Chapter 315

Splash

Splash

With each wave, the ship I’m on sways noisily in sync with the movement.

Even though the ship we’re on is by no means small, the fact that it’s helplessly swaying with the waves means that the current state of the sea in front of Leila is anything but normal.

“Hey, you guys! Don’t keep sneaking glances at the mermaid and stay focused!”

“Ah, understood!”

But even in such a nerve-wracking situation, Regina was moving around the deck, encouraging and controlling the soldiers.

We were sailing on one of Leila’s military warships, preparing to face the Kraken alongside the soldiers.

The biggest help in allowing us to board that military warship was none other than Regina, the only daughter of the innkeeper of the Red Shell Inn.

At first, I thought of casually asking for a boat, but in the process of explaining why we needed it, I had no choice but to talk about Marin and the Kraken. Initially, she didn’t trust our words, but after seeing Marin secretly snacking in a guest room on the second floor, she had no choice but to believe us.

Realizing that everything we said was true, Regina immediately scolded us, saying that trying to defeat such a dangerous monster with just us was reckless, and then left the inn.

Before I knew it, not only had a boat been provided, but a large-scale expedition to defeat the Kraken had been formed.

“E-everyone is working hard. We should do something too…”

“It’s okay. Arisa, you’re not a soldier.”

“B-but, Marin…”

Arisa, feeling uneasy just standing still while watching Regina and the soldiers.

“Don’t worry. Look at Kirsh. He’s quietly meditating and preparing for battle without paying attention to the surroundings.”

“That’s just seasickness…”

I pointed to Kirsh, who was quietly meditating with his spear in a corner of the ship.

“By the way, thanks for coming without hesitation despite the sudden call.”

“D-don’t mention it. It was Liche who insisted on leaving immediately.”

“Of course. We can’t let Karina and Serena face such danger alone.”

Liche, who had approached while we were talking, glared at me sharply as if blaming me for dragging them into this dangerous battle.

On the deck, my party, Arisa’s party, Kirsh, Lakia, and the soldiers of Leila, including Regina, were all gathered, preparing for battle.

Arisa’s party and Kirsh’s party.

They were the reinforcements we had called from Astram to face the Kraken.

Kirsh, the strongest and most reliable warrior I know, and Lakia, who uses unique spells.

Arisa, the Dark Elf who is close to Marin.

Liche, who is also very close to Karina and Serena.

And Yuri, Daria, and Aila.

They were all the reinforcements we had called to form the Kraken extermination team.

No, it wasn’t just them.

“Benefactor! This time, I will repay your kindness!”

“No, it’s not that big of a deal…”

“Don’t worry! If you’re a benefactor to Bran, you’re a benefactor to us too!”

“If you’re in danger, I will save you even at the cost of my life!”

No, logically, if I’m in danger, you guys wouldn’t be able to do anything either…

“…I’ll just gratefully accept your intentions.”

Bran and his party, whom we had met when we defeated the Awakening Species of the Abnormal Bird, had also rushed to Leila to lend us their strength.

Considering the distance from Astram to Leila and the potential danger of defeating the Kraken, it seems that the news of my participation in this battle had a significant impact on their decision to come.

Honestly, I didn’t expect such a large-scale extermination team to be formed, so it feels like overkill…

But still, quite a few people among this large group came to Leila immediately after hearing about me and my party.

It’s only been about a year since I left the Lizardman Village and became an adventurer.

But already, so many connections have formed, and they’ve gathered to help us, making me feel a bit itchy under my skin even though there’s still a long time until my next molt.

Still, I think it was a good decision to leave the Lizardman Village.

While chatting with familiar faces among the extermination team, Regina, who had finished controlling the soldiers, approached.

“Quite a crowd has gathered.”

“The Kraken is that dangerous. Most monsters are only rated gold after becoming Awakening Species, but the Kraken is rated gold just by itself. The ‘small ones’ are several tens of meters in size, and historically, the largest observed individual was several hundred meters. The physical force from its massive size alone can easily sink one or two merchant ships.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard of it.”

“…And yet you decided to hunt the Kraken with just a few people?”

“Ahem…! That’s…”

I’m a Transcendent, after all.

“But still, as an outsider, I’m grateful that you made such a decision for Leila.”

Regina, who had been looking at me with a scolding expression for my reckless actions, soon softened her expression and thanked me politely.

“If it weren’t for Mr. Kurt investigating this matter, the citizens of Leila would have continued to suffer from the strange phenomena at sea without knowing why. Thanks to you, Leila’s sea can return to normal.”

“It’s too early to thank me. That should be done after we defeat the Kraken…”

Just then.

“Ahhh! It’s here! This is the sea where the Kraken lives!”

Marin, who had been leisurely snacking while guiding us, suddenly jumped up from her seat.

“Is this it…? Are you sure, Marin? It doesn’t look like a particularly special sea area.”

“Yes! I’m sure! It’s right here!”

The place we arrived at under Marin’s guidance was just another sea area with nothing special, only slightly unstable currents.

Well, the unstable currents are the same everywhere, so it’s just an ordinary sea area.

There’s nothing but seawater around, yet she’s so confident.

Is it just another one of her usual clueless mistakes?

Or is there something only mermaids, who have lived their entire lives underwater, can know?

“The Kraken isn’t even showing a shadow. Are you sure this is the right place?”

“Absolutely! I couldn’t be mistaken!”

“Alright. Then how do we summon the Kraken here?”

“Well… We summon the Kraken by singing the Queen of the Mermaids’ song.”

“Singing? You can summon the Kraken with just that? And the Queen of the Mermaids? Do we have to wait until you bring her here? No, can you even summon the Queen?”

“It’s okay. Actually, I am the Queen of the Mermaids.”

Splash!

With a dramatic sound effect, Marin dove into the water.

And then, like a fish in water, she surfaced with a lively expression.

“Phew. Now I feel alive. Mermaids can breathe both in and out of water, but I’m more comfortable in the water since I’ve lived there longer.”

Now, her voice was clear and refreshing, unlike the usual slow, clueless tone.

“Marin. Your voice…”

“Until now, I couldn’t speak normally outside the water because the breathing method is different, but this is my real voice.”

Come to think of it, there are many legends about mermaids, but one common thread is always present.

Stories of mermaids luring sailors to wreck their ships, or guiding lost sailors to the right path.

Mermaids are always said to sing songs with voices so clear they can enchant people.

“Now, everyone should prepare. I’m going to summon the Kraken.”

With that unfamiliar clear and refreshing voice, Marin warned us.

“Everyone, prepare for battle!”

“Stay alert!”

Regina immediately ordered the soldiers and adventurers to prepare for battle.

And once the extermination team was ready, Marin began to sing on the quiet sea, where only the sound of waves could be heard.

“──────♪”

It was a voice so beautiful it could only be described as enchanting.

“That… is a truly beautiful voice.”

“I had no idea she was hiding such a beautiful voice.”

“Honestly, I thought Marin was a bit like Mari. Their names are similar. But to think she could sing such a beautiful song.”

“Wait, Serena, what do you mean by that?”

Her voice was like magic emanating from her vocal cords, instantly relaxing the soldiers and adventurers who were tense before the battle.

Truly, a voice that moves people’s hearts.

When I first heard about summoning a monster with a song, I thought it was some primitive ritual, but this song was completely different from any human voice.

But there wasn’t much time to enjoy the song.

While we were entranced by her singing, forgetting we were preparing for battle.

“Everyone, stay alert.”

“…Huh?”

Rumble rumble──.

“E-everyone, look below!”

“Something’s coming!”

A shadow several times larger than our ship began to rise from beneath us.

Kwaaaang!

With an explosive roar that drowned out Marin’s singing, the Kraken emerged, splitting the sea.