Chapter 495 – The Sirens' Welcome

After establishing the basic strategy… we discussed how we should move forward while considering both our forces and Queen Eldorene’s forces, and thoroughly examined potential scenarios that could overturn the premises of our strategy.

The strategy meeting lasted quite a long time… but since we had a basic framework for the operation, I think it was a productive discussion.

Just as our discussions were beginning to wrap up, Princess Elham arrived at the palace with Balor and Ramriya, carrying several spearheads.

“Ah, welcome, Your Highness Elham.”

“Yes. Several spearheads have been completed, so I’d like you to test them.”

Greeted by Queen Eldorene, Princess Elham smiled. Even if we made spears, it would be problematic if they proved ineffective. Before producing more, we needed to conduct field tests to see if they could be deployed in actual combat.

“I’d like to assist with the spear testing experiments.”

“Hmm. Then… let’s proceed with the testing immediately.”

When I said this, Queen Eldorene nodded.

The spearheads Princess Elham brought were fundamentally similar in construction to the trident heads used by Weltes and others. That’s because she borrowed a spear used in Grantios from Queen Eldorene and created the heads while examining its structure. By swapping out the heads, they could be used right away.

Moving to the palace courtyard… we gathered skilled military officers who would likely receive priority distribution of the new spears. Weltes appeared to be among them.

“Now then… I’d like you all to use the new spearheads and attack the prepared targets while channeling your fighting spirit.”

“Hmm. Targets… you say…”

The officers looked somewhat puzzled. They probably noticed that while there were spears, no apparent targets had been prepared.

“I’ll create them now. Please wait a moment while I make adjustments.”

Saying this—I deployed condensed magical power from Ouroboros, solidifying it into a wall-like structure, which made the officers widen their eyes.

The challenge was adjusting the strength. I made fine adjustments to the magical wall’s texture and durability by striking it, making it resemble the shark man’s characteristics. When I channeled magical power into my fists and feet to attack the magical wall, spark light scattered.

I had struck it with blows and magical shockwaves when fighting that creature, and after capturing him, I’d examined him with circulating ki. Based on the information obtained from that, I determined the level where “if we can penetrate a magical wall of this strength, it should work against the Sea King’s subordinates.”

Well… since we couldn’t grasp that shark man’s full capabilities, it would be preferable to slightly exceed his strength level.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Please proceed.”

“Y-yes.”

After adjusting it to my satisfaction, I yielded to the officers.

“Although I’ve made adjustments… please treat this as real combat and deliver a solid strike with your fighting spirit properly channeled. A half-hearted attack might break the spear.”

“Hmm.”

The officers who had been somewhat hesitant now had determined expressions at my words.

“Then—I’ll go first.”

Weltes stepped forward after speaking to the other officers. He took his stance with the spear from a short distance away.

The fighting spirit rising from his entire body extended to the spear in his hands.

The shark man had been reinforcing his defensive capabilities by enveloping his body surface with fighting spirit… so to penetrate that with a weapon attack, the attacking side needed corresponding quality of fighting spirit, weaponry, or momentum.

Only when both sides reinforce their physical abilities and weapons with fighting spirit can they engage in combat where fighting spirit clashes. If one delivers half-hearted attacks, they might be overwhelmed, causing stress to concentrate on the weapon and potentially leading to breakage.

In that regard, Weltes—appeared fully determined. His honed fighting spirit concentrated at the spear’s tip. He stepped forward and drove the spear into the magical wall in one motion—.

With a grinding sound, the spearhead protruded through the other side of the magical wall.

However, it was Weltes who had thrust the spear who wore a slightly surprised expression.

“Excellent work. Is something wrong?”

“No… I was just somewhat surprised by the texture of this magical wall. May I try again with a different weapon?”

“Please.”

Weltes switched to a spear that hadn’t had its head replaced yet and, just as before, concentrated his fighting spirit to deliver a strike.

This time—the spear was blocked by the magical wall and didn’t penetrate. But Weltes nodded as if he had gained confirmation.

“As I thought… the feedback is very similar to when I struck the Sea King’s subordinates with my spear.”

“If that’s the case, then this is proceeding according to plan for us as well.”

Part of it was that the orichalcum side remembered the information obtained from combat and circulating ki, and was assisting by understanding my intentions. I had hoped the strength would be close enough for experimental purposes… but Weltes’s impressions from fighting the Sea King’s subordinates, along with the difference in results from changing spears, provided various corroborations.

If we wanted more than this, we’d have to drag out that captured shark man from Aianos’s prison, release the sealing technique, and use him as a test subject… but that would be too unscrupulous, and we’d already extracted all necessary information from him anyway.

Well then, let’s have the others besides Weltes try out the spears’ feel.

After continuing the trial operation for a while, Queen Eldorene quietly nodded upon seeing the results.

“—Hmm. The spearheads appear to be good. If we’re considering long-term use as equipment for the knights, we’ll need to apply coatings to prevent corrosion from seawater… but in any case, there shouldn’t be any issues for the operation.”

Although it might be partly because skilled officers were using them, Princess Elham’s spearheads generally produced satisfactory results. Actual combat involves individual differences and tactics, so it’s not that simple, but at least we shouldn’t have situations where attacks are completely ineffective leading to one-sided developments.

“Then, I’d like to mass-produce the spearheads at this rate.”

Responding to the queen’s words, Princess Elham smiled.

Well then. Regarding weapons, we’ve achieved generally satisfactory results. From here, we’ll proceed with preparations until the operation begins while keeping watch for reconnaissance teams the Sea King might send.

Since they needed to procure food and supplies through hunting and trade, Queen Eldorene and her people apparently couldn’t just remain holed up in Aianos until the time came… and it seems Rovisa and others were discovered by the Sea King’s subordinates when they went out for those reasons.

Having Weltes and other officers accompany the procurement team along with Rovisa as Water Guardian was for safety purposes… but apparently, when the soldiers were initially scattered and Rovisa was wounded, they couldn’t buy enough time for the Water Guardian to launch her attack.

The market appeared to be open, but since they’re hiding in Aianos, they’re apparently using a rationing system.

Well, for those reasons. If we want to procure food and supplies, from tomorrow onward we can use the Sirius to travel back and forth to the duchy for safe trade.

At that time, we could kill two birds with one stone by issuing warnings about potential impacts on sea routes and checking the sea areas near where Rovisa and others were detected by the enemy.

The interval between when the enemy learns their reconnaissance shark man hasn’t returned and when they dispatch their next piece will give us an idea of their information transmission speed and movement speed. After crushing those forces, we’ll determine the preparation grace period before launching our counterattack.

With the strategy meeting and spear testing completed, and tomorrow’s plans decided, when we returned to the square where the Sirius was docked, there was some kind of crowd gathered. Those gathered were mermaids… no, sirens.

Thanks to seeing various things since coming to Aianos, I’ve become able to distinguish mermaid races by the magical wavelengths visible through the monocle.

“Ah. They seem to be acquaintances of Justia-san.”

Grace said this with a smile.

At the center of the crowd were Justia and Marion, along with Dominique and Cyrille, all appearing quite harmonious.

“Family and friends, perhaps?”

“Maybe.”

Ashley narrowed her eyes at the scene, while Claudia smiled and nodded.

Looking closer, Justia was holding hands and embracing various sirens. It had the atmosphere of reunions with family, relatives, and friends.

“Ah! It’s Theodore-sama and the others.”

Marion noticed us and waved with a smile. The sirens also turned toward us at her words.

“We heard you saved Justia…”

“Thank you!”

Upon arriving at the square, we received welcoming words of gratitude and greetings from the smiling sirens.

They requested handshakes, and their joy was quite substantial. While Marlene and a child siren were happily shaking hands nearby, Rosemary appeared somewhat at a loss about how to handle the situation. She ended up responding to handshakes while hiding her mouth with her feather fan.

“Lady Auria, thank you too.”

“I… haven’t done much of anything. It’s because my staff members are excellent.”

“No. We heard you clearly defined the Adventurer Guild’s policies from early on.”

Auria also seemed to be surrounded by sirens being thanked.

Well, there’s probably the aspect that it’s precisely because Auria is at the top. Indeed.

“Right now. We were just talking about practicing the cursed melody together starting tomorrow.”

Just as things were calming down, Dominique said happily.

“That sounds good. Don’t worry about us and go ahead. If needed, we can even provide escorts for the journey.”

“Mm! Thank you.”

At my response, Dominique nodded with a bright smile.

We could hear the sirens’ singing during the daytime too. They must have been practicing their songs somewhere in Aianos town. Though, since they were practicing in town, they probably weren’t channeling magical power into their songs.

“Sheila, Ilm, and Seraphina, will you come watch the practice too?”

“Mm. Then. But, during the operation, I’ll fight at the front with everyone.”

“Thank you, Theodore-kun. That’s right. I’ll probably join Sheila-chan too. During the operation, I’ll fight normally.”

“Me too. I think I can be more helpful manipulating sound outside the ship.”

When I asked, all three nodded while saying this.

“If Theodore-sama and the others have time, why don’t you join us? Everyone from other settlements has gathered at the town’s edge.”

Marion said.

“If we won’t be intruding on your practice.”

“Of course, you couldn’t possibly be intruding. Please do come. I know you’re busy, but I’d like to properly express our gratitude.”

Hmm. Then… tomorrow, let’s all make a brief appearance.