Chapter 49

The "continental shelf" refers to the underwater topography that gently slopes from the land to a certain distance, where it suddenly becomes much deeper at a certain point.

The fact that there is a continental shelf here suggests that the archipelago where the sage lives is quite far away, perhaps on a different continental plate... but that doesn't matter now.

I explained the continental shelf to Dantes, but he tilted his head with a puzzled look on his face.

"Raiji, I've never heard the term 'continental shelf' before. What about the mayor?"

"The depth of the water where the Sea Monk was sighted is well over 100 meters, and we don't know how deep it is. Therefore, the seabed topography is unknown."

"Oh..."

That's right. It's impossible to investigate what the seabed topography is like.

This world doesn't have underwater exploration vessels, and of course, it doesn't have sonar measuring devices.

"However... I have heard that the types of fish that can be caught in these waters change. Is that right?"

The mayor asked the knights, but most of them seemed unsure, and one young knight hesitantly raised his hand.

"My grandfather is a fisherman, and he said, 'The Sea Monk doesn't come to the port because it eats different food.'"

"...I've never heard that before, and I don't think it has been mentioned in any reports."

"Well, the mayor, my grandfather's words aren't taken seriously... Besides, we don't even know what kind of creature the Sea Monk is, let alone what it eats."

"Hmm... I see. Your grandfather must have a great fisherman's intuition."

"Yes, I am honored."

"——Lord Raiji. I've never heard of the continental shelf, but does the ecosystem of fish living there change?"

I tried to recall the knowledge I had from my time in Japan.

"Well, yes, probably. The currents should change due to the continental shelf, so the habitats of fish and the seasons when migratory fish visit should also change."

"Hmm... So, the Sea Monk appears in the waters off Zacharhaven, on the continental shelf, for the purpose of hunting?"

"...It's possible. But, in my opinion..."

Just as I was about to mention another possibility,

"——Mayor! A magic ship has been spotted ahead!"

The voice of the knight on watch was heard.

"It's in battle!! It's in battle with something!!"

The small dot on the horizon, which was hard to believe at first, was the magic ship we were chasing—the one Lark was on. It soon became clear that it was indeed the case, as water splashed dramatically.

It was unclear whether the splashes were from the magic ship's attacks or from an attack from the seabed.

"Can't we go any faster!?"

"This is our top speed...!"

I called out to the knight in the control room, but it seemed they were already going as fast as possible.

I rushed out onto the deck and headed to the bow, where Zelly was.

"Master"

"Zelly, can you see it?"

"Kind of"

Zelly's mouth was stained with something shiny, but I didn't comment on it.

Zelly has better eyesight than me. Even though I absorb innate abilities, Zelly can sometimes see things better, which is probably due to the feline-like beastman traits.

"...This is bad."

Zelly, who had been squinting, said.

"That's not a battle. It's fleeing!"

"What!—"

So that's it.

It was strange that we caught up so quickly to Lark's magic ship, which had a one-day head start, but it's because it encountered the Sea Monk and turned back to the coast.

A green tentacle-like thing shot up with a huge splash. The magic ship swayed, avoiding a direct hit.

"Sea Monk... that's it!?"

I couldn't believe my eyes.

The magic ship coming from the open sea was moving through dark water. I thought it was just a change in the color of the sea, but it was actually a vast "shadow."

If all of that is the Sea Monk, it's the size of a village or town.

(How can we fight something like that!? It's an enemy in the sea!?)

The shape of the magic ship became clearer. Someone on the deck seemed to have noticed us and was waving a white flag, as if to say "run away." Then, a wave hit the magic ship, causing it to sway and the white flag to fly into the air.

Several tentacles stretched out. If we get caught by those, it's over.

"Ah—"

A black blade burst forth, slicing through the tentacles.

"...You idiot! Baka Lark!!"

He used the Shadow King Magic Sword Technique without hesitation. Does he not understand that his body can't handle it due to the innate ability? Or does he understand but still use it? Either way—he's an idiot.

"We can't get any closer! Let's retreat, Mayor!"

"But... but..."

"We'll be caught up during the turn!?"

"Hmm..."

The knights were pressing the mayor from behind.

The knights are right. I don't think the equipment on this ship can do anything against that massive creature.

"Mayor—"

I said.

"Please turn back."

"Master, that—"

Zelly, who was standing next to me, looked shocked.

But what I was about to say was a bit different from what Zelly was thinking.

"Everyone, please turn back. I will jump to the other magic ship alone."

I deployed Fire Magic and Wind Magic.

Today, the book version is finally being released. I will be visiting bookstores, so I will post the details in my activity report.

If you get the book version or the digital version, please write about it in the activity report!