Chapter 133: The Defeat of King Arthur
By the time we set our sights on the second ship, the enemy had already caught wind of our attempt to seize the galleon.
Desperate resistance ensued. While arrows and crossbow bolts lost velocity when fired upward, magical attacks proved formidable.
「That ship carries an advance mage.」
「Understood. Let’s retreat.」
Heeding Kaara’s advice, I promptly abandoned the endeavor.
Of all things, it had to be a wind-based advance mage. Hurricane attacks made aerial combat impossible.
Caught in a fierce blast, I caught Ria’s hand as we exited the airspace. Returning empty-handed would be disheartening.
「Kaara, consider it a down payment. We’ll settle for an older model from there.」
「Affirmative!」
Having successfully commandeered another carrack ship, we ran out of time. Observing the Britannian Navy’s retreat after being breached by the Castilian fleet, it was clear that lingering in this war zone posed danger.
Now the tide turned against us.
「Sensei, tow the two captured ships back to the port of Pervert.」
「Where will Takeru-dono go?」
「I’ll assist the Britannian Navy’s withdrawal. We need to resist further and divert the enemy’s attention. Otherwise, they’ll relentlessly pursue our fleet.」
「Understood. Let’s meet at the harbor. May fortune favor Takeru-dono.」
Upon hearing my decision, Ria stood up.
「I insist on accompanying you.」
「No, Ria. You’ve done enough. Stay here and tend to our wounded allies.」
Her holy magic reserves seemed nearly depleted, and it was too risky. Amidst the chaotic melee of friend and foe, fewer moving parts were preferable. As a hero, I could adapt even if direct combat with the enemy arose unexpectedly.
I was carried by Kaara as we flew toward the Britannian Navy’s flagship, which had begun its retreat.
Of the twenty new-model schooners we had, only eight remained. The slower Britannian cog ships, carracks, and the small pirate galleys had suffered even greater losses.
「Arthur, we’re here to help!」
「My apologies, King General…」
The Brave King wore a pained expression. His admiral’s hat, likely lost in the intense battle, was nowhere to be seen. Brushing back his black hair dampened by the sea breeze, Arthur skillfully maneuvered the battered schooner fleet, buying time for our allies’ withdrawal.
The enemy fleet, aware that ‘King’ Arthur was aboard, closed in on the Britannian flagship, firing arrows as they approached. However, our new-model schooners had the advantage in speed. It made sense for the fastest ship to act as bait.
Yet, witnessing a monarch willingly endangering their own flagship to buy time for slower allies’ retreat was nothing short of heroic. What unwavering resolve!
From the deck, I also sniped at enemy archers, but the height difference made it challenging. While my magic rifle could manage, a straightforward archery duel was unwinnable. Ship size truly mattered in naval combat.
「Kaara, this is the last one. Unleash Meteor Strike. I’ll leave the timing to you.」
「As you wish…」
Kaara inhaled deeply, focusing her mind. She raised both hands toward the enemy fleet, crowded together as they closed in on the Britannian flagship.
「By the will of Kaara Demonia Demonicus, may the dark lord of dawn, shining far beyond the celestial expanse, manifest from the space-time rift and bring destruction upon all!」
The sky darkened, and numerous meteors descended from the star-studded heavens, surrounding the enemy fleet targeting the Britannian Navy’s flagship. In an instant, their ships sank.
Seeing it again after so long, Meteor Strike truly lived up to its reputation—a spell capable of altering the course of battle.
The warships deflecting the meteorites with sparks are likely crewed by advance mages capable of powerful dispel magic. While it’s regrettable that we couldn’t strike at the enemy’s main force, we’ve at least inflicted some damage. It won’t significantly weaken the invincible armada, but we’ve made a dent.
We could have demonstrated the combined might of the Silesie-Britannian Alliance to the enemy.
「Kaara, splendid work. I commend you.」
I gently supported Kaara’s fatigued body as she collapsed to her knees. I removed her black robe’s hood, revealing her pale golden hair, and ran my fingers through it.
Her naturally blue skin made it hard to tell, but even resilient Kaara was showing signs of exhaustion. If only there were a way to restore her energy, but as a demon, she couldn’t use potions from the Asama Church. All we could do was ease her discomfort and let her recover naturally.
Today truly took a toll on her. I comforted Kaara, who was breathing heavily.
「Nation’s father, thank you very much. But now, my mana is depleted.」
「That’s fine. You did exceptionally well. Rest now.」
Kaara, having also exhausted her spare magic gems, seemed drained. Well, today’s battle has come to an end.
「I, too, express my gratitude for saving the Britannian Navy.」
Arthur, a monarch of a country, humbly thanked Kaara, bowing his head to a demoness, a race hated by humans.
He truly was an admirable man—this was ‘King’ Arthur. His strong sense of independence had united the scattered Britannian people living on fragmented islands.
「Arthur, have we bought enough time for the retreat?」
「Yes, the enemy is busy rescuing soldiers from their sunken ships. It’s over. But I must admit, I’ve suffered a humiliating defeat.」
Arthur, perhaps feeling the weight lift, sat down on the deck. Still, he clenched his fist in frustration, muttering, argh.
Silence enveloped us, broken only by the sound of the king’s fist striking the floor. The Britannian Navy soldiers, equally fatigued, slumped in defeat.
Those few hours of battle felt incredibly long
Arthur’s lament weighed heavily. The damage inflicted upon the Britannian Navy was immense, enough to tilt the nation’s balance.
「Arthur, battles are fickle.」
「No, my strategy was anticipated. We confidently deployed the new-model schooners, but I hadn’t expected the enemy to prepare improved versions of the slower carrack ships. No excuse, though…」
Some wars are won and lost when they begin.
This great naval battle felt precisely that way. The clash of new-model designs favored the Castilian fleet, and Britannia lacked both strength and numbers. It boiled down to the pre-existing disparity in national power. Yet, facing overwhelming odds, they fought valiantly.
「The sacrifices made were not in vain.」
「Yes, we’ve likely dealt some blows to the invincible armada. We, the Britannians, protect the seas we call home. These sacrifices are precious for that cause.」
「Arthur, I intend to create a new fleet myself.」
「Huh?」
Arthur looked up, puzzled, his fatigued expression evident.
「I’ve seized Castilian new-model warships, so I’ll use them as a foundation for a fresh fleet. I could even use the blueprints of their advanced designs.」
「Surprising, considering the chaos of battle.」
「Indeed, this defeat isn’t the end.」
「Exactly, hero of Silesie. It’s far from over!」
Arthur rose, steadying his weary body. His disheveled hair clung to his face, and though he appeared drained, his obsidian-like eyes still gleamed.
「We’ll reevaluate our strategy and fight again. But there’s something I’d like you to teach me: how did the Britannian Navy manage to subjugate pirates and bolster their forces?」
「Ah, yes. The North Sea is teeming with unruly pirates. By defeating them, we can either seize their ships or negotiate to hire them as mercenaries.」
「Could you give me a brief lecture on that approach?」
「Hahaha, this is amusing. So, the land’s hero wants to follow in my footsteps?」
Arthur walked over to me and extended his hand, gripping mine firmly. It caught me off guard.
「King…」
「I, too, single-handedly nurtured the Britannian Navy to its current state. If I could do it, there’s no reason the hero of Silesie can’t. Create a new fleet for Silesie, and let’s fight together once more—this time, let’s shatter the invincible armada.」
「Indeed, let’s fight together, King Arthur.」
「Head toward the port of Pervert in Transylvania. We’ll escort the esteemed King General, our vital ally there. Until then, I’ll teach you plenty about naval warfare.」
Arthur, now fully revived, rallied his troops and set a course northeast.
Though he had regained his vigor, the name ‘Pervert’ for the harbor still struck me as awkward.
※※※
I was accompanied by ‘King’ Arthur to the port of Pervert. There, along with two cog ships, were the captured state-of-the-art galleon and carrack.
The Castilian crew members were released at the port. While I had hoped to employ them as sailors, they politely declined.
Returning to Castilia from such a distant port would be challenging, but I couldn’t be bothered to oversee it. We buried the fallen soldiers and gratefully accepted their equipment.
After the post-war cleanup, I found joy in observing the new-class warships. The elongated galleon ship boasts both stability in its design and ample size.
With this warship, it’s likely to accommodate numerous cannons.
Having gained experience in naval battles using cannons, this grand sea battle was significant for both the Castilian and Britannian navies. However, for the Silesian navy, it was a profitable war that yielded two warships.
Well, it helped that we had no ships to lose in the first place.
The saying that strength comes from having nothing to lose is indeed true, as my mentor once emphasized.
We’ll repair the carrack ship as is and use it. As for the galleon ship, we’ll dismantle it temporarily to thoroughly examine its structure.
The materials for constructing new ships are probably being diligently procured by Sherry at this very moment. When she hears about acquiring the galleon ship, her delight will be boundless.
「Yet everything is going to cost a lot of money.」
「Takeru-dono, give up on building new ships, but please also consider the budget.」
She pushed through despite the odds. We’ve already spent a considerable sum securing materials, and the full-scale construction of new ships would be an unknown financial burden.
Given the various other expenses, our national budget isn’t exactly overflowing.
One carrack ship and two cog ships—simply leaving them docked won’t generate profits.
Once repairs and cannon loading are complete, perhaps using the newly formed fleet for trade or pirate suppression could be lucrative.
However, we suffered defeat in a major sea battle.
Much of the Siren Sea is now under Castilian naval control, limiting our options.
From this humble port, our trading options seem limited. We can either trade wool and textiles with the United Kingdom of Britannia’s harbors or exchange timber and provisions with the Sway Peninsula’s northern sea ports.
These trade routes may not yield substantial profits, but they’re better than doing nothing. If only we had a partner to showcase the glassware, a specialty of our principality. Unfortunately, beyond the United Kingdom of Britannia, the surrounding waters teem with adversaries.
「Perhaps we must balance sea expenditures with sea revenues.」
「Yet relying on the principality’s leased ports for trade is disheartening.」
Undoubtedly, sensei yearns to reclaim Nanto harbor from the grip of local nobles and make it truly Silesian. However, inciting turmoil within our nation remains premature.
「Well, let’s start small and steadily.」
「Though I sense impending attacks from the other side.」
Our enemies extend beyond the Castilian navy. Fist Slave Emperor Dyson’s newfound Germania Empire and the latent foes among the southern regional nobility within Silesie pose challenges. While unity eludes us, it’s still better than chaos lies ahead.
One by one, we’ll navigate these complexities and find our way.