Chapter 261: Returning to the Ship

Chapter 261: Returning to the Ship

Though the leviathan, the Divine Beast, had saved us, it’d also kind created its own sort of trouble for the sole reason that encountering it was nothing short of extraordinary. Upon returning to the ship, we’d realized that everyone had totally lost their wits.

Some had spaced out, whereas others had started smiling like idiots. There was even a group that’d started to offer the heavens their prayers.

Like basically everyone else, Jerome and his first mate had been unable to respond in their usual manners. Instead, they’d started laughing dryly.

I was honestly impressed that the Algieba was still upright and floating. The crew’s current state seemed to indicate that it should’ve already capsized, especially given what’d just happened. The leviathan was huge, so massive waves accompanying its advent were only a given—

—Except they weren’t.

It somehow managed to avoid disturbing the ocean and creating waves despite its massive size.

Does that mean it was trying to avoid capsizing the Algieba? Nah, no way, right? It was probably just coincidentally using something that let it swim faster through the reduction of water resistance or something.

Mordred, Jerome, and Buphett regained their senses in that order, mostly because that was the order Fran decided to lightly shake them in.

Despite being known for his calmness and rationality, he was panicked. The event had shocked him enough to make him start shouting hysterically the moment he finally regained his capacity of speech.

“Sheet! I just sweat enough cold sweat for a whole godd*mn lifetime. I’m surprised my heart didn’t stop. Holy foock, that was absolutely terrifying. I think I’m not going to accept any boat related escort jobs for a good while!” Mordred screamed.

We ran into a water dragon, some kraken, a midgard wyrm, and then the S ranked leviathan to top it all off. We had a total of four different encounters in a matter of moments. Each one of the four groups of creatures was powerful enough to cause instant death, and hence, we’d ended up getting swept into a series of fierce battles. It’d been far too much to take in, even for Mordred. The experienced adventurer had been reduced to a terrified mess.

“Dude. Woah. Sheet. Did ya see that thing? Did ya!?” Jerome, on the other hand, was excited as all hell. He was leaning over the ship’s edge and staring off in the direction the leviathan had went.

“Aye, captain... But I do have to say, I never did imagine we’d see it around these parts...” Buphett commented. “Wait, what if...”

“You don’t say. Stealing one of those Water Dragon Warships is a surefire way to earn a country’s ire,” the captain smirked.

A part of me had thought that it might’ve ended up being some sort of gift, but apparently that was definitely not the case. Every Water Dragon Warship was a vital part of the country’s forces. Having one rampage about was prone to leading to diplomatic problems.

In other words, there was no way Suarez had any claim to the ship he’d been in possession of.

“It’d be much more convenient for us to get rid of ‘im, but I’d say he’s got enough use to keep around,” Jerome grumbled.

With that, Suarez’ fate was decided. Mordred took him in the hold and organised the adventurers so they could keep watch.

“How are you feeling, princess?”

With all urgent business dealt with, Jerome turned back towards Fran and asked her about her condition.

“She looks quite exhausted to me,” his first mate commented.

“Nn... Body feels heavy.”

The Black Lightning Advent Fran put all her power into had drained her of most of her stamina and magic. She could still walk, but she lacked the ability to engage in any sort of serious conflict.

“I would expect so, seeing the amount of power behind the attack you launched. I doubt you’ll be able to perform too well in combat as you are right now, so please do get back to your room and get some rest.” Buphett dismissed her from her duties so she could heal up and be ready for any battles to come going forward.

“Nn. Will do.”

We decided to have Urushi guard the deck in Fran’s place while she rested. He and Mordred would probably be more than enough to handle any monsters that came the ship’s way while Fran was out of commision.

“We’re counting on you Urushi.”

“Do best.”

“Woof!”