Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

Chapter 350: Execution by Firing Squad at Sea 3

TL: Etude

Under the command of their leader Zod, the pirates’ V-shaped fleet swiftly sailed due north. However, after traveling some distance, Nathan, who was responsible for observing the northwest fleet, noticed something amiss.

“Leader Zod, the enemy’s movements seem strange! They seem to be turning towards our north, not towards the southern port! It looks like… they’re intercepting us?” he reported.

“What?” exclaimed Zod in surprise. “Have they discovered us from such a distance?”

Nathan lowered his head in thought, pondering the possibility that the northwesterners had detected them. Did they also have spellcasters skilled in long-range scouting on their ships?

He immediately looked up and advised, “Abandon the plan for a flank attack! Leader Zod, we need to devise new tactics right away!”

Zod clenched his fist and swung it fiercely, declaring, “Humph! Then let’s engage in a straightforward, face-to-face duel!”

Under his command, the pirate fleet turned left, forming two rows with nine warships in each.

Once the pirate fleet had completed their formation, both sides were visible to the naked eye.

“Brothers! Kill those cowardly landlubbers! Show them who truly rules the seas!” Zod stood at the bow, rallying his eager crew. His flagship was positioned right in the center of the first row.

The leader’s motivation sent a wave of enthusiasm through his men, who howled in response. As other ships saw the activity on the flagship, they beat their drums in solidarity, and a cacophony of varied slogans and battle cries filled the air.

The rowers exerted their full strength, pushing the ships towards the northwest fleet.

Zod, Nathan, and the other sub-leaders stood at the bows, watching their opponents intently as the distance between them closed.

“Incredible! Their masts are so tall.”

“Yes, wouldn’t the ships capsize if the wind got any stronger?”

The leaders commented on the northwestern fleet’s sailboats.

“Focus on the upcoming battle! Even though the enemy is inexperienced, have you forgotten the principle that even a lion must exert full strength when hunting a rabbit?” Zod was quite displeased. His foolish subordinates were distracted just as the battle was about to begin, which was embarrassing, especially in front of the mage.

Nathan watched the scene with a smile.

Just as Zod was about to continue scolding his men, someone shouted, “Boss, look!”

“What now?” Zod was annoyed at being interrupted, but he still directed his gaze towards the northwest fleet.

His mouth formed an ‘O’ of disbelief at the incredible scene unfolding before him. The northwestern fleet, which had been in a column facing them, suddenly changed direction. One ship after another turned, their new direction being… south?

With the northwest fleet heading south and the pirate fleet west, their paths were set to intersect at a certain point.

Despite the change in direction, the northwestern fleet still maintained its previous neat column formation.

Zod’s mind was filled with questions and shock. Were these simple-minded bay dwellers unaware that their vulnerable flanks were completely exposed to enemy attack?

They didn’t seem to be taking evasive actions, like a beast exposing its soft belly to the hunter. If they continued on this course, the pirates’ fearsome rams could punch gaping holes into those bulky warships, sending them to the bottom of the sea.

“Madmen! They’re complete madmen! Or perhaps, fools is a better term,” Zod couldn’t help but remark.

“Captain Zod, is there a problem with that fleet?” Nathan, not very knowledgeable about naval affairs, asked curiously about Zod’s reaction.

The pirate leader explained the situation to Nathan.

Nathan smiled wryly. “Ha, perhaps they saw through our fleet’s bluff and decided to escape southward with the north wind.”

“That’s possible,” Zod realized. “After all, we have 18 ships while they only have 12. They didn’t see clearly at first and recklessly moved to intercept us. But…”

His face twisted into a sinister grin. “Their commander is obviously inexperienced. With their current speed, they can’t escape my grasp.”

Zod bellowed an order: “Signal all ships to increase speed!”

The drumming on each pirate ship grew more frantic, and the rowers increased the speed of their strokes, their chants penetrating the decks and hulls.

…

On the deck of the Unicorn, which also housed the second row of cannons, each cannon pointed through square windows towards the sea. The area was quiet, with only the sound of the waves crashing. The sailors at each gun station were silent and tense, watching the distant pirate fleet.

The artillery officer felt the ship’s sway and turned to the shorter cadet beside him. “The sea is calm today. We can fire when they’re within 300 meters. A classic T-position advantage. Commander Tirpitz must be thrilled with these pirates.”

Allen nodded vigorously, trying to imprint the current sensation into his memory.

Truthfully, he felt a mix of emotions – tension, fear, desire, excitement – making his heart race. Despite the cold sea breeze pouring in through the gun ports, sweat kept breaking out on his skin.

He had never experienced such a thrilling situation before. Since joining the navy, Allen had two war-related experiences. The first was a rescue operation organized by Captain Quick of the Southern during the night in Horn Bay, but he and other cadets weren’t allowed to participate, spending a frustrating night in the captain’s cabin. The second was during the Usurper’s War when Alda’s troops landed in Fish Tail Town. The navy’s ships moved up the Weiss River, conducting a frontal feint while Fish Tail Town’s defenders, with only a few crossbow cannons, were easily overpowered by the navy’s artillery.

But a confrontation like today’s, a direct “bayonet fight” on the vast sea, was a first in his military career.

…

The fleets were now only a few hundred meters apart. Nathan retreated to the stern castle of the pirate flagship, quietly waiting for the spectacle to begin.

“So, before the main show starts, let me play the overture!” he declared.

He skillfully took out several substances, mixed them in his right palm, and then held his hand forward. Simultaneously, he quietly chanted an indescribable verse, neither poem nor song, yet rhythmically profound.

Accompanying the chant, a small flame ignited in Nathan’s right hand, yet it did not harm him. The flame grew into a fireball, still not injuring his hand.

The young spellcaster’s eyes sparkled. “Spirit of Fire, convey my will!”

With a whoosh, the fireball left his hand, flying straight towards the northwestern fleet.

Almost simultaneously, the northwestern fleet was enveloped in a thick white smoke!