Capítulo 17: Maritime Warfare!
Captain Freni's words were enigmatic, initially causing a ripple of confusion in Ryan's thoughts.
However, the haze of uncertainty soon lifted, giving way to understanding.
Pirate vessels seldom match the firepower of naval warships and are infrequently armed with significant artillery. Those that do possess cannons often suffer from poor accuracy and limited ammunition, making long-range engagements a less preferred tactic in pirate skirmishes.
Victory in these confrontations hinges on the ferocity of hand-to-hand combat during boarding actions.
In terms of this close-quarter battle...
While their crew was not deficient in basic fighting prowess, it was their high-end combat strength that truly set them apart, boasting two tier-one fighters in their ranks.
The [Black Rose] had only just changed commanders the previous day, a fact almost certainly unknown to the [Skull] pirate group. To them, the [Black Rose] remained the same less formidable opponent as before.
Their current maneuver seemed like a retreat but was merely a ruse. Once the battle was joined and the enemy realized the true strength of the [Black Rose], any chance for their escape would be long gone.
"Huh..."
With a light exhale, a wave of relief washed over Ryan.
He wasn't alone; there were two formidable first-tier warriors aboard, vastly more skilled than himself.
Admittedly, it was somewhat disheartening to acknowledge his lower status, but the comfort of having such powerful allies in a crunch was undeniable.
"Captain is truly formidable!" Ryan exclaimed, a tinge of flattery in his voice.
"Haha..." Captain Freni's laughter was light, filled with a knowing warmth. "Mr. Ryan, speaking of prowess, I've yet to witness your swordplay. Perhaps you could grace us with a demonstration later?"
Ryan's face stiffened momentarily, and he quickly waved his hands in dismissal. "Oh, Captain, you jest! I'm merely a humble navigator. The thick of battle is best left to the experts like you."
Freni's eyes twinkled with mirth as she noted the calluses on Ryan's hand, an unmistakable mark of a swordsman. She appeared amused but chose not to press the issue further.
Ryan was brought aboard primarily to serve as the navigator. Possessing combat skills was considered a bonus rather than a requirement; his lack of them wasn't seen as a detriment.
Observing Ryan's reluctance, Captain Freni decided not to push him. She respected his boundaries and shifted her focus.
"I look forward to seeing you excel in your role as our navigator, Mr. Soros," she said with a supportive smile as she turned to walk towards where Cecilia was standing.
Ryan watched her depart, his gaze steady and thoughtful. He was not one to shy away from combat; his travels had seen him face creatures as formidable as beach crabs. Yet, he had declined Captain Freni's challenge, not out of fear but due to the uncertainty of the enemy's capabilities.
The world they navigated was fraught with peril, and the true strength of professionals was an enigma to Ryan. Until he could gauge this more accurately, his priority was self-preservation.
With the [Unnamed Ship Sculpture] in his possession, Ryan knew he was growing stronger every day. Time was indeed his ally.
Besides, with the formidable Freni and Cecilia aboard, his participation in an imminent battle would likely not sway its outcome. In light of this, he preferred to remain in the background.
As he gazed at the approaching [Skull] ship through the light mist, Ryan's eyes remained serene, undisturbed by the impending confrontation.
Time slipped by, and the gap between the two pirate ships gradually closed.
As visibility improved and both crews could make out figures on the opposing decks, a sudden burst of "greeting" artillery fire shattered the quiet.
"Boom!"
Gunpowder smoke billowed into the air as iron cannonballs were propelled by explosive charges. They traced elegant arcs across the sky before crashing into the sea, causing dramatic splashes several meters away from the pirate ship.
The inaccuracy of the artillery was a known limitation of the era, turning long-distance shots into matters of sheer luck rather than skill.
The [Black Rose] and the [Skeleton], after a fruitless barrage of cannon fire that inflicted no damage on either vessel, mutually ceased their artillery volleys.
Amidst the quiet that followed the ineffective bombardment, the [Skull], already looming dangerously close to the [Black Rose], executed a sudden, sharp maneuver. Its captain wrenched the steering wheel around, propelling the ship into a violent collision with the [Black Rose].
"Boom!"
The impact sent shudders through the hull of the [Black Rose].
"Get to the sides, throw the ropes!" Salem, known as "Roshan" and standing formidable at the bow of the Skeleton, bellowed his command.
Within moments, a barrage of hooks attached to sturdy ropes launched through the air, embedding themselves firmly into the bulwarks of the [Black Rose].
"All combatants, with me! To arms!" Salem roared as he unsheathed his machete. Surprisingly nimble for his size, he thudded across the ropes before leaping onto the enemy deck.
"Boom!"
His colossal weight hit the wooden deck, causing it to splinter dramatically, spider-web cracks spreading under his feet. An unfortunate pirate caught beneath him was mercilessly crushed, his body gruesomely reduced to a pulp.
Following Salem's lead, dozens of pirates, swords and scimitars gripped in their teeth, swung from the Skeleton to the Black Rose, descending like avenging spirits from the rigging.
As the melee erupted, the crew of the [Black Rose] found themselves desperately outmatched. Not just by Salem, the towering "mountain of flesh" at the forefront, but even their ordinary assailants seemed to overpower them.
In under thirty seconds, the deck was awash with casualties, fear palpable in the eyes of the [Black Rose]'s crew. This mounting terror culminated in one pirate attempting to flee, his survival instincts taking over.
However, barely having taken a couple of steps, his body seized up, immobilized. Dark blue veins emerged, tracing from a crescent moon mark between his eyebrows, spreading ominously across his skin.
"...I was wrong...ho ho...sir...give me another chance..." he gasped, his voice a mix of desperation and fading hope.
Despair clouded the pirate's eyes as he uttered his plea with great difficulty.
But in the next instant, with a deafening "bang," his body burst apart, scattering a gruesome spray of blood that drenched the clothes of those nearby like macabre fireworks.
The abrupt violence seized the attention of all present. Combatants from both sides instinctively halted, their actions frozen in shock. "Roshan" Salem, stationed at the bow, stared in horror at the scene unfolding before him.
"Is this?" he murmured, a sense of foreboding tightening in his chest.
An unfamiliar, ominous energy filled the air at the site of the explosion, setting off alarm bells in Salem's mind.
Without a second thought, he spun on his heel and made for the safety of the [Skull]. Although the mission was crucial, Salem valued his life far more. With the situation on the [Black Rose] becoming increasingly murky, lingering there seemed like a foolhardy risk.
However, just as Salem turned to retreat, he found himself face to face with a silver-haired female knight who had appeared silently behind him, poised on the bulwark.
A soft blue glow emanated from the deck, coalescing into the form of Freni, who regarded Salem with a faint, mocking smile. "Now that we've crossed swords, why rush away so soon?" she taunted.
Salem's face blanched at the realization of facing not one, but two high-level professionals.
To his growing terror, the aura emanating from the young witch in the hat, standing nearby, sent a primal chill through him, causing the hairs on his neck to stand on end.
"What a damned fool's errand this is. Is this meant to be my end?" The thought flashed through Salem's mind unbidden, his mind faltering underthe weight of his dread.
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