Chapter 419 Kalabis Underwater Volcano Prison
“Mainly because this time is too dangerous. The underwater situation is not comparable to normal missions at all. If we really encounter a dangerous situation below, even I would have a hard time protecting them.”
Andre’s temper was surprisingly good, or perhaps this good temper was only directed at the young girl in front of him? Even though he was reprimanded by her, he didn’t show any of the temper of a leader. He patiently continued to explain to Igarashi Aya, who was like a little girl compared to him.
“Hmph! I knew you’d say that. Then what’s the point of us coming? You’re making such a big move this time, do you still want to handle it alone?”
Igarashi Aya glared at Andre unhappily, let out an “hmph” with a hint of arrogance, and then, without waiting for Andre to reply, turned and pointed at the tall figure beside them.
“Then bringing Kawabone is definitely no problem, right? His abilities can maximize their effect underwater.”
“But… if the prison is attacked, the Blue Sea Guard will arrive immediately. Even Kawabone might not…”
“That’s why I called you all together, you idiot, Lord Andre!!”
“…”
Following the direction of Igarashi Aya’s finger, Kazumi also turned her gaze to the man… no, the fishman called Kawabone.
On his tall body, only slightly inferior to Andre, was a bizarre and uncomfortable fish-like head. His rough, hardened skin was covered with dense small ridges, and his light yellow eyes had no irises, making him look like a dead person without any spirit. His enormous mouth, which occupied almost the entire lower half of his cheek, was filled with sharp teeth that his lips couldn’t even cover. And on his forehead, there was a glowing sphere dangling down.
Just his appearance was enough to earn Kazumi’s approval at the moment. Although the heroes in the Blue Sea Guard were also fish-like beings with expressive abilities, this guy in front of them was a heavyweight in terms of aesthetics, truly fitting the villainous appearance of the [Dark] Organization.
“Then Little Cai, you should also ask Kawabone for his opinion… right?”
The tall strongman ultimately couldn’t win against the young girl in front of him. He turned around in defeat, looking at Kawabone, who was still out of the loop, his mouth twitching wildly a couple of times as if trying to gain his support.
“Boss… I… I’ll listen to Sister Cai. Whatever you ask me to do later, I’ll do it.”
Seeing that the arguing pair looked at him in unison, Kawabone dazedly scratched his head. He looked at Andre, who was making frantic expressions, and then turned to look at Igarashi Aya, who was giving him a death stare. Finally, he nodded without hesitation and replied.
“…”
Andre looked at his “rebellious” subordinate speechlessly. The corners of his mouth twitched a few times. Finally, under Igarashi Aya’s triumphant little gaze, he resigned himself to fate with a nod, as if aging many years in an instant, and said leisurely.
“Alright, I’ll watch him.”
“Hey, Lord Andre, the equipment should be fine, right?”
Having made progress in the battle, Igarashi Aya showed a victorious expression. She beckoned to the man in the trench coat beside her, then took a large pile of things from his hand and spread them out on the table.
“Equipment?”
Andre’s gaze shifted over in confusion. He didn’t know what she had prepared for him, as his abilities generally didn’t require weapons or equipment.
“These are specially made miniature oxygen tanks, enough for two round trips at your speed. This is Sister You’s poison gas; we’ve liquefied it to make it more suitable for underwater use. This is a sonar grenade, very effective against those Blue Sea Guard ability users who can hear other frequencies. But be careful when using it, Kawabone will also be affected by it. And then…”
Hustling along, Igarashi Aya pointed out each of these items, explaining their usage while stuffing these little gadgets onto Andre like hanging clothes on a clothes rack. Who knows how Andre’s judo uniform-like clothes, which seemed to have no pockets, could hold so many things.
“Um… Little Cai, actually, my abilities are fine underwater, so maybe…”
Feeling like a Barbie doll being dressed up, Andre gave Igarashi Aya an embarrassed look and blocked the small box she was trying to put into his chest, trying to refuse these excessive and strange gadgets. After all, his combat style was always direct. Oxygen tanks were acceptable as a necessity, but he really couldn’t use those other things.
“Oh? ‘The underwater situation is not comparable to normal missions at all.’ Who was it that said that? When the situation is more dangerous, it’s very reasonable to use some useful items, isn’t it, Lord Andre?”
Handing over the last small box, Igarashi Aya narrowed her eyes, her kind gaze revealing an incredibly dangerous aura. With a faint smile on her face, like a wife’s final gentleness upon discovering evidence of her husband’s infidelity, she asked with a smile.
“Ahahahahaha, yes, yes.”
Upon feeling the familiar killing intent, Andre immediately stopped all attempts to struggle. He stood obediently like a good boy, his bulging equipment neatly arranged, just like a soldier ready to depart, motionless.
“Well then, since we’ve reached an agreement, let’s get ready to depart. Lord Andre, you’ll take Kawabone and Number One down. We’ll be on standby above to provide support.”
“Little Insect and Sister You will go out to set up traps and surveillance. The other combat teams will stand by and rest. Once the prison sounds the alarm, we’ll have plenty of work to do here.”
After dealing with her boss, Igarashi Aya regained her usual competent and intellectual strongwoman demeanor, directing the personnel present. It also made Kazumi realize that the true leader of this small team seemed to be this inconspicuous, weak little girl.
“Eh, aren’t you only bringing Kawabone? Why is Number One coming along?”
“Are you an idiot? If we don’t bring Number One, how will we know your situation on the ship!!”
“…”
Watching Andre and the others finally depart after a flurry of activity, Kazumi was slightly relieved. Mainly because of the performance just now, Kazumi felt that this executive named [Spike] didn’t seem very reliable, and even had a strange déjà vu of Shun Muto.
“Miss Igarashi, is there anything I can help with?”
Seeing Igarashi Aya operating on some machinery in the distance, Kazumi walked forward and bowed her head, asking.
Although she hadn’t been assigned any tasks by the other party before, she was currently under someone else’s roof, so it was better to show some initiative and gain some goodwill.
“Oh? Miss [Coffin]. There’s not much to do right now. If Miss [Coffin] has reconnaissance abilities, a little help would be great. It’s mainly about conserving strength to deal with psychics.”
Igarashi Aya finished adjusting the machine in her hand. After successfully connecting the wires on the other side, the dark screen flashed with a clear, dark image.
“This…”
Kazumi was about to exchange pleasantries, but the next moment, she was directly interrupted by the image displayed on the screen. Her eyes, hidden under her cloak, stared in shock at the expanding building on the screen.
Deep within the dim underwater volcano, dark red lava spewed out with rolling bubbles. The mountain range was crisscrossed, forming a beautiful picture of underwater volcanoes with the distant marine life.
Within this, around the largest crater, it was firmly secured by thick chains. Four chains made of special alloys extended to the very center of the crater, pulling a giant metal sphere. The constant red firelight and surrounding bubbles on the sphere’s surface proved the fearsome nature of this building.
As if sensing Kazumi’s shock, Igarashi Aya reached out and magnified the image on the screen. With a faint smile on her face, she slowly provided the explanation.
“Yes. This is the location where we need to go for a rescue mission, the Kalabis Underwater Volcano Prison!”
