Chapter 132: The First Battle of the Siren Sea
Off the coast of Galley Village in the Kingdom of Silesie, on the open waters of the Siren Sea, the fleet of the United Kingdom of Britannia faced off against the invincible armada* of the Kingdom of Castilia.
TN: It should be a reference to the Spanish Armada so let’s call it armada from now on.
Compared to Castilia’s invincible armada of over two hundred ships, the fleet led by ‘King’ Arthur had assembled a hundred and fifty vessels, including even the pirate ships they had subjugated.
This clash of fleets on such a grand scale was unprecedented in history—a true naval battle befitting two great maritime powers.
The numerical odds were three to two, not an insurmountable disadvantage. The Britannian Navy, bolstered by the morale of having the symbol of national unity, Brave King Arthur, had a secret strategy: a special assault operation involving twenty state-of-the-art schooners.
Against the ancient power of Castilia, it was the youthful Britannian Navy that surged with momentum.
Perhaps today would be the moment when the invincible armada’s undefeated legend would shatter, and history would pivot.
However…
「What in the world is that colossal ship?!」
At the bow of the cog ship, Admiral Jean struggled to keep his admiral’s hat from being blown away by the sea breeze. In the center of the Castilian fleet, five massive warships resembling offshore fortresses loomed into view. Even from a distance, their sheer presence was awe-inspiring. Admiral Jean, usually unflappable once aboard a ship, was visibly agitated—an unprecedented sight. Well, it was only natural in this case.
「That must be a galleon, right?」
「King General, are you familiar with it?」
As for me, I had encountered galleons only in games and novels, so seeing them in reality left me equally astonished. Considering that the Britannian Navy had prepared state-of-the-art schooners for this decisive battle, I had expected the invincible armada to unveil some new models as well.
「It’s an improved version of the carrack, designed with a longer hull and lower superstructure to enhance stability. Known as the ‘galleon,’ it combines the combat prowess of a galley with the sailing capabilities of a carrack. And its total weight? A thousand tons.」
「A thousand tons… monstrosity!」
Admiral Jean was left breathless by its sheer size. Consider this: our current cog ship, with a total weight of a hundred tons, pales in comparison to the vessel before us, which boasts a mass ten times greater.
Truly, it deserves the title of a maritime fortress. No doubt, our cog and schooners would be outmatched.
Arthur’s special assault strategy—compensating for size and quantity with speed, then concentrating firepower on the enemy flagship after causing chaos—had effectively crumbled at this stage.
Even if we surrounded it with small boats, that maritime fortress wouldn’t fall so easily. Before the clash even begins, it’s already nine-tenths in favor of the Britannian Navy’s defeat.
As I fix my gaze on the five colossal warships unfolding from the center, I ponder.
「Hmm, those galleons. I want them.」
「Huh?」
Admiral Jean’s bewildered expression meets my muttered words.
If both fleets were in direct combat, I considered having Kaara unleash the ultimate spell, Meteor Strike, to bolster the Britannian Navy. But I decided against it.
「Very well, our fleet’s objective is to capture the galleon!」
「Oooh!」
The Silesie volunteer corps aboard the ship raise their fists in response to my fervor, while Admiral Jean and the sailors wear expressions of confusion.
Well, it’s their first time joining us in battle, after all.
「King General, surely that’s impossible. How do you propose we seize such a massive ship?」
「Admiral Jean, the word ‘impossible’ doesn’t apply to Silesie’s hero. Watch closely—I can fly. Lyle-sensei, I entrust fleet command to you.」
With a wry smile, Lyle-sensei nods in acceptance.
To Admiral Jean’s bewilderment, Lyle-sensei orders the ship’s bow toward the invincible armada’s flank.
After all, cannons and bows have different ranges. Our strategy involves subtly chipping away at the enemy with cannon fire from a distance beyond their archers’ reach.
With Lyle-sensei at the helm, we’ll never venture within the enemy’s attack range.
As I watched the small galley ship, positioned on the outermost edge of the invincible armada, attempt to board our vessel, only to be swiftly sunk by the cannon fire from our Silesie naval cog, I felt a sense of relief. Carried in Kaara’s arms, I soared directly toward the nearby galleon.
Kaara’s embrace wasn’t as comfortable as Oracle-chan’s booster, but there was no other choice.
Oracle, being of utmost importance, remained in the palace. In her place, however, was Ria, adorned in the ‘Goddess’s Robe’ , her silver wings glinting as she flew.
I wondered if having a saint with us would prove useful in commandeering the ship. Well, those who insist on tagging along can’t be helped. The Holy Lance won’t go to waste either. Ideally, though, let’s avoid any foolish antics during this grand naval battle—it would be a national embarrassment.
「Very well, Kaara, let’s seize that ship.」
We leaped onto the galleon closest to us.
Its deck was teeming with Castilian soldiers in crimson uniforms, diligently firing arrows and crossbow bolts in our direction.
Such attacks were inconsequential; Kaara deflected them effortlessly with her wind magic.
Among the soldiers’ arrows, there were occasional magical assaults, but nothing beyond basic spells. Clearly, there were no high-level mages aboard. It made our task easier, although the thin barrage was somewhat disappointing.
In other words, the weakness of this resistance indicated that the enemy vessel lacked a fleet commander.
Kaara struck first with a jab—a fiery upper-tier spell, Inferno of the Abyss, aimed squarely at the enemy’s deck.
This attack was akin to a forbidden move for a ship that could catch fire once ignited.
The crew had no choice but to extinguish the flames or perish as the ship plummeted.
As soldiers and sailors desperately fought the fire, we descended gracefully.
「What are you people?!」
「I am Sawatari Takeru, the hero of Silesie. This ship now falls under the dominion of the Silesie Navy. Surrender, and your lives shall be spared!」
As I continued firing my magic rifle, reducing the enemy’s numbers, Kaara swung her arms left and right, creating shockwaves that swept the approaching soldiers off the ship. Impressive.
「Now, esteemed Castilian comrades, there’s no need for this. Cease the conflict and kneel before the divine presence of Asama!」
「S-Saint-sama…」
Contrary to expectations, the enemy soldiers seemed most fearful of Ria, who extended her silver wings. With her golden hair and azure eyes, Ria radiated an otherworldly brilliance, resembling a celestial saint.
The Castilians were undoubtedly followers of Asama. While seasoned commanders might stand their ground, ordinary soldiers hesitated to aim their bows at the saint holding the silver ankh.
「Cease your insolence aboard my ship, Silesie forces!」
With a gleaming saber drawn from its scabbard, a knight clad in full plate armor lunged at us. His tall, lean frame sported a well-groomed Kaiser beard.
Arthur had mentioned that men donning armor on ships were resolute knights.
「May I ask your name?」
「I am General Sebastian Cordova Borbon, entrusted with this state-of-the-art warship. Welcome, King General of Silesie. Let us engage in honorable duel.」
While sailors wielded cutlasses, General Sebastian, his yellow mantle billowing in the sea breeze, unsheathed his straight saber and launched a powerful overhead strike.
A bold attack indeed.
「Prepare yourself! I shall be your opponent!」
「Daah!」
Out of respect for the warrior, I discarded my magic rifle and, instead, parried the saber with my right hand’s sword of light. Perhaps it was an enchanted sword, but its durability matched that of a light blade.
「What!」
「General Sebastian, my apologies but you’ve just met your worst opponent!」
With my neutral sword in my left hand, I swiftly severed Sebastian’s head.
Blood sprayed across the deck. Occasionally, a good sword fight keeps one’s skills sharp.
「General down!」
「Now, who’s next?」
I continued to parry and strike down the enemy soldiers leaping at me, one after another, using my Imagination Sword.
Amidst the chaos, the Castilian crew cried out, ‘Captain!’. Apparently, I had inadvertently dispatched the captain as well. Kaara and Ria were working diligently. The once-crowded deck now bore sparse remnants of Castilian soldiers.
「Wait! We surrender! Please treat us as prisoners.」
「Wise decision.」
A middle-aged Castilian officer in faded yellow velvet attire raised his hands in surrender. He seemed to be the highest-ranking navigator among the remaining crew. Following his lead, the remaining soldiers and sailors ceased their resistance.
For our part, wiping out the entire crew would hinder the operation of such a large ship. Their timely surrender was appreciated.
Without revealing our reasons, I handed the surrendered navigator the Silesie navy flag—a white lily on a blue field.
「Raise this flag when signaled, and follow the guidance of the Silesie Navy.」
「U-Understood. As you command, Hero-sama… If possible, I’d like to rescue any soldiers who fell into the sea.」
「You may do so as needed, but we can’t afford to delay. Since the surrounding ships are all Castilian, they’ll likely be rescued anyway. Follow our instructions promptly, and remember: we won’t harm you if you don’t resist.」
「Understood…」
As we tended to the fallen crew members, the galleon we had captured drifted away from the Castilian fleet.
Once we were sufficiently distant, we raised the Silesie navy flag.
Before long, two Silesie cog ships, which had obliterated the galley and carrack with cannon fire, approached and docked.
Armed volunteer corps boarded the ship one after another. With that, the galleon was now fully under our command.
Things are progressing quite smoothly. Thanks to the Britannian Navy engaging fiercely with the invincible armada ahead, we’ve gained a significant advantage.
Mission accomplished.
Although I’d like to capture one more ship if possible, observing the battle reveals that the Britannian Navy, acting as our decoy, is facing considerable pressure.
At first glance, it seems they won’t hold out much longer.
The Britannian Navy’s state-of-the-art schooners, while skillfully restraining the galleons, are now struggling. The frontal assault by the fleet formation is on the verge of breaking through the invincible armada.
Indeed, outnumbered. Despite sinking a few ships from the side and forcing one galleon to surrender, it appears the overall situation remains unchanged.
「Nevertheless, the Britannian Navy seems to be losing ground.」
「Indeed, smaller ship sizes put them at a disadvantage in direct combat.」
Lyle-sensei steps onto the galleon’s deck, her chestnut hair fluttering in the sea breeze.
Certainly, compared to the galleons and carracks, the Britannian Navy relies heavily on smaller vessels. Although their agility helps, when it comes to head-on clashes, attacks from above hold the advantage.
「Given the size of the new schooners, it seems they can’t board the galleons.」
「The Britannian Navy is also outnumbered in terms of advanced mages. That foremost galleon is likely their flagship.」
As Lyle-sensei points toward the galleon leading the charge, I notice something peculiar.
「That ship emits an ominous aura.」
Despite not casting any particularly powerful attack magic, the pressure it exudes is intense. As our Silesie forces approached, the Britannian ships faltered, their movements halted. What is even happening?
「In Castilia, there are three renowned advance mages. In the United Kingdom of Britannia, there are two. Purely in terms of numbers, we are at a disadvantage, but their strategic placement was impressive. On that ship, along with the fleet commander, rides the most troublesome mage. It seems they anticipated King Arthur’s tactic of concentrating firepower on the enemy flagship.」
「Could it be another case of peculiar magic?」
Sensei nods in agreement.
Ah, I had a bad feeling about this.
「Castilian Court Mage Celestina Siren, known for her ‘Fascination’ magic. True to her name, she beguiles sailors with her songs, leading them to self-destruction. If you’re not within the powerful dispel magic range, she can manipulate your mind and turn comrades against each other. Even approaching her is dangerous.」
「Yet another unfair technique.」
I’m fed up with these advance magicians. Mind control? That’s downright cheating.
I understand why sensei wants to eliminate all the world’s advance mages. They’re too powerful and full of uncertainties.
「To bring down ‘Fascination’ Celestina on her ship, we’ll have to rely on long-range attacks from outside the enemy’s firing range. As the Silesie Fleet, having two galleon fleets guarding it against us, there’s nothing we can do at the moment.」
Indeed, the flagship, guarded tightly by other friendly vessels, is under the command of a fleet admiral.
The invincible armada commander had already anticipated the Britannian Navy’s potential assault on the flagship.
Impressive, Castilia has its share of formidable individuals.
However, as we advance, encircling the flagship, we might find vulnerabilities to exploit.
「Then let’s secure another ship, preferably a galleon.」
Still within striking distance, there’s another galleon ship. The escort seems thin, so we might have a chance.
「Though it’s best not to approach the enemy flagship, remember that recklessness is forbidden. Our fleet is protected by the Prime Minister’s dispel magic, so if you sense danger, retreat immediately.」
No room for complacency, but our successful infiltration has paid off. For now, the Britannian Navy unwittingly acts as our decoy—a prime opportunity.
「I prefer another galleon, but any ship will do. Let’s secure one more vessel and then withdraw.」
「Well, if it’s just that, we’ll manage somehow. The ship’s deck is more fragile than expected; the cannons have damaged it. The cog ship has its limits. As always, it’s a race against time.」
Sensei’s observation is spot-on. The six bronze cannons lined up on the cog ship’s deck have taken a toll from the recoil of firing.
Ah, perhaps we should attach wheels beneath the cannons to mitigate the recoil.
In practice, various improvements come to mind.
Calling out to Kaara, I take flight to seize the other galleon ship.