Chapter 79

Chapter 79

After Alexion had evaluated the treasure for Alon, he went aboard the vessel bound for the Last Archipelago, the stronghold of the Sea Wolves, accompanying Radan.

“We are setting off now.”

Evan, who had been observing the ship as it began to move, spoke after a moment.

“You look fairly at ease.”

Unlike a few days prior, he did not seem to be suffering from seasickness, his complexion remaining largely unchanged from how it was on land.

“I have her to thank for that.”

Evan shifted his gaze subtly toward Penia. A short distance away from them, Penia, who looked significantly improved, was engaged in conversation with Felin.

“…Remarkable. To develop a remedy that counteracts seasickness in only three days.”
“I was told it activates a specific part of the mana stream, briefly preventing the sensation of seasickness, but truthfully, I don’t understand the mechanism.”

Hearing Evan, Alon felt another wave of admiration for Penia’s brilliance. He understood perfectly that such magical applications were not something one could simply invent out of mere inconvenience.

“Might she have a gift for alchemy in addition to her magical prowess?”

Alon watched Penia with a touch of envy.

‘If my own body held even a fraction of Penia’s talent… no, I would be content with just half the capacity of her mana core.’

Alon clicked his tongue and was on the verge of speaking to Penia, but when their eyes met, he offered an awkward smile and a brief wave.

“Speaking of which, why is the Deputy Tower Master here? If you think about it, there isn’t a true necessity for her to accompany us, is there?”

Evan inquired, turning his attention elsewhere.

“I requested that she come.”
“…You did, Count?”
“Yes, she could prove useful in the impending fights.”

‘Well, I have already unlocked all the relics as a precaution, but even so…’

Alon answered with that thought, and Evan responded with a thoughtful “Hmm.”

“But it is peculiar.”
“What is?”
“The Deputy Tower Master. She appears to follow your directives rather readily. She is remarkably amiable, considering what I have heard of her disposition.”
“…That is accurate.”
“And even now, it holds true. In fact, she gains no real advantage, so there is no reason for her to take part in this conflict, correct?”

Alon acknowledged Evan’s observation with a nod.

“You are not incorrect.”

Indeed, she originally had no cause to be here.
Although looking into the mermen was somewhat relevant, there was no requirement for her to conduct her studies in the middle of a perilous war.

‘In truth, I believed the likelihood of her agreeing was low… yet she accepted so easily…’

Alon remembered yesterday’s discussion as he watched Penia wave back.

“Deputy Tower Master, would you join us for the battle tomorrow?”
“To the battle, with you?”
“Yes. Naturally, given the disparity in power, it should not be overly dangerous. Still, having extra support is preferable. You mentioned you were investigating the mermen, correct?”
“Yes, that is true.”
“I heard the Sea Wolves are connected to the mermen, so there might be much to learn if you go. What is your opinion? You need not come if you are unwilling.”
“I-I will go.”
“…Are you certain?”
“Yes, yes, without a doubt…!”

Alon recalled Penia nodding her head vigorously.

“But, what precisely occurred to make the Deputy Tower Master so compliant with you?”

Alon made a strange face in response to Evan’s persistent questioning.

‘I do not truly know either.’

Reflecting on it, despite knowing her for years, Alon still could not determine why Penia was so accommodating toward him.
From his perspective, however, this dynamic was not a disadvantage.
More than anything, after all this time, their relationship had naturally solidified, making it somewhat uncomfortable to question now.
That was why he had not paid it much mind.

‘…Still, perhaps I should inquire discreetly at some point?’

Alon considered this, for he still did not comprehend the reason for her devotion.

While he was lost in these thoughts, the Pirate Lords, who commanded the six other archipelagos under Radan and were sailing their ships alongside his vessel, the White Moon, were clicking their tongues in displeasure at the sight of Alon.

Luna Bloodsail, master of the 2nd Archipelago.
Sabina Ghostcrown, master of the 3rd Archipelago.
Tarik Thundercrush, master of the 4th Archipelago.
Garrett Deathsea, master of the 5th Archipelago.
Jackal Darksteel, master of the 6th Archipelago.

All of them were loyal to Radan, leading their island’s forces, and they all regarded Alon with displeasure.

“Tch, what exactly does the boss see in that noble whelp to be so defensive of him?”

Luna Bloodsail, the red-haired ruler of the 2nd Archipelago, muttered, prompting Tarik Thundercrush, the green-haired master of the 4th Archipelago, to speak.

“Careless words are unwise, but I share your sentiment. Honestly, I am not fond of him either.”
“…”
“I concur as well—”
“I feel the same.”

Sabina Ghostcrown, who had been quiet, nodded in agreement, as did Garrett Deathsea and Jackal Darksteel.

While they had shown no dissent during the gathering to assault the last archipelago, their discontent had grown substantially in Radan’s absence.
It was understandable, for the pirates were displeased with Count Palatio, who had suddenly joined their ranks and gained Radan’s favor.
Of course, even though rumors circulated among the islands suggesting Count Palatio was no ordinary noble, the pirates still dismissed them as mere stories.

“Isn’t it all fabricated?”

Like others Alon had met, the pirates present were skeptical of the tales about him.
After all, they themselves possessed significant power.

“Isn’t that fellow said to be only around the 3rd or 4th magical rank?”

One of the Pirate Lords, the sole mage among them, Sabina, was questioned. She, who had been silent, nodded.
“Yes, that seems correct. Even being generous, his mana level is between the 2nd and 3rd ranks.”
“…Tch, why does the boss favor someone like that?”

Luna Bloodsail complained, still unable to understand.

At that moment, Tarik Thundercrush, who had been quietly observing Count Palatio, spoke.
“Do not judge by appearance alone. If rumors of that magnitude surround him, he may be concealing some aces.”
“But even so, he is only at the 3rd or 4th rank, correct?”
“There could be more to it. Given how many stories follow him, it is unlikely to be trivial.”

Tarik’s words made Bloodsail look at him doubtfully before replying.
“It does not seem you have much faith in the Count yourself.”

Tarik remained silent.
In reality, while he spoke as if defending Count Palatio, he himself was not free from skepticism.
Contrary to the rumors, Count Palatio did not seem impressive.
But judging someone solely on their exterior was foolish.
So, Tarik, without answering Bloodsail’s comment, simply continued to watch Count Palatio.
Even in his eyes, there was a faint trace of distrust, just like the other pirates.

####

Another individual who distrusted—or, more accurately, was bewildered by—Count Palatio was Felin Crysinne.
Having been raised studying magic in the Blue Tower, he was not well-versed in rumors, but he was aware enough of the stories surrounding Count Palatio.
Moreover, he had witnessed his sister, Penia Crysinne, who was peerless and unrivaled, being so deferential to him.
Yet, the confusion remained.
People generally trusted their own eyes, and Count Palatio appeared weak—Felin could perceive that clearly.
However, the behavior of those around him contradicted what he saw.
His respected sister, Penia Crysinne, was still fawning over him.
The mages returning from the Magic Society were lauding Count Palatio as extraordinary.
It was a deeply contradictory situation, where his own observations and the reactions of others did not align.

‘What is truly happening…?’

Felin was reaching a point of bewilderment as he watched Count Palatio.

“Sea Wolves!!”

At the sudden yell, Felin jolted back to awareness and looked ahead.
And then, he saw it.
Silhouetted against the fading light, dozens of pirate ships blocking the path of the White Moon as it headed for the Last Archipelago.

“Ready for battle—!”

Luna Bloodsail, the ruler of the 2nd Archipelago, who had worn a relaxed expression moments before, shouted out.

“Prepare for battle!”

The order, relayed from one mouth to another like a wave, swiftly moved through the pirates.

At this moment, everyone, including Radan, saw something.
It was Tertogan, standing at the center of the deck on all the enemy ships.
And, as if he had been waiting for this, he abruptly snapped his fingers.

“A trap?!”
“Mermen…!”

The other Pirate Lords scowled as soon as they saw this, suspecting they had fallen into an ambush, and their faces grew tense.

Strangely, however, nothing appeared to happen after Tertogan snapped his fingers.
Just as the pirates began to show confusion—

Screeech~!

The sound came from the Sea Wolves’ side.
A scream.
And not just one—multiple screams that left Radan and the Pirate Lords perplexed.
Then, in the next instant…
They saw it.
On the numerous pirate ships of the Sea Wolves, a massacre, or more accurately, a devouring.

Radan.
The Pirate Lords.
The pirates.
Count Palatio and Evan.
Even Penia and Felin—all of them stood stunned as they watched.

On the Sea Wolves’ ship, countless pirates were being consumed by the mermen.
Their heads were bitten off as they shrieked.
Their limbs were torn away as they thrashed.
Those who leaped overboard left behind nothing but crimson foam.
It was a truly savage scene of slaughter.
And to those on the White Moon, it resembled a sudden internal conflict.

The ocean transformed into a scarlet sea amidst the horrific feast.

Just moments earlier, Tertogan had been smiling, but as soon as the pirates he led were dead, he declared with fervor,
“Finally!!!”

With a distorted grin, he raised an object.
At that moment,

Crunch!

His body started to change.

Crash~!

“The ship—the ship’s—!”

The mermen, having devoured the Sea Wolves’ pirates, surged toward the White Moon’s vessel in an instant.
And then,

Crash~!!!

The ships started to sink.

####

“Aaaah~!”
“Over here, the ship is going down here!”
“Do something, do something!”

Felin’s eyes took in a panorama of total bedlam.
Stricken ships were beginning to descend into the water, pirates were scrambling frantically.

Crunch!

On the deck and beneath the waves, vicious combat raged.
As mermen’s teeth ripped pirates’ arms away, swords were thrust into mermen in retaliation, ending their lives.

Amid this turmoil, Felin frowned.
Though it was his first time in battle, his mage training helped him cling to a strand of reason, but the current situation did not appear favorable.

Felin’s gaze shifted below the water.
Amidst the crimson blood, dozens of mermen corpses were surfacing before sinking again.
It was due to Radan’s combat prowess, which bordered on the divine.
With one sweep of his trident, he sent pillars of water erupting, and with a single throw, he shattered the mermen. His power was truly phenomenal.
Likewise, the Pirate Lords, who were ruthlessly cutting down the mermen climbing onto the deck, were powerful, if not to Radan’s degree.
But even so, the battle remained unfavorable.

‘Their numbers are simply too great…!’

Felin clenched his teeth.
Despite the man known as the Sea King demonstrating unbelievable, god-like power, the ship continued to sink.
This meant an overwhelming number of mermen had attacked, a number that even Radan’s astounding abilities could not handle.
Of course, given sufficient time, Radan and the Pirate Lords were strong enough to wipe out all the mermen, but unfortunately, they did not have much time on the sea.

And then.
Not long after.

“It—it’s sinking!”

As feared, the mermen must have damaged the ship from below; even Radan’s vessel tilted sharply, and as Felin felt the ship start to overturn, he squeezed his eyes shut.

“Frigid Abyss.”

He heard a low voice.
And suddenly—
Everything halted.

“…?”

And then—
‘Cold?’

Sensing a frigid feeling filling his lungs, Felin warily opened his tightly shut eyes.
And he saw it.
Beneath the foundering ship, an immense field of ice.
Felin stared vacantly at the vision.
But it was not only him.
The pirates who had been shrieking moments before.
The Pirate Lords who had been slaughtering the mermen.
They were all witnessing the scene.
The ice that had originated around the ship expanded across the sea.
The mermen lunging toward the ship were frozen in mid-air.
The sinking vessel became trapped in ice.
The blood-red sea hardened into a frozen expanse.
And then.
Standing amidst it all was a man silhouetted against the twilight.
He wore a dark coat, his left hand enveloped in gray and shadowy magic.
With a countenance utterly devoid of emotion, as if untouched by the circumstances, he fixed his eyes upon the grotesquely transforming Tertogan—

It was Count Palatio.
Standing tall and resolute upon the frozen sea of blood.