Chapter 403: We Can Go Home!
“……A Hydra’s head, huh. Is this yet another anecdote added to Sir Dee’s legend?”
Perhaps judging that it was safe now, Panamera walked over elegantly with her arms crossed. Her gaze was directed at the Hydra’s severed neck.
“Hahaha! Not at all, not at all! This is a result achieved precisely because everyone stopped the Hydra’s movements!”
Dee laughed heartily while showing humility. However, Ortho and the others looked exasperated at that.
“I’ve never heard a story about someone chopping off a Hydra’s head, though.”
“I’m already doubting whether Sir Dee is human or not.”
“Truly, I’m glad he’s on our side.”
I involuntarily nodded deeply in agreement with Pluriel’s words, which were spoken with a wry smile at the end. When it comes to Dee, it feels like he’d win even if he took on two of Arte’s puppets simultaneously. Against humans in a war, Arte’s puppets might be the strongest fighting force, but against a large magic beast, Dee is undoubtedly stronger.
Arb, Law, and Khamsin have also become quite strong, but even so, if the three of them could fight on par with Dee together, they would definitely deserve a standing ovation.
While I was harboring doubts about Dee’s superhuman nature, Largus and the others, who had poked their heads out from the sea surface, spoke up.
“The Tyrant King has left now. It probably won’t come near here again.”
“Really? Thank goodness……”
It seems they had been observing the situation from underwater. Receiving the report from Largus and the others, I breathed a sigh of relief and patted my chest.
“Umu. Well then, let us help you return to the land of humans.”
“Eh? Are you sure?”
At Largus’s words, I involuntarily asked back. After all, taking us to the other side of the island was the condition for our exchange. Largus and the others had already fulfilled that. Or so I thought, but Rilda narrowed her eyes, nodded, and answered.
“……You chopped off the head of one of the Tyrant Kings. That is the power of a hero.”
“Eh? Dee is a hero?”
Surprised by Rilda’s words, I turned my gaze to Dee. There stood Dee, effortlessly carrying his greatsword over his shoulder. If anything, he looked like a macho hero playing the lead in an old Hollywood movie, but could he actually be a hero?
“……Maybe I’ll prepare some blue armor for Dee.”
“Blue, is it? Fumu, that sounds good too.”
I had just said whatever came to mind, but Dee was surprisingly on board with it. However, with a greatsword, I feel like the image is a bit off. Yeah. Let’s prepare a dedicated set of hero’s armor for Dee.
“Following ‘Dragon Slayer,’ now the unofficial title of ‘Hero,’ huh. Sir Dee seems like he’ll become a legend eventually.”
Panamera laughed, shaking her shoulders with her arms crossed. At those words, Arte and the others laughed as well. Seeing everyone’s smiling faces, the realization that we had overcome the crisis swelled up within me.
“Alright! Then, let’s go back to Tribute!”
When I called out, everyone cheered in joy. However, Arte’s words brought me back to reality.
“Ah, but, Lord Van? The ship is……”
“Ah.”
Hearing Arte’s words, I looked at the wreckage of the ship floating in the sea. We probably won’t be able to fix this today.
“……We depart tomorrow! Everyone, please go cut down some timber!”
“Sir!”
When I issued the instruction, the members of the Seatoh Knights, who had been laughing just a moment ago, replied swiftly and sprang into action to procure timber. Seeing everyone working briskly even after a life-threatening battle, I nodded deeply, completely understanding their feelings.
They probably want to go home soon, after all.
As a result, the ship was completed in about three hours. Thankfully, the bottom of the ship, which was the hardest part to make, had remained entirely intact, so we reused it.
Thanks to that, by evening, instead of shipbuilding, it had turned into a barbecue party. After we all ate and got some good rest, it was time to set sail.
“You can rest easy this time. We will keep the magic beasts away.”
“Ooh, that helps a lot!”
I honestly thanked Largus and the others for their reliable offer of assistance. Having them, who are so knowledgeable about the sea, helping us is as reassuring as giving an oni an iron club.
“Well then, we’re setting sail!”
“Sir!”
Looking back at everyone gathered on the deck, I gave the signal for departure. Dee and the others replied to that and untied the mooring ropes connected to the pier. The mages capable of handling wind magic activated their spells and generated a tailwind.
What wonderful wind magic. The ship quickly accelerated, bringing along the giant floating pier we were towing.
Of course, the Hydra’s head was resting on that pier. There was no way I was going to leave behind such top-tier materials. Hahaha.
“You’re in a good mood, Lord Van, aren’t you?”
“……Because we can finally go home.”
When Till and Arte said that, I nodded with a laugh.
“Right, right. Plus, we have an amazing souvenir. Ahh, I want to get home quickly.”
Saying that, I looked out from the deck toward our destination, and as if drawn in, the two of them also looked ahead across the sea.
Around us, golden-haired mermaids were swimming alongside, and the water’s surface was sparkling as it caught the sun’s rays.
The scenery was so beautiful it was hard to believe this was a sea infested with ferocious, large magic beasts.
