Chapter 488 – The Deep Sea and the Flying Ship

“…A flying ship. What a beautiful vessel.”

After the Sirius descended directly above Aianos and entered the barrier, I released the Field of Light – and Queen Eldorene let out a sigh of admiration.

With Marl’s cooperation, we could ignore water pressure, making it possible to bring the Sirius to the seafloor while surrounding it with air.

The circuits inside the Sirius weren’t particularly vulnerable to water like precision instruments. As long as the crew and ship components including magical creatures and magic stones remained intact, it could navigate even if submerged. However, since there were interior furnishings and equipment we didn’t want getting wet, we chose to submerge while displacing water and surrounding the ship with air.

To enter Aianos’s barrier, individual permission from Queen Eldorene was required. Doing so apparently rendered illusion magic ineffective as well.

The path to the main gate used for normal entry and exit was narrow, so large items like stone materials had to be brought in from above the city.

“The armor converts attacks on the ship into magical power, which is then used for propulsion and other functions. So please understand it possesses far more defensive power than its appearance suggests.”

“Hmm. Killing two birds with one stone, then. Quite reasonable… But if you’re planning to submerge that in the sea, does that mean you intend to use it against the Sea King?”

“That’s right. As one of our cards, perhaps. We believe the Sea King, freed from its seal, has occupied the City of the Sea.”

If we were to reclaim the City of the Sea while fighting the Sea King, we would need a mobile base of our own. The original plan was for the queen, Water Guardians, along with Mermaids and Sirens to fight primarily using magical power. The soldiers… would serve as shields to prevent the Sea King’s Subordinates from breaking through and buy time.

Still, Weltes and others claimed they could land attacks by striking vulnerable spots like eyes or mouths, showing remarkable spirit. While not impossible, the difficulty was high, and executing it would likely result in many casualties. If the target was obvious, success would require a considerable difference in skill. If that had been the only method, it would have been natural for Queen Eldorene to be tormented by self-blame.

But… with the Sirius, the situation changed. The rearguard could fight from the ship, and injured personnel could be withdrawn to safety.

“Even though we’re the attacking side, it’s like we can fight while holed up in a fortress.”

“Truly astonishing.”

Weltes nodded in agreement with Queen Eldorene’s words.

We moved the Sirius to the central square of Aianos’s city, then relocated there with Queen Eldorene and her group.

First came introductions. Whether it was her ability as queen, Queen Eldorene seemed to sense the scale and quality of others’ magical power, so by meeting everyone, she would probably understand the general situation.

People had gathered in the square. Although notice had been given to keep away from the Sirius, it was inevitable that it would attract attention.

A gangplank descended from the docked Sirius, and everyone came down while looking around at Aianos. It must have felt like stepping from the air layer into water.

“This is… amazing. I never imagined such a beautiful city existed under the sea,” Grace said while looking around.

“It was dark before… but inside the city it’s bright,” Ashley remarked, looking upward, to which Marlene widened her eyes and nodded vigorously.

“How fascinating. The barrier amplifies the light from above,” Rosemary appeared to be analyzing the city’s features.

“Not many fish around.”

“Isn’t that because they’d get eaten? Look, they’re lined up over there.”

“Hmm. That does seem to be the case.”

Pietro chimed in agreement with Sheila and Irmhild’s exchange.

The others were similarly astonished, seemingly at a loss for words.

The Aianos residents gathered around the square were also exclaiming in surprise at Corulis, Lindwurm, and Alpha, who had appeared from the deck.

Though… the novelty of an undersea city seemed to affect the animals too. They lined up along the deck’s edge, looking around the city with round eyes blinking.

“Hehe. It makes me happy that surface dwellers appreciate our sea city.”

Queen Eldorene narrowed her eyes at everyone’s reactions.

“At this rate, I’m looking forward to when we reclaim the capital.”

“How impatient of you. True, the capital is a magnificent place.”

In response to my reply, Queen Eldorene shook her shoulders in apparent amusement.

“Now then, shall we have you introduce your companions? I doubt there will be anything more surprising than what I’ve already seen…”

Well, I suppose so. In terms of impact, Claudia would probably be the greatest.

So I introduced everyone to Queen Eldorene. Perhaps she accepted it as cultural differences with surface dwellers. She didn’t have much reaction to many being introduced as my fiancées… but as queen, she seemed more interested in everyone’s magical qualities, showing particular interest in those with strong magical power or unusual aptitudes.

After finishing the introductions, I brought up the topic of Justia.

“Returning to our earlier discussion now that introductions are done… During the initial demon incident we mentioned earlier, we discovered a Siren girl had been imprisoned. Hearing rumors of Mermaid sightings in this region, I thought perhaps someone here might know something.”

“Hmm.”

At these words, Queen Eldorene’s expression turned serious.

“What has become of her now?”

“She doesn’t know her way back, so currently she’s staying at the Termwills Adventurer Guild with a Harpy girl who was also imprisoned. She helps with the medical team… and the three of them, including Irmhild, perform songs at the theater. Her name is Justia – might you know her?”

When I asked, Queen Eldorene placed a hand on her chin and appeared to ponder.

“A disappearance case… Hmm. I shouldn’t speak lightly without verification.”

Queen Eldorene avoided giving an immediate answer and shook her head.

“Due to the current emergency situation, the Sirens are gathered in this city… but normally, they create several separate villages to live in groups where they can practice cursed melodies to their heart’s content. Let’s first try to verify. Weltes, Solgiol. You heard?”

“Yes!”

The Fishfolk who had been guarding the queen answered along with Weltes.

“There’s a girl named Justia. Tell anyone who might have information to come to me since clues have been found.”

“As you command.”

The two saluted and ran off into the city.

…I see. Cursed melodies that bewitch minds certainly couldn’t be practiced within the city. If they normally live elsewhere, they probably wouldn’t know the details. Even if someone remembered the disappearance incident itself, verification would naturally come first.

“I hope… they find something,” Rovisa murmured, watching them leave.

“Indeed. But a theater… An environment where they can sing for large audiences to their heart’s content… Those others might even envy Justia.”

“Rovisa-san mentioned it too… Is it really that significant?”

“Yes. After all, these are beings who, even when falling to demonhood, seek listeners and charm them with cursed songs. This must be rooted in their very instincts.”

“I have Siren friends too, and they say surface people react very well when they hear their songs.”

“So it seems.”

Queen Eldorene gave a wry smile at Rovisa’s words.

“Regarding Dominique too… I was wondering if we might search for her whereabouts through wind spirits.”

I addressed Marl, who had been listening to the conversation. Since Harpies live at high altitudes, I thought wind spirits might be able to locate their settlement.

Marl seemed to understand why I was telling her this, looking at me and nodding.

“Understood. I must convey your message to the others as well. I promise I will definitely tell them.”

Saying this, Marl readily agreed.

Hmm. With Dominique too, now we just need to wait for information to gather.

“Regarding our next steps, I think we should proceed with our original plan and create a transfer-capable base at Duke Driscoll’s stronghold.”

Doing that would increase our freedom of action and serve as insurance.

If there were Sirens from the same homeland as Justia, we could arrange a meeting. Queen Eldorene nodded at my words.

“I was thinking I might be able to provide spearheads, at least, with skilled personnel. I’m good at making weapons quickly for urgent situations like this.”

“There are workshop facilities inside the ship where weapons can be made. Her Highness Elham possesses the technique to create quite sturdy weapons even on land.”

“That’s reassuring. Our blacksmithing skills inevitably fall short compared to the surface.”

When Princess Elham and I spoke, the queen’s expression brightened.

Making weapons in emergencies was something Princess Elham had done during Baharzard’s civil war. And spearheads at that. It would save both time and materials.

If the shark man sent out as scout didn’t return… the Sea King would probably narrow down its search direction and range. Even so, I doubt it could find the hidden village immediately, but that doesn’t mean we have ample preparation time either. Though time is limited, let’s do everything we can.