Chapter 269
Chapter 269
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 269
Chapter Title: Griffino Naval Battle (7)
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Warsaw Navy flagship, captain's quarters.
Admiral Timo von Kivinen, now in command of nearly the entire Warsaw Navy's 120 warships, gazed at his subordinate generals with brimming confidence.
Though his subordinates were nearly a decade older than their commander, they had no choice but to silently accept his gaze, their own achievements paling in comparison to the admiral's string of military victories.
The commander pointed at the map of the Warsaw coastline pinned to the bulletin board with his baton.
"The enemy commander is extremely capable. Even if they've mobilized every warship to transport food for those on the western coast, that bastard Jaeger is undoubtedly scrounging up battleships from somewhere."
Admiral Timo spoke with utter conviction, but the other generals harbored doubts upon hearing it.
No matter how competent Jaeger was, he couldn't conjure battleships out of thin air.
With every ship dedicated to grain transport, how on earth could they muster warships for battle?
"That's why we'll prepare for a naval clash with them and launch a maritime blockade. Now, I'll outline the operation. Our forces will first lead all 120 ships under our command to seize Griffino Harbor and the other ports along the western coast. At that point, Jaeger will likely bring a small number of ships to engage us. Once we crush them, we'll maintain position at sea for three months, completely cutting off the enemy's maritime supply lines."
By Admiral Timo's calculations, even if the Reich Empire forces slaved away transporting food, they could only carry enough for about three weeks at a time.
No matter how much they rationed, they wouldn't last a month and a half, after which the starving populace would rise up in mass rebellion.
The Empire forces wouldn't endure both the blockade and revolts from over two million civilians—they'd have no choice but to abandon everything and charge out.
"If we just sever their sea supply lines and smash the Reich Empire fleet that comes looking for us later, it'll be our complete victory. With this, I'll bury the great defeat at Griffino Plains!"
The generals under Admiral Timo's command felt their hearts race at the word "complete victory."
After the crushing loss at Griffino Plains, they'd inwardly despaired, wondering if the Warsaw Grand Duchy would fall to the Reich Empire just like that.
But the tactics, operations, and strategy presented by Commander Timo wouldn't just defeat the Reich Empire forces—they promised a win substantial enough to extract reparations.
For men who loved the Warsaw Grand Duchy more than anyone, their hearts couldn't help but pound.
In the midst of this, someone urgently knocked on the captain's quarters door.
"Messenger! May I enter?"
"Unless it's urgent, wait a moment."
"It's extremely urgent. Grant permission to enter immediately!"
Admiral Timo had no choice but to allow entry. As soon as the door opened, the messenger knelt on one knee and bowed his head in protocol.
"Reporting to the Commander. Our reconnaissance squadron has spotted Admiral Peter Jaeger aboard his flagship at sea."
Timo's heart leaped at the news.
The reconnaissance squadron spotting the enemy meant the perfect opportunity had arrived to slit Peter Jaeger's throat with the near-flawless plan he'd devised himself.
"Haha, continue."
While Commander Timo's face and smile lit up brightly, the messenger's expression was gravely dark.
An omen that the news to follow was dire—an all the generals present felt their faces souring.
"Major General Zziswaf Baksinsky and his five-ship reconnaissance squadron encountered three enemy vessels, including what is believed to be Peter Jaeger's flagship. The major general deemed it a winnable fight per Grand Duchy naval doctrine—three enemy ships against our five—and attempted a full engagement, but..."
"But what?! Are you saying they were completely wiped out?!"
The messenger bowed his head as if the words were too hard to utter.
"We suffered a crushing defeat against Peter Jaeger head-on. The flagship carrying Major General Zziswaf Baksinsky was boarded by Peter Jaeger himself, sword in hand, who slaughtered our men on deck. The remaining three ships were captured by Reich Empire forces. The ship I was on slipped away amid the chaos... but of our 150 combat troops, 50 were killed."
The generals didn't lose their minds entirely upon hearing this, but confusion reigned as they couldn't fathom why such a horror had unfolded.
Some pinched their thighs, hoping it was a nightmare; others gaped blankly at the air.
Admiral Timo, still clinging to hope, asked,
"A fierce melee between three and five ships must have cost the enemy dearly too, right?"
Though losing five reconnaissance ships to a mere three enemy vessels was a massive humiliation, if they'd been "captured" after intense combat...
The admiral and other generals asked to maintain morale somewhat—claiming Peter Jaeger had cowardly annihilated the squadron while painting the dead as valiant warriors.
They pinned faint hope on this, but the messenger replied with a face twisted in terror.
"Enemy losses were negligible. Dead numbered barely enough to count on ten fingers. They unleashed siege ballistae, crossbows, and magic in unison just before the boarding began, leaving us helpless. That's how we got wiped out!"
Having finished, the messenger wore an expression of such dread that closing his eyes might summon visions of Peter Jaeger severing his throat.
To Admiral Timo and the other generals, the survivors from that ship seemed utterly unfit for further combat.
No—dragging these men into battle would plunge Warsaw Navy morale straight to the depths of hell.
"You've taken heavy losses in this fight, so return to your ship immediately and relay that I've issued orders to return to port. I'll not forget to reward you for the fierce battle."
The messenger left promptly, closing the door behind him.
The jovial atmosphere of the confident commander and his loyal generals evaporated like morning mist under the rising sun.
It was only five ships out of 120, but such a shattering opening skirmish would above all erode allied morale.
Leading to the dreaded outcome of morale scraping the bottom.
And even worse: Peter Jaeger had increased the number of battleships ready to face them.
Faced with these facts, Admiral Timo felt the world spin darkly before his eyes.
'We outnumber them overwhelmingly in warships, but an unexpected variable has arisen.'
Yet a commander's agitation could spark irreversible issues, so he quickly regained his composure and issued orders.
"The number of ships Peter Jaeger can muster is extremely limited. No need to fear at all. On the contrary, the Reich Empire pigs have stuck their heads out for us—perfect! Isn't that right, gentlemen?!"
The generals responded tepidly.
"The enemy has at most a few dozen ships, while we have 115. Numerically, we're far superior, so them crawling out like this is a blessing."
Even the blustering Admiral Timo was rattled by the sudden momentum shift; the generals' thoughts were obvious without words.
Suddenly, the door burst open again as a new messenger entered.
"Enemy Commander Peter Jaeger's flagship is in sight! Including the flagship, three enemy ships total! Estimated distance: about 600 meters! They spotted us and immediately turned to flee!"
At the words "Peter Jaeger fleeing," Admiral Timo and the generals snapped alert.
Because Jaeger running meant his main force was small and he lacked a viable strategy against them.
Moreover, letting him escape now would send Warsaw Navy morale not just to rock bottom, but straight to hell's pit.
"Commander Timo!"
"Issue pursuit orders at once! We must kill those bastards."
"Fleeing the moment they see us means their main force is small too. Letting them go here... what greater shame could there be?"
Timo drew the sword at his waist and slammed it onto an empty spot on the desk.
"We march to sever Peter Jaeger's head! All ships, sortie and increase speed! Take Peter Jaeger's head!"