Episode 197: Inspiration of “Perforation”
A new species called Nijirin Ryugu Regaricus, which appeared from the ocean floor and sank the first ship before it was equipped with an electric net defense system, then targeted the sixth ship.
Rainbow Scale Ryugu Regalikas is larger than a ship, and its fangs can crush even orichalcum.
If you compare them with humans, you have to say that they are on a different level as living creatures.
But that's only if it's just a person.
"Light. Destroy that monster."
The man known as ``Perforation'' has spent about 400 years as a holy knight. He has been a Holy Knight since the time when the Great Empire of Sbarokia was still alive and well, and he has been active since the time when humanity's survival range did not extend to the entire continent.
His magic weapon is the ability to generate and compress light infinitely.
It is possible to retain and compress the energy of light, which would normally diffuse instantly. This could be a trump card for humans who are inferior in magical power to powerful monsters. This means that by pouring magical power into it, you can secure an attack power that exceeds your actual strength. If it continues to compress and retain the light, it will have enough offensive power to burn up all kinds of monsters with its heat rays.
It wasn't actually infinite as it needed to maintain compression, but it was enough to pierce Rainbow Scale Ryugu Regaricus.
The spear of light that Richtrei threw pierced the head of Rainbow Scale Ryugu Regalikas in an instant. It was a sight that lived up to its title of ``piercing light''.
“Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!?
However, it is a powerful monster that will not die at this level.
Rainbow Scale Ryugu Regalikas is estimated to be in the disaster class due to its magical power. However, this is provisional, and based on combat experience, it may be determined that it is not a threat that remains in the Disaster.
But even that can be dealt with by an S-rank holy knight.
Lichtray fired a second and third spear of light, and Rainbow Scale Ryugu Regalikas sustained significant damage.
Meanwhile, the second to fifth ships, and the seventh ship, whose electric nets had been installed, began firing at the horde of Imperial Palace Dragon Kaleido.
It's a state-of-the-art weapon made by Kahlan. The magic crystal of Hades is used in the cannonball firing system, and if you input the distance to the target, it will automatically calculate the trajectory and fire the cannonball. This effectively made the gunner an observer, eliminating the need for specialized gunners.
In the surprise attack the other day, the distance was too close, so magicians and sorcerers had no choice but to respond, but due to the installation of an electric net, the Imperial Palace Dragon Kaleido was unable to get close to the ship. Therefore, cannons, the main armament of the fleet, became usable.
"Shoot! Shoot! Don't let me get close!
"It's amazing. They're defeating more and more monsters. Even we can win!"
"This is what even a high-ranking greater class is like! I'll repay the debt from last time!"
"Don't let your guard down. Don't let the barrage stop and annihilate it. Don't let it hit your allies' ships."
The electric net equipment that protects the ship requires a large amount of magical power to activate. As a result, many magicians and some holy knights have used up their magical power, and the fleet's attack power is mostly dependent on bombardment.
However, there was no lack of attack power, and the Imperial Palace Dragon Kaleido that appeared on the surface of the sea was destroyed one after another.
Under the command of the captain, the navigators skillfully maneuvered their ships and worked hard to annihilate the Imperial Palace Dragon Kaleido.
"Don't panic. Defeat them in order. It doesn't matter if they get a little close! We Holy Knights will definitely destroy them!"
The Holy Knights on the deck also roused themselves and defeated the Imperial Palace Dragon Kaleido, which tried to approach them while ignoring the electric net. Monsters belonging to dragons, not just water dragons, are characterized by hard scales, but the electric shock that permeates inside definitely weakens the Imperial Villa Dragon Kaleido, making it easy for holy knights to defeat it.
The number of Rikyu Dragon Kaleido is steadily decreasing, and its commander, Rainbow Scale Ryugu Regalikas, is on the verge of death due to Richtrei's attack.
Victory was in sight.
◆◆◆
When destroying Rainbow Scale Ryugu Regalikas and Rikyu Dragon Kaleido, the worrying factor was that the 6th and 8th ships were not equipped with electric shock nets in time.
Immediately after the first ship sank, these two ships moved inside the convoy and stood around to avoid being approached. Thanks to this, the two ships did not suffer any direct damage, and the installation of electric shock nets is progressing. Shu, who was checking the systems of the sixth ship, finally finished his work.
"There should be no problem. Start it up."
"Understood. System startup"
At the direction of the captain, the magicians pour magical power into the system, and the spell is activated.
The electric shock net is an efficient interception system, and once activated, it continues to be activated. This is because the energy is almost completely looped.
With the defense in place, we can finally begin a counterattack.
"Omorudder! Thirty degrees! Get between the third and fifth ships and strengthen the interception network."
The captain immediately gave instructions, and the ship moved accordingly. Additionally, they were notified via communication that the sixth ship had been equipped with an electric shock net, and their morale improved as they maintained an advantage over the monsters.
There will be no chance of defeat.
Since Shu is aboard this fleet as an engineer, he leaves the bridge and heads to the waiting room. This room is a shelter for non-combatants to wait during battles, and is made more sturdy than the others.
When they entered the room, a Hades engineer ran up to Shu.
"I thought my heart was going to stop. I'm glad this ship made it in time."
"It seems that the first ship sank. I don't think there were any survivors on that ship. How many of our engineers were on board?"
"Two people. Keith and Cas were on board."
"Is that your brother? He specializes in surgical programs...It hurts in a lot of ways."
Hades will need to pay sufficient compensation to the families of the two deceased. It will also be paid by the Holy Grineer, so it won't be too much of a problem.
The biggest problem is the loss of valuable programmers. There are only a limited number of people who can electronically program magic, and Hades is still in the process of educating them. Losing both of them at the same time was a painful event for Hades.
(Well, it won't interfere with the plan. Besides, in the long run, it will be more beneficial to participate in this expedition.)
However, the problem is for Hades now.
From Shu's point of view, even if it didn't go as planned, it was within the range of expectations, and he didn't see it as a problem in his heart.
"It looks like the battle itself is about to end. If things go like this, it looks like even the eighth ship won't sink. I hate to say this, but...I'm glad that only the first ship survived."
“It wouldn’t be strange if we were wiped out here.”
"As long as we can prevent a surprise attack from the ocean floor, we can take care of everything with Kahlan's cannon. As expected from the top of a weapons company, its performance is top notch."
"It's all thanks to our company's magic crystals. The mechanization of acceleration magic is revolutionary. From now on, portable guns may also be powered by acceleration magic instead of gunpowder."
The usefulness of magic crystals has been fully promoted.
After the expedition is over, all sorts of companies will offer to trade magic crystals. If that happens, there is no doubt that the budget for magic crystals will increase more than before, which makes the developers happy.
After a while, a pleasant announcement was made on the ship.
``The installation of the eighth ship has also been completed. From now on, we will move on to a counterattack.''
I'm sorry about the first ship, but now no other ships will sink.
Since there are no ships that can approach, the Rikyu Dragon Kaleido's attacks become vulnerable, and it becomes possible to destroy them one after another with artillery fire. Immediately afterwards, Richtrei also successfully subjugated Rainbow Scale Ryugu Regalikas, and the attack came to an end.
◆◆◆
After the monsters were repelled, the engineers who had been scattered around each ship for installation returned to the fourth ship in a small boat. At the same time, a search for survivors of the sunken ship was carried out, but only a few holy knights and magicians survived, and the rest were determined to be dead.
Now that it has sunk into the sea, it is impossible to protect the corpse.
Therefore, it was decided that a simple funeral would be held on the spot, with Richtley acting as a priest.
"Let's pray for the heroes who have been called to God's mercy."
Except for the minimum number of personnel operating the ship, everyone goes out on deck to pray.
Naturally, all of them except Shu and Iris were members of the Demon God Church, so the funeral was held in silence. After several tens of seconds, Richtley spoke again.
"The God El Magia is watching our great deeds. Even if we are killed by monsters, we will be welcomed into the kingdom of God at the end. We hope that the heroes who were invited before us will not be ashamed. We need to work hard and accomplish this expedition.”
Before they even reached the continent of Dibro, many people died and one ship sank.
Due to this, not only the holy knights and magicians who belong to the church, but also the engineers and magicians from the companies accompanying them, there are many who feel fear. Of course, it was unacceptable to turn the fleet around and return home now. Therefore, Richtrei, the leader of the Holy Knights, needs to encourage them.
"We will overcome this difficult path and establish a foothold on the Demon Continent. Our mission remains the same. There may be some deaths along the way. There will be fear, but God has given me the power to destroy the demons. He has given me a special blessing and given sufficient power to my companions.As long as there are Holy Knights, including me, there will be no defeat.''
The engineers who had kept their eyes down upon hearing those words lit up a flame of hope.
Magical equipment is a blessing given by God. And the magical equipment possessed by those who are good enough to become holy knights is special. Additionally, S-rank holy knights are endowed with powerful powers that make them immortal, and are like messengers of the gods.
Everyone was aware of the teachings of this demon religion, and Richtrei's encouragement reminded them of it.
“Be strong, manly, and courageous. This is a test from God. When we overcome this test, we will be rewarded with a reward worthy of the test. God is watching.” We must reach that continent and prove ourselves as faithful servants of God!"
Richtley's words are amplified and delivered to everyone via the ship's broadcast system.
From Shu and Iris's point of view, it was a story that didn't matter, but for everyone else, it seemed to be enough to lift their spirits. His depressed expression had clearly changed.
"Mr. Shu. If things go like this, won't your plans be affected?"
"It's troublesome that one ship sank at this timing. Should I intimidate the monsters so they don't get any closer?"
"What are you going to do?"
"I'll summon the Great Sea Fairy High Mermaid and the Water Attribute Spirit Elemental to escort them. I don't think there's any monster that can't handle that."
“What would you do if there was Ruin-class Ruin?”
"I'll kill you."
The investigation team had received the blessings of Hades without their knowledge.
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