Genjitsushugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Prologue to the Next Chapter: Law of the Sea

On a small island in the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago, there was a portly beastman named Zudai standing near the bay. He, like so many of the other islanders, made his living as a fisherman. Zudais family had always fished, and despite his lack of learning, he could throw a net further than just about anyone on the island. However, he hadnt been out to fish in some timethere was nothing of real value to catch.

It had gotten so bad that if you caught a small fish, you were doing well. But now that it was highly dangerous to go out to sea, there was no hope of getting results that merited taking the risk. Because of that, the fishermen spent their days at home with dead eyes full of depression. Zudai was the same. He couldnt take the boat out, so hed cast a net near the rocks close to his home, hoping for some small fish at least. And every morning, when he went to check his nets, his shoulders slumped with disappointment.

On this day, too, he had walked over to the rocks where he had cast his net, scratching his belly as he went. Zudai pulled in the net, rubbing his eyes as he did. All he had caught were small fish the size of a finger, and small crabs. Another day of no fish worth mentioning... As he sighed in disappointment, a thought occurred to him, What? Its awfully dark today... His house stood with the sea to its east, and normally when he came to the beach at this time of day, the morning sun made it blindingly bright. Looking up to see the clear blue sky, only to realize there was no sun in sight.

Mmmm... Hm? Nnnngh?! As Zudais mind woke from its still half-drowsy state, he was able to register how abnormal the situation around him was. It was bizarrely dark. There was no way this place should be so dark at this time of day. Realizing that, he looked to where the sun ought to be rising... Wha?! There was something huge in the sea where there should have been nothing.

Because the sun was behind it, the backlighting made the object look black, but it seemed to be a massive island. Zudai couldnt believe his eyes. There was no way that a place that had been empty sea yesterday could have spontaneously produced an island overnight. Thats no island. But what is it, then...?! I-It cant be...! The conclusion Zudai came to terrified him. He got goosebumps, and broke into a cold sweat. His mind had only frozen up for a few seconds, but to him, it felt like hours.

Ah! Suddenly he snapped back to his senses, and shot towards his home like a bullet. G-Gotta run away! Gotta run away!

But... it was too late; there was nowhere to run to.

The island-like object let out an ear-piercing explosion, likely waking up everyone on the island. The sound of the thing that would take all their livesthe sound that started a tragedy.

On this day, one of the islands in the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago became a desert isle.

In the beginning of the 1st month, 1549th year, Continental Calendar the sea near Lagoon City

It was a time when the celebratory atmosphere of the new year hadnt quite ended yet. There was a vessel patrolling the waters near Lagoon Citya domain overseen by now Commander-in-Chief Excel Walter. It was an orthodox cruiser by the standard of the Kingdoms National Naval Defense Force, pulled by a single sea dragon. And on its deck was Castor, Captain of the island carrier Hiryuu, and Tolman, the General of the National Air Defense Force.

As rumors spread that war would soon begin with the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union over the fishing industry, Tolman had come to discuss the composition of the wyvern knights aboard the Hiryuu, as well as to visit Castor, who was his former master. Souma intended to deploy the Hiryuu, which was still his secret weapon, in the battle against the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union. That on its own showed how serious Souma viewed the coming encounter.

...I see a ship.

A ship?

Castor took a look for himself using the binoculars hanging from his neck. When he did, he could see a ship heading towards them from the east. He couldnt see it clearly yet, but it seemed larger than a fishing vessel. Once it got even closer, he was able to tell that it was probably a warship. There werent supposed to be any other ships of the National Naval Defense Force in these waters today. The other sailors must have noticed it too, because there was suddenly a lot of noise on deck.

Thats not one of ours! It looks like a Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago ship! the sailor up in the crows nest shouted.

On closer inspection, Castor could see it was built of wood with metal plates bolted on to raise its defense. But why just one ship? This has never happened before, he thought as he returned to the bridge and gave orders to the sailors. There were no fishing ships around for it to be defending, and it wasnt one of the usual armed ones, either. So why was it coming at them alone? What were they planning to do, coming so close to the Kingdom?

If they tried to launch a raid on the Kingdom with just one vessel, they would be found by a patrol ship, like they just had been. Castor had already relayed information about them back to Lagoon City by messenger kui. Reinforcement would be coming in no time. Are they really planning to pick a fight with the Kingdoms fleet using a single ship?

Just in case, be ready to open fire immediately!

Castors second-in-command shouted the order into the speaking tube, Yes, sir! All hands, prepare to fire the cannons!

Because they didnt know what the other ship was up to, Castor changed course, placing his ship at a diagonal to the other ships heading, and prepared to open fire. They were getting closer and closer. Soon they would be in firing range. Is there no avoiding a battle now?

Ready... Castor began.

Just as he was about to give the order to fire in order to preempt the other ship, the sailor up in the crows nest voice came in through the speaking tube, The enemy ship has cut loose the creature that was pulling them!

Huh?! Castor cried out in surprise.

Cutting free the creature that was pulling your ship meant losing all propulsion. That meant they could no longer come towards them, or run away. Why would they do something so foolhardy now?

As Castor remained dumbfounded, the lookout continued, The enemy ship has raised a distress flag!

Now its a distress flag? Castor scratched his head. They do it now...? Augh, damn it!

Tolman, who was unable to grasp the situation, simply looked at Castor with a dazed expression.

After some time, Castor made up his mind and spoke, ...We have no choice. All hands, were going to rescue that ship.

Huh? Youre helping them? Tolman asked, and Castor scratched his head.

Theyve raised a distress flag. We have to help them.

Isnt it blatantly suspicious? Couldnt it be a trap?