When we returned to Sheftent, the town was already in chaos. Many people were running around at the harbor.

s.h.i.+ps of all sizes were anch.o.r.ed throughout the harbor, some with broken masts and others with scorch marks.

They must be a part of the Commercial Fleet.

But there werent many of them in here. Maybe only about a fifth of the s.h.i.+ps that belonged to the Commercial Fleet were here. Could it be that many s.h.i.+ps had sunk?

Adventurers were gathered in one corner of the harbor, staring at the great magic beast with grim faces.

It looked quite small from here, but Adventurers who knew the lake well could estimate its size.

When we got closer, they seemed to have recognized Fran right away. Well, she was obviously coming back from the direction where the strange thing happened while riding a big wolf. It was only natural that we would stand out.

O-oi! Isnt that the Black Lightning Princess?

Ooh! Its true! Black Lightning Princess-dono!

Wh-what on earth is going on? What the h.e.l.l was that thing?

A few people called out to her.

A big magic beast came out

Well, I can tell that by just looking at it

I dont know much about it either. More importantly, I want to ask you some questions

Hmm? What it is?

Have you seen Sierra?

Sierra?

Oh, that kid? No, we havent seen him

I see

In the end, we couldnt find out what Zelyse had done with Sierra. And I guess Fran was still concerned about Sierras whereabouts.

But no one seemed to have seen him in Sheftent. He did not even get caught with our detection range on our way here.

And we didnt have the time to look for him any further now.

Also, what happened to the Commercial Fleet?

It has become a horrible mess

Yeah, I never thought the fleet would end up like this

The Adventurers told us so with grim faces.

Apparently, due to the Modoki attacks and the huge explosion, many s.h.i.+ps were damaged and a large number of people were killed.

Even so, the safe s.h.i.+ps managed to scatter around and dock in the surrounding towns, and many people were able to get off the s.h.i.+ps.

Many of the damaged s.h.i.+ps were docked in Sheftent, and people were still being treated at the moment.

Right now, were still trying to identify the people who have died. Theyre right there in the square

I see

Let me show you the way

He then guided us to the square.

A large number of people and a dozen or so bodies were laid out in the square. It pained me to see people clinging to the bodies of those who were close to them in tears.

The wailing cries of the children were especially depressing.

I could see Fran clenching her fists and quietly stifling her anger. I felt the same too.

Seeing this scene, once again I felt the urge to kill Zelyse. When we escaped from the temple, even if I had to force myself a little, I should have put a Kanna Kamui right on his face.

But at that time, my priority was to get Fran out of there, no matter what. I didnt have time to take any unnecessary risks back then.

I also heard that some of them havent been found yet

(Master)

Yeah

We asked the people from the s.h.i.+p who were in the square to help us to arrange the bodies of the victims in the square. We didnt have much time, but we knew we couldnt neglect this.

It seemed that some of the s.h.i.+ps crew members who were here, had friends and relatives among them, and the square then filled with even more grief.

(Zelyse! Ill definitely beat him the next time we see him)

Yeah

(Woof!)

Then we prayed silently and left the place.

Our destination was the academys campsite, where I could detect the presence of Weena Rhyn.

When we arrived there, the students had gathered back at the campsite, looking somewhat anxious. I guess they still hadnt grasped the situation yet.

When Fran landed at the campsite, the students immediately surrounded her. The first one to call out to her was Charon.

Fran-san! The town seems to be in an uproar. Do you know whats going on?

The Commercial Fleet was attacked by magic beasts

Wha! How bad is the damage?

Quite terrible. I have to report to Weena Rhyn about that

I see. Im sorry for stopping you

When Fran mentioned Weena Rhyns name, the students spontaneously cleared a path for her.

As expected of the students of the Academy of Magic. They probably understood that there was no point in panicking at a time like this.

It may get dangerous for us to stay here. Prepare to evacuate

Eh? But

This is an order from an instructor

U-understood

Nn

It was convenient to have authority at times like this. Well, she didnt have the kind of authority that would normally allow her to issue such an order, but this was an emergency.

Lets talk to Weena Rhyn first so we can start evacuating everyone. She should have known that something is going on

Nn!

In fact, it would not be surprising if she had known everything through the spirits.

Weena Rhyn!

Fran

Weena Rhyns face, as she sat in her chair, was dominated by a sadness that made me feel sorry for her. From the way her hair was in a mess, she must have ruffled her head many times already.

It seemed that Weena Rhyn was now so cornered that she could be convinced that she had done such a thing.

How, how could the magic beast in the lake resurrect!? Im sure the seal wasnt severely broken yet!? If things continue like this, Rhyn might disappear!