Translator: Cinder Translations
...
Under Captain Zod's orders, the pirate fleet quickly headed north. However, after traveling a certain distance, Nathan, who was in charge of observing the northwest fleet, noticed something strange.
"Captain Zod, the enemy's movements seem a bit odd! They appear to be turning towards our north instead of heading towards the southern port! It looks like... like they might be trying to intercept us?"
"What?" The pirate captain was taken aback, "Could they have spotted us from this distance?"
Nathan lowered his head, lost in thought. Could it be that the northwest fleet had also had skilled spellcasters capable of long-distance reconnaissance? He immediately looked up and said, "Forget the plan to flank them! Captain Zod, we need to come up with a new strategy right away!"
Zod clenched his fist and swung it vigorously, "Hmph! Then let's have a proper head-on battle!"
Under his command, the pirate fleet began to turn left, forming two rows of nine ships each.
By the time the pirate fleet had reformed and arranged itself, the two sides could see each other clearly.
"Brothers! Kill those cowardly landlubbers! Let them know who truly rules the seas!" Zod shouted from the bow of his flagship, which was positioned in the center of the first row.
The captain's rallying speech fired up the crew. They roared enthusiastically, and other ships responded with drumbeats. The entire sea was filled with various slogans and battle cries.
The rowers strained with all their might, pushing the ships towards the northwest fleet.
Zod, Nathan, and several other subordinate captains stood at the bow, keeping a close watch on the enemy as the distance between them closed.
"Incredible! Their masts are so tall,"
"Yes, if the wind picks up, won't the ship be in danger of capsizing?"
The captains commented on the masts of the northwest fleet's ships.
"Keep your focus on the upcoming battle! Even though the enemy might be inexperienced, you should remember that even when hunting rabbits, a lion uses its full strength,"
Zod was quite displeased with his subordinates. They dared to get distracted right before the battle, which was a disgrace, especially in front of the mage.
Nathan smiled at the scene before him.
Just as Zod was about to continue reprimanding his subordinates, someone shouted, "Captain, look over there!"
"What?" The interruption irritated Zod, but he turned his gaze towards the northwest fleet.
His mouth dropped open in shock as he witnessed an unbelievable sight—the northwest fleet, which had been approaching them in a column, was now turning direction. One ship after another, they were heading... south?
The northwest fleet was now moving south, while the pirate fleet moved west. If their paths continued on this course, they would intersect at some point.
Despite changing direction, the northwest fleet maintained their previous column formation. Zod was bewildered and shocked. Did these people not realize their vulnerable flank was entirely exposed to enemy attacks? They seemed to have no intention of evasive maneuvers, as if a beast had offered its soft belly to a hunter. If this continued, the pirate ships with their fearsome prows could pierce through the enemy's large, vulnerable vessels, sending them to the bottom of the sea.
"Crazy! They're completely insane! Or perhaps they're just fools."
Zod lamented.
"Captain Zod, is there something wrong with that fleet?" Nathan, who was unfamiliar with the situation at sea, asked curiously.
Zod explained the situation to Nathan.
Nathan grinned, "Haha, perhaps they've decided to flee south after realizing the strength of our fleet."
"That's possible," Zod understood, "After all, we have 18 ships, while they only have 12. They might have misjudged our strength and attempted to intercept us recklessly. But..."
A sinister smile spread across his face, "The enemy's commander is obviously inexperienced. With their current speed, they won't be able to escape my grasp."
Zod roared, "Signal all ships to increase speed!"
The drumbeats on the pirate ships grew more urgent, the rowing speed increased, and the rowers' chants echoed through the deck and hull.
---
On the deck of the Unicorn, which was also the location of the second row of cannons, large cannons pointed towards the sea through square portholes. The area was very quiet except for the sound of the waves. The gunners were tense, watching the approaching pirate fleet.
The gunnery officer quietly felt the sway of the ship, then turned to a small-statured cadet and said, "The sea conditions are calm today. We can fire when the enemy is 300 meters away. With the T-shaped advantage, Captain Tirpitz must be thrilled with these pirates."
Alan nodded vigorously, trying to engrave the current sway into his memory.
To be honest, he felt conflicted—nervous, fearful, eager, and excited—all mixed together, making his heart race. Despite the cold sea wind blowing through the portholes, he was sweating.
He had never experienced such an intense scenario before. Since joining the navy, Alan had only had two encounters with combat-related events. The first was a rescue operation at the Horns Bay led by Captain Quik, but he and other cadets were locked in the captain's cabin all night. The second was during the Usurper War, when the naval forces launched a frontal diversion while the army attacked Fish Tail Town. The navy's cannons had easily crushed the few crossbows the defenders had.
Today was his first time facing an enemy head-on on the open sea.
---
The two fleets were now only a few hundred meters apart. Nathan had retreated to the stern of the pirate flagship, waiting silently for the main event to begin.
"Well then, before the main event starts, let me play the overture!"
He skillfully took out several substances, mixed them together in his right hand, and then held them up.
At the same time, he began to softly chant an unknown incantation, which sounded like a mixture of poetry and song but with an indescribable rhythm.
Accompanied by the mysterious chant, a small flame suddenly ignited in Nathan's right hand without harming him. The flame grew larger and eventually gathered into a fireball, with Nathan's hand remaining unscathed.
The young spellcaster's eyes brightened, "Elemental spirit of fire, convey my will!"
The fireball shot forward with a whoosh, heading straight towards the enemy.
Almost simultaneously, the northwest fleet was enveloped in a thick cloud of white smoke!
(End of the Chapter)
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