Chapter 350 - Episode 14: Coastal Spirit
The Great Shark and the small sharks were successfully frozen.
"Is it dead?"
Beatrix is leaning out from the bowl.
Inside the ice, the monster shark with its mouth open is trapped.
"No, it's alive. I'm thinking of leaving it as it is, and eventually the ice will melt and it will recover."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm thinking of letting it drift in the current that flows north as it is."
No, are you serious? Won't it revive off the coast of Sertoria and attack ships? Or is it your usual joke?
"There's nothing else to be done. Now that I've made such a large iceberg, it will take time to melt, and it's impossible to carry."
That's logical in one or two ways. No, it might be logical in ten ways.
It's like an island. For ultra-high-level fire or ice magic, even if dispelled, too much magical power was gathered, so the heat or cold cannot be removed immediately.
"The only solution that comes to mind is to fire several Megiddo Fires and process it along with the Great Shark."
"Isn't there no choice but to do it?"
Beatrix pretended to fire a Megiddo Fire.
However, if it's a barrage of Megiddo Fires, the nearby seawater will become boiling water and many creatures might die. That's also a problem. However, if left alone, the Great Shark we finally trapped will revive, and if it's not melted quickly, a maritime accident might occur.
If so, there's only one choice.
"Let's consult Alex. If possible, let's also ask the seals."
Eleanor-sama also didn't seem to have a good idea, so in the end, we decided to go to the island where Alex was waiting.
When we joined the second group and went to the island together, Alex and three women were on the rocks of the coast. The women had cast off their seal costumes, and two legs had grown. The clothes they were wearing were extremely short underwear that only went to the solar plexus and a gray cloth wrapped around the waist that covered to the knees. Moreover, they were barefoot. The exposure is quite high. The sea breeze is strong. Aren't they cold?
There are no seals around the four. Rocks can be seen in a circle.
"Yo, you've come. But you've trapped it in quite a huge iceberg. Was it Cocytus?"
When we landed, Alex called out casually. Apparently, he created a friendly atmosphere among the spirits. The women are all three great beauties. The magic soldiers who were operating the second bowl are staring.
"They are coastal spirits. There are also men, and they'll be coming up from the sea in a bit."
The seals that were jumping into the sea and barking seem to be the men. They apparently went up to the island at the time we started the attack, but after hearing the circumstances from Alex, they seem to have gone to catch prey for hospitality. It's as if friendship is already guaranteed.
"Are all the seals around here coastal spirits?"
"Not all. There are six pairs of couples, and the rest are just normal seals."
Which means, there are three more people.
When I was looking at the surrounding seals, there were three whose faces were sticking out from the costumes. When I waved my hand, they waved their flippers back.
"Um, aren't you cold? It's enough if you just stick your faces out like those people over there."
When Alex translated, the three of them jumped at me together with smiles and were saying something.
"They say thank you. They were cold. They thought it would be rude, you know. They were enduring it."
The three of them put on the costumes at their feet and lay down with only their faces sticking out.
Since the others were lying down, we also decided to sit and relax.
Coastal spirits apparently usually wear seal costumes and live a life similar to seals. When Eleanor-sama asked, "How about food and drinks made by humans?" they said they would eat, so we decided to have a banquet once the men returned. Eleanor-sama and Wilson-san went to pick up Edward-sama in the ultra-high-speed bowl in a hurry. This is within Primordia's territory. Even Henry-sama and the others can't make arbitrary promises.
In the meantime, six men returned from the sea. The clothes they are wearing are similar to the women's. They all have costumes and something like a net made of seaweed in their hands. All six of them are quite handsome, though not as much as Eowyn-sama. To be honest, they are more handsome than the winners of the contest.
Edward-sama also arrived, and everyone was gathered. We had the coastal spirits wear their costumes so they wouldn't be cold, and had them introduce themselves in turn in a relaxed situation. Then it was a hot pot.
Wilson-san made a circular wall of air with Wind Barrier, so we became able to shelter from the wind. Since flippers are inconvenient for the coastal spirits, they are sticking out from the chest up so they can use their hands. It's just right because there's a fire lit for the pot. We divided into two groups, and each circled around a hearth made by lining up stones.
The men had caught several large shells for us. They are apparently at the bottom of the sea, and they went out of their way to dive and catch them. They are light brown, flat bivalves about the size of a palm. When Bonnie opened a shell using a small knife, a round, flesh-colored body came out. It's thick and plump. When I asked Sianya about the cooking method, she replied that it's delicious even in a pot. Since there are enough for everyone, we stopped putting in dried meat and made a pot with the shells as the main ingredient.
"Those are quite large shells. Can they be caught in abundance around here?"
"Apparently they can be found quite a bit if you go offshore. It's not that deep because it's connected to the White Island up to around here."
"They are clearly larger than the ones we usually see."
Sianya, together with Edward-sama who sat next to her, is measuring the size of the shell by spreading her fingers. This part must be like Sianya being an older sister. Incidentally, the next neighbor to Sianya is Beowulf, and Sianya is sitting compactly sandwiched between the two large people.
That shell cheese pot was also exquisite.
"This is quite delicious again."
Edward-sama praised it highly.
As Sianya told us, we put the shells in first and boiled them, and how should I put it, the flavor of the shells became like a broth, and it truly smells like seafood. Even though rich cheese is involved, it has a somewhat refreshing taste. Above all, the texture of the large shells is irresistible.
It also goes well with wine. It might have been even better if there were chicken or mushrooms.
The six coastal spirits also enjoyed it.
Those spirits, every time they drink wine, they take it into their mouths and roll it around to savor it. Even after swallowing, they are sighing. They must like it very much.
"Apparently humans used to offer wine in barrels at the altar in the rocky area of the cape before."
"Even now, we make an offering once a year."
Sianya replied to Alex's translation.
There's a path down the cliff at the cape. Since long ago, centered on hunters, as a sign of gratitude for the blessings of the sea, they apparently dropped wine barrels onto the rocky shore on a fixed day every month. The coastal spirits seem to have found them and picked them up to drink. Since they are spirits, it's fine, but if a human did it, they would become an offering thief.
The coastal spirits also have their say, and around this island there are many reefs, and while small boats are fine, if a large ship carelessly approaches, a hole will be made in the bottom and it will sink. When a ship came to a dangerous place, they apparently sang the song we also heard, "Don't come, don't come," to inform them. In other words, they seem to have arbitrarily thought it was a gift of thanks.
"At the cape, there shouldn't have been anyone who said they saw a mermaid for a long time, though."
"They moved, they say."
Originally, they seem to have lived around the cape where the lighthouse we joined is. If you dive into the rocky area, there's a cave that doesn't show itself even at low tide, and if you proceed underwater, you come out to a place without water. They lived there.
Instead, there are sighting examples in the reef area where we are now. The consistency is there, but in the legend, for some reason they have become ferocious. Because of that, no fisherman apparently approaches.
"Is that Great Shark the cause?"
It's Eleanor-sama.
In other words, ships that ran aground on the reefs and were shipwrecked were attacked by the Great Shark and the small sharks.
However, it's said that if you hear the song, the ship is drawn to the reef as if pulled and gets shipwrecked.
"You heard that beautiful singing voice earlier, didn't you? And these folks are beauties and in this outfit to boot. If the one steering the rudder is someone who knows nothing, maybe they thought of trying to get closer to this island because they were feeling amorous?"
I see. That's the fault of the wicked ones. Even though they are being told not to come, why would they approach.
"Then, the saying that if there are three super handsome men they will be saved?"
"Those with only a few people were probably wiped out in an instant. The ones that could survive were probably large ships with many people. If a certain number survived, wouldn't there be about three handsome men?"
It's reasonable.
A male coastal spirit said something to Alex.
"Sorry. That was my own interpretation just now. The female spirits apparently prioritized saving handsome men. Maybe the ugly ones who didn't make it in time were eaten."
Looking at the women, all six are averting their eyes. I think you should apologize to the ugly ones.
There seem to have been various discrepancies, but the overall picture has been grasped. At least, it's a fact that a ship that hears the singing voice must run away immediately or it will be shipwrecked and eaten.
If so, what remains are the Great Shark and the sea snake. Regarding the Great Shark, Eleanor-sama explained, and regarding the sea snake, Edward-sama explained.
The view of the coastal spirits was clear. They said to please make sure to kill them, even if it means some sacrifice.
The Great Shark is apparently the great enemy of seals. It likes seals, and seems to aim for the time when the seals entering the rocky area leave the reef to catch fish. Seal hunting itself is, however, not something to be denied, just as wolves aim for deer. The problem is that the Great Shark is a monster and a glutton.
"It's said that it aims for the group itself. It's on a different scale from normal sharks. If things go bad, the group might be wiped out. The reason they moved here is also because the place they were before was narrow and there were no fish unless they went offshore. And they would be immediately preyed upon. Here, they can hold out to some extent."
Because the reef expands around the island, the Great Shark with its huge build can't enter. In exchange, the size of fish that seals like to eat is also not quite sufficient.
The Great Shark apparently has a wide area around here as its territory and is also aiming at several other groups. After roaming around here for a while, it disappears. The seals, thinking it's gone, frequently go offshore to catch fish. And then the Great Shark suddenly comes from the deep as if it remembered. If left alone, considerable damage will occur, so the spirits are giving instructions to guide the seals.
In other words, it becomes a struggle between monsters and spirits. That said, the spirits have the disadvantage and are purely on the defensive.
They are loudly saying that since we caught it, we should subjugate it.
"If we defeat that Great Shark, a successor will appear soon, won't it? Shouldn't we consider that part as well?"
That part would be the same as wolves or bears. Even if defeated, they will bubble up before you know it. As proof, when Alex translated Eleanor-sama's words, the coastal spirits also nodded.
"They say they'd like to cooperate in the future if possible. In exchange, they say they can cooperate in the sea snake subjugation."
Hmm. We just have to give Fireflies to the coastal spirits. If they can freely manipulate Fireflies underwater, it will be easy to drive it up to the sea surface.
"Alex, what do you think?"
When Eleanor-sama asked, Alex made a grimace.
"Asking me means Eleanor-san is probably thinking the same thing."
Eleanor-sama is sighing at that reply.
"I will take responsibility for processing the one we froze, but I cannot cooperate in the future."
"That's true. At the very least, Jeanne is necessary. Besides, unless we drive it to the shallows somehow, we can't possibly defeat it."
In the end, does it mean Light is indispensable?
However, I can't possibly defeat it alone. This time too, we finally froze it using ultra-high-level magic. Besides, if no damage has occurred to humans, no reward money will be given. Just how much would the profit from the shark be?
"Then, let's have our country hire Priestess Jeanne. If we cooperate with the coastal spirits, drive the Great Shark to the shallows, and hit it with several silver harpoons, wouldn't we be able to manage somehow?"
Edward-sama says so for us, but...
"But, regarding the Great Shark, no damage has occurred to humans."
It's as Eleanor-sama says. There's no reason for Primordia to hire us. To be precise, it's not good for humans who have no interest to interfere.
At this, Edward-sama also fell silent.
Eleanor-sama glanced at Sianya.
"Then, how about if our country makes a deal with the spirits? For example, our country will provide high-quality wine and other drinks and food. We could also provide silver weapons and strategies to fight the Great Shark. In exchange, our country gets the marine products they gather. Of course, this is just my personal idea."
It's Sianya. Even though she's a priest, she's like a representative of the Royal Family. In this case, the strategy probably includes me too.
"Th-that's right. If we do that, we can provide someone hired by the Royal Family."
Edward-sama followed up.
"How about it, Alex?"
"Isn't it fine? Let's go with an equivalent exchange."
Apparently, Eleanor-sama and Alex had the answer from the beginning.
In other words, will I be doing shark subjugation together with the coastal spirits once every few months?
"I will talk to His Majesty. Let's have a personal letter sent to the Marcelo Company too."
Magdalena-sama said, and it was apparently confirmed.
"Edward-sama. Regarding that deal, if you don't mind, could we, the Class of 175, also handle it? We might be able to provide good strategies for the deal with the spirits that Sianya-sama mentioned earlier."
Mary began the negotiation.
"Currently, we are carrying cargo centered on scrolls from Sertoria to Primordia, but the return trip is close to empty. If we fill that part with marine products, we can make a good deal. As you know, the cargo we handle is small-scale, but we have various countries facilitating us, so we sell them cheaper than the market price at the destination. To that extent, we also handle cargo for those who are not so wealthy. Of course, we don't mind turning to trade with the continent, but we haven't secured merchant ships..."
We have already obtained the right of free passage and free commercial rights in Primordia. If we have the shipping costs waived as with the scrolls, we can sell splendid and fresh marine products that humans can't catch cheaply to various countries. Anyone would choose the one with better quality if the price is the same. We could also form a business alliance with nearby fishing villages to make dried fish. The cargo volume itself doesn't have to be that large. Since there are few takers to begin with, and they are spirits, there's no overfishing. Moreover, she's planning to reach out to the continent. Most likely, she's planning to have the shipping costs made free.
Edward-sama is leaning his face toward Sianya. He doesn't seem to understand well.
Sianya is putting her mouth to his ear and saying something. Edward-sama is listening, "Fumu-fumu."
"Regarding the deal, I must take it back to the Royal Palace and consult with my uncle. However, I will report that Mary--tono's proposal is also good for our country."
A natural-sounding reply came back, but for now that's fine. Mary also bowed her head, saying, "As you wish."