Chapter 15

The sails, taut against the lake breeze, transformed the wind's power into the ship's propulsion. The opposite shore of the vast Lake Selta was hidden by the horizon, invisible even from the deck. The light infantry company, accompanied by Worm, proceeded toward the military port city of Anxio, the central hub of the Selta Peninsula, divided among one warship and two merchant vessels.

Unlike the open sea, the waves on the lake were relatively calm. Still, for the infantry, who had spent most of their lives on land, it was a harsh environment, and many suffered from severe seasickness. Even Frey, though he didn't show it in his demeanor, didn't look well. It was no wonder; many were unfamiliar with water, and half of the infantry couldn't swim. In their homeland, there was no foundation for learning swimming unless one had a water-related occupation. The once formidable Haiselk Empire army, which boasted of its strength on land, was no different from a fish out of water on the lake.

Originally, the Haiselk Empire was a small inland nation that expanded its territory through defensive wars and annexed neighboring countries. Lacking resources and funds, the nation had no choice but to focus on the army. Even after acquiring territories that bordered the sea, the outer bays were controlled by the Liberato Commercial Federation Navy, and Lake Selta was dominated by the Myard Navy.

Looking toward the stern, the subsequent ships followed in a single column. Unlike the flagship that Worm was on, the two slightly smaller ships were classified as merchant vessels rather than pure warships. Due to their speed, the sails of the main ship were partially furled, while those of the merchant vessels were fully extended to maintain speed consistency.

Moreover, the deep draft lines of the two following ships indicated that, in addition to the Haiselk soldiers, they carried a variety of cargo. The sounds of the livestock crammed on board carried on the wind. Though it was pitiful, the soldiers were likely suffering from the stench and noise of the animals. From experience, Worm knew that the busiest times for the ship were during departure and arrival. Conversely, during the voyage, excess personnel and space were created. It was more productive to find a spot on the deck where he wouldn't get in the way of the sailors and pass the time by gazing at the monotonous lake surface rather than mingling with the groaning soldiers on the lower deck.

"Hey, you look pretty cool."

Turning his gaze toward the voice, he saw a sailor standing with a frown. It was hard to tell if he was in a bad mood or if that was just his usual expression, but he exuded a certain aura that came from experience and skill.

"I'm just adjusting to the unfamiliar ship."

"Try a better lie. Your face doesn't show any signs of nausea, and you don't seem affected by the wind. Your stance on the deck, despite the armor, is decent. The other infantry are groaning from the rocking and have taken off their armor."

Though his words were harsh, he had been seen through. Like many sailors, this man likely resented being looked down upon by landlubbers. Moreover, unlike the Haiselk army, which had suffered repeated defeats across Myard, the Selta Navy had shown resistance against Haiselk, even if limited. This pride made them naturally resistant and rebellious. As long as this attitude didn't lead to outright hostility, they could be seen as simply strong-willed and principled. Worm didn't dislike such people.

"Are you really an infantryman?"

Feeling the suspicious gaze, Worm decided to explain.

"I spent about a month traveling by ship in the archipelago nations while I was away from the army. That's probably why I seem accustomed to it."

"Is the Haiselk army now venturing out to the open sea? That's quite unusual... I heard the merchant ships of the archipelago nations are heavily armed."

"Compared to the small boats of Haiselk, which struggle even in small rivers, the difference is like that between a dragon and a goblin. The sterncastle was multi-layered, and the number of large crossbows was incomparable. There was also a squad of sea mages, who served as both sailors and mages."

"Heavily armed merchant ships, huh. Impressive, befitting the rulers of the maritime nations. How do they compare to the Selta warships?"

"Naval combat is not my specialty—"

Unlike land battles, naval combat was outside Worm's expertise. He recalled the Adelina to evaluate it.

"In close combat, the number of sailors would likely overwhelm us, but if they keep their distance, the ship's performance would be a disadvantage. They also had multiple bilge pumps. Even if the hull was damaged, it would only tilt slightly."

"You speak without hesitation... Wait, damage to the hull? Did you engage in combat?"

"Yes, it was an attack by monsters."

"Who were they?"

"Medium-sized krakens and a group of sahagin. They were troublesome to kill and had a pungent odor."

The strength and size of these creatures, which could cause significant damage to the ship and personnel, were a threat. The aftermath was also a hassle. The stench of their rotting membranes and organs made his nose ineffective for a while. Many complained of headaches, and the bilge water in the ship's hold might have been preferable to that stench.

"Ha, there are no odorless aquatic monsters. Even a medium-sized kraken is a rare sight in Lake Selta. Tell us more."

There was no reason to refuse. Worm was also tired of the monotonous lake surface and the passing waterfowl. He began to recount the events.

"Using fire magic on passengers, they were quite decisive. We would have just burned the ship and thrown everyone overboard."

"Krakens really do appear with a stench of decay, huh?"

"Whether in the sea or the lake, the innards of sahagin are pungent."

Before he knew it, other idle sailors had joined the conversation. After finishing his story and feeling tired from talking, Worm switched roles and asked the sailors about the most famous monster in Lake Selta.

"By the way, what kind of monster is the lake dragon?"

"Simply put, it's a semi-aquatic dragon. It wanders the water's edge with a ridiculously large mouth, looking for food. It's not an easy opponent, but its skin is flexible and waterproof, making it versatile. Catching one is like finding a treasure trove."

"Right. When they're on land, they're slow and easy targets. In the water, they're agile and can't be underestimated. Don't worry, though. These guys are battle-hardened, and the dragons are currently docile."

"Is it breeding season?"

"No, it's not. I'm not sure, but it's probably due to a change in leadership. The previous leader was so aggressive that it even hunted in the water city of Liberato. The vacant territory is now a battleground for the clan."

"Monsters, like humans, are busy fighting."

Just as humans fight over land, a relentless and fierce struggle for survival was ongoing in the waters of Lake Selta.

"Everyone, get to your stations. We're about to enter the harbor!"

A hoarse voice, characteristic of sailors, echoed from the sterncastle. The gathered sailors dispersed to their posts like fog clearing. Leaning over the railing and looking into the distance, the tip of the peninsula, sharp like a spear, came into view. Lake Selta, hidden by the horizon, finally revealed its form. The bow of the ship turned to the port side, pivoting around the tip of the peninsula.

"It's time for me to go."

The deck and masts were as crowded as a harvest festival. As the land approached, the shallow waters and complex winds made sail adjustments busy. It would be disastrous to be kicked overboard for getting in the way. Worm decided to make a strategic retreat and hurried down the steeply angled stairs, which were far from human-friendly.

"Look, there's land."

"Is that the tip of Selta?"

"Finally, we can leave this ship."

The soldiers peered out through the windows in the ship's hull. Anticipation brought life back to their voices and faces. Worm joined them, quietly waiting for the arrival at the port.