The sun set, and the ship was attacked by Sirens.
I never thought things would turn out like this. I had been overconfident, believing that if enemies appeared, we could repel them by working together. My reliable companions had been put to sleep by the Sirens’ singing voices. The mermaids and Harpies must have been waiting for their chance all along.
Kasharo had said they wouldn’t come close because they feared guns. That was probably part of it. But these creatures simply didn’t fight unwinnable battles. With passengers on board now, our defenses were weaker.
“What are we going to do? Are we going to abandon the passengers and run? If it were just us, we might be able to escape with all our might.”
“Don’t you forget about me, you fish!”
Just then, the Sea Tiger that had dived into the sea earlier appeared, riding a Killer Whale spirit.
“You idiot, don’t come!”
Kasharo tried to stop him, but it was too late. Mermaids were already approaching with harpoons in hand. The Killer Whale opened its mouth to bite, but the Sea Tiger quickly struck it and escaped.
The Killer Whale thrashed and writhed, creating a huge splash of water. The Sea Tiger riding it seemed surprised by this unprecedented situation. Until now, they had avoided challenging the Killer Whale to a suicidal battle. Now, the Sea Tiger was trapped like a rat in a bag.
The spirit, attacked from all directions, dived into the sea. This was bad; the underwater was advantageous for mermaids.
“Alright, I’ll give you the treasure. In return, spare us.”
The mermaid narrowed her eyes. Kasharo kicked a nearby treasure chest into the sea. The mermaids immediately pounced on the scattered treasures sinking into the water. Kasharo continued to sink the chests one after another. It seemed they were all equally greedy for treasure, regardless of whether they were men or women.
“Okay, let’s go. Grab on.”
The Whale spirit swung its tail mightily. The ship’s hull sank until it was just above the water’s surface. The ship set off at an incredible speed.
A brief moment passed, and then an explosion was heard from behind, followed by a water pillar rising into the air. The screams of mermaids could be heard.
“Hmph, you greedy bastards. The ones who were asleep will probably wake up soon. Prepare for the second round.”
Kasharo, his hair fluttering in the wind, tried to light his pipe with a lighter. The wind, however, was too strong and kept extinguishing the flame. More importantly, what was this “second round”?
“Get down!”
At Sharin’s warning, I ducked, and sharp claws passed overhead. The mermaid woman had promised to spare us, but it turned out the Harpies were targeting us afterward. I shook Nina, who had collapsed nearby.
“Hey Nina, wake up. Everyone, wake up.”
Amidst the sound of gunshots, I shook people indiscriminately. Sharin also picked up the bow Nina had been using.
“Sharin, could you use a bow?”
“Uh, yeah, for the first time.”
The arrows she held scattered and fell. I had no choice but to join Kasharo. There were about five Harpies soaring overhead. But more might gather upon hearing this commotion.
Suddenly, one of them folded its wings and dived sharply.
“Flee to the cabins!”
Kasharo said, but I couldn’t leave everyone behind. The Harpy that had approached me was repelled by a wall of light and ascended again. It seemed the Light Scale Dancer had protected me.
Without white pupils, with mouths split to their ears, they were indeed a different race from Piyo and the others. From the waist down, their legs were covered in feathers, giving them a more animalistic appearance.
“It’s dangerous here. Get to the cabins, even if you have to carry a companion.”
“But everyone else is still here. I have to wake them up.”
“Those who heard the Siren’s song find it difficult to wake up.”
Even as they spoke, the Harpies attacked with strange cries. One of them grabbed Elana and tried to fly away. I grabbed onto its wing.
“Kishaaa!”
It bared its fangs and threatened me. Its wings had three small fingers like an Archaeopteryx. Seen up close like this, they were definitely different from the Harpies I had encountered before. They were not only different in appearance but also in habit, closer to animals. Thinking their companion was being attacked, another one grabbed my shoulder.
Sharp claws, like those of a bird of prey, dug into my shoulder. I desperately swung my dagger to fend it off. They attacked one after another, like crows swarming garbage.
Just then, in the darkness, I saw black wings. At the same time, two of them were flung into the sea. The surprised Harpies released Elana and retreated.
“Ah, Veronica, you’re awake.”
“Honestly, to wake up and find the ship surrounded by nasty birds, what a surprise.”
Veronica roughly punched the one that lunged at her. Then, she leaped up and charged alone into the flock of Harpies. Blood dripped from above. The Siren’s song’s effect must have worn off, as everyone else was also starting to wake up.
“Everyone, please wake up quickly. We’re being attacked by Sirens.”
“Ugh, what? And it’s a total mess.”
Nina rubbed her eyes and pulled out her dagger. Looking into the sea, I saw mermaids, armed with bombs given to them by Kasharo, pursuing us at tremendous speed. Grasping the railing, I thought this must be hell.
