Published: September 10, 2025
※2018/1/15 Typo corrections made.
This is Satou. Just because you can see through everything doesn’t mean you can perfectly predict everything that will happen. If that were possible, you’d always win at shogi, wouldn’t you?
â—‡
“Hey! Secretary, come here!”
Surprisingly, the first person among those on the ship to regain composure was the admiral, who had been repeating nothing but “Impossible!”
He called over the secretary and had him write down all the information they had gathered about the enemy fleet. Then, he instructed him to make copies for each allied ship and turned to face those watching him.
“Our fleet will break through the enemy fleet ahead, then disband, allowing each ship to return to Rumork City individually.”
Judging the chance of victory hopeless, he prioritized breaking through the enemy encirclement at all costs to deliver the information.
“Admiral?!”
Considering the balance of forces, the admiral’s decision seems reasonable, but the surrounding crew voiced their shock.
“If you do that, most of the fleet will be sunk during the breakthrough!”
“And even if a few ships return, they won’t be able to defend Rumork City!”
“That’s right! Have you forgotten what the water magic users said? Kraken-class monsters lurk near the enemy’s frontline fleet!”
Many senior crew members tried to overturn the admiral’s decision.
But if they fought normally, wouldn’t they be wiped out?
“I understand that much!”
The admiral shouted back louder than the crew.
He’s not called “Loudspeaker” skill for nothing.
“If we focus solely on escape and merge with the escort fleet, there might be a chance to survive!”
Really?
The krakens look sluggish but are faster than speedboats.
“But if we don’t bring back our information, Rumork City will be trampled by the pirates' fleet without any preparation!”
The admiral sounds admirable.
“Above all! If Rumork City falls, what will happen to the fortune I’ve desperately amassed? Who will pay my pension and retirement benefits?”
Ah, yes.
That’s the admiral I know.
I don’t think those were his only true intentions, but since I agree with his plan, I watch silently.
“Count Pendragon!”
Huh? He’s directing this to me.
“Leave the Kraken to you! Show us the power of the so-called Demon King Slayer!”
Why so condescending?
“Unfortunately, the airships carrying our comrades haven’t returned—”
The admiral and crew’s faces darken with worry.
“Why the pessimism—”
“—so rather than destroying them, let’s focus on keeping the Kraken and monsters at bay.”
If I recklessly annihilate them, it won’t be “strength of the group” but “strength of the individual.”
“Admiral, the documents have been copied!”
“Understood. Summoning Mage! Deliver the sealed letters to each ship’s captain!”
The admiral sealed the documents he received from the secretary with a stamp, placed them in waterproof tubes, and handed them to the summoning mage.
The summoning mage summoned carrier pigeons to deliver these to the ships.
Probably a precaution to prevent suspicion of desertion among captains after delivering the information.
Maybe it’s a manual, but being able to take such necessary measures in an emergency shows competence.
Though he always acts high and mighty, so he’s not very likable.
â—‡
“Place the shield ships at the front and proceed at full speed! All other ships except artillery and shield ships, focus on speeding up the entire fleet! Don’t spare the demon cores! Even if the magic power furnaces break, run at full power!”
The admiral shouted a rapid series of orders.
But, were there any shield ships?
Looking around, I saw ships carrying arcane magic users generating transparent magical shields resembling flexible shields at the front.
Moreover, sailors were lining up large blue shields made of turtle shells on the decks.
“There are many reefs around here! Water magic users on the shield ships, use water depth detection magic! Choose a course that just grazes the enemy flagship’s prow!”