Meanwhile, Reiko and Reinhard remained behind at the leased dock. Both were on high alert, sensing an unusual magical aura radiating from beneath the waves.
Then, the creature appeared.
"Whoa!"
"W-What is that?!"
Surprised shouts echoed across the harbor.
Thrusting its head out of the water was a massive sea snake. It lunged toward the shore with terrifying speed.
"A Death Sea Serpent..." someone muttered.
It was exactly as they said—a giant sea snake known as a Death Sea Serpent. Its body was easily over ten meters long.
"Lorelei!"
"Ja, Mia Schöpfer."
Reinhard’s golem emerged from the water.
"We’re taking down that Death Sea Serpent!"
"Ja."
As Reinhard prepared for battle, Reiko turned to him.
"Please wait, Reinhard-san."
"Hmm? What is it, Reiko-san?"
"Do you know that magical beast?"
"Yeah. Only by reputation. It’s a giant sea snake possessed of magical power. Naturally, water-attribute magic barely affects it."
Reinhard began gathering mana in his right hand.
"The only thing that works is..."
At that moment, Lorelei slammed into the Death Sea Serpent. The collision significantly slowed the monster's momentum.
Enraged, the Death Sea Serpent opened its massive maw, intending to crush Lorelei between its fangs.
"Fire magic! Flame Lance!"
Reinhard’s spell shot toward the open mouth. The projectile streaked through the air with unerring precision, striking the Death Sea Serpent’s gaping maw dead center.
The Death Sea Serpent shrieked and thrashed about in agony. Lorelei had already retreated to a safe distance.
"Normally I’d like to give it another one, but... I don't think I can with it thrashing like that."
The serpent's violent movements near the harbor sent large waves surging inward. Small boats were tossed around like autumn leaves, and some even capsized.
Since Jin and Marcia’s Cygnus was a catamaran, it remained extremely stable. Thanks to its design and Arrow’s skill in handling the vessel alone, there was no cause for concern for the time being.
After confirming the ship's safety, Reiko spoke.
"Reinhard-san, I will stop that Death Sea Serpent for a moment. Please fire that magic again while I have it pinned."
Without waiting for Reinhard’s reply, she dove into the sea.
"What? That girl?!"
"It’s reckless! What in the world is she thinking?"
Voices rose from the onlookers.
Reinhard chose to trust the words of Reiko—an artifact-class Automata—and continued to gather mana in his right hand.
Since she wasn't wearing a swimsuit, swimming was a bit difficult, but Reiko reached the Death Sea Serpent in no time. She decided to test its hide by punching its torso. She used ten percent of her output.
The impact rang out like a hammer striking a block of iron.
Even though he trusted Reiko, Reinhard found himself doubting his own eyes. The uppercut Reiko delivered sent the Death Sea Serpent flying several meters back.
The serpent was roughly fifty centimeters in diameter at its thickest point. It was knocked upward so hard it nearly cleared the surface of the water entirely. The recoil of the blow pushed Reiko deeper into the sea.
"As expected, it is quite tough."
Allowing herself to sink, Reiko touched her feet to the seabed. She then kicked off the bottom with all her might, using the momentum to rocket back toward the Death Sea Serpent.
The thrashing serpent’s movements had already slowed from Reiko’s first blow. A second, even more powerful strike slammed into it. This time, she used twenty percent of her output.
Struck from directly beneath, the Death Sea Serpent was launched into the air. Reeling from an impact unlike anything it had ever experienced, it fell into a semi-conscious state. Reinhard aimed for its still-open mouth.
"Flame Lance!"
Reinhard’s magic exploded. This shot, which had been charged longer than the first, blew the Death Sea Serpent’s head apart. The surface of the sea was stained crimson. The headless body of the monster drifted listlessly among the waves.
Reiko dove back into the water from the recoil and watched the scene from below. She then swam through the depths to a spot clear of the blood and surfaced near the shore.
"Reiko!"
Jin arrived just then, accompanied by the Security Guard Captain.
"Father."
Though Reiko was soaking wet, she gave her body a single shake, and the moisture was instantly repelled. Her rare materials were not just for show.
Meanwhile, the Security Guard Captain stood dazed, looking between the dead serpent and the girl who had just punched it. He hurriedly stuffed something he had been hiding in his palm back into his pocket.
"Jin, and Lady Reiko."
Reinhard walked over and clapped Jin on the shoulder.
"Oh, Jin! Your Reiko is incredible! I never imagined she was strong enough to send a Death Sea Serpent flying! Truly, once this competition is over, I absolutely must invite you to our Empire!"
As he rattled on in his usual energetic tone, cold sweat began to pour down the Security Guard Captain’s back.
(No way... This guy... is such a big shot that he'd be invited to the Shouro Empire? I'm glad I didn't go through with what I was told. The boat was safe anyway, so the outcome hasn't changed...)
Jin, oblivious to the captain's inner thoughts, called out to Arrow. The waves in the harbor had already begun to settle, and the catamaran Cygnus was quickly brought alongside the pier.
"DID-YOU-CALL-FOR-ME?"
"Yeah, Arrow. I want to ask you something. Before the fire started, did you see anyone suspicious?"
"YES. COME-TO-THINK-OF-IT, BEFORE-THE-FIRE, SOMEONE-THREW-IN-A-RED-STONE."
"A red stone?"
"It might have been a fire-attribute magi-crystal," Reinhard said, listening from the side. Jin shared his suspicion.
"I-I see. That would mean the man or woman who threw that magi-crystal is the arsonist," the captain said, his attitude now noticeably timid.
"That seems to be the case."
"U-Understood. We shall search for the culprit immediately. You have done well. Marcia shall be released as well."
With that, the captain ordered his men to clear away the carcass of the Death Sea Serpent and beat a hasty retreat.
"I’m not entirely sure what happened, but did that monster floating over there attack us?" Jin asked Reinhard.
"That's right. And with Lady Reiko's help, I finished it off with fire magic."
"I see. You're quite skilled with magic too, Reinhard."
When Jin spoke with admiration, Reinhard chuckled.
"No, no, it's thanks to this."
He held out a small wand made of mithril. It was small enough to fit completely within his palm. Upon seeing it, Jin realized its secret.
"I see! You’ve stored spells in it beforehand! That way, you can trigger the magic just by channeling mana into it."
Reinhard was thunderstruck.
"What?! You discerned its function with just a single glance! Jin, you’re amazing! Seriously, you really must visit my country sometime!"
He began boisterously slapping Jin on the back. Caught up in the man's enthusiasm, Jin gave a nod.
"Y-Yeah. If I have the chance, I’d definitely like to go."
In the warehouse district near the leased docks.
"My apologies. It appears we have failed."
A sturdy man bowed to a slender man standing before him.
"And because of that Death Sea Serpent, the whole fire incident has been swept under the rug."
Due to the serpent's appearance, the commotion over the fire had ceased to be a topic of conversation.
"To think they escaped to the sea beforehand. That's one lucky brat. And for a Death Sea Serpent to show up here of all places..."
"Well, no matter. We’ll crush them during the actual race."
With that brief exchange, the two men disappeared into the shadows.