Chapter 53
Because they relied on crude spyglasses and the naked human eye, the odds of running into the enemy fleet smack in the middle of the ocean were extremely slim. But! Humans aren't machines—they need rest. Especially if a lot of them aren't used to ships.
"Ugh!"
I'd been cocky before we set sail, thinking seasickness wouldn't get me. But after a full day of the ship rocking like an amusement park ride, I surrendered completely, heaving up everything inside me.
Pat pat!
"Baron, are you alright?"
Sir Valentine, poking her head out onto the deck, was rubbing my back as I puked my guts out. Even in this nightmare, she stayed unflappable.
"And you, Sir Valentine? Holding up okay?"
"Compared to a wild horse at full gallop, this is nothing."
"Lucky you—blegh!"
A quick glance around showed I was the only one suffering from seasickness.
"Hang in there just a bit longer, Baron. The island should come into view soon."
"That's the fifth time you've said that..."
Somac Duke's reassurance meant nothing—his stance was rock-solid, like his feet were glued to the deck.
"If the Empire's main fleet hasn't reached the island first, we can rest right away."
"Ugh..."
There was an island in the middle of the sea that served as a rest stop. For landlubbers like me, it was a must-stop. You could skip it in a small skirmish, but in a massive naval battle dragging in seasick troops, rest was a huge factor.
In other words...
"The showdown will be at the island."
Whoever claimed the island and secured smooth supply lines—kingdom or empire—that would decide the war.
Please!
I just wanted to feel solid ground under my feet again.
"My lord! Land ho—the island!"
"What?!"
At the crewman's shout, I stared blearily at the horizon.
It's real!
Something flickered faintly into view.
"The Empire?"
"...Empire flags. Looks like they've taken the island."
"No choice, then. Signal all ships: full speed ahead! We attack before they notice...!"
Somac Duke issued crisp orders with a steely expression. It was a hugely disadvantageous situation, but he knew the gap would only widen with time—no room for hesitation.
"For Somac!"
"For Somac!"
Everyone roared the chant. Especially the ones standing by Somac Baron like comrades—their aura was overwhelming! These were the talents he'd diligently gathered, thanks to the novelist's "eye for people."
He's really built up a solid crew.
The result of taking my advice: if you want to be king, you need exceptional retainers.
But they couldn't win a war like in the movies, one against a hundred—so their impact on the battle's outcome would be limited.
"Duke."
"Get ready quick, Amollang Baron!"
"What are our odds?"
"...The Empire's fleet is formidable, without that weak link of an emperor."
That answer said it all.
"Do you trust me, Duke?"
"Of course."
"Then scrap the surprise attack. Wait until dawn tomorrow."
"...You have a way to win?"
"If I come back alive, we'll win for sure."
"For sure?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
Time to gamble my life.
* * *
Spotting the kingdom's fleet, the Empire stayed put on the island. Time was on their side. Plus, fighting from defensive positions meant victory with minimal losses—no need to overextend.
Night fell amid the standoff.
"Let's go."
I'd painted myself head to toe in black, turning my skin pitch-dark.
"...Sir Valentine. What have you been staring at?"
"Your heirs, Baron."
"......"
Her bold attitude left me speechless.
"Baron, isn't the island too far for infiltration? Wouldn't a small boat get us closer...?"
Somac Baron glanced between me and the island, worried.
"They'd spot us."
The Empire wasn't stupid—they'd lit up the waters around the island with torches. A small boat would trigger heightened alerts.
"True, but..."
"I'll be back."
I dove naked into the sea, painted black as night.
Splash!
A swimmer's gotta handle this much!
I had the stamina of a national team contender for the 10km swim. No exact distance to the island, but I wouldn't conk out and become fish food midway.
Whoosh—
I stayed submerged the whole way, surfacing only to breathe, avoiding the watchmen.
Nuclear sub! Time to prove the nickname wasn't hype.
How long did I swim?
"Phew."
Finally reaching the island, I hid behind a cliff near where the Empire's warships were docked, catching my ragged breath.
Whoa! Thought I was a goner!
Rough waves and currents were bad enough, but this felt way over 10km. Anyway, I'd made it undetected—that's what mattered.
Now for the real work.
"Time to start."
Splash!
Submerged again, I headed for the cluster of Empire ships.
"The kingdom?"
"Quiet."
"Not a night raid? Odd. Keep watch."
"Yes, Baron!"
I ignored the voices from the warship deck, swimming under the hull.
Hope this works.
Poof!
I summoned the legendary sword that sliced rocks like pudding.
Slice—
The sturdy wooden keel parted smoothly, without a sawing sound.
Good. Next!
I could punch big holes to sink them fast, but that'd alert the Empire too soon. Needed to damage them just enough to sink slowly.
Slice—
I didn't count how many. Every ship docked at the island, big or small, got the blade.
One lap around the island. Deciding it was fine to get spotted now, I went bolder for a second lap.
"W-water!"
"Supplies first, quick...!"
"Ambush?!"
The Empire troops finally noticed—island in uproar.
No point getting greedy; it'd be risky. Poof! I dismissed the sword, hid to rest, then swam back to the kingdom fleet.
* * *
"I'm back."
"Baron... did you really pull it off?"
"Yeah. Every ship docked at the island's sinking."
"......"
Somac Duke gaped, too stunned to move.
Thud.
My endless stamina finally tapped out—I collapsed on the deck.
"Baron, let me dry you off."
"Ah, thanks."
Sir Valentine wiped the seawater from my body with a dry towel.
Whoa! Not there... uh...
I wanted to handle the sensitive spots myself, but exhaustion hit so hard I couldn't twitch a finger.
"Terrifying."
"......"
I answered Somac Duke's sudden mutter with silence.
"Wiping out the Empire's main fleet solo, without a scratch... straight out of myth."
"That's what's scary?"
"Yeah. Scary enough to want you dead right here."
Sir Valentine jolted at the duke's confession.
"Duke?!"
"Haha! Calm down, Sir Valentine. If I meant to kill Amollang Baron, I'd have done it quietly. Right?"
"Y-yes..."
She clutched the blanket she'd brought to cover me, sighing in relief.
I spoke calmly. "Let's go. The glory of victory is yours, Duke."
"At least pretend to be scared."
"If you insist."
"Never mind."
Somac Duke pouted like a sulky kid, eyeing the island.
"When I heard your plan, I was dead certain it'd fail. Too far to swim."
"You lied."
"Ahem! But I scrapped the raid and waited, didn't I? Basically believed in you."
"Ah, sure."
Results-wise, yeah.
"Baron, I'm spreading the word from here on."
"The attack?"
"Why attack an enemy with no ships left? The moment you succeeded, this battle was ours—no, the sea god's victory."
"Sea god...?"
Why drag a god into this now?
"Amollang Baron, yield your feat to the sea god."
"Why me?"
"From today, you're the sea god protecting House Somac."
"......"
I'd turned into a con artist shaman like that fraud Yuil-am.
* * *
"Behold! The sea god who guards Somac has sunk every Empire warship!"
"Woooah!"
"Woooaaah!"
Somac Duke, now a cult leader, didn't attack the island even after dawn. Instead, he stirred up the naive nobles and troops with lies and hype?
Even I thought, This works?
They'd witnessed the "miracle" of every Empire ship sinking overnight. Kingdom nobles and soldiers started praising a nonexistent sea god.
"Warriors of the great sea god! Surround the island!"
"Yes!"
The troops moved with unbelievable energy after the long voyage. The power of superstition! I get why religion gets weaponized in politics and war.
"But Duke, just surrounding them without fighting?"
"Didn't I say? We won when you succeeded. Cut their supplies to the island like this, and they'll collapse."
"Aha!"
The Empire ships carrying most of their food had sunk. No troop losses meant they were burning through water and rations fast!
Somac Duke's calc: self-sufficient island won't hold out long.
Meanwhile...
"My lord, supply ships inbound."
"Maintain the encirclement and resupply. No rush."
"Yes!"
The kingdom's supplies were inconvenient but plentiful—no starvation worries.
Five days in...
"My lord! Empire fleet!"
"It's here! Avoid full battle—open a path so they can reach the island!"
"Yes!"
Somac Duke's bizarre order, after blocking Empire resupply tight. Bad vibes hit me.
"Amollang Baron."
"No."
I'd been clueless the first time, but no seconds.
"How about this?"
"What?"
Thud!
Somac Duke dropped to his knees before me, begging.
"Great sea god! Guardian of Somac! I beg you!"
"......"
"Sea god! Back in Somac Duchy, women and children await our safe return."
"...Last time."
"Haha! Sea god! Thank you! I'll erect a statue in your honor when we return!"
"Sniff."
Not just for the kingdom. No fight meant no Empire deaths either. Hoping everyone swept into this war made it home safe...
Splash!
They'd beefed up security after round one, but I was even more skilled now—they couldn't catch me.
"It's the sea god!"
"The sea god's curse on the ships...!"
"Gasp! The sea god again?!"
For some reason, Empire troops knew of the "sea god." Even officers whipping them into shape were freaked—no control.
Then...
"Don't panic! It's just a man! Follow me!"
"Baron Pimaang?!"
Splash! Splash!
Guys spotting me dove in.
Can they catch me?
Coastal lifers confident in swimming? Still just normals. No match for a pro swimmer like me.
Whoosh—
Huh?
One guy kept up perfectly. Blue-haired hunk. I'd memorized every pretty boy trait from the romance fantasy novel I Became the Youngest Daughter of the Count's Family.
Baron Pimaang.
Known for killer swimming skills—no surprise.
Anyway...
"Blubblub?!"
Slice—
Couldn't leave a witness who knew I was no god, just human.
Bye now.
Baron Pimaang tried blocking the legendary sword barehanded. Arms severed, he dyed the sea red, sinking slowly.
"Blub..."
"......"
Witness gone, I sank every Empire ship, then slipped away easy.
Two days later...
Flutter~
A rowboat approached slowly under a white flag of surrender.
"We won."
"Haha! All thanks to the great sea god's efforts!"
Somac Duke grinned at me mischievously.
"The sea god's retiring."
"Whoa! Retirement's no good—how about a vacation instead?"
"I'll think about it."
Suddenly felt like the novel had turned into I Became the Sea God of the Duke's House!