Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios Many scholars and war historians believed that the battle marked the beginning of the age of cannons. The victory of the Norton Family's North Sea Fleet, which was equipped with bronze cannons, over the Invincible Fleet of the Commerce Alliance, signified the end of traditional close combat at sea. The Norton Family's victory marked the beginning of a new chapter in their quest to dominate the seas. This was a huge step forward in the history of navigation.
However, more historical researchers and military enthusiasts concluded that the Battle of the Romani Sea was not as exaggerated as the war history experts had described. Even the power of the bronze cannons was not as great as everyone had imagined. Although the Invincible Fleet had suffered heavy losses from the night attack and the three attacks along the way, they still had the advantage in numbers during the decisive battle. They even had the upper hand in the latter half of the battle. Some of the simulations even concluded that the Invincible Fleet had won in the end.
If the Invincible Fleet had not attacked the three whaling ships in the center of Laurist's formation, but had attacked from the flanks and surrounded the Norton Family, using their absolute advantage in numbers and high-end combat power to disregard the heavy casualties, it was not impossible for them to defeat the Norton Family. Just as most scholars and experts agreed, the Invincible Fleet's command during the decisive battle was very wise and classic. Even though the front line was completely destroyed by the cannons and catapults, the best choice was for the rear line to continue their assault against the fiery ships.
On the contrary, the performance of the Norton Family's fleet was barely satisfactory. They had even let their guard down after destroying the sixty to seventy large armed warships of the Invincible Fleet, thinking that the enemy might turn around and flee. In the end, they were caught off guard by the Invincible Fleet's decisive assault. If not for the fact that the Invincible Fleet's vanguard had been unlucky enough to choose the whaling ship that Lollister was on as their target, the Norton Family would have suffered heavy losses even if they had won the battle.
Just as the Invincible Fleet had predicted, as long as the Invincible Fleet destroyed the two flanking whalers and drove away the Norton Family's large armed warships in the rear, they would be able to separate the Norton Family's medium-sized armed warships with only one bronze cannon in the reef area. Then, the Invincible Fleet would be able to endure the bombardment without retaliating and exhaust the ammunition of the fourteen Thunderstruck warships led by Sunbarwood, forcing them to retreat. Then, they would use fire to destroy the three whalers in the center of Laurist's formation. Even though the Invincible Fleet suffered heavy losses, they still won.
However, the precondition for this victory was that the Invincible Fleet knew that Laurist was personally commanding the Battle of the Romani Sea and knew which warship he was on. The situation of this naval battle was that the Invincible Fleet didn't realize that the newly advanced Sword Saint, Laurist, would participate in this decisive battle on the battleship. Wouldn't that be a joke? Which Sword Saint would personally go into battle with a small fry? One had to know that a Sword Saint was the most powerful force in a kingdom. Regardless of whether it was a land or sea battle, letting a Sword Saint participate in such a battle was simply too embarrassing …
However, Laurist didn't care. He didn't care about his identity as a Sword Saint. He cared more about his identity as the Duke of the Northern Region and the head of the Norton Family. He wasn't like the Storm Sword Saint that the Trade Alliance had recruited, who was worshipped by others. Thus, the Invincible Fleet could only blame their bad luck for encountering Laurist, who didn't take the usual route.
Just like how many war scholars, war historians, military enthusiasts, and historians in later generations debated about the Battle of the Romani Sea for a long time, they never argued whether there was anything wrong with the surrender of the Invincible Fleet's commander-in-chief, Viscount Penélope. At most, they would only complain that he was unlucky to encounter the Sword Saint, Laurist, and that his only choice was to surrender. In the end, his surrender caused the Invincible Fleet to lose the morale and courage to continue fighting. Under the supervision of the Norton Family's fleet, they all hung up the white flag.
"Why did you surrender?" Laurist was very annoyed at this moment. Alright, the enemy had aggressively charged onto his ship, and he was rubbing his fists and palms together, wanting to start a massacre to vent his pent-up anger. A naval battle that was perfectly prepared to carry out long-range artillery bombardment had ended up like this. No one would feel comfortable if they were placed in this position. He had wanted to start a massacre, but who would have thought that the enemy would surrender? This punch that seemed to have been charged up long ago hit empty air, making Laurist extremely unhappy. You guys charged over just to surrender?
"I don't want to die …" Viscount Penélope said calmly. At this moment, he was also regretting it. Who would have thought that the famous Blood Sword Saint, Laurist, would actually become the target of the Invincible Fleet's high-end forces? Wasn't this courting death? He was a noble of a territory. Even if he didn't become the commander-in-chief of the Invincible Fleet, he could still return to his family territory and enjoy the fruits of his labor. He hadn't even enjoyed his good days yet, and now a level 2 Great Swordsman wanted to fight the Blood Sword Saint, Laurist. Wasn't that like smashing an egg against a rock? He wasn't that stupid, so stupid that the headless corpse on the deck had already become …
Now, even if the Invincible Fleet was completely wiped out, it couldn't be said that he was incompetent as a commander-in-chief. On the contrary, Viscount Penélope was already very capable for this naval battle to continue until now. He was just unlucky to have encountered the Sword Saint, Laurist. Failure was understandable, and he couldn't possibly force someone to die. Furthermore, even if he did, it wouldn't be of any use. In Laurist's eyes, the high-end forces of the Invincible Fleet of more than a hundred people were just a few more swings of his sword. They weren't a threat at all.
Laurist finally understood why the second prince and the rest were trembling with fear when facing the Storm Sword Saint, as if they were waiting for death with their eyes closed. Even the tyrannical Grand Duke Fisablun had become a coward, only knowing how to protect himself and not daring to refute. On the contrary, as a transmigrator, Laurist didn't have any fear or respect towards the Sword Saint. Even though he didn't have a clear understanding of his own cultivation, he stepped forward bravely and fought with the famous Storm Sword Saint, causing both sides to suffer. He saved the lives and reputations of the second prince and the elites of the Andinac Kingdom.
The performance of the golden swordsmen and great swordsmen of the Invincible Fleet was even worse than that of the second prince and the rest. After knowing Laurist's identity and seeing Viscount Penélope and the rest surrender, the golden swordsmen, who were originally cowering like quails, seemed to have turned their weapons into hot potatoes. Their movements were extremely fast, and before Laurist could blink twice, there was already a pile of godly weapons and sharp blades on the deck. These golden swordsmen followed Viscount Penélope and surrendered, as if they had rushed onto Laurist's ship to surrender …
"Alright, I'll give you the aristocratic treatment you wanted. You don't have to hand over your sword to me, and I'll allow you to bring two guards with you. But now, this naval battle can stop. Tell your people to surrender, "Laurist said with flagging interest.
Just now, Viscount Penélope and the rest's gazes made Laurist very uncomfortable, because those gazes contained the helpless grievance of a child being bullied by an adult, as if Laurist shouldn't have appeared in this naval battle. Come to think of it, it was indeed a bit too much for a Sword Saint like Laurist to deal with these golden swordsmen and great swordsmen.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Viscount Penélope gracefully bowed to express his gratitude, then signaled for an attendant beside him to take out a conch horn inlaid with gold rims and blow it in his mouth. One long and three short, this meant to stop the resistance and cease the battle. When the people on the Invincible Fleet's warships looked over strangely, they just happened to see another guard beside Viscount Penélope waving a white flag with all his might.
Since the higher-ups of the fleet had already surrendered, what was the point of the subordinates fighting for? The warships of the Invincible Fleet began to raise their white flags, and the rumbling cannons on the battlefield also began to gradually calm down. The naval battle between the Norton Family and the Invincible Fleet only lasted a little more than two hours, and the Invincible Fleet was completely annihilated.
The people below were naturally responsible for receiving the surrendered personnel and warships of the Invincible Fleet, collecting prisoners of war, rescuing the dead and treating the injured, salvaging those who had fallen into the water, repairing damaged warships, and counting the casualties. For a moment, everyone in the Norton Family's fleet was extremely busy. The 14 warships led by Sunbarwood immediately replenished their ammunition reserves, and then excitedly rushed to take over the more than 800 transport ships of the Commerce Alliance.
They busied themselves until around five o 'clock in the afternoon, when the Invincible Fleet suddenly separated from the fleet that had gathered. Taking advantage of the change in the direction of the wind, they separated from the fleet and fled towards the south. When the news reached Laurist, Laurist realized that it was his old acquaintance, the young master of the Cheekend Chamber of Commerce, Serliham, who had escaped.
After listening to Viscount Penélope's explanation, Laurist realized that it was Serliham's idea to stack the inner walls of the warships with flour bags to cushion the bombardment of the cannons and launch a desperate assault against the fire ships. Genolio asked Laurist if he should order Sunbarwood to send a few warships to pursue them. Laurist thought about it, and rejected the suggestion.
Serliham was definitely a smart man. He knew that after the surrender, the Norton Family's fleet would definitely send people to take control of all the large armed warships, but they would neglect the medium fast armed warships due to the lack of manpower. Therefore, he brought a few of his trusted servants and guards to hide on two medium-sized fast armored warships. Then, he waited until the Thunderstruck Fleet went to take over the transport ships, and waited until the wind changed at around five o 'clock in the afternoon. It was less than two hours before nightfall before they left the fleet and fled.
Just as Serliham expected, even if Laurist knew that he had escaped, he would not be able to mobilize warships and manpower to pursue him. First, other than the Thunderstruck Warships, no other warships could catch up to the speed of the medium fast armed warships. Second, there were not enough warships and manpower. There were only 14 Thunderstruck Warships, while there were more than 800 transport ships. Laurist naturally knew which was more important. Third, it was going to be dark soon, and no one had the ability to pursue two warships that had escaped for more than two hours in the dark sea.
Thus, apart from ordering more vigilance and supervision of the surrendered warships, Laurist did not think of pursuing Serliham. Eleven days later, the news that the Invincible Fleet and the transport ships were completely annihilated was brought back to the Cheekend Chamber of Commerce by Serliham, who had escaped danger, and spread to the southern countries of the continent. It would take at least a month for the news to travel by land to Moronte City.
At night, Laurist held a banquet to entertain a few high-ranking commanders and great swordsmen of the Invincible Fleet. During the banquet, Laurist felt that the middle-aged noble who had surrendered first looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before. So, he asked who he was.
The well-dressed middle-aged noble quickly stood up and answered respectfully, "Honorable Duke Norton, I am Duke Roffe Fausta of the Chigda Kingdom, a first-rank great swordsman."
Laurist was stunned. He felt a boom in his head, and bitter memories flooded his mind. So it was him. No wonder he felt that he looked familiar. Back then, it was he who stood by her bedside and gently advised her to leave the girl she hid in the deepest part of her heart. At that time, she was utterly defeated in front of him and could only watch as he took away the girl she once loved the most … Who would have thought that after seventeen or eighteen years, things would remain the same, but people would change. When he appeared in front of her again, he had become her captive.
"Why are you here?" Laurist found it strange. According to the intelligence, this Duke Fausta was the regent of the Chigda Kingdom. His orders were even more effective than the king's in the Chigda Kingdom. Why would he appear on this voyage of the Invincible Fleet?
Although he was a little surprised by Laurist's casual tone, Duke Fausta still answered honestly, "Honorable Duke Norton, the Commerce Alliance is the ally of the Chigda Kingdom. The Chigda Kingdom needs the support and help of their ally in order to defend against the two strong enemies, the Romon Empire and the Hovestan Khaganate in the south.
I am the party that firmly insists on maintaining friendly relations with the Commerce Alliance. As an ally, I led the Roffe Family's Firebird Army to Moronte City to participate in the battle. It's just that I didn't expect to meet Lord Sword Saint here. Our Roffe Family's Firebird Army has become His Highness Duke Norton's captives before they even disembarked from the ship. This is really embarrassing … "
Duke Fausta said with a wry smile. If the Firebird Army had surrendered on the ship and become captives before they even fought a single battle, the people of the Chigda Kingdom would definitely laugh their heads off when they heard about it. That was the most elite army in the Chigda Kingdom. Adding on to his own two thousand guards, this was the basis of the Roffe Family's military strength. The first thing he had to do now was to redeem himself and the Firebird Army at all costs. Otherwise, there would definitely be people in the Kingdom who had designs on the Roffe Family. The consequences would be unimaginable …
"Honorable Duke Norton, please allow the Roffe Family to redeem myself and the Firebird Army. As the head of the Roffe Family, I guarantee that I will no longer intervene in the war between your country and the Commerce Alliance. Of course, the price of our redemption will definitely satisfy you," Duke Fausta requested sincerely.
"There's no hurry." Laurist waved his hand and said lightly, "I'm very happy to see you again, Your Highness Duke Fausta. By the way, is your wife, Windsor Bilina, doing well? "
Duke Fausta was stunned. He looked at Laurist carefully and asked doubtfully, "Your Highness Duke Norton, have we met before? You, you know my wife, Winna? "
The corner of Laurist's mouth cracked open, revealing eight white teeth. "Of course, it was more than ten years ago. We met in Morent City. Back then, I was still a student of the Dawn Academy, and you were still a marquis. Your current wife, Miss Winna, was still my girlfriend then. But you were the final victor, and she left with you. But now, I'm the victor, and you've become my captive … "
Duke Fausta's face turned pale in an instant. Viscount Penélope and the others around him listened with great interest. They had already forgotten their captive status. Everyone loved to hear gossip, especially the legendary Blood Sword Saint, Grand Duke Norton. It turned out that he had such a romantic relationship with Grand Duchess Fausta. It was too exciting. It would be enough for him to brag in the noble circle for a few years when he returned.
"You, so it's you …" Duke Fausta was trembling all over. He had long thrown Laurist to the back of his mind, and had completely forgotten about him. But now, Laurist had suddenly appeared in front of him as the Grand Duke of the Northern Lands and the head of the Norton Family. The two words "Sword Saint" were like two towering peaks in front of him.
Duke Fausta thought to himself, I'm dead, it's all over …
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