Chapter 38

A mist hung over the coastal waters of Benessa.

And there, following Achroiel’s orders, five ships were blocking the harbor.

The medium-sized sailing vessels, armed with a total of 30 cannons, were gearing up to fire upon the “enemy” that had just come into sight.

Of course, the likelihood of them actually firing upon the city was slim.

If Admiral Achroiel gave the order, they would execute it immediately, but for the moment, their primary aim was to intercept the enemies attempting to depart from the harbor.

In that light, the Vice Admiral commanding the warships here in Benessa…

General Cabour di Cabour,

Although he would follow orders, he assessed that there was not much for them to do.

The navy forces stationed on the coastline were already formidable, and more importantly, the one commanding them was none other than Admiral Achroiel.

Despite being from the Brittania Empire, she was the only commander Cabour recognized and trusted above all others.

Once she intervened, no matter how cunning the enemies might be, they would inevitably suffer a disgraceful defeat and crawl on the ground in despair.

“By the way… It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen our Admiral in battle.”

As an officer from the Brittania Empire, he was an incredibly capable individual who had perfectly established the naval training methods and linear infantry tactics of the Brittania Empire in Benessa.

Moreover, as a Grade 10 Grand Warrior, she was among the fewer than fifty top-tier fighters on the continent, and any battle she led and personally participated in would serve as excellent training for those who watched.

Filled with thick anticipation,

General Cabour watched with keen interest how she would deal with the mere handful of arrogant “enemies.”

Then…

-BOOM!!!!

“!!!”

A massive explosion suddenly erupted behind him.

At the same time, the tremendous shock sent Cabour and the other navy personnel aboard the warships crashing to the deck.

“Ugh…”

“N-No… What in the world…?”

The enemies were still stuck at the front toward the harbor.

However, the impact just now had originated from behind.

Feeling confusion and doubt about the sudden attack,

Cabour and the navy turned to look behind them.

And…

“What… What the…?”

“That flag… Is that… Could it be…?”

A gigantic shape began to pierce through the mist, appearing before their eyes.

A warship that seemed more than twice the size of the medium-sized vessels gathered here.

And…

The flag clearly displayed on that ship

The moment he saw the skull flag adorned with golden whiskers…

The faces of Cabour and the other navy personnel turned pale with shock and fear.

“What… How did this happen?”

“Why is the Pirate King here…?”

The flagship of the Pirate King.

Golden Cross.

With its combination of gold and black colors, featuring a sword-wielding golden angel figurehead and a pirate flag, its most notable features.

Armed with 86 cannons, it was an oversized pirate ship, far too large to be called a mere pirate vessel.

Yet, thanks to using the rare black magical stone as its power source, it boasted a speed rivaling that of standard swift ships.

With the strongest firepower and above-average speed,

It was truly a sight that could instill fear in anyone just by its presence.

As the harbinger of chaos upon the sea arrived, Cabour and the navy’s brains temporarily froze in disbelief, unable to accept the situation.

And…

As if to mock their stunned state, countless cannonballs began flying toward them.

Seeing this, Cabour felt as if he had just been splashed with cold water and shouted with a sharp voice.

“Everyone… get down!!!”

-BOOM!!!!

With his command, cannonballs erupted across the ship’s hull.

Thus, the navy warships couldn’t even muster a decent counterattack as they were mercilessly pummeled.

In naval battles, even more than on land, the formation of ships was crucial.

The placement of cannons meant there was a significant power gap between the front and the sides of the ships, and adjusting their direction was not easy at all.

In that context, the navy warships, which had directed themselves in a semicircle shape to block the harbor, were unable to respond quickly to this unexpected ambush from behind.

“Damn! Turn the ships around! Now!!!”

Despite Cabour’s orders, the ships couldn’t move easily.

The shallow waters near the harbor were more so than in other locations.

Moreover, with ships positioned closely together to enforce the blockade, any mismovement could lead to a catastrophic collision.

Though they held a numerically advantageous position of 1:5, the surprise attack from the rear rendered them completely incapable of leveraging that advantage.

-BOOM!!!

Furthermore, without a shred of mercy, the Pirate King’s forces continued their relentless bombardment.

An all-out cannon barrage from 86 cannons.

Not just ordinary cannonballs, each one infused with magical energy, easily pierced through their reinforced hull, burrowing deep into the cabins.

And…

-BOOM!!!!

“AAAGHH!!!”

“Dammit! Put out the fire! Quickly, put out the fire!”

“We can’t just sit back! We need to counterattack… Ugh… AAHHH!!”

An overwhelming barrage of fire based on immense firepower.

The sudden naval battle began with catastrophic losses for the navy right from the start.

*

“W-What in the world is that? Why is the Pirate King’s ship…?”

Seeing the situation unfold unpredictably, Achroiel’s face hardened with disbelief.

The Pirate King’s ship, Golden Cross, had suddenly rocked up, crashing through the mist.

The navy warships blocking the harbor were being pitifully trounced by its surprise onslaught.

What had been thought to be a complete catch of fish in the net turned into a scenario where a whale had shown up to strike down their ship.

Just as Achroiel was momentarily lost in confusion…

-Whoooooosh…

“!!!”

Golden magical power was being gathered in the hands of the Crow Mask.

Having witnessed what happened with just a kick from him earlier, Achroiel hurriedly deployed a magical barrier.

“All personnel, defensive positions! Prepare for impact…”

However.

“Hmm?”

-BOOM!!!!

With expert skill, he twisted his body backward and delivered a single, powerful strike not directed towards himself.

In an instant, a tremendous wave of force swept away the soldiers blocking the harbor.

“W-What is this!”

A massive hole had been created in their encirclement in an instant.

The enemies seized that opportunity and swiftly entered deeper into the harbor.

“Everyone, open fire! Stop them at all costs!”

The navy personnel fired their guns simultaneously at Achroiel’s command.

However, the bullets fired were hindered by the enemies’ magical barriers, rendering them ineffective.

If the warships had been intact, they would have ordered cannon fire. But currently, they were engaged in combat with the Pirate King’s ship.

This wasn’t the time to expect artillery support.

“C-Commander!”

“Chase them! We cannot let them escape!”

“B-But Commander, the appearance of the Pirate King’s ship means they are likely to be connected with them, doesn’t it? We could…”

“What nonsense is that! We are the navy! Does it make sense for us to be afraid of pirates and hold back? How can we call ourselves the proud navy serving the Queen of the Adriatic Sea of Benessa with such a half-hearted attitude!”

“I-I’m sorry. That was unwise of me.”

“Immediately issue orders to all forces! They must not escape from this place!”

“Yes, Commander!”

Under her commands, the troops charged.

However, as Achroiel observed the situation, she bit her lip until it bled.

‘The Pirate King… Why… Why is it him of all people!’

In this vast sea, he was the only existence that instilled fear in her, and upon rational comparison, she believed that she could never win against him.

The very fact that such a person was right in front of her spelled the end of their chances of victory.

Yet still, Achroiel refused to give up.

To surrender now would mean her precious friends would suffer a miserable fate at the hands of that wicked and brutal Pirate King.

Even if it meant losing her life, she had to prevent that from happening at all costs…

Achroiel unleashed her magical power and began to move swiftly.

*

“HAHHH!!!”

-THWACK!!!

A navy soldier’s head rolled away as Franklin’s sword cleanly severed it.

Though she had Ambasha carried on her back, her combat ability was still enough to swiftly dispatch a fair number of navy soldiers.

The issue was the sheer overwhelming number of enemies.

It seemed as if all of the navy forces in the city had gathered, and she was rapidly wearing down under the relentless onslaught.

“Is… Is it okay, sis?”

“I’m… fine. Just hold on tight and don’t let go… Dammit!!!”

Out of nowhere, an enemy spear lunged from the side.

Franklin scrambled to block it, but fatigue made her reaction a step too slow.

At that moment.

-THWACK!!!

The spear was caught mid-attack.

Its wielder was lifted and tossed aside like a mere stick by a massive fist, handled as effortlessly as a pair of chopsticks.

-BOOM!!!!

The blast shook as navy personnel were sent flying.

Once again, that familiar sense of overwhelming strength washed over her as the Pirate King turned his back to them and declared.

“Hang in there a little longer; we’re almost there.”

“Y-Yes!”

With a brief smile, Franklin advanced forward again.

But then…

-THWACK!!!!

“…!”

A sudden pain surged through her.

A stream of blood burst forth from her shoulder.