Warm Southern Territory (4)

I didnt think Id come all the way here and end up walking alone. I brought it upon myself, but

Why dont we go together, Irina? I heard it looks beautiful.

Im sorry. Im feeling sick for having ridden the carriage for a long time.

Hmm. Then, how about we have fun together once you feel better?

That was at yesterdays lunch. I told Louise it would take some time before I recovered and sent her back.

I didnt feel good while rejecting Louises invitation. I wanted to say I would go with her as soon as I saw her making a gloomy expression, but Im definitely going to see the Executive Manager again if I hang out with Louise. That made me discard the idea.

I feel like the Emerald Sea would look bloody red instead of emerald if I saw it with the Prosecutors Executive Manager. Im really sorry, Louise. I also wanted to come here with you, but it will be tough.

Thats why I went somewhere else alone after hearing that Louise had left. It would be a waste to stay still after coming all this way.

Its beautiful.

I sighed softly at the sight, which felt like looking at a giant emerald. Thankfully, the sea was big, so there were many beaches. I probably wont meet the Prosecutors Executive Manager if I dont go where Louise went. Thats also why I deliberately chose a less popular spot.

It wouldve been nice if we saw it together.

Although the scene was beautiful enough to make me sigh, I felt slightly disappointed. This was all because of the Prosecutors Executive Manager. I was planning to have fun while hanging out with Louise and watching the guys who like her compete with each other. But now, I found myself running away because of one person.

I sat down by the sea while dipping my feet into the water, feeling disheartened. I had even bought a new swimsuit and put it on, but whats the point if Im exploring alone?

The one at fault is that person.

I pouted while digging my hands into the innocent sand. I couldnt help but feel fear when he was present, but I felt wronged and resentful when he wasnt in sight. My family suffered a great deal, and it was my family that was wronged. Why do I have to go through all this?

But there was one silver lining. While we were stuck together in the carriage, I hadnt seen him since we arrived at the resort. He doesnt seem to have any intention of looking for me.

Go ahead. I left something behind.

For some reason, he seems to be considerate.

I buried my head in my knees. My head felt messy. No matter how much I thought about it, he was definitely showing me consideration.

But why would he show consideration towards me?

Why would that wicked head of the Prosecutors Office be considerate to me? I couldnt think of any reasonable answer. The image of Louise yelling and swinging her fists seemed more realistic.

I dont know. He just shouldnt appear before me instead of doing so and confuse me.

Just because of something like this.

Why am I so shaken? What happened between us wasnt such a big deal.

Maybe its because Im friends with Louise, or maybe its because hes Erichs oppa, so I wish he was a good person. Maybe I keep thinking that hes a good person to escape from reality instead of trembling in fear every time I see him. And maybe he really is a good person.

But if hes a good person and I can have a good relationship with him What about my family? My father who was unjustly dragged away, my mother who fainted, my Oppa who bore the burden, and my younger siblings who cried without knowing what was going on.

Dont worry about that anymore. It was just bad luck, an accident.

My father said that. He said that I should brush it off. Thats the best way to deal with the Prosecutors Office. Even if I have resentment or lingering feelings, theres nothing I can do about it.

I hate you

Since there was no one listening, I quietly muttered those words. No matter how thoughtful he was, I couldnt help but tremble in fear whenever I saw him. So I just wish he remained in the distance, where I couldnt see him.

I lifted my head and stared at my toes. Even though it was a school trip meant to be enjoyed, my worries just seemed to be piling up

Huh?

There was suddenly a loud splash, and then a shadow appeared over me.

Whats going on?

I raised my head and froze. It was impossible to even imagine what appeared right in front of me. A gigantic monster with ten tentacles and was larger than most buildings was staring down at me.

Kuurr!

After hearing its cry, I couldnt think of anything, let alone running away. My body wouldnt move. All I could do was tremble.

Why, why?

Why did such a monster appear in a resort like this? Was this my punishment because I lied to Louise, and because I foolishly imagined that someone whos basically our familys enemy could be a good person?

But still, wasnt this too much? I might have wished for the Prosecutors Executive Manager to be far away, but I didnt mean I wanted to go somewhere Id never see him again!

Kuurrgghh!

KYAA!

I lowered my body as the monster swung its giant legs. I dont want to die like this! If I die like this, my last words to Louise will be a lie, and the last person I thought of will be that man!

I dont want to die because of such a squid! Theres no way Id be able to die peacefully if such a thing happened!

Extreme fear of impending death, mixed with a tiny bit of shame, left my body beyond my control. Even if I wanted to, my body wouldnt move.

Dad, Mom, Oppa

Boom!

Suddenly, I heard a deafening sound, and something fell from above my head.

W-what?

Did something appear again?

Irina, are you okay?

As I carefully raised my head

I saw the last person who I wanted to see.

Ah

I could see the decapitated Kraken behind him.

Am I alive? I had survived the Kraken only to encounter someone even more dangerous. He was even holding a spear in each hand.

Irina?

Sob-

My body suddenly went limp.

* * *

It was a simple motion. He grabbed the spear with his right hand and twisted his waist. Pulling his right arm back, his right leg followed, setting his stance. It was an ordinary and unremarkable movement that anyone could do and one that you could see anywhere. Thats what the Captain thought of the Prosecutors Executive Managers movements.

Thats also how the sailors looked when they were about to throw their harpoons in their free time. The only difference was that the Prosecutors Executive Manager was preparing to throw it at a Kraken, not a mere fish.

He must be trying to divert the Krakens attention. If he got lucky, the irritated creature would approach the ship and the magicians could launch a coordinated attack. Even if it ran away, they could stop it from attacking the civilians.

It might shake a bit.

What?

The Prosecutors Executive Manager spoke to him out of the blue while the Captain was trying to wake up the Head Magician. He couldnt understand what he meant, but there was no need to do so.

BOOM!

His body experienced it first before his head could understand it.

W-what? Did that bastard attack us first?

The Head Magician got up in surprise after hearing the loud noise.

It did appear.

It used to run away all the time. Has it finally gone mad? Where is it?

The Captain pointed to where hed been looking. The Head Magician, whod been preparing a spell, lowered his wand and stared blankly at one spot.

Where is the Kraken?

It used to be a Kraken just a moment ago.

Woah

After laughing in disbelief, the Head Magician looked away from what used to be the Kraken.

So thats how it looks under the sea.

This is also my first time seeing it like this, although Ive seen it while diving.

The Captain nodded at the Head Magicians words. Carl had thrown the spear lightly, but the outcome wasnt light at all.

The ship shook because of the spear-throwing motion. It was a ship that was covered with magical effects, so it shouldnt shake unless it was bombarded. Yet, the ship had tilted from a mere spear throw.

The sea from the ship to the shore split for a moment. Kraken? The sea had just split. Who cares about a random squid? The Kraken had already died. Its head had exploded because of the spear the Prosecutors Executive Manager had thrown.

Luckily, it didnt miss.

The Prosecutors Executive Manager casually said that. He looked around at the beach where the Kraken had appeared. The sound of the Kraken exploding sounded like an explosion. If he had even missed a bit and the spear had struck the cliffs behind the sandy shore, what would have happened?

The Prosecutors Executive Manager grabbed the other two spears and told the Head Magician.

Head Mage, lets go to the beach.

Ah, yes.

Will three spears be enough? I know the Prosecutors Executive Manager is strong, but fighting on land is completely different from fighting on the sea.

The Head Magician had expressed his concerns about the number of spears until they set sail, but the situation was solved with just one spear. The Head Magician might be asking himself what hed been doing all this time while floating on the sea.

The Captain, who understood the Head Magicians thoughts, felt slightly sorry for him.

* * *

Its been a while since Ive used a spear, so I asked for three, just in case. Luckily, I ended it with one. Yeah, could you even call it hunting if you couldnt capture a Kraken with just that? It will be their anniversary soon, so it would be troublesome if I had to bring embarrassing news.

If I hadnt ended it at once, that bastard Kagan might have laughed at me while burning somewhere in hell. Just thinking about it makes my blood boil.

I headed to the beach to make sure the Kraken was dead and to check on the victim who had narrowly avoided being involved in the incident when I saw someone unexpected.

Irina?

Irina was trembling while surrounded by pieces of the Kraken. I thought she would be with Louise, so why was she here alone? I told Louise yesterday that I would be away. Did the message arrive a bit late?

Irina, are you okay?

Ah, aah

She probably ended up in this situation while trying to avoid me. I asked her worriedly, but Irina couldnt give me a proper answer. It seemed like she was really surprised.

Irina?

Sob-

Irina, whod been shaking, suddenly started to cry and clenched her legs. It was certainly a life-threatening situation, so its understandable that she would cry Huh?

I covered the eyes of the Head Magician, who was looking at the corpse of the Kraken.

Executive Manager? Whats wrong?

You can go first. Im going to return with her.

The Head Magician seemed puzzled by my sudden request, but he still turned around and left. He seemed curious about why I had covered his eyes, but that was a secret I couldnt reveal.

Sniff, sniff

Eh, Irina?

Waaaah!

Irina tried to hold back her tears while her shoulders were shaking, but she eventually burst into tears because of a mixture of fear and shame.

Sadly, Irinas tears didnt just flow from her eyes. Irina probably knew it too, as she cried even more sorrowfully.

Im sorry. Im really sorry.

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