glowing crack appeared in the air, rapidly widening enough for the entire warship to pass through. Purple and blue light flickered within the crack, and twisted energy flowed like liquid.

"Forward four!" Scott ordered.

The Kilkenny's steam turbines roared deeply, propelling the steel behemoth forward. As the warship's bow touched the crack, a strange vibration spread throughout the ship. The hull began to slowly sink, carrying a large amount of seawater into the warp.

As the stern also disappeared into the crack, Neos closed his hands, and the crack began to shrink, eventually closing completely. In the real world, the frigate's crew watched as the Kilkenny was engulfed in a strange light, which then vanished, leaving only churning waves on the sea.

The moment they entered the warp, an eerie silence descended upon the entire ship. The ship's steam turbines gradually stopped turning, leaving only the generators still humming, providing the necessary power.

The Warp—the dimension beyond reality—unfolded its strange presence around the Kilkenny. Lightning flashed across the boundless purple void, and in the distance drifted all sorts of debris and twisted structures. Some resembled shattered buildings, while others were amorphous and ever-shifting.

Neos quickly unleashed his power, and a blue-white light curtain spread from his body, gradually covering the entire ship. This light curtain not only isolated the harmful energy of the Warp and prevented air leakage, but also reduced the possibility of being discovered by Warp creatures.

"Attention all personnel," the captain's voice came over the PA system, "We have entered a special area. No one is allowed to go onto the deck or into any area with windows, whether they are barred or not. Violators will be executed immediately!"

Neos left the deck and headed for the church in the middle of the ship. Marcus, a psychic navigator sent by the church, was standing in front of a complex instrument to determine direction and distance.

"How are we positioned?" Neos asked as he walked up to Marcus.

"According to the guidance of the Astronomican, we appear to be on the right path, Saint," Marcus replied. "At this speed, we can cover 3000 nautical miles in just two days."