I died and was reincarnated as Warship in a fantasy world

Preparations for the combat were the first thing for us to do after the Western ironclad set sail back to its homeland.

According to the pirates’ HQ (Alba and Patricia), the plan is to establish a local naval superiority and make sure none shall enter those waters while the pirates are at their weakest point.

Ever since the ‘Black Demon’ entered Fairy’s dry dock 3 days ago, she refused to talk to me, even via the radio.

While the battleship is being retrofitted with Western guns and iron sheets, all of the pirate forces were sent out to clean up after Benezio.

The second pirate ship afloat was left to patrol around the port and inspect the merchant ships which occasionally were arriving.

My squadron was busy too. Yoizuki was left to circle around near the island and sink all submarines and ships that try approaching. Aotsuki and I were patrolling 50 nm away from the island in a circle.

We were at the different sides of the island, to cover more area. With the destroyers’ speed and firepower we can engage even a small fleet, or support each other if a need arises.

On my ship were all of the main characters: me, the illustrious Kuronami; Patricia, who was with me at the bridge, and scanning the surrounding with binoculars; Yuriko, who was meditating at the ship’s bow; and Emmanuel, who was reading the maps at the bridge.

Since Emmanuel was the only one with actual naval experience, he was advising us on what to do.

Currently the area was silent. Neither of the destroyers encountered anything noteworthy. Yoizuki bombed a couple of possible submarines/monsters, and I was mostly busy with bombing the passing fish for the seagulls.

While there was the calm, I checked the stats.

‘Ding’

‘You received 372 upgrade points, 7 copper coins, 5 silver coins, 3 gold coins’

IJN Kuronami – DDL. Upgrade points - 408.

Torpedoes – 0/6.

HP – 3700.

HI – 100%.

AU – 90%(2685nm).

[I am a bit tired of those exploding torpedoes, that deal more damage to me than to the enemy. I better wait for an opportunity to improve them.]

I both anticipated a combat, as a chance to get upgrade points, and was hoping we wouldn’t encounter anybody. The problems keep piling up, and I am the only one who can resolve the imminent doom that is called Benezian navy.

The calm waves of the sea were not foretelling us any issues, at least right now.

Our cozy ship was becoming less and less alert as the time went on.

I was feeling a bit dizzy. My insides were itching, when Emmanuel was crawling every millimeter of the ship. I couldn’t stop him, since I would have to suffer from a headache.

Patricia was already sleeping.

Only Yuriko was my available chat companion but the woman was meditating.

It was awkward to distract her for my selfish desire to have a chat to spend the time.

I was awkward not exactly because she is thinking about some world-important problems, rather I was awkward because I barely talk to her for a reason beside her advices.

As I gathered the courage to bother her, I got a contact on the radar.

A couple of ships were trying to slip through the patrol.

They relied on the cover of the dusk, and carefully tried not to attract attention.

Since my navigation lights were all on, I expected them to see me by now. A wooden hull would not be detected as good as a metal one, so they should’ve already entered the visual range.

I continued sailing at the same course, and did not change my speed.

The ships continued sneaking by. Their course would cross mine only when I would already pass by.

[They are trying to stay undetected? Good for them.]

When they approached close enough, I started turning to have all guns on them.

Seeing that they were noticed, the ships did not think for long, and opened fire.

‘Splash Splash’

‘Ping’

When my guns finally turned at them, it was only a matter of time.

BANG BANG BANG

KABOOM

One of the galleons exploded, leaving behind a bright flash and fire.

BANG BANG BANG

BANG BANG BANG

I fired again, and again, and again…

The escorting frigate was doing its best to avoid my shots. For now, it was doing it remarkably well.

BANG BANG BANG

KABOOM

Not that it would have a lot of chances…