Chapter 395: Second island, intercept preparation |
With the enemy's shadow gone, we are finally relieved of our tension. Then I told the command center that we were able to withdraw from the island.
『Good work. Everyone is thanking you』
『I'm glad to hear it, but the situation is serious』
『I've been informed. That the enemy is impossible to defeat even with the sacred attribute. But I'm sure we'll be able to defeat it』
Yes. There must be a way to defeat it. I just don't know what it is.
『The boss is Davy Jones. I heard that he survived even though his body was dismembered』
『Is Davy Jones the guy with the squidgy face?』
『That's the movie. In this game, he is a demon with a fish tail』
A demon with a fish tail? Like Lian? I began to feel sick, so I gave up my imagination. But the fish reminded me.
『You know it well. Davy Jones's prison is famous. They say that sunken ships and drowned people were sent to Davy Jones' prison』
『So is it the bottom of the ocean that is suspicious?』
『That would make sense. The pirate ships came out of the bottom of the sea, so we conclude that there is something there. It's just that...』
I feel Ruin-san's bitter look.
『Is the damage still considerable...』
『Yes...we lost at least four gun boats. The damage to other vessels is also extensive. The death toll is about 150...Mangetsu´s group, as well as Yoichi´s group are also dead』
The damage was much greater than expected...no, it was a good thing that the damage was limited to that. We could have been wiped out.
『The gun boats that survived will now be repaired by Yug´s group. But we don't have enough wood, so we'll have to repair it over here』
I calculate the time......good.
『I have an idea, is that okay?』
『What is it?』
『The second island and the first island...why don't we take the plunge and throw them away?』
『Eeh!?』
Even Ruin-san seemed surprised.
『...What do you think they're trying to do?』
『As long as we can't use the gun boats, we are at a disadvantage. Then I think it would be a good idea to set a trap on the second island and find a way to attack. And on the first island, we are all gathered』
『That's a bold move...we'll discuss it』
『Please do』
In the meantime, I ask Lily and the others if they have noticed anything. Lily tells me something important.
"There were lots of little boats! Takuto!"
Probably landing craft. But why would they have a landing craft? I can understand if they can't get close to us with their boats...but no, there are other effective uses for small boats. Is that what the enemy is after?
The limestone cave that is the base of the second island is perfect for setting a trap. If we cooperate with Hokage´s group, we will be able to make something reasonable.
The problem is the mysterious invulnerability of the cursed pirates. Whether or not they are limited to the third island will determine the measures to be taken.
My guess is that it is limited to the third island. The first reason is their name. Cursed pirates...cursed pirates. And yet, we have never been affected by a curse. This makes it more likely that they are not cursed pirates, but pirates who are cursed by something. This explains their invulnerability.
The question is what they are cursed by. I have a feeling that it is Davy Jones, but if he is also immortal, then Davy Jones is also cursed. The most suspicious place is the seabed and the second most suspicious place is inside the base.
After a while, the opinions were divided. The only reason for this was that there was too little information. As a result, it was unanimously agreed to set a trap on the second island and gather information about the enemy.
『The first idea was proposed by Takuto-kun, so Takuto-kun should be in charge of the command. Do you have the personnel you want?』
『Then, I need you to check with Hokage-san and the ninjas...and Nick-san´s group. And are you sure you want Tyrol´s group to stay?』
『No problem. What do you want me to check with Nick´s group?』
『Can you ask the alchemists if they can build a wall?』
And the answer was answered by Saba Can-san.
『Most alchemists can do it, since there is wall smelting in the alchemy skill set. It's everyone's favorite technique』
『Well then, please contact Nick´s group so that they can come too』
『Okay. They are both on the first island, so I'll call them now』
So, I decided to cooperate with Tyrol´s group, Hokage-san and Nick´s group. And I was made the mission commander.
"It's a big responsibility..."
"I'm sure you'll be fine, Takuto-san. You should have confidence in yourself, too"
I was told that I had told him to be confident before. Then I'll give instructions with confidence.
"Did Tyrol and the others exchange the witch's cover?"
All nodded. All right, then I'll ask Tyrol´s group to do something important.
"Lily and the others told me that the cursed pirate ships had small boats. They probably used them. So Tyrol´s group will keep an eye on the cursed pirates boats and let us know how big they are"
"That's a lot of responsibility. Is that all?"
"Of course, that's not all. After you are done monitoring the cursed pirates' small boats, I want you to check out the enemy's boats. Also, I want to know the enemy's movements now, so I want two people to go out for reconnaissance. The rest of you will consult with each other and decide on a scouting rotation"
『Understood!』
The safe ships were to gather at the first base. Therefore, I decided to leave Sukuna Bikona with Mel´s group as it is. Because Surfi is better for scouting and escaping.
It was just before noon when we arrived at the second island. On the way to the second island, I heard from Ruin-san that Hokage-san´s group and Nick-san´s group would be arriving soon. I made contact with them and decided to decide about the trap after logging out except for those who had taken care of the reconnaissance.
I ate lunch and then logged in. I was immediately informed.
"The enemy has moved. Thirty pirate ships are headed this way"
"Do you know what time they moved?"
"It was 13:00"
That would mean the earliest they could get here would be 15:00, the first island at 17:00 and the base island at 19:00. In reality, it would take longer because we would set a trap here. If that's the case, I have a pretty good idea of what the enemy is aiming for. I call Cosette and Felt who are scouting.
『It's Takuto. How is the magic fog?』
『The pirate ships are proceeding through the magic fog』
『The magic fog seems to be fixed around the third island』
"...I see. Thanks for your help. You want to log out, don't you? I'll send a replacement, please return"
Tyrol and Aroma took their place.
Now, let's start preparing for the trap with the assembled members.
First, we drew the topography of the cave on paper based on everyone's information. We actually went there to confirm any uncertain information. Now this map would be almost correct. And it turned out to be a fairly large limestone cave. It was very helpful.
"It's easier to understand if you write it down on paper~"
"If we want to set a trap, here and here is good"
"We can go here and here, too, degozaru"
We all came up with a plan for the trap and I explained the strategy I had decided on.
"As one would expect Takuto-dono...dont be merciful, degozaru"
"You use the wall training so...this is very cruel"
"But...it seems like fun"
"Alchemists have not been in the spotlight for a long time~"
Apparently, everyone agreed with me. Immediately, Hokage-san´s group, Setia, Aranea, Iyuki and Mir went to set up the trap. We don't have much time.
After a while, information comes from Lara and a female summoner who changed scouting roles with Tyrol and Aroma. The enemy seems to have anchored and launched small boats.
『The enemy ship has disappeared from sight!』
『Probably a small craft』
As I thought...those small boats are used for landing as well as for surprise and night raids.
『Thank you very much for your efforts. I'll take over as watchman. You two, take your posts』
『『Understood!』』
I tell everyone.
『It's our timing and our coordination that will decide the game. Let's show these pirates how scary we can be!』
『『『『Oo~!!』』』』
Thus began the defense of the second island.