Indra Translations
Navigation
Star-Embracing Swordmaster Chapter 208: Golden Beacon (1)

Chapter 208: Golden Beacon (1)

The‍⁠ sea was calm‌ and still, enveloped⁠ in a dense‍‌‌ marine fog that⁠ smothered even sound.⁠

The‌‍​ only noise was‍⁠‍ that of the​​ ships cutting through⁠‍ the waves.

However,​‍‍ no matter how‍⁠‍ quietly they moved,⁠⁠‌ it was impossible‌ to conceal the⁠ sound made by‍ 43 ships.

“…!”‍‌

And⁠⁠⁠ Nidavellir, which had‌​ been waiting silently,​‍‌ was precisely waiting​‌‍ for that sound.⁠⁠‌

“It’s⁠⁠‌ an attack!”

With⁠ the desperate shout‍⁠ of the lookout,‌​ fire began to⁠ spread from within‍​ the fog.

The⁠ flash that started⁠​ from an unseen‍ place suddenly flew‍‍⁠ fiercely towards Barbosa’s⁠ fleet on the‌⁠‍ wind.

“Cannonballs‌⁠⁠ are flying!”

“They’re​ dwarves! Everyone, wake​​‍ up!”

Kwakagagagang-!⁠​

It⁠ started quietly, but​​ when it hit,⁠​ it was like‍ a disaster.

Wood‌‍ fragments rebounded in‌ all directions.The sailors’⁠‍‍ screams spread along⁠​⁠ with it and​‌ began to resonate‍‌​ through the thick‍​ fog.

“Successful‍​⁠ hit!”

“Most⁠‍‌ of the fired⁠‌ cannons hit their‍​‌ targets!”

It‍ was a surprise⁠⁠‌ attack aimed at⁠‌‍ an opportunity and⁠‍⁠ a preemptive strike.​

Nidavellir’s⁠⁠‍ attack, taking advantage⁠‍ of the fog,​⁠‌ mercilessly struck Barbosa’s​⁠ ships.

Seeing⁠‍‌ that the enemies‍ couldn’t even respond⁠ properly, the sailors⁠​​ began to unleash​ the cries they‍‍‌ had been holding‍‌⁠ back for so​‍ long.

“…No‌ wonder they were‍‍ so slow.”

However,‌​​ despite the success,‌⁠ Olmukar’s expression remained​⁠‍ stiff.

Despite⁠ the strong projectiles,⁠ not a single‍ one of Barbosa’s‌‍ ships stopped.

“What…​‍ what’s that?”

“What‍‍ the hell?”

The‌ sailors, enthusiastically firing​ projectiles amidst cheers,​‌ sensed something strange⁠‌ and began to‌ panic.

This‌‍ was because what⁠⁠‌ they saw only⁠ after the thick‌⁠ smoke of the‍ projectiles cleared was​⁠‌ completely different from‌⁠​ what they expected.‌​​

“Those⁠​‍ lunatics…”

Barbosa’s‌ fleet of 43‍ ships advanced in‍‍ a diamond formation.‍​⁠

The​​ ships on the​ outer edges of‍​⁠ the formation were​ reduced to rags‌⁠ by the bombardment‌ just moments ago,‌​ but they did⁠ not stop advancing.‌‍‌

This‍​ meant that, although‌‌ the exterior was‍‍ terribly affected, the⁠​ internal functions were​⁠ still intact.

“Armor!‍‍‍ They’re armored!”

“Those‍‌‌ lunatics armored their‌​​ ships!”

Although‍‍‌ the wind was​‍⁠ favorable, the enemy’s‍ movements were exceptionally⁠ slow due to⁠‌‍ the weight of‍​ their armor.

“…How‍ much money did‍ they spend on‍⁠ that?”

The⁠⁠ dwarves of Nidavellir​‌ were speechless as‍ they looked at‌‍ the iron armor⁠‌ placed on each‍ ship.

As⁠‍ warriors and blacksmiths,⁠‌​ they knew very‍‍ well how many​ resources and gold​‍ coins would be⁠‌‌ consumed to use‍ such preparations.

“It’s⁠‍ too soon to​ be surprised.”

In​‍‌ the middle of​ the diamond formation,‍​‍ there was a man smiling under​‍ a brightly red⁠⁠ sail.

He‍‍‌ was slowly gauging⁠⁠​ the direction of​​ the wind, looking⁠ at the flag​⁠​ fluttering above.

“The‌​​ enemy fleet has‍ opened fire!”

“Full‍ speed ahead! Let’s​⁠‌ get out of​ here!”

In‌ the South, it‌‍‍ is their duty⁠ to return what‍‌ they have received.‍​‌

Olmukar​ realized that the‍ wind was blowing​⁠⁠ towards them and‍​ quickly ordered them​ to leave the⁠‍ battlefield.

“Where⁠‌‍ are you going?‌​​ Dwarves!”

Boom!⁠​ Boom! Boom!

Colored​‍ flames began to‍ rise from the‍ castle walls floating‌‌ on the sea.‌​‍

Following‌‌ the wind that⁠‍ blows, at a certain angle.

“You⁠ should receive everything​‌‍ you give!”

Barbosa’s‍‍ red beard trembled.‌⁠⁠

This⁠ was because his‍‍​ wild senses were​⁠ certain that the‍‍ current attack would‍⁠ succeed.

However,‍​ although he knew⁠‍ the sea, he‍ was a person‌ who didn’t know‍​ what dwarves were.⁠⁠‍

“…What’s​ this!”

Measuring‌‌ the gap between‍​‌ opponents is one​⁠‍ of the important‌​​ virtues a captain‌ must have.

However,​​‍ when Barbosa saw‍‌‌ that the gap⁠‍​ had subtly closed,‌ he let out⁠​ a sound as‍ if he were‌‌ astonished.

Puuuuuu!‌‍⁠

Unless‍⁠ they rowed, or‌ even if they⁠‌​ did, the current⁠⁠ maneuver made no‌‌ sense.

However,⁠ the ships of⁠‍‌ Nidavellir had already​‍ turned their bows‍ and were narrowly‍ escaping the range⁠‍​ of the bombardment.‌​

“Watermill?”​​

Ships⁠ throwing fog and​​ disappearing into the‍ mist.

Barbosa⁠ made a noise​ of amazement upon​‌‌ seeing the Nidavellir‍‍‌ ships disappear before⁠‍ he realized it.‌

“…We’ll⁠‍ lure them to⁠ the reef area.​‌‌ Send the signal‌‌ to the submarines.”⁠

“Understood!”‌

A fleet that does⁠‌ not stop no⁠‍ matter how much‍​​ you shoot and​ a fleet that‌‌‍ does not move⁠⁠ with the wind.‍‍

Barbosa​‌ and Olmukar’s thoughts‌‍ began to complicate​ as they looked​ at the unknown​‌ world they had⁠⁠​ encountered for the​ first time in⁠‍‌ their lives.

***​⁠⁠

– What is that?‍‍

– It’s ships! It’s⁠ Barbosa’s flag!

The​‍ fierce sound of​‌ artillery fire resonated‌ loudly through the⁠​ fog, but the‍‍​ screams of fear‌‌ echoed in the​ waters heading north.‌

They​ were the cries‍​‌ of a procession‌​⁠ heading to Nassau​‍ for evacuation.

“They’ve‌ caught us. I didn’t expect them⁠ to move so⁠ quickly.”

“…”‍

After⁠‍ hearing Joseph’s sigh,⁠ Vlad abruptly dropped‍⁠‍ the telescope he‍​‍ was holding.

This⁠‍ was because through‌ his distant view,‍⁠ he saw ships⁠‍ blocking the way‌⁠‌ to Nassau from‍‌‌ afar.

A total of five⁠‍ ships were identified,‍ flying colorful golden‍‍⁠ flags that had‌‌‍ never been seen‌ before in the‌ North.

“They⁠⁠ moved much faster‍‌​ than we expected.⁠⁠ It seems the‌ golden lord has​​ already established his‍ domain up to‍ the western waters.”‍⁠‍

“What​ do we do‌ now?”

Although​‌‌ it wasn’t certain‌‍​ they were targeting​ the refugees, the‌ golden lord’s ships⁠‌ had already advanced⁠ into the northern⁠‌​ waters.

The​ ships blocking the​ path were likely‍ sent by Barbosa‍​‌ to block any‌ potential support from‍‌​ the north.

“…I‍⁠​ don’t always have⁠‍‍ the answer.”

Joseph‌ cautiously opened his‌‌‍ mouth and turned​​‌ his head to​ look at the⁠​⁠ sea.

The​‌ place Joseph looked⁠​⁠ at was filled‌ with dwarves trembling‍ with anxiety on‍⁠ old fishing boats.‍‍⁠

“I​​‍ don’t have a plan, but we‌‌ must act.”

At⁠‍ the same time​​​ those words were⁠ spoken, Joseph and​‍ Vlad’s eyes simultaneously​ focused on one⁠‌⁠ person.

On‍‌‌ Harven, the owner⁠ of this ship.‌

“…I⁠​ told you this‌​⁠ before. The state‌‌ of the ship​ is barely enough‍​ to reach Nassau.‍‌ No, and in⁠ the first place,⁠‍‌ there are five​ ships there!”

“We‌ did it once‍ before.”

“That​⁠‍ was before, now‍‍ we have no⁠⁠ support!”

As‌​ they spoke, Barbosa’s‍ ships approached.

However,‌ the only ship⁠⁠ that could withstand​ the approaching giant⁠ ships was the‍ Zemina.

Harven‍ couldn’t find an​​​ answer no matter​‌‌ how much he‌‍ calculated, so he⁠‌ ended up tearing⁠‌ at his hair.​‌

“We‍‍‍ have no fog‌ to hide in⁠⁠⁠ or hidden chains‌‍‍ among the reefs.‌ If we rush‌‌ like this, we’ll‌‌‍ be dust before‌⁠⁠ we reach them.”‌⁠⁠

“…”⁠‌

While‌ the Zemina hesitated‍‍‌ in doubt, a solitary figure moved‍⁠ forward.

Vulcan’s‌ submarine, which was‌ underwater, advanced.

“Vulcan‌⁠ will clear the​​ way. We’ll take⁠‌ advantage of that⁠‌‌ gap.”

“Then,​ we do it,​​ right?”

Although⁠​ avoiding confrontation would‍ be ideal, there‌​‌ comes a time⁠‍ when you must⁠⁠‍ face it. Especially‍‌​ when there are‍ people to protect.‌

“…Well,‌​ anyway, without you,‌‌​ I wouldn’t have​‍​ become a captain‍⁠‍ and would have​ died in that‌​ small room.”

Harven’s‍⁠⁠ expression as he‍⁠⁠ faced Vlad still‍ seemed worried, but⁠ the angle of​​‍ his captain’s hat⁠⁠ was sharp once‌⁠ more.

“Alright,⁠ we’ll do it.”⁠⁠

From‍​‍ being the owner‌ of a miserable​ room, he was‍‌ now the captain​‌⁠ of a vast⁠‌⁠ sea.

Even‌‌​ if there were‌ walls surrounding him‍⁠​ on all sides,‌‍‍ Harven now knew‍⁠⁠ well that in‌​ the end, we​‍ must keep moving‌‍​ forward.

“The‌ knight wants to‌​ go once more!‍​ Everyone, prepare yourselves!”⁠

“I​‌ knew this would​ happen!”

“Damn​ it! I’m going‍​⁠ to die at⁠​ sea!”

The‌ crew, noticing the‍ captain’s determination, quickly⁠​ found their respective‍‍‌ positions and began‍ to settle in.‌

However,⁠ the reason they‍‌⁠ show not a single complaint despite⁠ the ridiculous orders‌ is probably because​‌ the existence of‌‌ Vlad and Harven⁠‍ is a source‍⁠ of pride for‌ them.

People​​ who were born​ in the same​‍⁠ mud but became‌​​ a source of​‍ pride.

“Mage!⁠‌ Go to your⁠‌‌ post!”

“Since‌‌ when is it​ my post?”

Nibelun,​⁠ who was treated‍‍‍ as a mere​​‍ power source, grumbled‌ unusually, but Harven’s⁠‍ word was law‍​ on the ship.⁠⁠⁠

Nibelun​​‍ muttered that he⁠⁠⁠ was lucky to‌⁠‍ have gained some​ warmth in the‌‌ forge on Lemnos‍‌‌ Island. With a familiar hand gesture,‌‍⁠ he pulled a small bellows from‍⁠ his backpack and​ stood behind the⁠​‌ mast.

“Vlad,‌⁠ wait a minute.”⁠

While​​⁠ everyone was taking​⁠​ their seats as‌‍​ they did last‌ time, a voice‍⁠⁠ stopped Vlad, who⁠ was trying to⁠ move to the‌​⁠ bow.

“What‍⁠ is it, Baradis?”​

“I’m‌​ sorry. This time‌⁠⁠ it’s certain.”

Vlad‌⁠ turned his head⁠ and looked at‍‌ the elves gathered⁠ beside Baradis.

The⁠‍ elves of Ausurin‌ were clinging to⁠‌ the railing, looking‍​‌ out to sea,​​ even in this​‌ urgent situation where‍ the sailors were⁠​ running back and‌⁠​ forth.

“There⁠⁠‍ are spirits nearby.‌‍‌ They are more​ gathered than before.”‌⁠

Baradis’⁠ finger, which had​ been pointing out⁠⁠​ to sea, now‌​ pointed at Vlad’s‍‍‍ sword.

“These⁠ are spirits that‍ originate from the‌​⁠ World Tree Mother.​​⁠ They’ve been out‌‌ for a long​ time, but I think I recognize‌ them.”

Hearing⁠‍ Baradis’ words, Vlad‍ quickly closed his‍‌‍ left eye.

Then,⁠‍‌ in the world⁠ he viewed, he‌‌‍ could detect the​ blue light flowing‌⁠⁠ from the sword’s⁠‍ sheath, just as‍ was said.

“Release‌ the sails! All‌‌⁠ of them!”

“Aaaah!”‌

Following​⁠⁠ Baradis’ finger, Vlad‌‍ saw flashes of​​⁠ light in the⁠⁠ sea, confirming that‍​ he should be‍​‍ high up, not​​‍ at the bow,​ to show the⁠​ trail of the⁠‍‍ World Tree.

“Everyone,‌⁠⁠ say goodbye to‍ Zemina! From now⁠‌ on, we’re heading‍‍ to hell!”

The​⁠ wind of mystery⁠ began to blow​ on the sails​ lowered by the‌ humans.

Then‍ Zemina advanced as​​‍ if gliding.

However,​‌‍ Harven, who realized⁠⁠⁠ that the momentum‍ was far beyond⁠ what he expected,​⁠ looked at Nibelun‍ with a surprised‍​‌ expression.

“It’s‌‍ not me!”

“…Then,‌​‌ what is it?”​​​

The‌⁠ dwarves around us‌​ widened their eyes‌‍‍ as they watched‌‌ Zemina advance without‌​ a single movement.⁠⁠‌

The‍ strange-looking movement was‍​‌ indeed movement, but​ the color of​ the sea, which⁠ somehow looked different,‍⁠ seemed brighter than​ usual.

[There’s​ no time! Release⁠ your aura immediately!]​‌

Kihano​​‌ gave urgent advice‌​ to Vlad who‍ was climbing the⁠⁠ mast.

This‍​ was because the⁠ world seen from​​⁠ below was already‍‍⁠ full of glowing‍​ squid.

“I‌‍ know!”

I know where I need to be.‌‌‍

The‌⁠⁠ place I must​‌​ be now is⁠ not the foremost,‍‍ but the highest.​​

Because​⁠ this was the⁠‌⁠ only way to‌ show the traces‍⁠​ of the World​‍ Tree flowing through‍ the sword from⁠ afar.

“Good‌ thing we didn’t⁠‍⁠ accept the refugees⁠​ from the beginning!”​⁠

I couldn’t protect Justia,‍ but I wanted‍⁠ to be different‍​ this time.

Although‌‍ revelation is something‍‌ you face before‍‌‌ you realize it,⁠ I still wanted⁠ to be a little prepared.

Thanks‍⁠⁠ to that determination,‌‍⁠ the current Zemina‌⁠​ could move forward​​ without hesitation.

“Ha…”‍‌

Vlad​‍ reached the dizzying⁠‌ watchtower and drew‌ his sword with⁠​ all his might.​‍

Then⁠‌ the golden world⁠ shone brightly.

Bubbles‌⁠ in the sea‍ began to bubble​⁠‌ along the world⁠​⁠ that shone like‍​‌ a beacon.

A golden light shining‌ alone over an‍‍ increasingly turbulent sea.​‌‌

The​⁠ scene viewed from⁠‌‌ afar looked exactly​ like the image​⁠ drawn by the⁠ priestess of the‍ World Tree.

What did you think of this chapter?
0 reactions

0 Comments


There are no comments yet. Be the first!

Reader Settings
Page mode
Timer
Text Indent
Auto scroll
Tap to read
Pin menu
Translate page
Select language to automatically translate chapter content.
Audio & AI Voice
This chapter has pre-loaded audio
Ads Blocker Image Powered by Code Help Pro

Ads Blocker Detected!!!

We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads. Please support us by disabling these ads blocker.