Firearms in a Fantasy World

Chapter 123: Decisive Battle 4

Translator: Cinder Translations

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"Prepare muskets!"

"Grenades ready!"

"Prepare swivel guns!"

The six naval sailboats were not equipped with large cannons, but they were armed with swivel guns that could rotate flexibly.

The sailors on board were divided into two groups: one equipped with swords or axes, specializing in close combat to deal with enemies boarding the ship, each also carrying several ceramic grenades.

The other group of sailors were armed with muskets, positioned behind the close combat soldiers, responsible for picking off enemies engaged in melee combat with their fellow sailors.

Considering that current naval battles still primarily relied on boarding actions and preparing for potential urban warfare in the future, the equipment department, led by Herman and others specializing in firearm development, had specially crafted a large-caliber, short-range musket capable of firing shrapnel pellets.

This musket, dubbed "Big Sprayer" by the soldiers, was essentially a handheld cannon. Its shrapnel could spray enemies within a fan-shaped area up to thirty meters away, causing them to bleed profusely. Moreover, due to the large number and tiny size of the shrapnel, once embedded in flesh, they were extremely difficult to remove.

Close to half of the muskets carried by the sailors were these "Big Sprayers."

As enemy ships approached, soldiers with long-barreled muskets opened fire first. The initial barrage threw the pirates into chaos, forcing them to take cover and avoid the bullets.

When they closed within a certain distance, each of the six pirate ships latched onto a naval vessel.

"Throw out the grappling hooks!"

Some pirates risked being shot by muskets as they threw large iron hooks onto the warships. The hooks were tied to cables, and once hooked onto the warship's gunwale, they pulled with all their might during the sailors' ammunition reloading gaps, swiftly drawing the ships closer together.

As the pirates pulled on the grappling hooks, sailors vigorously tossed grenades onto the enemy ships. Even if the pirates lay flat on the deck, they would still be hit by the explosions.

Fortunately, they were dressed thickly enough due to the weather. With the current power of the grenades, as long as exposed parts weren't hit by iron nail fragments, they would only feel intense pain. However, many unlucky individuals still suffered injuries.

"Lower the boarding ramps!"

Thick boarding ramps flipped over from the pirate ships, their ends fitted with iron nails landing squarely on the warship's gunwales.

"Charge! Take them down!"

The pirates all stood up with a loud roar, charging towards the warship across the boarding ramps.

"Now's the time, open fire!"

Swivel guns on the six sailboats began firing in succession, sweeping the pirates crowded on the ramps clean, dropping them all into the sea to feed the fish.

"Don't stop! Charge ahead! Get close to them!"

Pirate leaders shouted loudly, some even waving their weapons, leading the charge across the ramps for a second time.

"Clash!" "Clash!"

At close range, the "Big Sprayers" used for repelling enemies opened fire. Though their power didn't match that of the swivel guns, the injuries they inflicted were severe enough to render the victims incapacitated and out of the fight.