Published: July 5, 2025
Normally, new postings start on April 1st...
But I am too busy to prepare.
So, please forgive me for five consecutive posts.
"Once again, those guys!"
Ryo said with frustration.
Yes, the "those guys" that Ryo mentioned... there is no need to say, there is only one group he could be referring to.
"The swarm of krakens was troublesome."
Abel replied, shaking his head.
Indeed, the ship they were on had once again been attacked by krakens.
Moreover, this time it was a swarm.
This happened one hour after departing from the port town of Hoi An.
While watching the continent to the left, Ryo and Abel were peacefully spending time on the deck of the ocean cruiser.
Their beloved horses, Andalusia and Feiwan, were also enjoying the sunshine.
The first to react were those two horses.
Suddenly, they stood up and neighed.
Ryo and Abel, as well as the crew of the ocean cruiser, were surprised.
At that moment, Ryo finally noticed.
"Something is coming from underwater!"
In the next instant, something white pierced from the bottom of the ship to the deck.
"What is that?!"
"Is it an arm of a kraken?!"
Both Ryo and Abel understood instantly.
The long arm of a kraken.
There must be a large hole opened up in the bottom of the ship.
Naturally, it would sink.
"Come forth, Neil Anderson Modified!"
Ryo chanted, summoning the submarine generated by alchemy next to the ocean cruiser.
Andalusia and Feiwan jumped aboard almost immediately.
They must have instinctively judged which was safer, the ship they were on or the submarine summoned by Ryo.
In fact, it seemed that Ryo and Abel were the ones who were slower.
The moment they jumped aboard, multiple kraken arms sprouted from the deck of the ocean cruiser.
Each kraken uses two long arms for attacking.
In other words, the appearance of multiple arms meant that several krakens were underwater.
As Ryo and Abel boarded Neil Anderson Modified, it wasn't long before the ocean cruiser folded and sank.
"Damn it, we have become the target!"
Perhaps because the ocean cruiser sank, an attack from the swarm of krakens began against Neil Anderson Modified.
"It's frustrating, but we will escape!"
Ryo declared, his face contorted with determination.
Abel noticed that Ryo had checked Andalusia and Feiwan, who were riding at the back, before making that declaration.
He had made the decision to take precautions for the sake of his beloved horses.
That decision reflected positively in Abel's eyes.
"I support Ryo's judgment."
He stated clearly.
From that point on, Neil Anderson Modified focused solely on fleeing.
The swarm of krakens pursued them one after another.
Using the "alchemy exterior" generated by Neil Anderson Modified to withstand repeated attacks, they gained distance with the Mark 256 Torpedo's suppressive attack towards the rear...
Finally, they managed to shake off the swarm one hour after the ocean cruiser sank.
"We somehow escaped, but..."
"The pressure of the swarm closing in from behind was overwhelming."
Ryo and Abel finally let out sighs of relief.
And once they felt relieved, anger surged within them.
"Once again, those guys!"
Ryo said with frustration.
"The swarm of krakens was troublesome."
Abel replied, shaking his head.
"Well, since the krakens chased us, the crew of the cruiser should have survived."
"Even though we lost the ship and were thrown into the sea, we weren't too far from land."
Both Ryo and Abel felt it was a good thing that by acting as decoys, they had saved the lives of the crew.
Suddenly, Ryo looked at the rear hangar of Neil Anderson Modified.
There were their two horses, sitting quietly.
"Andalusia and the others are more composed than us."
"Yeah, I think so too."
Ryo and Abel nodded, looking at their beloved horses who were sitting there with trusting eyes.
"By the way, is this ship... a submarine? It's significantly larger than the previous one."
"Yes, yes. The Rondark Class Third Battleship Neil Anderson Modified was resized with the assumption of carrying Andalusia and Feiwan. The front control room where we sit and the rear hangar where they can enter... The previous tank section had to be made considerably larger. However, since the hangar can also carry food, it has become capable of long-distance navigation."