How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending

Then, the attacking fleet would often suffer great damage or, in severe cases, sink after the bottoms of their ships were caught on iron rods hidden underwater that could not be identified with the naked eye. When caught on iron chains, the damage was less, but at the very least, they were forced to stop and became easy targets for the cannons of the Dearsby fleet.

‘However, this time, they must have lacked the time or funds to even make iron rods like in the original story. As for iron chains, we can catch them by using small scout ships as bait.’

For that reason, two small ships, which were the origins of the Hezekia fleet and now almost scrap metal nearing decommissioning, were mobilized as scout ships and decoys. These were the very ships where Tristan and I sat side-by-side at Hezekia Port, picking off barnacles.

If the flagship had been at the vanguard as usual without such a safety net, we would have been stuck fast on the chains. It was highly likely that the ships following behind, unaware of the situation, would have caused a chain reaction of collisions.

“When did you even figure out the combat tactics of the Dearsby fleet?”

Gerhardt, by my side, exclaimed in admiration and bustled about. It was not that I had figured it out, but that the original story had spoon-fed it to me. I had nothing appropriate to say in response, so I just smiled awkwardly.

However, even though we were prepared in advance, the entire fleet’s speed slowed down a bit because two ships had stopped right in front of us. It was at that moment that our formation was temporarily disrupted.

Suddenly, the water surface rippled violently.

“Dearsby fleet appearing! The main fleet has appeared!”

“Direction is aft-port side! Six medium-sized ships are approaching!”

Loud shouts from all directions and the sound of clanging bells echoed.

Part of the Dearsby fleet, which had been hiding inside the rugged coastline, revealed itself. As if intending to start the battle in earnest, medium-sized privateer ships, well-suited for heavy engagement, were already approaching with their gun ports open.

The ships that had been blocking the entrance to Port of Belforte also advanced toward us in unison, joining the newly appeared line of privateers. At that moment, another voice rang out from the lookout.

“Three… no, four large ships approaching from the starboard side!”

“Count Dearsby must be thinking of total war. Not bad.”

The Hezekia fleet had already entered the waters off Belforte, where the distance was rapidly narrowing. Moreover, the wind was not strong today.

Due to the nature of ships, which are extremely difficult to turn around once a direction is set, the rear of the Hezekia fleet was as good as blocked. The only way left was to break through the enemy fleet, which had formed a double barrier against us, and move forward.

I looked toward the Belforte fortress, which sat high above the harbor, with worried eyes. The Dearsby fleet did not have overwhelming military power compared to us, but with the Belforte fortress, famous for its double walls, holding firm, I wondered if we could really overcome it.

“I didn’t pay any attention to it when coming and going, but… now that I’m trying to attack it, it’s truly enormous.”

As I muttered to myself, Tristan looked up at the fortress walls and narrowed his brow. The sight of gun ports being opened and waiting toward us from atop the walls was faintly visible.

The power of cannons firing shells as if plunging them downward from high fortress walls is incomparable to small cannons firing from swaying ships. It is not without reason that a siege fought over the sea is difficult.

Fortunately, we had not yet entered the shelling range of the cannons of Belforte Fortress.

It was when I was standing there, a bit nervous, watching the enemy ships slowly growing in size.

— Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom!

Two galleys, mobilized with numerous rowers, quickly cut through the water and sharply turned their direction toward the Hezekia fleet. Because the wind had died down, the Hezekia fleet was slow in maneuvering. Taking advantage of that gap, the enemy ships stuck close to the shelling range and quickly fired their cannons at one of our ships.

“Stay sharp! The opponent is a galley. Keep the distance!”

“We must end the battle with a bombardment. Do not permit them to approach!”

The knights began to shout frantically. Since the approaching ships were galleys, even if they were small or medium-sized, it was impossible to know how many crew members were on deck.