[V49C02-part1] Naval battle at Neria Sea

The Haven Imperial navy!

They were gathering at Port Borask.

“We’re the rulers of the sea. No one can fight against us.”

The Imperial Navy was very proud.

They thought that they were the best on the continent, due to their extensive technological lead and significant armaments, since the performance of the s.h.i.+p is crucial at sea.

The Imperial Navy gave a chance to Drinfelt and Hakim to get their revenge against the Arpen Kingdom, the memories of the hard times they went through still being vivid in their minds

– Northern users departed from the Rezad port!

– Their destination is Lidum and Rhodium. Let’s prepare to strike!

While preparing for the war, the Imperial navy’s intelligence came in handy for gaining the advantage.

“We’re also departing.”

The navy’s admiral Kalmaen decided to depart.

They got an official permission from the Hermes Guild administrative officers.

“Suppress them with power. It’s not true that we’re weak. We have to show them what’s going to happen if you fight against the Haven Empire.”

Lafaye and his comrades couldn’t afford to let Northern users enter their ports.

The Northern user’s military force wasn’t strong enough to threaten the Empire, but the Northern users were also part of that frenzied war and the situation was different from the one in the Harpan region, in which there were lots of mountains and where development was slow.

Since both Rhodium and Lidum were very rich areas with big armies, the Hermes Guild members never thought about them ever being conquered.

Still, the Northern users tried their best not to give a show which would demean the work of those who trusted them and fought for them.Because the Hermes guild understood this, they tried not to create a scene of carnage that would make them look more like villains that they already were, so they tried to kill them decently.

“Everything needs to happen in the sea. We can’t afford to have them step on the Empire’s land.”

“Of course.”

Kalmaen led 300 heavily armed battles.h.i.+ps, composed of galleons, carracks and other types of s.h.i.+ps, to the East.

***

“I see them.”

“Found the enemy fleet. Prepare for the full-on strike.”

The Haven Imperial navy discovered the huge number of s.h.i.+ps from afar.

Since lots of users uploaded videos and started broadcasting it on the internet, information warfare didn’t have much meaning within Royal Road.

Also, the Arpen Kingdom’s fleet was able to find a suitable location which was a strategically good position before the start of the war.

“Let’s not repeat Drinfelt’s and Hakim’s mistake. I’m different from other Hermes Guild members. I’m not so careless that I would ignore my enemies. I will demonstrate my perfect skills while defeating the opponents.”

Kalmaen and other Hermes Guild users in the navy were spread according to the ocean currents and wind direction.

“Enormous.”

“Seeing it with my own eyes, it seems much grander than I thought.”

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< The discovery of the enemy’s fleet!It’s a large-scale fleet that overpowers allies. The sailors’ Fighting Spirit is reduced by 20%>

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The sea was covered with boats like an endless plain or forest.

The s.h.i.+ps spread their sails for the south, but the exhilarating feeling in a huge battle caused them to feel fear.

Even though Kalmaen and navy users had been accustomed to naval warfare, it was their first time fighting such a large-scale battle. But they didn’t have any negative thoughts.

“The sea differs greatly from the land. The state of a battle greatly depends on s.h.i.+p performance and on the wind. These are important factors that determine the difference between victory and defeat.”

The Imperial navy carefully crafted tactics.

“How about the cannons?”

“We have finished loading them. We can shoot anytime.”

“Going against the wind and hitting the enemy from behind. As long as we aren’t falling, let’s do it.”

“Yes, admiral.”

The Imperial navy moved to form a long line and greeted the Northern users’ fleet.

“They are within range!”

“Fire!”

The Empire’s line of s.h.i.+ps opened fire and launched the cannons.

With a thundering noise, flying cannonb.a.l.l.s. .h.i.t the Northern users’ s.h.i.+ps.

Kw.a.n.g kw.a.n.g kw.a.n.g!

Some of the cannonb.a.l.l.s fell into the sea and caused columns of high water.

“It’s sinking!”

“Escape right now!”

Dozens of Northern users’ s.h.i.+ps sank. Some of them were instantly destroyed while others were sinking slowly into the deep sea.

“Let’s shoot too. Fire!.”

“A single hit won’t be enough! Shoot while loading!”

The Northern users’ s.h.i.+ps on the frontline also shot.

The cannonb.a.l.l.s were flying near the Imperial navy s.h.i.+ps while leaving a white smoke.

“It will be an overwhelming victory. The number of enemies doesn’t matter, what matters is the quality of the weaponry.”

Kalmaen sent a signal to the navy.

“We will continue bombarding. We have overpowered them with our fleet’s performance, so we will shoot till the end till no one is left.”

“Yes, admiral.”

The Imperial navy continued the bombardment as promised.

They shot without mercy, showering the Northern users’ fleet with cannonb.a.l.l.s.

Even though the adventurer’s s.h.i.+ps with high speed relocated themselves to the front, they actually became an easy target.

They couldn’t endure and sank into the sea.

“Kukukuk”

“Ah, this isn’t easy.”

Kalmaen was also tense because he saw the scale of the enemy’s fleet.

In a sea battle, the s.h.i.+p’s scale, performance and the range of cannons were very important.

The cannons that shot with the wind had a longer range.

Even using canons with similar specifications, the Imperial navy was at a more advantageous position, so there being a major difference between shooting range was obvious.

The Imperial navy s.h.i.+ps were bombing enemy’s s.h.i.+ps and moving gracefully ahead to the front.

The Northern users tried to set their sails high but they were unable to catch the Empire’s fleet as the distance between them increased as the time pa.s.sed.

The Three Mad Sharks of Becky Nim were helpless in their struggle to engage the Imperial navy.

“b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”

“Let’s go. Our s.h.i.+p can catch up with them. Their s.h.i.+p is too slow.”

“We can’t. Even if we were to go to the front we would get destroyed.”

The Three Mad Sharks from Becky Nim were in the centre of Northern users’ fleet.

If they were to lose, everything would be lost.

Even though the gigantic fleet of Northern users was gathered, the Imperial navy destroyed them easily.

When users die on land they lose experience, level, and items, but they are still revived again.

On the contrary destroyed and sunken s.h.i.+ps can’t be restored.

It was a marine force that was brought from the Arpen Kingdom. Most of the s.h.i.+ps were disappearing in the deep Neria sea.

The wide sea was filled with sunken s.h.i.+ps, which was a cause of happiness for the members of the Hermes Guild and the Imperial navy.

“We won. We will sink them all without getting even a hair taken from us.”

“This war will be written in the history annals of naval warfare. They have already sailed too far, so they can’t return to the Arpen Kingdom.”

The Imperial navy was ready to chase the Northern users just in case they decided to turn back.

They were already prepared for what came after the victory and had a good amount of cannonb.a.l.l.s, water, and food ready at a flick of a finger.

In the midst of Hermes Guild s.h.i.+ps, there was a trade s.h.i.+p called ‘Ocean glory’ which was ready with all the commodities they would require in the future.

“Gra.s.s Porridge, Gra.s.s Porridge, Gra.s.s Porridge.”

Northern users sailed back to attack the Imperial army after unfolding their sails and attaining the maximum speed possible.

– Kkaaauuu!

At that time you could hear cries of avians at the sea.

The best avian users were from Chilling Wind.

The Chilling Wind tribe was the first tribe that got deployed.

– Start operation!

The avians started to fly from the Northern users’ s.h.i.+p decks.

The scarlet headed avians led other birds to the high sky.

– Charge towards!

Avians, who were wearing crowns that increases the impact force, flew to the Imperial Navy.

It was a damage improvement item that was only suitable for avians.

“Protect the s.h.i.+p.”

The Imperial Navy’s wizards were casting spells onto the incoming avians.

While numerous flames and lights were in the sky, some of the wizards were casting a protection magic.

– Break through!

– Cozy clothes!

While avoiding the magic attack, avians rushed to the s.h.i.+p.

There were a few avians that were killed in the air and turned into grey light.

Nevertheless, the closest ones succeeded in reaching the front of the s.h.i.+p line.

– Kkueeeek!

Avians crashed on the s.h.i.+p’s deck.

Kkuuuung!

There was slight movement at the front, but the deck didn’t break.

One member of Hermes Guild laughed out loud.

“Stupid guys. We won’t fall from that. She’s been reinforced with steel plating.”

The s.h.i.+p was reinforced with heavy armor!

When Yatchi and Avians heard these words, they immediately decided to send a message through the communication channel before anyone else died.

– Yatchi: It’s a steel reinforced s.h.i.+p. If you hit it, it gives you a headache. Reckless attacks have no meaning… Kchem.

Avians were already rus.h.i.+ng.

They were hit by lots of magic attacks, so if they were to fly to the sky again, they would suffer from a great damage.

– Cold Wind: Even if there is no hull damage, we will aim for the sails. We have to do as much as we can!

The eyes of avians were full of strength and the wind was pus.h.i.+ng them forward.

– Cold Wind: We are the avians who rule the sky and ride the wind. Thank you!

Northern users, especially avians, were very brave.

The vitality was low, but they only needed to spread their wings to fly.

The free souls that weren’t chained!

The avians heard about meeting Seo-Yoon, so they decided to risk their lives for her.

– Two Magpies: There is no running away. Let’s commence the bombardment. We are doing what we need to.

– Targo: I wish that all the avians would at least survive 5 minutes.

The avians rushed to the front of the s.h.i.+ps. There was no reason to hit the decks, so they hit the sailors who were launching or preparing cannons.

Ddadadak!

“It can’t be! These b.l.o.o.d.y birds!”

With surprising skills and speed, Avians destroyed the sails.

There were no other options but to row.

Each s.h.i.+p was equipped with three or four sails, large and wide, but destroying just one of them was enough to significantly hinder the s.h.i.+p’s mobility.

“Chut. As expected.”

Kalmaen frowned while looking at the ripped and holes-ridden sails.

“I had prepared for that, but couldn’t prevent it. Now it doesn’t matter.”

If avians were to be defeated, the problem would disappear.

“Attention. Vessels that have damaged sails have to get out of the battle, go to repair themselves and return.”

Even though the Imperial Navy took their time, half of their fleet managed to leave the battlefield.

Since they were surrounded by the Northern users, in order to avoid attacks, they had to move slowly.

The fleet and battles.h.i.+ps were making their way safely by shooting the cannons.

The sailors were hoisting the large main sails again, and in the meantime cannonb.a.l.l.s were replenished from the cargo s.h.i.+ps.

The Northern users were getting closer, but the Imperial navy continued to fire as they were retreating.

Northern users were hit by cannonb.a.l.l.s as if there were lightning bolts from the thunderstorm.

Hermes Guild members suddenly started to think that it was an easy battle, but it didn’t last long.

Drrrrung!

It was a big sound of something being caught and the hulls started to shake.

“What’s wrong?”

“She can’t move!”

“It can’t be…”

It was the first time for Hermes Guild members to be embarra.s.sed.

The most frightening thing to happen at the sea is when the s.h.i.+p is unable to move. And of all the possible timings, it happened during battle!

Hermes Guild members were looking at sails that were filled with the wind and felt it was strange.

“Wind is normal. What’s wrong then?”

“I think there is something fishy in the water.”

They didn’t know at all that there were Northern users in the water.

***

Gra.s.s Porridge Cult emergency strategy room.

The elite of the navy from all over the world gathered together.

“A naval battle is unreasonable with our power. The gap between our s.h.i.+ps or weapons and theirs is just too great.”

“But don’t we have more people and s.h.i.+ps with us?”

“Northern users aren’t even well armed. Most of the s.h.i.+ps belong to merchants and adventurers, and they aren’t equipped with cannons.”

“There is a clear difference in power.”

The Arpen Kingdom’s s.h.i.+pwright technology wasn’t as advanced as the Central Continent’s.

s.h.i.+pwrights were able to construct big s.h.i.+ps very fast, but it was rare to order cannons for the s.h.i.+ps.

It was normal to go to a city like Becky Nim where all the pirates are gathered and mount the cannons if needed.

Northern users usually removed the cannons in order to increase the loading capacity for trade purposes and to improve the s.h.i.+p’s maneuverability.

Also, it was common to have poorly trained captains and sailors.

“Should we get help from the avians?”

“We wouldn’t be able to control the Imperial Navy with only their power.”

“Who’s good at the battle?”

“If the Imperial Navy isn’t stupid, it will collapse from the outside. They won’t fight seriously. As we know, they have plenty of cannons, s.h.i.+ps and skilled sailors. We are at a big disadvantage as far as naval warfare goes.”

“So what we are going to do? Should we cancel the whole operation?”

“While using all we have, we must make a good plan.”

Naval elites researched about wars in the Neria Sea.

They believed that they have to prepare from the start of the war.

They were meeting day and night to make a decision.

“In order to win we have to fight them in the place we want. As close as we can.”

“Is that possible?”

“Yes, possible.”

“Marine tactics seem to be a little more difficult. It’s hard to match wind and currents with time.”

“Instead of making Northern users follow complicated tactics, let’s leave it for the biggest s.h.i.+ps to lead.”

“Eum… that way.”

“And to maximize the effect, it will be good if Weed shows up in the end.”

“Also Weed?”

“It’s for the plan to be successful and to completely defeat the Imperial Navy.”

(To be continued…)