Chapter 244: Arrival of the Silesien Fleet
The vast Silesie fleet filled the sea as it slowly sailed into Avana’s port. Though we had expanded the harbor in preparation for their arrival, it still couldn’t accommodate the entire fleet. Every available space was taken up.
The Silesie fleet, led by their flagship Beautiful Queen Silhouette, consisted of three warships made from black cedar, four large galleys, twenty galleons, and thirteen-armed carrack merchant vessels. In total, there were forty ships, all designed for ocean crossings, made up of medium to large vessels with excellent seaworthiness.
To bolster our numbers, we would soon add the cog ships being constructed here, as well as the galleys I had previously seized.
I noticed Damons wiping away tears.
「What’s wrong, Damons? Why are you crying?」
「I’m overwhelmed with emotion, King General. Never have I seen such a mighty display of warships. This must be the world’s greatest navy.」
It certainly made an impression. With all these ships, each weighing in at over a thousand tons, the sight was undeniably impressive. However, the fleet had taken significant damage during their journey across the Siren Seas. Many of the ships, including those bearing the Silesie white lily emblem, had tattered sails, and some even had broken masts.
「Damons, tell me, what kind of fleet does the demon army gather at Times Square’s great naval port?」
「King General, the largest ships in their fleet are only as big as the smallest in your current fleet.」
「So, they have ships around the same size as these carracks?」 「Yes, though slightly smaller. Their flagship is a longship known as the Dragon Ship. The rest are mostly galleys, which are hardly worth mentioning. In terms of numbers, they have several times more than we do, but in terms of strength, your fleet vastly outmatches them.」
I had little doubt that the Silesie fleet, now bolstered by ships we had acquired from Castilia, would be invincible. Hearing Damons confirm this gave me confidence.
As we reached the harbor, Drake, our fleet’s lead commander, descended from the flagship, his wooden leg clunking with each step.
「King General, I’ve returned!」
「Good work leading the fleet, Admiral Drake.」
「Looks like the Silesie fleet had a rough journey, much like us. Ah, here he comes.」
A large, burly man with a tangled mass of hair and a ruddy complexion stomped down the gangplank alongside the sailors. This was Admiral Jean Darlan, the one leading the fleet.
Notably absent was Admiral Mearid, the former female pirate. She had been left behind to defend the homeland. It was only logical to retain forces for homeland defense.
For this mission, we had both Drake and Damons as naval commanders, but since the fleet’s primary role was transport, I thought Jean, though not a combat specialist, would suffice. Still, he didn’t seem too pleased. ‘We had quite a time, King General.’ he grumbled.
Apparently, they’d encountered an unbelievable storm on the way, which had caused significant damage to many of their ships. I could see that just from looking at them. We would have to work our repair docks at full capacity to get them back in shape.
「Admiral Jean, I appreciate your efforts. It must have been quite the journey.」
「Haha, every time you give me an order, I end up facing hardships, King General. Crossing the Siren Sea is no small feat, I assure you.」
「We’ll talk more about the journey later.」
Despite my attempt to move things along, Jean, still full of excitement, continued his story.
「As the fleet crossed the vast ocean, we were caught in storms multiple times. No matter which way we turned, towering walls of waves surrounded us. Just when I thought it was the end, the storm suddenly cleared, and a silver feather gently fell onto the deck…..」
「Asama must have intervened.」
「Yes, that’s right. This is the feather.」
Asama’s divine power does not reach the New Continent. She must have watched over the fleet until they reached the very edge of her domain. I felt a deep sense of gratitude.
I took the silver feather, carefully wrapped in white cloth, from the admiral. This was a sign that we were on the right path, a confirmation that our goal of defeating the Great Demon King Ifriil was just.
「So, she saved us.」
「Indeed, it was the grace of the goddess Asama. We are truly blessed.」
The feather’s brilliance had faded, likely because Asama used her power to calm the storm.
「Oh, speaking of which, you stopped by Dragonmaid Island on the way, didn’t you, Admiral?」
It was impossible to cross the ocean without stopping there, so I knew they must have docked. Besides, I had requested supplies from the island.
「Please, King General, I’d rather not talk about that.」
「I see.」
Admiral Jean said as his red face turned pale.
Seeing that he was clearly distressed, I decided not to press the matter. It seems everyone faces some kind of hardship when they visit that place.
「We brought extra crew to prepare for any trouble, so there’s no need to worry.」
「I see. You’ve done well, Admiral. Rest up until the operation begins.」
The ships were in need of repairs, so we couldn’t mobilize the fleet immediately. We would launch the attack on the Demon Country after the repairs were completed.
※※※
The port of Avana was bustling with activity.
The staff were overwhelmed with repairing the ships from the Silesien fleet, while the sailors who had arrived were enjoying their brief respite on land.
Meanwhile, I was overseeing the firearm training for Berenice and Clementine. The loud boom of Clementine’s musket echoed as she took her shot.
「I hit it!」
The target was shattered to pieces. She had used a shotgun round, so it was expected, but since it was her first hit, I praised her.
「A shotgun fires six pellets at once, making it easier to hit. But its range is shorter, so make sure you get close to the enemy before pulling the trigger in battle.」
「Understood! I’ll shoot them right in front of their faces!」
Clementine replied, flexing her arms confidently.
Since she’s skilled in close combat, I wasn’t worried that she would panic and fire too soon in the heat of battle.
Berenice was also firing her gun with loud bangs, hitting all her targets as well.
「You’ve gotten really good, Berenice.」
「This new gun is so much easier to shoot. Now I understand why you’re so particular about firearms, King-sama.」
She was using a new musket with rifling, the first prototype of a mini rifle, which had just been successfully produced in Silesie. Unlike standard muskets, the mini rifle required special conical bullets known as Pritchett rounds.
Instead of using charcoal, the brown gunpowder for the rifles includes a blend of half-burnt coal.
For example, the barrel of my custom magical rifle has each groove carefully hand-carved using a rifling cutter.
Of course, doing things this painstakingly makes mass production impossible, so for the mini rifle, they use a broaching machine, which is a gear-shaped cutting tool, to etch the rifling. However, since the broaching machine is still a prototype and very expensive, the mini rifle isn’t widely distributed yet.
Still, after testing it, it’s clear that the mini rifle far surpasses the musket in both range and accuracy. Eventually, it will completely replace the old muskets. Even Sherry, who’s in charge of logistics, is thrilled about this technological breakthrough.
「Yes, yes, even considering the cost, this rifle is very efficient.」
「As production ramps up, we’ll be able to lower the price.」
「With these mini rifles, we’ll be able to protect you, Onii-sama.」
「What, you plan to come with me?」
「You’re taking the onesamas, aren’t you? There’s no reason we shouldn’t go.」
「Well, Berenice and the others are my bodyguards, and this is war, you know?」
I had wondered why they were so enthusiastic about testing the mini rifles. It turns out that Sherry and the others are determined to come along.
「Takeru-san, I want to see the Abyss Continent too!」
「You too, Rara-chan?」
Honestly, they’d be better off waiting safely on the island rather than coming to such a dangerous place. But I suppose it’s fine. After all, who knows if the island is truly safe? In fact, it might be safer to bring them aboard the black cedar warships.
Rara-chan, the youngest of the group, even threatened, ‘If you don’t take me, I’ll just stow away.’ So, I had no choice but to agree.
「Alright, you can all come. But promise me you’ll stay on the ship and not go outside where it’s dangerous.」
「Okay!」
Rara-chan cheered as she jumped up and clung to me, wrapping her long tail around my leg. It was quite adorable, though the battlefield is no place for children… But, oh well.
「As expected of onii-sama, you’re so generous. Now we can keep an eye on the others and make sure they don’t do anything improper.」
「King-sama, we can handle protecting you, but babysitting is a bit much.」
「What did you just say? Don’t call me a child! I’m an adult, you know!」
「Ara, my apologies. I didn’t realize you were unaware of how childish you seem.」
Sparks flew between them. It seemed Sherry had some kind of rivalry with Berenice, but with the age difference between them, Berenice was simply toying with her, which was amusing to watch.
「Well, at least things are lively.」
There was hardly any tension, despite the fact we were about to head into war. But with no real concerns about the upcoming naval battles, I figured this lighthearted atmosphere was fine for now.
Once the ship repairs are complete, we’ll finally launch our grand offensive against the heart of the Demon Country. I need to stay focused.