Challenging the Archipelago King
“Adel went to Kron Island, where the Archipelago King is?”
Rania echoed her subordinate's report with an incredulous expression.
“Yes. He's at the Whale Rock Cave near Kron Island. It looks like he's chosen that spot as his battlefield.”
“So it wasn't just empty talk after all. What the hell is he thinking? There are over fifteen pirate ships assembled at Kron Island alone...”
“But in a way, isn't this actually a stroke of luck? Honestly, dealing with the Archipelago King's pirate fleet was a burden even for us.”
“Exactly. If he draws the Archipelago King's attention, hunting the Kraken will be much easier.”
Despite her subordinates' relief, Rania's face remained stern.
“What if that kid really takes down the Archipelago King?”
“...Pardon?”
“Nah, no way. Even if he's Hien's eighth son, he's just a child.”
“Right. He probably has zero experience sailing. That's why he's charging in so boldly despite the overwhelming odds.”
Her subordinates dismissed it incredulously. But Rania wondered if they could really write off Adel—who had already annihilated the Yepel and Dein pirate fleets—as some novice who knew nothing of the sea.
“We're heading to Kron Island.”
“...Pardon?”
“But Captain, this is our golden opportunity to take down the Kraken. It's the moment we've been waiting two whole years for.”
“Exactly. The ancient tree slumbers once every ten years to replenish its natural power in its core. Miss this, and we wait another decade.”
Her subordinates protested Rania's decision.
“You know as well as we do, Captain. Without hunting the Kraken, we can't beat the Archipelago King.”
“One misstep, and we might have to abandon our base. No—we will have to.”
“They won't just sit idly by anymore.”
“I want to see how the eighth fights. And figure out why Brother Hul entrusted his sword to that kid.”
But despite their pleas, Rania set her course for Adel's location. Her hunter's instincts were screaming a warning.
Impossible as it seemed, there was that nagging anxiety that he might actually defeat the Archipelago King.
This battle might reveal Adel's true nature. Is he someone to break... or someone to follow?
“Captain!!!”
It was then.
[Grrrrr...]
[Me, an ancient god, reduced to a mere messenger. That damn human really knows how to work me. Treating a god like this...]
“Wh-what's that?!”
A low growl echoed from the deck outside the cabin. But to those on board, the grumbling sounded only like the warning of a troublesome beast.
“What's the commotion?”
Rania stepped out onto the deck.
“...You?”
[Grrrrr...]
She recognized the black wolf standing on the deck of the ship—it was the one that had been with Adel.
“What brings you here?”
Thud.
Kalderet dropped the scroll he was carrying right in front of her.
[Delivered as instructed.]
She couldn't hear his words, of course, but Kalderet muttered it as if confirming before turning away.
“Wh-what the hell? A black wolf out of nowhere.”
“Did you see those eyes?”
“Gives me the chills.”
Even Rania's battle-hardened subordinates shuddered involuntarily at the sight of a single wolf.
“...”
Rania picked up the scroll Kalderet had dropped and unrolled it. Inside was a brief message.
◈ No need to come to me, Sis.
◈ Focus on hunting the Kraken. That's your mission. Please don't get greedy.
◈ If you do, you might miss out on what you could gain.
A chill ran down her spine the moment she read the first line, one corner of her mouth twitching involuntarily.
“Ha... haha...”
She let out a hollow laugh by the final line.
It was advice. And a warning.
The words felt like they had pierced right through her thoughts, sending a shiver up her spine.
“Now I get it. Heh, so it's not that he's blocking the Archipelago King for my sake—it's that I'm holding down the Kraken so he can take the king.”
Absurd, yet strangely, Rania didn't hate the situation.
She knew why.
“...Feels like facing Father.”
She murmured with a dazed expression.
“Ryun.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“As you said, we're going after the Kraken.”
“...Not the rock cave?”
Rania shook the scroll at her subordinate's question.
“Yeah. My amazing little brother personally warned me.”
She was intrigued. The battle hadn't even started, yet it felt like she'd already glimpsed the outcome.
“...”
But part of her resisted acknowledging it. The reason she'd thought of her father in that moment.
Because Adel's letter stirred a fear she couldn't quite handle.
* * *
[Delivered. Lucky for her. In the windless zone, only an ancient god like me can expend this much divine power.]
“That's why I asked you. Good work.”
[Ugh... I'm soaked in salt stench. Maintaining form is tough. Need a break. That okay?]
Back on the ship, Kalderet shook himself like a wet dog and spoke.
“Don't worry about the fight.”
[Good. As requested, I infused my divine power into the letter. Wasn't easy here.]
“Thanks. Rania needed that much. Plain words would've just pissed her off.”
Even in the windless zone, a powerhouse like Rania would've sensed Kalderet's aura in the letter.
Sis contracts mid god of fury, Shalloc. Can't use her power here, but as a divine contractor, she'll detect Kalderet's presence.
That would suffice. Sharp battle senses meant sharp survival instincts. Knowing an unfathomable power lurked behind him would keep her in check.
“Master!! Ships ahead!!”
The moment he'd waited for arrived.
“Finally.”
Twenty ships loomed before them.
“There. Serpent emblem.”
Gonu, standing beside him, pointed it out.
“Looks like the Serpent family joined after all. Ignore the rest. Just watch for their fast ships.”
Harun's face darkened, but Adel ignored it and ordered Rito.
“Helm to port, catch the wind. Slowly circle the rock island and lure them in.”
“Aye!!”
Rito spun the wheel with all his might at Adel's command.
Groooan...
The ship turned, slicing through the waves.
“Row, you bastards! Full speed!!!”
At Rito's shout, the ship glided forward even smoother.
“Raise the signal flag. Message for the Archipelago King.”
As the ship entered the pirate fleet's view, the flag atop the mast fluttered.
* * *
“Boss!!!”
A pirate in the crow's nest shouted through his spyglass.
“Their signal!! Surrender... or be destroyed!!!”
The deck crew burst into derisive laughter at the pirate's cry.
“Crazy bastard.”
“What nonsense!”
“Boss!! Wipe 'em out now!! Cannons loaded!!!”
Pirates banged sword hilts, howling for blood.
“What do you make of it, Ronnal?”
“Obvious provocation, as you predicted, Captain. Looks like they have set some trap.”
The snake-eyed man beside the Archipelago King dismissed the signal without a glance.
“He plans to use the rock island as a shield. Spread the left and right wings wide for encirclement. If they use the rocks as cover, we'll do the same.”
“Hm.”
The Archipelago King nodded at Ronnal's strategy.
Thoom! Thoom! Thoom! Thoom!!
At the drumbeats from the Ghoul, three ships on each flank fanned out in an arc, charging Adel's vessel.
“Rock island dead ahead!!”
As Rito shouted, they reached the isle with its three towering rocks—like an elephant's trunk and tusks—surrounded by dozens of hidden reefs.
“Gonu, you take the helm now. You got this?”
“Yeah. Gonu read sea paths. Dodge reefs.”
“Reliable.”
Screeech... Screeeeech...!!
Handing off from Rito, he navigated boldly.
Splash--! Splaash--!!!
“Impressive... Bringing him was a masterstroke.”
Harun watched the ship weave gracefully through the reefs.
“Yeah. Without him, it'd be on me. Exhausting stuff.”
“...You can sail too?”
“You can too, right?”
Harun stared, flustered at Adel's retort.
“Hold tight.”
Before he could puzzle it out, three ships closed in from the left rear.
“Gonu, thread the reefs.”
“Y-you serious?”
“Don't worry. Just hold on.”
Adel winked at the pair. Kasla and Harun wrapped ropes around themselves tight.
“Kahaha!! Idiots!! Walking into their own grave!!”
“Full speed!!!! Swing around and cut 'em off! Few of 'em—board and slaughter!!”
Unlike Adel's slowing ship, the pirates accelerated.
Groooan...!!
The hull groaned like grinding stone, but they pushed harder.
“As expected. True pirates.”
Adel nodded, pleased they played along.
Before the Serpent family's mobile cannons, naval gunnery accuracy sucks.
In the windless zone, where magic cannons failed, sea battles relied on closing for boarding.
“Gonu, break through. Wind shifts at the left tusk rock. Turn the center sail.”
“Got it.”
“M-Master! They'll catch us before we clear the island. Those are the Whale Pirates—the fastest in the archipelago!”
“It's fine.”
Calm against Rito's yell, Adel said.
“Even fast ships don't move when broken. Harun, in range now? Hit that crow's nest.”
Craaaack--!!
Kasla grabbed Harun's rope as he loosed his greatbow. The massive arrow slammed into the adjacent pirate ship.
“Kasla, those arrows I told you to prep? Grab 'em. You're with me.”
Adel gripped the line and leaped to the enemy ship.
“Crazy...!! Alone?!”
“Kill him!!”
Pirates gaped as Adel dropped from above.
Thwack--!!
He smashed a fist into the nearest pirate.
“...Guhk!!!”
Shoved a sea demon stone in the staggering man's mouth, then hurled him to the deck's center.
BOOMMM...!!!
The deck shattered in a deafening blast.
“Wh-what?!”
“Magic...? Impossible! This is the windless zone!!”
They yelped at the sudden explosion, but Adel gave no quarter.
“Ughhh...”
“Cough, cough.”
Moans rose from the hold below the blasted deck. Past the fallen pirates, Adel's eyes locked on the cannons.
Bang--!!!
Not a normal bowstring— a taut twang. Kasla, following, with her crossbow.
The arrow from Maisal spiraled like a drill, hooking both flanking ships with terrifying range.
Thud---!!!
It pierced the hulls clean through.
“Wh-what?!”
“No way...!!”
Pirates reeled at the hull-shattering arrows.
“Good.”
Kirundel's blessing maximized initial damage. Kasla flicked the taut line.
The line was coated in viscous goo.
“Yeah. It'll catch.”
Thud—he tossed the darkening sea demon stone into the hold.
KABOOM--!! KABOOOMMM---!!!
The blast chain-detonated the loaded cannonballs.
Fwoooosh...!!
Flames raced along Kasla's line in seconds. The coating: sea demon stone essence, mana-melted.
KABOOM-!! KABOOOMMM---!!!!
Its oily flames defied water.
“W-water!!”
“Douse it!!”
Pirates scrambled, but fire engulfed both ships.
KABOOM!! KABOOOMMM!!
Overheated shells exploded, splintering the vessels.
“Aaaagh!! Aaaaagh!!”
“S-save me!!”
Pirate screams rang out.
“Debris ahead blocking the path!!”
“Can't accelerate!!”
Wreckage clogged the waves, halting the trailing three ships.
“D-damn it?!”
“Cliff behind—no way around!”
“Row!! Break through no matter what!!”
Panic gripped the pirates.
Screeech...! Screeeeech...!
Adel's ship rounded the rock, emerging.
“Windless zone—no blessings. Not a disadvantage. You can't use yours either.”
His ship sailed past indifferently.
Thud—Adel tossed sea demon stones like gifts onto the passing decks.
BOOM-!! KABOOM--!! KABOOOMMM---!!
“Not that trash like you deserves any.”
Through the inferno, Adel's ship surged ahead.
Having claimed six ships in a blink, he gazed forward.
“I don't need a god's blessing to be strong.”
Twenty years of war lingered in him fully.
He tapped his temple, eyeing the Ghoul.
No one here had fought more battles than him.
“This...! Grrraaah!!!”
The Archipelago King's face twisted at his burning ships.