How the Villainous Consort Avoids His Death Ending - Chapter 97.1
“T, treatment……. This, h how, Tristan……!”
I moved my lips helplessly, barely forcing the words out, but there was no way to treat him in the middle of this. He had to command the flagship, and there was not even room to take cover. At that moment, a cracking sound rang out above our heads, and I saw the central mast split straight down the middle. The massive mast collapsed as it was, slamming onto the deck.
“Uaaaaah!”
“Get out of the way, move!”
Several sailors failed to escape in time and were crushed beneath the mast. From the enemy ship that had drawn frighteningly close, a barrage of crossbow bolts rained down, striking the crew. Tristan sprang to his feet and shouted.
“Take cover behind the barricade. They will not have time to reload, the crossbow attack will only come once. If we get through this, we are safe!”
“Y…yes, Your Grace!”
“Mildred, report the situation!”
“……Two masts have broken, and the stern and port side armor are completely destroyed.”
“Is the starboard side intact?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Turn to starboard and block their bombardment.”
As the order was given, the flagship tilted sharply once more and began to move. In the meantime, another enemy ship seemed to have taken a direct hit from our side and, unable to maneuver properly, peeled away. Even so, four enemy ships were still clinging to the flagship.
“Ship Number Two, request s-support from th-there…….”
There was no point hoping for help from Ship Number Three, which was already engaged in close combat. I turned my gaze toward Ship Number Two in a daze, only to sink into despair.
They were still unable to shake off the two pirate ships, maneuvering their hull as if playing hide and seek while exchanging fire. Even as a large vessel, being a sailing ship meant fewer crew members. If it came to close combat, they would be badly outnumbered, and getting caught would be disastrous.
At that moment, Tristan staggered, yet forced himself upright. He raised one arm high, then brought it down sharply through the air to deliver his command.
Receiving the admiral’s signal, the artillery unit obeyed at once. From the gun ports opened on both sides of the flagship, with a tremendous roar, the remaining shells were fired without restraint.
The four enemy ships that had pressed in closer to attempt boarding lurched violently all at once. One galley that had drawn the nearest was torn apart, split cleanly in two. Amid the thickly spreading flames, screams erupted everywhere. The mid-sized ship that appeared to be the enemy fleet’s flagship also seemed to have taken a solid hit, tilting sharply to one side as it lost balance.
From Ship Number Three, where close combat had been underway some distance away, a triumphant cheer rose. I hurriedly looked toward the sound and saw Hezekia’s flag still flying proudly. Our sailors and knights were shouting in victory.
“Your Grace, it seems they have won the close combat. If Ship Number Three now approaches the flagship to support us…….”
The knight guarding Tristan began to speak in a delighted tone, when suddenly the two enemy ships attacking Ship Number Two changed course.
Given the nature of ships, quick turns should not have been easy, yet the two galleys used their oars to steadily draw closer to us. Tristan, watching them with a furrowed brow, suddenly spoke.
“They have no intention of letting go of the flagship.”
“……Tristan?”
I called his name blankly, not understanding, and Tristan bit down on his lip. A low voice scraped out, as if dragged along the ground.
“Their objective is the complete destruction of the flagship. Even if only a single enemy ship remains in the end, they will not retreat.”
“To that extent……. Still, if the situation turns against them, would they not pull back?”
“No. Until Constantine is eliminated, or if that proves difficult, until I am, they will not stop.”
Without the support of the Grand Duke of Hezekia, the Crown Prince’s heir was nothing more than a five year old child. If Tristan were removed here, their objective would be largely accomplished.
“If two more ships latch on, we will have to face five at once.”
“But Ship Number Three will soon come to support us, and Ship Number Two is no longer being attacked…….”
“Ship Number Two is not in good shape. By now, they have likely exhausted their shells, and their casualties seem significant.”
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