Chapter 130: Light Cruiser

“…No.”

I considered whether I could create an earthquake beneath the sea, but quickly rejected the idea.

Ships were built to float through rough waters. Producing waves large enough to overturn the enemy while leaving our own fleet unharmed would require an absurd amount of power.

My usual method of raising earthen stakes beneath an opponent was also impossible here.

I could hurl rock or soil at the ships, but anything moved directly by magic would be stopped by their anti-magic barriers.

I could instead raise part of the seabed itself, but the mana required to affect terrain that deep would be far greater than the result justified.

“Earth magic really is difficult to use at sea.”

For now, my rifle remained the most practical weapon.

I aimed at another sailor on the deck of a pursuing destroyer and pulled the trigger.

While avoiding the enemy’s return fire, I continued reducing the number of men able to remain on deck.

A moment later, I sensed several familiar magical signatures approaching through the sky.

“Major General Willard! Sorry we’re late!”

The magic aerial soldiers Emma had sent had finally arrived.

“Form up. We’ll attack the destroyers together.”

“Yes, sir!”

Once the formation was ready, we descended toward the enemy ships.

“Fire!”

Rifle shots rained down from above.

The enemy sailors scattered and tried to return fire, but they couldn’t aim properly while being attacked from several directions.

“Use the explosives!”

The soldiers threw the bombs they had brought.

Explosions tore across the decks, damaged equipment, and forced the remaining crews into cover.

We couldn’t sink every destroyer, but we disrupted their gun crews and slowed their pursuit.

The magic aerial soldiers coordinated well, covering one another and striking whenever the enemy exposed themselves.

“Good. Keep them from concentrating on our fleet.”

Then a deep horn sounded across the sea.

I looked beyond the destroyers.

A much larger vessel was closing in behind them.

“A light cruiser…”

Another light cruiser followed beside it.

The destroyers had been fast, but the cruisers carried larger guns with greater range.

Flashes burst from their batteries.

A moment later, enormous columns of water rose near our fleet.

Their shells were far heavier than those fired by the destroyers.

“They’ve already entered firing range.”

Our fleet could only move as quickly as its slowest battleships, while the enemy had sent its faster ships ahead.

They were steadily catching us.

Retreat alone would no longer be enough.

Sooner or later, we would have to exchange fire.