Published: July 5, 2025
"Nelson touch."
"Huh?"
Abel tilted his head at Ryo's words.
Well, it's the usual thing.
"The enemy fleet has formed a battle line, and the flagship that charges in from the front will be the focus of their bombardment."
"That makes sense."
"Once, Admiral Nelson boarded that flagship and charged into the enemy line."
"...Oh."
Ryo was passionately discussing the Battle of Trafalgar, but Abel couldn't understand it at all.
He only recognized that this Admiral Nelson seemed impressive.
Nevertheless, he felt it was wrong to interrupt Ryo who was speaking with such fervor.
Abel is a good guy.
"We charge in, break through the enemy line, and divide them. Once we divide them, all of our ships will face the enemy, and the tide of battle will turn."
"Ah, right..."
"From there, we will encircle and annihilate one side, and then crush the other. That’s the Nelson touch. This is how we prevented the emperor's landing!"
Ryo raised his right fist high.
Perhaps it was dedicated to Admiral Nelson, who risked his life to protect his country.
By the way, Admiral Nelson, who is said to be the greatest hero in British history, died in this Battle of Trafalgar.
Will it be the same this time...?
"[Ice Wall Multi-layer Ice 50 layers]."
The hardest wall of ice that Ryo boasts of.
With this, the defense is perfect.
Now, all that's left is...
"Hey, isn't Ryo going to attack?"
Abel's question was directed at Ryo and Kavui Somaru.
"If you use that ‘icicle lance shower’ or whatever, won't you sink them?"
"That’s the attack that sank the Go-War fleet," Kavui Somaru nodded at Abel's words.
He nodded, but it seemed he didn't think it would go well.
"The enemy... Prince Kouri knows that Duke Rondo is beside his majesty the emperor. We don't know if he has grasped whether they are with the land forces or the fleet."
"Ah."
"Even so, they challenged us to a naval battle. Why is that?"
Kavui Somaru paused for a moment before continuing.
"I believe it's because they have something to counter us with."
"Something that can counter Ryo?"
To be honest, Abel didn't think there was anyone who could match Ryo.
"Every time I hear Duke Rondo's name in the imperial capital, I was told this. It's like..."
"Like Lord Rowan."
Ryo completed the sentence and nodded.
"I see. So, the Lord Rowan is in that fleet."
Abel nodded.
Even so, deep down, he didn’t believe there was anyone who could counter Ryo.
Because they are human.
However, Ryo himself provided additional explanation.
"I have fought many mages and swordsmen, both. But there is a type of opponent I haven't fought."
"Huh?"
"Alchemists."
"Ah..."
"Alchemy is a skill that can be said to be perfected by humans. Lord Rowan is a person who stands at the top of that."
"I see."
Abel had seen it until now.
Ryo had countered opponents who surpassed him in magic or swordsmanship with alchemy.
This time, it might be an opponent who can surpass that alchemy.
A top-tier alchemist is also a top-tier mage.
"An opponent who can surpass Ryo in water attribute magic and alchemy?"
"That possibility exists."
Ryo nodded clearly at Abel's words.
He was neither flustered nor careless.
"Even so..."
Abel sighed and continued.
"It seems we prepared a large army to avoid military conflict, but in the end, we look like we're about to clash."
"It symbolizes the foolishness of humanity," Ryo frowned and shook his head.
Even if humans are foolish, wars proceed.
Rather, because humans are foolish, once a war begins, it is not easily stopped.
"Duke Rondo, attack!"
"Yes! [Icicle Lance Shower 'Fan']!"
The thick ice spears shot out, spreading like a fan centered around Ryo, and attacked the Kouri fleet, which was deployed ahead.
There were over four thousand of them.
However, all of them were annihilated!
"What?!"
He had considered the possibility, but seeing all the interceptions unfold right in front of him surprised even Ryo, who had launched them.
He could see the moment they hit.
"The ice discs crashed one-on-one."
"Ice discs? They say that's something Lord Rowan specializes in. Each disc moves as if it has a will of its own."