Altina the Sword Princess: Volume 6 by Yukiya Murasaki

Author:Yukiya Murasaki [MURASAKI, YUKIYA]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: J-Novel Club
Published: 2020-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

The port rested at the innermost point of a V-shaped inlet. As the legend went, it was here that L’Empereur Flamme offered up a sword as he prayed for victory in the war that founded the nation, and the inlet henceforth became known as Épée Prière Bay. According to the recon reports, there were eighteen large-scale freight ships moored within, alongside six Princess-class warships.

While the bay was vast enough for an exchange of cannon fire to be possible, this was not recommended. As it was contained by land on three sides, the wind was much weaker inside the inlet, which would in turn lower the speed of all sailing ships.

Meanwhile, the enemy’s ships could move faster in calmer seas. How could the Empire be expected to compete in a race where only their ships were at a disadvantage, dragging along as though they were moving through a bog?

But the enemy fleet was at the innermost point of the inlet; it would be impossible for Belgaria to retake Ciennbourg without going in themselves.

The Frantam took the lead, the other ships following behind in a single column as they entered the jaws of certain doom.

“Enemy ships spotted!” came a voice from the crow’s nest. Not that there was any need; everyone on the quarterdeck could see them clearly.

Just as reported, there were around twenty large ships around the port, surrounded by countless smaller vessels. Their opponent was no fool, however; High Britannia must have had scouts posted around the entrance of the bay, as their warships were already approaching.

They already know we’re here, Bertram noted as he saw the black smoke billowing from the Princess-classes’ smokestacks.

This was the first time that Regis had ever seen a real steam ship. It was the ship of a new era—one that, up to that point, he had only ever read about in books.

Its fundamental structure was no different from the old ships of the line: its tall hull was made of wood and lined with gun ports, and, despite being a steam ship, it sported three masts so that it could serve as a sailing ship when needed.

Altina tilted her head. “Regis... Are those steam ships? They have sails.”

“The Princess-class is a so-called motorized sailboat. It’s been equipped to use both sails and steam power.”

Warships that depended purely on steam power had yet to take the stage. While they were being prototyped, warships in particular needed to take damage and engine failure into account. When the wind was strong on the open seas, there were times when spreading the sails would be faster.

“Hm. They have both? That seems so unfair!”

“They wouldn’t equip something so heavy, large, and expensive to a ship that burns through valuable coal unless it gave them a considerable advantage.”

There was a small chimney emitting black smoke between each Princess-class’s first and second masts. Before the steam engine could be used, it would need to burn coal until enough pressure had built up in the boiler. But it seemed those preparatory stages had already been taken care of, and the enemy was already prepared for battle.

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