092. Blue Tide Unit 1
Family heirloom. Passed down through generations in the Taia family. Currently, it existed in two separate pieces within Taia territory.
The heirloom had the power to awaken the latent consciousness of monsters. Bin planned to use that power to extract the Medina Parasite embedded in their bodies.
And then... three avian monsters: Rain, Thunder, and Wind. He intended to unlock their hidden potential.
Turning them into the "Thunder Birds" that had made a name for themselves in his previous life.
Irin thought with a hardened expression.
'The heirloom...'
Even as the daughter of the family head, she couldn't help but hesitate over it. Guiding an outsider to where the heirloom was kept was inherently uncomfortable.
If anything went wrong, all the blame would fall on her.
Noticing her hesitation, Bin stepped forward.
Thud. Thud.
The startled Irin spoke up.
"Y-Young Master, where are you going?"
Bin turned his head slightly, his voice low and steady.
"Since we've boarded the same ship, let's do this right."
Irin gave him a puzzled look.
"...?"
* * *
Inside a branch on the outskirts of Trist.
Surrounded by green stems, a round table stood out. The surroundings remained in their natural state.
Gathered around it were numerous people in blue uniforms.
At that moment, one rose from his seat and spoke.
"Everyone, a drink to the new Taia family!"
"Yes, sounds good!"
"Raise your glasses, all of you."
"Let's drink till our noses go crooked today!"
As one proposed a toast, everyone lifted their glasses in unison.
Enderlin, eyes closed, shouted the toast.
"To the bright future of the Taia family!"
Matching his words, the others clinked their glasses.
Clink.
"To a bright future!"
The group downed their drinks in gulps.
Gulp. Gulp.
They quenched their throats and set down their glasses.
Thud.
Those who drank began scanning the room, one by one opening their mouths.
"The stifling politics are finally over. How long must we, one of the three great battle families, keep maintaining internal stability? We should conquer the other families while our momentum is high, right?"
"Exactly. Strike while the iron's hot! Now we'll build a new Taia family under Lord Enderlin's lead. Everyone, follow Lord Enderlin!"
"Follow Lord Enderlin!"
Enderlin smiled contentedly at their cheers.
As all supported him, he toyed with a glass container on the table.
Inside writhed a white parasite...
Sensing it with his mana, Enderlin smiled.
"This little guy will make our long-cherished dream come true."
Those around nodded in agreement.
"Very useful indeed."
"We should have used this method sooner."
Amid the gazes of the family members, Enderlin envisioned it.
Trist turned to ruins by the family head's monsters... and himself ascending to the head's seat.
Smiling with his eyes, Enderlin downed another glass.
Gulp. Gulp.
'Born on the same day, same hour, same appearance. Hogging the family your whole life... Isn't that too selfish, brother? I'll settle this long-buried grudge. The Bascon family...'
Enderlin's kind face darkened.
Soon, a sinister smile curled his lips.
Meanwhile, behind them lay various foods and flower arrangements...
Bin, wearing the transparent helmet Quinae, watched the scene.
Hidden within his cloak were Irin and Codic.
Codic muttered at the sight before them.
'These vermin are in high spirits.'
Irin's expression, however, was grim. She clutched her head with one hand, frowning.
'Enderlin...'
She had sensed something off about him for a while.
But he was her uncle, whom she'd known since childhood. She couldn't judge based on gut feeling alone.
Now, though, it was different. Seeing it with her own eyes made it all too real.
There was good reason for her shock.
Her father’s twin brother was leading the rebellion.
Bin had brought her here to give her certainty.
Seeing her darkened face, Zeke—now shrunken to fist-size—spoke up.
"Those aren't the Taia family. Don't let scum like that hurt you, Irin."
"Yeah, Zeke..."
Irin replied, looking at him, but her expression remained dark.
The shock lingered.
Bin spoke to her.
"Talking more would just hurt my mouth. Hurry and guide us to the heirloom."
Irin nodded, resolved.
"Yes, Young Master."
* * *
South of Trist. An entrance resembling a cave came into view.
One peculiar detail: the entrance looked just like a bird's head.
Above the cave, the flapping of avian monster wings echoed.
Flap. Flap.
It was Wind and Rain.
Bin rode Wind, Irin rode Rain, as they landed.
Thud. Thud.
Irin spoke as they dismounted.
"Thanks to Wind and Rain, we got here fast."
She raised her hand, pointing to the entrance.
"We go through that entrance. That's how we'll find the hatchery with the split heirloom."
....
With no reaction from Bin, Irin tilted her head questioningly.
Bin stood on the ground, eyes sharp.
Seeing his cold expression, Irin asked.
"Young Master, is something bothering you...?"
Bin scanned the surroundings, voice low.
"Someone... is here."
His gaze was deadly serious. He wasn't one to joke with Irin anyway.
Irin quickly looked around. Zeke on her shoulder did the same.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
The sound of cutting wind brushed their ears.
Soon, three knights appeared before Bin and Irin.
Knight in blue armor. None other than the Taia family's Blue Tide Unit.
The one with a snake around his neck addressed Irin.
"What business does the young lady have at this hatchery?"
He eyed her suspiciously.
Clearly wary of her entering this place.
His gaze swept to Bin beside her, landing on the silver epaulet.
'Super Nova...!'
Eyes flashing, he took in Bin's black uniform and greatsword.
'It's that guy from before.'
Bin instantly recognized the man too.
'You...'
Images flashed in Bin's mind: the Red Field full of red flowers, Elle's face.
The one who tried to assassinate him on Elle's orders.
Blue Tide Unit 1st Captain, Ravins Taia.
The snake around his neck confirmed it.
Beside Ravins stood 2nd Captain Panser and 3rd Captain Shark.
Muscular builds, sharp glares.
Panser had black spots on his shoulders with a yellow feline monster.
Shark had a scarred face and scratches on his sideburns.
As they stared each other down, a fish monster burst from Shark's shoulder, baring its teeth.
Irin spoke to them.
"It's hard to explain the situation right now. It's for the family, so please trust me and stand down."
Ravins's eyes narrowed at her words.
"For the family? Letting an outsider into the sacred hatchery? You know about the recent Mantis incident, don't you, miss?"
"I know all about it. This is connected to that conspiracy."
"I can't understand your actions at all. With the Mantis revolt pinned on outsiders, we Blue Tide can't just stand by."
....
As Irin and Ravins locked eyes, Bin pushed her shoulder and stepped forward.
Thud. Thud.
"Y-Young Master."
Irin stammered briefly at Bin's icy gaze.
Bin glared at the Blue Tide captains.
"Step aside when I tell you to."
His eyes burned with menace. Far from ordinary—he looked ready to draw his weapon any second.
"...?"
Of the three captains, Panser and Shark tilted their heads.
Size, build, numbers—they couldn't lose.
Yet this guy stood tall.
It only raised more questions.
'What gives him that confidence? That superior-grade weapon?'
'Challenging three captains? Heh, cocky Super Nova kid.'
Bin's words were a clear warning, even against three Blue Tide captains.
3 vs. 1, yet utterly unfazed. That confidence chipped at their pride.
"Quite confident for an outsider. Fitting for the young master of the Bascon family, one of the three great battle houses. But you should remember this is Trist if you want to stay intact."
Ravins mentioned Trist, which amplified monster magi.
Implying they were supreme here.
Panser and Shark didn't back down either, lifting their chins defiantly.
"Step aside? Hahaha. Bold words against three Blue Tide captains. Let's see if you can back them up."
"The Blue Tide isn't as easy as you young masters think..."
As tension peaked between Bin and the Blue Tide, a voice cut in.
"Enough chit-chat."
Bin's gaze turned to Codic.
Black smoke billowed, revealing three skulls: Gold Tooth, starfish, and Behemoth.
Unlike before, they exuded denser magi—influenced by Trist.
"Shall we catch some big ones?"
"Uwoooooh."
"Uwaaaaaah."
Gold Tooth and the two massive monsters roared.
Bin's eyes gleamed.
"Ready?"
The menacing sight made the three captains' eyes widen.
"Suddenly three near-3rd class monsters...!"
'Monsters obeying Bascon words...?!'