From Hourai Island, Jin also kept a close eye on the standoff between the World Security Guard and the Death Sea Serpents. He had already given instructions for the Mermaid unit to be prepared for deployment the moment danger arose.
"Still, it's a shame coexistence isn't possible."
The Death Sea Serpent was a massive sea serpent native to the northern oceans, reaching lengths of up to thirty meters and capable of swimming at speeds up to sixty kilometers per hour. Occasionally, ocean currents carried them south. They were ferocious, carnivorous beasts. Because they attacked fishing vessels and decimated local marine life, living alongside them was considered impossible. As magical beasts, they occasionally unleashed spells such as Tidal Wave. Since they devoured all nearby fish, simply driving them off was never enough—they had to be subjugated. Jin could not help but find it regrettable.
"Then again, wiping them out entirely doesn't feel right either."
Even if the ecosystem had been partially engineered and altered by the Progenitors, Jin had no desire to unravel what had stabilized over tens of thousands of years.
"My Lord, preparations for the Mermaid unit are complete."
"All right. Keep them on standby."
The Mermaid unit served as Hourai Island's Marine Force. Composed of mermaid-type golems specialized for aquatic operations, they could cut through the water at speeds of four hundred kilometers per hour. In times of peace, their duties involved surveying and gathering seabed resources. A single unit was more than capable of handling a Death Sea Serpent on its own. Twenty of them were currently stationed and waiting in reserve should an emergency arise.
"I just hope this proves to be unnecessary redundancy."
Holding his breath, Jin fixed his eyes on the magi-screen...
"First Fleet, distance to target: one kilometer."
"Second Airship Unit has arrived above the objective. Standing by."
"Chief, everything is proceeding as planned."
Receiving reports from each squad, Manon relayed them to Tomax Bartman. Protocol dictated that she address him as "Chief" only during such emergencies, as it was concise and quick to say.
"Very well. Open fire the moment the targets are confirmed."
"Understood."
A minute later, the First Fleet sighted the three Death Sea Serpents. Though the vessels were semi-wooden, their hulls were sheathed in thin plating of 64 light silver, with heavier armor reinforcing crucial sections like the bridge and engine room. Built as shallow-draft boats, their hulls were relatively broad, sacrificing speed in favor of superior buoyancy. Their stability was exceptional, making them invaluable during rescue operations in rough seas.
"Commence attack!"
Arrows heated to a glowing red were unleashed. Launched from massive crossbows, two bolts were fired from each ship, and four of the ten struck their marks. The massive shafts pierced the three Death Sea Serpents—two into the first, and one into each of the others. Measuring roughly a meter in length, the heavy bolts noticeably hindered the serpents' movements.
"Second volley, fire!"
Ten more arrows were loosed, but every one plunged uselessly into the sea. The Death Sea Serpents had dived beneath the surface.
"The Death Sea Serpents have submerged!"
"All right, our turn. Take over the attack."
Even with the dive, they had only descended to a depth of about ten meters. The seawater was crystal clear, leaving their silhouettes plainly visible from the air. The Second Airship Unit moved to pursue the fleeing beasts.
"Distance from the First Fleet exceeds two hundred meters!"
"Good. Thunder Javelin Cannon, fire!"
The Thunder Javelin Cannon was a magi-device designed to unleash the lightning-attribute spell Thunder Javelin. Back in Port Rock Town, Reinhard had once used a wand inscribed with an activation formula to fire a Flame Lance at a Death Sea Serpent. This weapon was a scaled-up evolution of that concept, engineered to draw its power directly from a mana tank. Lightning-attribute magic essentially harnessed electricity, making it devastatingly effective against aquatic magical beasts. Still, because of its limited area of effect, the crew had waited until they were well clear of the First Fleet before firing. Electrocuted by the strike, the Death Sea Serpents could not endure the shock and breached the surface.
"Fire!"
Aiming right for the thrashing monsters, the Thunder Javelin Cannon discharged once again.
"Direct hit!"
Knocked unconscious at the very least, the three colossal serpents floated limply on the ocean's surface.
"Hit them with one more shot just to be sure."
"Understood!"
A third Thunder Javelin blasted down. With that, the threat posed by the Death Sea Serpents was thoroughly neutralized.
"We'll leave the cleanup to the First Fleet. All units, return to base."
"Understood."
The Second Airship Unit banked around and began their journey back to Avalon ahead of the ships.
"Well done....Once their deaths are confirmed, Ships Three, Four, and Five are each to tow one carcass back."
The First Fleet would make their way back to Avalon hauling the defeated Death Sea Serpents in their wake, intending to process them for materials. Furthermore:
"There aren't many fish left, likely because the serpents ate them all, but let's gather whatever floated up and bring them along too."
Caught in the blast radius of the Thunder Javelin Cannons, numerous dead fish were drifting on the water. The fleet moved to scoop them up as well. For the foreseeable future, the menus in Avalon's dining halls would feature plenty of fresh fish dishes.
"That was a decisive victory."
"Yes, My Lord."
Back on Hourai Island, Jin had just relayed instructions through Laojun for the Mermaid unit to resume their standard operations.
"I wouldn't call it an everyday occurrence, but Avalon and the World Security Guard are certainly fulfilling their purpose."
It had taken a great deal of effort, but Jin felt deeply satisfied knowing that establishing the organization had been worthwhile.
"How are those Death Sea Serpents as crafting materials, anyway?"
Jin recalled that in the past, their leather had been processed into belts for power transmission.
"Yes, My Lord. Aside from such applications, it may also be possible to refine blood preparations from them."
"Ah, is that so?"
"In the past, Elsa-sama also investigated whether valuable pharmaceuticals could be produced by refining the blood of Grandragons native to the Nord Federation into ethenol."
Though Death Sea Serpents were likely inferior to Grandragons in terms of potency, Laojun noted that they might still prove useful.
"I'd like to look into that as well."
"Understood. I shall take the necessary steps."
Since Death Sea Serpents occasionally drifted near Hourai Island, Laojun stated it would capture a specimen the next time one was spotted. Until now, they had simply driven the creatures away. If this discovery could lead to an increased supply of effective pharmaceuticals, Jin knew it would be a tremendous boon to the world.