114 – Defeat the Sea Monster
I agreed after hearing what the goddess said.
No matter how much I think about it, can I really defeat such a terrifying monster?
It means that the mermaid warriors who easily overpowered me right away couldn’t win even if they clung to it as a whole.
I’m the hero of the prophecy, who has no fighting skills and can only use magic tricks to defeat monsters and save the mermaids. It doesn’t fit too well.
“By the way, is it okay to come out like this…? Isn’t that scary queen saying something later?”
“I already have permission, so it’s okay.”
I’m glad then. Did you already get permission? Are you saying that you were sure that I would do the favor of course?
“And… Raven.”
“Yes?”
“Please feel free to speak as before.”
Are you asking me to let you go? But just like before, when did I let go?
I remember that from the beginning, I kept using honorific words.
Ah, was it when he was overpowered in the throne room?
At that time, it seems that I was excited about the feeling of betrayal and spoke plainly to Ariel.
Then isn’t it normal to be afraid or to keep your distance?
“Why?”
“Uh, just, there is no particular reason…! I think that’s better…”
Short words are better.
Well, that’s your own taste, so I guess it’s not something I care about.
“Yes. Okay.”
“···Good. Then we’ll start right away.”
“Wait a minute. Are you going to follow me too?”
“Yes. We need someone to guide us to where the monster is.”
“If that’s the case, the SS will suffice.”
Ariel said, shaking her head firmly.
“No. It can’t be without me.”
“Why? Is there any special reason?”
“Because I brought Raven-sama here and tricked her again.”
At her unexpected reply, I raised her head to her side and stared at her.
It seems that you are feeling more guilty than you think.
“Hmm. And you are the one who saved my life. Right?”
“…As expected, Raven-sama is kind.”
“Now that it’s done, let’s go catch a monster. We have to go home as soon as possible.”
“Yes. Please follow me this way.”
We left the palace alone and headed north.
“Now, hold my hand.”
“No, not even necessary…”
“They said they had to catch it as soon as possible. This will be much faster.”
At the undeniable conclusion, I calmly held Ariel’s hand.
Surely a speed that cannot be compared to human swimming.
As soon as we moved away from the palace called Paradise, the dreary sea filled with darkness spread out.
“Is this place always so gloomy?”
“It’s because the fish all ran away when the monster got closer.”
“Somehow it feels like it’s getting cold…”
“Because they keep moving north.”
How far did it move, a vaguely discernible figure in the distance.
I don’t even know what he looks like yet, but just looking at his silhouette, it was clear that he was huge.
“It’s a monster.”
“That’s…”
As I slowly approached it, its shape gradually became clearer, and I finally realized what the monster that was said to be descending from the north was.
“It’s the Kraken.”
Why does the giant octopus in mythology appear here?
The size of the Kraken approaching us little by little was as if the legends weren’t exaggerated.
I think that would be bigger than a decent whale…
Obviously encountering the monster himself, he seemed to understand why the mermaids, who were so strong, couldn’t stop them.
I can’t even compete with you in the basic weight class, so no matter how many times I stab you with a trident, you won’t feel itchy.
That’s why Merrow gave up trying to block them himself and eagerly waited for the owner of the prophecy.
But how can I catch him?
No, even the mermaids who were born and raised in this sea told me how to catch a monster that they couldn’t handle.
‘Goddess! Is it really possible for me to do it!?’
[Of course.]
‘Then you should at least tell me how…!’
[Abandon the stereotype that you must catch it.]
“·······.”
I pondered over the goddess’ hint.
Abandon the stereotype that you must catch it?
You’re saying this is nonsensical, so you’re asking me to make friends with that octopus head?
At first glance, it seemed that even if I inquired further, he had no intention of telling me more properly.
In other words, the Goddess decided that I could catch the Kraken with just this amount.
No, I didn’t say catch.
So what?
“Raven! I think a monster has found us…!”
Let’s think calmly.
Abandon stereotypes.
You don’t have to catch the Kraken unconditionally.
So what should I do? What did Ariel say when she asked me?
She didn’t ask to catch the Kraken.
The monster from the north is coming down, so please ask for their help.
“Raven! It’s dangerous! If we don’t avoid it soon…!”
What I can do now.
If it is possible even for me, who has virtually no combat skills.
It’s only a trick through magic.
“I figured it out.”
“… Huh?”
“Can you come out to the side for a second?”
Ariel blankly stepped aside at my nonchalant request that doesn’t fit the situation.
The Kraken rushes furiously this way. The size is distracting and the speed is unnecessarily fast.
After taking a deep breath calmly, he slowly cast the spell.
I felt the gaze of a girl who was staring at me as the magic circle around me was distracted.
The magic circle got bigger and bigger as it moved forward. A blue magic circle that later grew to the size of the Kraken.
“Okay. The setting is complete.”
Now there is only one thing left.
I took off my hat and handed it to Ariel, who was next to me.
“Now, put your hand inside.”
“… Huh?”
“It’s okay.”
I don’t know what he’s imagining, but Ariel seems to be quite frightened as she closes her eyes and puts her hand in the hole of her hat trembling.
The one that appeared inside the hat was none other than that.
It was a cute whale doll.
“Whoa…!”
“Okay. Throw that doll over there.”
“Into that glowing circle?”
“Yes.”
It was only then that Ariel, who seemed to realize that this was not a dangerous move, pushed the whale doll forward with all her might.
A very desirable sight. Originally, the most important thing in a magic show is the participation and response of the audience.
Anyway, the whale doll that moved forward went through the magic circle and instantly became its original size.
The spectators were amazed by the magic.
For your reference, the audience here includes the girl next to you and the head of the octopus in front.
At the appearance of an unfamiliar enemy equal to, and possibly even bigger than, Kraken did not even think about fighting and ran away behind him.
“The monster is running away!!”
“He must be a timid guy.”
“I was terrified when I saw Raven’s pet!”
Um. Doesn’t it look too cute to be a summons?
You don’t have to catch monsters. You just have to stop them from coming to Paradise.
That’s why I’m going to scare him so that he doesn’t wander around here again.
“What if I come back?”
“Just show me this doll and it will be fine. I put hallucinations on him separately.”
The activation conditions for hallucination are difficult, and the less effective the effect, the faster the amount of mana is reduced.
In other words, the hallucination that only makes the doll appear to be huge under the condition that the giant octopus that appears in the legend makes eye contact with the whale doll in the deep sea, consumes almost no mana.
“Come on. Receive.”
“Give me this summoned beast…?”
“I need this to be able to stop him from coming in the future. Then let’s go back.”
I’m glad it ended simpler than I thought.
***
“Bring the hero!!”
Ugh. It’s a surprise.
Thanks to the grandiose welcome ceremony that started as soon as I entered the palace, I felt a lot of pressure.
For no reason, I walked quickly into the audience room with my head bowed.
The Queen welcomed us with a bright smile full of sincerity.
“Welcome.”
“Why are you saying respectful words all of a sudden…”
“Of course, it is the right thing to do for Merrow’s honored guest and warrior.”
No, I’d rather just sell it in half. I think that would be better for your mental health.
“Moreover, since he is the king of prophecy who will rule us from now on…”
“Wait. Wait for a sec! Didn’t you agree to leave that out?”
I looked to the side with unbelievable eyes.
Ariel, isn’t it? It’s not really that you cheated on me twice.
Fortunately, unlike before, she came forward and told me clearly.
“Raven says he has a reason to go home right away. So stop now.”
“Hmm. But Ariel. Are you really satisfied with that?”
I watched the mysterious conversation between the two for a while.
“Once humans go up to land, they never come back down to the sea. If he misses now, he will never have another chance.”
“I will still wait. You will definitely come back.”
Why is such a vague melodrama unfolding all of a sudden?
“Then it’s good. Human.”
“Yes…?”
I’m back in shorts again.
“As you wish, I will send you to the land immediately. If you ride the Seahorse Car, you will be able to return home in no time.”
“Um, thank you?”
“And I’ll gladly give you the Millennium Pearl as well. Since you have fulfilled at least half of the prophecy, you should be qualified as the owner of the pearl.”
While I was wondering if the story would end well, the queen immediately brought her to the point by continuing her words.
“So I just want to suggest one thing.”
“…What is it?”
“Would you please make an engagement with my daughter, Ariel?”