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A massive piston rumbled loudly as it rotated within the cylinder, powering the magic engine.

According to our guide Christoff, the ship’s speed was achieved by rotating an outer ring installed on the hull, using stored mana.

I was astonished. They hadn’t even invented the screw propeller here, yet they had managed to create an early version of a steam-powered sailing boat. I hadn’t expected this level of technology, assuming the world was still in a medieval or early modern stage.

“It’s impressive! So you use mana to speed up the ship or for attacking, huh? Honestly, I thought I’d see golems paddling at the bottom or wind magic blasting against the sails.”

I shared my fanciful thoughts with a wry smile. Christoff looked at me, his eyes shining with pride, like a boy showing off a treasured possession.

“Ahaha, not quite! That method was actually used a long time ago, but it took up too much space and put a heavy strain on mages, so it was quickly phased out.”

Christoff explained politely, smiling without a hint of condescension at my ignorance. Mikoto and Tanabata stood nearby, quietly observing from a respectful distance.

“Wow, I had no idea! You really know your stuff, Christoff. I’m embarrassed to admit I barely know anything about this kind of thing. Thank you for explaining it.”

“Oh, please. Whatever I know is just basic knowledge passed down from my father and the academy. It’s hardly something to boast about,” he replied modestly.

The way he answered so modestly, coupled with his striking looks, sparked a maternal instinct in me. His bashfulness didn’t make him seem weak; he still held himself with a firmness befitting his age, and he’d been a diligent guide. I’d bet he was quite the heartthrob in his personal life.

Perhaps my thoughts showed on my face, as Christoff looked at me with a slightly confused expression.

“Um… is there something on your mind?” he asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just impressed by your humility and gentlemanly manners. You must be quite popular with the ladies in your homeland, hmm?” I tried to phrase it lightly, not wanting to seem too nosy.

“…I’m not so sure about that. Honestly, I haven’t thought much about it. The military academy is mostly boys anyway, so I’ve had more fun goofing around with friends than anything else.”

“Aww, what a shame… or is there already someone special in your heart?”

“N-No! There’s no girl I’m interested in. Really!” he insisted firmly.

“Oh, is that so? That’s surprising, I was certain—” But before I could finish, a sudden force surged beneath my feet, and the Beluga ship jolted upward, leaping into the air.

“Kyaaa!” Caught completely off-guard, I lost my balance and tumbled forward.

“—Ugh! Are you alright, Miss Hiyuki?”

But the impact I expected never came. Instead, Christoff’s voice sounded close beside me.

He had moved quickly, catching me in his arms before I could fall. Feeling his unexpectedly strong chest against me, I pulled back quickly, murmuring my thanks with a slight flutter in my heart.

“Thank you very much. You saved me there. But… what was that jolt just now?”

“W-Who knows? This area is full of dangerous reefs, so the ship might have hit one,” he replied, his tone as awkward as mine. But before we could say more, a shout echoed from the crew, filled with urgency.

“Pirates! We’re under pirate attack! All hands, to your positions!”
“It’s the Crimson Sail Pirate Order! Activate the magic engine to full power!”

Christoff and I exchanged a startled look, realizing the danger had just begun.

◆◇◆◇

“The Empire’s Navy? Who cares, they have no right to act high and mighty in my waters.”

Momongai, captain of the Red Sail Pirate Order’s flagship, Testarotta, said with a wicked grin. True to his boasts, he had turned Enyuria, a supposed Graviol colony, into his puppet state.

Momongai had caught wind of a report meant for Enyuria’s top officials—a cover story about an “emergency inspection” by the Empire’s elite magic fleet. With this leaked information, he gathered his pirate forces, setting up an ambush in this treacherous region of reefs and swift currents.

“Master, if I may, I have a question…”

A rabbit-kin maid, who had been standing quietly behind Momongai, spoke up as he hummed cheerfully at the ship’s wheel.

“Couldn’t you have just used Kaitei-Ou to take them down in one strike, instead of bringing out the Testarotta and the older fleet for this ambush?”

Why face his enemy on equal footing when he possessed both the strongest offense and defense? The rabbit-kin maid tilted her head, clearly baffled by his logic. Momongai, however, seemed irked by her lack of understanding.

“Tsk, tsk! This is exactly why I said girls can’t understand a man’s adventurous spirit. Where’s the thrill if victory is guaranteed? It’s only when both sides are evenly matched—testing wits, courage, and skill—that a man can call himself a true sailor!”

“Well… I’d say fairness flew out the window when you stole information about their plans and set up mines for a surprise attack.”

Unbothered by her pointed remark, Momongai just puffed out his chest in pride.

“This is a mere tactical choice, nothing more. The rules haven’t changed at all. It’s just like the classic ‘Pirate’s Duel’—do you know it? It’s when two fighters tie their left wrists together with a leather strap and face off, armed with only a knife in the right hand. They keep fighting until one of them surrenders or dies. Now that is the essence of piracy—a true man’s battle!”

While her master passionately described his ideals, the maid fixed him with a frosty stare. She didn’t say it, but her eyes made it clear—no self-respecting pirate would ever participate in such nonsense.

Meanwhile, the two fleets had closed in on each other, signaling the start of battle. They began with projectile weapons—ballistae, crossbows, and arrows filled the sky. Fire arrows streaked across, the rumble of artillery thundered, and mages unleashed bursts of fire and ice.

“—Our ally, The First Storm of Spring, has sustained heavy damage. The crew is in chaos. Cold Wintry Wind has taken hits as well, and we’re still unable to confirm the crew’s safety.”

Momongai scratched his head over his turban, frowning at the disappointing report.

“Great, so we’re getting trounced. What in the world are they doing out there?!”

“Well, they’re just a ragtag bunch who joined your fleet because it was easy money. Of course, they’re no match for the military. They’re outclassed in equipment, morale, and skill.”

“…So that’s their limit.”

Momongai sighed, nodding glumly. Harsh as it was, it was the truth.

“Fine, I’ll go have a little chat with the enemy general. Let the vice-captain handle things. —Wait, where is everyone?”

“Where else? Inside the ship. They’re not about to hang around up here and risk getting hit by a stray attack.”

Momongai pursed his lips at the maid’s tone, which suggested, Are you really this clueless, Master?

“…But you’re out here.”

“Well, I have a nice, solid cover right in front of me. Once you’re gone, I’ll head inside too.”

“…Hey, you don’t really think of me as your master, do you?”

“Oh heavens, of course I do! How could you think otherwise, Master?” she replied, though her expression didn’t quite match her words.

Momongai noted that her look was hardly one of respect.

“Hah, whatever. Anyway, it seems the Empire’s commander is their Archduke. If we capture him, we could get a nice ransom. Who knows, maybe I could even secure official control over Enyuria… or maybe not.”

The main plan was to seize control of the north from behind the scenes and keep the power balance in check. He knew this skirmish was straying far from the original strategy. Normally, the best move would be to retreat and avoid clashing with the Empire’s forces. Regardless of how this battle turned out, he was certain some punishment awaited him.

“But a true man of the sea doesn’t let tomorrow’s consequences weigh him down!” Momongai shouted this proudly to the waves.

“There you go again, having one of your fits,” the maid sighed, clearly used to these outbursts. She handed him the reins of his beast, ready to let him loose.

“Ah, thanks. —Alright, I’m off!”

Momongai leapt onto his beast, grabbed the reins, and plunged into the sea, sending up a towering spray of water. A few seconds later, he surfaced, guiding the creature through the waves.

Without further delay, he made a beeline for the enemy flagship—the largest magic ship on the water.

“So, this is the Empire’s army, huh? Time to see what they’re made of!”

Bursting into excited laughter, Momongai gripped the reins in one hand and his hangar sword in the other. Dodging stray magic, cannon fire, and arrows, he quickly closed in on the towering magic ship.

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