Chapter 37

It's been a week...

I wrote this while feeling extremely sleepy, so please point out any unclear points or typos.

The large water ball was slammed into the restrained Kuroinu.

With a loud noise, it splashed high and rippled across the sea.

"――――You held up well."

"Ha... ha..."

Kuroinu, who was supposed to be at the center, was unharmed.

Although she was blown quite far from where she had been standing, she had not sustained any serious injuries despite the impact that could have crushed a human body.

Leviathan herself had put considerable force into the technique, so she could not hide her surprise at failing to finish her off.

(......! It's a good thing the <Water Technique> worked at the last moment... but I've lost a lot of stamina...)

Kuroinu had activated the <Technique> just before the water ball hit.

Her specialty techniques, such as <Fire Technique> and <Water Technique>, are essentially anti-magic spells.

For example, while there is a spell called <Flame Spear> that shoots a spear of fire, the <Technique> involves first creating fire, then transforming it into a spear, and finally shooting it.

The key point is that while a spell requires two steps to create and shoot a spear of fire, the <Technique> requires three steps: creating the fire, transforming it into a spear, and shooting it.

At first glance, the <Technique> might seem inferior.

However, the <Technique> has a significant advantage that outweighs this drawback.

The advantage is the ability to control <Fire>... meaning that when using <Fire Technique - Piercing>, one does not necessarily have to use fire created by oneself.

If there is fire around, it can be manipulated to create a spear.

This applies even to magic cast by the opponent.

One can manipulate the opponent's fire and shoot it back, make a water ball explode overhead, or deflect lightning to destroy it, making the <Technique> extremely powerful against magic.

In this case, Kuroinu used the <Technique> to slightly alter the point of impact of the water ball.

However, while Leviathan's technique was a spell, it was an attack using the water of the sea she controlled, so she could not fully manipulate it and could only avoid a direct hit.

Despite not being hit directly, Kuroinu, who had received an impact comparable to an explosion, was barely able to stand up, her body accumulating damage.

Her knees were shaking, but her eyes were still alive.

However, the current situation was beyond her control.

(Damn... In this state, I can't even capture that man alive as ordered by my master, let alone deal with Shironeko properly...)

"It's frustrating that I couldn't finish you off... but it seems to be over now."

Leviathan extended her hand toward Kuroinu, who had just stood up.

The small droplet of water in her palm suggested she was about to pierce Kuroinu's heart.

"I'm not as merciful as Setsu. Die... properly."

The droplet of water shot out with pinpoint accuracy.

Kuroinu saw it coming in slow motion, as if it were moving slowly.

(I'm done for... I really can't move my body...)

The <Technique> was already too late.

She helplessly watched the water bullet being drawn into her chest.

"――――Hey, don't just lie there, dog girl."

"What...?"

Kuroinu gasped in surprise.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, and the water bullet that had been about to hit her was knocked into the sea.

The owner of the voice had appeared between them, holding a spear that was at least two meters long.

"You... why are you here?"

"Heh, it's been a while, Sea Goddess."

Leviathan was surprised, and the man addressed her as if he knew her.

Indeed, while she was not particularly familiar with him, she at least recognized his face.

"I see... we were deceived."

"Don't say such a bad thing. I was just being kind. Thanks to me, the cat sisters were saved, and I even let you stay at the inn for free."

The innkeeper, who had provided information to Setsu and Leviathan, now stood before her, a sly smile on his face, which made him look even more unsettling.

"So, are you here to target Shironeko's life? I might just sink you if you don't answer right."

"Whoa, scary! When the Sea Goddess says it, it's no joke... but don't worry, my target isn't those cats."

"Then who?"

"You must have a hunch... it's you, Sea Goddess Leviathan."

Leviathan's guard was heightened when her name was mentioned, and she glared at the man in silence.

"From your lack of surprise, it seems you really did suspect... it's only natural if you understand your own value."

"...How much do you know?"

"I don't have to tell you, but I know how to use your existence."

The man said this with a sly smile.

Leviathan glared at him, clenching her teeth at the worsening situation.

"Well... if you don't want to get hurt, come with me――――"

"――――That's an interesting story, let me join in."

"Wha!?"

The moment the man took a step to take Leviathan away, a black flash accompanied by a large splash of water appeared.

The man, who had jumped back in a split second, managed to avoid the direct hit but was drenched in water, obscuring his vision.

"Damn――――"

"Here it comes!!"

The black line that cut through the rising water splashed across the man's torso, causing a red splash.

Though he grimaced in pain, he took a large step back before any follow-up attack could come.

"Damn... are you done healing already?"

"Yeah, thanks to you."

When the water splashes had all fallen, there stood Setsu, who had been treating Mineko just moments ago.

The man, who was the innkeeper, had blood flowing from his abdomen.

He had intended to cut deeper, but his physical abilities were unexpectedly good.

While he was injured, he was far from being incapacitated.

"Figures... you were one of the black-robed ones, weren't you? I had my suspicions."

"What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying you were suspicious from the start?"

"Yeah. Your words were just too suspicious."

‘As long as she's threatening her, Shironeko won't be free――――’

"When I heard you talking about the mysterious black-robed person at the inn, you pointed out the gender of the person. Of course, you might have had some reason to know the gender, but it was enough to raise suspicion."

In other words, it was the kind of information that only the culprit would know, as in a detective drama or novel.

He thinks the man was trying to avoid suspicion by talking too much and inadvertently

"Killing her by hitting her head..."

dug his own grave.

"Haha... I see. It was my fault... I should have been more careful with my words. But so what? Even if you were on guard, you still let me get close, didn't you?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm going to take you down here. The result will be the same no matter what."

Swinging the large black sword a few times, I held it in one hand, ready to strike.

I confirmed that Kuroinu, who had lost a lot of stamina, was still not moving, and pointed the tip of the sword at the man.

"Well... come on."

In that instant, I thrust the large black sword, and the man launched a powerful spear attack, putting his weight behind it――――

Next time, a decisive conclusion. And a brief farewell.