LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 22
Chapter 22: The Hunt and Negotiation (2)
A creature resembling a long snake, about 7 meters in length, swiftly approached the trade ship.
It was swimming about 15 meters below the surface, with two particularly curious ones surging ahead, eager to investigate.
This was the critical moment. As soon as the sea serpents entered my range, I activated the magic in both hands, applying it to their bodies.
‘Reverse Gravity.’
This divine magic briefly reverses the gravity affecting the target.
Splash!
In an instant, the sea serpents were pulled from the water and hurled into the air with tremendous force.
Under the brilliant sunlight, their silver scales gleamed as the serpents soared high into the sky.
I adjusted the gravity, shifting its direction sideways, and sent them crashing down onto the deck of a nearby fishing boat.
Thud!
Without precautions, the boat would have capsized.
Thankfully, every ship’s deck was lined with layers of straw and cotton to cushion against impact.
Catching such a large “fish” was exhilarating, but my concentration wavered for a moment, and my legs nearly buckled.
Controlling this magic is harder than I thought.
Almost immediately, I sensed a dozen more sea serpents rushing toward the fleet.
Grabbing two nearby serpents with my magic, I slammed them onto the deck of the trade ship I was on.
“Whoa!”
“They’re here! Everyone, get ready!”
The waiting sailors grabbed their spears and charged at the sea serpents. A massive spray of water and straw flew into the air, followed by bright red blood spurting like a fountain in every direction.
Kiiiiiiiek!
Ugh, so noisy.
The forcibly surfaced sea serpents thrashed about, startling the sailors who had been furiously stabbing them with their spears, causing them to retreat.
“These things are insanely strong!”
“Be careful! Just three or four of them can sink a ship!”
However, the sea serpents become significantly weaker once they’re out of the water.
In the sea, they could harden their bodies as strong as steel, but once on land, their skin sags, leaving them defenseless to external attacks.
Left alone in this state, they would die within ten minutes. Once the sailors start draining their blood by stabbing them, they don’t last even a few seconds.
Kieeeeeek!
Kieeeek!
Meanwhile, the mournful cries of other sea serpents echoed from the other ships.
The sealing priests aboard those ships were specialists in divine magic. After I explained the method of hunting sea serpents using life detection and reverse gravity, they grasped it immediately.
“Your Highness, here is the sugar water you requested,” Didi hurriedly approached, handing me a large cup of cloudy liquid. Without hesitation, I gulped it down and licked my lips.
Phew… Alright. I need to replenish my sugar levels if I’m going to keep reeling them in.
Luckily, this wasn’t a frantic battle, so I opted for sugar water to supply my brain with energy instead of using the more elaborate sugar bars.
Didi, taking the empty cup, bowed solemnly with a determined look on his face.
“I will bring more sugar water immediately. Please wait a moment.”
“No, no need to rush. You can take your time.”
After all, I can’t just drink indefinitely and keep casting magic forever.
Though, at this rate, I won’t run out of mana anytime soon. As I sensed more sea serpents approaching, I asked Didi a question.
“By the way, Didi, do you feel anything strange right now?”
“As Your Highness said, I was quite shocked to see the sea serpents pouring onto the ship.”
His tone didn’t exactly match someone who was shocked. Could it be that, like Meredith, he has difficulty expressing emotions?
“No, not like that. I meant, do you feel any connection to the sea serpents? Any thoughts about taming or raising them?”
“…I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’m not sure I understand.”
Didi shook his head, looking genuinely puzzled. I thought sea serpents might be considered part of the magical beasts he could bond with, but it seemed like that wasn’t the case.
I chuckled and patted his back.
“Got it. Just stay back in a safe spot. Once I pull up another six or so, you can bring more sugar water.”
“Yes, understood.”
Didi bowed and quickly retreated.
Meanwhile, Kyle had been directing the sailors to haul away the dead sea serpents while the priests cast divine magic on the corpses to prevent them from decaying.
Good. Everyone’s doing their part.
I noticed Baris, one of the sealing priests on a nearby ship, skillfully lifting a sea serpent onto the deck.
As expected, Baris had the highest potential for divine magic among the priests. His instincts were sharp.
In previous regressions, I struggled to hunt sea serpents alone, spending half a day on the task.
This time, we’d finish much faster. If everything went smoothly, we could even wrap up the “Ogre Rebellion” route within three days.
—
That night, a festival was in full swing at Yotun Bay.
Fishermen involved in the sea serpent hunt, as well as residents who had heard the news, gathered to celebrate Prince Claude’s accomplishments, clinking their cups together.
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
“To Prince Claude!”
“Drink up! Tonight, we drink our fill!”
“Try this! Fresh rockfish, caught today for the first time in ages!”
Everyone was in high spirits, cheering joyfully. By the end of the day, Claude and the priests had hauled in a total of 38 sea serpents.
Of course, that was less than half of the ones occupying the bay.
The key, however, was that the remaining serpents had realized they could be hunted.
They retreated far from the bay’s entrance, which allowed the fishermen to resume their work, even if just for a short while.
Local businesses, which had been struggling, quickly joined the festivities, supplying food and drink while preparing for the resurgence of trade.
“I’ve been out of work for two years straight, but just this afternoon, someone from the Juran Trading Company asked if I wanted to start working with them again!”
“Juran’s all well and good, but shouldn’t we help Gusf Trading first? Word is that Prince Claude came here thanks to a request from the young master of Gusf.”
“Really? Well, I guess I’d better sign on with Gusf Trading, then! I’ll be back at sea tomorrow!”
After years of stagnation, Yotun Bay was coming back to life.
Meanwhile, Kyle, who had been listening quietly to the conversations around him, accepted a cup of liquor from Trimum, who had appeared by his side.
“Priest, you’ve come.”
“I was looking for you for quite some time, Sir Kyle.”
“Sir? I’m no noble, just a cadet from the military academy.”
Kyle hastily shook his head. Trimum chuckled and sat beside him.
“You are already a knight. What’s the harm in calling you ‘Sir’?”
Any cadet personally chosen by Claude was automatically granted graduation and knight status.
Even the one-year probationary period required for knight trainees was waived. In that sense, Kyle was now, officially and without a doubt, a knight.
“It seems that’s the case… though it still doesn’t feel real. Call me whatever’s comfortable for you.”
“Understood, Sir Kyle.”
Trimum grinned as he gestured toward the Gusf family estate in the distance.
“The food and drink are better at the estate’s party. Why did you come out here?”
“Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to soak in the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere?”
“It’s just a hobby. I’ve always liked collecting on-the-ground information.”
Kyle smiled sheepishly and took a sip of his drink. Trimum looked at him for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“Haha! As expected from someone personally scouted by His Highness. Gathering intel during a festival—indeed, you have a sharp mind.”
“You flatter me. I’ve yet to achieve anything. I don’t even know what His Highness sees in me.”
This was the unresolved question Kyle had been grappling with.
From an outside perspective, it seemed as though Claude was using Kyle’s family, the Gusf Trading Company, rather than Kyle himself.
After all, it was Gusf that provided the ships to sail, the sailors to crew them, and even the wagons for transporting the sea serpents earlier.
But any other company could’ve done the same, given enough money.
Why would Claude specifically help the struggling Gusf Trading, going as far as to pay off its debts?
“This liquor tastes good,” Trimum remarked as he downed his drink in one gulp.
“Though we priests must practice restraint, it’s nice to indulge every once in a while.”
“Are you strong with alcohol, Priest?”
“I can always use detox magic to sober up.”
“Ah.”
“My former duties were extremely stressful… I was the only one in the temple allowed to drink, so I’ve become quite accustomed to it.”
What kind of job would require drinking in the temple? Kyle held back his curiosity and nodded quietly.
“Serving as a bodyguard for His Highness must be challenging as well. But it seems your current duties are less stressful than your previous ones.”
“It’s like a burden has lifted from my heart. No, perhaps ten times lighter. Or even a hundred. Speaking of His Highness, I haven’t seen him since dinner.”
Trimum looked around at the bustling crowd, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“He mentioned he wouldn’t drink. Perhaps he retired early after the exhausting day at sea.”
“That’s not quite the
case…”
Kyle lowered his voice and revealed the truth.
“His Highness has already left.”
“What? When did he leave?”
“Before sunset, when the wagons loaded with sea serpents were dispatched.”
“Yes, I saw that enormous caravan.”
“His Highness joined them. He instructed me to remain here with the people for a few days and, once things settled, to gather everyone and return to the Lunembreth Estate.”
“But then, who is accompanying him for protection…?”
“The maid. The tall one who always administered his elixirs.”
Kyle thought of the tall, stoic maid who had been meticulously giving Claude his potions at regular intervals.
“Oh, and Didi went with them too. Though I doubt those two could provide much protection.”
“His Highness is blessed by the Five Gods. Ah! Bartender, another round, please!” Trimum called out, receiving a free drink from a nearby fisherman.
“Since he has mastered divine magic, there’s little chance His Highness would suffer any harm.”
“I believe so too. That’s likely why he didn’t request additional guards.”
“Even so, I believe protection is still necessary.”
Trimum’s cheerful face turned somber. Kyle, sensing the shift in atmosphere, asked cautiously, “Why do you say that?”
“Before I left the temple, the High Priest shared some insights about Prince Claude’s situation.”
“What situation are you referring to?”
“What do you think of His Highness?”
It was a sudden, unexpected question. After pondering for a moment, Kyle spoke his honest thoughts.
“I can’t fully comprehend him.”
“You can’t comprehend him?”
“I don’t mean that in a negative way. As you know, everything he does defies common sense. Don’t you agree?”
“Of course.”
“But he carries them out as if they’re the most natural things in the world. It’s like he’s working on some grand plan I can’t even begin to grasp.”
This was Kyle’s true feeling after spending the past few days with Claude.
Trimum nodded in agreement, and Kyle emptied his drink, looking up at the starry sky.
“Another curious thing is how he treats me like I’ve been by his side for years, even though we’ve only just met. It’s almost unsettling how little distance there is between us.”
“That’s enviable. He still keeps some distance from me. Haha.”
“I wish it were the same for me. Sometimes, I feel like he expects something massive from me. One thing’s for sure, though.”
“What would that be?”
“No matter what happens, I’ll be working for Prince Claude for the rest of my life.”
It wasn’t just a feeling—it was a certainty. Trimum studied Kyle for a moment, then nodded and spoke in a low voice.
“If that’s the case, then I should share something important with you, Sir Kyle.”
“…”
“Within the Imperial family, Prince Claude is completely isolated.”
“That’s likely due to his past behavior… and, of course, the issue with the empress.”
“What’s crucial is that Regent Jess, His Highness’ brother, sees him as a threat. He both resents and fears Prince Claude.”
“To that extent? Rumor had it that the Regent favored Prince Claude among his brothers.”
“The information I’ve received from the temple is accurate. Depending on the circumstances, additional protection may be necessary to ensure His Highness’ safety.”
Trimum stopped short of revealing that Jess had been slowly poisoning Claude for years. Kyle, his face dark with thought, covered his mouth and whispered, “That’s a terrifying prospect. Too much for someone who hasn’t even graduated from the academy yet.”
“But His Highness values you.”
Trimum shook his head and continued.
“Sooner or later, you may have to risk everything for him.”
Tales of palace intrigue, power struggles among the royals, and bloody purges flashed through Kyle’s mind.
If he got caught up in such events, his family, nothing more than a provincial trading company, would be wiped out in an instant.
“You’re a wise man, so I’m sure you understand what I’m saying. If you can bear the consequences, then stay by his side. But if you don’t intend to support him in the decisive moments, it might be wiser to distance yourself now.”
It wasn’t just advice—it was a warning. Kyle, feeling a cold sweat down his back, pictured Claude’s face.
“Thank you for your words. But my thoughts differ slightly.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve only known His Highness for four days, so I’m hardly in a position to say this…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve only known him for five days.”
“His Highness has already planned for everything.”
“Excuse me?”
“That includes the problem you just mentioned and the solution for it. So I don’t think there’s anything for me to worry about.”
“Oh…”
Trimum stared at Kyle in surprise. Then, as if amused, he burst into laughter, his face returning to its usual cheerfulness.
“As expected of someone chosen by His Highness. It seems my worries were unfounded. Haha, hahaha! Here, another drink, please! Tonight, the liquor is so sweet, and it goes down so smoothly!”
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