Chapter 128: Enemy Fleet

“There it is…”

From the air, the black speck visible from the deck resolved into a warship steaming directly toward us.

I continued climbing to see beyond it.

“You must be joking.”

An enormous fleet spread across the sea.

More ships appeared the higher I rose, until warships seemed to fill the horizon. The scale was enough to crush one’s spirit before the battle even began.

“This is Noah. I have confirmed the enemy fleet.”

“Major General Willard, what’s the situation?” Captain Yurick asked over the radio.

“Worse than expected. We need to withdraw immediately.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Yes. The enemy is at our nine o’clock. As for its width, assume that the entire one-hundred-and-eighty-degree arc on that side is filled with ships.”

“That many?”

“Yes.”

Had the Friez Kingdom gathered every naval force it possessed in the Muur Ocean?

The formation extended so far that I couldn’t see its limits.

Information about our voyage must have leaked. This wasn’t a fleet moving by chance; it was searching for us.

“I’ll return. We can’t fight them directly, and we need to reorganise our assignments.”

“Underst—”

“Noah!”

Emma’s voice cut into the transmission.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“Remain in the air. Leave command below to me. I’ll distribute the support personnel and reorganise the fleet. Continue observing the enemy, and intercept any reconnaissance aircraft before they can report our movements.”

“That will be difficult alone. I intended to return because the flight unit needs a proper formation.”

“Leave that to me.”

“Understood. I entrust it to you.”

If Emma said she would handle it, I could continue gathering information from above.

“Noah,” she said after a pause. “If the worst happens, abandon everything else. You have enough magical power to fly to Wa alone, don’t you?”

“If that happens, I’ll carry you with me. We’ll escape together.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Another sailor’s voice entered the channel.

“Your Highness, please don’t underestimate us. If necessary, we’ll buy enough time for both of you to escape.”

“Let’s not discuss heroic last stands yet,” I said. “Our first priority is withdrawal. We’ll retreat all the way to the Orline Empire if necessary.”

“Agreed. We’re changing course now. Please continue your surveillance.”

“Understood.”

Below me, our fleet began turning away from the wall of enemy ships.

I remained in the sky, keeping both fleets in view and watching for the enemy’s next move.