Chapter 145 - Governor
BOOM!
The God's Grace roared proudly as its main cannon fired, the recoil causing the entire deck to shudder momentarily beneath their feet.
A few heartbeats later, the white mist billowing from the muzzle began to dissipate, the scalding steam gradually merging with the cool night air until it no longer burned the skin.
The gun crew rushed forward with practiced precision, executing each operation according to their rigorous training.
First came a warlock who served as safety inspector.
His duty was to clear any residual water, inspect the condition of the ship's cannon and surrounding deck, and ensure a safe, stable environment for the next volley.
Another warlock acted as spotter.
He first reported the results of the previous bombardment to all members of the team. Then, he surveyed their various targets, consulted with the gun captain to determine their next mark, and adjusted the cannon's azimuth and angle accordingly.
Finally, he filled the gun chamber with an appropriate measure of water and shells in careful sequence.
The gun captain, who had stood motionless at the console behind the cannon, now began to infuse the weapon with fire mana, his eyes never leaving the blue control panel affixed to the gun barrel.
This control panel was the heart of the ship's cannon.
It displayed various essential information, with numerous buttons arranged for the weapon's operation.
From the panel, one could monitor the amount of fire mana infused, the consumption and remaining reserve of fortification mana, the weight of water and shells loaded, the estimated muzzle velocity, range, and likelihood of striking the target...
The functions of the buttons were even more extensive and ingenious.
There were controls to fire shells; to adjust whether projectiles would explode after a fixed time, at a predetermined distance, or upon impact; to increase or decrease the energy contained within each shell; and countless other options.
For the Holy Fire Warriors, it was nothing short of miraculous.
Ordinarily, flames would erupt from their hands with little control, but through the panel, they were tamed and quiet, ready to be unleashed at the precise moment and with the exact measure of power required.
How perfect. How powerful.
Little wonder, then, that the position of gun captain had become coveted among all the Holy Fire Warriors.
Yet there were but a few hundred ship's cannons, while the Holy Fire Warriors aboard numbered more than ten times that figure. Most could only remain aboard, awaiting their chance for glory.
Fortunately, once Rain House City fell, the war would soon move to land.
Then, all would have their opportunity to enter the fray—to kill enemies, to seize glory, to reclaim the kingdom for their God-chosen King, and finally to establish a paradise of peace and beauty upon the earth.
May the gods protect us!
While Rain House City crumbled beneath their onslaught, the crew of the God's Grace paid it little mind. Their eyes were fixed instead upon their King's back, filled with adoration and awe.
The mere sight of that silhouette granted them infinite power and confidence.
Victory was beyond all doubt.
Amidst the thunder of the ship's cannons, every soul aboard knew this for certain.
Joffrey stood silent at the bow of the ship.
He monitored the control panel of the main cannon, evaluating the performance of the gun crews.
This marked the first true combat for the ship's cannons. Shells, personnel, control panels—all components required testing and experience.
The control panel most of all.
This device was Joffrey's personal design, researched and produced jointly by the Research Institute and the Logistics Bureau.
It integrated information runes, light runes, fortification runes, fire runes, and more—its cost exceeding that of the cannon itself. Naturally, it carried great expectations.
According to the plan, the control panel would vastly improve the accuracy of the ship's cannons, allocate mana output and consumption with rational efficiency, ensure the safety and standardization of the gun crew's operations, and guard against any attempt to damage or misappropriate the weapons.
Simultaneously, for future optimization, research, and oversight, all data from each panel was backed up in the God's Grace light curtain system, ready to be called upon for review at any moment.
Thus, Joffrey maintained a thorough understanding of every cannon's status.
Just like the main gun firing not far from where he stood.
"God's Grace" 400mm main gun target point: Rain House City main castle top floor.
Loading 97 kg of clear water containing 2 units of fire mana, loading one 600 kg high-explosive shell containing 50 units of fire mana, impact explosion.
Estimated muzzle velocity of 800 meters per second, consumption of 3~4 units of fortification mana.
The gun captain raised his left arm and called out, "Ready!"
"Five, four..."
The other team members immediately moved clear, ensuring no one stood before the muzzle.
"One. Fire!"
The gun captain pressed the shell launch button on the panel.
The two units of fire mana within the clear water activated, generating high-heat expanding steam in a brief, continuous surge, propelling the shell to greater and greater speed.
BOOM!
The shell tore from the chamber, spinning through the air with a piercing whistle as it sped toward its target.
BANG!!
A violent explosion erupted inside the top floor of Rain House City's main castle. Countless fragments—some no larger than a fingernail—poured from windows and newly formed breaches, white mist rising and gradually dispersing.
The hideous wound on the towering black stone wall stood clearly visible. At least one entire floor had been obliterated.
Joffrey nodded with satisfaction.
This ship's cannon had initially fired three rounds of solid shot, the third striking its target perfectly. They had then switched to high-explosive shells of the same weight, maintaining excellent accuracy.
The other cannons showed similar results. After stabilization, they could reliably strike within the target range.
The training is nearly complete.
Joffrey issued the order to cease fire. Hundreds of ship's cannons fell silent, no longer unleashing their terrible power.
Rain House City now lay in ruins. The seaward walls had crumbled to mere rubble, while the towers and high castles within bore grievous wounds, their parapets and battlements shattered.
The Hound and other land forces began to move forward, clearing out any remaining resistance and collecting prisoners and supplies.
In truth, this was but the final sweep.
During the earlier bombardment, nearly all who could still move had fled through the various city gates, surrendering either willingly or without choice. Few had dared to offer further resistance.
At present, the dead within Rain House City surely outnumbered the living several times over.
Indeed, the Hound and his men discovered only dozens of survivors with relatively intact bodies, along with two or three hundred souls hovering at death's threshold amid the devastation.
Joffrey walked into Rain House City, the ruins seeming to bow before him.
Kingsguard Ser Garth Wylde limped to his side, appearing as though he wished to speak, yet ultimately holding his tongue.
Joffrey halted, gazing upon the terrified prisoners.
"Divine power has descended, and divine grace follows close behind. In the name of the gods, I grant you forgiveness. In the name of the King, know that those who transgress again shall find no mercy!"
All the prisoners immediately fell to their knees, thanking him for his clemency.
Joffrey smiled gently. "Priests, do all within your power to heal the wounded, bestow divine grace, guide them to the righteous path, and serve the light."
The priests set about their work.
Where but a breath of life remained, wounds healed instantly, and broken limbs were made whole. Only the pallor of blood loss betrayed the violence that had so recently visited these souls.
Afterward, the priests produced shards of dragon crystal.
From that moment, none dared harbor resentment or rebellious thoughts.
The miracles were too plain to deny.
Without question, the gods had made their choice, bending the world to their will.
The true king stood chosen by divine grace.
Joffrey turned to Ser Garth. "Where is Lord Casper Wylde? Does he still live?"
Garth Wylde silently shook his head.
Joffrey placed a hand upon his shoulder. "To die in battle rather than abed—Casper must find some small solace in that."
He withdrew his hand.
"The fleet sails with the morning light. Rain House City requires a steward to tend its wounds. Garth, I hereby appoint you Governor of Rain House City, to bring peace to its people, manage its political affairs, and care for House Wylde in its time of need."
"What say you?"
As a Kingsguard, Garth Wylde could offer but one answer.
"As you command, Your Grace."