Volume 4 Chapter 21 Palermo
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Self-restraint, huh.”
I muttered the Captain’s words to myself as the morning assembly finally ended. The sun was already high as I met up with the girls from the Torpedo Department after they finished checking the weapons. We went for a run around the ship for exercise. The girls started it — building leg strength so they could work the magical devices even when the ship was rolling — but I’ve been joining them for a few days now.
We don’t just run on the deck; we run everywhere. From the highest poop deck all the way down to the inspection tunnels for the craft nozzles on the lowest level. Tatyana leads the pack, I take the rear, and Katarina runs right in front of me.
The girls wrap their chests in linen like Sarah-shi, but when you’re as well-endowed as Katarina, they still bounce. The men — especially those deck crew bastards — watch them with sloppy, slack-jawed grins.
”Heh.” I smirked.
”You guys are satisfied just looking, but those chests, the perky rear on those slender legs, that cinched waist… even the hollow of her collarbone and those long, delicate fingers — not to mention a tongue longer than most other women’s — are things I can enjoy whenever I want.”
Uwahahaha.
So yeah, I can wallow in that feeling of being better than them, but there is a problem.
Katarina looks erotic, but her insides are even worse. You could call her a total pervert. Whether she knows I’m a serious [Soregashi]1 who wants to satisfy the [Onago]2 I’m intimate with, or maybe it’s just her own nature — recently, she asked for what you might call anal s*x.
It’s not like I’m not interested. In my past life, I’d watched that kind of video, too.
But the sanitary conditions here aren’t great. Specifically, I want to avoid the risk of getting an infection from “miso” getting on me. Besides, there’s no rubber in this world. They say in the Edo period they used fish bladders as contraceptives, but apparently, the Mola mola Pole caught the other day didn’t have one.
I wonder what Professor Pauman did when he made her into what she is?
Katarina, who loses all control of her desires when I send waves of Mana into her lower belly, must have been put through some pretty special training. Even when I carefully looked through her mind, I couldn’t find any other behavior besides the anal conditioning. Well, even if he were still alive, I wouldn’t bother asking.
I was thinking about things like that while chasing after Katarina’s rear.
”Land ahead!”
A voice called out from the top of the main mast. Our run was in its final stage, and since we were already on deck, I sprinted to the forecastle, grabbed the railing, and leaned out to focus on the horizon.
I’d seen land before, after we sent those two [triremes] to the bottom. But that land had been either north or south — places we weren’t planning on landing, so I felt no real emotion, and honestly, I felt better when it wasn’t there.
But this time is different.
Finally, I can see land where we can get off this cramped ship, even if only for a little while.
Once I thought that, my mood couldn’t help but soar.
As I squinted, I saw black, jagged shapes over the waves in the far distance.
”Land.”
”It’s land.”
Voices rose, one after another, spreading across the deck. But this wasn’t the target, the [island of Sicilia]; it was a small island just before it. As the sun began to set, we passed the north side of that island, and finally, the [island of Sicilia] began to come into view quite clearly.
By evening, we passed a peninsula where the tip was a high mountain.
”We’ll make contact tomorrow; for now, let’s pull out a bit offshore,” the Captain commanded from the bridge.
We were still about fifty kilometers from Palermo. The harbor there is arguably the biggest on the [island of Sicilia], and with so much ship traffic, we decided to wait until it was light and we could check the situation around before heading to port.
What should I do if Katarina begs for it tonight?
This body is young, and my immune system is strong; maybe I wouldn’t get sick even if I did get a little “miso” on me. I was thinking about that worry while heading down the stairs from the bridge, passing by some deck crew members who were telling the squad leader they wanted to go ashore as soon as possible.
”Palermo’s direction, smoke is visible, sir.” Pole reported through the voice pipe. He must have been on duty in the mast house (the area at the top of the [main mast] for watching the surroundings).
”Is it a volcano?” The captain asked back.
”No, sir. It’s close by, and it hasn’t risen that high.”
Pole’s aunt lived in Palermo, and he’d visited as a child, so he explained clearly that it wasn’t a volcanic eruption.
”A fire?”
”Yes, sir. I can’t say for sure until we go around the next peninsula, but I have a feeling it’s a large fire.”
Going around the next peninsula would bring us to the city of Palermo. The distance is fifty kilometers. With the current wind, we could get there in three or four hours, but the sun has already set. The captain, having heard the report, furrowed his brow, pushed out his lower lip, and ordered a change in course.
Then, the order for each department to prepare for battle was issued.
We in the Torpedo Department were also told to get the artificial [Shishiodoshi] ready. The artificial [Shishiodoshi] is a weapon that could be called the first version of a Coilgun; it uses the magical magnetic force made by a Mana coil to speed up and fire a Fireball loaded from the rear of the tube, working like a mix of a sound cannon and an air cannon.
However, it has no killing power.
The large version of the artificial [Shishiodoshi] proved useful in the 53rd Defense Battle by scattering enemy arrows, but the big one is unusable on the ship because of the ropes crossing the deck, and the small one has limited effect, so it had been taken apart and stored in the warehouse next to the powder magazine.
The medium one we brought had a barrel about 50 centimeters wide and 250 centimeters long. After putting it together, we set it up on the bearings that let the muzzle move up and down. Since winding the coils is hard, we only managed to install it on the forecastle and the deck above the poop deck once we entered the bay where our target, Palermo, was.
Right after, I launched a [fixed-wing drone] for looking around. Since no one else was free, I did it myself.
It’s completely dark, but the fire gives enough light to see. Looking down from above, about a third of the city — roughly the size of Viscount Bizan’s capital — is on fire, and it seems to be under attack by people who arrived by ship.
”Can you see the fight?”
The updrafts from the fire are making the [fixed-wing drone] shake. I pull back to the sea, then lower my altitude to get closer.
”I see a lily flag on the ship that looks like the flagship. It seems to be a ship from the [Empire of Charle].”
I’d missed it when we passed by earlier, but when I got close to the three-masted sailing ship that looked like the flagship, I was able to see the flag. There are two other [triremes], but since they have no flags, are they pirate ships? There are also three two-masted ships that seem to be transport ships. Those look like civilian boats. I report what I see one after another.
”The fire is spreading east of the port, in what looks like the living area. Some rough-looking guys are running wild.”
They must be breaking into homes that haven’t burned down yet to steal things. In the streets, they’re killing locals or trying to take women — they’re acting on their own, with no real plan.
”In front of the [Scripture Church] church (mosque), a group that looks like the local militia is facing off against the Charle army.”
”How many?” The captain asked.
”About a hundred locals, sir. They’re holding… farm tools? Against them are fifty Charle soldiers, twenty of whom are [Horseback]. But, from behind them, engineers or something…”
They brought up a cart with nothing but a long, thin box on it and stopped.
”The Charle guys even brought [Golems], sir.”
It seems they really plan to take over the city.
Wooden [Golems] came out of the box. They’re a bit smaller than the Type 95s we have in Schweilitz, but bigger than the Type 20.
With the standing [Golems] behind them, one [Horseback] soldier rode forward and started talking. It looked exactly like they were asking for a surrender, but the local people showed no signs of giving in.
Well, of course not. If you’re attacked for no reason, your home burned, your things stolen, and your wife or daughter taken, you have no choice but to fight.
”What should we do, sir? If I send one self-destruct [fixed-wing drone] now, I could probably blow up half of the Charle guys, including the [Golems]. Maybe.”
I’m wearing the remote-control helmet, so I can’t see the captain’s face, but the lack of a reply means he’s hesitating. I think the flight squad member on bridge duty has already finished putting together a self-destruct [fixed-wing drone]. If I hold hands with her and get her visual information to guide it, we could do it in less than five minutes.
”No, hold on the self-destruct [fixed-wing drone]. I can’t get involved without knowing the background. Are there any other groups deployed?”
Even though the enemy is Charle, the captain is more careful than I expected.
If that’s the case, I’ll go higher.
Hm?
At that moment, a yellow glowing ball about the size of a person’s arms-reach flew out of the garden of a small building next to the [Scripture Church] church (mosque).
A yellow ball?
It began to swell, turning red and big in the blink of an eye. A chill ran down my spine, and I made the [fixed-wing drone] climb at full speed to get away.
No way.
The red ball, which had grown to about 20 meters across, fell among the Charle guys and exploded. Right after, I saw the locals attack.
But the [Golems] and soldiers weren’t defending. In fact, they weren’t moving at all. I only saw a few of the Charle engineers in the back start running toward the harbor.
”What happened?” The captain asked, watching my reaction.
”Could that be a Red Flame Ball?” I muttered.
I said it without thinking. But the captain is a soldier from the Celt Kingdom, in the far west of the Central Continent. Even if he’s heard stories of the [Horseback] peoples of the East, he probably doesn’t know what a Red Flame Ball is.
I had told the middle-aged man in Hebel about the Red Flame Ball, but I doubt many in the King of Schweilitz’s national army know about it. Even I, who reported it, had never seen one used before.
The [fixed-wing drone] was low on Mana, so I came down once in the mountains and brought it back to the ship, passing over the small house next to the [Scripture Church] church (mosque) where the Red Flame Ball had been thrown from.
In that garden, there was a medium-sized [Catapults], but the building there was one of those shabby [Jesus Orthodox Church] churches I sometimes saw in Rus.
”What is this Red Flame Ball the section chief mentioned?”
I didn’t answer the captain’s question, but instead asked why a [Jesus Orthodox Church] was on this island.
”That’s the work of Michael VIII.”
According to the captain, while this [island of Sicilia] is currently ruled by the Norman family, it was ruled by a [Scripture Church] dynasty for a long time before that. Any dynasty will face political corruption if it lasts long enough. The Norman family only wanted the port rights to Palermo, but the dynasty side, having lost the support of the people due to corruption, kept failing, and before they knew it, they ended up controlling the whole island.
The problem is that at the eastern end of this island, there is a narrow strait about three kilometers wide. On the other side of that strait is the Ferere Pope’s land — the headquarters of the [Universal Church]. The Pope also wanted this island, so under normal conditions, it shouldn’t have been an island that an outsider, a pirate-turned-ruler, could govern. They say that Emperor Michael VIII of the Mycenaean Empire helped them out both openly and behind the scenes.
”You say Empire, but I heard it’s even smaller than the Fee Grand Principality.”
Why do you keep comparing it to the country I made?
”Section Chief Larry, do you know about the [Fourth Martyr Army]?”
”Know about it? They attacked [Byzantium], the headquarters of the [Jesus Orthodox Church], which worships the same prophet as the [Universal Church], right? Because of that, [Refugees] flocked to Obernbach, it caused the 53rd Defense Battle, and because the Empire of Rus helped the East Room Empire recover, it went into financial ruin, weakened, and got toyed with by [The Boltechino], the [Proton Order] gained power, and it ended up leading to the independence of the [Fee Grand Principality], and the [Larland Independence War] broke out.”
Once I finished saying all that, I was surprised, even now, that it had such an effect. Well, maybe I was exaggerating, but if that [Martyr Army] hadn’t existed, I’d probably be enjoying a slow life in Strock Village.
”No, well. It’s not just the Emperor’s family that fled to Rus; three countries were formed that carry the blood of the East Room Empire, and the biggest among them is the Nico-a Empire.”
”Even smaller than the Fee Grand Principality?”
”Yeah, and the current Emperor of that Nico-a Empire, Michael VIII, is a fairly capable Emperor.”
He’s good at diplomacy, and despite being a small country, he’s built up strength. With his own ships and the ships of the Norman family that lent him their power, they’ve become the third power in the Inland Sea.
Apparently, Michael VIII’s long-time dream is to bring back the East Room Empire.
”There are rumors that he has made an alliance with [The Boltechino] and the [Turkic Empire] to attack from both sides.”
It’s strange that [The Boltechino] would even think about dealing with such a small country, but it must be true. Otherwise, there’s no way “Red Flame Ball,” made on an island on the far eastern edge of the Central Continent, would be here.
And the problem is that the Red Flame Ball is an unknown weapon. If things go wrong, it’s possible this ship could be stopped in a single hit.
If a Red Flame Ball lands on the ground and bursts like it did this time, anyone who takes a direct hit will die. Even if you avoid a direct hit, the area affected is wide, and compared to normal people, [Mages] will be affected and die or get lasting problems even from far away. Also, it’s said that magical tools like [Golems] will also stop working.
This ship, which now seems undefeatable, could easily end up as drifting scrap metal if it takes a hit from a Red Flame Ball. We have to think of ways to deal with it.
—
Summary:
The protagonist observes a brutal assault on Palermo by the Empire of Charle while monitoring the situation via a drone. The attack intensifies with the deployment of Golems, but a mysterious Red Flame Ball weapon suddenly cripples the Charle forces. The protagonist realizes this ancient, destructive technology suggests unexpected geopolitical alliances, threatening his ship’s own security.
—
Trivia:
The protagonist is training with the Torpedo Department girls to maintain control over magical equipment even while the ship is in motion.
The protagonist’s ship is currently using a medium-sized artificial Shishiodoshi (Coilgun prototype) as a non-lethal defensive measure.
The Red Flame Ball was reportedly created on an island at the far eastern edge of the Central Continent, suggesting complex trade or military alliances.
The protagonist has concerns about “miso” (a euphemism/slang for bodily fluids) leading to potential health risks like urethritis in this world’s unhygienic environment.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Katarina – Tall, stunning, and slender, this 30-year-old Flight Section leader/former Chief Researcher wears a sailor uniform and manages the ship’s drone arsenal. Assertive but prone to explosion-triggered instability, she was once poisoned. Ferociously protective, she launched attacks and punched the protagonist when they were left near death, maintaining a strained yet intimately close relationship with them.
• Tatyana – A 31-year-old divorced mother of two from Viscount Bizan, this sailor-suit-wearing Magic Academy Assistant Professor serves as a military Platoon and Torpedo/bridge squad leader under the Captain. Intimately involved with Katarina, she trains crew, guides students, synchronizes with Golems, and uses a coilgun on intruders, though she currently finds the lack of combat boring.
• Sarah – A disciplined Elf Mage and crew member who wraps her chest in linen, identifiable by her facial piercings, pointed ears, and long dark hair. Formerly a Second Lieutenant commanding the Magic Corps on frozen front lines, she once partnered with Thomas and restrained Kenze, noting the expendability of officials during war before retiring due to childbirth.
• Sara – A woman with numerous gold piercings in her ears, eyebrows, and nose, often wearing thick, aggressive makeup. She serves as the Second Lieutenant and Commander of the First Company.
• Pole – An orphaned Celt Kingdom soldier and Deck crewman who serves as a tough-acting mast house scout and rescue team guide. An associate of Earnest, this local knows the island language and terrain intimately. Though initially rebellious and hostile toward the protagonist after recently losing a friend to murder, he opens up and shows deep respect after a battle and a long talk about his past and his aunt in Palermo.
• Ed – A lanky refugee youth in simple farmer’s garb, Larry’s close friend and fierce protector is now a Military Academy student making claims about the Poll Tax and mortality. Formerly an associate of Captain Bours, he witnessed the Mauer Village skirmish, fled to Strock Village, and joined the militia to train spear-walls and ambush mercenaries, remembered for his quiet resolve to survive.
• Pauman – An arrogant, deceased Academy professor and former Magic Tool Lab head killed in the Haritz Rebellion. Known for his exploitative nature and controversial history with female students, he mentored and conditioned Katarina. His past magic ship project contrasts with the protagonist’s, and his course load was inherited by Larry, Eida, and the protagonist following his death.
• Mana – A non-commissioned officer and liaison who previously had their mana drained by Larry.
• Palermo – A target location where a battle and reparations negotiation took place.
• 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.
• Viscount – A noble of the Rus who insisted on bringing reinforcements to the defense of the city.
• Bizan – The Viscount of the Bizan family is the lord of a territory encompassing a capital city and a popular local fabric shop. Defining his noble identity and relationships with his subjects, he owns and resides in a unique castle built within the Danube River.
• Charle – A faction captain whose flagship and crew were involved in the conflict. A mercenary captain whose ship was targeted. An individual associated with a group of remnants.
• Schweilitz – The kingdom to which the protagonist is forced to return boasts towering academy spires and a full military arsenal—Royal Army troops and elite officers. Its ruler holds a captive the protagonist fears will be executed.
• 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.
• Rus – A neighboring power deeply involved in regional politics and mediation, best known for annexing the Kingdom of Larland.
• Michael – The Emperor of the Nicaea Empire (also known as the Micae or Michea Empire) who seeks the restoration of the East Room Empire.
• Norman – A family name of the local rulers on the Island of Sicilia. A young man who serves as the lord of the Viscount’s Palace. He is an aspiring founder of a Principality and holds authority over the Town Guards.
• Principal – The mother of Line and the administrative head of the institution. She exercises authoritative control over research assignments and seeks to trade Larry for Ilse Klein due to interpersonal conflicts in her laboratories. The mother of Sabrina and Rhein who intervenes during Rhein’s violent corridor assault to break up the confrontation.
• Fee – Larry Fee Getys is a 15-year-old reincarnated youth and titular Duke. Pragmatic and telepathic, this sharp-eyed young man leads the Getys household and rules Strock Village alongside Hans, Iffens, Teressa, and their maid Nico. While building a new nation, he enjoys prime whale meat and maintains crucial connections to Adolf and various underground networks.
• Fourth – An enigmatic and cunning figure also known as the Fourth Sage. This mysterious entity actively seeks advice from Larry while simultaneously insisting on Larry’s crucial participation in the upcoming New Continent mission.
• Larry – Sammy I (Larry-sama) is a 16-year-old bald, dark-haired reincarnated professor, Grand Duke, and Second Lieutenant who serves as the Fee Getys Torpedo Department Chief. This serious, easily flustered family man with four wives and children uses tech, mana, and modern military strategy to design ships. He bravely defended his ship from an Amazoness raid despite suffering a broken rib.
• Mar – A battle‑hardened veteran, clad in worn armor, uses door panels as shields and captures enemy crossbows; Larry’s comrade who teases him about his sister‑in‑law’s pampering, known as Martin to his companion Edmond.
• Boltechino – An entity that departed from Rus, this explorer traveled to discover a continent that became the birthplace of shipping trade.
• 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.
• Nico – A petite, silver-haired maid from Strock Village now serving as a lady-in-waiting in Besanburg, she previously worked for Teressa. The granddaughter of a Kiridal merchant and cousin to the Marquis’s captive, she is Larry’s pregnant partner, confidante, and mother to their two-year-old daughter, Angelica. After surviving a Marc assassination attempt, she maintains a close bond with Larry.
• 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.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply