Chapter 634: Not the Time (1/2)
The Old World, Iron Kingdom, 19th Iron Fleet, IK Iron Regent
The hundred and eight meter long airship, IK Iron Regent, serving as a flagship was surrounded by dozens of other airships as the entire 19th Iron Fleet made their way majestically across the skies. The steam and aetherium powered airship was one of the only three Monarch class battle wagons ever built by the Iron Kingdom.
The Monarch class looking like a very fat cigar was lined with four rows of the largest caliber steam cannons ever carried onboard an airship in the Old World, each row held ten cannons. Forty steam cannons each firing a projectile of 16 stones worth of local weight which was almost equivalent to a 17th century 18 pounder shot, gave it the heaviest throwing weight of well over 360 kilos or 720 pounds per broadside of the entire Iron Kingdom airships.
And the thickness of the hull was almost twice thicker than most of the other warships surrounding the battle wagon. Eight massive air screws propelled the airship and were encased in more armour plating to protect the vulnerable screws. Stubby observation blisters covered various locations around the hull, providing 'eyes' for the bridge crew to pilot the huge airship.
As the 19th Iron Fleet came over Hasta Castle, numerous dark dots appeared in the skies over the horizon. A small fish like courier ship came buzzing over the nose of the Iron Regent where the forward bridge was located. The courier ship dragged a line of colored flags behind as it flew across the nose of the Iron Regent and the signalers in the bridge quickly translated the flag codes into text and an aide rushed over to the Second Prince seated in the command chair of the bridge and handed the parchment over with a bow.
Prince Najja, took the note and skimmed through it before he sucked in his breath through his teeth and thrust the note to the general standing next to him. ”The Protectorate forces has been sighed... They are just within two turns of the glass away!”
The general's expression remained calm as he read the note before he handed it over to an aide who carefully arranged the note together with other messages in an orderly manner. The general remained standing ram rod straight as he replied in a deep and confident tone, ”We have still plenty of time to arrange the fleet, Your Highness.”
”Sky General Bundberg, what are... our chances...?” Prince Najja asked in a nervous soft voice. ”The enemy... they outnumber us by several times right?”
”Do not worry, your Highness. His Lord has ordered to keep you safe regardless of the outcome of the battle,” Sky General Bundberg reassured the nervous Crown Prince. The Sky General was a veteran of many battles over the many years of his career in the Iron Kingdom Sky Fleet. He had retired a couple of years ago with full honors and only taken up an instructor role offered by Lord Sincia to train several promising talents.
His once golden hairs now more silver than golden was cropped short regulation style and he kept a perfectly manicured and oiled handle bar mustache. His neat custom tailored dark green uniform was up to regulation standards to the serving uniforms worn by active soldiers but without all the fancy decorations and unit insignias on the lapels and sleeves. Only a pair of golden crown with wings depicted his rank was worn on his collar.
”Even as we sit here, more and more ships are reinforcing the 19th,” Sky General Bundberg said. ”And below us, is Castle Hasta with its walls lined with anti air steam cannons.”
Lord Sincia had promised a reward to Bundberg if he completed his mission well and the reward was too attractive for him to remain an instructor. He agreed and accepted the sudden summons in the early hours of the morning and had rushed till dawn to bring Lord Sincia's private fleet to action. Now, he stood next to the pudgy Crown Prince who knew nothing of aerial war and has to be his nursemaid, directing the battle in the name of the Crown Prince.
Yet, he did not care, for the rewards would ensure the next few generations of his line to prosper even when he has left this world. Thankfully, the Crown Prince knew his part and allowed him to do his work without any interruptions. As he studied the formation of his fleet, another courier ship came buzzing across the view ports of the forward bridge bearing a line of colorful flags.
The aide hurried over and handed another message to the Crown Prince and Sky General Bundberg noticed a change came over the seated Crown Prince as he read the message. ”Your Highness, what news is it?”
”HAHAHAA!” Crown Prince Najja laughed happily as he banged the arms of the chair in delight. ”That fool! I have him now!”
Sky General Bundberg took the note thrust to him by the Crown Prince and he quickly read the message without a change in his expression. Only under a careful observation would one see the slight twitch on the corner of his eyes and mouth. ”The Third Prince is joining us with his fleet.”
”Yes!” Prince Najja clapped his hands with delight. ”Oh, I can think of so many ways to ensure he would not see the end of this fight!”
Sky General Bundberg nearly broke into a frown but he schooled his expression before the Crown Prince noticed anything. Instead, he lowered his head next to the Crown Prince's ears and said softly, ”Your Highness, that would not do... If you make the Third Prince into a martyr... It might... affect future plans...”
”Why do I care?” Prince Najja pouted. ”Once he is gone... Who cares if he becomes a martyr!”
”Much of the military supports the Third Prince...” Sky General Bundberg answered. ”They will not see your Highness in good light if he dies under your command...”
”They are just peasants!” Prince Najja hissed unhappily. ”If they don't obey, we can just chop their heads off!”
”That would not be wise...” Sky General Bundberg suppressed the urge to sigh. ”There will be severe... consequences if that happens and... Lord Sincia... will not be pleased...”
”Hmmm...” Prince Najja frowned before he waved his hand and asked. ”So what do you suggest?”
”Order the Third Prince to present himself on board the flagship,” Sky General Bundberg suggested. ”Have him under your eye and let him see your greatness in this battle while limiting his chance to earn merits. Isn't the goal of coming here is for your highness to earn merits to win the people's hearts?”
”That is a great idea!” Prince Najja smiled widely. ”Good good!”