Volume 6 - CH 14

Chapter 14 – Unexpected Weakness and Paris’ True Strengths

The experiment to test the power of the Lutto ship’s barrier has begun, with S-rank adventurer Paris-san showering the Lutto with his blows. But I thought they said they were going to find out if they could get inside the ship… But they suddenly start with an attack? If the attack doesn’t break the barriers, are they going to investigate other things?

The Lutto ship was not even scratched by Paris-san’s fierce attack. The sea was rough, and the land that the Lutto was anchored on collapsed under the impact of the technique.

“Fufufu, terrific, this is terrific. Not even the impact is permeating, let alone penetrating. Interesting, very interesting.”

Paris-san shouted loudly and performed his technique like a madman. The tremendous power of the technique is evident in the destroyed surrounding environment.

Although the Lutto should have been anchored within jumping distance of the land, the land has been gouged out, and the distance from the Lutto to the land is several meters away.

It doesn’t make sense that the ground would be gouged out just by the aftermath of a technique, does it? But still, the attacks are getting more and more spectacular. How long is he going to keep doing this?

“Hey, hey, that’s amazing. That barrier is blocking all of Paris’s attacks. Surely, as long as you stay inside the ship, you can escape regardless of Paris’s presence.”

“Yes, I believe so. That is why I think Wataru-san, who has that ship, will be targeted. Guild Master, please lend us your strength.”

“No, well, I understand what you mean, Alessia, but that’s not a line you say with a sword at my neck, is it? Ouch, huh? Did you cut me? Did you just cut me?”

“Guild Master, please lend us your strength.”

“Y-yeah.”

“Thank you.”

I feel like Alessia-san is doing something dangerous. But it’s amazing; this is an S rank. I never had a chance to see it, but I wonder which is stronger, the laser beam or Paris-san’s attack?

“Dorothea-san, which do you think is stronger, the laser beam or Paris-san’s attack?”

“It is difficult to compare because it is a unique skill attack and a spear attack, but since Paris-san concentrates his power on the tip of the spear, I think Paris-san’s attack is stronger in that part. Well, since Paris-san hasn’t really gotten serious yet, we may see an attack that rivals the laser beam in the future.”

“Is that so?”

It looks like he’s doing his please, but he’s not giving it his all, is he? I can’t keep up with Paris-san’s moves already.

From there, all I could hear was a roar and a bouncing sea. The roar was only the sound of the aftermath since the portion that hit the barrier was bounced back without a sound. He is a real monster.

But this was the first time I saw my ship being attacked, and it was also unusual. The ship is swaying with the bursting waves, but it doesn’t seem to be twitching from the attack itself.

But Paris-san doesn’t hesitate at all, does he? It’s someone’s ship, and he’s attacking it with the intention of destroying it…

“Guild Master.”

“”What is it?”” The two guild masters reacted to me

“Excuse me, I called for the master of the merchant guild. Until when will he continue? I have a feeling that guy will keep attacking unless we stop him.”

“Hmm, I feel that way, too… I understand. I’ll go talk to him.”

Thank goodness it’s going to end safely. I don’t think I have to worry about it breaking, but there might be a chance.

“Paris, hey, Paris… He didn’t hear me. Hey, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know. I’m a hostage. You deal with it.”

“Hmm, Camille, what should I do? Hmm? Why are you in shock?”

“…No, I thought he was a gentleman, and I can’t believe what I’ve seen of him…”

“What, are you in love with him? Stop it, he’s a monster with no unique skills, and yet he’s managed to reach the S rank. He may look normal on the outside, but he’s insane on the inside.”

“No, I’m not in love with him, but I admire him, so I’m a little shocked.”

Camille-san’s preferred type is gentlemanly, huh? There is nothing I can do about my appearance, but as long as I’m a gentleman… and polite, can I get by? But if I were to think of myself as a gentleman, it would be a perverted gentleman.

“Well, okay, so is there any way to get Paris to notice us in this situation?”

“Hmm, you’re right. I don’t know, maybe ask Knight-sama to stop him?”

“Impossible.”

The knight, who had been almost completely invisible up to now, refused with a single word. This was his chance to stand out.

“Is this what it’s supposed to be? I guess we have to wait until he stops.”

Ah, he gave up. He was quick to give up. He is the type of person who doesn’t waste his time.

“If that’s the case, the master of the adventurers’ guild will keep on having a sword put to his neck, won’t he?”

“Well, that’s fine, or do you consider yourselves safe and want to let him go?”

“No, there is no way I could feel safe after what I saw. Frankly, I’d like you to be a hostage as well, Guild Master…”

“If I were to become a hostage, I’d be dying of exhaustion.”

Is that so? I don’t think he’s going to die just yet.

Since there was nothing I could do, I continued to observe for a while again. Rimu and Fuu-chan also got bored, and I told them to stay away from Paris-san and let them play together.

The ladies are watching Paris-san’s moves as if they are a reference for them. I don’t know about it, but it must be a very lucky thing for them to be able to see the techniques of an S-rank adventurer.

As I sat idly, bored with the endless attacks, the roar suddenly stopped. It’s finally over. As I was thinking that, he raised his spear straight up and slammed it down on the surface of the sea with great force. What did he want to do?

After a little while, Boom? With a sound I don’t know how to describe, the Lutto was launched into the air, along with the seawater below and the entire anchor… Eh? How could that happen?

Paris-san slammed attack after attack into the bottom of the falling Lutto ship. The Lutto did not even lose its balance when attacked but fell as it was, and with the impact, it scattered seawater in a spectacular manner.

“The bottom of the ship is no good either, huh…? It’s troubling, isn’t it?”

I’m the one in trouble, though. What would happen if I were on the ship in that condition?　I’m just worried. If it were a ferry or something, it would be fine, but on the Lutto, it would be a scary thing. Let’s not go against that man.

“These barriers are amazing. Even if I try to penetrate it, it’s not hard or sticky, but it feels like all the power is no longer allowed to go forward at a certain point. No matter how fast I thrust, no matter how much force I put into it, no matter how much magic I put into it, no matter what I did, I couldn’t advance even a little bit from a certain point. I can’t even imagine how it could be broken.”

Ah, so that’s how it is. It won’t let you advance from a certain point because it’s refusing to let you on board.

“Well, if you can’t do it, most people can’t do it.”

“I agree. If it’s a unique skill that can attack more powerfully than I can, it’s possible. But considering that my power was completely ineffective, it should be at least twice as destructive.”

“Is there such a person?”

“Well, it’s not like I know all the unique skills.”

“Hmm, what would happen if the mage were to turn into an enemy?”

“That’s right. Even if he only had the power to create these barriers, there’s nothing we could do about it in terms of defense. If it could be applied to people as well, would it create a soldier who would never die? I don’t even want to think about what would happen.”

I don’t have the power to create a barrier. The barrier is the ability of summoning ship by default. I’m not going to tell them because it would be a bluff, though.

“Hmm… Knight-sama, would you like to give it a try?”

“No, it would be useless no matter what I try. I will report what I see to Southern Count-sama.”

“I understand. As for the rest, Wataru, I would like you to show me the inside of the ship as well.”

“Hmm, I suppose so. I’m afraid to let anyone with military strength inside the barrier, so if it’s just the master of the merchant guild and Camille-san, that should be fine.”

“I would like to ask you too. If you think being armed is dangerous, I’ll leave my sword in your hands.”

“…Very well.”

It would be a corner turn if I refused after being told that much by the knight. Paris-san looked like he wanted to come in, too, but I pretended not to notice. That man is impossible; he is too scary, whether he entrusts me with his weapon or not; I’m too scared of him, whether he can kill me or not.

“Now… how shall we get on the Lutto? It’s gone a long way out.”

The land was gouged out, and when it was launched overhead, the landing was off, and it went further away.

“We’ll be able to get it to the side with the magic boat, so it should be fine.”

“Oh, yes, that’s right. Please do.”

I got on the magic boat and headed for the Lutto… Huh? Now I’m on a magic boat for the first time, right? Let’s take a look at the interior… It wasn’t more than 20 meters away, so there was no time to observe, and the boat was attached to the side of the Lutto.

By the way, all of the girls except Alessia-san and Ines are following me as my escort. It seems that Alessia-san and Inez are putting their swords to the master of the adventurers’ guild until I get on the Lutto. After seeing Paris-san’s attack, I don’t think they’re exaggerating.

“Oh, so this is the barrier. It doesn’t touch the ship itself, does it? Certainly, rather than touching something, it feels as if we are being prevented from moving on.”

“Yes, it is a strange sensation. It’s strange because these barriers prevent all of Paris-san’s attacks.”

“Well then, Wataru, will you let us in now?”

“Yes, please come in.”

The knight is checking the barrier without saying what he thinks, but is he analyzing something? Well, it’s okay; I give permission for the three of them to board the Lutto.

“Hmm? Are you doing anything in particular?”

“Yes, well, it’s fine.”

With that, we go on board. When I entered the ship, a cup had rolled over, and tea had spilled out… That’s right. I didn’t clean up the tea after making it. What is the impact of being blown up in the air? I guess the inside of the ship also suffers from the impact.

I guess with a ship the size of the Lutto; it’s not absolutely safe to stay on board. Well, it was a good thing that I found out early when I was not on board.

But should I complain about spilled tea or something? Maybe if I think about it, it will be cleaned up. It seems strange not to complain.

“Let’s see, Guild Master. I cooperated with the experiment, and the inside of the ship got dirty, but who should I complain to in such a case?”

“Hmm, you should have cleaned up the situation since I told you that we were going to conduct an aggressive experiment. You should complain to yourself about your carelessness, Wataru.”

Yes, his persuasiveness is outstanding. I think so too. I should have at least cleaned up the situation.

“Well, that’s what happens, doesn’t it? I give up. Well, I don’t think there’s anything interesting, but I’ll show you around.”

“Umu.”

Taking Alessia-san’s advice, I took the three of them around the ship, which was no different from a normal magic ship, and since it was a small ship, it would be quick and easy.

“Well, it’s just like this. I don’t think there’s anything unusual here.”

“Umu. There was nothing unusual. But there is a lot of value to be found in those barriers alone… Wataru, will the mage sell me the ship?”

“I don’t think it’s possible. I heard from Alessia-san that he refused the crown prince’s request.”

“Is that so? Well, please just tell him that I wanted the ship.”

“I understand. I’ll just tell him, so don’t get your hopes up.”

“Umu.”

I can’t sell it because I have a summoning limit. Ship summoning is such a great cheat that it would be unfashionable without a summoning limit. I can get a lot of money just for selling them, and if I organize a navy, I could control all the world’s oceans. Let’s finish the guide now. …Let’s just fantasize about it when I have time.

“Now the experiment is in order, right?”

“…I think so. This is the only result. No one in their right mind would make an enemy of the mage. I’ll spread the word.”

“Thank you very much.”

I guess those who don’t have a sane thought are no good. Well, if those in power don’t come out and antagonize me, it will be a lot better.

After parting with the guild master and the others, I pulled the Lutto over to the land to take Alessia-san and Ines on board.

“Oh, you said, Wataru, if something happens, please lend the adventurers’ guild some help, too.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve caused you today. I am sorry for taking the master of the adventurers’ guild hostage. But I’m a merchant, so I’m afraid I can’t be of much help.”

“Don’t worry about the hostage situation. I’ll let the old man pay for it, so it won’t be a problem. Well, if I have to ask, it will be to transport people, so if you feel up to it, please do it.

“…Whenever convenient, please.”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry I can only greet you over the barrier, Wataru-kun. My name is Paris. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, yes, it’s nice to meet you, too.”

“I’m sorry to barge in here like this, but I’m going to get stronger, so could you please let me try my hand at the barrier?”

“Eh? No, you mean you want to challenge whether you can destroy the ship or not, right? I don’t want to.”

“…Is it no good?”

“No.”

“Well, if I get another chance, I’ll come back and ask you. Thank you for your help then.”

After saying all that, he boarded the magic boat. The person is not giving up at all. If I accept it badly, he will come to challenge it again and again until he can destroy it.

…I feel like it is getting more and more complicated. No, it’s not my imagination; I’m definitely getting more and more involved.

For the time being, I might as well live on the open sea and go to the city when I need to, like when I was on the southeast island, or I might as well go on a real journey in search of dark elves.

And I have to think about the luxury liner, there are a lot of candidates, but if I want to go for the expensive one, I will have to save up some more money.

This is also something to think about after I get the pepper wholesale in the Southern City and get all the money down there. Anyway, I’ll take some time to think about it after I get the money from the merchant guild.