Chapter 79

"Ah, we're passing through the strait!"

Selena, seeing the two peninsulas flanking the Mareas, exclaimed.

"Yes, from here it's the Luxian Sea."

We are now on the Mareas, trying to leave the Lux Bay, where the capital is located.

Between the two peninsulas visible on either side—the Lux Strait—lies the vast Mediterranean-like Luxian Sea. Our destination is the Miles Island, which floats right in the middle of the Luxian Sea.

Depending on the wind, it should take about two days of sailing south to arrive.

Since it's close to the Lux Bay, many ships pass through this sea. There are also many naval ships, so unless another evil dragon-like opponent appears, there shouldn't be any particular problems.

"The waves are calm... It looks like we'll have a pleasant voyage."

While feeling the wind and looking at the sea, Elysia said this.

"Since we're here, why don't we stay on the ship tonight?"

"Ah, that sounds good. But, is there even a place to stay?"

In response to my question, Elysia nodded vigorously, as if to say, "Of course."

"Considering the possibility that the transfer pillars might not work, the ship has been equipped with facilities for the crew to stay."

"Not just preserved food like smoked meat, but also magic devices that provide water and can start fires. You never know when you might be shipwrecked, but it doesn't seem like there's much to worry about."

Yuri, looking at the dragon person steering the ship, said this.

The dragon people, who lived at sea, were skilled swimmers and sailors. After Yuri taught them a bit about sailing before departure, they were able to handle the ship.

Selena, standing near me, patted the shoulder of the white-robed woman, Lahn, who was standing nearby.

"The dragon people are already doing a great job!"

"It's not that great... We used to go fishing as far as the Miles coast from the Lux Bay, so we are familiar with these waters."

Elysia said.

"That's reassuring. Do any monsters appear here?"

"Not really... There aren't many large monsters here. Probably because the Kraken lives deep in the sea."

The Kraken is a monstrous creature with a head as large as a mountain, resembling a giant octopus.

Due to its massive size, it doesn't attack people swimming in the sea. It feeds on slightly smaller sea monsters. The reason there aren't many powerful sea monsters in this area is likely because they are preyed upon by the Kraken.

Human ships are often mistaken and attacked by this creature. The larger the ship, the more likely it is to encounter a Kraken. Ships can be suddenly entangled by giant tentacles and dragged into the sea or capsized.

Although the Kraken's movements are slow, human ships are even more cumbersome, making it a threat to humans.

"The Kraken. We need to be careful since the Mareas is quite large."

"Well, the Kraken's movements are slow, so as long as we don't stop, we should be fine."

Lahn reassured me.

Selena, puffing out her chest, replied.

"Whatever comes, it won't be a match for the Mareas! We're well-armed."

Elysia nodded.

"Yes, and we have all the facilities to ensure Lord Alex's comfort."

Elysia's smile made me a bit wary.

There might be peepholes in the bath... Yeah, that's it?

At the point where we passed through the Lux Strait, a fleet of about five ships was anchored in a line.

Selena said,

"Are they battleships? The navy's main ships."

"Yeah, they're huge ships used by the navy. But they don't seem to be the navy..."

Each ship had a large flag at the top of the mast and banners hanging from various parts of the ship.

If the ship's body was white, the flags and banners were also white... The flags had patterns resembling light and the sun, and the banners had long texts.

With good eyesight, Yuri read aloud.

"There is no place in this world where light does not reach... There is no darkness where demons lurk... Distribution of the Holy Scriptures, middle? What is that...?"

"It's probably the Holy Order..."

But why are they here?

Moreover, they seemed to be stopping and inspecting passing ships.

The Holy Order wants to reduce the number of demons and those with dark emblems in the capital. I've heard they also try to prevent them from entering in the first place.

Officially, they justify their activities as the discovery of demons.

Of course, it's an overreach of authority.

However, the emperor and the nobility, fearing the influence of the Holy Order, do not reprimand them.

"Is it a coincidence... or did Burius or Luibel send them?"

I haven't received any information from Tika and Nate.

Well, both are possible.

The Holy Order, while appearing organized, is said to lack cohesion.

Burius and the upper echelons tentatively follow the secular authorities like the emperor and nobles.

On the other hand, the lower members are loyal to the teachings, prioritizing the Holy Scriptures over imperial law. Their activities are more radical.

Selena asked,

"What should we do? I have an Ars cannon with my 'Inferno' on the bow!"

"Selena is always like that..."

Yuri chuckled. Of course, we can't fight.

I said to the dragon person steering the ship,

"Can you take a detour? It's a hassle, but talking is a pain."

"Hai!"

The dragon person changed course and headed toward the fleet.

Elysia, looking a bit sad, said,

"What do they want by doing this?"

Yuri, looking exasperated, muttered,

"Probably just to bully the weak... I've heard they're gaining influence in other countries as well. Are they in Miles?"

"There are branches, but the government is strong, so their influence shouldn't be that great."

Selena said firmly,

"We won't let them take root in Ars or Tialus!"

"Right. Eventually, I want to create a place where people who are troubled by them can live."

If we can cultivate Tialus and obtain food, we should be able to attract more people.

While thinking about this, I noticed something like a wave of magic.

Far ahead... a powerful magical reaction.

It was coming from directly below the Holy Order's battleship...

"–!?"

Everyone gasped at the sight before them.

The battleship was suddenly split in two by a massive tentacle.

The sound of the marine bell echoed immediately.

The merchant ships being inspected quickly moved away from the scene.

Meanwhile, the Holy Order's battleships began to encircle the sinking ship.

It wasn't an evil dragon... probably a large sea monster. They were targeted because they had been anchored in this spot for so long.

"We need to protect the merchant ships. I'll go and check the situation with 'Transfer.' Elysia, can you ride Lahn and come using the Shadow Wheel to hide your presence?"

"...Understood."

Elysia nodded, though she seemed a bit anxious about me leaving.

"Yuri and the others, please come by ship. If the merchant ships are attacked, use the Mareas as a shield. If any ships sink, rescue the survivors."

"Understood!"

Selena and the others responded enthusiastically.

"Alright. Then, it's time for this cloak to shine."

I put on the hood of the cloak.

The magic I imbued was 'Dark Wall.' 'Invisibility' is sufficient with the Shadow Wheel.

This cloak is like armor.

With that, I instantly 'Transferred' to the sky above the battle.

Thanks to the dragon eye power I received from the evil dragon, I can float and won't fall.

The battle situation was that the Holy Order's battleship was already entangled by tentacles and sinking.

Red, octopus-like legs... this must be the Kraken Lahn mentioned.

"Because they were anchored here... huh? That's it."

I noticed a tentacle stretching out to follow the merchant ships and released 'Dark Slash' at it.

"–Not a chance. 'Dark Slash'!"

The black blade cut straight into the sea. Soon, the severed tentacle flew out of the water.

Water columns rose from various points on the sea surface, and countless tentacles stretched out from them toward me.

I could sense the magical reaction... a powerful individual.

I repeatedly 'Transferred' and cut the tentacles with 'Dark Slash' as they stretched out.

The tentacles themselves moved slowly, making it easy to avoid them.

"Lord Alex! I'm here to assist!"

Elysia, who arrived late, rode the dragon Lahn and cut the tentacles with her sword.

She cleanly severed the thick, elastic tentacles with a single swing.

"Elysia, Lahn, thank you!"

However, I noticed a powerful magical reaction rising from the depths of the sea.

"The main body... –"

It was about to surface and attack with acid from its mouth.

"Here, holy magic... no."

I'll use dark magic. If I use holy magic, the Holy Order members who escaped from the sinking ship might mistake it for divine help.

I pointed both hands at the sea surface, gathering black mist in my hands.

Then, the Kraken's head appeared.

"–'Black Dragon Cannon'!!"

The 'Black Dragon Cannon,' which I imagined as a more powerful version of the 'Black Crossbow' I used to make Elysia my servant, was a dark magic I just devised.

A massive black wave, reminiscent of the evil dragon's body from yesterday, was released from my hands.

The Kraken also released acid toward me, but—

The wave absorbed the acid and pierced through the Kraken's body.

With a loud explosion, a huge pillar of fire rose from the sea surface, and a withered giant octopus head floated on the water.

Elysia, riding Lahn, came to my side and said,

"Excellent, Lord Alex!"

"Thank you, Elysia... I don't want to, but we should rescue the Holy Order members. We'll have the other merchant ships take them to the capital. Lahn, can you and the other dragons collect as many of the Kraken's tentacles as possible? They're apparently quite... delicious."

Elysia and Lahn nodded in agreement.

We then rescued the Holy Order members floating in the sea.

Starting from this chapter, it's the third chapter!

Next time, we finally land in Miles!