Chapter 25 : Injury

The being that ruled the vast ocean lost its light and plummeted.
Its final death throes scattered futilely, vanishing into the deep sea.

*

A pathetic end for a being that had dominated a region of the world for several years.
Only after the greyed form splashed into the sea and sank, did the surrounding people relax and look at each other’s faces.

Exhausted faces. The result of a prolonged underwater battle. The young mage’s blond hair, once brimming with magic, was now drenched, and seawater dripped from the old knight’s black armor. The barrier mage girl’s treasured sword was chipped and cracked, looking as if it would shatter at any moment.

“Is it… over?”

The girl, who had her eyes closed, nodded at the knight’s words.

“Command has informed us that the Star of the Ocean has vanished.”
“…I see. That’s a relief.”

Compared to other impurities that pierced the world’s boundaries, Phantallas wasn’t particularly strong. It could even be considered the weakest. However, it had a habit of fleeing when in danger, making strategies against it incredibly difficult.

If it hadn’t repeated a set pattern like a machine, defeating it would have been several times harder.

“Phew. I feel three years older. Thank you for your cooperation, Sir Yisulan, and Barrier Mage.”
“It was nothing. It wasn’t the being I was looking for, but it was a good experience.”
“It was my duty as the protector of a nation. I’m the one who should be grateful.”

Elena approached the two and expressed her gratitude. A rare, heartwarming conversation followed between the apex figures of each field. The two-hour underwater battle had softened their usual stiff atmosphere.

S-Ranks have strong egos. Even more so when facing another S-Rank. Normally, they would be wary of each other, crossing swords to protect their own territory or vying for the upper hand. However, the feeling of camaraderie from fighting together was stronger now.

*

Waaaaah!

At the sudden boisterous noise, the knight turned his head towards land. Atop the barrier, countless people were waving weapons and cheering in their direction. He looked at them for a moment, then put on his helmet and walked towards the barrier.

“Then, I must be going.”

“Where are you headed? It would be nice if you stayed in Japan and relaxed…”
“I’m thinking of going to South America this time. My granddaughter’s condition isn’t getting any better.”

The barrier mage fell silent at the knight’s words. It was widely known that the reason he wandered so much, earning the title ‘Wandering Sword’ and refusing the countless benefits offered by his nation, was to find the otherworldly being that had begun to erode his granddaughter. There was no reason to hold him back any longer.

“I understand. May you and your granddaughter find light.”
“I wish you a smooth future as well.”

Just as the knight turned around after saying those words…

*

A siren abruptly began to wail. High-pitched sound waves designed to alert people. Unlike before, this was a top-priority evacuation order, mandating the immediate evacuation of everyone in the area.

‘No, this is a time for celebration. Who would play such a prank?’

Just as Elena felt bewildered and tried to contact command, an intense thought emanating from headquarters swept across the space. It was the Association President’s ability. However, the thoughts woven within were unusually fractured and urgent.

*

Drip.

Elena stammered in confusion at the thoughts that flashed through her mind.

“What was that…?”

As if to interrupt Elena’s words, the Association President’s thoughts echoed out. However, they were far from coherent. An unknown madness was pouring out from between the indifferent thoughts. Moreover, the madness was growing stronger and more viscous.

Everyone present shuddered, realizing the horrifying truth.

*

They hurriedly shielded their minds and began to look around.

Atop the barrier, people struggling against the Association President’s thoughts clutched their heads in pain. Some, especially vulnerable individuals, were even banging their heads on the ground. Although most present were of high rank, it was the result of the Association President, who could transmit his thoughts across the entire battlefield, pouring some indescribable information into their minds.

Staring at the scene with sinking eyes, they noticed the sticky film that had spread beneath their feet.

The film, which had subtly covered the sea without them noticing, was coated in a pale green liquid. Its viscosity was horrifyingly strong, requiring them to lift their legs above knee-height to pull free.

What was even more horrifying was that it was pulsating.

“…This is… a living being.”

The knight muttered as he severed the throbbing membrane with his greatsword.

The girl also took out her sword and poked and prodded it, examining it. Just as he said, what thinly covered the sea was indeed biological, with blood vessels visible here and there. Occasionally, they could even see the seawater beyond the membrane rippling and churning.

“What… what’s happening…?”
“I’m not sure, but one thing is certain. Something has awakened beyond that sea.”

The knight pointed towards the horizon. Now, only darkness occupied the sea near the horizon. They squinted, trying to see beyond it, but they couldn’t glean any information. There was only complete darkness within.

“Ah…”

Staring intently for a long while, they let out a sigh. They had discovered the edge of the darkness at the left and right ends of the horizon. They could infer the shape of the darkness based on its outline, and it led to a single conclusion.

‘What we’re standing on is an amniotic membrane that has risen from the deep sea, and the seawater was amniotic fluid. Phantallas was merely its caretaker.’

‘When its caretaker died, it crawled out from eight thousand meters below the sea to absorb nutrients directly.’

That’s right. It was a giant embryo in the shape of darkness.