Chapter 109: Borealis

Translator: StarveCleric Editor: StarveCleric

Unable to resist the temptation of the powerful warship, I eventually agreed to the request of the pervert. Even so, I drew a fine line between us in our head.

“After I’m done using him, I will tie him to a boulder weighing a ton and toss him into the river. No, I’ll feed him to Beifeng. Wait, what if his tendencies spawn a new attribute in Beifeng. That would be really scary. It’ll be safer to just sink him in the river. Those Gentlemen are already a handful to deal with. I must make sure to prevent him from interacting with the rest!”

I am gravely disgusted. After all, I’m just an ordinary person. Yes, without a doubt, I’m an ordinary person. After all, it is impossible for me to be the King of Gentlemen.

“Darned Auland Empire! They should rename themselves into the Auland Gay Empire instead. Hmph, one of them fell in love with a man who looks like a woman while the other one feels that he should have been born a female. I think that pair of uncle and nephew complements each other well!”

However, with Carlohin’s full cooperation, we managed to attain our goal of taking full control over the secret base a lot more efficiently. Also, whenever I see the super warship docked in the underground space below the Mage Tower, I would pinch the tail of the darned cat and verify that I am not dreaming from her shrieks and flurry of claws.

The King Carlohin, originally named as the Warrior of Auland, is a prototype for the flagship Cassomes. In reality, however, the capabilities of the prototype exceed that of his brother ship. Just like how the Roland No.2 is much stronger than its other kin, prototypes are built without a cap on the budget to prove the feasibility of their theories. It is not surprising for King Carlohin’s capabilities to be above that of the Cassomes.

King Carlohin, super heavyweight battleship, length 243m and width 40m. It is armed with nine magic siege cannons, seven medium-sized Mage Tower, one Supreme Mage tower and 32 medium-light technical cannons. The main cannon of the ship has a range of 30km. Also, the ship has a hangar, allowing it to hold three Eagle Corvettes.

The ship can be used in both air and at sea. Upon descending onto the water surface, it would displace 65,000 tons of water. Floating on the surface of the water, it would take around 10 minutes for it to start soaring into the sky. When it is in the sky, it can travel at a maximum speed on 120km

/h. As a flying unit, its speed isn’t very fast. However, when its big size is taken into consideration, I think that its speed can already be considered ridiculously fast.

It is originally designed as the flagship of the Auland Air Fleet. Due to a lack of upper limit on the budget, regardless of whether it is the size, speed or firepower, the numbers on this super warship exceeds that of Cassomes significantly. However, in the official record, it is stated that the ship’s aft suddenly exploded in the midst of a certain experiment and ‘sunk’ into the deep sea.

Although both the sinking and the explosion are real, none of the crewmates on the ship lost their life. Their families are also well-taken care of by Carlohin. A year and a half later after the incident, the King Carlohin activated once again and enters the underwater secret base, which was under Carlohin’s complete control. At this point, the ship has become his trump card in the vie for the throne, waiting patiently and silently for the day it would be renamed as Emperor Carlohin.

On top of that, in order to raise the success rate of an assault on the royal capital, when all eight Mage Towers are fully activated, the ship can form a formidable barrier as well as to go into stealth mode.

This ship is the ultimate crystallization of the Auland Empire’s centuries of effort, but yet, due to a certain person’s greed, it has become a tool for seizing the crown.

From the moment when Carlohin realized that the underwater base is isolated from the outside world, he acutely sensed that the next time the door opens, he would fall out completely with his nephew. To prepare for the day, he devoted 90% of the manpower and resources onto this massive ship right after tests on the Eagle’s engines were completed.

With indefatigable builders, coolies and engineers, the construction of the King Carlohin is already 95% completed. On the other hand, the Cassomes, which priority was given to, is only half-completed.

In “history”, when the gates finally open ten years later, Darsos found himself facing the strength of a completed fleet… If it isn’t for the fact that their nation is in grave peril, forcing the uncle and nephew to come to a temporary ceasefire, as well as the fact that the noble title of the King of the Frost Wolves is already known throughout the continent, Darsos would probably found himself forced off the throne.

But now, this super battleship that did not appear in any official records came easily into my hands.

With Carlohin’s assistance, we weren’t impeded by the traps while heading to the bottom levels from a Mage Tower. Upon reaching the dock for King Carlohin, we found the ship surrounded by industrious Undead workers and top-notch Engineers.

The weaker a person is, the lower the probability they would able to retain their intelligence after converting into an Undead. In order to retain the knowledge and wisdom required for the construction of the ship, all of those top-notch engineers and scholars from various professions were still alive.

Despite having the remaining food supplies distributed to them, given the fact that they have been isolated from the outer world for a long period of time as well as the hard labor they underwent with minimal food, they became so thin that they looked like Skeleton Soldiers.

From another perspective, our assault on the base actually rescued the dying them. After being forcibly displaced into this location then witnessing their friends and loved ones being converted into undying beings, the engineers hold deep resentment against Auland Empire, Darsos and Carlohin. Upon hearing that I am from East Mist Communal Country, my recruitment of the personnel went unbelievably smooth.

Of course, being able to survive until now proves that they’re all smart people. They know what choices they have to make to continue living on.

“It’ll be completed by next month and that it would be able to forcibly set sail in two weeks?”

After obtaining this information from the jovial engineers and scholars who were enjoying the dried meat I distributed to them, I am astonished. If I were to come a month later, we would most probably have no chance of winning the battle.

“Prioritize the completion of the Mage Towers. If required, use the spare parts from the Mage Towers in this base. What we need the most now is the stealth ability of the ship to conduct assaults.”

I gave out new orders on the construction of the ship delightfully. With this ship in my hands, I feel much more confident and hopeful about my future plans.

King Carlohin… The moment that I recall that this is the name of a certain gay and that I might need to live in a ship named after a gay, I did not hesitate to put renaming the ship as my utmost priority.

However, naming has never been my forte. Just as I was hesitating to shout out The Roland as a name for the ship, the words of the darned cat dispel my intention.

“Have you forgotten the Roland Titan robot? Do you intend to create a transformer set or a whole series of Roland products?”

Then, I thought of naming it over the concept of law and justice, so I recommended the name ‘Absolute Justice’. However, the darned cat retorts, “In short, cancer?”, and I was defeated once again.

TL: Absolute Justice (Jue Dui Zheng Yi Hao) -> Cancer (Jue Zheng) which is a homophone for Cancer

“Love And Courage?”

“Little kid, how old are you this year? Are you trying to make people laugh their heads off?”

“Angry Birds?”

“The name makes it feel like the ship would crash into either a pig or a house. Think of something else.”

“Angry Grape?”

TL: i.e. The Grapes of Wrath, written by John Steinbeck

“This name feels like it’ll bring us bad luck throughout the entire journey, as though we would meet with an economic crisis and go bankrupt!”

“Angry Banana?”

TL: An author from Qidian

“How about Angry Squirrel! Give the name some serious thought! Stop considering the names of animals and fruits. Go for something mighty and domineering.”

TL: The author of this book

“Archangel!”

TL: Gundam Seed

“Although Archangel does sound impressive, it sounds like an extremely inauspicious name which would bring down its teammates.”

“Snowy Wind!”

TL: Japanese Destroyer Yukikaze.

“No way, it sounds even more inauspicious. I can already feel a chill down my spine.”

“Danyang!”

TL: It’s the exact same ship as Yukikaze, just a different name after it came into China’s possession

“Is there even a difference from the one you just proposed? Can you stop coming up with such inauspicious names?”

“Titanic.”

“Will you only be content when the ship sinks? Do you hold some kind of deep-seated grudge against the ship? Can’t you come up with an auspicious name?”

“Gentlemen, Unite”

TL: Transformers

“Sure, I have nothing to say about that. However, do your parents know about your suicidal tendencies? Do you find the number of Gentlemen under your command lacking?”

“Soaring Dragon.”

“I know at least 20 ships with this name. Are you sure you want to add a 3-digit number behind it?”

“Queen Elisa(beth)!” Alright, a certain Demon Marquess is crossing dimensions in a furious attempt to brush up her presence.

“Revoked. Why don’t we name it the Chaos Banshee Empress?” Alright, you darned cat. Your intentions are finally revealed. That name smells strongly of the name of an evil boss. Somehow, it feels like the ship would end up imploding if we were to use this name!

…The endless proposals and rejections feels more like a depressing exam.

I can confirm once again that naming is a task that saps one’s spirit and strength. Even though I came up a whole string of more than twenty names, they were all rejected. (Mysterious voice: Are you sure you weren’t looking for it?)

“Borealis.”

TL: Aurora Borealis is the name of the Northern Lights. Borealis is a reference to a gigantic ship in Half-life 2. This.

“Although it feels like it’s secretly representing something, let’s use it since it has yet to sink.”

Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon exclusive to the northern lands. From another perspective, it represents the desire of the Mist Country to rise up once more through all odds.

“Do we still require two more weeks? Can the progress be hastened?”

The answer that I received is quite depressing. The ship can be forcibly commissioned in two weeks, but it would only possess the ability to fly. Most of the cannons on the ship would be unusable. Furthermore, two weeks is an assumption of an idealistic situation. Looking at the current situation, there is a high probability that the work would be delayed.

The destruction of the power source in our attack as well as my intention for the survivors who barely survived the crisis to take a break and eat some good food to recover makes a delay in the completion of the ship even more probable.

However, what is great is that as long as we are able to fly it out of the base, we could complete the remaining construction in the midst of the journey.

Without a doubt, with the standoff between the Seafolk and the Auland Empire, a complete outbreak of war between the two factions can erupt at any moment. On the contrary, this underwater base is the safest location at present time and very quickly, I made my decision.

“Since the Auland Empire has approved of departure within the contract, it’s about time for the envoys of the East Mist Communal Country to return back to the North.”

Once I return to the surface, I will arrange for a convoy back to the North. At the very least, on the surface, I cannot allow the envoy team to remain in this dangerous city.

“Reyne, find those people whose name are on this list. If their names are underlined in red, it means that the person must be acquired at all cost, even if it means the use of force or outright abduction. If their names are underlined in blue, it means that while it would be for the best if we could recruit them, but do not force them if they are unwilling to. The ones underlined in purple are the ones not to use force against no matter what happens, otherwise they will become a source of trouble.”

We are already bound to offend the Auland Empire, it doesn’t really matter for us to go a little further. Since we have already begun poaching their talents, we might as well claim more of them while we’re at it. With these ‘historical figures’ under our command, regardless of whether it is us, the East Mist Communal Country or the Auland Empire, the future would probably change significantly.

“After locating them, get their family to move in here. Remember to inform them that the city is in danger and that we are rescuing them. This is the truth, so go ahead and do what you must.”

Without doubt, the underwater base and the Borealis in my possession is the ray of hope in this chaotic situation. It gives us a foothold with the option to advance and to retreat, guaranteeing our safety.

However, my good mood immediately sours the moment I arrive back at the Church of Law.

“Inviting me to the enthronement ceremony which would be held in advance? Am I crazy or has Darsos gone mad?”

—————-

Following the invasion of the Seafolk and the annihilation of their three main fleets, the Auland Empire is gradually losing their control over their coastal areas.

All the towns along the coast has come under attack by the Seafolk and in response, the Empire has mobilized all of their garrison troops. The cities which had been purged by the carnivorous Fishmen Tribes has already hit the 3-digit mark. Despite the uneasy balance that is being maintained in the capital, the surrounding areas have already descended into complete chaos.

Facing endless hordes of Seafolk, the Auland Empire’s navy, which wasn’t really strong in the first place, began to be pushed back. On the great river leading to Kagersi City, the garrison fleet of the human forces are either annihilated or has docked on the pier of the towns, seeking the assistance from the local troops.

Hundreds of tribes are gathering and advancing forward. Under the leadership of the Storm Priests who possess the Crest of the Storm, the tribes are gradually transitioning from mere mercenaries into a true organized army.

Among their ranks are the short and ugly Fishmen, the gorgeous and pure Mermaids, the gigantic and burly Sea Giants and the ones who number the most, the half-human half-fish Nagas and the many different types of Water Elementals.

After their marshalling and a simple training is completed, the Seafolk are prepared for battle with the Storm Priests standing in the core of the army. Under the guidance of the true Goddess, the Queen of Storm, after a long march, their destination comes into view.

“Capital, a new capital, a new capital that belongs to us.”

This is what the Seafolk are chanting.

Snowy Wind

/ Yukikaze

TL: Although she was known for being a lucky ship, various crews aboard other ships throughout the war viewed her as a bad omen, due to the fact that she escorted Shinano (when said ship was torpedoed and sunk by USS Archerfish), and Yamato (during Operation Ten-Go, where said ship and five others were sunk)

Source: KanColle Wikia

I have no idea when did I transit from Northern Lands to Southern Lands but just clarifying, Mist Country is in the North (lol only realized it after noticing the mention on Northern Lights)

I have reflected the other chapters to show so as well

Just a question, do you all prefer double spacing or single spacing between paragraphs. My chapters alternate between the two but I tend to prefer double (though it takes more effort) because it makes it look neater and the words seems less cramped.