Chapter 10.3: Mukashi no eikō

Morning arrived quickly, though for Ishi, it had been a sleepless night. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't rest, not with Aricia constantly teasing her, whispering jokes in the dark and giggling every time Ishi tried to bury herself under the blankets. By the time the first rays of light seeped through the wooden shutters, she had resigned herself to exhaustion.

Aricia, the fifth daughter of the Emperor and the revered Saint of the Ordo Arcanis Church, had duties to attend to that morning. She needed to prepare for the sacred seal ritual and wouldn’t be able to accompany them. However, she had extended an invitation to the entire group, offering them a place among the honored guests at the ceremony that would take place at sunset, just as the sun dipped below the horizon.

After a light breakfast, Ishi, Li-Jua, and Pil, in her childlike human form, descended to the main hall of the inn. The common area was quiet, save for a few early risers murmuring over their tea.

Li-Jua stretched her arms with a sigh. "We should probably go find Miller," she said, a hint of reluctance in her voice. "I know he's an idiot, but the poor guy spent the whole night outside. Let’s be nice to him for today, at least."

Pil and Ishi exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

They stepped out of the inn, immediately greeted by a chill in the air. A dense fog blanketed the town of Soranoe, thick and ghostly, making it difficult to see more than a few meters ahead. The scent of damp earth mixed with the faint aroma of burning wood from distant hearths.

A guard from the Ordo Arcanis acolytes stood stationed near the entrance of the inn, his tall frame clad in chainmail, a long spear resting against his shoulder.

Ishi approached him. "Excuse me," she said politely. "The Saint Aricia mentioned that our companion, Miller, spent the night with the town guard. Do you know where we might find him?"

The guard, a broad-shouldered man with a rough but good-natured expression, tilted his head thoughtfully before nodding. "Ah, the red-haired kid? Good lad, that one. We had a great time with him last night. Kept us entertained with stories of his travels, talked about all sorts of adventures, even claimed he's hunting down some massive cavern-dwelling gorilla that’s been giving him trouble for ages. Supposedly, this beast has bested him in multiple encounters and has a lady hostage or something."

A dangerous silence fell.

Li-Jua’s eye twitched. Her hands clenched into trembling fists, rage practically radiating off her body.

"Oh, I am going to kill him," she growled. "Forget what I said about being nice. The second I lay eyes on that single-celled moron, I’m kicking his ass into next week."

Ishi chuckled nervously, patting her friend’s shoulder in an attempt to diffuse the situation. "Now, now, Li-Jua, let’s not get too worked up over his nonsense…" She turned back to the guard. "So, where exactly can we find him?"

The man scratched his chin. "Well, some of the boys told him about an old legend, something about a retired master swordsman who once served the empire, a warrior who supposedly knew a thousand techniques for slaying monsters. He’s said to be missing an arm and an eye, battle scars from a lifetime of defending the empire."

Ishi blinked. "Wait… what?"

"Yeah, your friend got real excited, started shouting that he ‘knew exactly who it was’ and ran off to find him. No idea where he went after that. Sorry I can’t be of more help."

Li-Jua’s expression shifted from rage to sudden realization.

"Hold on… A legendary one-armed, one-eyed swordsman? I think I know who that is!"

Ishi raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

"Yeah," Li-Jua nodded. "We actually ran into someone like that at the tavern last night. An old, grumpy fisherman. The villagers say he lost his arm fighting some sea monster, though. Doesn’t exactly sound like the same guy, but let’s be honest, Miller probably didn’t stop to consider that. He’s probably off chasing ghosts." She crossed her arms. "Let’s just leave him be for now. We’ll find him sooner or later."

"Fair enough," Ishi agreed. "Our priority is still finding Shigeru the Strategist."

Li-Jua smirked. "Exactly. Let’s head to the market, someone there might have some information, it should be the place with more activity in a day like this.”

The three girls spent the entire day wandering through the bustling market, trying to gather any scrap of information about Shigeru, the former military strategist. Yet, their efforts were utterly fruitless. No one seemed to know anything about a retired officer living in Soranoe, or if they did, they weren’t willing to share.

Miller was equally elusive. No sign of the reckless redhead, nor of the old fisherman Kataude, anywhere in the village. However, despite their failure, the girls didn’t let the day go to waste. They took their time exploring the town, drinking in the sights, sounds, and, most importantly, the food. The market was filled with sizzling skewers, grilled seafood, and fragrant rice dishes, each stall offering something different but equally delicious. As expected from a fishing town, the majority of the dishes revolved around expertly seasoned and charred fish, their smoky aroma carrying through the cool air.

By the time the sun began its slow descent toward the horizon, the trio found themselves resting on a sturdy wooden bench near the docks. From their vantage point, they could see the town’s central plaza just beyond, where preparations for the evening ceremony were well underway.

Beyond the market and the gathering crowds, the scenery unfolded into something breathtaking. Towering cliffs, jagged and sharp as broken swords, loomed over the crashing waves. The endless expanse of the ocean stretched beyond the mist-covered horizon, its surface reflecting the fading sunlight in shimmering streaks of gold and crimson.

Despite the beauty of the moment, the ever-present fog from the morning still lingered, albeit thinner now. It wrapped around the landscape like an ancient ghost, refusing to dissipate entirely.

As always, Li-Jua had Rafli, her carnivorous Rafflesia companion, perched on her shoulder. She absentmindedly fed the creature small bites of grilled fish, watching it chomp down with its ferocious little maw.

"I’m exhausted," Ishi groaned dramatically, stretching out on the bench before sliding down onto the wooden platform beneath them. "We spent the entire day searching for nothing."

Li-Jua chuckled as she continued to feed Rafli. "It doesn’t matter," she said with a knowing smile. "So long as we keep looking, we’ll eventually find something. No need to rush fate."

Ishi turned her head, gazing up at the chestnut-haired healer. Her patience is almost unnatural, she thought with a mix of admiration and frustration. She envied how Li-Jua could remain so composed, so unwavering, no matter the situation.

Sighing, Ishi sat up, brushing a few golden strands of hair from her face. "You’re probably right," she admitted. "But in any case, it’s almost time. We should head to Aricia’s ceremony, it would be rude not to attend."

"Agreed," Li-Jua said, standing up.

Just as the two were about to leave, Li-Jua noticed Pil still sitting in place, her small frame unnaturally still. The young nymph was staring intensely at the cliffs in the distance, her usually bright eyes clouded with deep concern.

The waves crashed violently against the rocks, stronger and more forceful than before. The rhythm of the ocean had shifted.

"Pil?" Li-Jua called, tilting her head. "What’s wrong?"

The nymph didn’t answer right away. Instead, she continued staring at the cliffs, her expression growing more troubled by the second. Finally, she whispered, "Something isn’t right."

Ishi and Li-Jua exchanged glances before turning their attention back to Pil.

"What do you mean?" Ishi asked.

Pil stood up slowly, her hands clenched at her sides. "There’s something inside those cliffs, something ancient, something… wrong. There’s a cave there, hidden beyond the rocks. Something is sealed away inside it."

A cold shiver ran down Ishi’s spine. The way Pil spoke, the tension in her voice, it was unsettling.

Li-Jua frowned, crossing her arms. "I don’t feel anything," she said, trying to sense any magical disturbances.

"Me neither," Ishi added, shaking her head.

"Of course you don’t," Pil murmured. "There’s a magical barrier, one that blocks its energy from leaking out. But that’s not what I’m sensing."

She turned to them, her expression grave. "I’m not detecting its magic. I’m feeling its presence as a force of nature. I am a nymph, after all. My connection to the natural world allows me to sense things others can’t."

She hugged her arms, rubbing them as if trying to shake off a chill. "And whatever is in there… its power is rising. It’s waking up. It’s making my skin crawl."

Li-Jua’s jaw tightened. "It must be the Nuppurufishu," she muttered. "The fishermen mentioned it at the tavern, an ancient creature lurking beneath these waters. They say it’s as powerful as the elder dragons from the mainland."

Ishi froze at the mention of dragons. Her mind immediately flashed back to the horrific encounter with the Doku Ryū, the venomous dragon that had nearly killed them. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably.

"You’re joking," she whispered.

Pil shook her head. "I wish I were."

Silence hung between them for a moment before Pil exhaled sharply. "Let’s hope your cousin’s ritual goes as planned," she said.

The ceremony began exactly as planned. The steady, rhythmic pounding of drums echoed across the central plaza as the acolytes of the Ordo Arcanis chanted solemn prayers to the elemental deity. The entire town of Soranoe had gathered to witness the sacred ritual, their faces illuminated by the golden hues of the setting sun.

Ishi, Li-Jua, and Pil stood near the front of the crowd, watching in silence.

As the sun neared the horizon, a hush fell over the gathering. From the midst of the chanting acolytes, the Saint Aricia emerged, her presence commanding instant reverence. She was adorned in a long, flowing white robe, encrusted with gemstones that sparkled faintly in the dimming light. In her hands, she carried ritual instruments, bells and chimes, that jingled softly as she moved. A delicate white hood and a translucent veil obscured her face, leaving only the faint outline of her features visible.

With practiced grace, Aricia began to dance, her movements fluid and hypnotic, perfectly synchronized with the rhythmic drumming. The entire scene was mesmerizing, an ethereal display of elegance and power.

Li-Jua, ever attuned to magic, was the first to notice it, a gradual but undeniable surge of energy emanating from Aricia. The Saint’s aura thickened, a shimmering blue light swirling around her like a living tide. It expanded outward, covering not only the stage but soon engulfing the entire town in its gentle radiance.

Li-Jua furrowed her brows. This isn’t holy magic, she thought. And of course It lacked the divine essence of barrier spells or protective enchantments. No, this was something else, something more familiar.

Water magic.

She could recognize it instantly, being deeply attuned to the element herself. Water was a force of healing, renewal, and inspiration, a magic that could fortify both body and spirit. It wasn’t meant to seal away evil but rather to enhance.

Yes, enhance. She’s amplifying the seals, Li-Jua realized.

The ceremony continued, undisturbed. The final rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the sea, plunging Soranoe into the depths of night.

At last, the ritual concluded. The warm glow of lanterns and candles flickered to life, casting long shadows across the town square. A deafening cheer erupted from the villagers, their voices filled with relief and gratitude. Once again, their Saint had bestowed them with protection, ensuring that the great beast of the cliffs remained sealed for another year.

Li-Jua and Ishi joined in the applause. Yet, one among them remained unmoved.

Pil stood frozen in place, her wide eyes locked onto the cliffs in the distance.

Li-Jua turned to her, her smile fading. "What’s wrong?"

Pil barely responded, her voice tight with unease. "That presence I felt earlier, the ancient nature power, I thought it would subside after the ritual."

Her fingers curled into fists. "But it hasn’t."*

Li-Jua stiffened.

"What do you mean?" Ishi asked, her stomach twisting.

Pil’s expression darkened. "It’s still growing."

Before anyone could respond, a deafening boom shattered the night.

A massive explosion of water and mist erupted from the cliffs, sending shockwaves through the ocean. The town gasped in horror as towering waves crashed against the harbor, smashing small fishing boats like twigs and obliterating several coastal huts.

The crowd erupted into chaos.

"Nuppurufishu!!" someone screamed, and in an instant, panic spread like wildfire. People shoved past each other, scrambling to flee.

From the stage, Aricia stood paralyzed, her veil fluttering in the wind. Her gaze was locked onto the monstrous silhouette rising from the water, a towering, grotesque abomination that shattered the very cliffs as it emerged.

"No!!" Aricia gasped in horror. "The seals, they’ve been destroyed!"

The beast continued its advance, looming over the terrified town. It was a grotesque fusion of amphibian and leviathan, its immense body eclipsing the moonlight. Its limbs were thick and webbed, its maw wide and cavernous like that of a whale. Twin, glowing yellow eyes fixed hungrily upon the village.

Li-Jua took a step back, gripping her staff tightly. "What the hell is that thing?!" she snarled.

"We need to get out of here!" Ishi shouted.

"No!" Aricia’s voice rang with determination. "If we flee, it will destroy everything! This is my duty as Saint!"

"Your duty?!" Ishi snapped. "That thing will kill you!"*

But Li-Jua wasn’t listening. Unlike her companions, who trembled at the sight of the beast, she was strangely calm. She could feel the creature’s magic now, vast, overwhelming… but not nearly as terrifying as she had expected.

Nowhere close to the Doku Ryū, she mused.

It was enormous, yes. A force of destruction, undoubtedly. But Li-Jua had stared into the eyes of a true ancient dragon, a being whose very existence warped the world around it. Compared to that, this thing was nothing more than a bloated frog.

Then, through the chaos, a distant cry echoed across the bay, one that was far too familiar.

"AHHHHHHH!! LET ME GO, YOU DAMN ABOMINATION!!!"

Li-Jua’s eyes shot upward.

Clutched in the beast’s massive, webbed hand was a struggling figure, flailing wildly as he cursed and kicked.

"MILLER?!"

"MILLER!!!"

Li-Jua, Ishi, and Pil screamed his name in unison, their voices ringing above the chaos.

Ishi was the first to break. "Of course it’s him," she groaned, rubbing her temples. "Only an idiot like Miller could get himself caught by a goddamn sea monster."*

Li-Jua sighed, slapping a hand to her forehead in sheer exasperation. "Unbelievable."*

"What do we do?!" Pil asked frantically.

Li-Jua exhaled sharply. "I’ll get him. You two, get out of here."

Aricia grabbed her wrist. "You can’t seriously be thinking of fighting that thing?!"

Li-Jua yanked her hand away. "It’s not a problem—"

Before she could even finish her sentence, the night was sliced apart by a blinding flash of light.

For a fraction of a second, the world stood still. A brilliant arc of energy streaked across the sky, striking the beast’s massive hand in an instant.

A shockwave followed. The impact was so powerful that the Nuppurufishu recoiled, its monstrous limb snapping backward.

Miller was thrown into the air.

"Miller!!"

He plunged toward the dark waters below, vanishing into the waves.

Li-Jua barely had time to react before her eyes locked onto something else, something that made her breath catch in her throat.

A figure.

A lone warrior stood upon the back of the monstrous sea creature, their blade gleaming in the moonlight.

"Ohhh," Li-Jua whispered, her lips curling into a smirk. "So the legendary swordsman is real, after all."*

Her pulse quickened with excitement.

"I’m going to help him," she declared.

And before anyone could utter a word of protest, she was already gone.

Li-Jua shot forward like an arrow, her speed inhuman, her form a blur against the night.

Ishi and Pil barely had time to register what had happened before she disappeared into the fray.

Li-Jua surged forward, her speed so blinding that even lightning itself would have struggled to keep up. The wind howled around her, yet she barely registered it. With inhuman agility, she scaled the cliffs, her movements so effortless that she didn’t even need to use her hands. The exhilaration surged through her veins, this was what she lived for.

Time seemed to slow, her senses sharpening to an extreme. The world around her became nothing but a blur, mere background noise to the thrill of battle. Ever since that humiliating retreat from the Doku Ryū, she had been itching for a real fight. That had been a situation of desperation, drained of mana, weakened by Ishi’s stubbornness, and forced to flee.

But now... Now, she was at her full strength. And while this beast wasn’t a dragon of death and poison, it would suffice.

Reaching the cliff’s peak, Li-Jua didn't hesitate. With a single, monstrous leap, she shot into the sky, soaring hundreds of meters before landing squarely on the back of the Nippurufishu. The enormous creature barely reacted, its mind too slow to process what had just landed on it.

There, standing only a few feet away from her, was the man responsible for the devastating attack on the beast moments earlier.

"I’m here to help, old man," Li-Jua announced, her voice brimming with confidence.

The warrior beside her barely reacted. He was a man well past his prime, yet his physique was as imposing as any hardened warrior Li-Jua had ever seen. His left arm was missing, and where his right eye should have been, a deep, jagged scar ran down his weathered face. Dressed in a dark blue kimono, he wielded an enormous nodachi, nearly as long as he was tall.

He exhaled through his nose. "Hmph."

Without even glancing at her, he muttered, "From the moment I saw you walk into that tavern, I knew you’d be trouble."

Li-Jua smirked.

"Let’s end this quickly," he continued. "I’d rather be drinking."

His grip on his nodachi tightened. "I’ll keep it busy. The core is in its belly, I’ll make it expose itself. Hit it with everything you’ve got."

There was no need for further discussion.

As Li-Jua prepared herself, Kataude began gathering his energy.

Li-Jua’s sharp eyes widened slightly. The sheer volume of spiritual energy radiating from him was beyond anything she had ever witnessed in a human. It was immense, refined, controlled, a lifetime of mastery condensed into raw power.

So, the old man has some tricks after all, she mused.

"Alright, old man. Just don’t get in my way," she said, rolling her shoulders in anticipation.

Kataude wasted no time.

With a burst of movement, he leapt from the beast’s back, soaring straight toward its limbs. His trajectory left behind a streak of light, energy so powerfull that even the night itself seemed to retreat before him.

Then, he struck.

The Nippurufishu roared as Kataude’s attacks rained upon its massive body. He was relentless, his blade carving through the air in a blur of motion. Despite the monster’s sheer size, the one-armed swordsman moved faster, his strikes so rapid that even Li-Jua had difficulty following them.

However...

He’s not doing any damage, Li-Jua realized.

Though his blows were clean and precise, the beast’s thick hide absorbed each strike effortlessly. It wasn’t even bleeding.

Still, Kataude didn’t stop.

Minutes passed as the battle raged. Then, Kataude made his move.

With a powerful leap, he shot into the sky, soaring high above the Nippurufishu’s monstrous head. The creature, instinctively reacting, followed his ascent with its massive maw, its gaping jaws preparing to swallow him whole.

But it had made a mistake.

As the Nippurufishu reared back, its enormous body lifted from the water, revealing its underbelly.

There, pulsating grotesquely, was its core, a massive, gelatinous red mass, oozing with a clear, viscous substance.

Poison.

Li-Jua grinned.

"My turn."

Without hesitation, she lunged.

Launching herself from the beast’s back, she propelled off one of its thick limbs, using the momentum to hurl herself straight toward its exposed belly.

The force of her acceleration was immense. The sheer pressure cracked the air around her, leaving behind a shockwave. If she had landed this blow on the earth itself, she would have left behind a crater large enough to swallow an entire village.

Her foot connected with the core.

For a moment, the world stood still.

Then—

BOOM!

The impact sent a devastating shockwave rippling through the monster’s massive form. The Nippurufishu didn’t even have time to scream. Its entire body convulsed violently before—

It exploded.

The force of the detonation rocked the very land itself. A tidal wave of flesh, viscera, and thick, red ichor rained down upon the sea, staining the waters crimson.

The once-mighty beast was no more.