Read Novel Full Vol 16 Chapter 11
Vol 16 Chapter 11
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(12/20)
Chapter 11 – Barrier
But when we arrived at our destination, after overcoming several difficulties that would have been insurmountable without the power of Ship Summoning, we found that the continent that was supposed to be there had disappeared. We found traces of human presence on the sea floor and continued our search without giving up. As a result, we discovered the shadow of an island in the distance.
After discovering the island, we decided to meet with the submersible group to discuss our future course of action.
“Um, first of all, is that island shadow the part of the continent that escaped the sinking?”
We were a little relieved to have found land and avoided a complete waste of time, but there is also the possibility of land that has nothing to do with our destination continent.
That would be interesting because it was a completely unknown place, but it would also be a little sad because it would make it more likely that the inhabitants the Duke risked his life to let escape had been wiped out.
“Ilma, what do you think?”
Alessia-san was at a loss as well, so she quickly turned to Ilma-san.
“…Well, I can’t say for sure, but there’s probably a continent we’re looking for, and from the distance, it’s probably in the center of the continent.”
You mean the center of the continent is what’s left? That means at least half of the continent is sunk.
That’s better than the whole thing sinking, but even half is a lot.
“But then I wonder if we could use some of the information in the diary…?”
I thought the information in the diary might be helpful, but then I changed my mind on the way.
Even if it is just old information, the environment has changed too drastically to be of any use.
“…I can’t say that it won’t be helpful at all, but I think we’d better think of it as something completely different and act accordingly.”
I know, right?
“Then there is the question of how to get ashore. Even if there were a harbor, would it be safe to enter through the front door?”
The original destination was the port where the Duke was trading, but we don’t even know if there is a port because not only the port but even the land has disappeared.
I mean, there was land, so people survived, right?
“We don’t know the laws of the country, so it’s dangerous to go in head-on.”
“Yes, if we’re not careful, we could be captured the moment we enter. First, let’s wait until night and look for lights. Once we find them, we can watch them from a distance and then sneak around.”
While I was having scary thoughts, the conversation continued, focusing on Alessia-san, Dorothea-san, and Ilma-san.
It seems that Alessia-san and the others have no doubt that humans will survive.
No, I wonder if they just assume that humans exist because if humans don’t exist, there’s no need to worry about being harmed by humans.
Well, they seem to be trying to be cautious, and whatever happens, won’t be so terrible.
＊＊＊
“It was easy to find.”
“Yes, indeed.”
As a result of our discussion, we decided to rely on lights at night to search for the human settlements, but before we could even look for them, as night fell, the lights shone on land.
Marina-san, who was searching with me on the flight deck, did not expect it to be so easy to find, and I could see that she had a look of disappointment on her face, even in the dark.
When I answered her, I probably made the same face.
It was good that we had turned off the light, just in case.
“Wataru. You can see it, can’t you?”
Alessia-san came up to the flight deck, apparently having found the same lights below.
“Yes, I can see them. …Anyway, we landed in a place away from the lights, as we had decided. So we’ll just sneak around and do some recon. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
We found it too easy, and the adventure factor faded, but smooth sailing is not a bad thing. Let’s change our minds.
We slowly make our way toward land, circling to keep our distance from the lights.
The lights are out here, too, so the reefs are scary, but the Ship Summoning has an indestructible effect, so we can move the ship quite comfortably.
Bang!
“Whoa!”
“Kyaa!”
The ship shakes violently, accompanied by a dull sound. It seems to have hit something.
I managed to stop myself with my right hand as I was about to hit the pilot’s seat from the impact, and I reflexively caught Rimu, who was blown off my head by the impact, with my left hand.
“Rimu, are you okay?”
“It was fun…”
Whew. This is such a shock; I know there is nothing wrong with Rimu, but it chilled my heart.
Well, despite my concern, Rimu is shaking on my hand, but…
Anyway, it was a nice catch. I might make it as a baseball player now.
“Hey, Wataru. I don’t blame you for worrying about Rimu-chan, but isn’t there someone else you should be worrying about?”
While I was relieved that Rimu was safe, I heard a slightly angry voice.
No, it was natural for me to worry about Rimu, but I should have quickly worried about Alessia-san, Marina-san, and the female members below to earn their favor here.
“A-Alessia, Marina, are you okay?”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I don’t have any scratches.”
“I’m fine.”
“Haha, thank goodness…”
I thought it was too late, but believing in miracles, I called out to them.
The only thing that came back was a cold voice. I was too late.
I had failed. If I may make an excuse, it’s that while I’m safe, I don’t think anything can happen to the women, who are much stronger than I am.
In fact, both Alessia-san and Marina-san were fine, and Marina-san was just as worried about Fuu-chan as I was.
But I couldn’t say anything because if I made such an excuse, my likability would immediately drop to the bottom of the barrel.
It would be better to just apologize to her without saying a word.
“Fufu… I’m just kidding. Are you okay, Wataru?”
“Ah, yes, I’m fine.”
I was prepared to fall to my knees in the worst-case scenario, but Alessia-san laughed as she called out to me.
…The power in her voice was too much for a joke…but there was no need to plunge into the minefield. I’d take her word for it.
“For now, let’s go down and see what we hit.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Okay.”
As I was about to descend from the flight deck with Alessia-san and Marina-san, Dorothea-san came up from below.
“What did we hit?”
Alessia-san asked.
“It’s a barrier. It might cause some trouble.”
“Barrier?”
It wasn’t the ship summoning barrier, was it?
“Uh, does that mean there were barriers ahead?”
“Yeah, Ilma’s looking into it, but I’m pretty sure it was a barrier.”
Seriously. If there are barriers, that means we cannot go in, right?
“Then shouldn’t we run away instead of just relaxing here?”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. The barriers might have magic to detect contact, and if we rush to escape from the mysterious ship, we will alarm them even more, right? Since we are on Wataru’s ship, our safety is assured, and it would not be a bad idea to see how they react to us.”
Well, I think it would be better to run away, scout safely from another place, and enter the human settlement later, but I also think it would be bad to keep the other side on alert.
If the worst happens and we are attacked by the other side and our personal safety is assured, is it not a bad idea to watch their reaction, as Dorothea-san said?
Well, it would be best if we could enter the human settlement without being found…
“Well, I wouldn’t mind that. What about you, Wataru?”
I have no idea what the right answer is. Well, it’s safe to say that it’s better to stay here and listen to what they have to say than to run away and cause trouble.
If they attack us, we can just run away.
“…I’m fine with standing by, too. But just be ready to run.”
We should at least have our equipment ready and change the direction of the ship so that we can move at any time.
＊＊＊
“The lights, they’re all gone.”
The last light went out right in front of Claretta-san and me as we stood guard on the flight deck.
“Yes, they’re all gone.”
We had waited four hours. The lights went out one by one, but nothing else had changed, and all the lights had just gone out.
It was not as if all the lights went out at once, or more lights were added as a precaution, but rather the lights went out capriciously, one by one.
It was as if the lights were turned off because it was time to go to bed. It seemed as if the lights were going out erratically.
“I wondered if they didn’t know we were here.
“It’s possible that they do, but they don’t care.”
…Claretta-san and I looked at each other. The other party’s movement is too little, so it’s too hard to judge.
“For now, let’s go downstairs to report.”
“That’s right. I’ll stay here and keep an eye on things, so Wataru, please report back for me.”
“Roger. I’ll also bring you some drinks and snacks.”
“Yes, please.”
I left the watch with Claretta-san and went downstairs to find Ilma-san checking the barrier and Felicia assisting her.
“Did you find out anything new?”
“Ah, Master, thank you for your hard work. I am sorry to say that we have found nothing new.”
Ilma-san was so engrossed in her analysis that she didn’t seem to notice me, and Felicia answered my question apologetically.
I see nothing is known about this.
Felicia is more than competent in the art of barrier. Ilma-san is able to read and interfere with even dungeon barriers.
It’s not fancy for these two to investigate for four hours and come up with nothing, is it?
After all this time, I feel like running away.
…I think I should report to Alessia-san that all the lights are out for now and ask her if it is possible to run away again…