Water Magician

Editor: Tseirp

On the deck, the two were introduced to the princess’s entourage alongside the crew of the Bashteek and the Blue Jade Trading Company escort team.

Aboard the Bashteek were 40 crew members under Captain Dao, 100 people from the princess’s entourage, 100 marines from the stationed navy of Manyamya, 30 escort members from the Blue Jade Trading Company, and Ryo and Abel.

Including the crew, nearly 300 people were aboard.

“This size is understandable.”

“Indeed.”

Ryo said, looking at the port from the upper deck, and Abel nodded in agreement.

Not only people but a considerable amount of cargo was loaded in the hold.

An empty hold would severely impair the ship’s stability.

“What, all of a sudden?”

In Earth’s Western history, in ancient Greece and Rome, merchant ships were sailboats, but warships were either rowed by oars or used both sails and oars.

In the case of warships, the strategy was to ram the enemy ship with the pointed ram below the waterline, creating a hole to sink it or board and overpower it… that was the structure of naval battles.

Until the Battle of Lepanto in the 16th century, where the Ottoman Empire fought Spain and various Italian city-states, galleys played an active role in naval battles… but the nature of naval warfare began to change significantly.

With the advent of cannons.

Simply put, the appearance of cannons and guns meant that ships no longer had to ram each other.

Until then, ships had to collide to start any engagement, either by ramming or boarding, but ship-mounted cannons made it possible to sink enemy ships from a distance.

Additionally, it became possible to snipe enemy commanders or captains with firearms.

Which was entirely different from using bows and arrows.

Although, some researchers argue that it was difficult to hit targets on the highly unstable decks…

Due to these changes in tactics brought about by weaponry, galleys and galleasses fell out of use.

The aforementioned Battle of Lepanto was said to be the last naval battle where galleys were actively used.

That was the case on Earth, but in the world of ‘Phi’, ships and naval battles seemed to have followed a completely different history.

Firstly, there were no galleys.

At least, Ryo was not aware of any.

They might have been used in the past unknown to Ryo, but they are not seen in the present.

Only sailing ships.

Moreover, these sailing ships, utilizing wind-attribute magic, can travel at significant speed in any direction.

The wind pushes the ship, allowing it to proceed in the desired direction.

Ordinarily, sailing against the wind is challenging for sailing ships.

They cannot move directly into a headwind.

However, magic solves many of the problems faced by these sailing ships.

Hooray for magic!

The manner of fighting itself resembles the era on Earth before the appearance of cannons.

Ships collide.

They either create holes to sink the enemy or board and overpower them.

This means the most valuable ship is placed in the center.

With all the cargo loaded and the people aboard, the Bashteek set sail.

Waving goodbye to the people seeing them off from the port.

Accompanying them were two ships from the Manyamya stationed navy transport fleet that set sail simultaneously.

The other 18 ships were already floating offshore.

The Bashteek settled in the center of the transport fleet.

The 20 ships began their voyage, centering around the Bashteek.

“This is spectacular.”

“Indeed, we’re completely surrounded.”

Abel seemed a bit excited. Perhaps the king gets excited when he sees the navy.

Ryo also looked very happy. The chief duke seemed to be enjoying himself too.

Of course, the fleet was not for the two of them.

It was to transport Princess Iliaja.

Hence, the fleet was organized with the Bashteek, carrying her, at the center.

“This… looks like a circular formation.”

“A circular formation? Ah, indeed, the escort ships are arranged in a circle around this ship.”

Ryo murmured, and Abel nodded.

In modern Earth’s terms, the aircraft carrier strike group is often used as an example of a circular formation.

An aircraft carrier, several cruisers and destroyers, and attack submarines.

Form the fleet.

The aircraft carrier, the core of the strike group, is placed in the center, surrounded by cruisers and destroyers, with attack submarines advancing underwater.

The aircraft carrier, which serves as the core of the strike group, is the ship that must never be sunk.

It’s not only a ship carrying thousands of people but also carries the planes essential for gaining air superiority in modern warfare… it cannot be allowed to sink.

However, from the attacker’s perspective, it is the target that must be sunk at all costs.

Whether that ship is sunk or defended can determine the outcome of the battle.

Therefore, a circular formation is used to protect the most valuable ship in the center.

Abel did not know the term circular formation, but he understood it.

In this transport mission, Abel had various expectations.

He understood it was a perilous journey but also thought it would provide many valuable experiences.

One of those was experiencing naval or fleet battles.

Abel was the king of the Kingdom of Knightley.

However, he had no experience with fleet battles.

He had never commanded one, nor had he seen a fleet battle involving dozens of ships.

At most, he had participated in pirate suppression missions requested by the guild.

Since the Kingdom Liberation War, Abel had several experiences commanding land battles.

However, land battles and naval battles are entirely different.

Of course, the naval battles to be fought in the archipelago region would also be different from those of the central countries.

Nevertheless, they would be invaluable experiences.

Experience becomes one’s lifeblood.

Abel, who had accumulated experience as a swordsman and adventurer, understood this all too well.

For this reason, he looked forward to this transport mission with anticipation.

Shortly after forming the circular formation, a briefing was held on the upper deck of the Bashteek.

This meeting was led by Rajaton, the commander of the stationed fleet marines.

Rajaton was a calm commander in his mid-thirties.

Ryo, who had the preconceived notion that marines were like reckless gang leaders, was quite surprised.

In contrast, Bansox, the escort captain of the Blue Jade Trading Company, seemed more like a marine…

Abel noticed Ryo’s thoughts.

And shook his head slightly.

Gathered for the meeting were Princess Iliaja, Chief Butler Ronk, Captain Dao, Escort Captain Bansox, Ryo, and Abel.

Normally, such a meeting would be held in the captain’s cabin at the stern, but this cabin was now Princess Iliaja’s private room.

Therefore, they gathered on the upper deck.

By the way, Captain Dao, who had to vacate her cabin for Princess Iliaja said…

“It’s a common occurrence.”

As she laughed heartily.

Truly, a seasoned sailor.

“This is a map of the archipelago region around Manyamya.”

Rajaton said, showing a map similar to the one Ryo and Abel had seen at the Blue Jade Inn on their first day.

However, this map detailed the positions of islands and shallows more precisely.

“Here, here, and here. We believe there are high possibilities of attacks at these three locations.”

For them, the waters from Manyamya to the capital were like their backyard.

It must have been easy for them to predict where they might be attacked.

“We are scheduled to pass through these points on the fourth, tenth, and fourteenth days. We will make a port call at the town of Jushita on the twelfth day. You may spend your time anywhere on the ship, but on the fourth, tenth, and fourteenth days, please be ready to return to your rooms immediately.”

“Understood.”

Princess Iliaja acknowledged Rajaton’s instructions.

“We appreciate your cooperation for the twenty-day voyage.”

The princess said, bowing her head.

“Oh, no, we are the ones who should apologize for any discomfort, even though it’s an executive order.”

Commander Rajaton said, bowing in return.

Ryo nodded approvingly.

Which Abel noticed with a sidelong glance.

Abel didn’t say anything at the time, but…

After the meeting, he remarked:

“Why does Ryo always act so high and mighty?”

“What’s with the sudden remark? Unlike you, I never flaunt my authority.”

“No, I don’t think I’ve ever flaunted my authority.”

As they exchanged this light-hearted banter…

“Abel-san and Ryo-san, right?”

Princess Iliaja, accompanied by Chief Butler Ronk, approached them.

After the meeting, she had come to them instead of returning to her room.

“Yes, princess. I am Abel, and this is Ryo.”

“Yes, princess. I am Ryo, and this swordsman is Abel.”

Abel and Ryo introduced themselves.

Princess Iliaja smiled at their introductions.

“I’m Iliaja. You two seem to get along well.”

“Princess, that’s just an illusion. This swordsman Abel is a cruel and ruthless man. I have to pretend to get along with him; otherwise, who knows what he might do to me…”

“Hey…”

“See? He’s a terrifying person.”

“You come up with insults one after another. I have to admire that.”

Abel said, shaking his head.

Princess Iliaja laughed even more at their exchange.

“See, Abel? Thanks to your sacrifice, the princess is able to laugh.”

“Was it necessary for me to be the sacrifice…?”

“Just taking a page out of your book. You always say that the spirit of self-sacrifice is admirable.”

“What, I don’t recall you ever showing self-sacrifice.”

As the two continued their conversation, Princess Iliaja, having finished laughing, spoke.

“It’s really fun. Right… it’s been a long time since I’ve laughed so heartily.”

During an inspection, a rebellion broke out in the capital.

Her family was slaughtered, and even the province they had fortified ultimately fell. She had fled to a neighboring country.

Even Ryo could understand that she had not had much to laugh about.

“Laughing is said to help prevent illness. Sometimes… it’s good to force yourself to laugh. If you ever feel like laughing again, this Abel will gladly be the sacrifice, so don’t hesitate to ask.”

“It doesn’t have to be me; Ryo could be the sacrifice.”

“It’s the vanguard’s job to take the hits.”

“No, that’s not a rule.”

And the two continued their conversation.

Princess Iliaja smiled as she spoke.

“Other people… perhaps because I am a princess, I feel a distance between us. I understand it is inevitable. But I don’t feel that way with you two. If possible, just for the duration of this voyage…”

“Princess…”

Chief Butler Ronk interrupted her.

However, it wasn’t a disapproving interruption suggesting that mingling with commoners was inappropriate… rather, his expression was one of deep sadness.

“Oh… right. If you associate with me, you’ll attract unwanted attention from various quarters.”

Princess Iliaja said, understanding the reason for Ronk’s interruption and smiling wryly.

Ryo and Abel exchanged glances.

“There’s no need to worry about that. We’re from the central countries. We aren’t settling in this country or forming any ties with the Kingdom of Suje. We’re trying to cross the continent and return to the central countries.”

“Exactly. And if anyone dares to complain, Abel here will put them in their place. So you don’t need to worry at all.”

“Why is it always me?”

“Because I believe Abel can handle any opponent. It’s a sign of trust.”

“Yeah, you sure can say that with a straight face, even though it’s completely untrustworthy.”

Hearing their exchange, Princess Iliaja smiled again.

“Thank you.”

She said, bowing her head in gratitude.

“It’s fun… just like when I used to be at the royal palace.”

She murmured.

As expected of a king and a premier duke.

They showed no hesitation in interacting with a princess from another country…

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