Depths of the Otherworldly Labyrinth (WN) – Chapter 242

Today, I’ve posted two chapters, so please be aware.

Having departed from the port town of Griad, Titty and I continued our voyage.

However, it couldn’t exactly be called a proper voyage.

Titty, transformed into a high-performance jet engine, generated wind at the stern, propelling the ship across the vast ocean at a speed impossible for a normal vessel. Meanwhile, I, acting as a high-performance navigation system, continuously confirmed the accuracy of our course.

For several days, we repeated the cycle of magic and sleep, accompanied by a roar that seemed to gouge the sea, and being pointed at as a paranormal phenomenon by passing ships. Finally, we reached the waters near our destination, the port town of Cork on the mainland.

However, our smooth voyage encountered a problem. Or rather, we discovered a problem, and the two of us plunged in.

We found a fleet of ships being attacked by monsters. Titty enthusiastically proposed we help, and I had no reason to object. I ended up facing off against the boss-level monster leading the assault.

Thus, a rather unique battle began.

During this fight, Titty and I shouted back and forth at the top of our lungs.

“Who’s next! Kanamin!”

“To the left! About thirty-five degrees is good! B-but slow down a bit!!”

The colossal Living Legend cut through the sea in an arc. The sight of its immense mass moving at such high speed was akin to a skyscraper racing like a bullet train. While our levels meant there wasn’t a life-threatening danger, it invoked a primal fear within me. If we were to crash into land like this, the map would undoubtedly be torn asunder.

And behind that dangerous object, a single black shadow pursued without hesitation.

【MONSTER】Jiffias Spear: Rank 35

Its body was as large as a whale, rivaling the Living Legend. Its upper jaw was sharp and long like a marlin’s bill, and its entire body was covered in scales resembling the crustaceans unique to monsters.

Though it’s not for us to say, it was like an armored vehicle charging like a sports car.

Right now, we were engaged in a ship chase, not a car chase, with this monstrosity on the sea.

“Slow down, you say!? But if we slow down, we’ll be caught!”

“No, the rudder will break before the monsters get us! The sails will tear!”

“It’s the same if we’re caught! Next, we’ll make an even sharper left turn! We’ll win with agility!”

My screams, as I held the rudder, were in vain. Titty unleashed wind magic from the bow.

The Living Legend, gaining further acceleration, leaned its hull and changed direction to execute a U-turn.

“Wait, are we drifting!? Hey, do you actually understand inertia or anything?!”

“Inertia? Um, I’m doing it by intuition!!”

“Ah, this! I have a feeling this isn’t going to translate well!!”

Between the unexpected struggle and Titty’s equally unexpected reply, I was starting to lose heart.

I cursed myself from a minute ago, when I thought facing a Rank 35 monster would be easy.

First, Titty couldn’t fight in the air to protect the ship, which was a major drawback. Furthermore, Titty is a Harpy type and dislikes getting wet, and I lost my Ice Magic, making me unable to walk on water.

I only realized these disadvantages after we engaged. In contrast, the Jiffias Spear seemed at home in the sea, truly like a fish out of water.

However, even if I had anticipated this struggle, there was no other choice but to fight it.

I confirmed with Dimension that the fleeing ship convoy, being attacked by the Jiffias Spear from a distance, was unable to move because they were occupied with its kin. If even its subordinates were overwhelming, we couldn’t have avoided the total annihilation of the convoy if we let the boss, the Jiffias Spear, run rampant.

Now, as Titty said, we had no choice but to defeat it, even if it meant taking risks.

“That’s fine! It’s true they seem to lack agility! Take its rear!”

“Understood!!”

The Living Legend tilted until its port side was skimming the surface of the sea, shaking off pursuit from the Jiffias Spear, and instead—

“—Alright, we’ve got its back!”

We positioned ourselves to attack from behind.

The Jiffias Spear was an intelligent monster. Despite being hit by Titty’s long-range magic several times, it would dive underwater and only attack from behind. But that advantage ends now.

And the Living Legend’s advantage ends here too.

“Aah! The ship’s sail is torn—!!”

Through reckless operation, it had exceeded its limits.

“But it’s enough now! Phew, at last I can attack like a hero—!!”

Titty leaped from the bow, her Arrivers-crafted Light Armor of Soaring Fluorite, Ruifinglite, shimmering in the sunlight. She swung the Primordial and Demon King’s Magic Sword Brave Fluorite down onto the Jiffias Spear’s back.

“Take this! !”

She wasn’t casting magic, but Titty still shouted a technique name.

Recently, she’d been repeating the word “hero,” so this technique name was likely her personal take on something heroic.

Then, the sword and scales clashed, and a deafening blow echoed across the sea—and as a result, the Primordial and Demon King’s Magic Sword Brave Fluorite flew from Titty’s hands as if it had been flicked.
“Ah!? H-hard!? Or rather, the child’s sword is—!”

It doesn’t have any sharpness. If you slam that immense mass with the Guardian’s brute strength, you’ll get recoil. Titty probably imagined the enemy being sliced cleanly. Because of that, her grip seemed loose.

“W-well then! Next is ‘Kito-o-ryu Kobujutsu’! Take this, ‘Senpugeki’!!”

Titty quickly regained her composure and delivered a powerful kick as she landed.

That technique is called Kito-o-ryu Kobujutsu “Senpugeki.” Well, that’s probably right. It’s the technique of a king who ruled the North a thousand years ago, so it’s likely right. It’s definitely an ancient martial art. It’s right… but for some reason, there’s something that doesn’t sit right with me.

However, the effect of that deceptive technique was immense. Since I attacked with Titty’s body, which has more attack power than the “Primordial and Demon King’s Magic Sword Brave Fluorite,” the result was naturally different from before. The kick shattered the scales of the Giffias Spear like crushing biscuits and dug into the flesh. The shock instantly slowed the enemy’s movements.

“Alright, while there’s an opening, let’s go retrieve the child’s sword—”

During that opening, Titty tries to retrieve her sword.

“Pick it up later! Just bring out the Wind Bayonet and finish it off! It’ll be troublesome if it dives again!!”

But I warn her that there’s no time for that. Annoyed, Titty reluctantly conjures a bayonet and thrusts its blade cleanly into the Giffias Spear’s back. It pierced those hard scales with ease. I guess that’s the best way, after all…

“…A person’s life is at stake, so it can’t be helped. Pierce, and run! ‘Gale Bullet’!”

The Giffias Spear, stabbed in the back, naturally tries to dive into the water to escape. But at that moment, Titty fires a wind bullet from the bayonet inside the enemy. Bypassed by its scale armor and hit directly by the Guardian’s magic, the Giffias Spear had no hope of survival. A monster’s scream echoes over the sea.

“Finishing blow—! Explode from within!!”

Titty’s merciless magic continues. Due to the wind bullet that presumably detonated internally, the Giffias Spear spews blood from the gaps in its scales all over its body—and explodes. Thus, the monster met its death in a manner that made me think, “Could there not have been a better way to do this?”

With the Giffias Spear’s death, its movements gradually slow. The “Living Legend” is similar, with its sails damaged. Furthermore, thanks to Titty adjusting with wind magic on the Giffias Spear’s corpse to avoid collision, the absurd high-speed ship chase safely concludes.

The monster and ship stop on the sea—watching them, I’m reminded that unlike in a labyrinth, monsters here don’t turn into magic stones. The magic stone transmutation formula only exists within labyrinths, so there are no drops. Still, one can strip various things from the corpse, so it’s a trade-off.

While checking the battle results, I ask Titty about something that greatly piqued my interest.

“Speaking of which, what about that ‘Magic Bullet’ you shouted in the labyrinth?”

I’m referring to the technique’s name.

“Hmm? Ah, that’s a technique name Kanamin taught me, not one the child came up with. It’s true that I can shoot stronger with that, but… unless I’m in a desperate situation, I won’t shout it like that.”

“So that was my naming after all. But why don’t you use it unless you’re desperate? ‘Fly Shuts’ is easier to say and cooler, isn’t it?”

Between “Gale Bullet” and “Magic Bullet,” “Magic Bullet” is definitely the one.

“No, the child’s techniques are cooler, aren’t they? All of those technique names are strange. Honestly, I don’t understand the meaning of any of them.”

“Eh, like ‘Heavy Ruin-Colored Non-Wind Sword’ that you used before, isn’t that great? I think the meaning is conveyed well too.”

“R-really? Hmm, it doesn’t feel like a special move, so the child doesn’t like it much… Also, I might bite my tongue shouting it… Aren’t there too many characters in the first place?”

“The more, the better…”

My theory has been completely denied. It seems Titty and I are heading in opposite directions in terms of taste. And I suspect it’s a direction that will never converge.

However, while this is an important conversation for us, if someone like Maria or my sister Hidaki were listening, they’d likely sigh and be exasperated. I can almost hear them in my mind, “Neither of you are any different. You’re on the same level.”

“U-um. If Kanamin insists that far, then for the final finishing move, let’s compromise…”

“Ah, right. I was relieved after defeating the big one, but there are still kin left.”

The Giffias Spear is dead, but its kin, the aquatic monsters, are still attacking the ship convoy. However, it seems there’s no danger in the “Dimension.” There are over ten ships in the convoy, most of them warships. People who appear to be military personnel are firing magic from the ships to intercept the smaller monsters. Moreover, the soldiers show clear signs of training, maintaining perfect coordination even in this situation. As long as these elites are present, as long as no large monsters appear, we should be safe.
“Let’s take out the small fry one by one and head for the center of that ship convoy. It’s endless if we try to take them down individually.”

According to 《Dimension》, the enemy numbers over a thousand.
Unlike in a labyrinth, monsters seem to proliferate so much in the vast wilderness.

“That’s right. If I use a grand magic spell, I can wipe them all out, and everyone can witness the heroic child’s power. It’s a win-win situation!”

Without any particular objection, Titty and I head towards the distant ship convoy on the 《Living Legend》. Although the main sail is torn, the sub sail remains, allowing us to move using Wind Magic.

“Ah. But, please remember the location of the ‘Brave Fluorite’ that just fell in 《Dimension》. Kanamin needs to pick it up later, you know.”
“Yeah, yeah.”

Maintaining 《Dimension》, we slowly plot a course to the center of the ship convoy.
Each ship is valiant, and rivals the size of the 《Living Legend》. Their sides are equipped with ranged weapons made of Magic Stones, not firearms. It seems there’s a difference in the power source of Magic Stones and the weapons themselves due to disparities in technological advancement.

While thinking it would be troublesome if our ship were attacked, we cautiously approach the ship convoy from the rear.
However, that worry turns out to be unfounded. The person in command of the ships, likely a captain, stops them from attacking us. They seem to understand that the most problematic Jiffias Spear has been lured away from the convoy and destroyed.

As crustacean-like monster kin, resembling crabs and crayfish, swarm around, we forcefully make our way to the center of the ship convoy. Then, we target the largest and most luxurious ship and leap aboard.

“Excuse me. Is this the ship leading the entire fleet?”

I ask without any hesitation as soon as I open my mouth.
Even though the ships were brought close together, there was still a considerable distance between them. The leap across that gap meant many gazes were inevitably directed at us.
Immediately, a woman among them, who was issuing orders, tries to answer.

She wears a female military uniform perfectly, but she has a faint air of nobility. She appears older than me and Titty, looking to be in her twenties. Her long blond hair is braided and tied into a bun at the back of her head. Her side hair is unusually long, while her bangs are neatly trimmed. Her facial features give a dignified impression. Checking her name from her Status, it’s clear she is a relative of Elmiraud Siddharuku. Her Level is low, but she seems adept at commanding people.

“…Thank you very much for luring the large monster away from the fleet earlier. Indeed, this is the command ship of the convoy.”

The woman accurately understood the situation and responded calmly, offering her thanks.
First of all, I thought she was too calm. It was as if she were accustomed to beings like us.

That woman’s name is Chloe Siddharuku.
Seeing her initiate negotiations, the other crew members shifted their gazes away from us. While they were busy dealing with the monsters attempting to board their ships, it was a scene that clearly showed they trusted Chloe Siddharuku even more.

“We are planning to eliminate all the monsters from here. Would you be willing to cooperate a little?”

There’s no time for beating around the bush. I state it concisely.
Titty, standing beside me, feels the same.

“Indeed! I am about to use a grand Wind Magic spell, so if possible, please inform everyone to hold on tight so they aren’t blown off their ships. It’s best to grab onto something, and strictly avoid the edges!”
“A grand magic spell to wipe them out…? Just who are you people—”

Naturally, the military personnel would try to confirm safety.
However, we want to finish this quickly if possible. Even though we’re watching with 《Dimension》, there’s no telling when casualties might occur.

Therefore, I decide to give my name.
It’s a perfect opportunity to use my imposing title. If I don’t use it now, when will I?

“My name is ‘Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker.’ While traveling by ship, I happened upon you and took the liberty of offering my assistance. I used to be an Explorer in the Eastern Allied Nations, so I’m confident in my skills. Of course, if I’m overstepping, I will leave immediately. However, I would like to help you if possible.”
“Ah, the rumored…?”

Hearing my name, Chloe-san seemed surprised.
So, I—like that rumored “Hero”—aim to smile confidently, presenting myself as a strong, noble, and kind Explorer, as well as the “Dance Battle Tournament Champion,” “Guild Master,” and “Dragon Slayer”—a being straight out of a story.
I refuse to become some convenient “Hero,” but I’ll use that persona. Otherwise, the stress of being called ‘Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker’ wouldn’t be worth it.

“Yes. The rumored one. So, please believe me. With our magic, we can definitely clear them all out. Could you entrust this to us for a little while?”
“Rather, it’s the child’s magic, you know! Don’t forget it’s this child’s magic, not Kanamin’s! The wind of this great hero Titty shall blow away the monsters!”
Chloe considers the seemingly absurd proposal with a serious expression. After carefully assessing the magic power of the two of us, she quickly takes action.

“…Understood. I pride myself on my judgment. I’ll trust you both.”
“Thank you for believing in us.”

I exhale in relief that it was accepted so smoothly.
Perhaps the commander had seen us defeating the Jiphias Spear from a distance.

“–All hands! A wide-area wind magic will be activated shortly! Halt your counterattacks and prepare for the impact! Inform all ships, all personnel! The effective range is the entire sea area!!”

Then, the order rings out.
The instructions are quickly relayed to everyone, spreading through each ship. I realize they are truly military personnel as we begin our own preparations. No, Titty was already constructing magic without waiting for a reply.

There’s no “Incantation” like when we fought behind the 66th Floor, but it still hints at an immense, inhuman magic that uses vast amounts of magic power.

“Now, let’s begin. I’ll provide the location information for all monsters. Don’t mess up, Titty.”
“Who are you talking to? This child’s wind magic is the strongest in history.”

Titty thrusts her bayonet upward, manipulating the surrounding wind.
Towards her back, I extend my arm.

“–Distance Mute.”

I cast the instant-death magic on Titty without hesitation. She accepts it without any doubt.

I temporarily establish a “Connection” and input the information for another magic spell.

“Connect with Titty and share “Dimension”.”

Now, Titty should also understand the information I obtained through “Dimension”.
It’s a bit forceful, but it completes something akin to Resonance magic.

“Mhm, I see it! Well then, let’s see, for Kanamin’s sake. –Wind Magic《Limit Break Zea-wind The Endburst》!!!”

As soon as she grasped the enemy’s positions, Titty unleashed her magic power.
First, a gust of wind blows across the sea.
Then, another gust of wind blows from another direction immediately after. Then, a third and fourth gust – gusts collide from all directions. Over a thousand gusts intertwine, forming a massive tornado that engulfs the entire sea area within a second.

Everyone on the ships let out cries of amazement at this momentary weather manipulation. But that’s all. Despite the screams, no one is blown away by the wind.
Thanks to Titty’s terrifyingly precise magic control, the tornado attacks only the monsters. While the ships remain completely still, the monsters clinging to them are torn off and lifted into the air by the tornado. Additionally, monsters that had surfaced from the water are caught by the wind and flung into the sky.

It’s magnificent magic.
And more importantly, the magic’s name is better than before.
It’s borderline, passing grade, I’d say.
However, it needs a little more accent. For instance, writing 《License Terminated, Final Gale》 and calling it 《Limit Break Zea-wind The Endburst》—

“Ah, that expression! Don’t make up your own kanji! This is a child’s technique, you know!”

Perhaps because we’re temporarily linked, Titty complains.
I stop thinking about the technique’s name, feeling a little disappointed but accepting it.

More importantly, there are things that need to be done.
Titty’s magic is splendid, but its power is still too great. The ship’s hull is beginning to sway from the residual effects. I brace Chloe, who was stumbling nearby, and shout at Titty.

“Titty, slow down a bit! The ship will capsize!”

But Titty retorts.

“But if I don’t do this much, I can’t get all of them off the ship!”
“We can deal with the smaller ones manually later! Just the general area is fine for now!”
“Don’t underestimate me! A child like me can control this much wind with ease!”
“No, I think you’ve gotten weaker since then! You shouldn’t expect to control it like you used to!”
“Hmph! Th-that’s not true!!”

Perhaps she doesn’t want to admit her own weakening, she becomes a little agitated.
Ignoring my warning, she continues the magic.

I can tell because of our “Connection”.
Titty seems to have an old-fashioned, dictator-like mindset, thinking that if someone falls into the sea, we can just pick them up later – as long as no one dies.

“Sigh, I have no choice…”

Inside the great tornado, ordinary people could no longer stand.
I guide Chloe to the main mast, have her hold on, and explain.

“…I’ll quickly go and assist the ships that are in danger. Please hold on somewhere too.”
“In this storm? It’s dangerous!”
“It’s fine. Please trust me. I’ll be quick and clean it up.”

To reassure her, I return a light smile, like the rumored “Hero”.
Hearing my words, Chloe’s mouth hangs open in surprise.

However, I can’t dwell on Chloe’s strange reaction. I immediately dash off and leap from ship to ship within the storm.
I already know where the people in danger are in the Dimension. With his strength and speed, he grabbed people who were falling from the ships one after another and carried them to safety. Sometimes, the storm would interfere with my movements, and I would almost fall into the sea myself, but I would handle it with the Default.

This way, Titty would attack, and I would defend—with this perfect division of roles, the tornado magic achieved its highest performance.

—And then, several tens of minutes later.

Finally, the tornado magic ended. The weather in the sea instantly turned calm. As a result, all the monsters that had been soaring high in the sky fell, dying one after another from the impact of hitting the sea surface.

Frankly, it was quite gory. To put it mildly, it was a scene like a large amount of tomatoes being violently smashed against concrete.

Once all the monsters had turned into crushed tomatoes, Titty, at the center of the ship convoy, raised her bayonet and let out a cry of victory.

“Fuhahahahaha! How was that! We woooooon! Rest assured, everyone! This child has defeated all the monsters that attacked you! It was all me, Titty!!”

Given her history, she’s probably used to scenes of such carnage. Titty, who still holds the same view of life and death as a thousand years ago, boasts about this carnage without a second thought. However, for people living in the warm world of today, it’s quite off-putting.

Surrounded by pale faces, Titty continued to laugh. But among them, only Chloe, perhaps out of a sense of duty as a superior, offered sincere thanks.

“I, I am grateful. ‘Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker’… and to the great wind mage!”

Hearing this, Titty felt pleased and took a step closer to her.

“Indeed, it is nothing to be troubled about. And you should call me ‘Hero,’ not ‘mage.'”

“…Y-yes. I am grateful, Hero.”

Chloe nodded and took a step back. That’s when Titty finally noticed.

“Huh…? Am I… a little scary…?”

“After doing all that, it’s natural.”

I retorted coldly to Titty, who was breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Um, are you perhaps a friend of ‘Aikawa Kanami Christ Eurasia Valt Fuziaze Von Walker’?”

Chloe asked, as if she were asking about something very frightening.

“Yes, I am. As you can see, I’m a kind fellow, so it should be alright. Also, if this one messes up, I’ll handle it, so you don’t need to worry. And please call me Kanami. I hate that long name.”

“Understood, Lord Kanami… I will believe the words of the renowned ‘Hero.'”

She’s surprisingly understanding. I thought she might be proud if her surname was Siddharuku, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Chloe and I smiled and shook hands.

However, Titty, in the rear, seemed unconvinced.

“Kanamin is the main one, and I’m treated as a supporting character…? I did all the fighting, so why is that!?”

“Well, that’s how it is. They saw you punching that big one, didn’t they? If you do that much and are still understood normally, it would be surprising.”

When I traveled by ship before, I had the same experience as Titty is having now. Seeing her making the same mistake, I felt a little nostalgic.

“B-but, unlike a thousand years ago, not a single ship has fallen! Should the child who worked so hard to go easy on them be praised more!!”

It seems that a thousand years ago, she defeated enemies while sinking one or two friendly ships. It’s no wonder she was called the ‘Mad King’ or ‘Demon King.’ However, as this would surely continue until tomorrow morning, I went to Titty’s side and petted her head.

“Yeah. I get it, I get it. Good job, good job.”

“Mmm? Mmm, only Kanamin? Well, I’ll put up with this for now.”

This action would normally be seen as patronizing, but Titty, with her childish mental age, was delighted and grudgingly accepted it. She crossed her arms and pouted, showing her acceptance.

“If there’s a next time, I’ll take on the big one. This time, we were able to save everyone, so let’s leave it at that.”

“I can’t help it. —Next time. Next time, I want to be showered with attention. Hurry up, is anyone being attacked? I want the next one to come quickly.”

She still hasn’t given up on her heroic endeavors. Her eyes gleamed as she searched for the next target.

It was meant as a small joke, but Chloe, who was nearby, let out a small gasp. To Titty, it might have been just a slight display of fighting spirit, but to an ordinary person, it was enough to make their blood run cold.

Upon closer inspection, everyone around was trembling in fear of the ‘Demon King’s’ arrival. While considering whether to tell Titty this, I finally checked the situation with the Dimension. There were quite a few injured, but not a single death. Relieved by this outcome, I began to think about the future by myself.