Chapter 575

"

Ugh

!"

Thesaya’s lips parted, but instead of words, she vomited a mouthful of blood. It splattered across her armor and cloak, yet Ian didn’t spare them a glance. His eyes lingered only on her face.

"I told you to stop before it came to this...."

It was magic exhaustion. Judging by how suddenly it hit, it seemed she had poured out every drop of strength. Still, it was incredible that she had lasted this long. She had cast not only Frost Barrier but also high-tier spells in quick succession, with the final Blizzard being the largest of all.

"Don’t pass out. Wait," said Ian, reaching into his pocket dimension.

Thesaya weakly reached out and clutched his forearm. "Mine... I can drink mine... my waist... behind..."

"You can give me yours instead." Ian brushed her hand away and pulled a glass vial from his pocket dimension. Biting the cork off, he brought the vial to her lips. The milky-white sap flowed between her blood-soaked lips.

Swoosh...

A refreshing scent and a wave of magic evaporating into the air brushed past Ian’s nose. He continued tilting the vial without stopping. The last drop of the Essence of Tree of Life disappeared into Thesaya’s mouth.

"

Cough! Phew, urgh

..." Having swallowed it all, Thesaya gasped for breath.

The effect was immediate. Veins twitching around her eyes settled, and her breathing stabilized. The revitalized magic flowing within her was strong enough for Ian to sense it as well.

"I feel alive already.... Thanks, Ian..." Thesaya murmured, her eyes barely open. A pale smile touched her lips.

Ian returned the empty vial to his pocket dimension and wiped her mouth with his fingers. "I only lent it to you. Don’t even think about keeping the favor."

"Of course. Did you forget again? I’m a pointy-ear who knows how to repay a debt...."

With a soft laugh, Ian slipped his left arm under her knees.

Thesaya shook her head. "Just lay me down. I’ll be fine after a quick rest."

"I know," Ian replied nonchalantly and stood up, holding her.

A smile spread across Thesaya’s face as Ian turned around and added, "We might have to fight again before that."

The thick mist was gone without a trace, leaving only faint remnants of the snowstorm scattering in the wind. The roiling sea and the crimson wave that covered the horizon were now clear to see. Ahead of it, the blue lights of the scattered fleet were growing more intense. Across the frost-covered decks, large and small movements spread like ripples.

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

—Not to spoil the mood, but...

The whisper came the moment Ian turned, having taken in the entire scene with his eyes.

—If you’re heading down, may I go visit Moro? To share your chaos, of course, my friend.

Yog added in a tone far too leisurely for the situation.

More like you want to use that as an excuse to gorge yourself.

Even so, Ian simply nodded and kept walking. He had been about to say it earlier, but he had planned on sharing his chaos with the creature anyway. Yog, now slithering into his damp plate boot, bit his instep.

"Don’t worry about the rear! Just look forward! Keep your eyes on the back of the man in front of you!"

By then, Ian was already descending the stairs at the edge of the deck, his gaze fixed on the back of Sanford, who was bellowing furiously at the front.

Cradled in his arms, Thesaya let out a sigh. "It’s so warm...."

She surely was not speaking of Ian’s embrace. The air near the main deck was noticeably warmer, a clear effect of the sacred fire.

As the now-plump Yog slithered out of his boot in disgust, Mukapa ran toward them, the battle hammer slung over his shoulder.

"You wear it well."

As Ian gave a slight nod, Lucia, who had been praying, finally turned her head.

"That was a truly incredible spell— Sister?" Her eyes widened as the words left her lips.

Looking into Ian’s eyes, Lucia added, "Is it magic exhaustion?"

"Not anymore... I’m fine," Thesaya answered. She weakly lifted an arm and brought it to her face. "I just need to rest near the brazier for a bit... I’ll be back to normal in no time..."

She was wiping the blood from around her mouth, trying to maintain her dignity even now. Of course, just as when Ian had tried, it only smeared the bloodstains further.

"Please." Ian held her out.

Thesaya flinched and scowled at Mukapa. "Don’t you dare... think about touching me! Ian? Can’t you just take me over there—

Eek.

"

Thesaya, who had been looking up at Ian, was slumped limply into Mukapa’s arm. Mukapa lifted her as if she were a child, holding her in one arm. With her head resting under his armpit, Thesaya’s face twisted in an expression of pure disgust.

As Mukapa turned without giving her a second glance, Ian looked past the brazier and asked, "Captain, how much further?"

Sanford, who had stopped shouting and was just watching nervously, quickly replied, "

Ah

, still over an hour! Do you see the light from that lighthouse? We have to pass near it!"

Ian looked toward the bow where Sanford was pointing. Far across the rolling waves, a flickering light was visible. Below it, the jagged ridges of a cliff shrouded in darkness revealed themselves in outline. It was visible to the naked eye now, but it was still a long way off.

"Then keep heading for that target." Clicking his tongue, Ian looked back at Sanford’s face. "Don’t worry about what’s happening behind us. Just keep going."

"Is the situation... very bad, sir?" Sanford faltered as he asked, seemingly unable to bring himself to look back.

Ian nodded. "They’ll catch up soon."

"

Ah

, Goddess of Fortune, please!" Squeezing his eyes shut, Sanford let out a groan, his shoulders trembling right after.

A sharp, monstrous scream had just echoed from behind them.

Boom! Crash—

A muffled explosion rang in Ian’s ears as well. It was clear Bukikia’s minions had finally overtaken the fleet.

"I will go with you this time." Lucia, who had been watching Thesaya lying beside the brazier, stood up. Her eyes, still glowing orange behind her mask, turned to Ian.

"No. For now, just focus on the brazier." Ian immediately shook his head.

He glanced at Mukapa, who was standing by Thesaya’s head, and said, "The rowers will only last as long as the sacred fire does. And Bukikia won’t attack recklessly as long as it’s lit."

"Then you’re going to face them alone, Sir Ian?" Lucia asked, frowning.

Ian shrugged and turned away. "I’m not alone. The fleet is still there. And Thesa will join me soon enough."

"But..."

"Your time to fight will come. Until then, make sure that sacred fire doesn’t go out." With that, Ian walked away.

Sanford’s shout followed him. "The waves are getting rougher! Please be careful—please, please, I beg you, Superhuman!"

I told you to watch your mouth.

Ian strode up the stairs with long, steady steps. Even as he moved, he slowly wound the rope dangling from his cloak around his left arm. That rope was, in truth, his lifeline. The ship was still pressing forward even at this moment. If he didn't want to be abandoned in the middle of the open sea, he had to keep it secure.

—Hurry and come. Things are getting entertaining again.

Yog’s whisper came as Ian stepped onto the aft deck. The creature was now perched on the grappling hook, which was still firmly lodged in the wooden frame.

Screech—

Crossing the deck, Ian took in the scene beyond the railing. The ships of the fleet were scattering in every direction, firing a constant stream of blue bolts at the pursuing sea beasts. Spikes of ice erupted from the water, and barriers shot up.

As I thought, some spellcasters are still alive.

The corner of Ian’s mouth twisted faintly. He could even feel the ominous magic that reeked of curses. Perhaps the spellcasters who remained were no longer in the shape of ordinary humans.

In any case, it was clear they had given up on revenge against him—or rather, they simply had no time to spare for it.

—They won’t last as long as I’d hoped.

Hearing Yog’s whisper, Ian leaped onto the railing. As the creature had said, not all the ships were fleeing. Several had failed to shake off the sea beasts.

Screech!

One ship already had a sea beast climbing onto its deck. The monster, shaped like a massive saw-toothed shark, thrashed wildly, swinging its thorn-covered horn and fins. The remains of corrupted sailors, torn apart by its saw-like snout or smashed by its fins, flew in all directions.

Crack—

Another ship, listing heavily, had a giant turtle embedded in its side like a battering ram. It was a massive turtle with jagged spikes protruding from its shell.

Soon, the ship split in half and capsized entirely. Standing atop the wreckage, the massive turtle raised its twin heads high as other sea beasts swarmed around it.

Crimson waves smothered and swallowed the blue light that had radiated from the ship.

Ian’s gaze lingered there only for a moment. With a sigh, his eyes swept over the crimson shapes chasing and overtaking the fleet.

—It won’t take them long. What will you do, my friend?

Yog’s leisure whisper came. The creature had crawled up the wooden frame and was looking back at Ian.

Clicking his tongue, Ian secured the grappling hook more firmly into the frame.

"What else? I’ll fight."

Yog chuckled.

—I know that. I meant, how will you fight? With magic, as always?

It was a reasonable guess. After all, they were in the middle of the raging sea, and he had to protect the ship.

However, Ian shook his head as he let go of the hook. "No. I can’t use magic strong enough to kill them."

Besides the magic consumption, it would undoubtedly draw Bukikia’s attention. He had to refrain from any spells that might harm the creature itself. Even if he had to fight it, he needed to delay that for as long as possible.

Shing...

Without adding another word, Ian drew his Truesilver Steel Sword. As the gleaming white blade came into view, Yog’s laughter rang out, clear and sharp.

—

Ah,

yes... this should be quite a show.

Unfolding his Platinum Barrier, Ian looked back at the creature. "If you don’t want to see me die, you’d better start thinking of a way to help."

Of course, he had no intention of dying. It was nothing more than a bluff, meant to push the creature into doing something useful. If he could just hold out until Thesaya recovered, he would have some breathing room.

However, the response came from an unexpected source.

Hiss...

A warm heat spread up his left arm as more divinity flowed into him. It was enough to make the corners of Ian’s lips curl up slightly.

So this bastard was listening too.

He realized Karha was still eavesdropping. The stat increase wasn't as significant as before, but it was now at a meaningful level.

—I’ll think about it. Until I come up with something, hold out as best you can.

At the whisper that followed, Ian turned to face forward again. "Then, in the meantime, keep telling me the location of any creature that gets close to the ship."

His ashen eyes scanned the crimson wave approaching in a disorderly swarm. "I probably won’t be able to see things broadly for much longer."

Amid the crashing waves, the figures of the sea beasts flickered into view. They came in every grotesque shape imaginable, sharing only their monstrous forms and immense size. And not all of them revealed themselves above the surface. Many lurked beneath the water, hidden from sight.

The one drawing closest to the stern was among those concealed below. The fact that it shimmered faintly with purple light, making a surprise attack unlikely, was of little comfort.

Boom! Crash!

The sounds of explosions from the fleeing fleet and the monstrous screams of the sea beasts echoed chaotically.

Now, of all things...

Staring at the massive crimson shape shimmering and approaching under the surface, a wry smile spread across Ian’s lips.

I have to fight underwater.

He could no longer just watch. It might reveal itself once it got closer, but there was a good chance it would try to go under the ship and sink it in one blow.

Swoosh—

Just then, a Mantra circuit spread across the surface of his Truesilver Steel Sword. As the golden dragon's magic enveloped the blade, Ian let out a sigh and released the rope from his left hand. He then threw himself off the railing and toward the black, roiling surface of the sea.