On the Sea -3

We're in danger like this.

"Noa, keep powering the ship. It'll drain a lot of mana, so be prepared."

"Ugh! You're really harsh with your orders!"

Still grumbling, Noa begins channeling mana into the vessel.

"What is this!? You're eating too much!"

As expected of Noa. Complaining all the while, yet still getting the ship moving.

The paddles spin, emitting low growls and the loud, clattering sound of ice colliding.

Good! Next, stop the battle.

It might hurt a little, but I'll use Thunder Strike.

That should be just right for them—quarreling like lovers on someone else's ship.

Purple lightning rises around me.

"William! Get back!"

At my shout, William leaps sharply backward and boards the ship.

At the same time, I unleash a wide-range electric blast, enveloping the keep, the sword illusion, and Takagane.

The lightning strike, launched at a speed beyond human reaction, reached the three of them before they could even realize it.

Takagane and the sword illusion collapse to their knees.

He still retains consciousness, but that's enough.

William stands directly in front of Takagane once more, assuming a defensive stance.

Well, that was certainly a powerful lightning strike, yet one unharmed individual remains.

"Really now, a demon lord is always so reckless—attacking without warning? Planning a war or something?"

I don't need to hear that from you. I can't let you run wild any further.

As he speaks, he generates a lightning strike and a compressed air projectile.

It's clear that this opponent can't be stopped by half-measures.

His goal is to strike hard enough to injure, but not kill, aiming to exhaust the opponent's magical energy.

Even such a massive attack remains a spell at its core.

That means he'll eventually run out of magical essence and suffer from a depletion of mana.

Once that happens, he won't be able to block even a weak lightning strike.

"Arrogant fool. I'll turn you into seaweed scattered across the ocean. Sea...!"

I expected an attack, but none came. What's going on?

Immediately activating my mana detection, I check the state of the tower.

The flow of magical energy through his body is sluggish?

More like it's completely blocked. He looks in pain.

The keep released numerous water jets, as if forcing the accumulated magical essence within his body to escape.

The volume of water was on par with magic itself—there stood a wall of ocean, as if solidified.

Letting out a cry that sounded like a scream, he raised both arms.

His clothes lifted, and the magic stones clinging to his arms shimmered brightly.

"What on earth is this? What's happening?"

"I don't know. I've never seen anything like this before."

He hurriedly went down to Tōgen's side, but couldn't get a clear answer to his questions.

"...Why did it come to this... How..."

Tōgen was overcome with despair, watching the daimyō's agonized expression.

He conducted a more detailed examination using magic resonance detection.

Even as he was investigating, the daimyō's condition continued to change.

Suddenly, magic stones sprouted from the air, covering the daimyō's dangling feet. His left eye was also covered.

"So that's it. He overused his power. He pushed beyond the limit of magic his body could withstand, and that's why he lost control."

"But that shouldn't be possible with something like this...!"

"Regardless of the reason, the fact remains that he's lost control....What do we do? If we leave it like this..."

"Please. Save her. It's my fault she had to gain such power in the first place."

"Easy for you to say."

What should I do... The leading ship comes into view. Lina, glancing out the window at the scene beyond, enters my line of sight.

She told me to save her...

"Alright, if you look at me like that, I have no choice but to help..."

Grasping my sword, I leap onto the ship.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm using this ship as a vessel. Help me—carry this ship all the way down to the keep. Then, no matter what, bring the keep down to this ship! We'll start treating the Stone Plague right here."

Understood.

"That's the plan. Noah, go get Lina. Everyone else, coat the ship with liquid mithril!"

"You're really getting ruthless with your orders now."

Everyone sprang into action.

"Alright! Let's go—reverse direction!"

The ship turned 180 degrees and charged toward the rampaging keep.

Her condition worsened with every passing moment.

"You!"

"Rina! I'm starting the treatment on the keep now. Stay close to me and avoid getting caught in the crossfire."

"Y-yes, thank you so much."

Even though the person had nothing to do with her, she looked incredibly happy.

The crew began spreading the liquid crystal contained in the barrels across the ship's interior.

It would take a little more time to cover the entire vessel.

We need to buy some time...

"Blade Phantom! Drop the keep onto the ship!"

"Wait a moment! I'm coming to save you!"

The sword phantom soared through the air toward the castle keep.

The keep summoned water spears, raining them down.

The sword phantom swung its blade, creating a shockwave. The water spears collided with the shockwave, producing a fierce roar.

"Got you—!"

Hidden by the shockwave he had unleashed, the sword phantom closed in and latched onto the keep.