[Raul POV]
She has appeared...
Celestia—Mother of the Sea.
A Demigod of the Siren species—hailing from the world of Nebulandia. At least, that is the information provided in the game regarding this creature.
350 years ago, she sacrificed her physical body so that her soul could be linked to Florentia Island. However, because she did this, she can only manifest the Mana that she possesses. Furthermore, the power she holds is slashed to only half of its original strength. Nonetheless, half of a Demigod's power is sufficient to destroy the entire Imperial Fleet of the Aragon Empire.
She did this to protect the Venetian Nation, which gave the marine ecosystem a chance to live and thrive. Due to the rules set by Goddess Diana, she could not protect marine life from damage caused by humans. For that reason, she made a vow to protect the Venetian Nation from invaders who threatened their land by sacrificing her physical body, in the hope that the Venetian Nation would protect marine life from the threats of other greedy humans.
Under these conditions, she was able to bypass the rules established by the Goddess.
— CRACK-BOOM!!!
The sound of thunder roared over the ocean. The waves battering our ship grew stronger, causing the fleet's formation to fall into disarray. The sky, which was previously bright, had now become pitch black, as if it were nighttime.
Celestia, standing at the peak of a water tornado approximately 250 meters high, began to stretch her arms toward the fleet located at the entrance to the harbor area. Not long after, seawater suddenly geysered upward, sending several ships flying high into the air.
"What exactly is that mysterious figure?" Elena muttered, her gaze focused on the water tornado where the Demigod stood. "Is this the figure that created the storm that caused the Aragon invasion hundreds of years ago to fail?"
Exactly.
If it weren't for her, Florentia Island might have become the territory of the Aragon Empire 250 years ago.
Celestia moved her hands again; this time, a giant wave 100 meters high struck many of the remaining Imperial ships around the harbor entrance. Realizing a powerful creature was attacking them, our fleet at the front began to retreat slowly, leaving the harbor area.
"Don't just stand there! Help our comrades escape to avoid the attack range of that monster!" ordered the Captain of the ship we were aboard.
The fleets on the left and right wings then began to move closer toward Celestia. Our mages started firing magic projectiles at the Demigod. However, none of the attacks had any impact on the figure.
Celestia then shifted her attention toward the fleet on the right wing.
Feel My Wrath from The Ocean, O Insolent Humans!
Suddenly, dozens of whirlpools appeared around the fleet on the right wing, causing several of them to be sucked down and sink into the ocean.
"Is anyone capable of stopping that figure?"
"Her body is positioned so high in the air! Our magic can hardly reach her!"
Celestia rampaged again, firing a massive Water Jet spell toward the remaining ships in the right-wing fleet. Everyone was confused, wondering how to stop a Demigod.
However, I faintly saw a man jumping and soaring toward the water tornado carrying Celestia. The cloaked figure then drew his sword, intending to launch an attack. He was Raymond de Chatelon—The White Knight—one of the Grand Espadas who had joined the battlefield.
"World Slash!"
The man in his 50s unleashed a horizontal slash, causing the water tornado Celestia was on to be cut into two parts. The Demigod then fell from the air.
"Uncle Raymond is magnificent..." Elena muttered, appearing amazed. "Raul, I am going to the front line of ships to help my Uncle fight that figure!"
The blonde-haired woman then leapt from our ship to another ship in front. She jumped from one ship to another until she finally reached the front line. Not long after, a golden light was seen from the front. It seemed Elena had begun to activate the Profound Codex she possessed to increase the strength and morale of the troops.
On the other side, I saw Celestia, who was still falling, now surrounded by light-blue pillars of water towering into the sky. Those pillars then enveloped the Demigod's body and formed a giant water octopus 150 meters tall, with Celestia inside the head of the giant water octopus.
The tentacles of the octopus moved and destroyed the ships around it. From here, I could see the three Grand Espadas beginning to fight Celestia directly. However, even the attacks of the three Grand Espadas were not enough to stop the Demigod.
The giant water octopus then spun very fast, creating a wind attack that repelled several ships that were close to it. Even with only half of her remaining strength, a Demigod was still no match for the three strongest Knights of the Empire.
I really must obtain that Artifact from Siena...
***
[Siena POV]
The Imperial Fleet retreated from the harbor area thanks to the appearance of the Demigod in the middle of the sea. She attacked the enemy fleet with ease using magnificent water magic.
"What kind of creature is that, exactly!?"
"She is attacking hundreds of enemy ships all by herself!"
"I don't know what that creature is, but I'm relieved she seems to be on our side!"
All the soldiers were stunned to see the enemy, whom they had struggled against previously, now being slaughtered by the mysterious figure that had suddenly appeared.
"Major Siena, the enemy has now retreated back to the sea. What is our next step in response to this development?" a military official asked me.
"Is our war fleet ready?" I asked him.
Previously, we had hidden the Venetian Republic's fleet to be used at critical moments like this.
"Two fleets are ready for battle, Major," the man replied.
"Very well, convey a message to Admiral Benio to lead the fleet on the east of the island to attack the Empire's left-wing fleet," I ordered him. "I will personally lead the fleet on the west side of the island to attack the Empire's right-wing fleet."
"Understood, I will convey this message to him."
While the Imperial forces were struggling against the Demigod, we would attack them from both directions. I would ensure this opportunity was used effectively by us to win the battle. After giving the order, I led about 5,000 additional troops toward the west part of the island to join the assault.
Upon arriving at the west part of the island, there was a dock located there on the coast. 150 ships were seen forming a formation to advance toward the enemy's position.
"Major Siena, you will board this ship," said a ship's Captain waiting at this small dock.
I nodded and boarded the ship. The additional troops I brought also began boarding ships that were not yet fully occupied by the forces already there. I then walked toward the bow of the ship and looked ahead.
"Major Siena, everyone is ready and only waiting for your command to move."
I heard the Captain speaking to me from behind. Turning around, I saw all the troops looking this way, waiting for me to give the order.
"Unfurl the sails and immediately annihilate the invaders attacking our island!"
Hearing my command, everyone then raised their hands and began to shout.
"Yeahhh! Destroy those Imperial dogs!"
"Raise the sails immediately!"
Our fleet began to move toward the position of the Imperial Fleet. Due to the foul weather caused by the Demigod's appearance, we traveled slower than usual. Large ocean waves also frequently struck our ship, nearly sinking it. However, we were able to pass through it all.
Soon, I could see hundreds of Imperial ships and their troops fighting a giant water octopus.
"Prepare the ship's cannons!" I ordered.
The sailors then began to display red flags to signal a change to the firing position. Our fleet's formation then shifted to a broadside position. Not long after, the flags on all ships in the fleet changed to orange, signaling that everyone was ready to fire the cannons.
"Fire!"
The flag-bearer then changed the flag color to green.
— BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!!
Every ship fired its cannons toward the left wing of the Imperial Fleet. Many of our shots hit their targets, causing a dozen ships to be heavily damaged or destroyed and sunk.
"Reload!"
The flag on the command ship changed again, now becoming black.
However, this time the Imperial forces had realized the presence of our fleet. They then turned their ships and sailed toward the line of the Venetian Republic's ships. The ship's flags changed back to orange, signaling that the cannons were ready to be fired again.
"Fire at their ships!"
The flags changed back to green.
— BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!!
Once again, the very noisy sound of cannon fire was heard. This time, some hit their targets, but many Imperial ships were still racing closer to our formation.
"Enemy attack incoming!" one of the sailors warned us.
Dozens of fireballs were seen hurtling here, striking several ships in our fleet. The enemy ships slowly grew closer and closer. I then turned to face my troops, who looked tense facing the coming fight.
"In this place, we will fight to defend our homeland with full courage!" I echoed words of encouragement to the troops.
"This fight will be remembered by our children and grandchildren as the true courage of the Venetian Nation!"
The tension visible on their faces began to disappear, replaced by a high desire to fight.
"And today is the day the entire world will remember that the hundreds of thousands of troops who dared to threaten the home of our nation will be destroyed, so they will be afraid to set foot on our land again!"
"Right! Drive those invaders from our land!"
"Sink them to the bottom of the sea!"
The morale of the troops seemed to have reached its peak.
"Today our nation will rise and tear down the dominance of the Aragon Empire as the most dominant country on this continent!" I then pumped my fist into the air and said, "GLORIO PATRIOSSA!"
"GLORIO PATRIOSSA!!"
"GLORIO PATRIOSSA!!"
After giving the words of encouragement before the fight, I turned back to face the enemy ships. The distance between them and us grew closer.
50 meters...
40 meters...
30 meters...
I could clearly see the enemy troops also prepared to fight on their respective ships.
20 meters...
10 meters...
And...
— Crash!
The enemy ships collided with our fleet. They then jumped over here, and the fight began.
"Die!"
Two Imperial soldiers were seen jumping toward me and launching an attack. I easily evaded and then launched a counter-slash that killed both of them instantly.
"Be gone, you Aragon dogs!"
"No, we will conquer your capital and bring glory to our country!"
Blood splattered everywhere; the sound of clashing swords filled the ship we were on. Not only were our ships fewer than theirs, but their troop numbers were also greater. I then jumped from this ship and landed on an enemy ship. I saw them looking shocked at my sudden appearance.
"Attack that woman!"
I began to be swarmed by the troops on this ship. They then started attacking me simultaneously, but I evaded their attacks.
"Blade of the Future..."
After using one of the Profound Codices I possessed, ten heads of the enemy troops were suddenly decapitated, causing them to collapse and die instantly. I then attacked them without mercy. Before long, the entire ship was covered in the blood of the troops I killed.
It only took about three minutes for me to clear all the troops on this ship. However, I did not stop there and jumped to another enemy ship. There, too, I slaughtered all their troops. My body did not stop moving, and my hand never stopped swinging the sword.
Not long after, only three soldiers remained on this ship. Their legs were seen trembling as they looked at me, drenched in the blood of their comrades I had killed.
"You monster!"
They tried to attack me, but I managed to evade and then launched a powerful horizontal slash that cut all three of their bodies into two parts. After clearing the troops on this ship, I stopped for a moment to catch my breath and restore my stamina after fighting continuously.
However, I realized a ship was approaching. I saw a very familiar man standing at the bow of that ship, staring at me with his one remaining functional eye.
"Raul de Garcia..." I muttered, calling the man's name.
— CRACK-BOOM!!!
Suddenly, lightning struck the flagpole of this ship, causing it to slowly catch fire. Not only that, the blowing wind also grew stronger, making the waves even larger until they could shake this large ship.
Raul, who was on that ship, then drew his sword. The black-haired man still did not break eye contact with me. He then jumped from his ship toward here. I did the same, running to the edge and jumping from this ship to close in on him.
Raul's sword appeared to be glowing, a sign that he had coated it with Temper magic. I did the same and prepared to launch an attack.
— CLANG!!!
We slashed our swords at each other. Sparks were created as our two swords collided.
Raul de Garcia... Let us settle our business in this fight...