Chapter 375: [Another Perspective] A Dire Situation

[Arb]

After Khamsin and Dee jumped in, Law and I hurriedly threw a rope into the sea. But there was no sign of the two of them.

“Th-This is bad…… It’s been way too long!”

“Everyone, check the bow side as well!”

“Y-Yes!”

At Law’s command, those gathered at the stern moved in unison to check the ship’s surroundings. The shadow of the large magic beast was no longer visible nearby. Perhaps Dee and Khamsin had gone chasing after the magic beast.

“……No, there is also the possibility they are under the ship.”

When I voiced this, Law turned his pale face toward me.

“I will dive in, so the rope……”

“Don’t push yourself. I am the better swimmer, right?”

I rejected Law’s proposal as he steeled his resolve with trembling hands, while I stripped off my armor. I hurriedly wrapped the rope around my waist and placed a foot on the handrail.

“I plan to surface immediately, but if I don’t come up after five minutes, pull me up.”

“U-Understood!”

After hearing Law’s reply, I jumped, entering the sea feet-first. I sank into the water instantly and checked my surroundings. The water clarity was high, so I could see well even underwater. There were no people within visible range. The same went for the bottom of the ship. Had they really swum off chasing the magic beast?

However, if that were the case, were Lord Van and the others swimming away from the magic beast without even breaking the surface?

Such a feat seemed possible only for Dee, but……

Thinking that, I turned toward the direction where the magic beast had been. There, quite far ahead, was Khamsin. Seeing Khamsin drifting underwater with his arms spread wide, the blood drained from my face instantly.

This is bad. He has lost consciousness.

By the time I thought that, my body was already moving. I swam desperately, cleaving through the water toward Khamsin. There was no time. He was further away than I imagined. Law might pull the rope and haul me up before I could reach him.

Swimming desperately, I managed to grab Khamsin’s hand. At that exact moment, the rope around my waist was yanked with great force.

“……Gh! Hah, hah, haa……!”

Breaking the surface and gasping for air, I pulled Khamsin’s body up from behind to get his face above water. Every time a wave washed over us, seawater entered my nose and mouth, sending stinging pain through me.

“K-Khamsin……! Wake up!”

While being pulled by the rope, I shouted Khamsin’s name. I didn’t know if there would be a reaction, but I kept calling out desperately.

“I’m pulling you up!?”

“Do it!”

Law’s voice echoed from the ship, and I responded. Immediately, my body was hoisted up with force, escaping the sea. We were lifted several meters to the deck in one go; I grabbed the handrail and returned to the ship, holding Khamsin with one arm.

“Khamsin! Are you alright!?”

Law slapped the cheek of Khamsin, who lay on the deck, and called out to him. Khamsin coughed violently, vomiting water, and opened his eyes slightly.

“Gu…… L-Lord Van, is……”

Immediately upon regaining consciousness, Khamsin called Lord Van’s name. There was no one who could answer him right away. Not only Lord Van, but Lady Panamera, Miss Arte, and Till had not yet been found. A tragic atmosphere inevitably flowed through everyone.

Perhaps sensing that anxious atmosphere, Khamsin twisted his body and lifted his upper half.

“Th-They haven’t been found, have they……”

Khamsin tried to stand, pressing his hands to the floor while his knees trembled. I grabbed his shoulder to stop him.

“……Even if you jump in now, they aren’t nearby. It is a gamble, but we have no choice but to move to where Sir Dee is and search the area.”

“A-And if they aren’t there……? Lord Van might have been swept toward the bow.”

“……Based on what I just saw diving, I don’t think they are nearby. The seabed is deep and unknown, but there shouldn’t have been enough time for them to sink that far.”

I knew my words were vague and unreliable, but that was the only judgment I could make. Honestly, I don’t know anything about the sea. However, Khamsin nodded with a grim expression.

“……Understood. But, it is true that there were figures swimming at incredible speed in the direction the magic beast was heading. Perhaps Lady Panamera took everyone……”

“Can Lady Panamera swim that well?”

“I don’t know, but I felt like it wasn’t Lord Van and the others…… and it shouldn’t be Miss Arte’s puppets either……”

After speaking that much with Khamsin, I turned my eyes to Law.

“……It is something seen deep underwater. There is a possibility it was a mistake. However, for now, we have no choice but to cling to that information.”

I said this to convince myself. Perhaps understanding that, Law knitted his brows, made a pained expression, and nodded firmly.

“……Let’s hurry. It’s our only option…… We head in the direction the magic beast went! Everyone, prepare immediately!”

Deciding the direction, Law ordered the ship to move. There should be no other way. There is no time. All that is left is to simply pray to God.