Translator: CinderTL
Since the ship had been sailing near the River Domain's Royal Capitals, the return journey was uneventful.
Within a few days, the Seabird docked smoothly at the port.
Stepping off the deck onto solid ground, Roland stretched languidly and exhaled deeply.
Though he had grown accustomed to the ship's constant rocking during the two-week voyage, no amount of adaptation could compare to the stability of firm earth beneath his feet.
"Farewell, Captain Roland!"
"Captain Roland! Remember to call me next time you set sail!"
Passing crew members greeted him warmly.
Their eyes held admiration as they noted his once pale skin now tanned to a healthy bronze.
When they had first received Hoby's orders, the crew had harbored some skepticism.
Their initial impression of Roland's somewhat aristocratic appearance only deepened their disdain. They assumed this mission was merely escorting some young noble on a pleasure cruise.
Though they maintained outward respect, their hearts concealed a trace of contempt.
However, after half a month of living and working alongside Roland day and night, their initial impressions of him had undergone a dramatic transformation.
The young man not only shared their meals and quarters, but he also showed unwavering dedication during daily navigation drills. His diligence and effort were plain for all to see.
The initial disdain had long since evaporated, replaced by genuine respect.
"Farewell, everyone!" Roland called out, waving in response to the farewells of over a hundred crew members.
Just then, light footsteps approached from beside him.
"Mr. Roland," Halfling Hoby said, approaching with a thick stack of parchment. He gently handed it over. "This is a detailed expense report for the past two weeks at sea. Please review it at your convenience."
"Hoby, I told you..." Roland took the report, casually scanning a few lines.
Seeing that the figures closely matched Hoby's initial estimates before departure, he stuffed the accounts and the gold storage card back into the halfling's hands.
"I trust you completely with these matters. Just use this card to withdraw funds from the merchant guild as needed. More importantly..."
Roland leaned down slightly and draped an arm around Hoby's shoulder.
"Hoby, what do you think... with the Seabird and this crew, what are our chances against pirates in these waters?"
"After all, sailing the seas tests more than just navigation skills," Roland said, rubbing the tip of his nose a bit awkwardly.
"Combat is an unavoidable part of any voyage, isn't it? Of course..."
"This Seabird was temporarily lent to me by your Big Brother. If he doesn't approve of me using it for combat, I can find another ship to charter..."
"Mr. Roland, you needn't worry about that," Halfling Hoby said with a slight smile.
"When Big Brother lent you this ship to hone your sailing skills, he already considered the possibility of combat. Otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically instructed me to gather such experienced, battle-hardened crew members. As for engaging pirates..."
Hoby frowned, pondering for a moment before continuing.
"If the enemy numbers are small and they choose to board us, we should be able to handle them without much trouble."
"Big Brother mentioned that most pirates in these waters only dare to plunder small merchant ships and lack real skill."
"I understand!"
Roland patted Hoby's shoulder and nodded.
Though he had weathered countless battles, his experience with naval combat was limited. Hoby's assessment gave him a measure of confidence.
It seems ship-to-ship combat isn't as complex as I imagined, Roland mused.
Yet memories from his past life surfaced, causing him to frown again.
While he wasn't an expert on naval warfare, in the films and novels of his previous world, ship battles typically began with long-range bombardments and probing attacks, with boarding actions reserved as a final, decisive maneuver.
But in this world...
Gunpowder seemed nonexistent.
He had secretly experimented countless times with recipes from his memory, yet he could never replicate that familiar explosive roar, forcing him to attribute it to fundamental differences in the world's laws.
However, when he boarded Trevor, Hoby's halfling big brother's ship, he had indeed seen devices resembling cannons.
This thought cast a shadow of worry over Roland's heart.
The Seabird wasn't equipped with the long-range weapons Trevor's ship had.
If the pirates possessed ranged attack capabilities while they could only passively endure...
Wouldn't they become floating targets on the sea?
Thinking of this, Roland blurted out his concerns.
Hearing Roland's words, Hoby chuckled softly and patiently explained, "Don't worry, Mr. Roland. What my Big Brother has on his ship are called Magic Energy Cannons."
"Magic Energy Cannons?"
The name raised Roland's eyebrows slightly.
Judging by the name alone, he could guess it was a device powered by magical elements, likely functioning similarly to the cannons he remembered from his previous life.
"Exactly!"
Hoby recalled the sight of his Big Brother demonstrating the Magic Energy Cannon's power, his face flushing slightly with pride as he nodded.
"That thing can indeed allow ships to launch long-range attacks at sea, but it's the dwarves' latest contraption, still in the experimental stage.
"If my Big Brother hadn't forged a close friendship with a dwarf during a long voyage to the Dwarven Kingdom, he never would have gotten his hands on one. So, those pirates have even less of a chance."
"I see," Roland nodded in understanding. "It seems naval combat in this era still relies primarily on boarding actions."
With this realization, his earlier anxieties vanished.
Given his current strength, combined with the enhancements from his Anchored Stance, he could single-handedly defeat an entire pirate crew in a boarding engagement.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Roland asked Hoby to gather intelligence on pirate activity in the surrounding waters. The two then waved goodbye.
This time, Hoby didn't accompany Roland home.
To join Roland on his sea training, Hoby had taken a full half-month's leave from the Knight Academy.
Though Instructor Reggie and Dean Graham had granted his request without much fuss, out of respect for Roland and impressed by Hoby's excellent academic record, the halfling still felt a pang of unease.
Thus, after parting ways with Roland, he hurried toward the Knight Academy.
Roland didn't linger at the port either, setting off briskly for home.
As he walked, his mind drifted back to their earlier conversation about the Magic Energy Cannon.
"The dwarves' latest creation... It seems that with the resurgence of the Magic Element, not only are demonic beasts mutating, but other races are also stirring in the shadows, gathering their strength..."
Recalling Bronson's prophecy that the world would plunge into conflict with the revival of magic, Roland's desire to enhance his own power grew even more urgent.
As he approached his courtyard, a melodious song drifted from within.
Without hesitation, Roland pushed open the courtyard gate.
"Galvis!"
Hearing his name called, the bard turned to see Roland, his face instantly lighting up with a joyful smile.
"Roland! You're finally back!"
Galvis hurried forward, his eyes lingering curiously on Roland's sun-bronzed skin before adopting a mournful tone.
"Theresa leaves early and returns late every day, Mr. Bronson locks himself in his room all day, and I'm stuck here alone, bored to death! Even meals have lost their flavor..."
As Roland listened to Galvis's complaints, his gaze swept over the bard's noticeably rounder cheeks. He raised a hand to cut off the lament.
"Enough, Galvis. Have you heard anything about the matter I asked you to investigate last time?"
(End of the Chapter)
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