Season 3: Chapter 253. Rolling Waves (3)

While some romance existed, players directly steering the ships clearly had limitations. Naval battles required precise formations. A ship directly controlled by a commander from above had distinct advantages over one that moved based on relayed commands and rough estimates.

The need for simultaneous maneuvers could lead to discrepancies and there would inevitably be formation errors. Given these numerous disadvantages, Sa-Rang had abandoned the idea of winning naval battles from the start. Even on a sea map, they needed to avoid naval engagements as much as possible.

‘We'll use the shape of this long island to move as much on land as possible...’

Then, Sa-Rang discovered the long narrow island to the east. Building at the southern tip of this island made it seem close to Joseon's base at six o'clock. However, traveling north along the land would bring them very close to Japan's base at twelve o'clock.

Although various islands blocked the way, this route was far more efficient than moving by sea. Transporting troops from there using transport ships would be quite effective. The challenge was keeping the existence of this multi-base hidden until then.

'We managed to hold them off for now.'

They had rammed the scouting Sekibune with a swift ship to stop it. Then, a Hwaseon ship was dispatched to chase off the Sekibune.

Thud.

[Joseon — 3rd Era]

Joseon advanced to the third era.

***

“Aaah! The Hwaseon! The Hwaseon chases the Sekibune to the end and sets it on fire!”

Fwoosh!

Malatang’s ship relentlessly pursued the Sekibune while shooting fire arrows.

— LOL his expression LOL

— This is the spicy Malatang

— It would be amazing if he caught it

“The archers are continuously hitting with fire arrows! The Sekibune has almost no health left!?”

“But!”

They had approached the Japanese coastline and two support ships could be seen in the distance.

“It would be bad for Joseon if they push too hard to catch it and lose the Hwaseon.”

“Yes, Joseon doesn’t have many ships. They need to stop all scouting attempts with this one ship. They’ve stopped!”

Malatang eventually halted his advance. Soon afterward, Japan also entered the third era.

Thud

.

[Japan — 3rd Era]

Japan began producing arquebuses and constructing Atakebune ships.

“Japan is building ships first, as expected. The Atakebune, a larger ship designed after seeing the Panokseon during the Imjin War, is now being produced. Meanwhile, Joseon has upgraded to mounted archers.”

Joseon prioritized upgrading to mounted archers over producing Panokseon ships.

“They haven’t seemed very concerned with naval battles since earlier!”

“Um... How will this work on a sea map... It seems they plan to move through that multi-base... but I’m not sure if this is the right decision...” OrangeKing murmured uncertainly.

This decision was hard to understand without knowing Best Yi Sun-Shin’s condition. Avoiding naval battles on a sea map was a significant disadvantage.

“Do you seem displeased with this decision!? Is it difficult to win by transporting ground troops?”

“Exactly. Transporting ground troops takes time. It’s often better to just push through with ships and fire cannons. This transport-based strategy means losing control of the sea.”

“Right! Without enough combat ships, it’s tough on the sea!”

“Yes. The problem is, on sea maps, most food supplies come from the sea! Initially, there are plenty of fish near the shore, but you have to go farther out later!”

“Oh... So is Joseon struggling to harvest fish right now!?”

“Yes! But for now, it’s okay! There are some animals on the multi-base island and they can switch to farming! But that makes things too easy for Japan! Without Joseon’s combat ships, they can take all the fish!”

“Oh... But, as you mentioned, Joseon is now building a Panokseon!”

— Wow

— What is this...

— The enemy already has three ships...

— Just one ship LOL

— Even Yi Sun-Shin had twelve ships.

Joseon started building a Panokseon.

[Panokseon — 2%]

In contrast, Japan had already completed three Sekibune and two Atakebune for small-scale engagements. These ships were packed with samurai and arquebusiers.

“Japan has produced about thirty arquebusiers. Although they are inferior to the gaks (Korean composite bow) in many ways, their training speed is incredibly fast.”

“Yes, it’s historically accurate, right? The training period for mastering the gak versus firing an arquebus is vastly different.”

Arquebuses were inferior in range, power, and firing speed to gaks but had a much faster production rate. Even at this time, Japan could fully load its ships.

“Japan didn’t produce many arquebuses in the second game because they expected to fight with cannons. In hand-to-hand combat, samurai are better. It was the right decision since the samurai’s slashing ability is very effective against our lightly armored archers.”

“But now there aren’t many samurai. What’s Japan’s plan?”

“They’re probably going to push continuously! They have plenty of food and arquebuses! They plan to keep attacking continuously!”

Japan had a much better food supply than Joseon. Most food was consumed when soldiers died and had to be re-recruited. Japan had a significant advantage here since arquebuses required less training and allowed for continuous attacks.

“It looks like Japan will load up on soldiers and send a massive wave. Even if Joseon fends off one wave, they’ll have to fend off another and another.”

His prediction was correct. Soon afterward, Japan launched all its ships.

“Japan is setting sail with a total of seventeen ships!”

Japan’s seventeen ships, packed with a small number of samurai and many arquebusiers, headed out to sea.

“Joseon has just two Panokseon and one Hwaseon. Only three ships!”

In contrast, Japan had seven Atakebune and ten Sekibune.

“Japan’s timing is impeccable! Joseon is severely outnumbered!”

— Wow

— Seriously...

— Can they even block this???

“They’ve barely built any ships...!”

“But!”

At that moment, OrangeKing focused on a different location at the multi-base.

“Japan doesn’t know one thing! Joseon started with a naked double! The multi-base has been running smoothly for a while! It’s a gamble that paid off!”

“Aaah!”

“There are over a hundred troops gathered there! Mounted archers and mounted cavalry! Even a vice commander! Several transport ships have been built... Is this a transport operation?!”

More troops had been prepared at the multi-base than at the main base. All the resources that could have gone into warships had been directed there.

“A transport operation is good! But what about the main base?! Shouldn’t they defend with combat ships?!”

“Joseon knows Japan is coming. They saw it with their fishing boats! But...”

They had far too few combat ships and couldn’t overcome the disparity with simple combat.

[Defense Tower — 3%]

[Defense Tower — 6%]

“Joseon is hastily moving workers to build defense towers! There aren’t many troops to defend! They’re all at the multi-base!”

“There are archers in the main base, but only about forty! Can they block this!? Japan’s troops are estimated to be around one hundred fifty!”

Swoosh...!

Japan’s seventeen ships appeared off Joseon’s coast.

“The Panokseon and Hwaseon are taking their positions!”

“They seem to be taking positions between the small islands!”

The Rolling Waves map had large and small islands near the main base. Narrow waterways, almost like local streams, flowed between them. The two Panokseon ships took positions there.

“They’re taking positions in narrow, fast-moving water.”

“They’re planning to shoot at the passing Japanese ships, right?”

“Yes. Even if they’re outnumbered, they can fight effectively from there!”

— That great victory...

— Isn’t the difference in numbers too much? LOL

— Japan will figure it out

— Japan’s nightmare again LOL

“But...”

Their position was in a crucial passage for Japanese ships to enter Joseon’s coast.

“Japan seems to be aware of this though?”

“Yes!? They know!”

Japan’s vice commander was on board and used his sight skills to understand the terrain.

“Yes. They’re aware of the terrain if not the ambush. In this terrain, they know they could get ambushed. Historically, they would be cautious about this!”

— LOL

— Indeed

— You have to be cautious on this map

— Ringo learned from history LOL

“Japan is making a slight detour. They could avoid that passage and take a longer route.”

Japan could take a longer, safer route to reach Joseon’s coast. It would take more time, but it was the least risky route. However─

“However! This is a feint operation by Joseon!”

Joseon’s multi-base to the east was receiving numerous commands.

[Transport]

[Transport]

[Transport]

At Joseon’s multi-base dock, troops boarded transport ships and set sail.

“These are all cavalry! If they land, they can sweep through the enemies quickly!”

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

“Right! Sea maps usually don’t prepare well for cavalry! There are no spearmen to counter them!”

— Oh, I see

— Without spearmen, cavalry is almost unstoppable

— Will they use buildings to hold them off?

— Wow, no countermeasures...

“Japan doesn’t know about the cavalry! It’s inefficient to prepare against cavalry on a sea map, so they wouldn’t expect it! This could be a surprise attack! Or it could be a strange strategy!”

“But this is turning into a bit of a chicken game!”

“A chicken game!?”

“Yes! Both sides are sending all their troops to the opponent’s main base! If either pulls back, they lose! They have to rush at full speed! Japan can’t afford to take a detour!”

That was correct. If Japan took too long to enter Joseon’s main base, Joseon’s troops would inflict significant damage on Japan’s main base. During that time, Japan also needed to inflict significant damage. Japan was pressed for time.

“If Japan takes a long detour, Joseon’s troops will land first and sweep through them! That’s the strategy now, right?!”

“Once they land, it’s very threatening! Japan doesn’t have many ground troops prepared at their main base!”

Swoosh...!

Joseon’s seven transport ships quietly headed toward Japan’s main base along the sea's edge. However, some transport ships were exposed due to Japan’s well-spread fishing boats.

“Japan saw the transport ships moving with their fishing boats!?”

“Ringo! His eyes widened!?”

— LOL

— (ㅡ_ㅡ) —> (0_0)

— Surprised LOL

— Wow LOL

— The narrow-eyed character’s eyes finally open LOL

“Will Ringo go block them!?”

“If he knows they’re cavalry, he’ll go to block them. If they’re just infantry, Japan’s existing ground troops and defensive buildings can handle it. He’ll probably continue to Joseon’s main base! But he’ll move faster!”

“As expected! Japan heads straight!”

Indeed, Japan chose to head straight for Joseon’s main base.

“Then, the Panokseon ambush will be effective!?”

***

Hooooonk...!

Japan’s ships approached.

“They’re coming!” Pang shouted at the helm.

[Delay them]

This was the only command he received. The goal was to delay the enemy. He had to decide the ship’s route and all combat decisions. The commander would likely focus on the battle at Japan’s main base.

“Whew...”

Pang felt the pressure. Twelve soldiers manning the cannons stood behind him.

He shouted at the top of his lungs, “Prepare to fire!”

Clack!

They uncovered the port-side cannons and revealed the black barrels.

‘Everything is manual now.’

Range calculations, the timing to fire, and navigation routes would all be up to him. Pang gripped the helm tightly as they waited for the Japanese ships to approach.

Swoosh...

‘Closer.’

He judged it by the sound of the water being cut by the hull.

‘Closer...’

Swoosh...!

White foam surged as the ship's bow appeared past the island’s edge.

‘Closer.’

He waited until the massive side of the Atakebune was fully visible. Only then would it be easier to hit. He needed to disable at least two to three enemy ships with a single volley.

“!”

Pang’s eyes lit up.

“Fire!!”

“Fire!”

Following his command, the soldiers lit the fuses.

Boom!

All the cannons fired and the ship rocked from the recoil. Malatang’s Panokseon did the same.

“Fire!!”

Boom!

All the cannons roared. At this moment, both Pang and Malatang had the same plan in their minds. It wasn’t about winning the battle.

‘Hold for five minutes.’

They just had to hold for five minutes. If they held here for five minutes, Joseon’s ground troops would land and give them a chance to win.