Chapter 68
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Translator: Prime Works
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Grand Completion Ceremony (2)
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Rumble... Crash!
This was a spot far from Creemo Port.
Waves racing in from the distant sea churned restlessly.
A massive wave slammed into eyes like unyielding rocks.
Yet the Gigatitan didn't blink.
No, this monster didn't even have eyelids to begin with.
Grulk.
Amid the crashing waves, the Gigatitan's eyes gleamed.
Protruding orbs resembling those of a lobster or crab.
Those two eyes mobilized all sixteen types of color receptors, from infrared to ultraviolet.
With vision dozens of times sharper than a human's, it observed the waters off Creemo Port in the distance.
There, it spotted something that unsettled its nerves.
Gruk!
The Gigatitan's mouthparts quivered violently.
A mermaid.
It was definitely a mermaid.
The figure standing tall in the sea before Creemo Port was unmistakably a mermaid.
And a colossal one, unlike any it had ever seen.
Grulk, gruk.
The Gigatitan fell into contemplation.
Even for this 90-meter behemoth, mermaids were intimidating.
Each one was powerful on its own.
And they came in groups—dozens at the least, hundreds at most.
They even formed armies for large-scale hunts.
Grulk...!
Maybe it should flee.
After a moment's hesitation, the Gigatitan shook its enormous head.
There was nowhere to run.
Beyond this shallow coastal shelf lay the deep ocean.
But that domain held beings just as intimidating and powerful as mermaids.
Its own kind.
Grrrrr...
Recalling its kin, the Gigatitan flicked its tail in discomfort.
A humiliating memory from the past surfaced.
Competition among its kind.
A younger, stronger individual.
The battle to defend its territory.
The utter defeat and disgrace of that day.
Grrr!
It couldn't return to the deep sea.
It would only be pushed out by even younger, stronger kin.
In the worst case, its skull might be crushed, reduced to a single meal.
So it had to stay here, no matter what.
A frail, aging creature like itself.
This coastal area had been a peaceful home for a full decade.
The only drawback was no chance of finding a mate, but being near a major human port kept mermaids at bay—a near-perfect habitat.
Grrrruk!
It couldn't retreat.
It couldn't abandon this habitat.
The Gigatitan's boulder-like eyes burned with resolve.
It gazed once more at the towering mermaid statue off Creemo Port and its surroundings.
Then it noticed something reassuring.
Gruk!
No other mermaids in sight.
Just that one grotesquely enormous mermaid.
The implications were clear.
One: A lone mermaid was something it could handle.
Two: It had to eliminate it before any legion arrived.
With that, the Gigatitan resolved to fight.
Grrrgrrruk!
A feral glint entered its cautious eyes.
Its front legs tensed, crouching low.
In an instant, its massive body submerged beneath the surface.
Splash! Whoosh!
It vanished under the turbulent waves.
Kicking off the seafloor, it charged forward.
This was the monster's assault to defend its territory.
The charge was aimed straight at the waters off Creemo Port—directly at the giant mermaid statue.
But the hundreds of people attending the statue's completion party on the nearby brigs knew nothing of this.
♣
"Hmm?"
Haviel froze without realizing it.
The fruit drink in the glass he'd tilted to sip sloshed around.
A few drops splashed out, staining his scarf with a small spot.
But Haviel paid the stain no mind.
His blue eyes were fixed on the distant sea.
Narrowed.
With brows slightly furrowed.
"What are you doing? Need to use the bathroom or something?"
"......"
Lloyd's question came from beside him.
Haviel bristled for a moment.
Then, exercising patience, he replied.
"I don't think the bathroom's the issue right now."
"Then why the sudden scowl?"
"Something feels off."
"Off?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"Over there."
Haviel raised his hand.
Beyond the railing of the brig carrying them.
He pointed toward the distant sea.
Lloyd looked that way and shrugged.
"Nothing but the beautiful evening sea sparkling under the sunset."
"Yes. Nothing visible. But something..."
"Something?"
"The vibe is wrong."
"......"
Lloyd tilted his head slightly.
He stared straight at Haviel's face.
He could tell right away.
This wasn't a joke or exaggeration.
'Haviel's not the type for that. Always so serious and earnest.'
Lloyd's expression and gaze turned grave.
"Tell me more."
"Something's moving... under the surface."
"Right here below us?"
"No. From the distant sea."
"Not some whale swimming by?"
"Much larger. And... heading this way."
"What?"
No way.
Lloyd asked.
"Can you gauge its size?"
"Yes. Roughly. Just in length, it feels bigger than Hamang at his absolute largest."
"That sense of yours—is it real?"
"Yes."
"......"
If Haviel said so, it was real.
Lloyd trusted him unconditionally.
'Haviel's on the cusp of Swordmaster. He's got that hypersensitivity from Swordmaster syndrome sharpening all his senses.'
So he could detect movements from kilometers away in the water.
Especially if the thing was dozens of meters long.
'This is getting dicey.'
Lloyd swallowed dryly.
His ominous imagination took flight.
In these waters, only one thing came to mind bigger than Hamang.
'That Gigatitan.'
And now that monster was approaching.
He glanced around.
The opulently decked-out brig.
Dozens of people enjoying the onboard party.
An orchestra played soothing tunes on one side as everyone in fine attire chatted amiably.
Some tilted glasses with elegant smiles.
Others admired the mermaid statue's grandeur.
A few couples swayed to slow dances.
Lloyd's eyes quickly scanned the crowd.
Finally, he spotted his target(?).
The party's host and lord of the trading city Creemo: Creemo Count.
"You haven't been drinking, right?"
"Of course not."
"Then it's not the booze talking. Got it. Stand by for orders."
He instructed Haviel and started walking.
Pushing through the crowd, he approached Creemo Count.
"Hohoho, if it isn't him. The hero who laid the foundation for today's joy. Come, join us."
Creemo Count, spotting him, laughed heartily in satisfaction.
He gestured to those around him.
"In my excitement, I forgot to introduce him earlier. This young man is Lloyd Frontera, eldest son of the Frontera family I mentioned. He's the one who built the sturdy foundation under that statue."
The Count clapped Lloyd on the shoulder while introducing him to the group.
The gazes of elderly men—likely Creemo City's elites—turned to him all at once.
But this wasn't the time for that.
Lloyd cleared his throat.
"Ahem! Count? A word, if I may."
"What?"
The Count raised one eyebrow.
His eyes asking what was wrong.
Lloyd's voice dropped even lower.
"A Gigatitan seems to be approaching."
"What?"
Now both eyebrows shot up.
"A Gigatitan?"
"Yes."
"You're sure?"
"We need to confirm at least."
Lloyd explained.
"My guard sensed something suspicious. A massive shape hiding under the surface from afar, heading this way."
"And you think it's a Gigatitan?"
"Based on the sensed size, yes."
"Hmm."
The Count tilted his head to one side.
His eyes skeptical.
"You overdid the drinking, perhaps?"
"No. Not a drop."
"Then it's even stranger. That sense your guard felt—can you swear by its accuracy?"
The Count's gaze shifted sideways.
A sharp-featured middle-aged knight stood there.
"That's Sir Giovanni, my guard and an advanced Sword Expert. Meaning he has Swordmaster syndrome too. Sir Giovanni, any suspicious vibes from the distant sea?"
"None, my lord."
Sir Giovanni answered crisply.
Creemo Count's eyes returned to Lloyd.
"See? Sir Giovanni senses nothing. And if a Gigatitan were really coming, the coastal outposts would've sounded alarms long ago. Surely you don't doubt my city's defenses after ten years fending it off?"
"Er, no."
Lloyd shook his head at once.
He flashed his best salesman's smile.
"First time in such a lavish setting—my guard and I must've been a bit tense."
"Hoho, no harm done. It happens. You've helped me and this city greatly, after all."
"Your kind words honor me."
"Hohoho! Humble too. What a find. Everyone see this?"
The Count turned to the city elites.
They responded with pleased smiles.
The Count patted Lloyd's shoulder with his large, thick palm.
"For him, issuing that warning in this atmosphere must've been tough, yet he did. Shows how much he cares for this city. Haha. Who'd have thought I'd discover such a young talent here. Today's pure joy. Everyone, another toast! You too—raise your glass. Revel in your achievement today. I'll pay handsomely, so relax."
"Understood."
Lloyd could only manage a wry smile.
'Ah, now we're committed.'
He took the glass the Count offered.
As he raised it for the toast, he flicked his eyes sideways.
Haviel caught the glance.
He nodded faintly.
Meaning his senses were certain.
Lloyd bit his lower lip behind the Count's back.
'Can't keep insisting on a Gigatitan after the Count's speech. I'd be marked. What now?'
He trusted Haviel over the Count's boasts.
Even with Sir Giovanni sensing nothing.
'Haviel's sharper.'
Lloyd recalled the novel Iron-Blooded Knight.
Sir Giovanni's name never came up.
Meaning one thing: He was a nobody till the end.
He never reached Swordmaster.
Even at advanced Sword Expert, his skill lagged behind Haviel's.
'So Haviel's senses win out.'
"Cheers!"
The Count's shout rang out.
Lloyd only pretended to sip.
He quickly excused himself from the Count.
Warning him had failed.
Now he had to handle it independently.
'So how... Ah, that.'
Lloyd's eyes, scanning around, stopped at the railing.
A thick rope was tied there.
The other end was secured to an iron mooring stake in the statue's base.
It kept the brig fixed against waves and currents.
Lloyd glanced around casually.
No one watching him.
Not the engrossed musicians.
Not the servers with drinks and food.
Not the partying nobles, merchants, and elites.
The other brigs hosting parties were much the same.
'All or nothing.'
Lloyd approached Haviel.
They exchanged glances.
Lloyd reached out.
Haviel gripped the hilt at his waist. Drew.
Shing!
The longsword gleamed coldly in the sunset.
Lloyd quickened his pace.
'In one go.'
No time for the crowd to react.
They wouldn't even register the drawn sword.
Lloyd vaulted the railing swiftly.
Landed on the cement base below the statue.
Swung at the rope tied to the stake.
Slice! Snap! Slash!
Six arm-thick ropes severed in sequence.
The six brigs, freed from moorings, began tilting with the waves.
Partygoers aboard stumbled instantly.
Music halted; wine glasses shattered on deck.
Lloyd didn't stop.
He leaped back aboard.
Past the railing to the stern.
There stood the windlass for raising the anchor.
His sword flashed again.
Crack! Grind!
The rope linking back from the windlass was cut.
The anchor chain severed.
Moorings and anchor gone.
Bow and stern unsecured.
The massive brig lurched freely.
Swept away from the statue by waves and currents.
Chaos erupted on deck, naturally.
"Huh? What's happening!"
"The ship's drifting!"
"Eek! That guy's got a sword!"
A murmur rose; a lady pointed at him, shrieking at the longsword.
Lloyd ignored it.
He climbed the railing.
Shouted at the five remaining brigs by the statue.
"Want to live to see next year? Cut your anchor lines now! Scatter—far as you can!"
His voice echoed out.
Just as the Count turned to berate him.
That instant.
KABOOM-!
A colossal silhouette erupted from below the surface.
Explosive spray engulfed the mermaid statue and the five lingering brigs in a furious onslaught.