Chapter 6: Interlude (A Certain Deep-Sea Fisherman)
On that day, the atmosphere was unusually clear, and the horizon was distinctly visible under the bright sky.
“What a beautiful day. If the fish jump, we’ll know where they are,” one of the fishermen remarked.
They were deep-sea fishermen, utilizing one of the few large magic-powered ships constructed in their homeland, and were currently sailing north in a fleet. The fishing grounds lay a bit further north, but with a stroke of luck, they might encounter a school of fish on their way. With the tides shifting slightly, three men were stationed atop the mast, scanning the horizon in different directions.
“…Hey, what’s that? Can you see it?” one of them called out.
“Hm?”
The man watching the ship’s course had spotted something unusual.
“…Isn’t that a thundercloud?”
A thin white cloud stretched slightly above the horizon.
“No, it looks too slender for that… and it’s glowing at the tip. …Yeah, it’s definitely extending…”
“Hey, hey, it’s not some new type of magical beast, is it?”
“How should I know… Hey, contact below! We’ve got a good telescope, right?”
A crew member dashed to the telescope fixed atop the bridge.
“I see it! …What the heck is that?”
Through the lens, they could see the white cloud reaching upward, with something shimmering at its tip. It continued to rise for a while before the light vanished. As they watched, the straight white cloud began to shift shape, carried by the wind.
“…Call the captain!”
Thus, the various ship captains and the fleet commander engaged in a heated debate about the discovered white cloud and the shining light. Some argued for approaching it to investigate the cause, while others advised retreating in fear of an unknown magical beast. Ultimately, however, they decided to continue their voyage as planned, reasoning that the distance was too great and that they were straying from their intended fishing grounds.
Confidence in the capabilities of their flagship, the large magic-powered ship, also played a role in their decision, as they believed they could handle even an unknown magical beast.
Nevertheless, considering the possibility of this mysterious phenomenon occurring again, the number of watch personnel was increased. In the end, this precaution proved unnecessary, as the same phenomenon did not reappear even after they finished fishing and began their return journey. For the additional crew members assigned to watch from the top of the mast, being confined to such a harsh environment for long hours was met with considerable discontent. However, the fishing itself turned out to be exceptionally bountiful, and the sighting of the luminous pillar of cloud would be passed down through generations as a legendary omen of a great catch.