The Sky-Swimming Shark
It feels as though my sense of perspective is collapsing. [Hahaha! Pardon the intrusion. So you are the second son of the Franz family, Leoric Franz!]
A massive, impossibly massive shark. Yes. A shark… flying through the sky. It reminded me of a shark movie I’d seen back in the modern world. Was it Tornado Shark? That red shark was swimming as if the sky itself were an ocean, drifting lazily near the city walls. Its eyes rolled about until our gazes met—or at least, I felt like they did. Given how enormous it was, I couldn’t be sure it was actually looking at me.
“……Oh my.”
Feeling Neria’s slight panic, I rose from my seat as well. I was surprised it had arrived so quickly, but if it had traveled in that state, it made sense.
“Neria. Prepare to receive our guest.”
“Y-yes…… Um, but, Lord Leoric.”
“What? Why?”
Neria, who would normally move at once, hesitated. Had she been that shocked? When I looked at her, she spoke carefully, still faltering.
“H-how should I receive the guest? Should I prepare tea? Or… saltwater?”
“Hmm…… Hmm.”
I was momentarily at a loss. That was……
“I’ll speak to Lena. I should go out and greet them.”
“Ah, yes. Understood. Excuse me, Lord Leoric.”
She bowed politely, and I turned away, pretending not to notice as I stepped off the terrace.
……What exactly should we prepare? Would Lena know? For now, as the one responsible for receiving the guest, I slowly began to rise into the air from the terrace. I couldn’t match Irina’s level, but flying through the sky was within my capabilities. Certainly not on the scale of Count William, who could cross an entire nation while passing through his territory.
Thus, I ascended above the city. Golden mana left faint traces in my wake, like scattered gold dust that lingered briefly before vanishing. Seeing the citizens below kneel and pray at the sight, I gave a wry smile. I could fly without leaving traces, but displaying my presence like this was one of the important duties of nobility. It was a message: Rest assured, I am here.
“It really is huge.”
Was it even human? I flew over the city for quite some time before reaching the walls, where a red wall seemed to fill my vision.
“……”
There were many kinds of sharks, but this was the classic image that came to mind when one thought of a shark. In other words…… Should I be looking at it from the side?
[Oh. As expected. Your mana control is as impressive as I’ve heard.]
“As you’ve heard?”
My reputation couldn’t have reached Vahn. Had it come from Princess Amelia?
“Ahem. Greetings. Leoric Franz, second son of the Franz Count family, under the Vahn Kingdom.”
[A pleasure! The Golden Lion’s reputation is well known even in Vahn! To meet someone from such a house on this occasion is an honor for me!]
Reading emotion from a shark’s eyes was difficult, but they weren’t real fish eyes. Sensing the sincerity in its gaze, I bowed in return. At least Princess Amelia hadn’t been lying about his good nature. If this was all an act, it was an impressive one.
……Was he even human?
“The Red Shark of Vahn is famous as well, isn’t it?”
I’d heard the name, though this was my first time seeing him not in human form. The people of this world truly held almost no prejudice based on appearance—aside from personal likes and dislikes.
[Is that so! Then it is my honor! Honestly, I had hoped to meet the Golden Lion of this generation, but you are not bad either! Truly magnificent mana!]
“Haha. I’m still far from my father’s level.”
[No, no. At your age, this is already remarkable! So, have you married yet? My granddaughter is still unmarried……]
“Duke Chalineer.”
Good grief. I was a little flustered by the sudden matchmaking attempt, but Princess Amelia appeared at just the right moment. Her expression was even stiffer than usual. And she wasn’t alone.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you! I am Irina Boran of the Boran Count family! And I am also Lord Leoric Franz’s fiancée! It is an honor to meet the famous Red Shark, Duke Chalineer! You are even more magnificent than the rumors say, Duke Chalineer!”
[Hahaha! A wise young lady who recognizes my magnificence! A pleasure! I am Han Chalineer!]
Irina, still unaccustomed to flying, was borrowing Amelia’s power. She rode atop something like a pure white cloud, carrying Princess Amelia as they ascended. While greeting him, she emphasized the word “fiancée” in a rather suspicious manner. I watched her, wondering whether the two of them got along or not—they were both perched on the same cloud.
Princess Amelia’s sea mana was her unique attribute. Given its oceanic nature, it was inherently weak when it came to rising into the air. Of course, with exceptional control one could fly, but the princess had not yet reached that level. Still, I’d never heard of the Boran family riding clouds like that……
“I saw the cloud and thought of it!”
Irina, noticing my gaze, spoke proudly.
“Wouldn’t it be fun to ride clouds like this? What do you think, Lord Leoric? Would you like to try? It’s incredibly soft!”
“Hmm. Soft. I want one too.”
“No way!”
“Hahaha. I’ll try it next time. I’m curious now.”
At Princess Amelia’s covetous look, Irina hugged her cloud tightly and refused. Not that she could give it away even if she wanted to—it was made from Boran mana. Still, I found myself wanting one as well. Flying was one thing, but a Somersault Cloud? Of course it piqued my interest.
While my attention was briefly diverted by the two of them, the massive red shark began to tremble.
“D-Duke Chalineer?”
[Ooooooh! Princess Amelia! You’re safe!]
“Mm, Grandpa…… I’m sorry.”
[Honestly! Do you know how worried I was? And not just me—the Queen and Prince Aphros were beside themselves with concern!]
“……Ugh.”
The giant shark flailed about in midair. It was truly a bizarre sight. Though its voice came from its mouth, it was amplified by mana, so while it felt like shouting, it wasn’t actually that loud……
-Whooooosh!
-Boooooom!
“Oh my, such violent winds.”
Each time, a tremendous gale swept through. Especially when its tail swung, it was like a storm raging. Thankfully, Irina suppressed it; otherwise, I would have had to intervene myself. With that enormous body, the slightly courteous demeanor from moments ago had vanished, replaced by the frantic fussing of a grandfather seeing his granddaughter again. Then again, given his actual age, perhaps that was to be expected. From what Duke Chalineer said, he didn’t seem to blame her much.
“Mm. I’ll apologize when I return. What about the ritual?”
[The ritual has been postponed.]
“I see.”
The sea ritual. In some ways, the ocean was even more dangerous than the Great Mountain Range. It was a ceremony to prevent the approach of large-scale monsters. I knew she had been kidnapped during its preparation. Princess Amelia seemed to have a slightly sullen expression.
[It can’t be helped. Only those of direct lineage like you can perform that ritual. Prince Aphros has already done it once before, and it’s not something even Her Majesty the Queen can do herself.]
There seemed to be some conditions involved. At the duke’s words, Princess Amelia simply nodded quietly.
“Ahem.”
At any rate, we couldn’t stay like this forever. I cleared my throat to interrupt their conversation.
“Why don’t we continue this discussion inside?”
[Oh, of course. My apologies.]
“Yes, let’s do that. Grandpa, are you going to keep shouting like that and strain your throat?”
[Hm! Very well.]
Oh, so he could change form after all. He wasn’t a real shark, then—there were nobles who could transform into animals. Given how he spoke of his granddaughter, he was clearly human in truth, and his title came from transforming into a giant red shark.
-Shaaaaa!
Red mana carrying the distinct scent of salt spread through the air in an instant. Enveloped in crimson light, Duke Chalineer’s form began to shrink steadily.
“Phew.”
“Oh my, what a shame. I wanted a scale.”
What was she saying? I gave Irina a startled look. Had she been planning to pluck a scale from the duke?
“There are plenty. I’ll ask him for one later. His house always has so many maids cleaning up fallen scales.”
“……”
“Oh! Really? Thank you!”
At Princess Amelia’s nonchalant reply, I could only remain silent. So scales were apparently common. “They’re a specialty of Chalineer territory. Famous as talismans.”
……Right. A specialty product. I looked away from Princess Amelia’s sparkling eyes and turned to watch Duke Chalineer, whose form continued to shrink as the light faded. Since she called him “Grandpa,” he must be quite old. I wondered what kind of person he would be……
“Oh my! How adorable!”
[Hahahaha! I may be old, but I still have plenty of charm for the noble ladies! This is all thanks to this duke’s appeal!]
“……”
The shark. The shark had shrunk. Reduced to the size of a doll, its appearance now cartoonish enough to evoke manga illustrations, the duke floated in the air, flapping about and laughing.