“...How do I put this? It’s just overwhelming.” Marcia wore a look of exasperation as she stared at the magi-screen. “Tell me, Jin, are the oceans just crawling with monsters like that?”
Martha, who had been watching the screen in silence until now, finally spoke up.
“No, you rarely encounter them near the coast,” Jin replied.
Most monsters living in the sea fed on fish. Furthermore, they had a habit of avoiding shallow waters, so they rarely approached the shoreline.
“But occasionally one wanders off course, so we can’t be careless.”
The Death Sea Serpent that had appeared in Port Rock Town previously had been one such individual.
“Is that so? Everything I see and hear is just so new and strange. I never thought I’d have an experience like this at my age,” Martha said with a gentle smile.
“It wouldn't be right to let Hanna see such a gruesome sight... I’ve seen enough. Wipe them out instantly.”
『Yes, My Lord. I shall have the Mermaid unit handle it.』
The Mermaid unit was a group of mermaid-type golems Jin had created. They were also known as the Marine Force, or the Mariners. Their standard equipment included two torpedoes each.
Using those, they wiped out the remaining serpents in one fell swoop. It was difficult to tell exactly what was happening on the screen, but the final beast was soon neutralized.
“Now the threat to the Kingdom of Elias is gone,” Jin murmured.
“Yeah, it is. Thank you, Jin,” Marcia added in agreement.
“Jin-dono, are you not going to secure those Death Sea Serpents as materials?” Rodrigo asked.
“Ah, you’re right. It would be a waste not to. Since we’re here, let’s have them collected. Laojun, I’m counting on you.”
『Yes, My Lord. Leave it to me.』
On the screen, the Mermaid unit pounced on the Death Sea Serpents and began the dismantling process. They appeared to be collecting the blood as well; the sea was not even stained red. In about ten minutes, the serpents had been reduced to various materials.
『No part was wasted,』 Laojun reported.
“Good work. Pass that along to the Mermaid unit as well.”
Having thanked the Marine Force through Laojun, Jin looked out the window. It was 2:00 PM, and the sky was a brilliant blue.
“Well then, what should we do until tonight?”
Hanna raised her hand. “Onii-chan, I want to swim in the sea!”
“In the sea, huh...” Jin hesitated. Swimming in the open ocean felt a bit too dangerous. “Hmm, there might be some hazards around here, so it’s probably better to hold off. We’ll likely reach an island in two or three days, so let’s swim then, okay?”
Once he explained his reasoning, Hanna accepted it. “Okay, I understand.”
Jin felt relieved that she was being so sensible.
(Come to think of it, luxury cruise ships usually have pools...)
The irony of being in the middle of the ocean yet unable to swim wasn't lost on him. Jin finally understood why passenger ships were equipped with pools.
“Well then, how about this...”
Jin suggested they go for a pleasure cruise on the Stream, the destroyer craft acting as their escort.
“Yeah!”
“I like that idea,” everyone agreed.
The Stream 41 raced across the open sea.
The Stream series had been developed as destroyer craft, boasting top speeds of 150 kilometers per hour thanks to their Magi Water Jet propulsion. By using a force generator, they were even capable of short-term flight.
The vessel was a ten-seater. Currently, in addition to the pilot, Marine 541, the passengers were Jin, Elsa, Hanna, Marcia, Rodrigo, Saki, and Goose. Jin was paying close attention to safety, ensuring everyone wore their life jackets.
“Wow, so fast!” Hanna was having a blast.
“T-This is... simply incredible!” Marcia had completely conceded defeat to Jin’s engineering.
“Such speed from a trimaran... As expected, Jin-dono is amazing!” Rodrigo was beyond impressed; he was deeply moved.
“But how do I put this... I would have liked to see those Death Sea Serpents up close,” Goose remarked.
“I’d rather pass on that,” Saki said, showing a rare moment of aversion.
Unfazed by the moderate waves, the Stream 41 finished its thirty-minute excursion and returned to the Edo. Jin and the others were lifted back onto the deck by crane, and the Stream 41 returned to its escort duties.
“Ah, that was so much fun!”
“Welcome back. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Hanna returned with a satisfied, beaming smile, and Martha greeted her granddaughter with a warm expression.
“We’re back, Martha-san.”
“Welcome back, Jin. Good work looking after everyone.”
“No, I enjoyed it too. Would you like to come along next time, Martha-san?”
Martha shook her head. “I’ll pass. I’d rather stay here and chat with Mine and the others.”
“Is that so? Well, if you ever feel like riding on a small boat, just let me know.”
“I will, thank you. Now then...” Martha turned around as if remembering something.
“Oh, do you have something to do?”
Martha replied with a smile. “Well, I promised to teach Vivienne-chan how to cook Kaina Village dishes.”
The Edo and Azuma were equipped with kitchens, and while the Five-Colored Golem Maids on board prepared the meals, the passengers were free to cook for themselves. Whenever a guest wanted to enjoy cooking, the golems focused entirely on providing support. Jin found himself looking forward to seeing what kind of Kaina Village dishes Martha and Vivienne would create.
“This is delicious.”
“Ah, Hanna-chan, I made that.”
Since she had lived alone for a long time, Vivienne’s cooking skills were quite good. Under Martha’s guidance, they had prepared Kaina Village style barley porridge and bacon and eggs using mountain deer bacon.
Additionally, a cold tometru soup—a dish from Vivienne’s hometown in the Corin region of the Celuroa Kingdom—made with tometru, marunegi, and karotto, was also well-received.
Everyone was satisfied, gazing out the dining hall window at the twilight sky and sea.
“...So beautiful.”
“Yeah, it really is.”
The sky was dyed a deep orange, the sun a fiery red orb sinking into the horizon, casting its glow across the shimmering surface of the water. Everyone was entranced by the sight—a view that could only be experienced from the heart of the ocean.
Once the sun set, a sky full of stars appeared, looking as though they might tumble down from the heavens.
Jin and Elsa excused themselves from the others and returned to the Azuma to be alone. To be precise, the golems operating the ship were present, as were Reiko and Edgar, but they were careful never to disturb the couple.
“It’s quiet.”
“Mm.”
The only sound was the ship cutting through the waves. Even that was hushed, as the speed had been reduced to less than half for the night. The sea was calm, and almost no swaying could be felt.
In a manner befitting a honeymoon, Jin and Elsa enjoyed their time together to their hearts' content.