Louise's face beamed with pleasure.
“However, it's not in my hands right now. It's in the castle in Newcastle. I didn't want to bring the princess' letter to this pirate ship.” Wales said laughingly.
“So, even though it's troublesome, please come with me to Newcastle.”
Chapter Eight: The Eve Before the Final Battle in Newcastle
The warship Eagle took Saito to the ragged coastline of Albion. They had been traveling for three hours and could already see the cape, a big castle standing on its very edge.
Wales explained to Saito, who was standing on the front deck, that it was the fortress of Newcastle. However, the Eagle did not head straight to the city, but instead sailed down the coast.
“Why are we going downwards?”
Wales pointed at the sky behind the castle where a huge ship was floating. However, it could not see the Eagle, which was hiding on the other side of the cloud.
“Warship of rebels.”
It could be described only as a huge ship - it was twice as long as the Eagle with an incredible number of sails, and it seemed like it was aiming for Newcastle port. With no warning it opened fire aiming at the castle. The first cannonball crashed into the wall and a small fire could be seen. The shockwave from impact could be felt on the deck of the Eagle.
“This ship named ‘Royal Sovereign’ once belonged to the fleet of our country. Yet, when rebels took control over it, they changed the name to ‘Lexington’. It was named in honor of the battlefield where those guys snatched the first victory from us.” Wales said with a smile.
“This warship keeps a constant blockade of Newcastle from the sky. It shoots at the castle from time to time, not in order to do some damage, but just to annoy us.”
Saito looked through the cloud at the warship. There were a lot of cannons on each side, and a dragon was painted on the surface of the ship.
“It has 108 cannons and really looks like a fire breathing dragon at times. The whole rebellion started from this ship. We can't match it, so it's better to sail through this cloud and remain unseen. We can reach Newcastle from the other side, as there is a secret port that only we know.”
It suddenly became pitch-dark when the ship went under the continent, as the landmass blocked the sunlight. In addition, they were still surrounded by clouds. They couldn't see a thing. Wales explained that rebels never went under the continent because traveling in such a way was dangerous. Cold, damp and chilly air hit Saito's cheeks.
“For Navigators of the royal air force it's easy to navigate by relying on topographical maps, using magic of light and measurements.”
Wales laughed, the noble that does not know the sky is not an intelligent person.
They sailed for a while and eventually reached a section which opened into black hole overhead. Illuminated by the magic light from the mast, it was really spectacular, they could see a hole 300 mails in diameter.
“Stop here for now.”
“Aye Aye sir, stop here!” Wales' order was given to the still very energetic and lively crew. The sails were taken off and the Eagle started to drift right under the hole.
“Slowly increase speed.”
“Aye Aye sir, slowly increase the speed!”
The Eagle rose slowly toward the hole. Following just behind was the Marie Galante that navigators of the Eagle had boarded.
Wardes nodded, “You are definitely not sky pirates, Your Highness.”
“We are precisely sky pirates, Viscount.”
Light could be seen inside the hole and that's where the Eagle headed to.
The warship had arrived at a secret port of Newcastle. Inside, the huge limestone cave was covered with white moss. Many people were waiting on the quay. Ropes were thrown to the sailors to tie down the Eagle and finally the wooden gangway was attached.
Wales hurried Louise and the others to go down the gangway. A tall and aged mage approached them.
“Ha ha, wonderful military results, right, Your Highness?”
The old mage seemed to appear out of nowhere before the Eagle.
“Rejoice, Paris. Sulfur, it is sulfur!”
When Wales shouted so, around him gathered cheering soldiers.
“Ooh! Sulfur! This is for the honor of our guardianship!” The old mage began to cry as he was aging.
“I served for sixty years under the previous king... There won't be such happy days again, Your Highness. After the revolt happened it all turned into sorrow... Even with sulfur we won't make it...”
Wales laughed with a smile.
“Even if we'll be defeated, we'll show the revolters the royal family's courage and honor.”
“A glorious death. My old bones are trembling with excitement. It was reported that the rebels are going to attack the castle tomorrow. It's really all or nothing now, Your Highness.”
“With our last breath we'll put their soldiers to shame!”
Wales and the others were laughing at ease from the bottoms of their hearts. Louise became worried after hearing the word defeat. In other words, they will die. Aren't these people scared of death?
“And who are these people?” The old mage named Paris asked Wales after seeing Louise.
“This is an ambassador from Tristain. She came because of an important business related to the kingdom.”
Paris was surprised for a moment, what would the ambassador from another kingdom be searching for in those ruins? But soon a smile returned to his face.
“So you are an ambassador. Paris Chamberlain at your service, madam. It's nice that you came all the way to Albion. Though it might not be much, we will have a small feast tonight. By all means - please come.”
Louise and the others followed Wales to his room. The prince's room was situated behind the kitchen room and it was rather ordinary looking.
There was a wooden bed, table and a pair of chairs, as well as a painting on the wall that illustrated a battle scene.
The prince sat on the chair and opened a drawer of the desk, inside of which was a little jewelry box. The prince took the necklace off his neck.
A small key was put into the lock of the little box and Wales opened it. Henrietta's portrait was lying in there.
Wales, who had noticed Louise looking at the box, spoke embarrassedly.
“Strongbox.”
There was one letter inside. It seemed to be from the princess too. Wales took it out with love and read it. That letter looked older than it should from being constantly re-read.
After reading it Wales gently folded it and put it into an envelope, then he handed it to Louise.
“This is the letter I got from the princess. I am returning it as well.”
“Thank you.”
Louise received the letter while bowing deeply.
“The Eagle will take you back to Tristain tomorrow, as we won't be using it in the battle.”
Louise opened her mouth decisively after looking for some time at the letter.
“But, Your Highness... What did you have in mind when you mentioned a glorious defeat?”
Louise asked with hesitation. Wales answered it very easily.
“It is so. My army has 300 men while the enemy force has 50000. There is no chance of victory. So let us at least die in glory.”
Louise looked down.
“Your Highness, do you also mean yourself when you talk about dying in battle?”