Rayish
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Chapter 37
🕑 Added 2024-09-13 14:41:40 +0000 UTCAfter the ship reached the midpoint of the sea they were headed for, the wind grew stronger, and the water appeared darker and deeper. Loki led the group in beginning this unusual fishing process. On the deck, everyone was busy preparing their fishing rods. However, instead of using regular bait like worms, they used Magic Stones—enchanted stones capable of attracting monsters like the Violas.
Shirou, Aiz, Lefiya, and the others watched as Loki carefully attached a Magic Stone to her fishing line. Unlike ordinary bait, they had to use nails to poke a hole through the magical stone first to attach it to the hook. It wasn't an easy task since the Magic Stones glittered and felt dense in their hands.
"Be careful when attaching it, and make sure nothing falls off before it's time," Loki said with a smile, keeping an eye on how they attached their bait.
Once the Magic Stones were securely fastened, Loki was the first to cast her line into the sea. With her usual dramatic flair, she swung the line through the air and excitedly yelled, "Heave-ho! Let's catch some sea monsters!"
Seeing Loki's enthusiasm, the others followed suit. Tiona cast her line with excitement, while Aiz and Lefiya, more composed, calmly tossed their lines into the deep sea. Shirou, more accustomed to physical combat, eyed the fishing rod in his hand and carefully cast his line as well.
With their lines now submerged in the water, everyone began to wait cautiously, watching the seemingly calm ocean. Despite the peaceful scene, tension hung in the air. None of them knew how large the sea monsters they might face could be or what would happen when the Violas bit into the magical bait.
Shirou, more familiar with fighting enemies on land or in dungeons, looked a bit uneasy. He walked over to Loki, who was still enthusiastically holding her fishing rod, and asked, "Loki, what if the monster that bites the bait is too big and pulls you into the sea? Are you prepared for that kind of monster?" His expression showed genuine concern.
Hearing Shirou's question, Loki chuckled and patted him on the shoulder casually. "Don't worry, Shirou! If a monster drags me into the sea, I'll count on you to save me. How about that? Ready to be a sea hero too?" she said, half-joking but with a glimmer of seriousness in her eyes.
Shirou gave a small smile, though the worry remained. "Alright, then. I'll be ready if something happens," he replied, trying to stay calm despite knowing that fighting on the sea would be vastly different from what he was used to on land.
Everyone waited in suspense, gripping their rods tightly, anticipating the moment when the sea monsters would finally emerge. The ship sailed quietly in the middle of the ocean, but they all knew this calm was only temporary.
After waiting with mounting anticipation for some time, the mood on the ship began to shift. Initially, all the members of the Loki Familia were eager to catch a large sea monster or a Violas, but as time passed, there was no sign of any monster emerging from the depths. The sea breeze blew gently, and only the sound of the waves could be heard, but there was no significant movement from their fishing lines.
Bete, the most impatient among them, let out a long yawn. He began to grow bored with the waiting and lack of results. "This is boring," he grumbled, abandoning his fishing rod and walking to the edge of the ship, leaning with his arms crossed. "We're here to fight monsters, not sit around staring at the ocean."
Seeing Bete's reaction, Loki brushed it off with a sly grin. "Hey, fishing requires patience. It's part of the experience!" she said, trying to keep the spirits up. "Sometimes the best results come when you least expect them."
But before Loki could finish her words, Lefiya, standing near the edge of the ship, suddenly felt a tug on her line. Her face immediately tensed as she realized something heavy was pulling her rod. "M-My line! Something's pulling it!" she cried, her voice filled with surprise and anxiety.
Aiz, standing beside Lefiya, swiftly moved to help. With quick reflexes, she grabbed the fishing line and assisted Lefiya in pulling it. "Don't worry, I've got you," Aiz said calmly, her muscles tensing as they worked together to reel in the catch.
Everyone on the ship watched with anticipation, thinking this might be the moment they'd been waiting for—perhaps a Violas or some other sea monster had finally taken the bait. However, when they pulled the line aboard, what surfaced wasn't a terrifying sea monster or a Violas. Instead, they found an enormous salmon, far larger than any ordinary fish they had ever seen. The fish flopped onto the deck, its bright silver scales shimmering in the light.
Loki, who had been eagerly hoping for something more dramatic, immediately cursed while placing her hands on her hips. "Oh, come on! We used a Magic Stone as bait, and all we caught was an ordinary salmon?!" she said, clearly disappointed. It was obvious she had expected more from this fishing adventure.
At the same time, Shirou smiled slightly as he looked at the large fish. "Well, even if it's not a monster, at least we caught something. And a salmon this big... we could cook it later when we get back to shore," he said with a nod, already imagining the various dishes he could prepare with the fish.
Hearing Shirou's words, Aiz suddenly felt her appetite stirred. Her eyes gleamed slightly as she imagined the delicious meal Shirou would cook. "Salmon... that sounds tasty," she said quietly, looking forward to the chance to taste Shirou's cooking.
Shirou carefully placed the large fish into the icebox on the ship, ensuring it stayed fresh until they returned. Once everything was ready, he returned to his fishing spot, this time with renewed hope. Though they hadn't caught a monster, at least they'd received a gift from the sea.
The others refocused on their fishing lines, though their spirits were different now. Some, like Bete, still seemed uninterested, but others, like Aiz and Lefiya, appeared more optimistic about what might come. The ship continued to sail calmly in the middle of the sea, and they all waited to see what other surprises might emerge from beneath the surface.
After a while of sailing through the calm waters, the atmosphere shifted again when Tiona's line suddenly pulled with great force. Tiona's eyes lit up with excitement. "Finally! Something's biting!" she shouted, gripping the fishing rod tightly and pulling with all her strength.
However, the pull from the creature on the other end was much stronger than she had anticipated. Despite Tiona's efforts to reel it in, the combination of the creature's power and her own force caused the rod to suddenly snap in the middle! The sharp crack echoed through the air, surprising everyone on the ship.
Refusing to accept defeat, Tiona quickly sprang into action. Without thinking twice, she leaped off the ship, diving into the sea with a huge splash. "I'll catch it myself!" she shouted enthusiastically.
Not wanting to be left behind and finding her twin sister's actions too exciting to miss, Tione laughed loudly. "Wait for me, Tiona!" she said, jumping into the sea as well, following her sister.
Loki, watching the whole scene unfold from the deck, was stunned. "Hey! You're supposed to be fishing, not swimming!" she yelled in a panic, unable to believe what was happening. She stared in confusion at the water while the two Amazons swam and dived eagerly, chasing something unseen.
But before Loki could continue her protests, something unexpected happened. Suddenly, a large Violas flower head emerged from the surface of the sea, as if trying to escape from Tiona and Tione's pursuit. The massive flower floated on the water, creating large ripples around it.
Shirou, who had been calmly standing watch on the ship, reacted immediately. With swift precision, he projected his trusty black bow and summoned an Inferno Arrow. Without hesitation, he aimed the flaming arrow at the Violas' head that had surfaced. "Inferno Arrow!" he shouted, releasing the arrow, which shot through the air with great speed.
The fiery arrow flew straight towards the Violas' flower head, and within moments, it pierced the creature, setting it ablaze with roaring flames. The Violas exploded into ash, scattering black dust across the surface of the sea, disappearing without a trace.
Witnessing the quick and unexpected turn of events, Loki was left speechless. "What the...!?" she exclaimed in shock. This was far from what she had imagined their fishing adventure would be like. Fishing for sea monsters with rods? Sure. But now they'd ended up with a fiery explosion in the middle of the ocean!
On the other side of the ship, Bete, who had been watching the thrilling actions of Tiona, Tione, and Shirou, began to feel his fighting spirit ignite. With a wild grin, he shrugged off his shirt and tossed it onto the deck. "Well, if that's how it's going, I'm in!" he said, before leaping off the ship and diving into the sea, ready to hunt Violas beneath the water.
Loki, now sitting on the deck, could only slap her forehead and let out a long sigh. "Maybe... this could count as fishing," she muttered wearily, though she had never imagined there would be so much dramatic action during this trip.
Meanwhile, Shirou, still holding his bow, smiled slightly as he watched his friends enthusiastically battle in the middle of the sea. What was supposed to be a simple adventure had turned into a monster hunt far more thrilling than they had anticipated.
Seeing the growing commotion, Gareth, who had been quietly steering the ship, started to feel his own excitement rise. With a hearty laugh, he let go of the wheel and grabbed a bag full of Magic Stones. With his strong hands, he scattered the stones into the sea, like someone feeding fish in a pond.
It didn't take long for a swarm of sea monsters and Violas to emerge from the depths, drawn by the magic energy radiating from the stones. The water around the ship began to churn, signaling their arrival. The ship rocked more violently, surrounded by ferocious creatures ready to attack.
Gareth laughed heartily at the chaos he had unleashed. "Hahaha! Now this is a real adventure!" he shouted joyfully, using his bare hands to strike the monsters approaching the ship. Each blow from Gareth sent the creatures flying back into the sea, his incredible strength making him seem like a giant amidst the tumultuous waters.
On the other side of the ship, Aiz stood with her sword drawn, her usual calm demeanor unchanged. Every time a sea monster or Violas neared, she swiftly cut them down, one by one. Her movements were quick, precise, and lethal, like a raging storm among the waves. In the midst of the battle, Aiz glanced at Shirou and Lefiya. "Shirou, focus on archery. Lefiya, start your spell. Let's finish them quickly," she said firmly.
Shirou, already holding his bow, nodded seriously. "Got it!" He summoned Inferno Arrow, his black bow glowing with magical fire, ready to be released. Calmly, he drew his bow, targeting the monsters attempting to flee or attack from a distance. His arrows flew with pinpoint accuracy, striking the monsters and setting them ablaze, causing them to vanish in an instant.
Meanwhile, Lefiya began chanting a long spell. With her staff in hand, she closed her eyes, focusing on the magical energy gathering around her. The Arcs Ray spell was ready to be unleashed. With a single motion, Lefiya directed her staff forward, and a powerful burst of magical energy shot from its tip. The ray of energy struck the approaching monsters, obliterating them in a flash.
Loki, who had initially been so excited to lead this "fishing adventure," was now hiding behind the ship's cockpit. Her eyes were wide with shock, unable to believe the chaos unfolding around her. "W-what is this?! I just wanted to fish for sea monsters, not destroy my ship!" she cried out, panicking as she thought about the repair costs piling up from the ship's damage due to the monster attacks and intense battles on deck.
Meanwhile, Gareth continued fighting off the approaching monsters, his punches landing with resounding force. Aiz kept slashing with her sword tirelessly, and Lefiya unleashed her spells one after another. Shirou, with remarkable calm, continued shooting at the monsters trying to escape or attack from a distance. His Inferno Arrows exploded upon contact, incinerating the enemies into ash.
The once-peaceful ship had now become a battlefield in the middle of the sea. Yet, despite the chaos, the coordination between the members of the Loki Familia allowed them to regain control of the situation, even though the challenges they faced were far beyond their original expectations.
The battle at sea raged on, but it was no longer the uncontrolled frenzy it had been before. Now, the Loki Familia members were more organized, coordinating each move to maximize their strength against the monsters continuously emerging from the ocean depths. The ship began to sail in a circular pattern, moving slowly while fending off wave after wave of monster attacks.
Bete, Tiona, and Tione were still in the water, swimming agilely amidst the growing waves. Despite being in the sea, they showed no signs of fatigue or hesitation. Every time a sea monster or Violas approached, they swiftly dealt with it. Tiona and Tione used their raw strength to smash and drown the monsters, while Bete swam with incredible speed, ambushing any creature that dared approach the ship. "These monsters aren't even strong enough to make me take them seriously," Bete growled as he punched a Violas, sending it flying back into the sea.
On the ship, Gareth, holding the helm, continued to keep the vessel steady. Not only was he focused on steering, but he also occasionally fended off monsters trying to approach from the side. With a single powerful swing, Gareth could fend off the creatures without losing his balance. "Ha! You think you can damage my ship? Not that easily!" he shouted with a booming laugh, fully enjoying the challenge with unwavering enthusiasm.
At the back of the ship, Aiz stood firm, guarding Shirou and Lefiya's position. Whenever a monster got too close, Aiz swiftly slashed with her sword, cutting down the enemies before they could reach her companions. Shirou, standing next to Lefiya, held his bow with intense focus. He continuously projected magical arrows and shot Inferno Arrow toward the monsters in the distance. Each arrow flew with perfect accuracy, destroying the targets with a powerful explosion of fire.
Next to Shirou, Lefiya was still concentrating on her spellcasting. Using Arcs Ray, she unleashed a powerful beam of energy, taking down the monsters attempting to approach from all sides. With each successful spell, their attacks became more coordinated and effective.
Meanwhile, inside the cockpit, Loki hid nervously. She sat in the corner, hugging her knees, and prayed to any god who might listen. "Please, anyone... I don't care which god, just don't let this ship sink. I don't want to deal with repair costs... or worse," she muttered in despair. Occasionally, Loki peeked out through a small window, watching the battle on deck and in the sea with a pounding heart. It wasn't the monsters that frightened her, but the thought of how much it would cost if the ship was damaged or sank.
Amidst all this action, the ship continued to sail slowly in circles, battling waves of monster attacks. They managed to keep the ship stable while Bete, Tiona, and Tione continued to fend off the monsters in the water. Gareth remained at the helm, ensuring the ship stayed on course, while Aiz protected Shirou and Lefiya, who kept firing long-range attacks. Despite the challenge being far greater than they had anticipated, their solid coordination allowed them to handle the situation well.
Slowly but surely, the monsters began to retreat, disappearing back into the depths of the sea, seemingly giving up against the combined might of the Loki Familia.
After hours of fighting, the ship finally began its return to the harbor. However, its condition was completely wrecked. The sails, which had once stood tall, were now charred in places due to explosions and monster attacks. The hull was riddled with holes from impacts and attacks by the Violas and other sea monsters. The wooden structure was cracked, and the ship looked as though it had been through a battle far more intense than a mere "fishing trip."
As soon as the ship docked, Loki was the first to disembark, her expression growing more frustrated. She looked at the wrecked ship and sighed deeply. "This... This is a disaster," she muttered in frustration, gazing at the extensive damage. Folding her arms across her chest, she turned to face her Familia members as they disembarked one by one. "If this keeps up, I'm going to cut all of your pay to cover the damages!" she threatened, half-joking but with a hint of seriousness in her tone.
However, the threat didn't seem to intimidate the members of Loki Familia. Bete, who had already made it to the harbor, just laughed loudly, clearly pleased with the action-packed experience they had just had. "Pay? Who cares! That fight was way more fun than I expected!" he exclaimed with a wide grin, as if the state of the ship didn't bother him at all. Tiona and Tione agreed with Bete, laughing in satisfaction, enjoying the thrill of the adventure. Even though they returned with a battered ship, their spirits remained high, happy to have fought sea monsters firsthand.
Gareth, who was the last to disembark, patted Bete on the shoulder while laughing. "I agree! That experience was worth more than anything. It's not every day we get to fish... I mean, fight monsters in the middle of the sea!" he said, making Tiona and Tione laugh even more.
While Loki rolled her eyes, feeling exhausted by her Familia's reactions, she shook her head and walked toward the ship's owner. "Alright, I have to sort this mess out. Otherwise, we'll all be stuck paying for a new ship," she grumbled as she headed towards the owner who was already waiting at the dock. Loki prepared herself for a negotiation she was clearly not looking forward to.
As Loki busied herself with negotiations, Shirou, who had also just disembarked, remembered the large salmon they had caught earlier. He walked to the back of the ship and found the fish still resting in a box of ice, which had nearly melted due to the heat of the battle. Shirou smiled slightly, feeling satisfied that at least they had a real catch to show for the trip, even if it wasn't a giant sea monster.
Carefully, Shirou picked up the salmon and placed it in a prepared bag. "At least we have something for dinner tonight," he muttered softly, a faint smile on his face. Even though their journey had turned into a high-octane adventure rather than a simple fishing trip, he felt they had something to take home as a keepsake.
After safely storing the fish, Shirou stood on the dock, gazing out at the calm sea. The sea breeze blew gently, and despite their ship being heavily damaged, he felt that this experience had been truly valuable.
After a long and exhausting negotiation with the shipowner, Loki finally managed to pay the compensation for the damage they caused. Still showing remnants of frustration on her face, Loki rejoined her Familia members, who were already waiting at the harbor. Despite the day’s challenges, they all seemed excited and satisfied with the adventure they had just experienced.
As the sun began to set and the sky turned a golden orange, they all walked together toward the inn. The evening felt more relaxed compared to earlier. Walking calmly at the back, Shirou carried a bag containing the large salmon they had caught in the open sea. Despite the chaos of the day, Shirou smiled slightly, thinking about his plan to cook something special.
Upon arriving at the inn, Shirou headed straight to the kitchen. After placing the salmon on the kitchen counter, he began preparing his cooking tools. "Today, we'll make salmon sashimi," he muttered to himself while examining the large fish before him. He started imagining how he would prepare the dish, slicing the fish with perfect precision to create delicious sashimi pieces.
While Shirou was busy in the kitchen, Lefiya entered and offered to help. "Shirou, I can help. What should I do?" she asked eagerly. Though Lefiya was more skilled in magic than cooking, she still wanted to assist Shirou in preparing the meal.
Shirou smiled at Lefiya. "Thanks, Lefiya. You can help by prepping the other ingredients, like washing the vegetables and organizing the utensils. And don’t forget to set the plates for the sashimi."
Lefiya nodded enthusiastically and immediately got to work, washing the vegetables and preparing the plates with care. Even though her tasks were simple, she performed them meticulously, wanting everything to be perfect.
Not long after, Aiz came into the kitchen. She offered to help as well, even though her skills were more suited to combat than cooking. "What can I help with?" Aiz asked in her calm tone, though a hint of curiosity gleamed in her eyes.
Realizing they were short on a few ingredients, Shirou asked Aiz to go buy some additional supplies from the market. "Aiz, can you help me by getting some extra ingredients? We need soy sauce, ginger, and a few fresh vegetables for garnish," he said, handing her a small list of items to buy.
Aiz nodded without hesitation. "Alright, I’ll be back soon," she replied briefly before leaving. She quickly headed out of the inn and made her way to the market, walking with a swift but composed pace.
While Aiz was gone, Shirou continued preparing the salmon. With a sharp knife in hand, he began slicing the fish with precision, creating smooth and perfect pieces of sashimi. Each slice looked soft and glistening, showcasing the freshness of the fish they had caught straight from the sea.
Lefiya, working alongside Shirou, occasionally glanced at the sashimi slices with admiration. "The cuts are so neat… You’re really skilled at this, Shirou," she said as she continued cleaning the plates and setting the table.
Shirou smiled slightly as he kept working. "It’s all about patience and attention to detail," he replied, staying focused on the fish in front of him.
With their teamwork, the kitchen buzzed with quiet, harmonious activity. Shirou knew that tonight, they would enjoy a delicious meal after a day full of challenges at sea.
After a while, Aiz returned from the market with the ingredients Shirou had requested. Efficiently, she handed over the soy sauce, ginger, and fresh vegetables she had bought. "Here are all the ingredients you needed," Aiz said as she placed them on the kitchen counter. She appeared calm, but her curiosity about the preparations was evident in her eyes.
Shirou smiled and thanked her. "Thanks, Aiz. This is perfect," he said. He quickly moved on to the final stage of preparation: making the sauce for the sashimi. With careful movements, he mixed the soy sauce with some freshly grated ginger and a few other seasonings to create a sauce with a distinct flavor. "This sauce will balance the taste of the salmon," he explained, knowing that most of them probably hadn’t tried a dish like this before.
Once the sauce was ready, Shirou began arranging the salmon sashimi on a beautiful large plate, carefully placing the slices to make them look appetizing. The tender salmon slices gleamed under the kitchen lights, showcasing their freshness. Beside the sashimi, he prepared warm white rice as a complement, along with fresh vegetable garnishes.
When everything was ready, Shirou carried the plates to the dining area of the inn, where several members of the Loki Familia were already waiting. As soon as Aiz, Tiona, Tione, and the others saw the dish, their eyes lit up in admiration. Aiz, who usually didn’t show much emotion, seemed particularly excited this time. "This looks delicious," she said, taking her seat at the table.
Shirou smiled, proud of his work. "This is sashimi, a traditional dish from Japan, my homeland," he explained as he placed the sashimi and rice in front of them. "Sashimi is typically served with a sauce made from soy sauce and ginger, like the one I’ve prepared here. You can dip the sashimi slices into the sauce before eating."
Aiz didn’t wait long. She picked up a slice of sashimi, dipped it in the sauce, and popped it into her mouth. As she chewed, her eyes sparkled. "It’s amazing," she said seriously, clearly savoring every bite.
Tiona, sitting beside Aiz, also tried it for the first time. "This is my first time eating a dish like this," she said with bright eyes as she tasted the sashimi. "The texture is so soft, and the sauce really complements the fish!"
Shirou chuckled at their enthusiasm. "It’s one of the more popular dishes in my homeland. Sashimi is a way to serve fresh fish without cooking it, and simple seasonings like soy sauce and ginger help highlight the fish’s natural flavor," he explained, proud to introduce Japanese culinary traditions to his new friends.
Not wanting to be left out, Tione tried the sashimi with a curious expression. "I’ve never eaten uncooked fish before… but this is really good! It tastes fresh and delicate," she said, surprised at how much she enjoyed the dish.
That night, they all ate heartily, enjoying the catch of the sea transformed into a delicious meal by Shirou’s cooking skills. The atmosphere in the dining room felt warm and familiar, filled with laughter and conversations about their day’s adventures at sea. Despite the exhausting battle against the Violas and sea monsters, the shared dinner became the perfect conclusion to their action-packed day.
After a delightful meal filled with laughter, the inn’s atmosphere began to quiet down. One by one, the members of the Loki Familia started to feel tired after the long day. Their stomachs were full, and their energy was running low after the adventure at sea and the battles with the sea monsters earlier.
Shirou, who had been the center of attention that evening thanks to his cooking, felt relieved seeing everyone enjoy his food. But now, his body was starting to feel heavy, and his mind was filled with the desire to rest. After a brief chat with the others, Shirou excused himself and headed back to his room.
He walked quietly down the inn’s hallway, the sounds of laughter and conversation from the dining room fading behind him. When he reached his room, Shirou gently opened the door and stepped into the quiet space. The room was simple, with a bed, a small table, and a window that looked out into the night. A cool evening breeze drifted through the window, adding to the cozy feel of the room.
Shirou set down the bag he usually carried beside the table and began removing his outer clothes. His body ached after such a long day—fishing, fighting Violas, and cooking for the whole Familia. He caught his reflection in the mirror and smiled slightly, recalling the day’s events. Despite the challenges, it had ended with beautiful memories.
After getting ready for bed, Shirou walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, staring up at the dark ceiling. The faint sound of waves crashing outside the window reminded him of their sea adventure.
"So much happened today," he thought to himself. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, feeling the exhaustion settle into his body.
Slowly, Shirou lay down on the soft mattress. His body immediately relaxed, sinking into the comfort and warmth. His eyes gradually closed as his mind drifted toward sleep. The images of their sea adventure, his friends’ laughter, and their smiles while enjoying dinner filled his thoughts as he finally drifted off.
In the stillness of the night, Shirou slept soundly, ready to face a new day with renewed energy.
