kscans

Chapter 167 - Sea Fog

The ship sailed northeast from the Royal Capital's port.

The scent of the tide passed through Hayato's nose. Not knowing the real sea, Hayato only knew such expressions, but he figured this must be it and took a deep breath. Then he stretched.

The weather was good, the waves were calm, and the wind was pleasant. It was a perfect day for a voyage. If it weren't for the purpose of salvaging, he would have liked to enjoy a vacation here. Though, since monsters would attack, that wasn't possible.

So far, the voyage was smooth. Another fifteen minutes of travel and they would reach their destination.

The ship was set to run on magic, so it didn't particularly use the wind. The sails were raised, but that was just for show. Its speed was about twice that of a person walking, and anyone could steer it by operating the helm. No particular skill was required.

Perhaps because of that, there were many people waiting in line to take a turn at the helm. Diite was also in line.

Hayato had steered many times during his Kokuryu days, so he didn't particularly want to do it and was just an observer this time. Ney and the others had no need to steer for the same reason, but they were waiting in line.

(We're not here to play, but oh well. As long as I stay vigilant, it should be fine. I just need to watch out for pirate ships.)

Hayato thought this as he scanned the sea.

Sea monsters attack suddenly from underwater. It's possible to spot huge monsters, but smaller ones are unknown until they attack.

Monsters that come up onto the deck, like crabs, turtles, and Sahagins, can be defeated with close-range attacks, but monsters in the sea like sharks and giant squids can only be defeated with certain long-range attacks. There's also the method of pulling them up onto the deck and beating them, but defeating them with long-range attacks is quicker.

And when the ship is attacked, its durability decreases. It's not so fragile that it will break easily, and emergency repairs are possible with the Woodworking Skill, but complete repairs can only be done at a Shipyard Dock.

This time, the main purpose was salvaging, not combat, but he had heard that the appearance rate of pirate ships at sea had been high recently. That was a concern for Hayato, so he had assembled a considerable amount of combat power.

According to a rumor Hayato had heard, even a large ship had been sunk after just one battle with pirates. The one that was sunk didn't have cannons, but he guessed they must be quite powerful.

(I want to know the manufacturing method, but I don't know how to get it. Asking Diite-chan feels like cheating, and asking the Bandit clan feels like I've lost. I wonder if it's in a dungeon treasure chest... I really want it.)

He had originally wanted to mount cannons on the ship for this voyage, but if he didn't know how to make them, there was nothing he could do. Besides, if he didn't hurry, someone else might get the design documents and build the airship.

So, even though he felt underprepared, he had decided to go ahead with the salvage.

In its place, so to speak, he had assembled a considerable amount of combat power for this purpose.

(Things are going smoothly so far, so maybe it's okay. We'll reach the place where the ship sank in a little while, and there are no pirate ships around... What's that? Fog?)

In the direction of Hayato's gaze, there was something like a fog, and he couldn't see beyond it. Moreover, the ship was heading right for it.

"Stop the ship for a moment."

When Hayato said that, everyone looked at him. It must have been Diite's turn, because she had a puzzled look on her face, as if to say, "Why?"

"Sonia-san, there's fog in the direction we're going. Are the coordinates correct?"

"Hmm? What's that? The coordinates are right, but why is there fog there?"

That's what Hayato wanted to know. In the first place, looking around, there was only fog in that one spot, a fog that clearly ignored the weather, even for a virtual reality.

Hayato glanced at Diite. Noticing this, Diite gave a slight smirk. Of course, Diite probably knew the answer, but asking her would be too much of a spoiler, so he averted his gaze.

"Hayato-sama, what shall we do? Do we proceed as we are, or do we stop for today?"

At Relic's proposal, Hayato pondered what to do. Though, the answer was pretty much decided. It felt like a waste to send the members he had gathered home empty-handed. It wasn't like he could gather this much combat power anytime he wanted.

Besides, he had a sense of security that with these members, they could handle whatever happened.

"Let's go. We can't go home empty-handed. But if we think it's dangerous, let's turn back at full speed."

"It would certainly be boring to go back as we are. Understood. Then, Diite-sama, please proceed towards that fog."

"Leave it to me. I even know the call for times like this. Yo-ho-soro."

When Diite said that, the more enthusiastic members also chanted, "Yo-ho-soro!"

The ship then started moving, heading towards the fog.

(Is she using that right? Oh well. Diite-chan is really into it. She must have been pretty stressed. That aside, I should have them start being on guard. Visibility will be bad in the fog. If we get attacked by monsters or a pirate ship in a place like this, it'll be really dangerous.)

Hayato thought this and asked the members to be on the lookout.

Most of the members listened to his request, but for some reason, Rosalie and the members of the Black Rose were all lost in thought and didn't move.

"Rosalie-san, is something wrong?"

"No, I was about to follow Hayato's instructions, but this salvage is being hosted by Sonia-san, so shouldn't Sonia-san be the leader?"

"Shoot, you're right. It's not my place to step up... Hey, Sonia-san!"

"Ah, no, that's not what I meant..."

By the time Rosalie tried to say something, Sonia had already responded.

"What is it? I was just about to tell the young 'uns to be on the lookout, just as you said."

"No, Sonia-san is the leader of this operation. I overstepped my bounds a bit, so I thought it would be better if you gave the orders again."

"Don't give me that. I may be the Guild Master of the Treasure Hunter Guild, but that sort of thing doesn't suit me. So I'll leave it to you, Hayato. You seem like you can give more accurate instructions than I can."

"Um, are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. No one else is questioning it, are they? Or can't the Black Rose girls move on Hayato's orders?"

"My apologies. It was merely a question, so if Sonia-san says it is fine, then we too will follow those instructions."

"Is that so? Then I'm countin' on you. The girls are said to be the sword of the Demon Lord, so I'm expectin' great things in battle. Well, I don't know if there will be a battle, though."

Sonia said this with a smile and moved towards the members of the Treasure Hunter Guild.

And the members of the Black Rose were tilting their heads.

"Um, so that's how it is, but are you still not convinced...?"

When Hayato asked timidly, Rosalie crossed her arms and tilted her head.

"You are a mystery, Hayato."

"Um, what is?"

"No, it's just that you only have production skills and can't fight at all, and yet you're trusted somehow. In the Demon Country, where strength is justice, you are completely untrustworthy, Hayato, but it's a strange feeling that I still feel like I can trust you."

At Rosalie's words, the members of the Black Rose also nodded.

"Well, it is fine. We will follow your instructions, Hayato, so please tell us anything. However, you will have to cooperate with us later, you know?"

"Cooperate? Well, if it's something I can do, just say the word."

"I have your word, you know? Well then, everyone. Let us also be on the lookout. As Sonia-san said, we are the sword of the Demon Lord that shatters all things. Let us achieve a result that will not bring shame to our position as Lunaria-sama's retainers. All for Lunaria-sama!"

"For Lunaria-sama!"

The members of the Black Rose chanted in response to Rosalie's words. They all formed a circle, raised their weapons, and touched the tips together.

"Um, this is a small space, so could you keep your voices down a little?"

Just as Hayato said that, the ship entered the fog.

In an instant, the surroundings became almost invisible.

(It would be terrible to be attacked by something in a place like this. But it's the same for the enemy, right? I doubt we'll have to fight a pirate ship. I guess we only need to be careful of monsters... But what's this? There's a faint, unpleasant smell mixed in with the scent of the tide. Maybe this was a bit hasty.)

Speaking of fog, the Illusion Dragon Suien Mikazuki had used a fog that contained bad statuses. Thinking that this fog might contain such components, Hayato checked his own status.

But there were no problems. He was in perfect health.

(Am I overthinking this... Hmm? A black shadow...?)

"Shadow at three o'clock! Possible pirate ship!"

Someone shouted, and everyone looked in that direction. But it was too late. In that instant, the black shadow rammed into them.

The ship shook violently, and some members tumbled to the deck. Hayato was also hit with a considerable impact and fell to the deck.

(Damn, when did they...? But a ram? A huge monster?)

Hayato strained his eyes. Even if the fog was thick, it was possible to see something if it was right in front of him.

Looking closely, it was a ship, but it didn't seem to be a pirate ship. The other ship's hull was in tatters. But that was probably more troublesome than a pirate ship.

(A ghost ship...?)

On the deck of the other ship, a skeleton wearing an eyepatch and flashy clothes clattered its jaw and pointed its sword at them. Then, a large number of skeletons jumped onto their ship.