The appearance of the massive hull caused such a surge that water washed over the entire pier.

Tie turned around and frowned. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

“......Ush. Villain came again.”

High up on the mast, gripping it, stood Cal.

He looked down and smirked.

“Don’t tell me you’ve decided to suppress the Magic Stone on your own. Just so you know—I’ve already marked it.”

“That’s right! Give up on the Magic Stone! The first to suppress the Magic Stone that rose from the sea will be our Lord Cal!”

The mercenaries from Des Hound supported him one after another, bursting into provocative laughter.

“Nobody asked, so why are you yelling....”

Tie muttered with a sour face.

Several mercenaries from Des Hound flinched.

The words “nobody asked” sounded almost like a spell.

Meanwhile, Tie planted her hands on her hips and lifted her head toward the enormous ship.

“Fine! Try your best! Ugly Cal!”

At the word “ugly,” a vein bulged on Cal’s forehead.

But Tie continued.

“This King of the Dead generously gives that Magic Stone to such ugly you!”

A murmur rose among Des Hound.

They had been certain Agavert would definitely join the suppression.

And now—a concession?

“Do it all yourself! Of course, it would be better for Tie if you glugged under water! But if you suppress the Magic Stone—that’s good too! People in the city will be happy!!”

Cal’s hand gripping the mast trembled faintly.

Is he mocking me?

Otherwise, why speak in that tone?

And yet his face looked serious and majestic—that made it even more infuriating.

Cal forced a crooked smile.

“You acted all strong, and in the end you chickened out? Is that all your squad is capable of, huh?!”

“Yes! How did you guess!”

The answer was unexpected again.

The King of the Dead scratched his head, looking completely proud.

“We only have four members! If a Magical Beast like a tyrannosaurus comes out, we will be scared!”

“....”

“But ugly you have many people, so everything okay! And your ship is beautiful! Good luck!”

Cal’s face froze.

While he stared down in utter confusion, the King of the Dead had already turned away.

As if Cal no longer interested him.

He waved at Basto and Bale, “See you later~!” and gently took the Governor by the hand.

“Governor~ let’s not get wet and go to the governor’s office~?”

A completely different tone than with him.

Is this an act?

If it is an act, then he is a truly frightening madman.

“S-Squad Leader. What do we do?”

Deputy Lekar asked quietly beside him.

Cal, trembling with rage and staring at the back of the King of the Dead’s head, hissed:

“Let them go. It’s even better for us.”

“And the plan you mentioned...?”

“Everything as planned.”

Cal’s gaze slid from the King of the Dead to Basto.

Basto, standing on a ship smaller than the one Cal had purchased, was checking the steering.

“...Disgusting bastard. This time I’ll definitely kill you.”

How many times had he given him a chance.

If Basto had cast aside his pride and submitted—everything would have been different.

“After sunset, act.”

Cal intended to kill Basto while everyone was distracted.

If Basto died, Agavert and the King of the Dead would suffer a heavy blow.

He had always been a frontline fighter.

For a mercenary squad, a frontline fighter was a key resource.

And for a young squad, losing such a person would be catastrophic.

“And the King of the Dead won’t interfere. Perfect.”

Preparations had already been completed.

Watching Basto raise the anchor, Cal smirked.

“What the hell are those bastards doing?”

Bale, gripping the railing of the rocking vessel, frowned.

Through the downpour and wind, a huge ship followed them at a distance.

“No idea. They said they’d suppress the Magic Stone when the Rift opens. Maybe scouting?”

“Then let them go to the stone! Why are they dangling behind our tail?!”

The mercenaries exchanged glances.

Basto said calmly:

“Don’t pay attention. Our goal is the Governor’s sons.”

He held the wheel and carefully scanned the surroundings.

“Watch visibility. Mister Macterren, Mister Jin—check for distress signals.”

The vessel slowly circled the coast of Pearlcity.

Perhaps Raul and Enzo’s boat had been driven to an uninhabited shore.

But there were no signs.

“Just in case, look for... bodies.”

Bale nodded silently.

If they were dead, the current might already have carried them away.

But for the Governor’s sake, he would do everything possible.

“Still nothing. I want to check the rear sector....”

He cursed again.

“Damn it, where did they get such a huge tub?! Not only can we barely see in this weather, that monstrosity blocks everything!”

“It seems they bought an entire passenger vessel. One of the shipowners fled first thing this morning. Possibly it’s his ship.”

“Unbelievable....”

Unable to endure it, Bale climbed toward the stern.

He pulled himself up by a rope and shouted toward Cal’s ship:

“Get lost! Just get lost already—!!”

Something was shouted back from that side.

But Bale did not even listen.

“Why are you yelling?! Just get away from us! To the side! Immediately!”

He pointed left, toward the sea where the Magic Stone towered.

“Are you blind or what?! You’re supposed to be there! At the Magic Stone....”

He stopped.

Froze.

Then he suddenly jumped down and climbed up the mast.

Reaching the lookout platform, he went pale.

And shouted down:

“Basto! The Magic Stone!”

Basto lifted his head.

The sailors looked as well.

“There’s a ship moored to the Magic Stone! It’s almost being carried off by the current!!”

Basto sharply turned the wheel.

A sailor with a spyglass cried out:

“It’s true! Hard to see because of the waves, but something is tied to the stone! A small fishing boat!”

Bale climbed down.

Cal’s ship was already changing course, following them.

“Basto. Don’t you find this strange?”

“What exactly?”

“They’re tailing us. I have a bad feeling.”

“I know.”

“Sunset is soon. If the sun sets....”

Basto’s face darkened.

At sunset, the Rift would open.

And Magical Beasts would crawl out.

A sea Magic Stone—the first.

No one knows what will emerge.

“Maybe while it’s not too late—we retreat?”

“You were two years old when you lost your parents.”

Bale fell silent.

“My Lilia was seven. And she had never once been away from me.”