Chapter 205 - 203 Naval Battle Preparations
I headed to the shipyard in the fishing village.
That's right! To install the ship's power source and weapons for the decisive battle!
Seawater is sucked in through an intake at the bottom of the hull, pressurized with wind magic. The explosive wind force and seawater hit an impeller, and finally, it is ejected backward from a nozzle at the stern as a jet stream. A so-called jet propulsion system was adopted.
(When water is ejected at high speed, the reaction thrust propels the ship forward! This is the only way!)
As for the cannons, they compress air with wind magic and fire projectiles with explosive force.
But a normal cannon body can't withstand that. By casting a barrier and granting anti-magic to the interior, it finally becomes usable as a cannon. Of course, rifling is also applied inside the barrel to extend the range.
I also applied an 'Accuracy Correction,' so it should be even easier to annihilate the enemy.
(With this, the naval battle will be a breeze too!)
So, when I went to see Taizou, the net boss, there was a huge commotion with "The Lord has come!" and a large crowd immediately gathered. And then, the women with slightly swollen bellies.
(I can recognize Kairi and Julia's widow group, and Eva and Luise, but...)
Then, a 28-year-old married woman with an 11-year-old child whispered in my ear, "You had sex with me and finished inside back then, didn't you, ♡ Looks like I got knocked up ♡".
That was from when I used the Love Lotion.
"It's a secret from my husband, ♡ But it felt really good ♡ Let's do it again after I give birth, okay? ♡"
Saying that, she left with her child. An 18-year-old wife also came.
"I hadn't done it with my husband for a while, so it was bad ♡ When I found out I was pregnant, I hurriedly had sex with him ♡ But compared to the Young Master's sex, it was nothing at all."
This person was also from the time of the Love Lotion. She smiled sweetly, said "Next year, after I give birth, please take care of me again ♡", kissed me, and left.
Another 25-year-old married woman who used the Love Lotion also came.
"For a long time... my husband and I couldn't have a child. But that time, after being embraced by the Young Master so many times, it seems I got pregnant ♡ I was always called a barren woman, and it was so frustrating!"
Then, looking up at me with pleading eyes, she asked, "Can I give birth?" and as I started to say, "Is it okay for it to be my child...", she grabbed my hand, made me squeeze her bare breast, and rejoiced, "So it's okay to give birth!"
"Of course!"
"Then there's no problem at all ♡"
After kissing me, she stood up smoothly and went home happily.
While Taizou and the men were getting excited at the drinking party, Eva came.
"Epoch, you know. He says he wants to become like Lord Shivans, and it's amazing! My husband also stopped drinking and started working seriously. It's all thanks to you, Master ♡"
Saying that, she looked around and gave me fellatio. When I released into Eva's mouth, she said, "It was delicious ♡" and went back.
(Well, as long as everyone is happy, that's good.)
I called out to Taizou and the others, "I'll come again," and headed to the western fort.
At the western fort, when I explained the situation regarding the ship and cannons, Yaris was delighted.
"Annihilation! What a wonderful word! I will absolutely not let them escape!"
"Calm down! It's not decided yet that the enemy will come."
But I thought there was an 80 to 90 percent chance they would come.
The reason was the appearance of cannons, which didn't exist in the war 20 years ago.
(They must be overconfident in these and believe they'll win! It feels like the naval force will come first.)
When I went to Gran Territory, I was welcomed.
"Glad you came! When you're here, I don't feel like we can lose!"
Gran tried to hug me, but I quickly swapped places with Rose, making them hug each other warmly.
"What are you doing, big brother!"
"Ugh... hugging you of all people..."
They looked like they were about to start fighting, so I stopped them and started talking.
"It seems the enemy has mounted new weapon cannons on their ships."
"What are these cannons?"
Rose asked in a brusque tone.
She's a beauty, but I can't help thinking she's a wasted beauty.
"Probably, the maximum effective range is about 500 meters. On a rocking ship, even if they enter range, it should be hard to hit. However, if it does hit, it definitely has enough destructive power to sink a ship."
The two were astonished.
"Something like that... when did they get it?"
Gran's expression was pained.
"It's alright, Lord Gran! I have created cannons that far surpass theirs! Let me show you both their capability and destructive power right away!"
"We want to see!"
The two regained hope, and Rose's eyes sparkled.
I handed them a telescope and showed them a target 2 km away.
"Can you see it? It's a ship-shaped target made of thick iron plates. That's the target!"
Even without a telescope it's visible, but they peered through it to make sure they didn't miss.
"Isn't that about the same size as our military ships, Rose?"
"Yeah... it looks about 40 meters long. Go on! Show us the shot!"
With a 'whoosh' sound, the cannonball flew out at high speed, and with a 'KABOOM', the thick iron plate was pierced.
"You did it, Rose!"
"Let's go see it, big brother!"
They rode off on horses to see the iron plate shaped like a ship.
Then Gran exclaimed in admiration, "Magnificent!"
"Shivans! I want this! Let me install it on our ships..."
Rose spoke in a rare, pleading tone.
"Well... I think it can be installed on those five captured ships, so let's set them up. Of course, I'll prepare the cannonballs too, so please practice!"
"Absolutely! I'll have them train every day!"
How many times can they hit a visible target on a rocking ship?
When I said the time for training was limited, Gran said, "I know. I'm nothing but grateful to you! If you like, you can have Rose..." still trying to push her on me.
"Since you've been promoted, you must have many offers, right?"
"I thought so too at first... but this one..."
It seems she challenges any man who wants to marry her to a fight.
"I have no intention of being embraced by a man who can't pin me down!"
It seems she's beaten down all the men who proposed to her with overwhelming strength.
"And on top of that, she tells ugly men, 'Look in the mirror before coming!' and turns them away at the door. I feel so sorry for our deceased parents..."
Gran looked like he was about to cry, but Rose was laughing uproariously.
(Somehow, I'm starting to feel sorry for him...)
To change the subject, I talked about the ship I was building, and Rose latched onto it.
"It's an iron ship that no one has seen yet! His Majesty and Lord Klaus are scheduled to board it soon! Would you like to see it?"
Both of them were obviously excited without even needing to ask.
I took them both with instant movement to the shipyard in the fishing village.
And then...
They looked up at the ship and were overwhelmed.
"This is my masterpiece, built with my magical power!"
"This! Is it made of iron? Can a ship like this float? And there are no sails?"
Gran raised his voice in surprise.
"Hey, Shivans? How does this thing move?"
Rose asked, full of curiosity.
"You'd think that, right? I had a hard time with it! It took nearly a year from conception to production! I'll let just the two of you on board as a special treat!"
We floated the ship on the sea and boarded it via instant movement.
They looked around the ship, which had nothing like paddles or oars.
"It uses seawater, and the propulsion is wind magic. I'll get it moving!"
I explained that operating the steering wheel, the helm wheel, allows you to go left or right. I could see Rose was itching to touch it.
Then, when I lowered a lever like a gear, the ship gradually accelerated.
"Hey, hey, Shivans... let me touch it a bit! I promise I won't break it!"
"It's fine if it's someone who understands the value of this ship."
"There's no sailor who wouldn't understand its value!"
Gran watched my exchange with Rose with a smile.
"As expected, you are amazing! I respect you! Creating something like this!"
"I get embarrassed when praised so unreservedly by Lord Gran."
"I mean it from the bottom of my heart!"
Gran was beaming as he watched Rose pilot the ship in high spirits.
"H-hey, Shivans? I want to go out to the open sea! This ship can do it, right?"
"Please move it as you wish, Captain Rose!"
The waves were high out at sea, but this ship's stability meant it didn't budge an inch against such waves.
"Amazing! Look, big brother! It's totally fine even with waves this big!"
"Indeed, the stability is outstanding! Won't this ship rust?"
Gran asked with a worried look.
"Of course, it's painted, but barriers are also placed on the hull and parts. So it won't rust for several decades or so. However, if it receives a strong impact or attack, the barrier could break and it might rust."
We ran the ship until evening, and Rose was in high spirits.
"It's fine to dock at the port of Aege like this!"
"Really? Alright!"
Rose carefully piloted the ship, reducing speed.
"Not bad. Keep it up. Finally, just put it in reverse."
I taught her that putting the gear in reverse makes the impeller spin backward, causing the ship to reverse.
"It can do that too!"
Rose was impressed, but Gran was worried.
"If there are enemy spies in our port, wouldn't it be a problem if they saw this huge ship?"
"It's fine, Lord Gran. Even if they report it, the war won't stop now anyway."
But the people of Aege port, who hadn't been informed, were astonished.
"What... is that huge black ship!"
"It's moving without sails or oars!"
It was exactly a 'Black Ship Arrival' situation, but they were reassured seeing Gran and Rose on the deck.
"Miss! Where did you get this ship?"
"Lord! What an amazing ship!"
The people at the port applauded and cheered for the two waving with smiles.
(Both of them are loved by their people.)
As soon as we docked at the port, Rose strictly ordered her subordinates.
"Listen up! Don't let anyone near this ship!"
"Got it, boss! Hey! Increase the guards! Bring the dogs too!"
It seems they use dogs for security here too.
"We're copying all the good ideas!"
"As expected of Lord Gran!"
"You can just call me big brother! We're practically brothers, right?"
He really wants to push Rose onto me, doesn't he.
And Rose herself was throwing a fit, "I want it! I want this ship!" at the level of a kid in a supermarket candy aisle.
(What a handful.)
As I was wryly smiling, I was invited to the lord's manor to discuss future plans.
Gathered there were about 100 naval officers.
"First, you need to get used to operating that iron ship. Its speed is vastly different from other ships!"
Then one person raised his hand and asked.
"How does a ship with no sails or oars move?"
"Idiot! It's a ship made by a great sorcerer! Don't you get it!"
Rose understood because she operated it, but there's no way others would understand.
"Please think of it as moving by magical power. Magic is used in various places!"
"Ooh!!"
They didn't understand my explanation either, but I decided to let them board tomorrow so they would understand.
First, I told them about cannon operation, and to memorize the nautical charts to avoid running aground.
"That ship will be the flagship. His Majesty and Lord Klaus will also be boarding. Please ensure there are no discourtesies!"
His Majesty would probably want to command from the bridge.
I asked Gran to train the maids who would attend to him.
"If they get seasick, I'll handle it. Please train them to at least be able to serve tea, coffee, and light meals on the ship."
"Indeed! We must avoid any blunders!"
Gran eagerly began selecting personnel.
And then there was Rose.
"Rose, since you've been promoted by His Majesty, you need to learn some proper speech and femininity!"
She glared at Gran, who was murmuring "That's right, that's right" under his breath.
"I didn't get promoted because I wanted to! Don't think I'm the kind of woman who'll be pinned down by a bunch of old men for something like that!"
At Rose's words, the sailors applauded and cheered, "That's our boss!"
"Oh, really? Then I suppose there's no need for the captain's uniform that only the captain of that ship can wear?"
When shown the cool captain's uniform and hat, she groaned, "Ugh... I want it."
"I was thinking of maybe wanting a flagship, but..."
When I said that with a disappointed look, she tearfully begged.
"I'll do anything you say... please don't take that ship away from me..."
Seeing this, one of the men asked Gran.
"Just who is that young master? To handle the young lady so skillfully with the carrot and stick, and wrap her around his finger... he's no ordinary guy, is he? Even you, Lord Gran, had trouble with her, right?"
Gran nodded with a smile, "Uh-huh, uh-huh," and explained to the sailors.
"He's the man who will become my brother-in-law someday! There's no one other than Shivans-kun who can handle a wild beast like Rose! Finally, I can properly present her to His Majesty and Lord Klaus. Father, Mother, in heaven! The long-standing problem of Rose is finally..."
Gran cried tears of joy.
The sailors also started making a fuss, "Is the young lady finally getting married?!"
(I can hear you, you know. Well, she certainly would be hard to handle.)
I had the maids assigned to Rose bathe with her, and when I taught them about shampoo and conditioner and body soap, they were delighted.
"With us, she just quickly rinses off and gets out!"
"Right, right! It's like a crow's bath!"
Is that a saying?
Probably a loose translation, I think...
She obediently submitted to shaving and hair removal, and soaked in the bathtub.
"It's already summer! Soaking in such hot water!"
"That language is no good either. Is that alright? Even if someone else becomes captain?"
She shook her head so hard it looked like it might snap off, saying, "I'll fix it..."
She didn't complain even when I saw her naked and squeezed her large breasts. But she didn't make a sound either, so it was boring.
(Let's make her a little more ladylike!)
I applied Love Lotion to her body, inserted a vibrating slime, and left her like that. This should make her a bit more womanly.
After getting out of the bath, I cleaned her up with 'All-in-One' and applied 'Revive', 'High Heal', and 'Body Fat Transfer'.
But since she had almost no fat, it had no effect. As I massaged her face and body, she finally started letting out sweet sighs.
(Good, good! Feeling good!)
While I was away, I asked the butler and maids, "Please correct her speech!"
"Understood!!"
They accepted with smiles.
Gran asked me to stay the night, but I broke free and headed to Port Town Marino.
The ones I went to see were the Menhera and Maggie.
"How's work? Getting used to it?"
The Menhera was working at a fast-food restaurant.
Surrounded by young girls, she seemed to be doing well.
"At first, I wasn't used to standing work, and I was so nervous about having to serve with a smile that I kept failing and causing trouble for everyone, but everyone encouraged me, saying 'We were the same at first!' Now I'm getting along great with everyone and having fun!"
Maggie seemed to be in a similar situation.
"I'm standing all the time too! My feet get tired and swell..."
"I know what you mean! I was the same!"
Maggie and the Menhera were chatting happily.
"But I want to keep doing this job forever! Even when I'm a grandma! When the customers are happy, it makes me happy too!"
It seems the beauty job suits her.
"Maggie, didn't you want to work at a boutique too?"
"That's true, but I think I prefer being seen rather than selling clothes and underwear! Hey? Don't you think I've become prettier?"
She certainly did seem more refined, and when I praised her, the Menhera also asked excitedly, "What about me? Have I become prettier?"
"Your hairstyle, makeup, and clothes have become more sophisticated and stylish!"
"I'm happy to be praised, but it's not just about appearance!"
Maggie smoothly took off her clothes, and not to be outdone, the Menhera did too.
"We're former housewives! We don't want to lose to young girls in sex appeal! Wearing sexy underwear makes your heart lewd too!"
The Menhera seemed to have a competitive spirit against the younger girls.
"Me too! There's a girl about 16 training with me, but as an adult woman, I can't lose to her in sex appeal! Look! I've become prettier, right?"
I couldn't say no, and she really had become prettier.
"You've both become prettier!"
They squealed with joy and hugged me.
"I was treated horribly by my in-laws and husband, and I was in despair with the world. But I'm so glad you picked me up, Master! I'll serve you plenty tonight too!"
The Menhera took off her underwear while crying.
"Me too! If Lord Shivans hadn't saved me, what would have become of me by now... Everyone is so kind to me now! I'm truly grateful!"
She hugged me tightly and whispered in my ear, "I'll... remove the contraception ♡", and said, "Let's get me and Menhera-chan pregnant together ♡" as she was embraced.
The next morning
"To be embraced so much! But I want to be embraced tonight too ♡"
"Yeah ♡ If we get pregnant, let's raise the kids together, Menhera-chan!"
The Menhera and Maggie parted ways amicably, heading to their respective workplaces.
I decided to return to Aege port.
When I got back, Rose was there, looking a bit more sensual.
"Ooh! Has the young lady finally...?"
"Boss! Have you become a woman?"
Rose kicked the sailors who were teasing her.
"Don't say stupid things in the morning! We're preparing for war!"
"Yes, sir..."
First, I had them do the work of hauling up the small boat from the bottom of the flagship.
It was a hauling operation using pulleys, and I had them compete in pairs.
"Slow, slow! And sloppy! What will you do if the enemy comes! Be more careful and faster!"
Rose was spurring them on with a mix of scolding and encouragement.
Then I offered a carrot.
"It's an honor to have His Majesty and the Prime Minister on board. Don't you want to be on this ship together? The pay is good, of course, and it's a chance to show off your skills. Only 30 people can board."
These words fired up the men.
"I can't board if I'm paired with you!"
"What did you say! Say that after you've seen my real skill!"
A competition for careful and fast hauling began.
It started at two locations with Gran's signal, "Ready, set, go!"
"Hey, hey! If one side is fast, they're hitting the other!"
"We have to be careful too! Or we won't get on this ship!"
They repeated the process of stowing the boat multiple times.
"But what's with this boat? Never seen anything like it..."
"The young master said earlier it's a fast boat!"
The sailors, seeing the small boat for the first time, were amazed.
Then I handed out something similar to a dry suit, had them change, and had them test-run the small boat.
I had Rose and Gran change clothes.
I had them put on helmets and life jackets, and when I instructed them to board together, Rose jumped right in, but Gran hesitated.
"Get on, big brother!"
"It looks unstable..."
When the two got on, I said, "Hold on tight!" and accelerated rapidly.
"Woooaaaah! Amaaaazing! My neck is gonna snap..."
"I can't stand! Waaah! I can't breathe..."
The brother and sister were having a blast.
In calm waters, it could reach tremendous speeds.
The people watching this resolved, "I must get on the flagship!"
"I'm next!"
"You idiot! Shouldn't it be by age?"
On land, they were arguing over who would get on the small boat.
Come to think of it, it's like a jet ski.
(This could be used as a tourism resource too!)
I thought it might be okay to let them do it in the fishing village of Sea Capital, in a place that wouldn't interfere with fishing.
Since there are no sharks, I cut the wheel sharply.
With a "Splash!" sound from the centrifugal force, they were thrown into the sea.
Loud laughter, applause, and cheers erupted from the shore.
Thanks to the life jackets, they were floating, so I retrieved them.
"That was harsh, Shivans-kun!"
"But it was fun! I understand the point of wearing these and putting that on your head now! You're thinking about the battlefield too, not just the ship, big brother!"
"I-I see... I definitely panicked the moment I fell into the sea..."
That day, Rose was absorbed in piloting the small boat and clung to me.
The other sailors were also mostly in a marine sports state. They were having fun.
"Besides piloting, we need to practice throwing these too!"
Hand grenades, more compact and lighter than the traditional flaming arrow bombs.
The fuse was also designed so it wouldn't be blown out by the wind.
"They're lighter and easier to throw than the traditional ones! And the power is doubled! However, if you mess up, it could harm your allies, so please practice carefully!"
"Yes, sir!!"
They trained in piloting the small boats until evening.
We decided to start intensive training from the next day.
I installed cannons on five military ships and prepared targets on a nearby uninhabited island.
The flagship and the other five ships conducted gunnery training.
"First, hit the target at 1 km! Once you get used to it, we'll gradually increase the range!"
To avoid destroying the uninhabited island, I set up a barrier and had them fire many shots at targets made with earth magic.
At the same time, they launched the small boats and trained in piloting and throwing hand grenades behind the uninhabited island.
Every day, with me, Gran, and Rose watching, the sailors competed eagerly.
"The enemy could come in as little as a month!"
At my words, the soldiers became intensely motivated.
"I'm getting on the flagship!"
"I won't lose to you!"
Gran smirked as he watched the fired-up soldiers.
Meanwhile, Rose was being trained daily by bathing with me, having Love Lotion applied, and being teased by the vibrating slime.
And she received intensive training in speech from the butler and maids.
"If you don't fix it, I'll report it to Lord Shivans!"
At these words, Rose would comply.
After a week, she had changed so much, becoming more feminine, that Gran was overjoyed.
"It's all thanks to you, Shivans-kun! Now we can make it to the autumn party!"
"It's still just a superficial fix. It's too early to relax."
Until the party, Rose was unknowingly being trained and captivated by me.
(Maybe I feel a little sorry for her? But it will probably raise her evaluation with His Majesty and Klaus too.)
I don't know how it will turn out, but I'm also looking forward to it.