Battleship Of The Noma Empire

“Captain on the bridge.”

As always, whenever Ian entered the bridge, a voice announced his arrival, and everyone stood to salute him. Ian returned the salute and raised his binoculars to observe the front, then turned toward the executive officer who was looking his way.

“There’s an unidentified ship approaching us?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Still too far to identify?”

“Yes. It’s been approaching from a distance, so we haven’t been able to make out any details. We can only tell from the lights coming from the ship that it’s getting closer.”

“So we’ll be able to identify it soon. Any guesses who it might be?”

“It’s too dark to tell. The shape’s indistinct, so we can’t determine which country it belongs to.”

Well, of course. In such darkness, with only lights visible, there was no way to know the vessel’s shape. But they couldn’t just let it approach freely. Ian figured they needed to send a flashing light signal to ask for identification.

“Send a signal. Ask who they are and what their purpose is for approaching.”

“Yes, sir.”

With that response, the executive officer promptly gave the order. Watching this, Ian quietly felt a sense of regret that their wireless communication system hadn’t yet been properly developed. For now, they had no choice but to rely on flashing signals to communicate.

‘Come to think of it, didn’t we find a wireless transmitter in that captured submarine?’

Though it was only short-range, it was still significant that even an early form of wireless communication had already been developed. If they could research that device, their own navy could one day develop wireless systems—enabling coordinated operations not just at sea, but on land and in the air.

As Ian pondered this, the ship’s signal lamp began blinking out internationally recognized code to request identification. In response, lights from the distant vessel also began flashing back.

A few moments later, a signal officer came in with a sheet recording the exchanged message and handed it to the executive officer, who then passed it to Ian. Upon reading it, Ian immediately understood the identity of the approaching ship.

“A ship from the Noma Empire?”

“Seems that way. They identified themselves and asked us who we were. We responded that we’re from the Polia Kingdom.”

“The Noma Empire, huh. Even the northern powerhouse sent a ship here.”

He realized that they had run into a vessel from one of the last places he expected. Still, it wasn’t impossible. Even from the far north, ocean routes were always open. Unless the Doicheun or Magnia Empires blocked east and west access, even the Noma Empire could make its way south.

“What shall we do?”

“Ask about the purpose of their approach.”

“Yes, sir.”

At Ian’s order, communication resumed. As the flashing light message was sent out again, the other side responded in kind. Soon, another note was brought to Ian.

“They say they have something to discuss with us? Why come to us to talk?”

“Sounds suspicious.”

“Yes. They might be hiding something.”

Both the executive officer and Ian’s aide commented at once, which made Ian feel uneasy as well. But he couldn’t reject it outright. After all, they were an empire, and before departure, Admiral Brudwar had told him to avoid unnecessary conflict with foreign powers. As long as they weren’t hostile, meeting was the reasonable course.

“Let’s meet them. Whoever it is, we’ll learn their intentions face to face.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll signal them now.”

The signal exchange resumed, and the other ship soon acknowledged. About an hour later, they spotted a boat approaching, seemingly carrying about a dozen people.

While Ian watched the boat draw closer, the executive officer, observing through binoculars, commented:

“That appears to be a Bolanus-class battleship from the Noma Empire.”

“Bolanus-class?”

“Yes, I can tell by the hull shape. It’s at least 4,000 tons heavier than our battleship.”

The Noma Empire was known for its massive warships. Some of their cruisers weighed over 25,000 tons, their heavy armor compensating for a lack of advanced shipbuilding capabilities. That bulk came at the cost of speed.

“The Noma Empire generally lags behind in shipbuilding technology. You could say they’re only slightly better than our kingdom. Because they build them big and solid, they tend to be slow.”

“I remember hearing something like that in class. So, one of their princes is aboard that ship?”

“Yes. Their message specifically warned us to exercise caution because a prince is aboard.”

“Hm. What a nuisance.”

Of all things, a prince from the Noma Empire. Ian wondered why a royal would personally be on a battleship—but then again, he himself was a prince commanding a ship. In that sense, they weren’t so different. Anyway, with their arrival imminent, it was time for Ian to go receive them.

Leaving the bridge in the executive officer’s hands, Ian headed to the deck with his aide. While violent winds blew in the distance, here the sea was eerily still, not even touched by a breeze.

‘If they weren’t using engine-powered ships, they wouldn’t be able to move at all here.’

Of course, that didn’t mean there was never wind—certain seasons must bring favorable currents. That was how ancient adventurers made it back alive using only wind-powered ships. As Ian stood there reflecting, a voice called up announcing the visitors had arrived.

Crew members were already in motion, and amid the bustle, figures began climbing aboard. Among them, Ian spotted someone who stood out—a tall, broad-shouldered man with snow-white hair, easily 190 cm tall.

‘The Noma royal family is said to have predominantly white hair, isn’t it?’

It stood in stark contrast to his own red hair. As Ian thought this, the man spotted him and began striding over. Ian extended his hand, prepared to greet him properly.

“Your Highness, Prince of the Noma Empire—”

WHAM!

Before he could finish, the prince wrapped him in a hearty bear hug. Ian could only stare at him in disbelief. He nearly responded with a telekinetic blast out of reflex. He had absolutely no interest in hugging men.

“Your Highness?”

“Wahaha! A pleasure to meet you! I’m Alexei di Noma, Fourth Prince of the Noma Empire!”

His voice was as booming as his stature. As he released Ian from the sudden embrace, Ian casually stepped back and introduced himself.

“I’m Ian di Polia. Ninth Prince of the Polia Kingdom, and currently the commanding officer of the battleship Mythos.”

“The same for me! It’s been so long since I’ve seen another person of noble blood as a naval officer! I heard rumors about you and was dying to meet you—wahaha!”

He certainly seemed like a jovial, boisterous type. Ian also sensed his sincerity and straightforward nature, and decided there was no reason to keep his guard up with someone this friendly.

“I’ve also heard of you, Prince Alexei, who became an officer in the Empire. It’s an honor to meet you in person.”

“Is that so? Then we were thinking the same thing! Say, on a day like this, we can’t skip out on drinks, can we? Do you handle alcohol well?”

“Pardon? Ah, I’m not bad at it.”

“I’ve never heard of a royal from the Polia Kingdom who couldn’t drink. So, what do you say? Will you have a drink with me?”

“Sure, I’d be happy to.”

Ian couldn’t help but wonder, What’s happening all of a sudden? At that moment, Prince Alexei waved to one of his officers, who soon arrived carrying a bag. Taking the bag, Alexei opened it and revealed several bottles of alcohol.

“I came properly prepared.”

“I see. You really brought quite a lot.”

“Well, you know how it is—when seafaring men meet, booze is never left out.”

The bag, about the size of a person’s torso, was packed with various types of liquor bottles. Ian couldn’t help but wonder how much the man planned to drink. Still, seeing Alexei come so prepared, Ian figured he couldn’t just sit still either.

“I’ll have them bring out some Polia Kingdom liquor as well. We’ve got some stored aboard.”

“Oh! Polia liquor’s great too. We’re really going to cut loose tonight! Wahaha!”

From the sparkle in Alexei’s eyes, it was obvious how much he loved drinking. Ian figured things might get out of hand tonight. As those thoughts ran through his head, he and Prince Alexei headed into the interior of the ship.

Naturally, Ian’s aide and Alexei’s retinue followed behind them.

The next day.

Sunlight streamed in through the ship’s small round window as Ian opened his eyes, instinctively frowning. Last night’s drinking session with Prince Alexei had been nothing short of a wild party. After drinking so much, Ian could still feel his stomach churn.

But he won, he thought proudly.

Despite drinking a huge amount, he had emerged victorious. It wasn’t just his physical tolerance—it was also that he didn’t let the intoxication cloud his mind. Because of his psychic powers, Ian had always trained himself to stay in control.

He needed something to clear this hangover.

He figured Deike, the head chef, probably knew he’d been drinking and would have prepared something good for recovery. Ian got up, washed his face, fixed his hair, changed clothes, and stepped out of the captain’s quarters.

‘The aide’s not here?’

Normally, his aide would already be around. Ian’s last memory of Lieutenant Mardin was seeing him completely passed out from drinking. He vaguely remembered Mardin trying to outdrink a similarly built officer from Alexei’s party—and promptly collapsing.

‘Seriously, what was that guy trying to pull, dropping in out of nowhere like that.’

At least the executive officer had just stopped by for greetings and left early. Thanks to him being sober, the ship remained in good order. Likely the same was true on the other side. Anyway, Ian clutched his mildly aching head as he walked the corridor, returning salutes from passing crew and heading to the mess hall.

The mess hall was quiet. It was already 10 AM, and most had probably eaten and gone back to their duties.

‘I need to relieve the exec officer soon.’

He figured the executive officer must still be at the bridge, covering for him. Ian entered the mess hall thinking he’d eat quickly and head over—but stopped in his tracks at the sight that greeted him.

“Prince Ian Mustaq, you’re finally up!”

Waving enthusiastically at him was none other than Prince Alexei. Despite drinking himself into a stupor last night, he had somehow awakened earlier than Ian and was now happily eating in the mess hall as if it were his own ship. Even more surprising, he was alone—none of his attendants were with him.

“Just call me Prince Ian. Saying the full title’s a mouthful.”

“Hahaha, got it! So, how about eating? The head chef’s hangover dish really hits the spot.”

“You’re a little too comfortable, aren’t you? This almost feels like your own ship.”

“Well, I make myself at home wherever I go. But now that I’ve seen it up close—this ship is pretty nice. The Doicheun Empire really is something. I’m impressed your kingdom managed to capture it.”

“Looking back, we were lucky.”

“That kind of luck is a form of skill, my friend.”

As they chatted, Chef Deike approached with a dish. From the aroma, it was something spicy. Ian turned to him and spoke.

“Thanks.”

“You drank quite a bit last night, didn’t you? I prepared this in advance. Hahaha!”

“I figured as much. I’ll enjoy it.”

“Just seeing you enjoy the food is thanks enough for me, Captain.”

At Deike’s words, Ian nodded and sat down. He picked up his spoon and took a sip of the hot broth. The spicy aroma and warmth helped soothe his unsettled stomach.

Still, he couldn’t help but wonder—Alexei had eaten the same dish?

“You had yours already. Wasn’t it too spicy?”

“I love spicy food too. I come from a cold region, so we eat a fair bit of it. Actually, I was going to ask you the same thing.”

“I enjoy spicy food.”

“You’re a strange prince.”

“Wouldn’t you say that applies to both of us?”

“Hahaha! Fair enough. Still, I can’t believe you outdrank me. I won’t be able to brag about my drinking prowess anymore.”

“Of course you can. Just tell people you drank with the best drinker in the world.”

“Oh? Wahaha! You really are one of a kind!”

As Alexei laughed, Ian couldn’t help but think, Aren’t you the one who’s truly unusual, Your Highness? He continued eating Deike’s hangover dish to recover.

‘Still, without my aide around, I ate this without even checking for poison, huh?’

Then again, Alexei had eaten it first, so it was probably fine. And if it wasn’t… they’d all have bigger problems by now.