Chapter 187 Landing In Harlington



General Braun stood on the deck of the flagship, watching as the shoreline slowly receded into the distance. He felt a potent mixture of emotions stirring within him.

On the one hand, he felt a sense of exhilaration coursing through his veins. After all, this was the first major war that occurred after years of small skirmishes. 

But at the same time, he was keenly aware of the enormous responsibility that rested upon his shoulders. The future of Blande depended on their success in the upcoming conquest.

Failure was not an option for him. It will be disastrous for both the country and his own career.

Those seven great families will be expecting a hefty return on their investment in this conquest. He knew they wouldn't take kindly to losing their fortune.

The thought of what the ruthless and conniving families would do to him sent shivers down his spine. Perhaps he too would disappear without a trace or meet a gruesome end. They wouldn't hesitate to make an example out of him.

As the other ships in the fleet arranged themselves in position behind them, Admiral Wagner joined him on the deck. They stood in silence for a moment.

"We will reach our destination in three days, Braun. So, ease up a bit." He said while patting the general's back. Wagner's eyes remain on the horizon, scanning for any danger. 

General Braun reacts with a subtle nod. His eyes drifted out to the endless expanse of the open sea. A silence settled between the army general and the seasoned admiral.

Both of them take this opportunity to enjoy the quietude atmosphere, punctuated by the soothing sounds of waves.

A few minutes passed and the admiral become restless. Perhaps uncomfortable about the lack of conversation, Wagner opened his mouth and break the silence that lingered between them. Wagner asked with a slightly uneasy undertone. "Have you ever heard of the Leviathan, Braun?" 

"Leviathan?" Braun inquired, puzzled by the admiral's abrupt change of demeanour. Nevertheless, the general admitted that he had indeed heard of it. "I think everyone had heard of the legend of mythical beasts at least once in their lifetime. And leviathan is one of them. It roams the depths of the ocean, devouring anything in its path, right? What about it?"

Wagner spoke in a hushed tone. His eyes glint with fear as he begins recounting the story told by his friend. "According to my friend who befriends a merchant that often travels to the Kingdom of Lesparia, his crew ship wakes up during a dark and stormy night to take a piss. His ears heard a strange sound, like a low rumbling coming from beneath the waves. At first, he assumed it was just the storm's sound and ignored it. But then, he noticed a silhouette of a giant monstrous creature gliding through the water."

He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "As the shadow loomed closer, a legendary leviathan emerged from the depths of the sea with its gaze fixed on the poor crew. Its size was so enormous that it seemed to stretch on forever, with a body that was thicker than any tree trunk. Its scales were as black as obsidian, and they glistened in the moonlight. Its eyes glowed with an eerie green light as if they could see into his soul."

Wagner can vividly remember the crew shuddered as he recalled his memory. The sight was so terrifying that he fainted on the spot. To be honest, he wishes to see the creature with his own eyes to verify it.

Braun listened with rapt attention. His eyes narrowed in curiosity as he tried to process the information he was hearing, "Are you sure he's not dreaming?" He asked. His toned tinge with scepticism. "I mean, why would the leviathan do nothing to him?" 

The admiral's expression turned serious. Placing his hand on Braun's shoulder, he gives his friend a piece of sincere advice. "I suggest you not speak arrogantly, Braun. At least not while you're at sea. Despite being an admiral for years, I still can't completely guarantee the safety of my crews. The sea is a mysterious place that we have no idea or control over. Your word may invite the leviathan to visit us."

Braun shrugged off Wagner's hand. He is obviously unconvinced. "I don't believe in superstitions, my friend. Rather than thinking about illusion, I find it more compelling to focus on important things, like defeating the enemy."

The army general returned to his cabin. He shook his head in disbelief at Wagner's naive faith in tales and legends. How a seasoned admiral like Wagner could be so credulous baffled him.

....

For two days, the fleet carrying the Blande soldiers sail smoothly. The atmosphere onboard was tranquil, with nothing eventful happening. Only the sound of the splashing waves and the occasional creaking of ships could be heard.

At midnight on the second day, the ships were anchored in the middle of the ocean as it was too dangerous to navigate in the darkness. Most of the crew were sleeping peacefully, leaving a handful of sailors remained on duty, standing watch over the ship and tending to other essential tasks.

The night was still and quiet. 

Growl—

Hearing a faint sound of growling, Braun woke up from his slumber. The sound he taught was a wind gradually becoming louder. His heart began to race and his palm started to sweat. Remembering Wagner's weird advice a couple of days ago, he felt a chill running down his spine. "Don't tell me—" 

In a panic, he ran to the deck. Apparently, he's not the only one who wakes up. The crew, who were startled from their sleep, scrambled to their posts outside, thinking it was an attack, and began preparing the ships for whatever might happen next.

A bit later, Wagner arrive at the deck. He frantically asked, "What's going on? Did we get attacked?"

Boom—

Without warning, the calm sea began to roil and churn. The water around the ships bubbled and frothed with sudden violence. And then, out of the depths below, a shadowy shape began to rise higher and higher, revealing its true size.

It was a creature, unlike any the crew, had ever seen before, a behemoth of the deep ocean. The scales were black as obsidian with its eyes glowed with an eerie green light.

'The leviathan..." Braun murmured. It was exactly as depicted in the story Wagner told him before.

Their eyes widened in horror. Some lost strength and fall on their knee. It was a sight that would be remembered forever. If the massive creature decided to attack, there was nothing they could do to stop it. 

The leviathan circled the ships, its massive form cutting through the water with ease. Its eyes studied the fleet of vessels with an almost calculating intelligence as if weighing its options.

The creature opened its jaw, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.

ROAR!!

Leviathan let out a deafening roar that echoed across the ocean. The sound waves strike them as if it was a physical attack. It was so powerful that a mere roar manage to send seventy per cent of people on the fleet unconscious.

Braun was one of the fortunate people who were able to maintain consciousness despite having his head pounding and his ears ringing.

After the roar subsided, the leviathan slowly descends back into the ocean and vanished from sight. Soon, the serene atmosphere returned.

Still shaken from the encounter, Braun turns his head toward Wagner. "We need to get out of here fast. I think it is warning us. Can't you navigate the ships in the dark?"

pαndα---noνɐ1,сoМ Wagner nods gravely, his eyes still fixed on the spot where the leviathan had vanished beneath the waves. "I can navigate the ships in the dark, but it'll be more difficult during the day," He spoke in a whisper, hardly audible. 

"Very well," Braun nods, "Do what you must, Wagner."

Wagner turns to his crew and barks out orders and coordinates their efforts. The sailors scramble into action, unfurling the sails and preparing the ships to move once more. With the remaining conscious crew, the fleet set off into the darkness, toward their destination.

They went straight to Harlington without stopping at Hagen Island. 

As the fleet approached Harlington Port, the first light of dawn was just beginning to illuminate the sky, casting a warm glow over the harbour and the city beyond. They all were relieved when they arrived at their destination after a long voyage and a close encounter with a leviathan.

The ships glided smoothly into the harbour, the water lapping gently against their hulls.

Perhaps it was too early in the morning, or perhaps it was simply a slow day, the port was not yet bustling with activity.

There are only a few dockworkers that were present in the port. They moved about their tasks at a leisurely pace, giving the impression that they were in no rush to complete their work.