The Empty Nest
“......Nothing!! There's nothing in the nest!!”
“Damn it!! How the hell did this happen!!”
When the White Shark's fleet arrived at the Kraken's nest, the spot that always churned with fierce waves was eerily still. That unnatural quiet made Rania realize something was wrong.
“Looks like the Archipelago King controlled the Kraken. The beast only obeys his commands, after all.”
“Where the hell did he take it?”
“Well......”
Her subordinate couldn't answer rashly at that moment. After all, the Archipelago King had surely taken the Kraken to Adel's battlefield.
“Well, well. This one and that one...... It seems both are treating White Shark Rania as a decoy.”
She smirked as she stared at the empty nest.
“Turn the ship around. We're joining the battlefield.”
[Kraaaah---!!!]
The massive Kraken shot up from the deep sea toward Adel at tremendous speed, surging like a geyser.
[Ugh, what the hell is that thing?]
Kalderet stuck out his tongue in disgust at the sight of the Kraken.
[Daring to target the Garam Archipelago. Something even the desert's White Ghost wouldn't attempt, and you pathetic worms think you can......!!]
Surprisingly, Adel spotted the Archipelago King half-absorbed into the Kraken's head. Gills-like slits fluttered rapidly on his cheeks, and seaweed clung thickly to his half-submerged upper body.
[Overused the ancient beast's power. He's no longer human. See? In the end, just a beast. The price of borrowed power is always something greater devoured in return.]
Sssshaaaak---!!!
The Kraken's enormous tentacles targeted Adel.
Kwachik......!
Chiiiiiik......!!!
At that instant, Kalderet slashed away the Kraken's tentacle. The moment his claws touched, the skin tore open, spilling blood into the water.
[Kyaaak! Kyaaak!! Kyaak!!]
The Kraken retracted its tentacle and screeched at Kalderet.
[Shut up, you filthy beast. Because of you, I've had to pull every damn trick in the book.]
Wududuk......!
The sound of ripping muscle echoed. Kalderet bit down on the torn tentacle with his teeth. The moment his sharp fangs sank in, the Kraken began thrashing wildly.
'Kalderet. Lure it to the Sea Demon Stones. The Archipelago King is probably overconfident. He's never lost at sea before.'
[You want me to play the victim? To that spineless, slimy thing?]
'That's why I'm asking you. I know you won't actually lose to something like that.'
[Hmph. Using a god like this. You'll get divine retribution.]
'If divine retribution comes from gods too, then I have nothing to worry about.'
[......You always have a way with words.]
Kalderet licked his lips but seemed pleased enough by Adel's words as he dove into the Kraken's embrace.
[I could take it alone right now, you know? Do we really have to go through this hassle?]
Sshak--!
Ssshaaaak--!!!
The Kraken's tentacles lashed out like a net at Kalderet. But he dodged them with ease.
'In war, it's not just about winning. It's about how you win.'
The Archipelago King bringing the Kraken here was outside Adel's expectations. But conversely, he had no intention of letting the opportunity slip.
'Unintentionally made Sis Rania come up empty. She's probably heading here now.'
Adel thought to himself. To decorate the finale of a battle most spectacularly, nothing was more important than having plenty of eyes on the battlefield.
'A stage only shines with a full audience.'
Ssshaak---!!
Adel cleaved through the waves and began swimming. With his torso covered in dragon scales restoring Kalderet's power, he could now use his God's Blessing as well.
'It hasn't gone too far yet. I can catch up at this speed.'
He poured strength into his arms and legs, accelerating.
[Kaaaaak---!!!]
A scream from Kalderet echoed from behind. A Kraken tentacle had coiled around his waist.
[Kuhaha!! Die!!]
The Archipelago King's shout followed. Kalderet, tangled in the tentacle, shook his head in apparent agony.
[......]
It was pretty convincing acting. Even if Kalderet looked a bit annoyed.
Paaat---!!!
Ripples erupted on the surface.
“A, Adel?!”
The people cried out in surprise at the sight of him suddenly emerging from below, grabbing the deck ropes, and leaping aboard.
“Who's steering the Ghoul Ship right now?”
Adel shook off the water roughly and asked Rito.
“It's Jungk. The Archipelago King's brother.”
As he surfaced, the dragon scales' effect seemed to fade, leaving Adel looking a bit fatigued.
“What kind of guy is he?”
“Impetuous. Desperate to impress his brother. Lags behind in many ways, but he's exceptional in naval combat.”
“How exceptional?”
“No pirate could beat him in ship-to-ship combat, except maybe the Archipelago King.”
Adel nodded at Rito's words.
“Good.”
“......Pardon?”
“Because he's needlessly talented. The more confident they are, the less they know when to quit.”
He gazed at the pirate fleet hot on their tail.
“You're lucky, Rito. Normally, you'd have vanished into the sea long ago, just another nobody. But sometimes, chance can change fate.”
“Ha, haha...... You really know how to twist the knife.”
“Yeah. Of course. Forgot? You're the one who attacked me first.”
“Aigoo, forgive me. From now on, I'll be your loyal dog.”
Rito swallowed dryly without realizing it, rubbing his hands together.
“Sure. Even that bad blood from you striking first can turn into a bond sometimes. Count yourself lucky. Thanks to it, you're still alive. And as a bonus, I'll show you something fun from here on.”
“Wouldn't miss it.”
Chwaaaak---!!!
At that moment, Adel placed his hand on the edge of the deck and looked below. Something black was slicing through the waves at incredible speed toward their ship.
“Rito. Hoist the sails. The sea path will open soon.”
“Yes, sir!!”
At his command, Rito dashed across the deck, untying the ropes with all his might.
Pang-!!
Hwaaaak--!!
The ship caught the full wind and began accelerating.
“I can't believe my ship can go this fast. Unreal.”
“It's the helmsman's skill.”
Paat--!!!
Something black burst from below the surface, brushing past Adel and landing on the deck. It was Kalderet.
[Mission accomplished.]
He said, shaking his soaked mane.
“Good. Now it's time to show the hunter's skill.”
[You bastard......!!!!]
Jjeok......!
Jjeojeok......!!!
The waves split to either side as something pursued Adel's ship relentlessly.
“Look there!! Brother's at the helm!!!”
Jungk shouted upon spotting the glow below the surface.
“Follow Brother!!! All ships, close ranks!!!”
“Riding the sea path!”
“Full speed after them!!”
Ssshaak......!
Ssshaaaak......!!!
As if hearing his cry, the pirate ships narrowed their formation and began riding the waves splitting the sea.
“......Insane speed.”
“Can we shake them?”
“We shouldn't. The closer it gets, the harder they'll chase.”
Adel extended his hand.
“Kasla. Lend me Maesal for a bit.”
“You're the only hunter who'd casually borrow a Black Crow's weapon like that.”
“You're the daughter of the Black Crows, not one yourself.”
“......What?”
“Forgot the hunting party we formed during the sweep?”
Adel removed the crossbow mounted on her wrist.
“I haven't let you go yet. You need my permission to join the Black Crows.”
“......”
“Let's go together. Forever.”
Kasla couldn't speak, her face flushing red as she practically shoved Maesal into Adel's hands.
“Wh-what nonsense!! If, if you say it like that, then I......”
Chak-chak.
But Adel had already loaded an arrow into Maesal without looking back.
“......Ugh, that guy.”
“Kek, hold it in, Kasla. The battle's starting now.”
Harun grabbed her clenched fist on her shoulder with a awkward grin.
“After today, Adel's name will spread again.”
Chak- He stood beside Adel.
“And we'll probably end up listed in his hunting party. Just like he planned. He didn't need to bring us to fight pirate ships.”
“Who knows. I just needed capable hunters.”
“Then we make our own worth. No point if only you know how capable I am, buried in your shadow.”
Kwaduduk......!!!
Harun planted his feet on the deck, nocked his greatbow, and drew the string with both hands.
“I've decided, Adel. I'm joining your hunting party from now on. And I'll shoot farther than anyone.”
His solid muscles bulged as if about to burst.
“A day for the history books. I'll etch my name alongside yours.”
He looked at Adel with eager anticipation.
“The day a desert hunter conquers the sea. Right? Let me in on it.”
Adel stared at Harun steadily.
“Finally acting like a hunter.”
He tossed the loaded Maesal back to Kasla.
“Harun. Thin the herd a bit. Too many ships on the sea path. Make some room for us.”
“Got it.”
Paaang---!!!
Harun nodded and loosed the arrow. It flew with a roar, punching a hole through a pirate ship's sail.
“Kasla, prep arrows. They'll run out fast.”
Chak-!
Kwaduk......!!
Shuuuk--!!
Drawing, nocking, and firing flowed like water.
“Has Harun ever rapid-fired like that with a greatbow?”
“Probably not sustainable. Just a flash in his eyes.”
Kasla understood what Adel meant. It was awakening.
Shuk!
Shuk!!
Shu-shuk!!!
Hwaruruk......!!!
“C-Captain!! The sail's on fire!!”
“No way......! With just arrows?!”
The arrows for Harun's greatbow were tipped with Sea Demon Stones.
“Last one. Might blow if we don't fire soon.”
“No problem.”
Four pirate ships riding the Archipelago King's sea path caught fire on their sails, gradually slowing.
“Gonu. Ride the waves.”
Ssshaaaak---!!
At that moment, Gonu spun the wheel. The ship veered sharply into the deepest inner channel of the sea path.
[Stop......!!!!]
The Archipelago King emerged from below the split sea surface.
“Wh-what is that?”
“It's a total monster......”
[Kuuooooh---!!!!]
[How dare you rampage in my sea!! I'll kill you all!!]
The massive Kraken's tentacles chased the ship.
Kwang!
Kwang!!
Kwang!!
Water exploded everywhere, sending pillars skyward.
[Not bad, huh?]
“Very.”
The surfaced Archipelago King had a face scratched to hell by something sharp. Kalderet casually scraped his forepaw on the deck.
[But now what? Can't use blessing anymore. Honestly, should've finished it when the dragon scales were up.]
He waited for Adel's response.
[Against an ancient beast, no blessing makes it tough. Even Sea Demon Stones won't do much to the Kraken.]
“You're misunderstanding something, Kalderet.”
[......What?]
“Forgot? What I need to hunt isn't the Kraken.”
Chak-!!
Adel raised his hand high.
“It's the Archipelago King.”
Kwaang---!!
Kwagang---!!!!
At that instant, the Sea Demon Stones floating atop the pushed-back waves exploded in unison.
“Uwaaak!!!”
“Save me!!”
Dozens, hundreds of Sea Demon Stones detonated with thunderous booms, shattering the pursuing pirate ships.
“Rito. Signal flare. Tell the rear pirate ships to rescue our precious drowned audience.”
Harun grinned bitterly, understanding why Adel had wanted fewer ships.
Chak-chak-
“Hm.”
Adel slightly drew the sword from its sheath at his waist.
“Not even an ancient beast. Just a man's neck.”
As the keen blade grazed the sheath, a growl like a beast's snarl echoed.
“One sword is plenty.”