The sounds of raising sails and lifting anchors filled the port city with noise. Bactins was already fortified, with countless knights and soldiers on standby. Aside from those assigned near the borders, Northern Cities, and the palace, the full power of the Kairos Kingdom stood prepared.
To stop the Kraken.
A tactical meeting was held in a peculiar atmosphere. The men present had never faced a Disaster before, so none of them knew what they were capable of. Some scratched their heads, wondering why so many troops had to be mobilized. Others looked as if they weren’t that nervous in the first place, while others glared at the commander-in-chief, who held the baton, with a look of jealousy and envy.
“I’ve said it before, but here is the path of the Kraken thus far.”
Said the commander-in-chief in charge of the operation. He unfolded a nautical chart and showed it to everyone present, pointing out the geography of the strait with his baton.
“It entered a channel eroded by glaciers. Its only path to the mainland from here is through Bactins.”
Dozens of small islands and unusually deep water for the coast. It could be a game-changer, or it could be the way to dig our own grave. I scanned the terrain with a frown. He had a point about fighting here.
“According to our scouts, the Kraken is still waiting in the deepwater. They assume it is waiting for its forces to gather, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
The Commander-in-Chief tapped the sea map with his baton.
“This thing is huge. Our reports say its shadow on the sea is much larger than a small island. We predict it’s big enough to narrowly fit into the sea lanes.”
Suddenly, laughter came from one side of the room. The knights and soldiers in the room looked over in disbelief. Georg sighed, crossing his arms, while Arjen glared at the uncooperative group with hatred.
“Anyway, the big question now is ‘how’ to deal with this creature, and I’d like to gather opinions on that, so if anyone wishes to speak, please raise your hand.”
No sooner had the commander-in-chief finished speaking than someone raised their hand.
“Is there really any reason to prepare for such a large-scale operation? It’s just a big, ignorant beast, isn’t it?”
A man who appeared to be around the same age as the commander-in-chief said. The insignia on his chest showed he was the leader of the Musketeers. I could see what he was thinking. He suspects they’re making a big deal out of nothing, trying to get a political boost.
“Well, if that’s what you think, you should just get out.”
The Commander-in-Chief shot back, frowning as if offended.
“Or why don’t you let that ‘Hero’ deal with it since it seems his fingers are starting to lose their callouses, and he’s here fucking around with equal speaking rights to the rest of us.”
I crossed my arms and ignored him. Nothing good would come if I answered back. Perhaps the original Elroy would have spoken up. I looked at the commander-in-chief and asked.
“Have all the residents been evacuated?”
What was the Mist trying to convey to me? That I was helpless? Does it have anything to do with the fact that I don’t dwell on the past?
“I think we should start the evacuation as late as possible. We don’t want to cause unnecessary anxiety in the population, and news will spread unnecessarily.”
At the commander-in-chief’s words, I frowned.
“No, sir. We need to get the people out of here right now. As far away from this city as possible.”
“Look at that; our Hero is looking out for the people. What a role model.”
The old men sneered. ‘Used to fighting to kill people, not to protect them.’ I let out a sigh. Most people who look at me sarcastically now would die in the battle with the Kraken. I feel sorry for them.
“It’s too late to start evacuating now. If the Kraken ever lands in Bactin’s, we’ll have to deal with a lot of damage, and we don’t even know the Disaster is capable of yet.”
“Then maybe you should just keep the Kraken from coming ashore.”
I hear him chuckle.
“Say something, Commander-in-Chief. That’s the Hero’s plan.”
It seemed Elroy’s right to speak was just out of courtesy. An outsider that was nothing more than a mascot. That’s what I must have looked like in the eyes of the admirals and commanders. The Commander-in-Chief pondered, then turned to me.
“…I’ll defer to your wishes, Hero, for it’s better than the alternative.”
“Funny, you two make a great pair, huh?”
The leader of the group turned his head in disbelief. In such an uneasy atmosphere, the meeting on defeating the Kraken continued. But they couldn’t agree on a course of action, and the meeting ended in a series of disagreements.
Indeed, there were no answers.
I could see how the original Hero’s Party would have struggled. I could see why Elroy was acting so self-righteous and edgy. I closed my mouth as I stared at the shambles of a meeting. I had to be careful not to let my sigh escape.
“Funny, that old Musketeer.”
Nella snorted as the party returned to the barracks set aside for them. Her trademark crimson hair blew in the sea breeze.
“Laughing and sneering at everything you said. He was a sight to behold. Don’t you think, Hero?”
I shrugged. There was no substance in that meeting, just old men discussing in the back room. I had to stifle my rage as I watched them.
“It’s not that I don’t understand them. You haven’t proven yourself worthy yet.”
Arjen muttered. Nella narrowed her eyes and glanced at Arjen.
“You kept your mouth shut for the entire meeting, saying nothing. You didn’t even think of helping the Hero when he was in trouble.”
Nella twisted her lips. Arjen snorted and looked at the mage.
“He’s the party leader, and I won’t stand up and tell him what to do. The meeting would have gone better if he hadn’t interrupted and turned it into a fight.”
The two of them started arguing with each other, and Georg sighed softly.
“Stop it. We’re only going to make things worse by fighting amongst ourselves.”
I opened my mouth. Arjen looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
“You mean to tell me you’re suddenly going to act like a good party leader now?”
I wondered what the hell I was supposed to do in this fantasy. How the hell was the fog going to get me to give in?
“Get a grip. We’re setting ourselves up for failure. I get you don’t believe in my plan, but the citizens’ lives are at stake here. If they die, who’s going to be responsible?”
I snapped at Arjen in an aggressive tone.
“You need to tone it down. Don’t be an asshole.”
I said under my breath and walked away. I wouldn’t get off as easy this time as I did with the last spider. Arjen shook his head and backed away. ‘Could our party defeat the Kraken like this?’
“…Well done.”
As we walked back to the barracks, Georg quietly whispered to me. Even with the fog, Georg is Georg. He’s the only one I can trust. I walked away with a slight smile on my face.
***
The next day, we arrived at the meeting and were greeted with a surprise. The crowded conference center had become quite deserted. The Commander-in-Chief looked at the party and pointed to an empty seat with his baton.
“The leader of the Musketeers has been removed from this operation by my authority. He took his knights with him this morning. Once word reaches the palace, he’ll have difficulty keeping his position.”
The Commander-in-Chief looked at the vacancy and smiled wryly.
“Too many cooks spoil the dish.”
He crossed his arms and turned back to us.
“I know how terrible the Kraken is. I know what happened to the ships that went out to scout it. Only those who didn’t see it firsthand can laugh, talk like that, and come to a task force meeting with a light heart.”
There was fear in the Commander-in-Chief’s voice. I frowned at the sight.
“Then why did you delay the evacuation of the residents?”
“…I have a duty, not just to prevent casualties, but to minimize the disruption to the kingdom in the process.”
Seeing my puzzled expression, the Commander-in-Chief spoke in a stiff voice.
“It’s the way of the world, Hero. Some things cannot be helped.”
“… Very well, let’s get this meeting started.”
I said, trying to keep the disgust out of my voice. The Commander-in-Chief nodded, placing his baton back on his hip.
“The Kraken is slowly closing in on Bactins. The surveillance ships are withdrawing, and I’ve decided to focus our efforts on holding the line on the city itself.”
The Commander-in-Chief raised his baton to his palm and tapped it on the map.
“Any questions at this point?”
I gestured toward the sea chart.
“Suggestions?”
The Commander-in-Chief stepped to the side, and I looked at the chart. I don’t know why the fog showed me this scene, but I know what to do.
“The defensive battle must be fought here.”
Even if it’s an illusion. I gestured to the narrow channel leading into Barktins.
“If we engage it here, we don’t need to risk the people’s lives.”
“…On the sea? Do you know what we’re fighting?”
“We wouldn’t have to if the people were evacuated earlier.”
I added. The Commander-in-Chief sighed at my words.
“Well, it can’t be helped….”
“It was your choice, and we’ll pay for it because we have to protect the people. If we let the Kraken make landfall, everyone will die.”
The commander-in-chief frowned.
“You do know that hundreds, maybe thousands of monsters will fight with it?”
“Then all the more reason we shouldn’t let them near the city.”
I leaned in to press the commander-in-chief, and he looked me in the eye with a troubled expression. Amid this tug-of-war-like snowball fight, someone spoke up.
“No.”
I turned and locked eyes with Arjen, who was looking at me.
“We don’t stand a chance against the Kraken at sea.”
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