Volume 4 Chapter 14 Anti-Nausea Medication
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”That lump on your head—did one of our youngsters hit you again?”
Huh, a lump?
When the deck crew chief said that, I reached up to touch my forehead.
”Ow, damn it!”
Sure enough, there was a nasty bump.
”It must be from when I got tossed off the bed. Last night was wild. I had no idea it would sway that much.”
I’d even bragged to the guys earlier that after training back at my mentor’s village, not a single one of them had managed to land a punch on me.
”Are you an idiot?”
The Captain looked at me with an expression of pure exasperation.
Haaaah, why would he say that?
”Why weren’t you sleeping in a hammock?”
A hammock? When there’s a bed?
Wait, does it absorb the sway? That’s why you wouldn’t get thrown out.
So that’s why the soldiers’ bunks were hammocks.
”It was right under your bed.”
Oh.
I mean, maybe mention that to me first?
I gathered my wits and started assembling the fixed-wing drone.
I needed it in the air the moment the enemy came into range—if I could get it flying, the drone’s eyes would buy us time no lookout could match.
Just as I went to connect the main wings to the fuselage and put on the radio headset—
”Gah, ow!”
The lump hit the remote-control headset.
It hurt so much I couldn’t even get the damn thing on properly. This is a disaster.
The whole system relies on the same principle as a Golem—embedding monster ganglia into the main body so you can sync with it and pull in visual data.
Usually, the sync range is only about fifty meters.
Since the syncing happens via Mana vibrations, you can boost that to about five hundred meters if you run it through something like an amp.
Furthermore, if you load those Mana vibrations onto a carrier wave, you can extend the range up to two kilometers. I called this “radio,” and the principle is identical to AM radio waves.
However, it requires a lot of circuitry. While I managed to cram it into the fixed-wing drone, the human side requires wearing a headset-like device with a Dipole antenna sticking out the top—kind of like a bug’s antennae.
Trying to put that headset on with a bump on my head is impossible, and hitting it was agonizing.
”Could you call the medical corps?”
After saying that, I wiped the lump clean with a towel soaked in Larland distilled spirits and opened it up with my standard-issue sailor knife.
It hurt like hell, and blood and a hematoma spurted out.
”Sensei! The two members of the medical corps are both incapacitated from seasickness and can’t make it.”
A female soldier from the maintenance division burst in, breathless.
Huh?
Even without the added injury, forehead wounds bleed like crazy and are hard to stop.
I might be able to cram the headset on, but if I don’t stop the bleeding, it’s going to be a real problem.
I was hoping they’d use Heal to close the wound, but now I have no choice but to apply pressure and stop the bleeding myself.
And with the enemy closing in… this isn’t going to make it in time.
”Can’t be helped. We’ll have to manage with visual identification from the deck.”
The Captain ordered Deck Chief Freydis to send men up to the main mast to report on the first incoming ship.
”Sorry.”
When I apologized, he just waved his hands, signaling me not to worry about it.
”Engine room, is the third Boiler fired up?”
”The fire is lit!”
I heard the shut-in Elf Mage respond to the Captain’s question.
I could see black smoke billowing from the smokestack behind the bridge. Three Boilers—all running. That’s maximum mobility, and redundancy if one fails.
But my stomach tightened anyway. This ship… since the launch ceremony, we’d only sailed within the bay. We fired up the third Boiler during testing, but we’d never actually run the Steam turbine under real conditions. I ran through the failure modes in my head: a bent shaft would be dead weight—break it down, dump it in the sea. A steam leak meant repairs under way, slow and risky. A snapped turbine blade could thrash around and gut the rest—any weird noise and we’d have to stop and check hundreds of blades by hand, and even then, output would drop.
Bearings we could replace; we had spares. The Mana circuits, Katarina and I could handle. Probably.
Enduring the pain, I strained my ears to catch the sound of the newly activated Boiler.
Shhh.
Must be the water boiling; I could hear steam venting from the nozzle. Good. That meant pressure was building.
Then the crow’s nest shattered the silence.
The report came through the voice tube from the crow’s nest, a platform halfway up the mast.
I could see them from the bridge, but without the height, it was hard to gauge the distance.
”Deck crew, deploy the left and right ram bows!”
The Captain’s order echoed. The men scrambled along the railings, hauling the diagonal rams out from their stowed positions.
A traditional ram is a metal spike fixed under the waterline on the bow—old as antiquity, meant to pierce enemy hulls. But our ship has a Craft Engine nozzle dead center below the waterline; the little projection above it wouldn’t ram anything. So I’d designed a workaround: “diagonal rams” that jut out horizontally like mantis claws. We’d wanted them automated, but ran out of time—they fold away normally and get extended by hand during battle. Good enough. They’d have to be.
”Which side are they coming from?”
According to the crow’s nest, both sides were closing in, and the distance was already under a hundred meters.
The steam pressure rose, and the sound of the turbines and Alternators climbed in pitch.
Now we can use the Craft Engine at Max.
This is it.
”Longboat approaching from three o’clock! Distance eighty, seventy!”
Here we go. Let me show you the true terror of the Black Ships.
”Urgent report! Two longboats from eleven o’clock!”
A young crew member on the bridge, who had been watching the front, shouted out.
Why from the front? We can’t do anything about that.
”There’s a shoal there. We were pushed further east than I thought.”
The Captain made a face like he’d just bitten into a bitter bug.
Looks like they’re trying to confuse us into running aground.
The area near the Jutland Peninsula has strong currents and is filled with shoals made of drifting sand and gravel.
”Torpedo Chief! Launch the fixed-wing drone immediately and find us a route!”
Are you serious? The blood hasn’t even stopped yet.
The Captain is telling me to find a path through the shoals from the air.
That was when it happened.
”The steam bypass pipe is busted!”
I heard the shut-in Elf Mage’s scream through the voice tube.
Sure enough, white steam was billowing from the rear smokestack.
Of course, right at a time like this.
The bypass pipe—the route that lets us bleed off excess steam into the condenser—had blown. One of our three boilers was now venting straight to the sky, its output wasted.
”Chief, hurry up!”
The Captain turned to me and roared.
”Are you an idiot? We can’t fix it unless we kill the fire!”
The shut-in Elf Mage shouted back, misunderstanding the situation.
”I’m not talking to you!”
The Captain, frustrated by the emergency, was screaming too.
No choice. He’s telling me to find the route.
I squeezed the blood-soaked towel, tore it, tilted my face up to press it over the lump, and put on the headset.
It hurt, but it provided pressure, and the bleeding seemed to slow down.
”One ship approaching from port, distance under ten!”
”What about starboard?”
”Starboard is… distance twenty! No, aft-starboard, distance ten, they’re coming alongside!”
Was the approach to the port bow just a decoy?
”All Mages, listen up! I authorize the use of the Coilguns. Cartridges: Red! Two of you, get to the right-rear immediately!”
My department only has four mages total since the others are out with seasickness.
That leaves the two on bridge duty and the two on the sterncastle. I don’t know who’s on the sterncastle, but good luck.
I lowered the lattice on the fully open bridge and threw the fixed-wing drone out.
It slipped through the web of ropes and rigging, cleared the ship, and then I forced it into a sharp climb.
Hm?
”No good! Two hundred ahead—there’s a sand shoal!”
A long, thin sandbank was submerged in the pale blue seawater, stretching to the north.
At my words, the Captain slammed the center nozzle into reverse, hitting the emergency brakes.
”There’s a shoal to the left front, too!”
”What about the right?”
”Right looks okay.”
Going right puts us closer to the Jutland Peninsula, but going left is a nightmare.
”You idiot Elf Mage! Hard turn to the left! Left nozzle forward, right in reverse!”
The Captain roared.
”All hands, hard turn coming! Grab onto something!”
The deck chief yelled.
While that game of telephone was happening, the ship began to tilt.
As I was busy piloting the fixed-wing drone, I was about to go tumbling, but the deck chief grabbed me, preventing a disaster.
”I told you to grab on, you idiot!”
He yelled at me, but hey, it couldn’t be helped. My fault.
But from the air, I saw something incredible. Through either luck or misfortune, our starboard diagonal ram had pierced right through the center hull of the approaching longboat. As our ship tilted during the right turn, the ship was crushed and was starting to split in two.
Even on the bridge, I could hear the crunch-crack sound of the ship breaking apart.
Most of their crew were thrown into the sea, but a few were clinging to the ram, and one was trying to climb aboard.
Since our ship had practically come to a sudden stop, another boat that had been trying to come alongside our right-rear crashed right into the broken vessel.
Most of that crew was tossed into the ocean, too.
The boat that had been approaching our port side couldn’t stop in time to match us and drifted past, trying to turn around.
”We’re making a U-turn!”
The Captain’s voice boomed.
The ship cut through the water, turning hard. The wake we created caused the boat that had crashed to capsize.
”Crap, that’s way too rough!”
The outer steel plating where we’d rushed the installation of the diagonal ram started to peel off. Our hull uses a three-layer sandwich: steel plate, a hexagonal honeycomb framework for shock absorption, and another steel plate. The ram was only fixed to the outermost layer—so even if it tore clean off, we wouldn’t sink.
Still, my stomach stayed knotted. If even a portion of the outer wall were lost, seawater would flood into the honeycomb, and the surrounding area could buckle under stress. At that point, I’d have no choice but to head back to port for repairs.
I braced for the worst, watching the twisted metal. But as the U-turn finished and the ship began to sail straight, the arm of the ramming horn twisted off on its own, sinking into the depths along with the ship it had impaled—and taking the stress with it.
I could see where the one-meter welded section was floating just a few centimeters off the hull.
Given this, I might be able to handle it.
I led them until we reached the flight endurance limit following the battle with the longboat, then recovered the fixed-wing drone.
Perhaps because they’d lost two ships, they pursued us for about thirty minutes, but even the muscle-bound pirates of Celt couldn’t compete with the endurance of a machine, and eventually, they vanished behind the waves.
”Has the bleeding stopped?”
The Captain barked, his tone sharp and procedural.
Perhaps the pressure from the helmet had helped; it seemed to have stopped.
”Still, I can’t say I’m pleased that out of thirteen in your torpedo squad, only five were still functional, including you.”
”Well, I feel that was unavoidable given that storm, sir.” I replied, keeping my voice steady.
Though I suppose if we’d lost the battle, there wouldn’t be any room for excuses.
* * *
In the afternoon, I repaired the torn outer casing with Roland Garr, the Dwarf bridge crew chief. A quiet, steady worker—he didn’t say much, but every swing of his hammer landed exactly where it needed to.
First, we cut off the remainder of the ramming horn from its base. That was done quickly.
Next, I applied heat vertically from the inside using a high-temperature ‘Fireball’ and quenched it with water, which straightened the bent steel plate.
Once I could no longer do that between the steel and the ship, I applied heat to the entire section, hammered it into shape, and finally welded it using filler metal.
Honestly, I would have preferred to secure it firmly with bolts, but we didn’t have the materials, so I had to make do with this.
By the time I wiped the sweat off and cleaned up, the sun had already set. I grabbed a quick dinner in the Dining Hall—stew and hard bread, eaten standing—and made my way below deck to check on my subordinates.
The two squad leaders, Katarina and Tatyana, shared a room; the others were in the female communal quarters.
That was one deck below the officers. Since the sea had calmed down, most had recovered, but Anita, who had just graduated from the Academy, as well as Katarina and Tatyana, were still laid out.
I knocked softly on the door of the two-person room, waited, and when no answer came, cracked it open. The dim glow of a Mana lamp swayed with the ship. Both were lying in their hammocks, but Katarina wasn’t on her back—she was skillfully sleeping on her stomach.
Her well-shaped breasts were bulging through the mesh like ripe fruit, and her beautiful face looked miserable, as if she’d been subjected to a “Buda-nose” torture1.
”Are you alright?”
Taking advantage of the fact that Tatyana was asleep, I asked while lightly kneading her breasts from underneath through the mesh.
”No more, I want to get off…” Katarina whimpered, her voice strained and weary.
”I see.”
When I pinched the tips, they hardened, even in this state.
”Stop it, I’m not in the mood.”
Being told that with her “Buda-nose” face somehow turned me on, and her tips were already hardening.
While thinking that, something nagged at me. Seasickness—motion sickness—it’s not inflammation. Back in my previous life, motion sickness pills were antihistamines. That means they’re a type of sedative, acting on the inner ear and the brain. If it’s fundamentally a neurological issue…
Just like I treated Katri’s depression, should I try draining the Mana from her head? The excess Mana swirling around the cranial nerves could be overstimulating her vestibular system—same principle as a panic attack, just a different trigger.
Katri was a null-user, so I had to put Mana in, but Katarina is different.
I moved under the hammock, stuck my tongue into her half-open, “Buda-nose” mouth, and sucked out some Mana.
If I took too much, I’d knock her out, so just a little.
”Wh-what are you doing… this is the workplace, yoooouuuu.” Tatyana mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.
Perhaps she’d woken up; Tatyana glared at me, but her eyes were glassy.
”Don’t misunderstand, I was just testing a treatment for seasickness.”
I offered a hasty excuse, but I was unconsciously still kneading her bountiful breasts. This is bad!
However, when I looked at Tatyana again, she had already closed her eyes and was sleeping with her mouth half-open.
”Don’t scare me like that.”
’Katarina, how’s the seasickness?’
I called out via telepathy.
’Huh? That actually helped a bit. Could it be that if we did it once, I’d feel even better?’ Katarina sent back, her mental tone surprisingly playful.
’No way.’
I then explained via telepathy that I could ease seasickness by draining her Mana.
”In that case…”
Katarina climbed out of the hammock.
There were rope marks on her face that didn’t look like they were from the hammock, you know.
”Tatyana.”
When Katarina woke her colleague, they started kissing each other.
Mmm, that’s a bit erotic.
I mean, how long are they going to keep that up?
”You’re right, I feel a bit better. My body still feels sluggish, though.” Tatyana said, her voice finally clearing as she woke up.
Apparently, it’s more effective than antihistamines.
”Amazing, right?” Katarina boasted, puffing out her chest as if she’d discovered it herself.
”And so…”
Katarina whispered something to Tatyana.
”I guess I have no choice. Make sure you don’t get caught.” Tatyana murmured.
When Tatyana left after saying that, Katarina hugged me.
’Because you were kneading my breasts, Sensei. Besides, she won’t be back for an hour.’
I don’t know what that “because” implies. She won’t be back for an hour?
’Is that so?’
’I just told you it was, didn’t I?’
She forcefully pressed her lips against mine and grabbed me tightly down there.
Well then.
Pop! One of her weaknesses.
When I sent a shockwave of Mana into her lower abdomen, she gasped and sat down.
”That’s cheaaating.” She complained, her face flushed.
She said, but she kept her hand on my pants while still on her knees.
”I’m tired today, so how about just oral? Is that a no?”
I asked Katarina, whose hand was on my belt.
”Whyyy, how come, that’s obviously a no.”
She said.
I don’t think it’s “obviously” a no.
Besides, you know you’re not supposed to do that at work, right?
—
Summary:
Earnest manages to coordinate the ship’s maneuvers and drone reconnaissance while suffering from a head injury and seasick crew. The ship narrowly avoids shoals and crushes enemy longboats using newly installed diagonal rams. The structural integrity of the ship is pushed to its limits during the high-speed evasion.
After sustaining damage to the ramming horn during combat, the protagonist manages to effect temporary repairs on the ship using thermal manipulation. While recovering, the crew faces the lingering effects of the storm and combat stress, leading the protagonist to utilize his mana-draining technique as a method of treating seasickness. The chapter concludes with a tense, intimate exchange between the protagonist and Katarina while the other crew members are occupied.
—
Trivia:
The ship uses three boilers, but the third has never been used for the Steam turbine before this battle.
The “Black Ships” reference reflects the protagonist’s historical Earth knowledge.
The diagonal ram is an improvised weapon resembling a mantis claw.
The ship’s exterior is a complex three-layer structure: steel plate, honeycomb, and steel plate.
The ship’s “ramming horn” is inspired by the Trachidermus fasciatus (Ayukake).
The protagonist uses mana-draining as an unconventional medical treatment for seasickness.
The ship’s internal layout places officer quarters directly above the communal quarters.
The protagonist has established telepathic communication with his squad leaders.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Mana – A non-commissioned officer and liaison who previously had their mana drained by Larry.
• Ho – Ho is the family name of Oliver, a 17-year-old deck crew member and comrade of the protagonist. As a member of the military unit that defended Garao Village, the young man was ultimately murdered during a night watch, slaughtered alongside Marx-san.
• Larland – A fallen kingdom, marked by its royal lineage of eight distinct princesses, has reemerged as a ruthless invading force. Driven by the loss of their homeland, these royal heirs now lead an aggressive campaign that threatens the entire region, turning former neighbors into desperate targets as they fight to reclaim power.
• Katarina – Tall and stunning with long limbs, this assertive 30-year-old Flight Section leader is a former Chief Researcher who pilots a twin-engine fixed-wing drone. Prone to getting carried away by an explosion-triggered instability, she serves as Earnest’s telepathic attendant, plans to marry her partner Larry, and maintains a strained yet intimately close relationship with the protagonist.
• Al – Alberto (Al), a massive red‑haired man recently wed to Mary, lives near the Dish Basin. He’s a companion of Hans, helping intimidate and rally elders as a villager and leader.
• Max – Uncle Klaus’s second son and Larry’s cousin is a skilled Golem User and former magic school assistant professor who orchestrated a prison break. Having returned to his home country, he now serves as a body double for the protagonist—his other cousin, Grand Duke Earnest—and has taken custody of certain women previously under Thomas’s care.
• Celt – In his twenties, this former tenant farmer and 303rd Unit militia leader is now a pragmatic, calculating Deputy Commander of the Town Guards—equivalent to a sergeant or officer—overseeing Strock Village’s fortifications. Dressed in simple work clothes, he quietly admires Teressa-san’s skill and serves as the village’s trusted gossip source, having earned his land with reward money. Once a sandal-maker and translator of Bours’s jargon, he maintains a careful working relationship with Larry while balancing political interests, embodying calm kindness beneath his disciplined exterior.
• Roland – Heir to the Canaria throne and Queen Cecile’s younger brother, this dwarf is the head of the bridge squad and former ship captain of the Tsukushi. Sharing the Queen’s golden-blonde hair, they have an innocent, beautiful face easily mistaken for a girl, but dress in boy’s formal wear.
• Tatyana – A playful, composed 31-year-old Royal Magic Academy Assistant Professor and divorced mother of two from Viscount Bizan is intimately involved with Katarina. This sailor suit-wearing Artillery Squad leader and former 101 Golems Battalion member guides students, respects veteran grannies, synchronizes with Golems, and uses a Coilgun to fire yellow suppression cartridges at escaping lower deck intruders.
• Anita – A member of the Flight Section who participates in the combat sortie.
• Katri – A composed, long-haired Moscow Maid School graduate managing the protagonist’s household and serving as Trabius’s interim Village Head. Clad in a pink maternity dress and crimson gown, this depressed, submissive partner of Trabius is rumored to have a child with the protagonist. Following a failed self-sacrifice, she remains bound to Sanna, Larry, and Earnest, with a conflicted tie to the head maid.
• Earnest – A cynical, 40-year-old professor reincarnated as a youthful militia soldier and magic-tech expert, he uses sharp analytical skills and a pragmatic, ruthless approach to navigate a world of broken morals. Now leading a group of slaves and war orphans, his weary, compassionate core is hidden behind a tough guise. Fighting for survival, his distorted morals shape complex relationships with others.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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