Restart:Untalented Man

Chapter 245 Cutting Off The Supply Line

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Turning back time a bit, a letter arrives in the hand of Admiral Jareth. After a long rest, he and his fleet were given a new mission— to strike at the heart of Barlia's supply line by capturing the Port Town of Caushilbo. 

Now that Blande is no longer a threat, Barlia has becomes their next target. With their main army venturing deep into others' territory, cutting off their supply line would really hurt them.

"Alright, boys! Rest time is over! We got a new mission to do. Get ready to depart!" shouted Admiral Jareth, rallying his forces.

Without further ado, the fleet consisted of five galleons, three carracks, and six caravels immediately set sail from Erle Island. The remaining ships were left behind to guard the island and patrol the surrounding waters, ensuring its safety during his absence. 

Their first destination was Harlington. Location-wise, Harlington is not that far in distance from the port town. It was a perfect stopping point where Admiral Jareth can send a reconnaissance team to assess the enemy's strength guarding the coveted port town.

This would provide valuable information and help in devising an effective plan for the upcoming attack on the Port Town of Caushilbo.

The reconnaissance team, comprised of skilled scouts and navigators, departed in a swift caravel, blending into the vast expanse of the sea. Their hearts raced with anticipation as they navigated through treacherous waters while avoiding detection.

Days turned into nights, the reconnaissance team observed the enemy's activities from afar.

They meticulously counted the number of enemy ships that surrounded the port town of Caushilbo. It became clear to them that the enemy had deployed a formidable fleet to guard their precious supply route.

As the reconnaissance team returned to Harlington, a concerned look was visible on their faces. Nevertheless, they reported their findings to Admiral Jareth.

They emphasise the sheer strength of the enemy's defences. The news weighed heavily on the seasoned admiral, forcing him to reconsider his initial plans. While they possessed firepower superiority, the enemy's sheer numbers posed a daunting challenge. 

It was clear that a full-scale attack with their entire fleet would be risky, potentially leading to heavy losses.

With a meagre amount of ships they have, the fleet would be run over in no time. 

In the end, he decided on a more calculated approach.

....

At the port of Caushilbo, a sense of tranquillity filled the air. The port was just like any other day. 

Barlia's sailors are patrolling the port as usual. Numerous ships flowed in and out of the port, dropping food and essential supplies for their comrades on the frontline.

Every crate was carefully inspected and accounted for, ensuring the integrity of the provisions before they were transported inland.

"Hmm?" Amidst this atmosphere of order, the diligent sailors on patrol noticed a peculiar sight.

Their trained eyes caught sight of a small fleet of ships, distinct from the usual cargo vessels that frequented the area.

A single galleon, its imposing presence impossible to ignore, led the way, accompanied by several nimble caravels.

It keeps moving in until it stops right in the middle. An eerie silence fell over the port.

Boom!—

A sudden deafening shot shattered the harmony, reverberating through the port.

A projectile had been launched.

One unlucky unsuspecting cargo ship, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, succumbed to the unforgiving depths of the ocean.

"What the—" gasped one of Barlia's sailors, his voice drowned out by the chaos that erupted in the wake of the attack. Panic surged through the defenders on land as they hastily rallied to protect the crates.

On the other hand, Barlia's naval forces swiftly sprang into action, mustering their strength to fight against this unforeseen assault from Ryntum.

This was the first time Barlia encountered the Ryntum's naval fleet. All they heard before was their formidable army. 

Despite the enemy ships being mounted with formidable guns, Barlia's sailors managed to maintain a semblance of confidence. In their perception, the Kingdom of Ryntum is a newly emerged naval power and most likely possesses a small and inexperienced fleet. 

"There's only one ship loaded with guns, as long as we avoided it, it is fine." Barlia's sailors reassured themselves. 

Emboldened by their convictions, Barlia's navy launched a counter-attack.

The stage was set for a battle of naval prowess.

The stark disparity in ship manoeuvring skills became abundantly clear.

As the thundering echoes of cannon fire reverberated through the confined space of the congested port, Barlia's ships showcased an unmatched finesse in navigating through the waters. 

Their crews, honed through years of training and battle-hardened experience, seemed to possess an innate understanding of the maritime intricacies of the environment.

With exceptional precision, Barlia's vessels weaved effortlessly between the docked ships. Their commander expertly and tirelessly calculate each turn and anticipate every obstacle.

The crews exhibited an uncanny ability to utilize the limited space to their advantage, utilizing quick manoeuvres and evasive tactics to avoid the projectiles hurling their way.

Boom!—

Boom!—

"Did a long rest dull your skill? None of you managed to hit the target!" shouted Jareth angrily. He never expected the disparity between Barlia's skill and theirs to be this much.

The admiral was bewildered by the movement showcased by the enemy.

It was as if the very sea itself had become their ally, guiding them through the intricate web of ships with harmonious synchronicity.

As the chaotic barrage of projectiles fired rained down upon them, Barlia's ships continue to dance gracefully amidst the chaos, seemingly defying the laws of physics.

They bobbed and weaved, executing nimble dodges. 

Witnessing Barlia's superior ship manoeuvring skills, the second fleet found themselves unable to effectively target the elusive vessels.

The tightly-packed array of docked ships became an unintentional shield, shielding Barlia's fleet from the brunt of the assault.

Every projectile launched by Ryntum's forces seemed to pass by harmlessly, missing their mark as if guided by an invisible hand.

Recognizing the perilous situation within the port, Jareth decided on a calculated retreat, luring Barlia's fleet away from the congested port and into the vast expanse of the open sea.