Chapter 495 - Change of Course
It seems Edward-sama has also made up his mind.
Holding a large three-pronged harpoon instead of a spear, he ordered preparations for battle.
"An allied hospital ship is being pursued by a West Liber naval vessel. We're going to rescue them!"
The name 'Loud Prince' isn't just for show. He let out a great shout that seemed to thunder through the area, and the naval soldiers, as if responding with an "Aye!", began to take their stations.
Following the proposal of Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, the plan was to head northeast, drawing closer and closer to the White Island.
"Edward-dono, if you are willing, we would like to assist you."
"I am grateful. Since I am inexperienced, I ask for your guidance."
These were Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, who had traveled through many battlefields and earned the title of heroes. There was no reason to refuse.
"Father, Mother, how should we proceed?"
"Henry will assist Edward-sama. Wilson and I will prepare the materials to attack the enemy ships from a distance. Magdalena, you take command of the archers."
"If the enemy approaches, I just need to keep them away, right?"
"Yes. Please."
"Understood. Bonnie, you come too."
"Okaay."
This was truly 'Aun no Kokyu' (T/N: A Japanese idiom meaning perfect synchronization). It was exactly what one would expect from someone Eleanor-sama had taken a liking to and promoted to unit commander of the central army. I heard that light cavalry, in particular, are active in reconnaissance, diversion, and surprise attacks, so they are required to not only follow the commands of the upper brass but also make their own judgments according to the situation. That unit commander position is also a place where general Paratroop Jaegers are promoted to.
"W-what should we do?"
This time it was Miana.
Magdalena-sama was putting a hand on her back. She must have been encouraging her to speak up herself.
"The priests, Sianya, and Mary, please stand by in the treatment room. Please assist with the treatment of wounded soldiers."
"U-understood."
"Beowulf, you are to defend the treatment center. Even if the enemy soldiers should board us, do not let them inside."
"Understood."
Sianya and Mary can use offensive magic, but this was a reasonable decision.
Following Eleanor-sama's instructions, we went to the treatment room.
In the meantime, Edward-sama was shouting instructions. They were mainly about the operation of the ship. He was issuing them in rapid succession, as if he were well-practiced.
When we went to the treatment room, the director was sitting leisurely in a chair with an axe beside him.
He looked just like a pirate captain out of a fairy tale.
"So we are going to rescue an allied hospital ship? If you know what kind of plan Eleanor of Tactics has, would you mind telling me?"
Even though he was just speaking normally with a smile, his bloodlust—or whatever it was—gave off an incredible pressure.
Miana completely froze up.
Even if he's called a pirate, he's a naval soldier during wartime. Perhaps this is the real deal.
Beowulf explained briefly, though she looked tense. She's an active-duty heavy infantryman and might be a future queen. She probably felt she couldn't be intimidated here.
"Hmm. So you intend to draw closer to the White Island and look for rocks to throw with magic."
He began to cross his arms while sitting heavily.
I wonder if he has an idea?
"How about Flight Magic? I believe there should be one unit."
"It should still be on standby. We are still some distance from the White Island. It's dangerous to take off carelessly."
"Hmm," he said, looking out the window this time.
"We might not make it in time."
He suddenly said this, as if talking to himself.
According to the treatment center director, since the hospital ship is fleeing, there's a possibility that large ships are mixed in with the enemy. They wouldn't send a large ship for a mere inspection.
And usually, large ships are accompanied by several small, fast-sailing ships for escort.
"The problem is those small ships. They'll obstruct our course or try to break the rudder or oars. They'll also fire fire-arrows. We have to drive them off first."
Hospital ships are slow to begin with. They might be caught easily. If they are caught, it'll be a disaster.
"If you have any opinions to offer, I will go as a messenger."
The director's station should be the treatment room. He probably can't move. Sensing that, Beowulf said this while standing at attention.
"I'm sorry, but I'll ask you to do that. Tell Edward-sama that the old man has an opinion to offer."
"To Edward-sama. Understood."
"Yeah. I'm counting on you."
"Yes!"
After seeing off Beowulf, who went out as a messenger, the director beckoned us over.
"That girl, Beowulf, was it? It seems Edward-sama has taken a liking to her... actually, how far has their progress gone?"
He was smirking.
What kind of talk is this in this emergency, you old man.
Miana, don't lean forward too much either.
While we were all listening to Sianya's report, we heard a knock on the door.
"Oh, they've come. Well then, we'll save this talk for another time."
We all nodded at the director's words. Such talk must be kept secret.
"Old man, I hear you have something."
Beowulf, the guide, opened the door, and Edward-sama, Henry-sama, and Eleanor-sama entered.
"Oh! Everyone, I apologize for the trouble of having you come here."
The director said this as he stood up.
We commoners thought to excuse ourselves and leave, but we were told to stay, so we remained. Sianya, Miana, Beowulf, and Bonnie aside, I didn't think Mary and I had anything to do with it, but it seemed to be fine.
"I hear you're going to head north for a bit."
"Yes. We need weapons to attack the enemy ships. If we crush suitable rocks and throw them with magic from a distance, we'll have an overwhelming advantage, so the enemy shouldn't pursue us."
"As expected of Eleanor of Tactics. Exactly so. However, that's if we make it in time."
He put a bit of force into the last sentence.
"Will we not make it in time?"
"There is a possibility of that."
After answering Eleanor-sama's question, he explained what he had told us.
"Then we just need to drive off those small boats, right?"
"Yes. I believe that would be best."
"What should we do?"
"Let's change the order. A west wind is blowing now. We'll ride that wind and the tide and charge first. And after driving off the small boats, we'll flee northeast, again riding the west wind and the tide. Attacking with rocks will come after that."
To my surprise, he was suggesting doing a hit-and-run with this huge ship. At worst, we might charge in only to be surrounded by the enemy.
"Charging is fine, but can we escape safely?"
"I think we can, but it's a gamble."
If you only listened to the words of Eleanor-sama and the treatment center director, it sounded like a normal(?) strategy meeting, but in fact, both of them were smirking. No matter how you looked at it, they were enjoying this situation and were happy with the director's proposal.
"Old man! Isn't that too reckless?"
It was Edward-sama.
Currently, there are four members of the Sertorian royalty on this ship. If, by some chance, we were surrounded and captured, it wouldn't just be a big problem; the entire White Island might be dragged into the war.
"Edward-sama. War is a living thing. There are no guarantees of victory or defeat."
"But still, we must be more cautious here... first, everyone's safety..."
The one who cut into Edward-sama's cautious stance was Henry-sama.
"Edward-dono. There are times in war when one must push oneself. I believe now is such a time."
"But..."
His opponents were three veteran warriors. Edward-sama also fell silent.
"What do you think, Magdalena?"
Eleanor-sama threw the question to Magdalena-sama. Among the Sertorian group, the opinion of the current Queen, Magdalena-sama, would be the final decision.
"It sounds interesting."
"W-what are you saying!"
"Edward-dono. Don't you actually want to charge as well? I am a former light cavalryman. The true essence of light cavalry is the surprise attack. The West Liber scouts must know about this ship of yours. They surely think this ship would never charge, so they are undoubtedly off guard."
"W-well, that's certainly true... but still..."
"Please, listen."
As if to soothe Edward-sama, who was trying to stop the charge, Magdalena-sama began to speak.
"Ever since I heard the concept of this hospital ship, we should have anticipated such a situation. To treat wounded soldiers regardless of whether they are friend or foe, based on the Goddess's teaching of coexistence and co-prosperity. To attack a hospital ship dispatched to achieve that noble purpose is outrageous. It can be called an unpardonable act of barbarism, can it not? If the allied hospital ship currently fleeing were to be burned and sunk, what would happen?"
"T-that... If such a thing were to happen, the Church would be furious. And under that influence, the entire island might declare war on West Liber."
If that happened, it would be exactly what East Liber wants. Surely, the strengthened East Liber would support Engrio, with whom they originally had an alliance, and might send troops to unify the White Island.
"When your country came up with the hospital ship concept following the lessons of the previous war on the White Island, our country issued letters to the various nations of the White Island in the name of the King of Sertoria. And the various nations agreed with that intent and made a request to West Liber. West Liber also took similar measures, so as not to let wounded soldiers die in vain. And if a Primordian hospital ship were to be attacked by the West Liber Navy, the various nations of the White Island would strictly protest to West Liber and, depending on the degree of damage, would 'have thoughts'."
Thoughts... surely, it's retaliation. It must be a declaration of war.
"Yes. I know. I have also seen the similar letter from the King of Medioland through my uncle."
"Then you understand. We must rescue our allies' hospital ship no matter what."
"Yes."
"And I believe this behavior of the enemy is not just that."
Edward-sama, who had become completely quiet, tilted his head.
"Suppose the West Liber Navy actually burned your country's hospital ship and killed all the wounded soldiers. The letters sent to West Liber should only have said they 'have thoughts', but usually, one would imagine a declaration of war. And if such a thing were to happen, which country would benefit the most?"
"T-that..."
East Liber. No doubt. And Engrio and Morandine might also be included.
"It's possible that the ones attacking our allies' hospital ship are not the West Liber Navy."
"Could such a thing actually happen?"
Even Edward-sama had a suspicious look on his face.
A warship pretending to be West Liber attacks a hospital ship.
In this case, they are likely not regular soldiers.
It is said that knights do not engage in such cowardly behavior as faking a national flag or a royal coat of arms. If they did such a thing, it would be widely publicized and leave a dishonorable stain on the family name. However, some mercenaries are different. Especially if they were originally scoundrels. Some are even said to kidnap nobles for ransom.
I feel like there might be someone behind the scenes giving money to such fellows and instigating them, but apparently, that doesn't come out in the open.
"In any case, we need to scatter them and show them what's what. What do you think, Edward-dono?"
Now Magdalena-sama had completely become part of the charge faction and was trying to persuade Edward-sama. As expected of the original 'oni-yome' (T/N: demon wife).
"Edward-sama. If we don't make it in time here, it is anticipated that it will greatly hinder future hospital ship operations. Fortunately, the Henry Party from Sertoria seems to fully understand that. Edward-sama, your true feelings must be the same as this old man's. Why not respond to the spirit of the party, who are trying to save our allies regardless of their positions?"
Edward-sama glanced at Sianya. He must be relying on Sianya for politics.
Sianya took a little time, but in the end, she nodded.
"T-then, we will change the plan. Charge toward the direction where the allied ship is thought to be. We'll scatter the enemy ships!"
The aggressive plan, which one would never think came from a treatment center director, was finally approved.
With the change of plan, the ship's speed increased all at once.
Instead of heading toward the White Island, we took a course toward the northeast, riding the tidal current.
The large sails caught the west wind fully, and the naval soldiers rowed the oars. It proceeded with such momentum that it was hard to believe it was a slow-sailing ship.
Until now, we had been heading toward the White Island, but now we were gradually drawing closer to the continent.
Even though we had been drawing closer to the White Island, it was certain that the magic level would drop by one. We'll need to be creative in magic battles. It hurts that the high-level Wind Barrier cannot be used properly. Eleanor-sama and Wilson-san are ultra-high-level, but since the activation itself is questionable, they can't attack from the sky, and it can't be used as a wall of air for defense.
"It should be about time we see them."
Since the policy changed to a charge, the command post was moved. It was the roof of the treatment center.
And the treatment center director, with an axe hanging from him, went up to the roof wearing leather armor. I climbed the stairs on all fours and peeked out, hiding my face, and I could see him standing next to Edward-sama as his assistant.
"Can you predict our allies' course?"
Eleanor-sama was asking in a loud voice so as not to be drowned out by the sound of the wind.
"They are likely proceeding not far from the coast so as to be seen. If a Harmonia scout finds them, reinforcements might come. Also, there's the option of running aground on the beach to escape."
"I see. Then it stands to reason that we wouldn't have made it in time. The plan I made was too late."
"No, it's the tidal current. It's slower near the coast. Consequently, we can proceed faster. Besides, being closer to the coast means a higher possibility of surviving if we sink."
If the tidal current is slower, won't our escape speed also be slower?