Chapter 60

The sea was on fire.

No, everything in sight was burning.

The surface of the water was filled with ship debris and corpses, and fire and smoke darkened the surroundings like fog.

On top of that, the shouts of pirates, whether in anger or madness, echoed from all directions.

“Captain, the enemy's resistance is extremely fierce.”

“Damage?”

“One of our ships is moderately damaged, there are many seriously injured, and the number of lightly injured is countless.”

“This is really something.”

Unfortunately, this was the only reaction I could give in this situation.

Because it was impossible for me to control the entire war situation one by one.

And I couldn’t show a frightened reaction.

Because the subordinates would be agitated.

“……”

I silently looked around.

As expected of the notorious Tospol’s pirate fleet, the pirates we met this time had outstanding combat power.

The javelins that suddenly flew in once in a while were a bonus.

The javelins were the pirates' way of countering the mercenary fleet’s siege weapons.

The range might be a little short, but the fact that you would die if you were hit wrongly did not change.

If our side faltered, the pirates would approach without hesitation, throw ropes onto the deck, and come aboard.

THUD!

Again, the ship shook with an impact of unknown cause.

Theo, who was next to me, supported me as I stumbled.

“Young Master, are you alright? Are you not tired?”

“I’m fine. Though it’s very different from what I expected.”

Theo was also covered in blood.

A trace of the battle that had just taken place.

It said enough that they had allowed the enemy to approach me.

To be honest, I had almost lost this ship several times.

That we managed to defend it was entirely thanks to the elite troops on board.

“I’m alive thanks to you.”

“Of course. It’s thanks to me. Don’t make me go through such hardship next time.”

“Who knew the enemies would charge so fiercely.”

“These guys are certainly strange.”

Tospol’s subordinates were different from the pirates we had met so far in many ways.

They moved with a calmness that was strange to the point of being frightening.

They were never scared even when a comrade died next to them.

Because of that, the battle had dragged on for so long.

“Where’s Ishmael?”

“Kruk, I’m safe.”

Ishmael rose from a pile of corpses.

It seemed he had also gone through a tough fight.

“Then that’s good. Why are those guys charging to their deaths like that? Are they on some kind of drug?”

“Kruk, isn’t it obvious? It’s because they’re scared of Tospol. If they retreat, they’ll be killed by Tospol.”

“Is it all because of fear?”

I looked at the deck, which had become a sea of blood, and then turned my head away.

Quite some time had passed since the battle began.

The best-case scenario of defeating Tospol at sea was already out of the question.

In that case, it was time to move on to the next plan.

“Everyone, retreat slowly to the coast of Crescent Island. Move cautiously so the enemy doesn't notice.”

“Understood!”

In the chaotic atmosphere, the flagman sent signals to the surroundings.

The Fasan fleet, having received the signal, slowly moved towards the coast.

The Levonan fleet, which I was worried might charge recklessly, also moved according to the plan.

It was a formation that was slowly luring the pirates towards the island.

“Good. If we just do this.”

I would be able to defeat Tospol by coordinating with Eleonor on the coast of Crescent Island.

It was the moment I was confident that things were going according to plan.

Suddenly, the black smoke in front of me scattered, and a giant floating fortress revealed itself.

Creak— Creak—.

On its deck, a giant ogre was revealed with his arms crossed.

He was holding a blood-soaked axe and looking down on his surroundings with arrogance.

Anyone could see that it was Tospol.

And at that very moment.

My eyes met his.

At the same time, the ogre roared loudly.

“The bastard who burned my lair and insulted me! That’s him! Get him!”

“Tch, a sharp one.”

The warship with the human skin sail turned its bow towards where I was.

It was a smooth turn that didn't match its giant size.

The rowers rowed vigorously, and the warship, having gained momentum, charged at high speed, ramming all the ships in its way.

It didn’t distinguish between enemy and ally ships if they were in its way.

The Levonan flagship Calcio blocked its path.

From the bow, Admiral Gian roared, holding his hammer.

“Where do you think you’re going! You shall not pass!”

“Get out of the way! You shorty dwarf bastard! Don’t block my path!”

“What! You son of a bitch!”

It was true that dwarves were short.

But pointing out their shortness was a rude act.

Because they themselves knew they were short better than anyone!

The enraged Admiral Gian tried to jump onto the pirate ship, but before that, Tospol pushed through with mass.

THUD!

The Calcio, belying its fame, was helplessly pushed back the moment it collided with Tospol’s ship.

It almost looked as if it were getting out of the way on its own.

The figurehead, shattered by the collision, fell to the surface of the water.

Even Admiral Gian could only stand firm on the deck to avoid being thrown off.

As the Calcio was pushed back, nothing was left to block Tospol’s path.

“Ishmael, pick up the speed.”

“Kruk, this is the best we can do. Besides, the wind is dying down now.”

“Of all times for the wind to……”

Just then, the wind that had been blowing on the battlefield began to weaken.

It was the worst timing, to an absurd degree.

It seemed the sea of the Golden Sea was not going to help me today.

If I had had a little more faith, I might have sought God.

Now that the wind power was lost, the navigation had to rely purely on the rowers.

In the meantime, Tospol’s ship was getting closer and closer.

A shadow of fear was cast over my head.

“Captain, Tospol is right in front of us! Please give your orders! What should we do?”

“Don’t panic! Concentrate your firepower on Tospol!”

Six pre-loaded catapults simultaneously fired rocks.

Large rocks flew through the air, aiming for Tospol.

It was a moment when everyone was sure that he would have to be turned into a bloody pulp, no matter how much of an ogre he was.

However.

“How dare you try such a foolish thing!”

CRACK!

Suddenly, a thunderbolt shot up in the middle of the battlefield.

No.

Looking closely, it wasn’t a thunderbolt but a giant axe.

It looked like a thunderbolt because the axe was spinning with light.

With that one swing of the axe, all the flying rocks were deflected elsewhere.

“Crazy bastard. A truly crazy bastard……”

“Argh, is Tospol a monster?”

“My goodness. How is that possible?”

It was a sight that was unbelievable even after seeing it with my own two eyes.

What kind of crazy bastard deflects rocks with his bare body?

And people were afraid of what they couldn’t understand.

I could feel my subordinates being overwhelmed by the insane prowess Tospol had shown.

I quickly stepped forward before the unit’s morale collapsed.

“Everyone, do not be agitated.”

“But!”

“Tospol is ultimately a living creature. It can’t be easy to display such supernatural power multiple times. Everyone, just act as ordered.”

“Y-Yes, sir.”

“Keep firing! Don’t stop firing!”

As I stepped forward to soothe my subordinates, the agitation subsided.

But it was unavoidable that their morale was dropping.

It was only thanks to the trust I had built up with my subordinates over time that we recovered from the confusion.

To be honest, I was also going crazy because I couldn't believe this situation.

“Does that make sense? Does it make sense?”

“Young Master, calm down. People are listening.”

“Damn it. What kind of crazy bastard can deflect flying rocks? Can you do it?”

“I can’t either. How is that possible? It’s possible because he’s an ogre.”

“Damn it. Racial difference.”

The Tospol in the game was definitely a strong boss.

But even the Tospol in the game couldn’t deflect all the flying rocks with a single swing of his axe.

This was no longer in the realm of humans.

It was in the realm of monsters.

I almost missed Isak, whom I had fought in the Imperial Capital.

No, I should have put 50 points into my martial power when I created my character.

Then I wouldn't have to go through such hardship every time.

I barely held back the curses that were about to come out and waited for the ship to get closer to the coast.

But nothing was going as expected.

Tospol had caught up to me.

“Stop there, you human brat!”

THUD!

Tospol finally succeeded in ramming the ship I was on.

The deck shattered with a cracking sound, and the ship’s keel twisted and screamed.

I also rolled on the deck for a while before grabbing the railing and getting up.

“Damn it. A ship-fucker. So persistent.”

My butt, which had hit the deck, was throbbing painfully.

But as I got up with Theo’s help, all I could do was complain.

And whether I complained or not, Tospol crossed over to the ship, riding the hideous figurehead of intertwined men and women.

Tospol bared his sharp lower teeth and glared at me.

The large axe in his hand gleamed menacingly.

“Young human brat! You must be that Leon Gryph! I finally see you! Nice to meet you, you son of a bitch.”

“When did I ever run off with your money? You seem too happy to see me.”

“When I heard that you burned my lair, I vowed to eat you alive.”

“You’re really impatient, just like the rumors say. You’re supposed to cook meat before you eat it, you idiot.”

“Hehe. You’re the kind of guy whose mouth would still be floating even if you fell into the sea.”

“Cut the crap. You look disgusting when you smile with that ugly face.”

Tospol smiled cruelly at me.

“I’ve decided just now.”

“What?”

“I’m going to capture you alive. And I’ll tie you to the mast and take you to Fasa.”

Why all of a sudden?

“May I ask why you changed your mind?”

“I want to let you hear what screams they make as I burn Fasa. I will continue to burn the city until you beg for your life.”

“You have a really disgusting hobby. You must have had a lot of problems in your upbringing. Did you grow up in an unfortunate family?”

Normally, I would never mention someone’s family matters.

But as the situation became urgent, I had become sensitive enough to spew personal attacks without hesitation.

And personal attacks usually carried more insult than just provocation.

As expected, it was effective.

The smile disappeared from Tospol’s face.

“Human brat. We’ll see how long you can afford to be so carefree. I need to see you wail in agony too.”

“The same goes for me.”

“What?”

I gestured behind me.

“Crossbowmen, forward. Welcome the pirate bastards.”

Clack, clack, clack.

At my gesture, the waiting crossbowmen popped out and lined up in three rows on the deck.

The faces of the pirates who were crossing the deck turned very bad.

Tospol, realizing the trap, gaped.

Seeing that, I could barely smile.

Nothing stood between Tospol and the crossbow unit.

“I already expected you to attack.”

***

I knew from the beginning that this fight was disadvantageous.

Not to mention the difference in the forces we had, the physical differences of the races were like the difference between a lightweight and a heavyweight.

However, I had no intention of meekly giving up my life.

It was absurd to get scared and back down over something that hadn't been decided yet.

Therefore, I made a plan to take down Tospol, considering all possibilities.

If Plan A didn't work, then Plan B.

If Plan B failed, then Plan C.

I explored the possibilities so that all plans could flow organically.

Bringing in Levona, fortifying the Kresven Archipelago, and choosing the front of Crescent Island as the battlefield were all because of that calculation.

Crucially, I knew Tospol’s modus operandi.

Because I had conquered him several times.

Tospol roared in anger.

“This bastard and his cheap tricks!”

“Die, Tospol.”

Theo shouted.

“Fire!”

Shushushuk!

Dozens of arrows, fired without question, formed a web of fire.

On the narrow sea, there was no way to avoid this close-range volley.

The pirates hit by the arrows fell backward without even being able to scream.

The firing continued until the loaded crossbows were empty, and the sound of tearing flesh did not stop.

I clenched my fists, convinced of our success.

Then Theo shouted in elation.

“Did we get him!”

“……You shouldn't have said that.”

“Pardon?”

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