I teleported into the sky above the eastern region of our territory.
Below me, a vast river wound through the landscape, flanked on both sides by dense forests. A single ship belonging to the Demon King’s Army was cutting through the water, its black sails bulging as they caught the wind. It lunged forward with unnatural bursts of speed at intervals, likely propelled by the specialized machinery installed on board. This vessel, a product of our finest engineering, had been developed specifically for combat.
Running parallel to the ship was a dark shadow submerged just beneath the surface. Only its massive dorsal fin was visible, slicing through the waves. Suddenly, the shadow breached the surface, leaping high into the air. A miasma-shrouded shark lunged at the vessel, its massive jaws agape. Its dark grey skin possessed a dull, metallic luster as it reflected the sunlight. This was undoubtedly a Beast of the Outside World.
The magic cannons mounted on the ship’s deck spat fire. The discharged artillery shells slammed into the shark’s belly and detonated, shredding its hide. Flesh and blood scattered into the air as the beast twisted violently and plunged back into the river. The surrounding water was instantly stained a murky reddish-black.
I expected it to perish then and there, but the shark resumed its underwater pursuit as if the injury were a mere trifle. I could sense its presence; it was lurking below, biding its time for another strike.
(It seems they aren't struggling too much, at least.)
I teleported onto the ship’s deck.
The crew was a whirlwind of activity, occupied with loading shells and keeping the shark at bay with suppressive fire. Their movements were incredibly agile and well-coordinated—clearly the result of the rigorous training we had implemented in the former demon territory.
A figure stood at the center of the frantic activity, bellowing orders. Brandishing an axe and shouting at the top of his lungs was Dorda the Dullahan.
"Blast it with everything you've got! Don't worry about exhaustion—that’s a problem for later! Once that shark is at the bottom, I’ll treat every one of you to the finest premium liquor! You hear me, you bastards?!"
A spirited, booming voice erupted from his wolf-head. The subordinates responded with a thunderous war cry. Their relentless onslaught successfully neutralized the shark's attempts to counterattack. The crew’s morale was at its peak, and they seemed to be performing far beyond their usual limits.
(He truly is a great pirate.)
I couldn't help but be impressed by Dorda's leadership. The alias "Roaring Thunder" was certainly well-earned. When it came to naval combat, Dorda was in his element. Even when facing a Beast of the Outside World, that fact remained unchanged.
Despite possessing immense individual combat prowess, Dorda did not rely on it. Instead, he prioritized inspiring his men and drawing out the collective strength of his unit. It was a different kind of strength compared to Henry, who led his own forces with a very different style.
While I observed the deck, Logan approached me. Given the circumstances, he was likely acting as Dorda's tactical advisor. Logan stopped before me and offered a quiet, weary smile.
"I see you’ve returned safely. That’s a relief."
"Sorry for the delay. I’ve caused you quite a bit of trouble."
"Don't worry about it. We’re in this together."
Just then, a massive tremor rocked the ship. The shark had rammed the hull. A wave of unease rippled through the crew, but Dorda’s roar instantly snapped them back to their duties.
Watching the scene, I turned to Logan. "What's the situation?"
"I'll give you the short version."
Logan nodded and quickly laid out the facts. The shark had appeared without warning and begun raiding the villages and towns along the river. Because it could freely manipulate its size, it could navigate even the narrowest of waterways. It had used this ability to corner and devour countless people.
Now, it had focused its aggression on the Demon King’s Army ship, launching one attack after another with relentless tenacity. It showed no signs of retreating.
The most troublesome aspect was that the shark was completely immune to damage while submerged. Even when it surfaced, its regeneration was so potent that it was effectively immortal. This was why the army had been unable to finish it off.
"Even when we try to bind it, the beast simply shreds through the spells. Those fangs have the power to destroy magic formulas. Spirit magic is also extremely ineffective against it," Logan complained.
The exhaustion on his face told the story of their struggle. For most, magic was their primary means of offense. When that was stripped away, their options became dangerously limited. All the Beasts of the Outside World seemed to share this high resistance to magic. It was only natural that my soldiers felt the frustration of the stalemate.
As we spoke, the shark leaped from the water again. This time, a simultaneous bombardment met it, and every shell hit the mark. The shark recoiled, blood gushing from its wounds as it fell back into the river. It should have been a fatal blow, but my sensing magic tracked the beast as it swam through the depths. Its movements hadn't slowed in the slightest; its wounds were already gone.
(Incredible regenerative capabilities.)
The beast held the geographical advantage. Combined with its magic resistance and near-instant healing, it was an exceptionally tedious opponent. While there was little risk of the army being defeated, they lacked a decisive way to end the fight. The battlefield had reached a deadlock.
Having assessed the situation, I knew how I would fight. I began to walk across the deck, confident that I could break the stalemate. As I passed Logan, I offered him a word of praise.
"You've done well to hold the line this far. I'll take care of the rest."
"I’m counting on you."
With my old friend's encouragement behind me, I took to the air once more.