Chapter 374: [Another Perspective] Van's Safety

[Khamsin]

“L-Lord Van……!”

At the very last moment, I failed to take Lord Van’s hand. The stern lifted, and Lord Van’s figure grew distant in the blink of an eye. As I let go of the handrail to jump after him, Till passed right by my side.

“……!”

I might be able to reach her now. Stretching my arm to the limit, I tried to grab Till’s clothes. However, without a shred of hesitation, Till kicked off the deck floor and leapt into the air. I wouldn’t make it in time.

In the meantime, the stern rose up, and the sky spread out before my eyes. My body floated from the momentum, but I managed to grab the handrail and avoid being blown away.

The ship was still pitching violently, but I released the handrail and ran across the deck, tumbling as I went.

“V-Lord Van has fallen! A rope! Hurry!”

While screaming, I looked around for a rope myself. Finding a line used for unfurling the sails, I immediately severed it with my sword. I desperately tried to untie the rope wound around the short pillar, but it was too long and taking too much time. Even as I did this, Lord Van might be targeted by the magic beast underwater.

“Gh! Hurry! If I don’t hurry……!”

Before I knew it, tears were falling. The rope was over ten meters long. This was the only way. Making a split-second decision, I cut the rope halfway.

“Where is Lord Van!?”

Dee came running, his expression changed.

“H-He fell from the stern! I am jumping in now, so pass me the rope!”

Saying only that, I grabbed the end of the severed rope, kicked the floor, and prepared to jump.

“You fool! You won’t find him by jumping in blindly! We search the sea surface together! Everyone, gather at the stern!”

Told that, I hurriedly grabbed the handrail and stopped, leaning out. The sea surface was rough with waves, and there was no sign of anyone. At Dee’s command, people rushed to the stern at once, but no one could spot them.

“Th-They aren’t here……!”

“No good! Perhaps under the ship……!”

Arb and Law were searching while nearly falling off the ship, but still, they couldn’t find them. Dozens of seconds had already passed. It’s no good. At this rate……

Just as I thought that, a huge black shadow writhed underwater. It was that magic beast. Unlike before, it was moving with swift movements, as if chasing something.

The moment I realized that, I could no longer hold back and jumped into the sea.

“Gh! Arb! Throw the rope!”

“Sir!”

I heard that voice behind me, but I had no room to spare attention for it. I dove into the sea and immediately searched for Lord Van’s figure underwater. As soon as I entered, I realized the water current was far more violent than I imagined; I couldn’t even move properly.

Confirming the huge magic beast underwater, I saw a beast with a round head and a massive mouth. Its body was thick, tapering toward the tail like a fish. Right now, it was moving away from the ship as if chasing something.

Ahead of where the huge magic beast was heading, I felt like I saw multiple small human silhouettes. Could that be Lord Van?

Somehow, I have to draw that magic beast’s attention to me. But I cannot do it. I desperately moved my limbs trying to go help, but I made no progress, as if time had stopped.

What is a guard for? What have I been training desperately every day for? If I cannot save Lord Van right now, at this moment, there is no value in my life.

As I cursed my own powerlessness while desperately moving my limbs, a loud sound came from the surface.

Appearing there was Dee, wrapped in a shirt and the clothing worn under armor from the waist down to his ankles. Muscles so thick one might have the illusion he was wearing armor. And holding only a greatsword as tall as himself, Dee looked around underwater. Noticing me, Dee knitted his brows.

The destination of the magic beast. The moment I pointed there, Dee tucked his chin in and started swimming. Just not sinking while holding that greatsword in one hand was amazing enough, but Dee moved his legs with terrifying force, accelerating rapidly underwater.

In the blink of an eye, he overtook me, his back heading toward the magic beast. Dee swimming underwater was like a fish. It wasn’t just the power of his muscles. The way he moved his legs, his posture—there must be a technique to it. I have to acquire that, right now.

I kicked the water hard. But it was far slower than I imagined. Dee’s back was getting further and further away.

As I watched him go, for some reason, my vision began to distort and darken. I have to follow Dee, I have to stop the magic beast, so why is everything disappearing from my sight?

Lord Van……