The Loser Lord Who Kept Getting Sweet Revenge and Somehow Rose to the Top - Chapter 19: Washed Away at Sea? Nope, It’s the Guillotine

Chapter 19: Washed Away at Sea? Nope, It’s the Guillotine

Back when I launched the “Smash the Trashy Woman’s Family” campaign, an epidemic broke out in the neighboring country. I went and fetched medicine for them, and because of that, relations between our kingdom and the “Sphere Confederation” improved.

Eventually, we even became allies.

And now, answering Sphere’s call for aid, I ended up leading reinforcements—since I’d been the one who acted as the go-between in the first place.

That said, our country specialized in land battles. We didn’t really have battleships suited for naval warfare. But Princess Crim graciously offered her personal royal ship—the same vessel she used for state visits and overseas journeys. Apparently, just one ship would be enough? Huh. Well, if they say so, I’ll go with it.

I left the household in Gou’s hands and departed with Linna, boarding the princess’s vessel. Since this was a sea battle, Comet couldn’t join—I had to go by ship instead. Comet looked thoroughly displeased, but sometimes that’s just how it goes. Sorry, buddy.

“Welcome aboard, Lord Sean and companions! This is my royal ship, the Bereshith! It may be just a small sailing vessel, but it’s fast. Plus, thanks to technology provided by Sphere, it’s been upgraded with mana-controlled emergency braking and other magical modifi—ehm, improvements.”

…Yeah, this princess. Cute face, proper manners, perfect royal air—easy to forget she’s actually a bit of a rascal. She definitely just said “magical modifications,” didn’t she? Anyone else might have missed it. But I caught that slip.

“This way, Lord Tourmaline—and Lord Brother-in-law as well. I’m Norman, the helmsman.”

When we stepped onto the bridge, the plain-looking young man at the wheel bowed politely. I gave him a brief nod in return. He had the kind of face you’d pass by on the street without ever noticing, but being trusted as the helmsman of a royal ship was no small thing. If he held this post, then his skill at steering had to be top-notch.

“Wahaha! For some reason, I’m suddenly convinced we’re gonna win this war!!”

Linna looked straight at the helmsman and shouted her declaration of victory. …Why? No idea. Realistically, we were up against the Imperial Navy, and the odds weren’t in our favor at all. But still—better to be overflowing with confidence than shaking in fear, I suppose.

On the way to Sphere’s naval port, I noticed something strange. Despite being at sea, I barely felt the waves, and the ship hardly rocked at all. Was it the ship’s design, or Norman’s steering? Either way, it gave me peace of mind.

When we arrived at Sphere’s naval base, we finally met Admiral Sonelun, the commanding officer. Said to be one of the most renowned admirals in the Sphere Navy—and counted among their strongest—he carried an air of charisma, backed by keen insight.

We held a strategy meeting, and since all preparations were already complete, he wasted no time in issuing the order to set sail.

Listening to the plan, one thing became clear: Sphere was a country of unwavering loyalty and strict duty. I’d definitely need to report that back to His Majesty once I returned.

And the fact that they had specifically called on us—factoring in both the princess’s ship and, apparently, my own reputation? Yeah. This admiral was no ordinary man.

“Eh? We’re already setting sail? Isn’t that kinda fast?!”

At Linna’s protest, Admiral Sonelun simply flashed a sharp grin.

“My dear young lady brimming with charming bloodlust… The reason I’ve never lost a single naval battle is simple: I always make sure to arrive fifteen minutes early.”

…There it was. The face of the undefeated commander of the navy—pure confidence, the look of a man who had more than earned his title. Damn, I was seriously glad this guy was on our side. Moments like this really drive the lesson home: do good deeds when you can, because you never know who’ll have your back later.

Once we left port, the fleet moved with startling speed, catching the wind just right. In fact, we were sailing several times faster than usual. And knowing that admiral? Yeah, no doubt he had planned for this wind in advance.

―And then, just about a day after leaving Sphere’s port, we spotted them. The Imperial Navy—advancing in tight formation, steady and slow. But they clearly hadn’t expected to run into us here; already their formation was beginning to unravel.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Admiral Sonelun’s flagship charged forward, ramming straight into the heart of the Imperial line.

As his ship cut through their ranks, I saw him standing tall at the prow, saluting us with flawless composure.

“―――Sphere expects every man to do his duty!!”

As the flagship surged forward with its battle flag raised high, the morale of the Sphere fleet shot past its limits. Cheers and war cries thundered across the sea as the other ships charged right behind.

Of course, ramming straight into the side of the enemy meant taking the full brunt of their broadside cannons. Admiral Sonelun’s flagship was hammered relentlessly, explosions ripping across the deck—but with the tailwind driving it at terrifying speed, the advance never slowed for even a second.

Amid the deafening roar of cannon fire and the thunderous BOOOOM-BOOOM of shots flying, the flagship finally tore straight into the heart of the Imperial fleet. All gunports opened wide—and unleashed hell.

Imperial ships were shredded in an instant, burning from bow to stern. Then the rest of the Sphere fleet slammed in after, cannons blazing, fire and smoke spewing across the waves. Before the charge, it had been one-sided—the Imperials pouring fire on them. But once the Sphere fleet broke through, the tables flipped hard. Now it was slaughter. Sphere ships fired at will, crippling enemy vessels and sending them to the bottom.

“…Incredible. So this is the Sphere Navy.”

From the bridge of our own ship, we watched with the rearguard, eyes locked on the chaos. Our task was to catch any Imperial ships trying to slip away.

And there it was—amidst the wreckage of their burning comrades, one enemy ship was edging out, trying to escape under cover of smoke and flames.

“That’s the one, right? Found it! After that ship!”

I pointed it out, and Crim immediately relayed the order to the helmsman.

“I see it! I can see the enemy too!! Norman, full speed ahead!”

At my and the princess’s command, the helmsman gave a firm nod and spun the wheel. The sails caught the wind at full force, and the ship surged forward like a beast unleashed. Damn, this guy was good. As expected of someone trusted with the royal vessel.

Cannon fire from the Imperial fleet rained down on us, but every time Princess Crim shouted, “Evasive maneuver!” or “Dodge that!” Norman twisted the wheel, slipping past each shot. Sometimes he even dodged before she gave the order. Like… seriously, was this helmsman even human?

“Wait a sec, Mister helmsman… are you a reincarnator from another world too? What, no? For real? Then you’re just a natural-born cheat?! That’s insaneee.”

Linna kept chatting away at Norman, but honestly, I had no clue what she was talking about. Still, if she was impressed, then yeah—this helmsman had to be the real deal.

As we closed in on the enemy fleet, I stepped out onto the deck, ready to intercept incoming cannonballs myself. Naturally, Linna followed. I told her to stay on the bridge—she was a girl, after all.

But she smacked my back a few times and snapped, “If I stay on the bridge, I can’t protect my Master. Don’t be dumb.”

Then her expression shifted, dead serious, eyes blazing.

“I must be the one to protect you.”

…Whoa. That line carried real weight. For a moment, I wondered—was Linna actually stronger than me?

As we traded words, our ship sailed past Sphere’s flagship, now battered nearly beyond recognition. And there, on its deck, stood Admiral Sonelun—beaten half to death, yet still smiling straight at us.

“No soldier under my command forgets this truth—today could very well be our last day. So take care out there. …As for me, I will not leave the battlefield.”

Admiral Sonelun’s voice echoed across the sea, amplified by magic. From beginning to end, the man was just… cool. No wonder his troops adored him. Watching him, I understood—this is what it means to be a leader. And seeing that, I knew I had to play my part too.

I pushed our ship harder, closing the distance with the one trying to slip away.

That ship belonged to the man who had leaked Bride’s nautical charts—the tides, the winds, even the routes of sea monsters—to the Imperial Navy, giving them safe passage and urging them to invade. And of course, once the battlefield turned chaotic, the first coward to bolt was that bastard himself.

“There he is—Shakara! It’s Shakara, right?! Hey, it’s Shakara, isn’t it?! Leave your head right there, will yaaa?!”

Linna’s excitement shot through the roof, practically squealing with joy as she pointed at the fleeing ship, her voice dripping with murderous intent.

Yeah, that’s right, Shakara. You’re not gonna vanish quietly into the depths during some naval skirmish. Nope. You’re going to be dragged out, squeezed dry of every last scrap of intel under torture—then marched to the guillotine.

Man, I could hardly wait.