The Monolith's Cruel Verdict
Shin Tu Gap. "...What...!? What...!? Fun...? Fun...?"
In disbelief, Radamu pressed his hand to his face, trying to calm his rage. With a comrade held hostage and the Pirate King on their tail, this was the only thing he could believe in right now. To disqualify a hero like him for being "no fun"? Even punching it with all his might didn't budge the Monolith in the slightest. That earlier glow must have been nothing but a mirage. There wasn't the tiniest change. He clenched his fist and slammed it down in fury, but nothing happened. His teeth ground together. Why...?
Overwhelmed by futility and despair, he collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the godsend with hollow eyes. There was nothing they could do. The place was overflowing with ore, but they had no smelters skilled enough to process it. He tried shoving it into his inventory as a last resort, but it wouldn't go in—it just bounced right off.
"Tch." Kidd clicked his tongue and, with Hyacinth's help, grabbed the end and hauled it up. They headed back to the ship. On the way, no one with shadows darkening their faces could muster a word. They'd found the sacred relic bestowed by the gods upon the hero, yet nothing had changed. Was there no way to save Riko, kidnapped and held hostage? Were they left with no choice but to charge straight in?
"...Not that it's my place as a descendant, but. If it's junk like this, even our ancestor might've tossed it." Prince Castella shook his head, gazing down at the discarded godsend on the ground.
Maybe he'd refused it for personal reasons? Like sensing Hornigold's existence was needed to maintain the sea's balance? As a divine object, it might know that much. Or perhaps it had read his mind. But whatever the reason, if it'd given some explanation Radamu could accept, he wouldn't be this furious. Fun? What the hell kind of fun are you even looking for?
Hero Captain Eagle had certainly been a jovial man. But that didn't mean he took saving or protecting lives lightly. Just coming out to this vast sea proved it.
Circe sidled up to Radamu, wrapping her arms around his shoulders in a comforting embrace. But the agony of having to risk his comrades' lives amid all this uncertainty gnawed at him.
"For now, let's head to the Pantheon, drop off the cargo, then... figure out how to rescue Riko—"
"We're in the same party, so I'm coming too. No exceptions this time."
Hyacinth cut off Radamu's words before he could even suggest going alone. He immediately yelled in frustration. Sure, the godsend pissed him off too—but
"Let me help if I can! Don't try to shoulder everything alone! We're a party!"
"Then—"
"I'm not sitting this out. I ain't leavin' till I harpoon that bastard's ship."
"Heh, same here. I'd rather die fightin' than turn back now."
Kidd and Captain Zan both shook their heads, refusing to back out.
Maybe he should ask if any of the crew wanted to turn back? What if declaring he'd go save Riko got them killed? The whole voyage to retrieve the godsend had started because of him, after all. He bore the responsibility and duty to protect them. This was beyond being a hero.
"You're not the captain of this ship. And—the retrieval request came from the Pantheon. No reason for an adventurer like you to carry that burden."
As if reading his mind, she whispered in his ear that he wasn't a hero here—don't get it twisted. If anything, they were the ones tangled up with Hornigold; he'd gotten swept up in their mess. Mortis drew a firm line.
...So what other options were there? The hope called Shin Tu Gap had been tossed in the trash.
Mortis pondered his question seriously, then beckoned Circe over, had her sit, and spoke up.
"The crewman they're holding hostage has no value to them. Hand over the Sea Triton and demand Riko back—that's the cleanest play."
"...And what guarantee do we have Hornigold won't strong-arm us after we hand it over?"
"Negotiate releasing the pirates too. Say the treasure sank with the ship in the attack.... Haah, but he might demand the submersible. Guess we'll have to borrow a ship."
In the end, peaceful negotiation was their only option right now. Circe met his gaze, smiling as if to honor his choice. The item in her hand was surely priceless, but no match for living family. She overlapped her hand on his, saying she was fine giving it up.
Captain Zan and Kidd agreed on rescuing the hostage.
Handing over the Sea Triton would make the Pirate King an absolute ruler no one could top at sea—but
—he already was the untouchable tyrant of the waves.
"Fine by me. The higher the prize, the sweeter the steal."
"What... Can't let a young lady die over this old coot's greed. Can't go back on my sister's generosity, now can I?"
"Says the sixty-year-old."
"Heh heh, still got some spring in these old bones, eh?"
Captain Zan's easy banter lightened the mood, drawing a faint smile from Radamu as he resolved to trade the Sea Triton. He couldn't reveal his ties to Circe, so releasing the hostages was off the table. Mortis would handle the talks; even if attacked, she figured she could hold out—though her tone held a hint of doubt. Hornigold's current power felt worlds apart from the man she once knew.
"Then use our admiral's ship for the parley."
Prince Castella offered, citing gratitude for his own rescue. Approaching on an imperial navy vessel he'd been aboard would carry more weight than capturing some random ship. Hornigold had seen it, and he wouldn't be unaware of navy patrols in these waters. Plus, attacking an imperial ship outright gave them cause—nobles might seize the chance to deploy private forces, a grim possibility. That could mean naval annihilation, unleashing imperial nobles to rampage. Hornigold might sweep them aside, but if the empire got serious with warships, it'd annoy even him—no way he'd sink them on sight, the prince predicted.
"...I want to kill Hornigold right now too. But like you said, Your Highness. He's grown too big for mere vengeance. For the islanders' safety, better he lives."
Mortis spoke with a somber expression, accepting harsh reality. If she'd craved revenge, she'd have returned to the sea sooner. It was ancient history now. Thinking of the greater good, innocent islanders, and her party comrades, she'd swallow her pride and greed. Her voice trembled with melancholy resolve.
It'd been over fifty years. If revenge was the goal, she'd have acted faster. Back then, she'd chosen her shipmates over pursuit, her spirit broken by their deaths. Bringing it up now was pointless—too late. With resignation, she apologized to Zan.
"...It's fine, sis. You and me, we're both worn out. Water under the bridge. Fightin' him showed me—he didn't waste those years. Not like me, rottin' away."
"Zan... I'm sorry."
"So, any way to find that imperial ship?"
Kidd watched their reconciliation with a bitter look. Solid plan, but pointless without coordinates. The prince just shrugged—it's out there somewhere; sail fast and they'll spot it.
But Circe waved off the worry, tracing runes in the air with mana. Light burst from the submersible's core pillar, projecting a red dot on the sea chart. It moved slowly in a steady direction. She added two black dots next. Black for the Holy Kingdom, red for the Empire. The black ones headed straight toward them—impressively tracking divine power despite the distance. Even clocking the sub's speed, they hadn't quit. A testament to their terrifying obsession.
Staying put risked closing the gap, but no time to fret. They beelined for the red dot, praying the talks went well.
"What if he ignores the deal, fights to steal it? Or turns it around and threatens us?"
Hyacinth fretted—great plan assuming good faith, but what if the pirate just robs them or leverages the hostage? They had to consider it.
Common sense said he had no reason to honor it. Just take it and done. Mortis closed her eyes, silent, not turning to him.
—Hey, sis, dullahans got no head—do they even catch head colds? The guy who'd crack dumb jokes like that, prophesying he'd meet the "Sea Witch Circe," chasing witches, sunken kingdoms, their histories and records. His unbreakable explorer's spirit meshed perfectly with the captain.
...Turn back the anger, and he was a ten-year comrade. Mortis knew better than anyone he hadn't changed. Irritated yet wistful, she replied.
"Then we fight. No choice."
Either bend or face the waves head-on. That was the pirate's way.