I guess taking a day off made my shoulders feel better (laughs)
12 PM update. Scheduled for 12 AM update.
The fact that Leo was able to set sail in the midst of this sudden situation was basically a coincidence.
The moment the monster appeared, Leo was checking the supplies loaded on the ship. To be honest, he was just doing the final check in a bothersome manner, as was typical of Al.
However, the moment the monster appeared, Leo sensed the abnormal situation and immediately ordered the ship to set sail.
As a result, they successfully stopped several monsters at sea, and managed to prevent the damage from spreading.
However, that also meant they would become the target of multiple monsters.
"Damn! There's a monster on the left too!"
"Leave it! Focus on the one in front of you now!"
Everyone turned to the front at the captain's command.
There, a giant sea serpent, nearly ten meters long, was present.
The Sea Serpent. A monster sometimes called a pseudo-dragon due to its physique and strength. It has harmed countless humans and is ranked differently based on its appearance location. The more it destroys ships and the deeper the sea it appears in, the higher its rank, from AA to AAA.
It is said that half of all maritime accidents are caused by Sea Serpents, and aside from the rarely appearing sea dragons, it is the most feared monster by sailors.
However, it rarely appears this close to land.
Monsters that have landed in the port are adapted to land. However, the Sea Serpent is basically a marine monster. It can move on land, but it cannot survive far from the sea.
It was abnormal for it to approach the land.
"Captain! Don't fight recklessly! Just draw its attention!"
"Your Highness is being unreasonable! If you're scared, stay in your room!"
Leo, acting as Al, gave orders, but no one listened to Al's instructions, which were being taken lightly.
This ship was the only one that could set sail, and if it sank, they would lose the ability to deal with the sea side. Even if the Sea Serpent didn't land, destroying many ships in the port would be a significant blow to Rondine. Therefore, the order to focus on drawing attention until the monster on land was defeated was a calm analysis of the battle situation, but the captain ignored it and started fighting the Sea Serpent.
Leo frowned at this.
"How does my brother always get people to move...?"
People don't follow the orders of someone they don't trust, especially during a battle.
While being confused by the existence of Alnoald, who was so untrusted that his instructions were not even considered, Leo thought he had to do something about this situation when he saw a ship on his right.
"Captain! Circle around to the left of the Sea Serpent!"
"Your Highness, please don't be unreasonable! We don't have that kind of leeway!"
"Just do it! Leo is coming! We'll attack the Sea Serpent together!"
While saying this, Leo looked at the approaching ship with a confident smile.
■■■
"Captain, circle around to the left."
"Understood! Open the starboard gun ports! Let's give that monster snake a taste of our latest magic cannons!"
Al, sensing Leo's movement, also moved the ship to the left.
With the Sea Serpent in between, Al and Leo began firing simultaneously as they passed each other.
There was not a moment's delay in their timing.
"Fire!"
At the command of Al and Leo, two ships fired simultaneously.
A magic cannon is a weapon where the gunner infuses magic power to launch the projectile using that magic. The latest magic cannons introduced by the Albatross Principality can launch powerful projectiles over long distances with less magic power.
"Great! What a powerful shot! Keep firing!"
The captain cheered like a child.
Al thought to himself, "Of course, that's how it should be." The Sea Serpent, feared by sailors, was being pummeled without being able to do anything. It must be a moment of joy for sailors.
After the bombardment, the Sea Serpent fell into the sea.
Cheers rose from both ships, but it wasn't over yet.
"Other monsters are heading towards my brother's ship. Captain! Can you pull alongside?"
"Of course!"
"Knights, prepare to board! We'll pull the monsters off in close combat!"
While giving these orders, Al searched for Mark.
If Al and Leo switched during the battle, Leo would have a tough time. Despite not understanding the situation, there was a lot to do.
That's why Al searched for Mark. He needed to say a word to Mark to avoid trouble.
"Knight Mark!"
"Yes! What is it?"
"I'm going to help my brother. Please cover me."
"I see. Understood. I'll take care of everything."
Mark, who understood the intention from the short conversation, bowed his head.
Al was relieved and sighed, thinking how helpful it was to have someone who understood without having to explain everything.
After all, Al had to go to Leo with an unfamiliar sword, and there was no time for unnecessary explanations.
Several small monsters were attached to the ship Leo was on.
Al had judged that the threat was less on that side compared to their own ship.
Pulling alongside the other ship, Al and the knights boarded.
"Attack!!"
Al swung the heavy sword and gave the command. Just doing that made his arm ache, and Al grimaced.
Really, how can anyone swing such a heavy sword?
While thinking this, Al ran straight to Leo.
Al had wanted to go to a room and switch, but it wasn't that easy.
"Roaaaaaar!!!"
The Sea Serpent, which was supposed to have been defeated earlier, flew out of the sea with a loud noise.
A large amount of seawater rained down on Al and the others.
Everyone focused on the Sea Serpent, but Al and Leo were different.
Sliding across the wet deck, Al threw the sword and scabbard to Leo.
Leo caught them effortlessly and, jumping, delivered a powerful blow to the Sea Serpent, which was opening its large mouth to attack.
Leo's blow accurately hit the Sea Serpent's eye, and it retreated with a groan.
Landing near Al, Leo and Al stood back to back. At that moment, Al, who had been standing straight, bent his back, and Leo, who had been bent, straightened up. With their hair and clothes in disarray from the water, the only difference between them was their posture. And that was enough for them to perfectly switch places.
"You're late...!"
"Sorry. Got caught up in some trouble."
"I think you've caused enough trouble already?"
"Wait till you hear this. It's even worse."
"Wow, how exciting..."
While having this trivial conversation, a frog-like monster approached Al.
Al rotated to the left, and without a word, Leo followed, cutting down the approaching monster with one blow.
"How can you swing such a heavy thing? I'm going to be sore tomorrow."
"Exaggerating. You just carried it, right?"
"No, I really swung it."
"Just once, right? How about using this as an opportunity to practice swordsmanship? It would have made it easier for me..."
"No way. I'll never switch with you again. Absolutely not."
"Did anything happen? Did you do anything strange pretending to be me?"
"No, I didn't. I played Leo well. That's why I'm tired."
"I agree. I was tired from playing your brother."
"You're wrong from the moment you say you 'tried' to play me."
While they were talking, the knights eliminated the monsters.
Stretching, Al said lazily,
"Leo, I'll leave the rest to you. I'm going to help defend the port."
"Sure. I'll take care of everything, right?"
"You got it. Elna will handle the land, and I'll leave the sea to you."
"Same old you. Fine, let's stick to our usual roles."
Saying this, Leo returned to the ship Al had come from, and Al stayed on the ship Leo had been on.
Thus, they finally returned to their original positions.
"Your Highness, how far should we lower the defense line?"
"Leave it to the captain. I'm going to sleep in my room."
"Wh-what?"
"Do as you please. Leo will take care of everything."
"...Really. I thought you were a bit more sensible while Prince Leonard was away..."
Hearing the captain's small voice, Al smiled wryly at Leo's efforts and rolled into bed.
In the end, Al's ship was not involved in any more battles, and Al was able to enjoy a long-awaited nap.
Thus, they finally returned to normal!
From here, the complicated situation with the imperial capital, Al, and Leo will improve a bit.
By the way, bookmarks have reached 20,000!
Around 1:25 to 1:26 AM. Those who registered around that time are the honored 20,000th bookmarkers! (´▽`)ﾉ