Episode 299: The Sea Serpent and the English Army
The ice chunks floating in the air attacked all at once.
The soldiers tried to escape, but they couldn’t evade the ice chunks flying at terrifying speeds, and many were crushed to death by the ice.
The whale monster drifting on the frozen waves opened its massive mouth.
It was a [Breath of Death] close to Absolute Zero. Anything touched by the whale’s breath—be it living creature, vehicle, or building—froze instantly.
A military platoon was annihilated, and there was no one left moving.
The whale swam through the ice and moved to another location.
◇◇◇
“Leave the combat with the Monsters to the Seekers, and we will focus all our efforts on evacuating the residents!”
“Yes, sir!”
Giving instructions to his subordinates was Andrew, who had returned from reconnaissance. He, too, had received orders from the government and was immediately working to evacuate the residents.
Andrew looked around and sighed.
The roads were already flooded. It was clear that this area was submerged.
–In this situation, a large number of Water Monsters will come. Can we escape?
As he was thinking pessimistically, he was called out by his deputy, Logan.
“Captain! Reports are coming in that Fish-men are approaching from the west street, and a Sea Serpent from the east street. At this rate, they will catch up with the evacuating residents. What do we do?”
Andrew hesitated for a moment. Normally, he would want to leave the response to the Seekers, but in the current situation where Monsters were appearing everywhere, they wouldn’t be able to come immediately.
However, they couldn’t defeat a Monster as powerful as a Sea Serpent on their own.
After a moment of hesitation, he made a decision.
“Divide the unit into three: one to intercept the Fish-men, and two to engage the Sea Serpent! However, this is just a delaying tactic. We only need to hold out until the Seekers arrive. Divide the teams immediately!”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Logan turned and ran off. He discussed with the unit members and decided on the teams to be divided.
It was necessary to move to intercept the Fish-men, but if they were going to defeat the Sea Serpent, they could just wait here. Naturally, Andrew intended to join the unit that would defeat the Sea Serpent.
A sea monster that even Seekers could only defeat with great sacrifice.
How effective would their weapons be against such a Sea Serpent?
Andrew noticed that his legs were trembling. It was reckless after all. That’s why he couldn’t stop trembling.
He gripped his rifle tightly.
“Captain, the teams have been divided, and one has been sent to the west street.”
“…I see, understood.”
Andrew shouldered his rifle and glared at the east street.
Only about twenty subordinates remained. Frankly, they wouldn’t stand a chance with this force. Even so, they had no choice but to do it.
“Don’t let your guard down. When the enemy appears, fire all at once!”
“Yes, sir!!”
Everyone readied their guns.
Silence spread. But little by little, something could be heard. The sound of water. The sound of water coming towards them.
Water overflowed from the east street, and the water level increased.
Coming with the water, writhing, was a giant snake. A Sea Serpent. It was the first time the soldiers had seen one this close, and they all flinched.
However, only Andrew stepped forward.
“Don’t be intimidated! If we let it pass, the damage will spread to the civilians. Stop it here no matter what!!”
“Yes, sir! Everyone, prepare to fire!”
At Logan’s command, gun muzzles turned towards the Sea Serpent, and at the shout of “Fire!!” a volley of shots began.
Bullets imbued with Lightning Magical Power pierced the Sea Serpent’s body. With a pained cry, the serpent raised its head like a striking cobra.
It opened its mouth and began to gather Magical Power.
“Damn it! Scatter, scatter!!”
Andrew screamed, but only about ten people reacted. The rest were a moment too late to evade.
The Sea Serpent’s Water Breath attacked the soldiers. It hit five of them directly, blowing them away with the force.
Everyone tumbled like broken toys, never to stand again. Andrew bit his lip.
Soldiers were not Seekers. If they were hit by a Monster’s attack, they had no way to defend themselves.
It was clear that the fallen soldiers were dead. Even so, they couldn’t retreat.
“Everyone, continue firing while scattering! Don’t get hit by the Water Breath!!”
The soldiers followed Andrew’s instructions, increasing the distance between each other and surrounding the Sea Serpent.
They poured countless bullets into the Monster while one person died from its breath. They were fighting such a desperate battle.
But with only about seven people left, it was becoming difficult to hold back the Sea Serpent.
Andrew glanced at the grenade on his waist. If he could explode this weapon inside the Sea Serpent’s mouth…
To do that, he would have to let himself be eaten.
Andrew bit his lip hard and gave instructions.
“I’ll handle things here somehow! You guys retreat and focus on evacuating the residents!”
“B-but Captain!”
Logan’s eyes widened, and he tried to argue, but Andrew stopped him with his hand.
“Everyone will die if we stay here. If you escape, the chances of joining up with the Seekers will increase. Go!”
While the two were arguing, the serpent opened its mouth and unleashed its Water Breath.
Everyone barely managed to avoid it. Growing impatient with not being able to hit them, the serpent lunged headfirst.
Andrew was the target.
“Captain, look out!!”
Logan pushed Andrew away. In that instant, the serpent’s sharp fangs pierced Logan’s body.
As it slowly raised its head, a large amount of blood dripped down.
“No… Logan!”
The death of a subordinate who had shared joys and sorrows with him for many years. Even so, there was no time to grieve.
“Retreat! Retreat!!”
There was nothing more he could do. He let his subordinates escape first, and he would cover the rear.
Andrew gripped the grenade on his waist and glared at the Sea Serpent chasing after him as he ran.
–Come on, eat me! That will be your end!
The serpent opened its mouth and lunged. Just as Andrew was prepared for death, Lightning flashed around him. The Sea Serpent’s face was slashed, and fresh blood splattered.
A young blonde woman was dancing in the air.
“One more strike!!”
Then another person slashed at the serpent’s neck. The neck was deeply cut, and a large amount of blood flowed from there as well.
Andrew recognized the two people who had landed on the ground.
Both were leaders of Seeker Clans. Charlotte Baker and Hans Davis.
Charlotte, still holding her Longsword, turned around and met Andrew’s gaze.
“Sorry we’re late. We’ll take it from here!”