My Reincarnation Skills Are “Playing With Dolls” and “Playing With Clay”, but What Am I Supposed to Do With These? C119

Episode 119 Sea security

The trigger seemed trivial. 

On the evening of the second day after departure, a relatively small fast sailing ship approached the Tofumaru. 

The crew of the Tofu Maru tried to keep their distance, but they kept coming closer to us, saying something like, ``The sea around here is dangerous these days, so we'll escort you for a cheap price,'' or someone telling them that you're the ones who are in danger. He was acting in a way that made me want to rush into him. 

It's completely suspicious that what looks like the flag of Mordenia in the northern part of the Dark Blue Sea is hanging from the mast with only half of it visible, and it doesn't properly indicate the country it belongs to, which is an international rule. 

Then, as soon as he saw that he had been refused, he deliberately stepped in front of Tofuumaru's path, and this time he made a fuss about ``contacting'' him. 

There are about 15 crew members on the Tofumaru, and they operate the ship in three shifts, but some of them are off-duty, and when they looked down from the edge of the ship with their bows raised, they briefly moved away. 

According to the merchants, this is a ``common occurrence'', but it's a bit of a nuisance. At this level, they can't be called pirates, they're more like coastal thugs, and they usually do things like fishing or chartering ships over short distances. 

After the captain gave a simple explanation to the passengers, saying, ``Don't worry,'' everyone took turns eating their rationed dinner in the dining room, and then went to their cabins. 

However, after the sun went down, I realized that they were following me. 

It seems that it is not normal for him to be so persistent even though he knows that I am being cautious. Moreover, instead of just one fast sailing ship, there were now four or five small galleys and other ships. 

Since they are taking a route close to the coast of the Dark Blue Sea, they may have a base somewhere along the coast and have gathered their thugs. 

"What are the coastal countries doing to make the dark blue sea so unsafe?"

Not only Heybar, but all the merchants in the cabin, who were suddenly surrounded by hustle and bustle, seemed to feel the same way. I wonder if the reason why there were military ships from various countries in Durbor Port was a security measure like this. 

Since the thugs' small ships cannot steal the carts in the hold, their purpose seems to be to kidnap the merchants and collect ransom money, or kill them and steal the contents of their item boxes. 

It seems that when you kill the item box holder, the items inside are thrown out, similar to how when you defeat a monster in an RPG, it somehow turns into money or a treasure chest. 

This wasn't the time to say such carefree things... 

"Hey, escorts, please join the defense!"

A man named Bowen, the chief sailor, is shouting at the entrance of the large room. I asked Haybar. 

“Do you want to obey me at times like this?”

“Hmm, since you are a guest, it is not your duty, but escorts of merchant caravans often take part in defensive battles along with the crew.I think some merchants with some experience will join in, but I am not obligated to do so. Anyone who might become a nuisance is staying in the cabin.''

Well, the deck isn't that wide either. 

Osmarf seems to be planning to take part in the defense, with a dagger strapped to his waist. He is truly an arms dealer. 

When I went out on deck, Lucien, Carmilla, and Nolte had already come out. 

“Master, what should we do?”

"Let's join the defensive battle. It's more advantageous to fight united than to be separated. Prepare your bow and sling, and don't leave my side."

replied Nolte, who looked anxious. 

This ship's lights have already been turned off. Until recently, the thugs' ships had lights on for communication purposes, and five of them were spotted surrounding the Tofumaru, but their lights have now been extinguished. 

However, Lucien seems to be able to see it even in the dark, and the red dot is clearly visible on my map skill that is linked to the party. 

"Everyone listen! This is Captain Maggart."

A large bearded man stood on the forecastle and called out to the sailors and guards on deck. 

"The thugs' ships are two fast sailing ships, one medium-sized galley, and two small galleys. There are probably 4 to 50 people in total who can fight. They don't seem to have any kind of guns or large stone crossbows. , the battle will start from the range of the bow. They'll probably come on board with their ships and attack you. Those who can use bows and magic should follow Bowen's instructions and position themselves. They only have melee weapons. Please concentrate on preventing those who are boarding, especially if a rope ladder is placed on you, the key is to immediately cut it off.Due to the height difference, our advantage will not change, please!''

Since we are all capable of remote attacks, we gathered at the chief sailor's place. There were 5 sailors with bows, and about 10 passengers, including us, in various clothes. It's less than I expected. 

Osmarf appeared in the melee group, and there were less than 10 people in total. 

“There will be two sailors on the forecastle, two on the stern, and two on the port side, so I want you to follow their instructions.Also, there is a medium-sized galley and another boat on the right, which seems to be the enemy's main force, so I'll have four crew members on the starboard side. ”

Bowen tried to allocate it that way, so I decided to go to the right hand side because we were a party of four. 

"...There are a lot of women, is that okay?"

"I can use magic, and I'm pretty good at it."

"Okay, Kevin, take them and take command of the back."

"Aiyo, then you can come."

Even with my map skill, there were two solid red dots 2,300 meters from the starboard side, so this must be it. 

Me, Carmilla, and Lucien prepare bows, and Nolte carries a sling. I've made a lot of bullets hardened with ordinary ceramic, but I also have two bullets hardened with <Fire Wind Potion (Small)>, and these are my trump card. 

And Lina is also turned into a life-sized magician for ranged attacks. 

"It's a fire arrow."

A voice rises from the forecastle. Apparently he shot fire arrows from the thugs' sailboat in front of the Tofumaru. I think it's still far from the range of a bow, but is this a diversion? Does that mean I should keep my head down? 

With this as a signal, the map skill showed that the enemy's encirclement network was narrowing down. 

"We're about to get in range, but you don't have to rush to shoot. Leave it to me until you give me the signal."

Lucien calmly instructed. How do you know a sailor named Kevin? He has that look on his face. 

The ship on the starboard side was not yet visible to our naked eyes, but suddenly, we were surprised to see an arrow sticking out from the edge of the ship. 

"That's on the windward side, and our boat has a big target, so you don't have to worry."

As if this were a sign, many arrows started flying at me. We crouch down on the edge of the ship, but Lucien doesn't move in the slightest, holding his bow half of his body. Based on our map skills, it was getting closer to us, about 50 meters away, and a dark shadow began to appear in our eyes. Is that a galley? 

Lucien's bow rang. 

I feel like I heard a faint scream. Lucien attaches an arrow and shoots again. And again, this time it was definitely a scream. There is also a lot of yelling. 

"You'll see it soon, right? It's better not to reveal your magic attacks yet, so keep your bow ready. Lina, use your magic shield."

"In no time, the two of us..."

While Kevin was speechless, we also readied our bows and slings. 

"Nolte yet. Are Shiro and Carmilla okay? Leave them alone."

I fired an arrow at a figure on the galley that I could barely see, but I felt like it fell towards me due to the headwind and the ship's rocking. 

Then, arrows were fired all at once from the other side. He panics and ducks down, but Lina's transparent shield blocks him. To his opponents, he may just look like he's off the hook. 

"I'll just prepare for one more shot, and then I'll probably lunge at you."

Lucien naturally took command of the place, and before I knew it, the sailor Kevin had followed suit and was holding his bow together. 

“Release it according to the crest of the wave.”

Four arrows flew, Lucien, Carmilla, me, and Kevin, and two figures fell. 

About 10 arrows flew at me in a criss-cross pattern, but the magic shield protected me again. 

"I'm coming."

As Lucien had predicted, the other party seemed to have chosen to board the ship rather than engage in a confrontation, and the galley was rapidly approaching. 

As it ran alongside the sailing ship, its belly was exposed and a row of oars could be seen coming out of it. It seems difficult to attack the rowers directly because they are blocked by the boards. 

"Do you want to burn it with fire magic?"

"Well, the area near the draft is wet and difficult to burn, so aim for the upper part of the ship and the deck."

“Understood, Lina, Nolte, okay?”

"Ryokai" "Yes, Master"

Once we were about 10 meters away, Lina and I unleashed a fire spell we had worked on against the headwind, hitting the deck of the medium-sized galley directly from above. At the same time, the fire bullet fired by Nolte also hit the edge of the ship, causing it to burst into flames. The screams of the men who had been burned rose. 

There's a fire that can't be put out easily. 

Another smaller galley suddenly approaches from behind. 

Lucien's arrow pierces the man who was directing the oarsmen on the deck. When the rowing became turbulent, Lina's fireball burst onto the deck, which also burst into flames. 

I squeeze the fireworks into the hole for rowing the paddle and send it in. 

A voice called out, and the rowing stopped. Spread fire in the same way in adjacent holes. 

The small galley begins to drift and moves away. 

The medium-sized galley lost control but due to inertia, it contacted the Tofumaru. 

Those who were safe threw rope ladders all at once. 

“Don’t let it go up!”

Captain Maggart gave instructions, and the men with melee weapons who were standing behind us swung their swords and cut off the rope.　

Looks like I'll be able to hold out somehow. 

“Who is this? I’m asking for support!”

A cry arose from the principles on the other side. When I looked, I saw a number of thugs coming aboard from the port side. 

“Carmilla, Nolte, come on.”

Without waiting for instructions from the sailors, I ran toward the port side and released the fireworks. It hit a man in the face who had just come up to the side, and he fell screaming, as if he had been hit by someone. 

“You bastard!”

The two people who were already on the deck changed their appearance and drew their curved swords. 

Carmilla's presence passed by me, and one of the thugs collapsed with blood gushing out from his neck. When the other person's feet stopped, I drew my sword and slashed at him from above. be accepted. However, just as I was drifting to the side, Nolte's hammer ran up behind me and roared, knocking the thug away. 

What else? It has not been climbed onto the deck. I can see the sails of a fast sailing ship in front of me. There are two rope ladders hanging on it. One was where I knocked down a guy who was climbing up. I cut off another one with my sword, and the guy who was climbing fell to the surface of the sea. 

I threw fireworks at the sails of the sailing ship in front of me, setting them ablaze, and also burning the rope ladder that was left behind. 

The sailing ship, which had lost its attackers, was forced to put out the fire and was unable to attack us. 

The two-sided attack from the left and right sides, which seemed to be the main force, failed, and the thugs' ship lost its calculations and fled. It appears that one of the small galleys was burnt and sunk. 

The body of the thug who died aboard the Tofumaru was thrown directly into the sea, leaving four injured sailors and guards, but a sailor with a monk skill treated them and the battle ended. 

"It's been a lot of work for everyone, and the guards have done a great job. We're still on alert, but I'll prepare some light food in the dining room, so please take turns eating something."

The captain ordered the cook to prepare light snacks like biscuits and Elan water. He's thirsty anyway, so he drinks a lot of Elan water. Of course, Nolte and Carmilla are puffing out their cheeks with biscuits. 

“Lucien, Lina, are you okay too?”

"Yeah, I ran away right after that."

Even so, there are many dangers both on land and at sea. It just so happens that I haven't suffered any major damage, but I wonder if it's okay for people who go to trade to face such danger every time? 

Even when I asked Osmarf, who was participating in the defensive battle on the deck, he said that in the past, the dark blue sea was not as unsafe as it was, partly because military vessels from various countries were staring at it. It seems like the world is changing in a dangerous direction... 

The next morning when I went to bed thinking about this, I was called by Lucien.