He Became Napoleon’S Genius Son [EN]: Chapter 12

(11) Recognized by Nelson, the Lion of the Sea

In the 18th century, the sea existed in a gray area between lawlessness and legality.

“Alright! Let’s prepare to set sail from Port Royal!”

As Nelson shouted, waving his pistol excitedly, the fleet lined up in the harbor.

Port Royal.

Soon to be, the Royal Harbor.

The largest port in Martinique and the only real gateway to Europe.

A British escort fleet, having received permission to enter, sailed in.

There were five ships in total, all brigantines, an upgraded version of brigs [small, two-masted sailing vessels].

As the slave rebellion was still ongoing, formidable batteries and guards were positioned along the harbor.

Admiral William Hotham, however, entered boldly.

Into the port of a country considered a virtual enemy, where a rebellion was taking place.

Governor Damas, welcoming the bold Admiral Hotham with an admiring look, asked,

“Will your return journey be safe, Admiral?”

“Unless the French fleet suddenly goes crazy and attacks, there won’t be any problems until we reach the Mediterranean. The real problem is what happens when we arrive there.”

“What do you mean?”

Hotham frowned slightly and replied,

“The Caribbean may be almost free of pirates, but the Mediterranean is still infested with them, Governor. The Barbary pirates.”

Of course, Hotham wasn’t entirely serious.

The Barbary pirates were an Islamic pirate force based in modern-day Algeria.

A formidable force during the heyday of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century.

But now, they were largely an outdated fleet that could be defeated even by the newly formed United States.

Still, they were quite a dangerous enemy for an escort fleet that wasn’t a regular military force.

Especially in a situation like this, with so many civilians on board.

Hoche, leading the way, guided the women and children onto the ship, shouting,

“Get on board quickly! The rioters are coming!”

There were a total of 100 people.

Among them, of course, was Damas’s family.

His wife, Mekrine, daughter Gilbert, and son Antoine Auguste.

Eugene glanced back at Antoine.

According to the records of his past life, Antoine would be beheaded during the Reign of Terror [a period of extreme violence during the French Revolution].

Would it be okay to go to Paris?

But staying here would be just as dangerous.

At that moment, Eugene’s younger sister, Hortense, who was climbing up the gangplank, fell.

“Aaaah! Brother, it hurts!”

In an evacuation, crying itself could trigger panic.

Because everyone was already trembling with fear.

Flustered, Eugene quickly took something out of his pocket.

The most common crop on this island.

Sugarcane.

“Here, Hortense. See this?”

“Uh?”

“It’s sugarcane, suck on it for a bit.”

Of course, sugarcane is the raw material for sugar, and sucking on it could cause tooth decay.

But Hortense’s teeth were still baby teeth.

That’s why, unlike his mother Josephine, Eugene offered sugarcane to Hortense without hesitation.

Sucking on the sweet sugarcane, Hortense stopped crying.

Watching that, Nelson chuckled.

“Heh heh! You’re good at taking care of kids.”

“That’s not all I’m good at, Vice-Admiral.”

“Hmph, then you’ll have to show me you’re not just rich. Your friends are useless on the ship. Worse than my grandmother.”

Nelson glanced at the bow, and Hoche shuddered, waving his hand.

“Ugh, we’re sick of ships now, Vice-Admiral.”

Hoche, as well as Marceau and the three former soldiers, all trembled.

They all suffered from seasickness while crossing the vast Atlantic.

In the original history, they were generals and officers who roamed the battlefield, and even if not, they were warriors who had captured the Bastille [a prison in Paris, stormed at the beginning of the French Revolution], yet they were in this state.

Eugene chuckled and replied,

“They’re brave on land. They safely rescued my mother a few days ago.”

“Oh, really. She’s an incredible beauty. It’s a shame she’s married.”

“…I see.”

As Eugene made a dumbfounded expression, Nelson laughed and patted Eugene on the shoulder.

“Hahaha! Don’t worry. I’m married too! When I return to London, a wife like a rabbit is waiting for me. I’m not so desperate that I’d hit on a married woman!”

But Eugene knew.

The woman Nelson devoted his life to in the original history was indeed a married woman.

The problem is that she is not his wife but the wife of his superior.

But he probably hasn’t met her yet.

Because he meets her at his post after the so-called ‘French Revolutionary Wars’ break out.

Eugene could only smile bitterly and say,

“I hope that feeling doesn’t change.”

Finally, 100 refugees boarded the escort fleet.

Food, water, and most importantly, gunpowder were also loaded.

Hotham shouted to the sailors,

“Alright, set sail! Raise the sails!”

The San Maria, the ship Eugene had come on, also raised its sails under the guidance of Captain Surcouf.

-Bang!

The sound of cannons was loud as the harbor was left behind.

In the distance, the rebels and the governor’s forces were fighting, attacking the harbor.

Suddenly, someone standing next to Eugene sighed.

His mother, Josephine.

“When will I be able to return to my hometown? I’m leaving my mother and father behind.”

Josephine’s father, Gaspard, was already on the verge of death and could not board the ship.

Her mother, Claire, said she would not leave her husband.

In the end, only Josephine and Hortense boarded this ship.

Eugene quietly looked at Josephine.

Josephine will never return to her hometown.

Moreover, Eugene was not sure if returning to Paris would be a happy outcome for Josephine.

Nevertheless, if there is an impending misfortune, he will definitely prevent it.

Eugene smiled, holding Josephine’s hand.

“Instead, you have Hortense and me, Mom.”

Surprised, Josephine smiled brightly.

“Yes, Eugene. My baby, you’ve grown up so much.”

It was the moment Josephine embarked on the Atlantic Paris route.

To a city where unexpected fate awaited.

With her son, Eugene.

***

Apparently, being a famous naval commander doesn’t mean you’re immune to seasickness.

“Ugh! Wee! Ugh!”

There was a man clinging to a corner of the deck, making a sound like a pig being slaughtered.

This man was just a promising prospect now, but in the future, in the original history, he would become an immortal commander.

By the name of Nelson, the world’s greatest naval commander.

But now he was just throwing up from seasickness.

Watching that, Hoche grumbled.

“No, it looks like he’s worse than us? And he said we were worse than his grandmother.”

“He’s usually fine on long voyages, but he’s like this when he gets close to the coast. His seasickness has gotten worse.”

“Serves him right for showing off. Huh? Eugene, are you okay?”

Eugene shrugged.

“Surprisingly, I’m fine? Is it because my ancestors were sailors?”

Surprisingly, Eugene didn’t get seasick at all.

Perhaps his innate sense of balance was quite excellent.

Eugene felt quite intrigued by this unexpected physical ability.

Could it be that Eugene has a talent for maritime activities?

While he was having such silly thoughts, Josephine came out of the cabin, looking haggard.

“Sigh, when will we be able to go to France?”

The sailors whistled at her beauty, which could not be hidden despite her haggard appearance.

Of course, they all averted their eyes when Eugene glared at them.

He was literally putting up an iron wall to protect his mother.

But Eugene, who knows Josephine’s reputation in the original history, couldn’t help it.

It seems like she will be called a nymphomaniac, though not yet.

Eugene let her get some air and said,

“We’ll be passing Gibraltar soon, so we’ll be able to go to Marseille.”

“Marseille? Why not Bordeaux?”

“That side is probably a mess right now. The revolutionaries will have taken over.”

Simply put, Bordeaux is a port on the Atlantic side of France, and Marseille is a port on the Mediterranean side.

In short, Eugene chose the Mediterranean route instead of the Atlantic.

The reason was very simple.

Bordeaux was probably being swept up by the revolutionaries and was in the midst of a riot.

On the other hand, Marseille was still relatively stable.

Because in the revolutionary period, Marseille becomes unstable after the king dies.

The king has not died yet.

Of course, there was another reason.

[To Marseille.]

Because there was guidance from the silver letters.

Following that guidance, Eugene went to the palace.

He met the king, the queen, and the princess.

He was able to obtain the power, money, to save his mother thanks to his connection with the royal family.

But at the same time, Eugene came to Martinique, and history has changed.

What will change more in the future, and how?

While he was lost in thought, Josephine asked with a surprised look next to Eugene.

“I heard France is in chaos, is it true! Then shouldn’t we not return?”

“It’ll be okay, for now.”

“Why?”

Eugene looked around and whispered,

“My father has joined the revolutionaries. He will probably be active as a general in the revolutionary army.”

The reason for lowering his voice was because of the British escort fleet.

Even Nelson was on Eugene’s ship, the San Maria, not the escort ship Saint Helena.

This was to match the pace of the escort fleet and the general merchant ship, San Maria.

Ironically, the British hate the French Revolution.

Even though the revolution was influenced by the British Glorious Revolution and liberal ideas.

It’s an irony of history.

France, which was an absolutist monarchy, is caught up in a violent revolution, and Britain, which became a parliamentary state first, retains a conservative aristocracy to this day.

So, the word revolution is a shocking word to the people of this era.

It is synonymous with upheaval.

Josephine, who had been an ordinary aristocratic wife and farmer’s daughter, opened her mouth wide.

“Good heavens, Alexandre has gone mad.”

“When you get there, get a divorce.”

“What?”

Why would she divorce her husband, who has become a key figure in the revolution?

Of course, Eugene’s reason is simple.

Because Alexandre’s fate is truly precarious.

If Eugene makes even a small mistake, he is likely to be beheaded as in the original history.

But instead of bringing up such a story, Eugene simply made a prediction.

“The revolution may win. But the current rulers can’t win.”

“How do you know that?”

“Mom, this is gambling. I never lose at gambling.”

Suddenly, Eugene smiled lightly and gestured towards Hoche and Hippolyte.

“Why else would Hoche and Hippolyte have followed me all the way to the New World?”

Of course, Hoche and Hippolyte were still suffering from seasickness, so they didn’t seem very trustworthy.

But these two were definitely trustworthy to Josephine.

The reason was very simple.

In the original history, Hoche and Hippolyte both become Josephine’s lovers.

Now, Eugene has blocked them and they have become former lovers or just boys she knows.

That means Josephine likes the type of men like Hoche and Hippolyte.

But now, her son, who is only 11 years old, has brought much older men whom Josephine can trust all the way to the New World.

It’s definitely not a normal thing.

Josephine looked at Eugene quietly and hugged him tightly.

“You’ve really grown up, my baby. Huh?”

“Ugh, uh, Mom! Let go of me!”

“More than that, what is that?”

Suddenly, Josephine, who was holding Eugene in her arms, looked at the sea and asked in surprise.

Eugene turned his head and was startled.

The next moment, Nelson, who was suffering from seasickness at the bow, raised his head and hurriedly shouted.

“Everyone inside! Pirates! Barbary!”

Barbary.

The Islamic pirates who still sweep the Mediterranean have appeared.

***

In the late 18th century, Western Europe was already one step ahead of the Islamic world.

Especially the British Navy, which cannot be compared to Islamic pirates.

Of course, that’s the case with the Navy.

“Ha! It’s time to stretch my arms and legs!”

Nelson shouted, standing at the bow, as if he had forgotten all about his seasickness.

The San Maria was a merchant ship, but it was still armed.

There were no proper cannons, but there were swivel guns, so-called grapeshot cannons [small cannons that fire a cluster of smaller projectiles].

Of course, they wouldn’t be firing swivel guns right away, and the real battle would be fought by the escort ships.

At that time, Admiral Hotham shouted from the escort ship Saint Helena in the distance.

“Be careful, Horatio! That’s not a warship! Besides, we have civilians on board our escort ships!”

“Hmph, we can just take care of those medieval pirate ships in an instant!”

“Don’t joke around knowing that! Those guys have gunpowder weapons too!”

Of course, the Barbary pirates’ gunpowder weapons were at least two or three generations old.

The guns are not muskets but close to arquebuses [early type of long gun], and the cannons would be deployed much later.

So, Admiral Hotham did not expect defeat.

However, the number of approaching pirate ships was three.

Even though the number was smaller than theirs, once boarding occurs, they were bound to lose.

After all, they have fewer combatants, and the pirates are all combatants.

The captain, Surcouf, who had been sailing silently, grumbled.

“We were sailing well, but we had to face this situation right in front of us.”

However, Nicolas Surcouf was clearly an excellent captain.

He began to quickly turn the ship, gesturing to the navigators and sailors.

Especially before entering the Mediterranean, the wind is very important in the Atlantic Ocean.

“Turn!”

Just as the ship was about to make a turn according to Surcouf’s command.

Suddenly, Eugene ran out, looked around, and ran over.

It happened before Hoche or Marceau could stop him.

“Wait!”

“Hey, what is this! Who let this kid out! Take him to the cabin right now!”

“Don’t turn, spread all the sails!”

At that moment, Nelson, who was about to load his pistol, shouted in disbelief.

“What? What nonsense is that? Then we have to ram them!”

The wind blowing now is a strong wind.

If they spread all the sails at once, they will go straight ahead.

Right towards the pirate ships.

Eugene shouted firmly with a truly absurd sound.

“I am the owner of this San Maria! Go forward! That’s how we’ll scatter them!”

“What?”

“Look closely! You should be able to see it! Those pirates are hesitating!”

Nelson frowned and stared ahead.

Then Nelson’s eyes widened.

He realized what Eugene was saying.

The next moment, Nelson shouted to Captain Surcouf.

“Captain! Spread all the sails!”

Surcouf was dumbfounded, but Nelson’s pistol was right in front of him.

Besides, Nelson is a former soldier, and Surcouf is still a fledgling captain who is only 20 years old.

Inevitably, Surcouf turned his hand again, and the sailors spread the sails while bewildered.

Admiral Hotham screamed from the Saint Helena when he saw the scene.

“What are you doing, Horatio!”

“Admiral! Look at that. They didn’t raise their cannons!”

“What does that mean?”

Only then did Admiral Hotham look at the pirate ship and slap his knee.

“Those guys. They don’t have gunpowder! Prepare the swivel guns!”

All the cannons are aimed at the sky.

What does this mean?

It means they are not preparing to fire at all.

Why?

It means they don’t have gunpowder to fire the cannons.

The four escort ships and the small cannons on the San Maria’s watchtower were aimed.

-Click!

Swivel gun.

A cannon that can be rotated by installing it on a rotatable mount.

Rapid fire is possible by replacing the barrel with a pre-loaded barrel.

The ammunition is not a single cannonball but grapeshot, which is a bag of lead bullets that are fired in bursts.

Nelson, the San Maria’s only artillery expert, picked up the swivel gun and began to fire.

-Tatatatatang!

The pirates, who were surprised by the San Maria’s sudden approach, screamed.

“Aaaagh!”

“Stick to it! Shoot!”

“We don’t have gunpowder, damn it! Just get close!”

Nelson laughed as he broke through.

“Hahaha! What did I tell you, Captain! Those guys are medieval! Ugh!”

At that moment, a strong wind rushed in again and Nelson was thrown out.

Meanwhile, the pirate ship was approaching again.

In a moment of crisis, Eugene suddenly picked up the barrel and rushed to the swivel gun.

“Eeeeek!”

Eugene glared at the approaching pirate and lit the cannon.

-Swoosh, bang!

The pirate was torn to pieces and flew away.

First kill.

Eugene gasped and fired the cannon again.

He has to protect them.

Behind Eugene are his mother Josephine and his younger sister Hortense.

If he retreats here, Eugene’s coming to the New World will only lead to the death of his family.

It was the moment he was desperately firing.

“That’s enough, Eugene!”

Hoche grabbed his shoulder and shouted.

When Eugene turned his head blankly, the pirate ship was already far away.

They survived safely.

Eugene collapsed.

“Hah, hah, hah.”

At that time, Nelson, who had been thrown away, approached and tapped Eugene on the shoulder.

“How did you see that? Kid.”

Eugene blinked and chuckled.

He was asking how he knew that the pirate ship didn’t have gunpowder.

Of course, Eugene didn’t see it and know it either.

“It’s intuition.”

To be exact, what Eugene saw was not the ship but something else.

[Turn, defeat. Go straight, victory.]

The crossroads of choice, the moment of gambling, the fork in the road.

The silver letters showed the choices.

But it was only Eugene’s courage that fired the grapeshot at the last moment.

Courage that Eugene didn’t even know how he got.

At that moment, Nelson was stunned and then burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! Not bad, kid. At least you can sail a ship better than my grandmother!”

Eugene raised his eyebrows and laughed back.

“Well, I can kiss better than your grandmother. Hmph!”

This is a joke that only Eugene knows now.

Because that’s what Nelson says when he dies in the original history.

His last words after asking his subordinate to give him a farewell kiss at the moment of his death.

Perhaps a cynical man until his death, Nelson burst out laughing.

“You cheeky kid! I like you! Hahaha!”

January 1790.

The laughter of a random boy and young man spread over the winter sea.

It was the day Eugene fought his first naval battle with Nelson.

Eugene won his first fight.

On the voyage back to France, where the revolution had broken out.