Chapter 109 - The Battle on the Ship and the Summoning of the Goddess
I took another look around. Arrows from friend and foe alike crisscrossed the sky above. We were boxed in—one ship behind us, and one on either side. Even hiding behind the shields, we were exposed to fire from the rear. Fang had stopped attacking and was now using his axe as a shield, deflecting enemy projectiles. It was thanks to him that we weren't taking more hits.
The volume of fire from our side had clearly diminished. The number of wounded was growing, and Maira and Aira were scrambling across the deck as healers, ducking from shield to shield. Amidst the chaos, Wake continued to fire with an unnerving steadiness. He would hide behind a shield, load a bolt, then stand and fire. He must have been using his special skill to predict the future, taking actions that ensured he wouldn't get hit. Marmie, protected by her own magical barrier, was calling out enemy positions to him. They were a well-coordinated pair. Does she have combat experience? She showed no signs of faltering in this situation.
Avea was also fighting valiantly but had sustained several arrow wounds. The enemy was concentrating their fire on our most skilled archers. Cecily continued to observe the enemy. She didn't have the luxury of dropping her defensive barrier to launch a spell of her own. The enemy knew from her appearance that she was a mage and were targeting her relentlessly.
"Don't let their ships get any closer! Keep firing!"
The battlefield was a cacophony of noise, but the captain's roar cut through it all. In response, our side's return fire briefly intensified. He truly had the makings of a commander.
"You know, I probably should have taken it after all."
Cecily came over to me.
"Taken what?"
"That thing you made out of vanity. I feel like I'm about to die, and… well, I guess I wouldn't want that to be your last memento, though…" She had seen right through the fact that I'd made it a little larger than life.
"Don't worry. A thousand years from now, the river will change its course, and future generations will unearth it. I'm sure it'll be praised as a work of art."
Cecily sighed, exasperated.
"If you spent the time you waste thinking about stupid things like that on me, we could have a much more enjoyable time together."
"Don't be unreasonable. I think of lewd things, therefore I am."
I replied with a lighthearted jab.
"Stop spouting nonsense. But… you seem to be okay now, so I guess that's good."
Cecily sniffed. Despite her brusque attitude, she had been worried about me. I took her hand and let her help me up. A volley of arrows flew towards us, but we were inside her magical barrier. It was like being surrounded by a wall of glass; the arrows simply bounced off, never reaching us.
"This barrier is amazing. Did you learn how to do this after leveling up?"
It lacked the instability of her previous barriers. Cecily shook her head.
"I taught Marmie my 'full-body wash' spell, and she taught me this in return."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Thanks to that, we became friends. Thank you, Mash."
"Getting thanked so directly like that… it's kind of embarrassing."
"Sh-shut up, you idiot! When you say things like that, it makes me embarrassed too!"
A blush colored Cecily's cheeks.
"The only problem is, while the barrier is active, I can completely block attacks as weak as arrows, but I can't do anything from in here either…"
Being unable to attack with magic seemed to be a source of stress for her.
The enemy ships were now a mere ten meters away. Several grappling hooks with ropes attached were thrown onto our deck. The ropes went taut as the enemy began to pull our ship closer. Our vessel was now completely captured. As I had predicted, they didn't try to ram us. Their objective was our cargo and Marmie's capture. Sinking the ship would defeat their purpose. More importantly, they were confident they could overwhelm us in close-quarters combat. They intended to seize the entire ship.
Many of our crewmen were hiding behind the fixed shields, holding their breath as they swapped their crossbows for melee weapons. The enemy soldiers were doing the same. The arrow volleys were now just a prelude to the boarding action. The enemy galley ships had three tiers of rowers. The top tier was on the deck and had already joined the fight with crossbows. The middle and lower tiers were below deck, out of the arrows' reach. Now, the numerous oars extending from the enemy galleys were being pulled inside. Since they no longer needed to pursue us, the rowers from the lower decks would soon be coming up to join the melee as warriors.
A sudden, strong gust of wind rocked the ship. Tied to the enemy galleys by ropes, we couldn't steer or change course. We were simply being carried downstream.
I could see men waving flags on the decks of the three galleys, busily exchanging signals. They were probably deciding on the right moment to board. Our crossbowmen fired at them, but their shots were blocked by magical barriers. Of course, the enemy had mages and priests too. The captain was looking at me with a resentful expression. I couldn't blame him. We were completely cornered. Even if we fought them hand-to-hand, it was unlikely to change the outcome. We were at the stage where we had to consider surrendering to avoid further losses.
But I had wanted this exact situation. Our side couldn't escape, but neither could the enemy. And now, the pirates were all gathered together on their decks. In this situation, the only ones who seemed confident of our victory were the members of Levante. Only Mizuki was looking at me with a worried expression. The decks of the enemy ships were overflowing with soldiers. There had to be over a hundred on each ship.
It was time.
I quietly raised my hand.
"Goddess Summon!"
As I shouted, a dazzling light enveloped the area. Within that radiance, a goddess materialized, sitting upon a spear that floated in mid-air. She was draped in a rainbow-colored celestial robe, and her pristine features were divine to behold. Her long, golden hair fluttered in the wind, its brilliance like the light of pure gold. The sailors on both sides could only stare, dumbfounded, at the descended goddess. Her sheer presence silenced the din of battle, casting a hush over the scene. The eyes of every person present were fixed on Racshell. The aura emanating from the manifested goddess overwhelmed everything and everyone.
"…It's really… Lady Racshell…"
Marmie whispered. Her small voice spread across the battlefield like a ripple, swelling into a great cheer.
"It's Lady Racshell!"
Our crewmen, who had been despairing over the battle, roared with renewed life and joy. It seemed to me, however, that Racshell was looking upon the scene with an unhappy expression.
"You're as popular as ever. What's there to be dissatisfied about?"
"Mash, this isn't what you really want to do."
She said it with an unamused tone.
"You think so?"
I replied, feigning ignorance.
"I am always watching you. And what you're about to have me do… it's not like you."
Her usual playful tone seemed noticeably subdued.
"Not like me, huh? You have too much time on your hands."
"Have you forgotten? I am your lover!" Racshell declared, taking a breath. "But are you truly certain about this?"
She posed the question to me. She had seen through my reluctance to fight this battle and obtain this result.
"This is something I should be doing with my own hands, but I don't have the power. I'm sorry for relying on you, Racshell."
"I am merely a tool to wield your will. To me, it matters not how many inhabitants of this world die; I will see it only as a necessary choice you have made. I will not feel the same conflict you do now."
I gave a wry smile. Wasn't she the goddess who had saved humanity from ruin? And yet, she claimed to feel no sorrow for their deaths. I glanced at Maira. She was staring at us intently, as if trying not to miss a single word of Racshell's. I wondered how those last words had sounded to her.
"Actually, besides these guys, there are about five hundred more people I can't let live."
Racshell sighed and turned her gaze to Fam. It seemed she knew I was thinking about the ones who had attacked Fam's village.
"I don't believe that's what she wishes for."
"It's what I can't forgive."
"If that is the case, then it cannot be helped. But please, do not allow your heart to become consumed by death."
"I think I understand that, for now. That's why I want to move forward."
I took a deep breath.
"Racshell, bring a rain of retribution upon the pirates!"
She floated gently up into the sky and raised her right hand. As if time had started moving again, enraged shouts erupted from the enemy galleys. Dozens of arrows were fired at Racshell, but she paid them no mind; they all lost momentum before reaching her and fell from the sky. Arrows were fired at me as well, but Cecily's magical barrier held strong. A few demons tried to leap from their galley to ours, but Wake and Avea shot them down. Racshell swung her hand down.
A countless number of arrows appeared from nowhere and rained down upon the enemy galleys. I could see the demons, confused and trying to flee. Racshell's arrows pierced their backs. They fell in an instant, never to move again. Some tried to block the arrows with their shields, but the arrows pierced through shield and soldier alike. Enemy soldiers scrambled for the stairs and hatches leading below deck, trying to escape into the ship's hold. Racshell's arrows fell upon them without mercy.
It was a one-sided slaughter. The gruesome spectacle sent a chill down my spine. Just as I had planned, all the enemy ships were within her range. And because of the ropes they themselves had thrown, they could not escape it. Even those who jumped into the river were shot down.
I continued to watch the scene without looking away. With this, the three galley ships were taken care of. Now, all that remained was to see what the two galleys hidden on the island and Joe's group, who should be following us, would do.
A pain throbbed in my head. I pressed my temples. It was the usual dizzying sensation. My mana was running out. When I came to, Racshell had finished her sweep of the pirates and had descended to my side. With this massive turnaround, our crew was erupting in what sounded like victory cries or cheers. It was a scene in stark contrast to the deathly silent decks of the enemy galleys.
"I need you to promise me something," she said.
"What?"
"Next time, just the two of us. In a place with no enemies… oh, I suppose Mizuki-san can come too."
Racshell glanced at Mizuki. The last time, Mizuki had her mana drained and was knocked unconscious—a harsh treatment. I wondered if she would agree.
"…Alright. I promise."
Racshell smiled.
"Racshell…"
I felt like I was about to lose consciousness. I desperately forced out my voice, trying to hang on.
"Yes, what is it?"
"I met Akizuki Uta. I learned that people who are transferred here can only stay for ten years. Please, save Mizuki. I'm begging you."
I tried to look at Racshell's face, but my vision blurred, and I couldn't make out her expression. Then I heard someone's footsteps.
"Don't be ridiculous! There's no point in saving just me! It's meaningless if I'm not with you, Mash!"
I thought I heard Mizuki shouting, but it sounded distant, far away. My head was spinning. A hand was placed on it, stroking it gently.
"It will be alright. Someone like you will surely…"
I couldn't hear the last part. My consciousness faded away.
Thank you for reading. To everyone who has liked, bookmarked, and rated this story, thank you very much. Your support is a great encouragement. I will keep doing my best.