On the Sea -2

Rina stepped forward in front of the Keep, her gaze steady.

"Have you lately been gathering power in your arms, Keep-sama?"

"…What are you talking about? Moving your arms is nothing unusual."

For a brief instant, the Keep's eyes seemed to widen.

"It seems you've progressed quite far, judging by your demeanor. Could it be that it's starting to show in your body…?"

"What are you even talking about…! You, you're from Entshi…"

"You seem to know quite a bit about me. Even about when you were just a simple village from the kingdom... My apologies."

Lina forcibly approached and grabbed the lord's arm.

The lord let her do as she pleased, his arm being pulled without resistance. He might have been too stunned to react in time.

She rolled back the long gloves covering the lord's arm.

"Quite thick, I must say."

A magic stone was embedded in the lord's arm. Upon closer inspection, similar stones could be seen scattered along the arm.

I've seen this before, and so has Lina.

This is the magic stone disease.

The others noticed too. Instantly, voices began calling out, "Magic stone disease!"

"Let go!"

The lord shook off Lina's hand and adjusted his glove.

"Lord... you've really gotten that bad... You've gone that far already..."

Even though Dougen was wearing a mask, it was clear from his distorted expression that he was overcome with despair.

"Thank you, Silver Witch. This burden weighs heavily upon me."

I leapt out in front of Lina.

"Body, dance."

With the lord's words, a shockwave erupted, blasting Lina away.

The shockwave did not reach Lina.

I countered it with an identical shockwave, canceling it out.

Dust cleared, revealing her figure.

Every part of her—eyes, nails, skin, even her hair—turned a vivid gemstone color, overflowing with magical energy.

"Stop it! Tenshu! Don't use that power, run!"

As the woman before me widened her eyes, her power erupted.

Numerous pillars of water rose from the sea.

"Sea Serpent, bow your head."

The magic was activating with her words as the catalyst!?

The pillars twisted like living things in midair, bending sharply as their tips approached overhead.

Noah immediately responded, generating a water column of identical magnitude and colliding with it.

What power. Comparable to that of a mage.

Yet the flow of mana was uneven. It looked as though she was pushing herself beyond her limits.

In any case,

if she wasn't stopped, the ship would sink.

"Everyone! Prepare for combat! Protect the ship from the keep's attack. Defend against the keep's assault, but do not kill."

At the same time as a shout of acknowledgment echoed from within the ship, frantic movements ensued.

"Wind, rise and carry me!"

The keep slowly lifted, hovering into the air.

It drifted gradually outward from the ship.

"Sea, freeze!"

With the keep's command, the sea surface instantly froze over.

The ship came to a halt, swaying violently due to inertia.

"Lina, get inside the ship! Use the fire crystal to melt the ice! Don't let the ship stop moving."

"I'll go."

William stepped onto the frozen surface ahead, using his signature fire magic to melt the ice.

"Ugh, pointless. I'm feeling unwell. I'll sink the ship with you."

"Wind, cut!"

Damn it—using wind magic to shift a massive amount of air, attacking the keep.

The blade-like attack from the keep clashed with the wind I summoned.

The blade struck the ship, damaging the mast and handrails.

"Oh? Did you miss your target?"

Looking at the wound, it appears slightly damp. Is it ice?

Before I could ponder further, the next blow came.

Yet it never reached the ship.

The sword illusion deflected it.

"Why? Why interfere?"

"I came to help you. There's no need to fight them. Why won't you try to cure your stone sickness?"

"There's no way I'd accept treatment from some stranger. Besides, I am the Sky Guardian, protector of Nihon. If it means defending our land, death would be my greatest wish."

"You fool! If it comes to this, I'll cut off your limbs to stop you."

"Then if that's your so-called love, I'll tear you apart the moment I sink the ship."

Though the conversation was growing increasingly violent, I had no time to waste on such petty squabbles.

"Please hold the keep's defense. Defend against any attacks! Once the ship is mobile, I'll prepare to break through all at once."

"Understood."

I transferred the water mage who had been standing in the sea to the keep and went to check on William's condition.

"Brother. I've melted all the ice surrounding the ship."

"Good. Let's push the ship forward all at once."

I placed my hand on the ship and accessed its power system.

The paddles attached to the ship began spinning vigorously, and the vessel suddenly accelerated.

It seemed there was more than one obstacle.

An explosion erupted just behind the ship.

"What now!?"

"Taro, it's a person. Someone making a strange noise is standing on the ice."

That guy... it's Takagane Toshiro, the one I fought in Japan. He should've been using vibrations as his weapon.

Sorry, William—can you handle it so that guy doesn’t attack the ship? Make sure you absolutely don’t touch him.

I’m not sure what’s going on, but I understand. So, just attack from a distance, right? I’m off.

You’ll be okay… I’m worried, but I don’t have time to worry. There’s nowhere to run out here in the middle of the sea.

Let’s just get the ship out of harm’s way, then blow everything else to pieces.

"Commander Tenshu, is it really necessary to bring the Sword Illusion into this...? It's quite excessive, isn't it? Fighting here, right in the middle of the sea?"

The soldier seemed oblivious to the nearby ships, paying attention only to the two of them.

The soldier generated vibrations in his hand, aiming directly at Sword Illusion.

Sword Illusion was still on the ship.

That meant the soldier's attack would strike the vessel.

William clearly sensed the intent behind the approaching assault.

I don’t intend to kill, but I aim to inflict damage and knock him out.

The ship might get destroyed in the process.

This vessel was crafted with great care by the nation’s artisans. It won’t be destroyed!

Concentrate a massive amount of magical energy into both hands.

Convert it all into flames instantly. But still… I need to raise the flame’s temperature even further.

The flames in my hands blaze white-hot.

I’ve learned everything in war. I’ve overcome every sorrow.

That's exactly why I must protect this peace I've finally grasped.

I launch a flame projectile toward the approaching fist of super-vibration.

Even though I should be unable to move in midair, I twist my body easily and strike with fire.

The flames explode outward, and Takagane stands atop the sea. Tiny ripples spread across the water.

William floats in midair, surrounded by flames, standing before Takagane.

"Ah, so you're a little one, but a ship filled with jewels. Quite interesting."

"You're strong, but I can't allow this ship to be destroyed. Prepare yourself..."

"Very well. Before you interfere in an inconvenient way, I'll enjoy an appetizer."

The ship begins to slowly advance, pushing against the ice.

Battles repeat around the ship.