NOVEL WEB Chapter 22: The Emergence of Yverantheia
As the Fishmen King was sent hurtling through the air by a single strike, he understood the vast disparity between himself and this new calamity. Calculating based on his own fifth-level strength, it was evident that his opponent had reached the sixth level.
Faced with such a formidable foe, even he harbored no hope of victory. The cost of vanquishing this calamity was daunting. Engaging it in battle within the city would likely result in the destruction of half the city and a severe reduction in the Fishmen population.
This explained why they had extended such a warm welcome to Yverantheia. She alone could reduce the Fishmen's casualties to zero.
'Right... if it's Miss Yverantheia...'
The Fishmen King's scattered consciousness refocused, and he beheld a colossal entity. Its body towered higher than his palace, with numerous purple tentacles extending from it, and a grotesque eye embedded in its center emitted incomprehensible sounds.
“Ugh…”
A mere glance etched the creature's image deeply into the Fishmen King's mind, repeatedly tormenting his psyche. Fortunately, his strength allowed him to resist; otherwise, he would have gone mad upon seeing it.
Boom! Boom!!
Before he could fully suppress the mental invasion, a series of explosions erupted again.
Though he knew he shouldn’t look, curiosity compelled him to take that step.
What he saw was the calamity being engulfed by a torrent of magic, gradually worn down, and a girl standing aloft, overlooking the city like a deity.
[ In the future, she will come here, and all will bow before her. ]
At that moment, he finally understood who the powerful being had referred to as 'her.'
'She' was right before him now.
...
“Hmm... almost done.”
Yverantheia ceased her magical bombardment, revealing the form of the 'Great-Eyed Tentacle' beneath.
Or what was left of it; it had been blasted to pieces, leaving behind only a clear crystal similar to the one from the 'Plant Cthulhu.'
“This... is useless.”
The 'Great-Eyed Tentacle' was weaker than the 'Plant Cthulhu,' and the power contained in the clear crystal was naturally lesser. After absorbing the 'Plant Cthulhu’s' crystal, Yverantheia's power had increased significantly. This crystal was not useless, but it was of no use to her now.
Nevertheless, she stored it away. Just because it was useless now didn't mean it always would be.
Surveying the surroundings, the palace had surprisingly retained half of its structure despite the 'Great-Eyed Tentacle' and Yverantheia’s magical onslaught.
Of course, Yverantheia had controlled her power. Although lightning magic was difficult to manage underwater, other elements weren’t, as she had tested during her initial battle with the Octopus Lieutenant.
She did this mainly out of consideration for the Fishmen King. Valuing his people's survival, she could gain his favor by sparing his palace.
“This... the calamity has been defeated...?”
The soldiers, previously scattered and hiding, returned to the battlefield to find Yverantheia holding a clear crystal.
When the Octopus Lieutenant mutated into the 'Great-Eyed Tentacle,' both palace soldiers and residents peering from windows had seen the grotesque creature and been driven mad.
Thanks to Yverantheia's defeat of the 'Great-Eyed Tentacle,' they regained their sanity and came to investigate.
“Everyone, calm down.”
The Fishmen King arrived at this moment. He looked at Yverantheia and then performed an act that shocked everyone.
“Miss Yverantheia... no, Lady Yverantheia, please allow me to pledge my loyalty to you.”
The Fishmen King knelt on one knee, placing his right hand over his chest, swearing allegiance to Yverantheia.
‘Just like that?’
“Your Majesty... what are you...”
“Thanks to Lady Yverantheia, our race was spared from disaster. The Fishmen, this city, you saved us all.”
As if answering Yverantheia and the soldiers’ questions, the Fishmen King spoke of what Yverantheia had done.
In his eyes, Yverantheia could become the Fishmen King... or even the ruler of other races.
“Sigh... stand up first.”
“Understood.”
The Fishmen King stood again, his gaze filled with admiration and reverence.
“The Fishmen are a collective; your will alone cannot decide everyone's future.”
“Ah! We also pledge our loyalty to you!”
As soon as Yverantheia got the Fishmen King to stand, the soldiers behind him knelt in unison. Not just them, but even the city’s residents, as if aware of what had transpired, knelt and swore fealty.
‘This... is a bit much.’
Initially, Yverantheia thought that gaining the Fishmen King's loyalty meant she would only have his power. She hadn't expected such an overwhelming response from the other Fishmen.
However, Yverantheia indeed had all the Fishmen’s power now, so she decided to bear this awkwardness.
“Pupu.”
Suddenly, a small tentacle creature wriggled toward Yverantheia.
“Huh? How did you get out?”
Anticipating a fierce battle, Yverantheia had hidden the small tentacle in a very safe place. Yet, it had emerged.
‘Was the defense still insufficient? It seems I need to reevaluate...’
“Pupu!”
While Yverantheia pondered, the small tentacle had reached her, wrapping its tentacle around her hand.
“Ugh? What are you doing?”
Yverantheia shook her left hand, but the small tentacle clung to it like an octopus, refusing to let go.
“Pupu! Pupu!”
“...Fine, you can have it, though it’s of no use to me now.”
Yverantheia released the clear crystal in her left hand. The small tentacle immediately grabbed it, happily consuming it, or rather, swallowing it.
“Pupu!”
The small tentacle raised several appendages, surrounded by an effect resembling twinkling stars.
“Fine, as long as you're happy.”
...
Some time later.
“Lady Yverantheia, have you decided where you’re going?”
“Yes.”
Yverantheia now had a satchel, a gift from the Fishmen, engraved with spatial magic, capable of storing numerous items. It was already filled with food, magical tools, and various other supplies.
“Then... we bid you farewell, Lady Yverantheia!”
“Salute!!”
The Fishmen soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder in a line, saluting with their right hands over their chests.
Seeing this scene, Yverantheia quickly used magic to accelerate her departure from the area, almost as if fleeing.
‘If it’s you... I look forward to that day.’
Watching Yverantheia disappear rapidly into the ocean, the Fishmen King sighed in his heart.
