Vol 6 Chapter 4 (2/2)

Regis was the acting-adurehead on the battlefield However, it -admiral, which hy the adjutant shortened it to admiral

Even though they were calling hiht he wasn’t worthy

“Alright… Thank you, I’ll be right there”

“Understood!”

The adjutant left the room first

Regis followed Altina who stood up and left the quarterdeck

The as blowing

“It feels rather nice once you get used to the sea wind”

“You’re right…”

As there was the adjutant beside thehness’ and spoke formally

The wind came from the front

“Sails sure are a against the wind?”

“Actually, no matter the direction of the wind, if you are on a shi+p ht?— No, I mean the breeze seem to be directed at you”

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“Ah, is that so?”

“If Your Highness wishes to know the wind direction, please look at the wind vane at the top of the onally”

“Isn’t the wind blowing against us after all?!”

“That… … Did you know, about a century ago, a scholar named Bernoulli wrote a thesis In the thesis, it was stated that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure?”

“What is the fluid?”

“In this case, it would be the air”

“Just say it’s the air then! Why do you always use words that are hard to understand?!”

“Ah… That… Even though it’s air, but it’s actually the characteristic of the fluid that’s at work here, so it’s better to call it fluid”

“Arghh… …”

Altina pouted

Regis decided to raise the white flag and spoke once more

“It’s a long story… … First, we have to change the direction the sail is facing In any case, let’s have the back of the sail face the wind”

“If the shi+p is sailing forward, even if the wind is cole of the sail to catch the wind The ill put pressure onto the sail this way The shape of the shi+p is important at this point A shi+p is narrow in the front and back, but broad at the side It would be difficult to push the shi+p sideways After that, only the forwardforce would be left behind Since the bow of the shi+p is narrow, it can advance through the sea easily right? So in the end, even the wind coonally at it could push the shi+p forward There is the disadvantage of slight lateral h”

Which hy the boat could sail against the wind—— Even so, if the angle of the as less than 45°, the shi+p would not be able to sail forward Furtherht break in the worst scenario

Regis did not knohether Altina understood it or not, but she had a look of admiration

“Oh——”

“Well, going against the wind is always dangerous no matter what kind of sailboat it is Like the retreat yesterday, they al against the wind”

“Hmm, so it’s like that”

“shi+ps going with the ould have a , that’s even more…”

“shi+p spotted ahead!”

Hearing the lookout’s voice, Regis looked ahead

What he saas a shi+p

A small craft

The crow’s nest gave better vision than on the deck, not to lass was used

Thanks to that, they identified the craft that was spotted as being their own unit that was sent out for scouting The signal they sent to the flagshi+p could be seen clearly

The adjutant reported to Regis

“It’s our own scout Ern of enemy vessels in the vicinity Coast is clear at the entrance of the bay”

Regis lowered his head and muttered to himself

“Looks like the enemy reduced their defense around the bay… … I see, so they decided to do this”

While adjutant Spark was a little nervous, he still smiled and opened his mouth

“Looks like the ene from the southwest After all, that’s e did for yesterday since it’s common sense to sail with the wind”

“Why is that so…? If it’s me, I will consider that there’s a fifty percent chance of the from northwest”

“Is that so?”

“We have to consider about unexpected strategies that the enee outside the bay, it’s natural that they’re not interested in which direction the eneht attack”

“Will the enemy place an ambush outside the cape?”

“That wouldn’t be too big of a problem… But it would be troublesoht sustain a heavy loss from it”

“Indeed, that’s dangerous”

“Well, didn’t we send out scouts as to prevent that fro?”

“Understood!”

While there was only one shi+p ahead of the the area near the bay

They had begun since the battle ended yesterday

While some sacrifice was ence

At this moment——

The lookout reported once more

“An ene boat!”

“What are your orders, admiral!”

The Adjutant Spark became tensed

Altina also had a nervous look

Regis nodded his head

“It’s fine Unlike land battles, the surveillance made by the defenders on sea does not have much effect”

“Eh? Why is that?”

“ If it’s the land, one would normally send an unar If they noticed the enemy, they would return to headquarters immediately As the enemy’s infantry move rather slowly, there’s aainst the attack On the other hand, the ene boat uses sail just like us, so our speed is about the same”

“Ah, I see!”

Even if they were discovered, there was noif the scout could not report back swiftly

“Well… The problem nohether that shi+p is faster than us”

Listening to Regis’ words, laughter could be heard from the side—— He was the captain of the 4th Athena Class shi+p Brouillard, which was the new flagshi+p

He was one of the rare fat people in the arh he had excessive fat, there was soave an i a meatball

Currently, he was personallythe helm

“Buahaha! Don’t worry! Brouillard will not lose to that kind of small boat I bet my bacon on that!”

The bacon was already in histhat kind of bacon was…

Leaving aside the bacon, the captain wasn’t just boasting, and they were not losing in speed

Rather, they were closing the gap

Regis was impressed

“I see, how impressive”

“Buaha! It’s time to determine the winner——”

“It’s the difference in seakeeping… is it?”

“Oh?! That’s correct! As expected of the adher today than usual, so s the shi+p”

“Haha… … In any case, please maintain your current state”

“Yes Sir!”

“Understood!”

Looks like he’s an approachable person

Regis was not used to people ere rather forceful, however, he feltwith someone who did not care about ranks

When the sun had eed from the eastern mountains——

Épée Prière Bay was already right in front of them

The bells were ringing

This bell meant that the enemy had come

The steaine which was inside the shi+p let out a sound that was like a giant beast roaring

Princess Class, Garnet’s quarterdeck——

“Orya Orya, so noisy!”

Soon after adjutant Lorraine entered the steering house, Molins came out from the conference room that doubles as the Officer’s mess

“You haven’t put on your clothes yet, Captain?!”

“Eh? Oh, I forgot to put my pants on”

“You’re no longer a sailor, please do not come to the deck like this If you’re seen by the admiral…”

“I would be scolded by the gorilla”

“At that point, you’ll be attacked”

“Hehe, it’s fine”

Lorraine ran into the captain’s rooht his pants, which were on the floor, over

“Quickly put them on!”

“Right! Help me put them on!”

“Do it yourself!”

Lorraine brought the pants over with a cold expression

A shrill sound could be heard

“How cruel It’s just the bell signalling the enemy’s attack, you don’t have to panic that much”

“When will captain start panicking?”

“When returning home… …”

Lorraine nursed her temple and lowered her head

Within the ti to the Lord five times, Molins had no choice but to put on the pants himself

He was done soon after donning his belt

“Done!”

“The front reported that the enemy have four Athena shi+ps… … and numerous small vessels”

“Thoseare probably scouting crafts Looks like the enemy’s commander is quite cautious In that case, it would be hard to do a pincer attack even if we placed an ambush outside the bay”

“We should be thankful for the admiral’s calm decision”

“Hehe, that gorilla who only follows the textbook wouldn’t use such strategy at all though? He was just finding an excuse to reject it”

“That… What do you think we should have done then…?”

“The plan was to escort an entire fleet of supply shi+ps with six battleshi+ps Now that we have already lost te should have withdrawn last night”

“I believe the adree…”

“Perhaps I would be labelled as a coward, or be treated as a traitor However, Lorraine, nostrategies that rely heavily on the new cannons and equipment The key factor behind it is the supply shi+ps Which is why it is necessary to have outstanding battleshi+p to control the sea Even if we can replace the supply vessels, there isn’t anything to replace the battleshi+ps”

“The capital, Queen's Thames’ harbour should have three more Princess Class shi+ps… …”

“If the three Princess Class shi+ps were to move out, what’s left to protect the harbour would be those old-style battleshi+ps This would greatly reduce the harbour’s defense The parliaree with it”

Although Lorraine wasn’t done, she still stopped this topic

“Captain… In any case, please go to the deck”

“Oh, what’s coht”

“Can you please be serious?”

“I wonder when you will make me serious?”

“”

It’s not bad getting glared by a beauty—— Molins thought

Upon reaching the deck, there was no need for soet into position Since the enemy had already appeared at the cape, one would quickly move to their position no matter how lazy they were

Soon after that, shi+p No 1 and No 5 began to move out

Lorraine shouted

“Captain! We receive the order to move out!”

“Got it Well, our crew is outstanding, so don’t panic that much”

The engine rooh it would take up some time to relay the orders, it could not be helped

Beside the steering wheel was a device that looked like a punctured barrel—— the engine order telegraph

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The function of the device was to relay ine room

Even the relaying of es was done by machines

As the engine room was noisy, this device was necessary

Metal pipes known as speaking tubes were installed in other places for communication

By utilizing such technologies, it was not that dangerous even if the ene theive orders out in the bridge that was located under the firm deck

Oh, I didn’t give any commands yet

Molins was just looking at the scene

He turned and shouted at the helmsmen

“Garnet, full speed ahead!”

“Oh!!”

Most of the navigation duties were performed by the crew

When Lorraine was first posted here, she complained that this systelected his work and was passing his responsibility to others However, she was already used to this, so she did not panic nor complain She simply looked at Molins with cold eyes

“How exciting”

They just went through a battle yesterday and now they were off to battle again

Though, it could not be said that there would be no losses

Reports of water leakage and daes had increased and the one responsible for this was the repairs departine departine, the artillery teaistic departe of the supplies

Further the work of doctors when not in battle to keep the six hundred men on board healthy

The most relaxed person was Molins

On the bridge, there was a rather large and tall table without any chairs

Beside the table was the captain’s chair, and the sea chart on the table was

The enemy’s route was even more to the north than yesterday,

Lorraine went to report to Molins when the lookout relayed thetube

“The enemy had steered to the left! The distance between shi+p No 1 and them is about 3800yd (3475m)”

“Oi oi, they turned?”

Molins furrowed his brows

Lorraine was also surprised by this and confirmed with the lookout once more

“There’s noup into a double colu perpendicular fro a manoeuvre to outflank us?”

“It’s plausible if their speed is fast However, they will still lose out to the steaine within the bay even if the wind is in their favour”

“The eneuard consists of four Athena class in the front and eight Ouranos in the back Maybe they want to engage in a cross fire?”

“You’re kidding right?”

It was iht The main purpose for Ouranos class was for sea rescue or to apprehend slers

Generally, battleshi+ps wouldtheir broadside to bear and fired their guns at the eneies like close-coe would not allow the enee them in such a way

If their allied shi+ps turned after getting into range, they could keep firing at the ene the distance The enemy would be attacked without any chance to retaliate

With the supply shi+ps behind them in this narrow bay, they could not retreat backwards However, the enemy would be eliminated before it came to that

Lorraine said softly

“Could they… have made a mistake…?”

“Normally, that would be the case… The Empire’s fleet will continue to advance e turn and fire on thee, just like yesterday”

“Did they replace the commander?”

Perhaps

Even so, Molins did not feel relieved at all

“Currently, the commander of the fleet… should be the one who sunk two of our Princess Class shi+ps with an ambush Could it be that he does not understand the current situation? Or that he received an oracle?”

The air shook violently

It was due to cannon blasts

Lorraine once again relayed the ot from the lookout

“The enemy has fired, but it’s short”

“Don’t be bothered by it… … They are just telling us their range by firing so early”

“Isn’t this an opportunity?”

“That’s right Nore our course and fire at thee It’s not like they can hit us anyway”

As long they maintained a safe distance and fired at the enemy, they could easily break the enemy’s main fleet

Any admiral who followed the textbook would not miss out this opportunity

Molins poked at the sea chart in irritation

“What exactly is the ene? This movement seems like the preparations of a course menu of an imperial cuisine, it feels unbearably suspicious, isn't it”

“That’s right… Ah, the flagshi+p has turned! Right rudder!”

“Of course, the gorilla would do that”

Even if it was not him, no admiral would let this opportunity slipped away

Unlike yesterday, they were quite far from the cape

They were at the centre of the bay, slightly closer to the outside

No erous if they ree—— That should be the case

Molins spoke

“Engine rooht full rudder! Maintain distance from them No matter what, let us enjoy first”

“Aye aye Captain!”

The hele

At the saht

They were not following the flagshi+p, but were sailing to the rear of the formation

Molins actually wanted to turn to the opposite direction…… However, he would not be able to explain himself if he really did that

The cannons were fired

But it was just a one-sided battle where they suppressed the ee

Nothing unexpected occurred

Molins looked through the narro to observe the battlefield

Maybe I’ it?

shi+p No1 and No 5 were firing their cannons ferociously

Slightly further was shi+p No 8

Molins’ shi+p No 9 was stationed at the rear

At this point, it could be seen that the flagshi+p, shi+p No 1, had changed it course

This was the moment when the cannon fire was the fiercest Since they were not within the ene maneuver

However, the shi+p was turning at a wide angle If they were not careful, the shi+p could even capsize

What is MacCunn doing?!”

Suddenly, he ree-shi+p sunk around that area

Lorraine tilted her head

“This reminds me, that seem to be the area where the Empire’s Poseidon class shi+p sunk… … However, isn’t their technique that bad if they really hit the sunken shi+p?”

“Uh… … Perhaps…?”

Even if the firing of cannons were at their fiercest, they were in the middle of the vast sea, so it was unlikely that they would fail to avoid it Furthermore, the sunken shi+p’s mast could not be seen, so shi+p No 1 should not have collided with it

It was likely that shi+p No 1 panicked as they were late in realising the position of the sunken shi+p Though, it would be fine once they avoid that dangerous area

Basically, it was not a big problem

That was supposed to be the case

The enemy steered their boat at that distance wisely and fired the cannons even though they could not hit us, all of this was to lure shi+p No 1 to that position While they were quite capable, there was notthis

This should be what the idio to say

Molins wasn’t completely relieved, but he still relaxed a little

At this moment——

From the , shi+p No 1 rapidly decelerated, as if they were caught by a large net

“What?!”

“Eh… … Did they collide with the sunken shi+p?!”

“Even so, it’s too strange for thee hole in the hull if they were hit!”

Even though it was quite serious to have a hole at the bottom of the shi+p, it should not be able to cause the shi+p to decelerate that rapidly

It was hard to see clearly what had happened froe had come from the lookout

Molins started dashi+ng

He dashed up the stairs and pushed open the quarterdeck door that led up to the deck

Ignoring the surprised sailors, Molins leaned his body on the portside railing

He took the spyglass from his waist and looked at shi+p No 1

“What exactly happened?!”

Soon, Lorraine came in a hurry

“Please calm down, Captain! Perhaps they slowed down to put some distance between them and the enemy!”

“That isn’t it Even a Princess Class battleshi+p cannot do that kind of deceleration Maybe they caught onto so in the water?!”

“Eh? There’s nothing… …”

“Move closer to shi+p No 1! Ah, don’t get too close!”

“I’ll go relay the order!”

Lorraine began running

Molins looked at shi+p No 1 once more

There were sailors had gathered at the quarterdeck Soing at the mast

Are they trying to open the sail?

——Did their steaine malfunction?

shi+p No 5 passed by shi+p No 1 which stopped suddenly

shi+p No 8 alsoMost of the High Britannia shi+ps had stopat all since only a fool wouldthe reason why it suddenly decelerated and stopped

“Ah! This is bad!”

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