Numerous merchant ships moved busily. Some had already been converted into minelayers.
“Master Abeli! We’ve reached the target point.”
“Not here. Move a little further. Yes. Deploy them over there.”
Makiblue Abeli had been entrusted with a vital role. He had become the chief officer in charge of laying the mines.
‘How can you trust a mere brewer like me with such a major task?’
Abeli had been bewildered. He thought he would just follow Park Yu and spend his time brewing alcohol. But as soon as he arrived, he was given a significant responsibility, even though he hadn’t revealed that he was a member of the Makiblue family.
‘A brewer can do anything.’
Was it because he was a playboy? Park Yu trusted brewers far too much. That trust moved Abeli’s heart even more. The memory of Naparr, which he had kept tucked away in his mind, gradually began to fade.
‘I will never disappoint you!’
‘I trust you’ll do well.’
Abeli’s heart felt full. He had never imagined being trusted by someone without the halo of his family name protecting him. At this moment, he felt recognized not as a Makiblue, but simply as a man named Abeli.
“There’s no need to install two over there.”
“According to the mine manual, it’s important to install them in pairs to trigger chain explosions and ensure definitive damage.”
“Our goal isn’t to damage the enemy. Our objective is to slow down their advance.”
Complete destruction? Sinking? None of that was necessary. In fact, half-destroying them was better.
“It’s more efficient to install mines at as many points as possible!”
—
The fleet successfully emerged from the Gray Nebula. Everyone showed clear signs of exhaustion.
“Captain. I’m a bit concerned about leaving the mine installation to that brewer. Should we send someone now to replace the person in charge?” the Vice-Captain whispered.
It was understandable why she found it hard to believe. Abeli was someone who had joined suddenly, not someone they had observed for a long time. Furthermore, he wasn’t a military expert but a mere brewer.
“Vice-Captain. Brewers are great, you know!”
If Park Yu hadn’t been Sojin, he would have hired Abeli as a navigator. The man was a second-class navigator. To brew cosmic alcohol, one needed high-quality water, which naturally meant traveling was a daily routine.
Furthermore, they valued efficiency. If the ratio of ingredients was even slightly off, it became a completely different drink. Their way of thinking was entirely different from that of an ordinary person.
“I see…”
She clearly still didn’t believe it.
“Your perspective would be different if you had tasted the alcohol Abeli makes.”
“I only drink alcohol made for elves.”
“Ah. You must be talking about Dew.”
Even if Vice-Captain Ciella’s physique differed from typical elves, it seemed her taste in food and drink was similar. Park Yu made a mental note to ask Abeli later if he could craft Dew Wine.
“Captain! We’ve reached the Blue Nebula zone.”
In the distance, the nebula reflected light, emitting a brilliant glow. Despite the name, it looked more emerald than blue.
This would be the site of their first battlefield.
Diffuse reflection occurred within the Blue Nebula. Observed objects appeared to multiply, creating an effect like being in a hall of mirrors. It didn’t just deceive the eyes; it also confused sensors regarding surrounding ripples and emitted energy.
It was the perfect place for a few to look like many. That was the reason it had been chosen as the first site for a fierce battle.
“We need to lure them in first.”
“Will they enter easily? It’s an obvious ambush.”
“By the time they get here, they’ll be absolutely furious.”
Just then, the allied cargo ships were seen approaching from the distance.
[Lord Park Yu. I have completed the task you assigned.]
Abeli returned after finishing the mining operations.
*Beep!*
He transferred the mine map. Park Yu’s fleet didn’t really need it since they didn’t travel in large groups and had no reason to use the main routes.
“Captain. This seems very different from the manual. And it looks like more mines were installed than we actually possessed…” the Vice-Captain said, tilting her head in confusion.
“It’s because this is more efficient. There’s a limit to how many enemies you can eliminate with mines.”
The enemy had a staggering 1,500 ships. Toying with them with mines wouldn’t even make a dent. It was for stalling for time and provocation.
*Beep!*
Park Yu pressed the communication button.
“Great work, Master Abeli. There is one more thing I need you to do.”
[If you entrust it to me, I will make sure to get it done.]
Abeli, thirsty for a chance to prove himself, was proactive. He felt even more proud because he wasn’t relying on his family’s reputation.
—
Sagitta’s fleet emerged from the wormhole.
“General! From here on, we are in the territory under the Lucifell Star Cluster’s jurisdiction.”
“Finally here. Finally!!”
Sagitta licked his lips. There was still a long way to go to reach the center of the Star Cluster, but he was excited. The Star Cluster was a larger territory than one might think. Among 400 billion star systems, there were only thirteen colonies in total.
“The fastest route?”
“Taking the wormhole from the second planet seems most appropriate.”
“Good. Engage the Acceleration Drive.”
“Yes, sir!!”
The 1,500 ships entered the Path. Interstellar travel used wormholes, but to travel between planets, one had to use the connected interplanetary paths—routes created by dark energy interacting with planetary gravity.
*Whirrrrr!*
The ships seemed to stretch out like spaghetti. The massive fleet of 1,500 ships vanished, leaving only long afterimages.
The curious thing about moving on the Path was that objects did not interact with other things existing along the route. Even if two objects existed in the same physical coordinates, they acted as if they were in different spaces.
However.
Objects moving along the Path itself would naturally collide.
*Kaboom!*
A mine on the Path exploded. The lead ship staggered under the heavy impact. Because of that, the ship’s speed plummeted.
*Thud!*
It collided with the ship following behind it.
*Whirrr!*
They were forced to stop the Acceleration Drive and exit the Path. If they stayed, a massive chain collision would occur.
“Ge… General!! Two ships are half-destroyed, and three have suffered minor damage.”
“Tsk. They’re playing petty tricks.”
Mines circulate along the Path. After a certain period, they lose energy and fall off the route.
In other words, if they rested for just a moment, the mines would become useless. But this was wartime, and every minute and second was precious.
“Repair them and re-enter quickly. And place the Guard Ships at the front.”
Nothing except the Acceleration Drive could be used on the Path. This meant weapons and shields were offline. Even if they spotted a mine, they could do nothing but try to evade it.
*Vroooom!*
Sagitta’s massive force climbed back onto the Path.
*Boom!*
This time, because the Guard Ships were in the lead, they weren’t immediately crippled. The Guard Ships had sturdy basic armor in addition to their shields. However…
“Guard Ship hit! Diverting from the Path!”
The explosion caused them to lose their balance, forcing them to deviate from the Path. In the process of exiting, they had to reduce speed. Naturally, the following fleet slowed down due to the bottleneck.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!!!*
The Guard Ships at the front continued to blow up. Eventually, the speed of the entire fleet dropped below a certain level. Consequently, the entire unit failed to maintain the Acceleration Drive and fell off the Path.
“Damn it!!!”
The Acceleration Drive consumed an immense amount of Mana Stones. It also took time to restart.
“It seems we should divide the troops and move them sequentially.”
“Do so!”
It was too inefficient for the entire fleet to drop off the Path every time a mine exploded.
“Damn you, Park Yu!!”
Sagitta ground his teeth.
—
Park Yu waited with only thirty Light Mobile Ships.
“Captain! It’s the enemy.”
The observation ship waiting on the Path reported as it exited the route.
“Young Master, now!!” Lysander Buzz shouted.
He had observed the ripples in space. While one couldn’t normally observe the inside of a Path from the outside, there were those who could. Those were high-ability observers like Lysander Buzz.
“Engage Acceleration Drive. Entering the Path.”
“Orders dispatched!”
*Whirrr!*
The distant, twinkling stars stretched out. The world viewed from the Path looked like a tunnel drawn with long lines.
“Thirty Guard Ships ahead!”
The enemy had split their forces to clear the mines.
“They’re good prey.”
The Light Mobile Ships were the fastest even on the Path. They immediately caught up to the rear of the Guard Ships.
*Thud!*
Park Yu’s ship slammed into a Guard Ship at an angle. At the same time, he thrust the Marine Bay toward the enemy vessel. Naturally, there were no troops inside the Marine Bay.
*Beep-beep-beep-beep!*
Instead, it shoved a load of bombs into the enemy ship.
“Deployment successful!”
“Disengage!!”
As they backed away, the Guard Ship lost its balance slightly. Simultaneously…
*Kaboom!*
It deviated from the Path with an explosion.
*Bang! Bang! Bang!!*
The other allied Light Mobile Ships followed suit, mimicking Park Yu’s actions. The enemy Guard Ships were blown away one after another.
On the Path, where neither shields nor attacks were possible, this was the ultimate combat method. Light Mobile Ships were the bullies of the Path.
“Lead Guard Ship! Deviating from the Path!”
“Pursue them!”
The terrified enemies jumped off the Path. Park Yu’s fleet followed them down immediately.
*Vroom!*
The enemy Guard Ships scrambled in confusion, deploying their shields. But such a reaction made them easy prey.
Unlike the allies who jumped off in a cluster, the enemies had jumped off frantically in every direction, leaving them scattered.
“All ships, follow me. We’re hunting.”
The Light Mobile Ships lined up behind Park Yu like a snake.
“Fire at will.”
His fleet circled around, dealing with the enemies one by one. No matter how sturdy a Guard Ship’s shield was, it was primarily effective at blocking from a single direction. When attacked from all sides like this, they were no different than Corvettes with thick armor.
*Kaboom! Bang! Crash!!!*
“Enemy ship! Sunk.”
“Moving to the next target.”
It didn’t even take tens of seconds to handle one ship. The enemy vessels tried to flee in panic, but…
“Chase them!”
They were Light Mobile Ships. Guard Ships, which were even slower than Corvettes, were nothing more than snails on a palm when trying to run away.
*Boom! Bang!!!*
In an instant, dozens of enemy ships were wiped out.
“Captain. It’s a perfect victory!” the Vice-Captain reported with a proud expression.
“Waaaaaaaah!!”
The crew cheered. The sheer aura they emitted caused the ship to vibrate slightly.
“Our Young Master can fight this well?”
“Then what, did you think our previous wins were just luck?”
“I was worried because they called him a playboy…”
“Heroes are supposed to love wine and women.”
“Long live the scoundrel! Long live the playboy! Long live the respected Lord Park Yu!!”
‘Could you please at least leave out the “scoundrel” and “playboy” parts?’
—
This news reached Sagitta’s ears as well.
“General!! The vanguard is being intercepted continuously!”
“By what means?! Did they lay that many mines?”
Mines were expensive consumables. Their maintenance period was also very short. They were rarely used except when protecting a central hub.
“No, sir! The enemy has formed a detached force with thirty Light Mobile Ships.”
“Battle shouldn’t be possible on the Path…?!”
There was a method used by pirates where they blocked the way with something like a massive transport ship and then fought below the Path. If that was the case, the Guard Ships should have held out until reinforcements arrived.
“That’s…! They say the enemy Light Mobile Ships threw bombs through their Marine Bays while on the Path.”
Sagitta blinked. He had never heard of such a method. Marine Bays on Light Mobile Ships were a dying trend. That was because close-quarters combat via short-range warp had been developed.
“And when they frantically deviated from the Path, the enemy followed them down and defeated them individually…”
There had been three small-scale battles in total. They had lost nearly 100 ships before they could even clash properly. Most of them were Guard Ships.
To use bombardment ship tactics, the role of Guard Ships was vital. Losing them was a painful blow for Sagitta.
“Damn it!!!”
They could no longer use Guard Ships to clear the mines one by one. But if they moved in a cluster, the entire fleet would have to drop off the Path every time a mine exploded. They would consume that much more time and Mana Stones.
*Grind—!*
His rage boiled over. The enemy’s actions were beyond annoying.
“We go as a group.”
“Understood!!”
There were no more surprise attacks. However…
*Pop! Pop! Pop!!*
They had to drop off the Path several times due to the mines. He was driven to the brink of insanity by irritation and frustration. The consumption of Mana Stones was also severe.
“Park Yu, you bastard!! Even tearing your body apart while you’re alive wouldn’t be enough!!”
He was furious, but there was nothing he could do. He could only push forward stubbornly. Despite the heavy loss of time and Mana Stones, he believed he would eventually emerge victorious. Once they reached the center of the Star Cluster, the enemy wouldn’t be able to pull these irritating stunts anymore.
*Thud—! Boom! Bang!*
Once again, a Guard Ship at the front deviated due to a mine. This time, there was a large quantity of mines.
A bottleneck caused the entire fleet’s speed to drop. They were forced off the Path.
But then.
“General!! Look. We’ve discovered the minelayers.”
In the distance, they saw dozens of ships that had been converted into minelayers. Seeing the massive army, the enemies seemed flustered and began to flee in a hurry. Because they had been crudely modified, their speed was very slow.
“Hahahaha! The Goddess is helping me. If we just catch those, we won’t have to worry about mines anymore.”
Sagitta laughed loudly.
“Enemy ships are fleeing into the Blue Nebula.”
“They can try running, but it’s futile.”
Inside the Blue Nebula, objects would appear as multiple images.
It didn’t matter. He would just shoot everything he saw. More than half of Sagitta’s fleet consisted of bombardment ships.
“Deploy into a long horizontal line formation. Pursue them!”
The modified minelayers were slow, so they would be able to catch up in no time.