Raon massaged the back of his neck as he gazed at the calm sea, which felt like the calm before a storm.
'It's quiet.'
The journey to hunt Kaivar was strangely peaceful.
Even though sea monsters or the Fog Tribe should have attacked, not even dolphins or fish approached them.
'The fact that they're leaving us alone means they're confident they can win.'
Kaivar knew that humans were moving to kill him.
The fact that he hadn't taken any action until now meant he was confident he could overwhelm them head-on.
'A dragon….'
Raon had only ever seen one dragon in real life, a Gold Dragon that had breathed fire to kill Wrath.
The thought of having to kill a monster that covered the distant sky made his lips dry up.
-There's no need to be so tense.
Wrath shook his head as he looked at the sea.
-It's just a delicious piece of meat to me.
He licked his lips, saying he craved the chewy taste of dragon meat.
-Dragon meat! Dragon meat!
Wrath began singing an impromptu song about dragon meat.
Since he had been deprived of fish stew by a seagull, he had been a bit off, but today he was particularly intense.
Perhaps because of his song, the tension eased, and a strange confidence that they could catch the dragon began to fill the air.
'Anyway….'
As Raon was chuckling at Wrath, Alice, Kuberad, and Lawaine approached him.
"Yeah. Don't frown, just smile."
Alice gave him a refreshing smile, saying he was doing well.
"When you're tense, you can't perform your best."
"That kid is different from you. He'll do well on his own."
Kuberad waved his hand as if to say not to interfere.
"You always nitpick only at my words."
Alice snorted lightly.
"Is the work done?"
"No, it's still ongoing."
As if he had been working nonstop until now, sweat was dripping from Kuberad's forehead and shoulders.
"No matter how many weapons we have, it won't be enough."
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, saying he had come out for some fresh air.
"Indeed, all the sea monsters will probably gather around."
Lawaine sighed, saying that even if they stayed up all night preparing, it wouldn't be enough.
"Yeah, yeah. Everyone should work hard. Don't regret it later."
Alice shouted to hurry up and work, patting Lawaine and Kuberad on their backs.
"You're always playing around…."
"That's my preparation. I'm honing my swordsmanship to kill the dragon."
She shrugged her shoulders, saying she was preparing more diligently than anyone.
"You sure talk a lot."
Kuberad frowned and turned his head towards Raon.
"You're the same as her. You mustn't participate in the preparation and battle."
"What?"
"We'll handle the monsters and the Fog Tribe. You must not move until Kaivar shows up."
He pointed his finger, saying this was a promise that had to be kept.
"But if I help a little…."
"Your role is not to deal with monsters."
"That's right."
Alice nodded, lowering her gaze.
"We need to focus all our mind and strength on fighting the dragon. Leave the small fry to our comrades."
She grabbed Kuberad and Lawaine's shoulders, emphasizing the word 'comrades.'
The other sailors, standing behind, also smiled faintly at Alice's words.
"…Understood."
Raon nodded heavily.
'They remind me of the Light Wind division.'
Alice and the other sailors had a relationship of trust similar to his with the Light Wind division.
The faces of the ones he hadn't thought about for a while began to come to mind one by one.
-I want to see my subordinates.
Wrath seemed to be thinking the same, licking his lips and calling out the names of the Light Wind division.
"But the Fog Tribe worries me a little."
Kuberad clicked his tongue loudly.
"Indeed. If they weren't here, the fight would be much easier."
Lawaine nodded in agreement.
'The Fog Tribe….'
Raon scratched his cheek, recalling the Fog Tribe he had killed before.
'They said something strange.'
When the tribe member died, they expressed a severe hatred, saying that humans were unnecessary on this continent.
He had never heard that the Fog Tribe hated humans so much, which had been puzzling until now.
"Did the Fog Tribe always hate humans?"
"Huh? The Fog Tribe?"
Alice tilted her head, as if wondering what he was talking about.
"When I killed a Fog Tribe member, they said humans were unnecessary on this continent."
Raon explained what the Fog Tribe had told him.
"That's something Kaivar always says. They must have been brainwashed by that dragon."
Alice waved her hand, saying not to worry about it.
"Why does Kaivar hate humans?"
"I don't know. But records say he wasn't like that initially, so something must have happened in the middle."
She frowned, saying that the reason wasn't important at this point.
"No matter how I think about it, our forces are ambiguous. It would be nice if Chief Sif were here…."
Lawaine sighed regretfully, patting his bald head that sparkled in the sunlight.
"Sif?"
"You don't know?"
Kuberad opened his mouth wide in disbelief.
"He's my son."
Alice answered nonchalantly.
"What? But you're not married, yet you have a son?"
"I told you, I kept dating."
She spread her hands and chuckled.
"I'm not very interested in the family, but you're quite something. Haven't you heard that he's a talent who appears once in a hundred years in Zieghart?"
"Ah!"
Raon nodded blankly. Now that she mentioned it, he remembered that Glenn's grandson was a genius.
"Where is he now?"
"I don't know."
Alice shook her head firmly.
"What?"
"He's old enough; why should I care? I've raised him well enough not to get beaten up, so he'll manage."
She yawned loudly, saying she didn't care.
"Haha…."
Raon chuckled. He thought she was quite a unique person in many ways.
"Alright then, let's get back to work!"
Alice clapped her hands and sent the gathered sailors back to work.
Raon leaned against the deck and looked back.
Not only the sailors of Azure Wind but also the sailors on the warships following them were moving busily.
'There are many old and young people.'
Those who had been massacred by the dragon had volunteered to do menial tasks and become sailors of the warships. They wanted revenge for their families and villages, even if it meant their death.
People of all ages, genders, and backgrounds were firmly determined to kill the dragon, focusing on their roles.
"Phew…."
As Raon sighed in frustration, he heard small footsteps beside him.
"Hi, hang in there."
He turned his head at the encouragement. A boy and a girl, who still looked very young, were bowing their heads.
"You are…."
He remembered them because they had actively participated in the city's reconstruction.
"I'm Morin. This is Nuan."
The boy named Morin introduced himself and the girl.
"Why are you here?"
Both had very faint auras, but they were still very young.
They looked as young as Yua or Julius, so he wondered why they were on the ship.
"Our village was destroyed by that damned dragon. We asked to be taken along because we wanted revenge with our own hands."
Morin bit his trembling lips.
"Nuan is the same. She still can't speak because of the trauma…."
He held Nuan's hand tightly, saying she had suffered even more.
The two children breathed heavily, saying they wanted to see Kaivar's death with their own eyes.
Raon looked into the children's eyes, burning with anger, with a bitter expression.
'So that's why.'
The two had helped Aikar, which had been attacked by the dragon, more diligently because their village had been destroyed.
"I don't have the strength, but you and Alice do. Please, kill that dragon."
"...."
Morin and Nuan repeatedly bowed their heads and went down to a small workshop below the deck.
-Sniff….
Wrath sniffled as he watched the children.
-How admirable! I want to protect them!
He waved his hands, saying he wanted to catch Kaivar and strip his scales immediately.
'They're sadly admirable.'
Raon watched the children's retreating figures until the door closed.
'Everyone is sincere.'
Everyone was sincerely trying to catch the dragon and was willing to lose their lives for that result.
'I can't just meditate either.'
-Inevitable!
As Raon was about to practice catching the dragon in his mind, Wrath jumped up and approached him.
-I'll give you a special lecture on catching lizards!
After two days of sailing.
Azure Wind arrived at their destination, Kaivar's nest. The warships following them stopped as promised.
"There are many."
Lawaine swallowed dryly as he looked ahead.
"This is beyond imagination…."
Kuberad's wrinkled hands trembled.
"Crazy."
"This is why we haven't touched it."
"Damn dragon…."
It wasn't just them. The sailors of Azure Wind and the warriors on the other warships were also disturbed, which was conveyed through the wind.
Raon slowly nodded as he watched the murmuring people.
'It's inevitable.'
No one could have known there would be so many.
Ahead of the horizon where the ships were facing, an island had risen.
Of course, it wasn't a naturally formed island. There was no island originally in this place.
It was an island of monsters created by Kaivar's guardians gathering together.
Not only medium and small monsters like Sharkmaw, Siren, Rain Lizard, Balax, and Blue Fish, but also giant monsters like Sea Serpent, Luna Whale, and Mantacoon were filling the space.
Just as fishermen described a full catch as half sea, half fish, now it was a strange situation where the sea was half water, half monsters.
'The Fog Tribe is also here.'
Additionally, the Fog Tribe was mingled among the monsters, adding to the sense of oppression.
Especially, the old man in the center of the Fog Tribe emitted an aura different from the others. He seemed to be the leader of the Fog Tribe.
'It won't be easy.'
As Raon was catching his breath, Alice climbed to the upper deck.
"Why are you so surprised?"
Alice smiled leisurely and spread her hands.
"Everyone expected this much. Are you scared now that you've come this far? Are you afraid of the dragon?"
Contrary to her light tone, a heavy aura rose from her feet.
Gooooo!
The sailors' eyes, which had been filled with fear, burned brightly under Alice's overwhelming presence, which erased the existence of numerous monsters.
"Our goal is not those monsters. It's the dragon. We can't do anything if we're intimidated by them."
Alice's low shout ignited the spirit that had sunk.
"Fight. Even if you die, pierce with your swords and spears and open a path for me."
She drew her sword with a confident smile.
"I'll cut off the dragon's head and bring you victory."
"Wooaaaaa!"
The sailors shouted so loudly that the sea shook.
No longer was there any trace of fear in them. Only the desire to kill the dragon could be seen.
"Let's go."
At Alice's command, Azure Wind blew a majestic horn and moved forward.
The warships followed, forming a crescent moon shape and facing the mountain of monsters.
It was a strange sight of ships facing monsters. From a distance where arrows could reach, Lawaine climbed to the upper deck.
"I'll take the lead from here."
"Please do."
Alice smiled and descended.
"Open the gunports!"
At Lawaine's shout, the prows of the warships opened long, revealing thick cannons. These were magical cannons created by Kuberad and the magicians.
"Fire!"
At the same time, twelve warships fired beams of light that swept through the mountain of monsters.
Kwaaaang!
An enormous explosion occurred, causing the monster island to collapse as if it had been split in half. Red and blue blood from the monsters flowed endlessly into the sea.
"Fire!"
At Lawaine's command, the magical cannons fired brilliant flames again.
Kwaaang!
With an even greater impact than the first, the monsters melted away as if they had never existed.
Mantacoon's body fell, and dozens of Sirens exploded without even a scream.
But the mountain of monsters was not completely destroyed yet.
"Fire!"
When Lawaine gave the third firing order, the Fog Tribe moved.
Uuuuuung!
Gray fog rose around the monsters, forming a thick barrier in front of the cannons.
Kwaaang!
An even bigger explosion occurred, but the number of dead monsters was significantly reduced. The fog had absorbed much of the impact.
Uuuu!
A sound like a wolf's howl echoed as the gray fog thickened, starting to obscure the view.
"Hmm…."
Raon narrowed his eyes at the fog.
'They're moving.'
As the gray fog of the Fog Tribe spread over the sea, the monsters began to move in the water, surrounding the ships.
Lawaine also seemed to sense this, as his expression hardened and he raised his sword.
"Form the warship defense formation!"
"Form the warship defense formation!"
The sailors of the twelve warships responded to his command and moved the ships.
Azure Wind took the central position, and the other warships formed a circle around it like a peacock spreading its wings, facing the mountain of monsters.
It was a defensive formation created by arranging ships in a circle on the sea.
"Fire!"
At Lawaine's shout, a massive roar echoed from the ship and the sea, and the fourth magical cannon fired lightning.
Kwaaang!
The fog surrounding the ship was pierced, and the hidden monsters were crushed like dough.
"Fire again!"
The fifth beam exploded, massacring the monsters again, but the magical cannon couldn't withstand its power and its muzzle crumbled.
"Ugh…."
Kuberad checked the cannon and gritted his teeth.
"It's already crumbling!"
He slapped his cheek, feeling frustrated.
"That's enough. We've used up all the stored mana."
Alice patted Kuberad's shoulder, saying it was fine.
"Abandon the cannons!"
At Lawaine's command, the warriors and magicians guarding the cannons moved up to the deck.
The warriors on the other warships also took their positions on the deck, letting out tense breaths.
The gray fog descended like a curtain, making the sea eerily quiet as if it were a peaceful night.
Baaang!
The calmness was shattered as monsters burst through the fog.
Slice!
Lawaine, as if anticipating this, swung his sword horizontally along the horizon. The blue aura on his blade formed a full moon, slicing the monsters charging towards the twelve warships in half.
It was a terrifying sword strike that cut over a hundred monsters with a single slash.
But the monsters, unafraid of death, jumped onto the ships again.
"Where are you going!"
Lawaine, seemingly determined to minimize damage, unleashed his aura without hesitation.
The sword strikes spread like a tidal wave, cutting down the monsters climbing onto the ships, splattering blood.
Uuuung!
To protect the monsters climbing onto the ships, giant monsters Mantacoon, Luna Whale, and Sea Serpent began to move.
Mantacoon blocked the view as it charged, Luna Whale unleashed Ice Waves, and Sea Serpent spewed poison.
Ssshh!
Lawaine thrust his sword into the air. The aura spread like waves, tearing apart the fog protecting Mantacoon and the monsters.
Baaang!
Mantacoon's corpse fell beside the ship, blocking Luna Whale's Ice Wave.
He blocked two attacks, but Sea Serpent's poison cloud was rushing towards the opposite side of Azure Wind.
"Block it!"
"Do whatever it takes to block it!"
At that moment, the captains of the other warships gathered. They formed a barrier with their aura and magic, blocking Sea Serpent's poison.
'Thank goodness.'
Raon sighed in relief. Thanks to Lawaine, the magical cannons, and the captains of the warships, there had been no damage so far, but the real battle was just beginning.
Uuuuuung!
The gray fog surged and began raining sharp blades. The Fog Tribe was moving directly.
Slice!
Lawaine raised his sword. From the thick blade, blue light shone, creating a majestic sword barrier.
Clang!
The rain of fog blades targeting the twelve warships was deflected and sank into the sea. It was a divine power befitting a Grandmaster and commander-in-chief.
Uuuung!
The fog surged again.
This time, instead of targeting the entire ship, it aimed directly at Lawaine, creating waves of fog. It was a massive movement. It was the aura of the Fog Tribe leader.
Baaang!
Lawaine's Astral Ring collided with the concentrated fog, causing a massive explosion.
"Tsk."
Lawaine erased the shockwave and moved forward. He seemed determined to confront the Fog Tribe leader directly to minimize damage.
"Prepare for close combat!"
As soon as he shouted, monsters sprang from the sea.
"Block them!"
Not only Azure Wind but also the warriors on the other warships drew their swords, cutting down the monsters that had landed on the deck.
But the sea monsters were endless. The bigger problem was the giant monsters like Luna Whale, Mantacoon, and Sea Serpent charging towards them, capable of smashing the warships with a single move.
Screeech!
As Mantacoon charged, Kuberad and the craftsmen moved.
"Fire!"
At his shout, harpoons and hooks fixed on the ships shot out like a storm.
Thunk!
The sharply honed large weapons pierced the monsters' hides and lodged firmly in their flesh.
Screech!
The monsters struggled to free themselves from the harpoons, but the weapons made by the continent's craftsmen didn't even get a scratch.
"Now!"
As the giant monsters writhed in pain, the warriors and magicians on the warships unleashed sword strikes and magic, targeting the monsters' vital points.
Screech!
Mantacoon fell, and Luna Whale tilted and sank.
But Sea Serpent, impaled by hooks and spears, retreated and bared its fangs. The blackened poison cloud spread out again.
"That's…."
As Raon bit his lips and moved, Alice grabbed his arm.
"Not yet."
Alice shook her head, indicating it wasn't time yet.
"Raise the barrier!"
At Kuberad's shout, yellow steel plates unfolded at the prow, blocking the approaching poison cloud.
The iron turned black as if rusted, but there was no damage inside the ship.
"Fire again!"
He commanded, and the spears and hooks shot out, piercing Sea Serpent's eyes and neck.
Screeech!
Sea Serpent struggled in pain, melting the ropes with its poison and retreating into the sea.
"Phew…."
Kuberad wiped his sweat and sighed in relief. He looked at Raon and smiled as if asking how he did.
Raon smiled back. It was then that the sea, where the mountain of monsters had been, began to bubble up.