Chapter...123

"The Quack Doctor of the Rebel Army"

As I came out of the tent, a familiar face appeared. It was Louis, who had arrived at the camp the day before. He had come down urgently with Gaston to repair the ship they had recovered from the Imperial forces.

“On your way back from the port”

I asked with a bright smile as I linked my arm with Louis’. Louis nodded at my question.

“It’s almost done. Honestly, it didn’t even seem like they needed me there.”

His voice was cheerful, as if he wasn’t even tired from the long journey.

“Don’t say that. Jin praised your invention a lot, saying your lighting will be a huge help.”

What modesty. I lightly poked his side with a teasing smile, and Louis laughed awkwardly, a little embarrassed.

Louis, who had been researching alone in the underground city, had brought down another useful invention. It was a large nighttime lamp made by integrating light-attribute mana stones.

Thanks to it, the sea could now be lit up like daylight even at night, making night navigation possible. The only downside was that it made their presence visible from far away, like squid fishing boats, making stealthy night movement difficult. Still, in an era without radar, such lighting was necessary for safe navigation at night.

In any case, thanks to Louis’s invention, they now had a significant advantage in night battles.

“Oh, right. I have something to give you, Unnie.”

Louis rummaged through his pocket and placed something into my hand.

I looked down blankly it was a letter.

“I was supposed to give it to you yesterday, but I got so excited about installing the lights that I completely forgot.”

Louis scratched his cheek apologetically.

I smiled to tell him it was okay, then opened the letter he gave me. It was Rodent’s handwriting.

It hadn’t even been that long since I left the underground city, yet he already said he missed me and sent a letter through Louis. It was both endearing and adorable. I smiled widely as I read it.

It felt as if Rodent’s lively voice was whispering in my ear. It was nothing special—just ordinary daily life but those trivial updates warmed my heart.

Small conversations with my uncle Nicholas, stories about friends—everything was written in detail. Thanks to that, I could clearly imagine what was happening in the underground city without even being there. A soft warmth spread through me, and a gentle smile formed on my lips.

“I miss them.”

Rodent, and everyone else in the underground city. I muttered as I tucked the letter into my chest. It felt warm, like I was carrying a hand warmer.

Thanks to the warmth Rodent sent me, I didn’t feel cold even in the freezing winter air.

I took a deep breath. My chest kept feeling tight from tension.

“It’ll be fine. It’ll be fine.”

Even though I wasn’t saying it to anyone in particular, I kept repeating it to calm myself. A major battle was about to begin.

Even after crushing Admiral Luke Lensis’s fleet, Gregory Wigzen continued sending troops.

Each time, the Liberation Fleet defeated them one by one, gradually taking control of the Negoche coastal region.

And finally they had reached the very edge of where Gregory Wigzen’s main fleet was stationed.

“If my prediction is correct, they’ll attack us soon.”

Jin’s voice came from beside me. He was looking up at the darkening sky.

Based on Wigzen’s personality, Jin predicted they would launch a surprise attack tonight before we had time to fully prepare. It was a conclusion drawn from gathered intelligence, along with information provided by Wigo.

Following that prediction, we were now waiting for Wigzen’s fleet to come at us doing nothing.

Of course, we weren’t truly waiting defenseless. The plan was to appear unprepared, lure them into attacking, and then counterattack trapping them in an ambush.

A kind of “empty city strategy.”

But no matter how clever the plan, waiting for an enemy to strike at any moment was nerve-wracking. I took a deep breath to steady myself. Then I quietly took Jin’s hand who, though he didn’t show it, was clearly tense.

At my question, Jin swallowed hard.

It was loud enough that I almost laughed.

“Don’t laugh.”

He pouted slightly in mock annoyance, though the tension in his face eased a little.

“When the signal sounds, we’ll turn on all the lights at once. Imagine it.”

He moved his hand gracefully in the air, as if drawing the scene. It almost looked like he was commanding troops.

I pictured it as he said—Louis’s nighttime lamps lighting up the sea all at once. It would be a spectacular sight.

A trump card. The plan was to unleash a full assault while the enemy’s vision was blinded by the sudden brightness.

I checked the time anxiously. Even though it was already well into the night, there was still no sign of Wigzen’s attack. Just as I began to wonder if they would really come tonight.

Fireworks lit up the dark sky. It was the signal that the Imperial forces had arrived.

And then, brilliant light suddenly flooded the night sea.

In the distance, Gregory Wigzen’s fleet came into view.

Richard’s command rang out, and immediately the deafening roar of cannons filled the sea.

Caught off guard by the sudden counterattack, the Imperial fleet hesitated. In that moment, the Liberation forces unleashed their barrage.

The Imperials quickly responded with cannon fire, but most of it fell short and splashed harmlessly into the sea.

For a moment, I thought maybe we’ll win easily again.

But then

“Increase distance Now”

Richard shouted in panic. The Imperial ships, realizing long-range combat was disadvantageous, began closing in despite the incoming fire.

Even as several ships sank beneath the dark sea, they continued advancing without hesitation, clearly intent on forcing close combat.

“We can’t retreat any further there are reefs behind us”

“Damn it”

Before long, the enemy ships were dangerously close. Now they were at a distance where even gunfire could reach.

“Richard, go to the deck and command the battle.”

As Imperial soldiers began hooking ropes onto our ship, Jin spoke calmly.

Richard hesitated even after hearing the order. He probably wanted to stay by Jin’s side.

“Hurry.”

At Jin’s second prompt, Richard gritted his teeth and left the wheelhouse. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to order the soldiers to protect Jin.

“Unless it becomes hand-to-hand combat, I won’t be in danger.”

Those words Jin had once said came back to me. And now the feared hand-to-hand combat had begun.

Gunfire echoed throughout the ship.

It’ll be fine. Richard is outside. This place is safe.

As I tried to reassure myself, bullets began striking the wheelhouse window. It was made of reinforced material, but it wouldn’t hold much longer.

“Step away from the window, Commander”

The soldiers shouted as they blocked Jin. I quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him away. Moments later—

The window shattered with a sharp explosion.

As if it were a signal, grappling hooks attached to thick ropes flew in and lodged into the window frame.

The soldiers tried cutting the ropes while dodging bullets, but Imperial soldiers soon began climbing aboard through them.

Seeing their numbers increase, it was clear defense would not be easy.

The leader of the infiltrating Imperial forces looked around the wheelhouse and smirked with interest.

“I didn’t expect this but look at this. The leader of the Liberation Army and Astrid Overt too.”