Chapter 68
Kururur… Splash!
Far from the Cremo Harbor, waves rushed in from the open sea, crashing into the shore.
A massive wave struck what resembled a rocky eye.
However, the Gigatitan did not blink.
Or rather, it had no eyelids to blink with in the first place.
Grrrk.
Amid the crashing waves, the Gigatitan’s eyes glimmered with its protruding eyes, resembling those of a lobster or crab.
Both of its eyes activated all 16 types of color receptors, ranging from infrared to ultraviolet.
With vision dozens of times more advanced than a human’s, it observed the distant waters off Cremo Harbor.
And there, it spotted a presence that unsettled its mood.
Grrk!
The appendages near its mouth trembled harshly.
A mermaid.
It was undoubtedly a mermaid.
That figure towering over the waters off Cremo Harbor was unmistakably a mermaid.
A colossal one unlike any it had ever encountered.
Grrrk, grrrk.
The Gigatitan fell into contemplation.
Even for this 90-meter-long creature, mermaids were formidable.
Each one was powerful, and they could form groups numbering from dozens to hundreds, often hunting on a large scale.
Grrrk…!
Should it flee?
After pondering for a moment, the Gigatitan shook its massive head.
There was nowhere to run.
Leaving this shallow coastal area meant returning to the deep sea, a place teeming with threats just as daunting as mermaids.
And that is, its own kind.
Grrrrrr….
The memory of its kin made the Gigatitan’s tail stir uneasily.
A humiliating past has resurfaced.
Competition among its own kind. Facing younger, stronger individuals. Fights to protect its territory. And the disgrace of being utterly defeated.
Grrr!
Returning to the deep sea was not an option.
It would only be overpowered by its kin again.
Worse, it might end up as a meal for them if its luck ran out.
This place was its only refuge.
Old and weakened as it was, this coastal area had been a peaceful home for the past ten years. It was an ideal habitat where mermaids rarely ventured due to the proximity of the human harbor, even if it meant living without a mate.
Grrrrrk!
Retreating was not an option.
This habitat could not be abandoned.
The Gigatitan’s massive, rock-like eyes filled with determination.
It surveyed the towering mermaid statue and its surroundings once more.
Then it noticed something reassuring.
Grrk!
There were no other mermaids.
Only that unnaturally large one, standing alone.
The meaning was clear.
First, a lone mermaid was manageable.
Second, it had to act before this mermaid brought reinforcements.
And so, the Gigatitan resolved to fight.
Grgrrrrrrrk!
A savage glint filled its cautious eyes.
Its massive forelimbs tensed, and its enormous body sank beneath the waves.
Swoosh! Crash!
The waves roared as it concealed itself below the surface.
It began sprinting along the seafloor.
A charge driven by the determination to protect its territory.
Its path was set—toward the giant mermaid statue off Cremo Harbor.
But the hundreds of people attending the statue’s completion ceremony aboard a nearby ship were blissfully unaware of this approaching danger.
♣
“Hm?”
Javier paused instinctively.
The fruit drink in his tilted glass rippled, spilling a few drops onto his scarf, leaving small stains.
Yet Javier paid no mind to the stains.
His blue eyes were fixed on the distant sea.
His gaze narrowed, and his brows furrowed slightly.
“What are you doing? Do you need to use the restroom or something?”
“…”
Lloyd’s question came from beside him.
Javier suppressed an irritated sigh and replied calmly.
“I don’t think the restroom is the issue here.”
“Then what’s the problem? Why are you suddenly scowling like that?”
“Something feels off.”
“Off?”
“Yes.”
“Like what?”
“Over there.”
Javier raised his hand, pointing beyond the bow of the ship they were aboard, toward the open sea.
Lloyd followed his gaze and shrugged.
“All I see is a beautiful evening sea glimmering under the sunset.”
“Yes, that’s all that’s visible. But something…”
“Something?”
“Feels unusual.”
“…”
Lloyd tilted his head slightly, studying Javier’s face.
He quickly realized something.
When Javier said he sensed something strange, he wasn’t joking or making idle conversation.
‘That’s just how Javier is—always serious and composed.’
Lloyd’s expression and gaze grew serious too.
“Tell me more.”
“Something seems to be moving beneath the surface.”
“Right here, below us?”
“No. Further out to sea.”
“Could it be a whale or some other marine animal?”
“It’s much larger. And… it seems to be heading this way.”
“What?”
No way.
“Can you estimate its size?”
“Roughly. By length alone, it’s larger than Hamang at its largest size.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“…”
If Javier said so, it had to be true.
Lloyd trusted him without question.
‘Javier is on the verge of becoming a Swordmaster. His heightened senses must be due to the Swordmaster Syndrome.’
Sometimes, that allowed him to sense movement underwater from kilometers away, especially if the entity was massive, spanning tens of meters.
‘This could be bad.’
Lloyd swallowed nervously as ominous thoughts filled his mind.
The only creature in these waters larger than Hamang was the Gigatitan.
And that beast was heading their way.
Lloyd glanced around.
The deck of the luxurious ship was bustling.
Dozens of people were enjoying the onboard party, surrounded by lavish decorations.
On one side, a band played a soothing tune, while elegantly dressed guests chatted leisurely.
Some smiled gracefully while sipping their drinks.
Others admired the grandeur of the mermaid statue.
A few couples danced slowly, lost in their own rhythm.
Lloyd’s gaze quickly scanned the crowd.
Finally, he spotted his target: the host of this party and the ruler of the trading city of Cremo, Count Cremo.
“You haven’t been drinking, have you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then this isn’t drunken rambling. Got it. Wait for my signal.”
He instructed Javier before making his way toward Count Cremo, weaving through the guests.
“Well, well, if it isn’t the man of the hour! The one who laid the foundation for this joyous occasion. Come, come!”
Count Cremo chuckled heartily as he spotted Lloyd.
The count gestured to the people around him.
“Everyone, forgive my delay in introducing him. This young man here is Lloyd Frontera, the eldest son of the Frontera family. He is the mastermind behind the sturdy foundation beneath that statue!”
The count rested a hand on Lloyd’s shoulder as he introduced him to a group of older individuals who appeared to be influential figures in Cremo.
But Lloyd wasn’t here for pleasantries.
He cleared his throat.
“Ahem. Count, may I have a word?”
“What is it?”
The count raised an eyebrow, curious.
Lloyd’s voice dropped to a quieter, more serious tone.
“It seems the Gigatitan is approaching this area.”
“What?”
Both of the count’s eyebrows shot up.
“The Gigatitan?”
“Yes.”
“Are you certain?”
“At the very least, it warrants confirmation.”
Lloyd explained, “My bodyguard sensed something unusual. A massive entity appears to be approaching from beneath the water, starting from the distant sea.”
“And you believe it to be the Gigatitan?”
“Based on its estimated size, yes.”
“Hmm.”
The count tilted his head slightly, his expression skeptical.
“You haven’t been drinking too much, have you?”
“No, not a single drop.”
“Then it’s even stranger. Are you absolutely certain of your bodyguard’s senses?”
The count’s gaze shifted to a middle-aged knight with sharp features standing nearby.
“This is Sir Ginovan, my personal bodyguard. He is a seasoned Sword Expert nearing the upper ranks—practically on the verge of Swordmaster status. That means he also has Swordmaster Syndrome. Sir Ginovan, do you sense anything unusual from the distant sea?”
“Nothing, my lord,” Sir Ginovan replied firmly.
The count turned back to Lloyd.
“You see? Sir Ginovan senses nothing. Besides, if the Gigatitan were truly approaching, the numerous coastal watchtowers would have sounded the alarm by now. Surely, you don’t doubt the defensive system of my city, which has dealt with the Gigatitan over the past ten years?”
“Of course not.”
Lloyd quickly shook his head and plastered on a polite smile.
“It seems that my bodyguard and I might just be a bit on edge. This is our first time at such a grand event, after all.”
“Ha-ha, understandable. Regardless, you’ve been a great help to me and this city.”
“Your kind words mean everything to me.”
“Ha-ha-ha! Humble too, aren’t you? Everyone, see this fine young man?”
The count looked around at the city’s influential figures, who all responded with approving smiles.
The count clapped Lloyd’s shoulder firmly with his large hand.
“Despite the atmosphere, he still gave a warning like that. It shows how much he cares about this city’s safety. Who would have thought I’d find such a remarkable youth in this region? Today is a truly joyous day. Let’s raise our glasses once more! You too, Lloyd. Relax and enjoy yourself. Rest assured, your payment for the construction will be more than generous.”
“Understood.”
Lloyd could only manage a strained smile.
‘Well, that went nowhere.’
He accepted the glass the count handed him, raising it in a toast while stealing a glance at Javier.
Javier gave a subtle nod, confirming his certainty.
Lloyd discreetly bit his lower lip.
‘The count dismissed the warning, and insisting further would only put me in his bad books. What now?’
He trusted Javier more than the count’s assurances, even over Sir Ginovan’s lack of reaction.
‘Javier’s instincts are sharper, and Ginovan… he’s just a background character in ‘Iron-Blooded Knight’. He never even makes it to Swordmaster status.’
“Cheers!”
The count’s shout echoed.
Lloyd pretended to sip from his glass before bowing out of the conversation.
Alerting the count had failed.
Now he had to act independently.
‘What can I do… Ah, that’ll work.’
Lloyd’s gaze settled on the ship’s mooring ropes.
The thick ropes tied to sturdy iron stakes embedded in the statue’s foundation caught his eye.
The mooring ropes secured the ships, keeping them from drifting with the waves and current.
Lloyd quickly scanned his surroundings.
No one seemed to be paying attention to him.
The musicians, engrossed in their performance.
The workers serving food and drinks.
The nobles and merchants enjoying the party.
All of them were oblivious to his movements.
The same was true for the other ships hosting similar onboard celebrations nearby.
‘No turning back now.’
Lloyd approached Javier, exchanging a brief glance.
He reached out and grabbed the hilt of the sword at Javier’s waist, pulling it free.
‘Shiiing!’
The long sword gleamed coldly in the fading sunlight.
Lloyd quickened his pace.
‘All at once.’
There wasn’t even time for anyone to react.
No one noticed he had drawn a sword.
Moving swiftly, Lloyd leapt over the ship’s railing, landing on the cement foundation beneath the mermaid statue.
He swung the sword down at the ropes tied to the stakes.
‘Slash! Crack! Shhhk!’
One by one, the six thick ropes, each as thick as an arm, were severed.
With the mooring lines cut, six ships began tilting and drifting with the waves.
The partygoers on board stumbled as the ships swayed abruptly.
Music stopped, wine glasses fell and shattered, and chaos erupted.
Even amidst the commotion, Lloyd didn’t stop.
He leapt back onto the ship, dashed past the deck, and headed toward the stern.
There, he found the windlass—the mechanism used to haul up the anchor.
Once again, his sword flashed.
‘Crack! Clang!’
The rope connecting the windlass to the anchor was sliced clean through.
Even the mooring lines and anchor. Also, both the bow and stern.
With nothing securing the ship, it tilted precariously and began to drift further away from the statue, pushed by the waves and current.
Chaos ensued on deck.
“What’s going on?”
“The ship is moving!”
“Ahhh! That man has a sword!”
A woman among the startled guests pointed at Lloyd, raising her voice as she saw the sword in his hand.
But Lloyd didn’t care.
Instead, he climbed onto the railing and shouted toward the five remaining ships still near the statue.
“If you want to see another year, cut your anchor lines! Spread out as far as possible!”
His voice rang loud and clear.
Just as the count turned to reprimand him for his actions, it happened.
‘BOOM!’
A colossal figure burst from beneath the water.
With an explosive spray of water, it surged upward, crashing toward the mermaid statue and the five remaining ships nearby.
