Published: July 4, 2025
"Enemy cannon fire incoming!"
A lookout shouted from the mast.
About fifty fire attribute magic attacks struck Public Ship No. 10.
However, the magic barrier created through alchemy protected the ship from the attacks.
Countless lights of annihilation occurred.
"Annihilation?"
Ryo murmured.
"What's wrong?"
Abel asked, having heard his murmur.
"No... I was just thinking about how we're supposed to defend against cannon fire from over twenty ships with that magic barrier. I had heard that the magic barrier isn't very strong."
"Ah, I've received reports about that as well."
Abel nodded at Ryo's words.
Whether it’s the magic barrier or the physical barrier, they usually aren't that sturdy.
Ryo also sometimes gathers information about existing magic.
Most of the time, such discussions arise from casual conversations, so it’s not like he was consciously collecting information... but in any case, he had heard of it.
"It seems that instead of deflecting, the magic barrier is disappearing along with the attacks through annihilation."
"If that's the case, won't it be tough to re-establish the magic barrier?"
"Yes, yes. Therefore, they are deploying dozens or even hundreds of small barriers from the beginning. By reducing the area, they likely conserve magical power. The design itself is meant for a magic barrier that 'vanishes together' rather than 'deflects.'"
"I see. There are various methods to consider."
Abel nodded, impressed by Ryo's explanation.
Ryo noticed something.
Next to Captain Ra Woo, who was commanding from the first deck, there was a half-submerged seat.
Sitting there was the public ship combat commander, Lin Xin.
His upper body seemed to be on the first deck while his lower half was somewhere below.
"What's below that?"
"Ah, the second deck. The alchemy tools for magic cannon fire are protruding from the ship's belly, that's the second deck."
"That seat where Lin Xin is...?"
"It's usually covered. Since he's the combat commander, he might be controlling the magic cannon fire from the second deck and the interception aligned on this first deck? He might be commanding both from there."
Neither Ryo nor Abel were well-versed in Darwei's fleet battles.
Naturally, they didn't know the exact role of the public ship combat commander Lin Xin, but they could imagine to some extent.
"Alright, Lin Xin, that's enough. Sink them!"
"Aisa!"
Captain Ra Woo commanded Lin Xin, who was in the semi-submerged pit that could also be called the combat commander's seat, and Lin Xin nodded.
Commands from Lin Xin were soon transmitted to the magic cannon fire on the second deck.
"Target the lead ship that came out from the island on the right. As usual, one meter left from the bow, above the waterline."
Detailed instructions were issued.
Ten seconds later.
"Lock on! Three, two, one, fire!"
In perfect synchrony, twenty fireballs were launched from the port side of Public Ship No. 10.
All of them struck the same location at the same time!
An explosion unique to fire attribute magic occurred.
The enemy ship that had been attacked likely opened a large hole near the bow and began to sink.
"Incredible..."
"Unbelievable."
Both Ryo and Abel were left speechless in astonishment.
"Next! The target is the second lead ship on the right. Likewise, as always, one meter left from the bow, above the waterline."
Without losing any time, combat commander Lin Xin issued the second round of orders.
This rapid-fire capability was the strength of the alchemy tools for magic cannon fire.
Again, ten seconds later.
"Lock on! Three, two, one, fire!"
The results repeated perfectly.
In perfect synchrony, twenty fireballs were launched from the port side of Public Ship No. 10, striking the same location at the same time, resulting in an explosion unique to fire attribute magic.
And the second enemy ship that had been struck began to sink.
"These people have incredible training."
"The high reproducibility is a result of their training."
Ryo was astonished by the identical results, and Abel pointed out that it was no coincidence.