King

On the Gorgon River, aboard the armored cargo vessel Nabil, with its broad deck, Captain Nabil pulled an iron-gray lever. The roar and tremor of machinery came from beneath his feet. Surging power drove the immensely powerful Mechanical Ship to accelerate slowly. On the open river ahead, several vessels similar to the Nabil likewise raised their Magic-infused Wing Panels, and a faintly glowing mist of magical dust drifted slowly across the water.

The chief engineer's voice came through a copper pipe beside him. "The Machinery Cabin is operating normally, Captain!"

A wind heavy with moisture blew toward him, and Cecil's flag fluttered at the bow of the Nabil. The middle-aged captain left the cabin and came to the small upper deck. Holding the deck's iron railing, he watched the enormous vessel beneath his feet gradually accelerate, felt the surging power filling its body, and let out a soft breath.

No matter when it was, the feeling of riding the wind and breaking the waves could calm this man who had spent half his life dealing with vessels.

He had never imagined that one day he would step onto a battlefield. He had merely been a captain who sailed the White Water River, and three wooden cargo ships had been his pride. His life had originally had nothing to do with war, but war had come crashing down upon him—the Cecil Family had suddenly risen to prominence, while Count Pepo requisitioned large numbers of vessels to fight that suddenly rising family. This included two of Nabil's ships, along with nearly all of his crew.

After one war, "Nabil of the White Water River" had lost most of his property, leaving him with only his oldest cargo ship and the sailing experience he had accumulated over half a lifetime.

Then the Duchy