"So the cruising speed of a Death Sea Serpent is only about thirty kilometers per hour..."
From inside Konron 3 as it tracked the monsters from above, Marcia observed the Death Sea Serpents.
"Just as I thought, they don't look like they can make sharp turns."
"Yeah," Jin agreed. "But when they're on the verge of death, they use 'Tidal Wave.' If we're going to take them down, we have to do it all at once."
While Jin was explaining this, Konron 3 moved directly over the serpents.
"They're weak against lightning-attribute magic. However, the effect is dampened in the sea, so we need to use a mid-level advanced spell or aim with absolute precision."
With that preface, he gave the order.
"Reiko, 'Thunder Javelin'."
"Yes, Father."
Reiko opened the emergency hatch in the floor of the Konron 3 cabin and unleashed Thunder Javelins at the serpents directly below.
"Thunder Javelin! Thunder Javelin!"
Thunder Javelin was a mid-grade, advanced-level lightning spell that fired a bolt of electricity straight at a target. The bolts moved at approximately 200 kilometers per second—roughly the speed of a natural lightning strike’s stepped leader.
The magic struck the Death Sea Serpents without missing. Jolted by the high voltage, the two creatures ground to a halt. They were stunned and paralyzed, though not yet dead.
Because they were in the water, most of the electrical discharge escaped into the seawater, which acted as a conductor. The situation would have been different had they been lured to the surface with a Sonic Bomb.
Of course, if Reiko were to fire a Thunder Javelin at full power, she could have reduced the serpents to charred husks instantly. However, per Jin’s standing orders, she usually kept the output of her magi-reactor suppressed to three percent. Consequently, the power of her magic was scaled accordingly, putting her at the level of a mid-to-high-tier magi.
"The effect won't last long," Jin noted. "They'll start moving again soon. We need to follow up before they recover. Since they're just bobbing on the surface now, we'll use fire-attribute magic. Reiko!"
"Yes, Father. Flame Lance! Flame Lance!"
Flame Lance was a lower-grade, advanced-level fire spell that launched a lance of fire. Since its intensity decreased in inverse proportion to the distance traveled, it was most effective at close range. To accommodate this, Konron 3 had descended to an altitude of thirty meters.
"As you can see, Flame Lance is more than enough to finish off an immobile opponent. Good work, Reiko."
"It was nothing, Father."
"Jin, that was incredible. It really put things into perspective," Marcia said. "Thank you."
Dorusen, however, remained speechless, stunned by the sheer efficiency of the display.
"Now then, Edgar, let's go help the survivors."
"Understood, Jin-sama."
Konron 3 performed an about-face and headed back toward Toryu Island. They could deal with the floating carcasses later; with sunset fast approaching, the rescue took priority.
The airship reached Toryu Island just before the sun dipped below the horizon.
"Ah, over there!" Marcia cried out.
She was pointing at a cluster of ship fragments floating in the water.
"If the ship was destroyed here, the survivors who escaped should be somewhere in the vicinity."
Most of Toryu Island was covered in a dense, primeval jungle. Those who had evacuated likely hadn't ventured deep into the interior, but Jin doubted they would have stayed exposed on the open shoreline either.
"We should call out to them," Jin decided. He then activated the loudspeaker magi-device. "Dorusen-san, please address them....Dorusen-san?"
"A-Ah, sorry. I was a bit dazed."
Scratching his head, Dorusen leaned toward the input side of the loudspeaker.
"This is the Port Rock Coastal Security Guard! The threat of the Death Sea Serpents has been neutralized! We are here to rescue you, so please come out!"
He repeated the message three times, then pulled back, suggesting they wait a few moments.
"Father, I see someone," Reiko said.
About five minutes later, four figures emerged onto the darkening shore.
"Alright. Light."
Jin cast a Light spell. The orb illuminated the shoreline, making the figures—and even their expressions—clearly visible.
"It's definitely them. But I wonder why there are only four?" Jin mused.
"No, there is one more," Reiko corrected. "The person in the middle is carrying someone on their back."
"An injury, perhaps?"
While they spoke, Konron 3 continued its descent.
"The shore is too narrow for a landing. What should we do?"
Since Konron 3 wasn't a dedicated rescue vessel, it lacked specialized equipment like winches or hoists.
"Alright, we'll drop a rope and pull them up."
That was the conclusion Jin reached. The airship carried ropes as standard equipment for mooring and other utility tasks. Jin quickly modified one, tying a loop at the end.
"Edgar, drop the altitude as much as possible. Then use the force generator to hold our position."
"Understood."
Jin and Edgar exchanged instructions in low voices, quiet enough that Dorusen couldn't overhear the technical details. Eventually, Edgar brought Konron 3 down to a mere three meters above the ground.
"That's perfect."
Jin opened the emergency floor hatch and lowered the rope. Reiko handled the lines.
"One at a time! Put your foot in the loop and hold on tight!" Jin shouted.
At this distance, his voice reached them clearly. The four men responded immediately.
"Understood!"
"Thank God, we're saved!"
As the first man stepped into the loop and gripped the rope, Reiko hauled him up with effortless ease. She repeated the process four times. The final passenger was the man carrying his injured comrade.
"A fragment hit him in the head when the ship was smashed," a colleague explained as they reached the cabin.
"Reiko, if you would."
"Yes, Father. Diagnose."
Reiko performed a medical scan using the Shouro Empire style incantation preferred by Elsa.
"He is stable. There is no damage to the brain or internal organs; he is simply unconscious."
"I see. That's a relief. Alright, Edgar, take us back to Port Rock Town!"
"Yes, Jin-sama."
Konron 3 climbed back to thirty meters and sped toward the town. The five rescued men stared wide-eyed as the scenery blurred past.
"W-Whoa!"
"Can we really fly through the sky this fast?"
"What kind of craft is this?"
Marcia was the one to answer their questions.
"Godonov-san, this is Jin Nidou-dono. He is the world's only Magi Craft Meister, also known as the Lord of Kunlun. This vessel is an airship he built called Konron 3."
"Wait, I thought I recognized you—Marcia? The Magi Craft Meister? That famous one? To think a man like that would be the one to save us..."
By now, Jin’s reputation had spread far and wide.
"You were lucky, Godonov-san. It’s a good thing Jin happened to be visiting."
"Aye, you can say that again. Jin-san, you have our eternal gratitude."
Godonov bowed his head on behalf of the five survivors.
"Please, allow me to thank you as well, Jin-dono," Dorusen added.
"No need for that. I only did what I could," Jin replied, scratching his head modestly.
The two slain Death Sea Serpents were recovered the following day. Since Jin waived all claims to the carcasses, they were donated to the town of Port Rock Town as valuable raw materials.
Additionally, following this incident, Konron 3 was permanently equipped with a dedicated rescue hoist.