Chapter 351 - Chapter 15: To the Coastal Spirits' Abode
Keeping a sufficient distance and aiming diagonally downward, Eleanor-sama, riding in the bowl, unleashed Prominence. Three advanced holy mages fired Holy Lance in rapid succession, transforming it into a pale yellowish-white Megiddo Fire. It struck the frozen Great Shark directly, blowing a massive hole in it. Although I deactivated it at the moment of impact, it seemed to have pierced through the iceberg, causing a magnificent spray of water vapor to rise. Likely, if a living creature were showered in it, it wouldn't end with just a burn. Mary promptly chanted Blizzard to cool the surroundings.
Thanks to the coastal spirits, all the fish gathered under the ice had been evacuated. Some might have been too late to escape, but we were prepared for that to some extent.
Next, Miana and Beatrix unleashed Flame, melting the parts where the shark pups were frozen. Once they were melted to a certain degree, the priest group fired Holy Lance all at once. Repeating that for the number of shark pups, the shark extermination was finished.
What remained was the mountain of ice. If left alone, it would be dangerous for ships. Merchant ships also pass through this area.
It was decided to let it drift away on the northward ocean current.
"Well then, I shall take responsibility and go."
Henry-sama and Eleanor-sama, riding in Wilson-san's bowl, flew north following the iceberg that was being washed away by Maelstrom. To make it even smaller, Miana, the Flame specialist, was on board. Likely, she would switch with Wilson-san midway and fire Prominence repeatedly.
Those left behind decided to return once to the cape, which was our starting point. This was to check the former abode of the spirits. Since there were Primordia magic soldiers who could use bowls, we could make four bowls in total. Since there would likely be no combat, Edward-sama could also ride safely.
At Sianya's suggestion, Edward-sama, who is a warrior, and Beowulf were placed in the same bowl. She said it's better to group those who cannot use attack magic together. It made sense, but it would be a mid-air date of about half an hour. Mary's expression didn't change, while Beatrix looked a bit tense. However, with this, I knew that Sianya was aware of the marriage talk.
It became a half-hour mid-air tour, and the coastal spirits who came with us were also overjoyed and enjoyed their first mid-air tour. Unfortunately, since Eleanor-sama and Wilson-san weren't there, they couldn't experience ultra-high speed, but we'll let them enjoy it once they return.
Since we arrived at the cape, we decided to go see the former abode at the bottom of the cliff. We rode in the bowl of the Primordia bowl-user.
We prepared a plate-shaped bowl with Edward-sama, Alex, and two male coastal spirits on board to go on reconnaissance. As an escort, I attached one bowl with Harris-san, Beatrix, and myself. Furthermore, another bowl with Magdalena-sama, Mary, and two coastal spirits was positioned for aerial surveillance. The remaining bowl, with Sianya and two coastal spirits, was to wait at the cape in its bowl state.
First was the scout. We had the two male coastal spirits dressed in seal costumes go to see the situation. Since it would be troublesome if there were octopuses or such, I threw a Firefly to Alex to use as both a light and a monster repellent; he caught it and had it held in the seal's mouth.
"Once you enter the sea, I'll illuminate the entire area, so please be careful."
Since it's in the mouth, it should be fine, but I told them just in case.
When Alex translated, they must have understood, as they nodded their heads vigorously up and down.
The two seals moved to the edge of the plate with their front flippers and dove in with a plop, plop.
They swam smoothly, twisting their bodies. As they went toward the cliff, they disappeared midway. Even when we brought the bowl closer, we couldn't confirm them. They must have entered a cave.
After watching for a while, they came back in a panic. They must have dropped it, as they didn't have the Firefly in their mouths. Both of them were shouting something together.
"Run! Once you pull these guys up, ascend rapidly!"
Alex shouted while lending a hand to the seals along with Edward-sama.
"Jeanne! Light at full power! Just illuminating the sea surface is fine!"
Told by Harris-san, I deactivated Firefly. I hurriedly illuminated the area. Was there an octopus? No, were the shark pups escaping?
"Good! This side is fine!"
The plate that had finished pulling up the seals ascended while changing its shape into a bowl.
Edward-sama had drawn his sword. Harris-san began chanting Holy [Over Flow].
As a threat, Beatrix fired two shots of lightning magic.
I temporarily deactivated Light.
While watching the sea surface, I saw a shadow, so I chanted again at full power.
It must have been trying to jump out of the sea; it ended up being showered by the Light right there.
Round red eyes. A wide-open mouth and long fangs.
A sea snake. It was in a place like this.
Harris-san unleashed [Over Flow], and Beatrix also fired lightning.
Because we prioritized the rescue of the seals, the altitude of our escort bowl was low.
The snake that had jumped out tried to twist its body to avoid a direct hit from the magic, but it had momentum. Its head slammed into the bowl just like that.
We managed to avoid being bitten. However, because it was a thrust from diagonally below, the bowl tilted. On top of that, the impact from below was no joke. Everyone on board was thrown into the sea while screaming.
The bowl had been completely deactivated. There was nothing to grab onto.
Four people, including myself, were thrown out.
Thanks to the effect of the Cat Stone, I was able to twist my body instantly and cast Defend on everyone.
But that was it. Along with the sea snake, I fell into the sea in an instant.
Since I fell headfirst, below was empty.
I put both hands under my head and unleashed Light in all directions at full power.
I fell from a place that wasn't so high. Besides, it shouldn't be that deep. While sinking with momentum, I adjusted my posture and looked around. Since the sea snake was there, I illuminated it as it was; it turned skillfully and escaped behind a rock.
I proceeded as if walking on the rocky area at the bottom of the sea.
When I reached the rock where the sea snake had disappeared, I saw the entrance to a cave beyond it.
It must be the former abode of the coastal spirits. It must have escaped in there.
Deep pursuit is forbidden. I temporarily deactivated Light. I decided to bring out a Firefly again and wedge it into a crack in the rock at the cave entrance. It probably won't come out for a while.
When I looked for the others, I could see them splashing around above.
There were three people. It seemed they were alive.
While I was breathing a sigh of relief, there was a plop, and one person fell down.
He was huge. He was holding a sword in a reverse grip. It was Edward-sama.
A member of the royalty had come all the way to save me.
While keeping an eye on the cave, I watched the situation above, and then two more seals dove in. They began rescuing the humans splashing above.
When Edward-sama found me, he came over with his sword in his mouth.
He pointed at the cave, pointed at the Firefly wedged in the rock, and pointed at the sea surface, indicating we should escape now.
Edward-sama nodded as if he understood.
As soon as he took the sword from his mouth into his right hand, he grabbed the Firefly and tried to head toward the cave.
No! No! Not at all!
What are you going to do going alone, you!
In a hurry, I grabbed his sleeve and shook my hands left and right.
Then, with a plop, Beatrix arrived this time.
Similarly, I pointed at the cave, pointed at the Firefly, and pointed at the sea surface.
Unfortunately, since both of them were tilting their heads, I opened my mouth and shouted, "Let's run!"
Bubbles came gurgling out of my mouth, and I didn't even know what I said myself. On top of that, seawater entered instead of air, and I choked. I unintentionally felt my knees give way.
Edward-sama tucked my waist under his arm and began swimming toward the sea surface. Beatrix was grabbing onto his shoulder with her right hand. In her left hand, she was clutching the Firefly.
Whether he was good at swimming or not, he put the sword back in his mouth and was paddling with his left hand while holding me.
It seemed he thought I was about to drown, but it was much better than him charging in alone.
Just like that, we smoothly reached the sea surface, and he took a backstroke posture, placing me on his stomach.
Since I could breathe now, I coughed and sputtered while somehow managing to take a breath.
"Jeanne! Are you okay!"
Beatrix called out to me.
"Hurry up and come!"
Alex, riding on the edge of the plate, reached out his hand. At the same time I grabbed it, I was pulled up with incredible force. It felt like my arm was going to pop out.
Beatrix was also pulled up, and then Edward-sama also climbed on, so we ascended.
Magdalena-sama's bowl dove down rapidly as if switching places.
Mary created a flat iceberg with Glaciate toward the sea surface to act as a lid, then ascended rapidly.
"What about the others?"
"They're fine. We've already pulled everyone up."
He was pointing up, so when I looked up, one bowl was floating there. Harris-san and Sianya were likely preparing to unleash Holy. They were pointing both hands downward. Harris-san was soaking wet.
"Phew, since the priest didn't float up, I thought you were fighting the sea snake."
Edward-sama? Just what do you think I am?
"Honestly, don't make us worry!"
Beatrix, you too.
Once we landed at the cape, it was decided to let us warm up in the lighthouse.
The lighthouse was four stories tall, with the first and second floors being living quarters, both having fireplaces.
The lighthouse was managed by two Primordia navy soldiers, who were apparently called lighthouse keepers. They said we could use the living quarters, so we washed in the washroom on the first floor. The sea water is salt water. My hair would become stiff and my eyes hurt. They said my clothes would be covered in salt if left alone. Since I fell along with my storage bag, everything, including my undergarments, was soaked in salt water. Fortunately, my wallet was safe.
First, after having the men wash, we had them go up to the second floor.
Beatrix threw a Fire Ball into a barrel of water to turn it into hot water. Mary washed my body with water she took out with Clump Water. After Beatrix washed similarly, Sianya lent us blankets, so we wrapped ourselves in them.
Beatrix threw a Fire Ball into the fireplace and warmed us while drying the clothes we had cleaned with Clean Up. Magdalena-sama handed me a canteen with wine.
"Just what on earth were you doing?"
After being saved, the mage who dove into the sea a second time on her own asked.
"I was making the Firefly shine to drive it away."
I explained it was like this, and like that.
"So that means it's in the cave?"
"Probably."
It had taken Harris-san's [Over Flow] and Beatrix's Lightning right in its wide-open mouth. Moreover, it had been showered with my full-power Light while its eyes were open. It fled without even counterattacking. It must have taken considerable damage.
"Well, it's a relief to know its location. Besides, we were able to make a preemptive strike. And since it's capped with the iceberg Mary made, it can't escape."
That's the biggest gain. Snakes were weak to ice magic. The sea snake must be the same.
Wait? That means.
"Hey, Mary. Can't we surround the rocky area where the sea snake escaped with icebergs?"
"I think it's possible, but what would we do after surrounding it?"
Surround it with ice and drain the seawater. After that, if we keep cooling the cave with Blizzard magic, the sea snake's movements will become sluggish. If it goes well, it might even hibernate.
"Hmm. Something that large-scale might be impossible for just one or two people. But with Eleanor-sama at the center, if we have several people who can use ice magic like Ice Cube or Freeze, and people who can use Clump Water, I think we can do it."
Edward-sama, Magdalena-sama, and Sianya also agreed, and it was decided to consult Eleanor-sama once she returned.
Since our clothes dried in about half an hour, we went up and joined the men.
Since we were there, we decided to have them show us around the lighthouse until Eleanor-sama and the others returned.
The third floor is a warehouse. The fourth floor, which is like a bell tower, is the place where a fire is raised to let ships know the location of the cape.
An oversized lantern sits on something like a stone candlestick. Apparently, when you light an oversized candle, it can be seen from quite far away.
While looking at the huge lantern and candlestick, a thought occurred to me.
If I placed a ball imbued with Light here, what would happen? Would it be of some help? Or would it be attacked by unscrupulous people? If we created penalties like Eleanor-sama mentioned before, would humans live seriously? In creating penalties, if nobles who are plotting in the shadows get involved, wouldn't it be remodeled to their convenience or have arbitrary interpretations brought in?
Beatrix poked my shoulder.
"Hey, those two. Since they're both just big, they might be just right for each other."
At the end of her gaze were Edward-sama and Beowulf.
Beowulf was explaining about the Lindwurm shield she held in her hand, and Edward-sama was listening with interest. The others were shorter than Beowulf. The only one who could balance out standing next to Edward-sama was Beowulf.
"It's the same with Roberts-sama and Gladys, but I wonder if they can't have a more atmospheric conversation."
Mary muttered venomously in a low voice, making Beatrix almost burst out laughing.
"Isn't that fine in its own way? Beowulf's true self is coming out."
Wait? Did you become a supporter?
"Because, when he found out you weren't floating up, he was the first to dive in. You can trust him."
"That's true. Besides, he was leading the way during the exploration too."
Mary too? Well, since she's aiming for a wealthy marriage, she was from the start.
"Lineage doesn't matter. I like people who show it through actions rather than money or words."
Oh? Has her policy changed?