Episode 6: Interlude (A Certain Offshore Fisherman)
That day, the atmosphere was unusually clear, and it was such a sunny day that the horizon was clearly visible.
“It’s a clear day. I can spot a jumping fish anywhere.”
They were offshore fishermen using Large Magical Warships, of which only a few had been built even in their home country, and they were heading north in a fleet. The fishing grounds were a little further north, but if they were lucky, they might encounter a school of migratory fish. There were also some changes in the tidal currents, so that day, three men were on the mast, checking in three directions.
“…Hey, what’s that? Can you see it?”
“Huh?”
One of them, who had been watching the direction the ship was heading, spotted something.
“…. Isn’t that a thundercloud?”
A white cloud extending slightly from the horizon.
“No, it’s too thin to be that… and the tip is shining. …Yeah, it’s growing…”
“Hey, hey, it’s not some new kind of magical beast, is it?”
“How should I know…? Hey, contact below! There’s a good telescope down there!”
The crew member who received the message jumped to the telescope fixed to the upper part of the bridge.
“I see it! …What is that?”
What they could see in their field of vision was a white cloud rising rapidly upwards, and something shining at the tip. It continued to rise for a while, and then the light disappeared. As they watched, the straight white cloud was blown by the wind, changing its shape.
“…Call the captain!”
And so, each captain and the fleet commander had a heated discussion about the white cloud and shining light they had discovered. Some argued to approach to investigate the cause, while others advised to turn back immediately, fearing an unknown magical beast. However, in the end, they decided to continue their voyage as planned, because the distance was too great and the direction was off from the intended fishing grounds.
They also had confidence in the capabilities of the flagship Large Magical Warship, and judged that they could handle even an unknown magical beast.
However, considering that this unknown phenomenon might occur again, the number of Surveillance Personnel was increased.
In the end, this vigilance was in vain, and even after finishing fishing and returning home, the same phenomenon did not occur.
For the crew members who were added to the Surveillance Personnel, it was a very unpopular measure, as they were confined to the harsh environment at the tip of the mast for long periods of time. However, the fishing itself was the most bountiful in recent years, and the legend that a large catch would occur when a Shining Pillar of Clouds was discovered was passed down for a long time.