Chapter 169

The fleet began to emerge over the horizon.

Their arrival flipped the fortunes of those positioned in the waters off Gibraltar.

“Wh-What’s that?”

“C-Could it be… the Brittania Empire’s?”

Amid feelings of doubt and unease, the pirates gazed at the ships beyond the horizon.

On the other hand, cheers began to erupt from the Brittania Empire Army, who had been pushed back by the pirates.

“Whoa!!!”

“Our reinforcements have arrived!”

“The Northern Fleet is coming! Reinforcements!”

Although they were mere dots at this moment, the Empire Army knew very well that when they arrived, everything would change.

And the commanders leading them were no different.

Already having received pre-operations orders, the commanders immediately issued commands accordingly.

“Hang in there a little longer! This war is already ours! Hold the pirates as much as you can to ensure a decisive finish!”

“Don’t let them escape! Ram their ships and block them!”

Just moments ago, the Empire Army was straining every fiber of their being to avoid the pirates.

However, with the situation perceived to have changed, their attitude transformed instantaneously.

It was like a lover who had just exhibited irritation at being followed, now holding onto their partner’s leg and begging them not to go.

They began to deliberately alter their ships’ courses to block the enemies’ movements.

Some even tossed grappling hooks, or jumped onto the pirate ships.

Though it appeared reckless to face off against the pirates, who excelled in close combat, it was indeed a method effective enough to hold the enemies for just a little longer.

So, the Brittania Empire Army squeezed out every ounce of strength to bind the movements of the pirates.

However… at this very moment, the pirates who found themselves restricted were focused on something entirely different.

Though there were a few attempting to break free from the Empire Army or make a run for it, the majority remained relatively calm, as if they were waiting for something.

It was at this moment of peculiar atmosphere that the Brittania Empire side finally began to recognize the oddity.

-Bang!!!

“Hmm?”

“What… What’s that?”

In the next instant, a golden light shot up into the sky.

Its meaning illuminated the area brightly, replacing the waning moonlight, but the Empire Army had yet to realize its implications.

And then…

“Attack!”

“We don’t have to hold back anymore! Sweep away all visible enemies!”

“W-What?”

“N-No… What is happening…?”

The previously hesitating momentum of the pirates suddenly turned into an active offense.

The pirates pushed in with even greater ferocity than before, perplexing the Navy, who were trying to bind their feet.

“Have these guys lost their minds? Why the hell are they fighting even harder instead of fleeing?”

“Could it be… they intend to defeat us before the reinforcements arrive?”

From the pirates’ perspective, it was indeed the only path, but the Brittania Empire considered it a practically impossible feat.

The ships visible from that spot would reach here within an hour at most.

No matter how favorable the circumstances were for the pirates, the Empire Army was not one to crumble with just that challenge.

Nevertheless, the pirates, faces brimming with smiles as they unleashed a brutal assault, created a situation that was utterly beyond comprehension.

Thus, the Brittania Empire Army could only devote themselves to defense, thinking that the reinforcements would soon arrive to sweep the weary pirates away…

*

“Ha… ha… ha…”

“Damn it… that fierce chick…”

Two people, Commander Rodney and Franklin, exchanged heavy breaths as they gazed at each other.

While they both seemed to have no visible major injuries, their appearances were far from presentable.

There were small burn marks and charred spots scattered all over them.

And to top it off, their hair looked as if it had been yanked out by something.

Having clashed countless times with weapons, they even ended up in a hair-pulling brawl in the end, but… as a result, they were unable to settle the score.

Both wielding fire attributes and having similar combat abilities at the 10th rank, they had no significant difference in strength.

Thus, they could only exchange weary glances, feeling as though they were watching each other while being fatigued.

“Well… You’re rather impressive… I find it hard to believe you’re a pirate…”

“You’re not so ordinary yourself… I’ll admit that.”

They had truly fought with all their might, literally putting their lives on the line to clash head-on.

Though adversaries, they felt a slight sense of relief in the outcome.

Although Franklin still harbored a grudge against Lemain, knowing the actual cause was not this woman before her but Nelson, her negative feelings towards Franklin had somewhat eased.

However, personal feelings are just that, and the current place was right in the middle of a battlefield, with both of them playing the role of captain.

Their warship had nearly plummeted to the ocean floor, and their magical power had also diminished, but there were still tasks they needed to complete.

Commanding troops and leading the battle to victory.

After deciding to move the battlefield toward where their subordinates were located, they slightly nodded to each other as a sign of tacit agreement before soaring back onto the deck.

What they saw next were ships faintly visible on the far horizon.

However…

Upon seeing this, their faces, especially with Rodney who possessed outstanding eyesight, froze in shock.

“W-What… is that?”

“…”

Rodney spoke urgently, glancing at Franklin, who was silently staring at the horizon beside her.

Unlike her partner, a smile was spread across her face.

*

The Empire Army, engaged in a fierce battle with the pirates.

At that moment…

A soldier, spotting the reinforcements coming back toward the horizon, suddenly asked his superior, David.

“Um… Commander? Doesn’t something seem a bit off about that?”

“Off? What do you mean?”

“Those ships. They haven’t seemed to close the distance from earlier. It’s as if they’re just standing still in the sea…”

What kind of nonsense was that? With that thought, Commander David took a moment to investigate.

To be honest, it was hard to believe, but just in case, he did his best to distinguish the allied warships.

However…

“N-No, that can’t be… They’re the ones who came all the way from our homeland to support us. There’s no way they would stop their support after reaching this far…”

“That… that may be true, but… no matter how I look at it, something seems off. It’s hard to see in the darkness, but the fleet size and the ships seem to appear a tad smaller…”

“No… What the hell is going on? Look again. There’s no way such absurdity could happen!”

Even as he denied his subordinate’s words, the commander gazed back at the horizon for a clearer check.

And shortly after…

Through his telescope and the faint moonlight, the dreadful reality was barely discerned.

It was…

“C-Could it be… What the hell is going on here?”

Despite having verified with his own eyes, the result was unbelievable.

The warships floating on the sea did not bear the Brittania Empire’s flags.

What was there instead was the flag of the Kingdom of Frantz… no, now called the Republic of Frantz.

Upon witnessing this, Commander David momentarily lost his words.

A profound sense of confusion and despair settled in his heart…

*

Admiral Calder, commander of the Northern Fleet of the Brittania Empire.

He was supposed to have reached near Gibraltar, but at this moment found himself stuck due to unexpected circumstances.

“I-Is this report really true?”

“Yes. From Cala Port to Normandy Port, we’ve been informed that the movements of the Republic of Frantz have suddenly become ominous.”

“W-What are they up to…”

Geographically separated from the Brittania Empire’s mainland by the sea, the Republic of Frantz was, especially the nearest port of Calais, merely 40 kilometers away.

It was a matter of just a stone’s throw, and hence, the Northern Fleet considered safeguarding this coastline their top priority.

For Admiral Calder, the movements of the Republic of Frantz, which had turned into a bomb that could explode at any moment due to the shift from a kingdom to a republic, were not something he could overlook.

Especially considering they had already declared preemptive war regarding the seas, this was all the more pressing.

“For now, we’ll stay put. We must guard this place until we confirm their exact movements.”

“B-But Admiral, wouldn’t that put the Grand Marshal in danger? It’s already a very precarious time even if we leave now.”

“There’s nothing we can do. You know our mission. If the Frantz scum were to set sail from Calais and land on our homeland, what would we do then?”

“Ugh…”

In the face of Admiral Calder’s words, his subordinates could do nothing but acquiesce.

While this operation was important, they prioritized their duty even more.

Even if it meant carrying the Grand Marshal’s orders and the honor of the Empire…