Four ships sailed across the Western Sea. The surging waves became insignificant before the tall, dense hulls, transforming into white waves and foam that scattered at the slightest touch.
In the gently swaying cabin, Nidhogg, already accustomed to sailing, sat on a chair. He heard Melina, on the other side of the round table, say to him:
"Give me your hand."
Nidhogg placed his hand on the round table and extended it, smiling as he said:
"Depending on the context, I have two interpretations of what you just said. First, you plan to take one of my hands. Second, you plan to court me and put an engagement ring on my finger."
Melina had become fully accustomed to and able to ignore Nidhogg's daily nonsense. She gently held his palm. The light of the Golden Order suddenly filled the room.
"Are you sure you want to melt down some items in exchange for Runes?"
"I'm sure. I'm still very cautious about this matter. But considering I'm not far from the next stage and I have many duplicate items, I can completely exchange them for Runes to improve."
"Alright. Please tell me what you want to combine into Runes."
"The Confessor Set, the Stargazer Set, the Prophet Set, the Grafted Soldier Set, the Lordsworn's Greatsword, the Nightrider Flail."
"Wait a moment... Well, as you wish."
Melina released her hand. The light of the Golden Order dispersed. Nidhogg's level was also raised—from LV 98 to LV 99.
"It's very difficult to get an upgrade."
As Nidhogg complained, he heard footsteps outside the door. Then someone knocked.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Bard! Nidhogg, something's happening outside. Do you want to come out and see?"
"Alright, I'll be right there."
Nidhogg stood up and headed for the door.
Melina remained sitting on the chair, picked up a book, and started reading. This was a habit she had recently developed in her spare time. Flora had even recommended the book.
When he opened the door, Nidhogg saw the pot-bellied Bard there.
Nidhogg had kept his promise in Vritannis. He had gone to the tavern with the bard for a drink. Then, relying on himself, the bard said he would go along the sea and see the unknown world.
Having witnessed that day and that battle, the bard would never believe the obvious lie about "hallucinations created by cultist powder."
Nidhogg thought it didn't matter if there were a few more people and agreed.
Similarly, he had agreed to let Jerome board the ship. This timid nobleman had since followed Farnese's former commander.
"What's wrong?"
"The sailors on the watchtower saw three ships ahead. Those three ships have recently changed to black sails. They reported it to the captain and asked me to inform you again."
"Black sails... Pirates?"
"Eighty percent yes. Once we get out to sea, it's really like piercing a pirate's nest. This is the third wave of pirates we've encountered, right?"
"Oh, then let's go to the bow of the ship and have a look."
Nidhogg and Bard together went out onto the foredeck.
A large group of people had gathered here. Groups of people looking forward were also on the two ships to the left and right. When they saw Nidhogg, everyone nodded from a distance.
Federigo had generously gifted three of the best and largest ships and asked Nidhogg to rename them before sailing.
Nidhogg thought about it and named them "Knight," "Smith," and "Maiden" respectively.
Besides the captain, the three ships also had personnel from Nidhogg's side. For example, Nidhogg was on the "Knight," Guts and Casca were on the "Smith," and Flora was on the "Maiden."
Nidhogg also nodded to familiar faces on the other two ships. Then he looked ahead and indeed saw three ships with black sails racing towards them at high speed.
"It seems we can't get rid of them. We'll have to fight head-on... What about the 'Sea Horse' ?"
The captain beside him quickly replied: "The Sea Horse has signaled us and is preparing for battle... And look, the 'Sea Horse' is attacking!"
Nidhogg looked in the direction the captain was pointing and, sure enough, saw the distinctive three-masted battleship emerging from the flanks of the "Knight," "Smith," and "Maiden," circling around towards the three pirate ships.
The bow of the battleship was a horse stepping on the waves. The rear of the horse became the symbol of a "fish's tail." There were turrets on both sides of the hull, with black cannon muzzles pointing outward.
This was the advanced large sailing vessel belonging to the "Navigation Prince" Nordic—the "Sea Horse"!
It was said that in the naval battle against the Tudor Empire's invasion of the Kingdom of Ys, Nordic commanded the "Sea Horse," sinking five Tudor warships and preventing the invasion with astonishing efficiency.
This naval battle also cemented Nordic's reputation as the "Navigation Prince."
"With the Sea Horse already making a move, it seems we have nothing to worry about."
And indeed, the "Sea Horse" returned to the flanks of the three pirate ships. They heard the roar of naval artillery across the sea and saw white smoke rising between the ships.
But somehow, the "Sea Horse" remained unharmed. One of the three pirate ships capsized on its side. The ship was destroyed and sunk!
After that, the Sea Horse became even more magnificent. It actually approached the remaining two pirate ships. Another salvo of artillery fire sank those two ships one after another!
The crowd watching the battle on the deck of the "Knight" couldn't help but exclaim:
"Excellent! Just as expected from the 'Sea Horse'! Hundreds of shots hit! Since setting sail, no pirate ship has been able to cross the Sea Horse's artillery fire and threaten us!"
Nidhogg also nodded repeatedly, praising Nordic's ability to command naval battles. The name "Navigation Prince" was truly well-deserved.
At this moment, the Sea Horse also withdrew to the side of the "Knight," like a victorious general.
Nidhogg thought about jumping over to the "Sea Horse" later to talk with Nordic. But then he suddenly noticed something was wrong with the sea. He said to the captain beside him:
"Give me the telescope."
The captain hastily handed Nidhogg a monocular navigation telescope.
Through the telescope, Nidhogg looked at the waters where the three pirate ships had capsized. They hadn't completely sunk yet. He could still see sails, masts, and parts of the hulls.
However, several tentacle-like creatures extended from the sea surface, dragging the three pirate ships to the bottom one after another. After a while, they vanished.
Nidhogg saw clearly. He threw the telescope back to the captain and ordered:
"Signal the other ships to leave this area as quickly as possible. The 'Knight' will stay at the rear. Execute immediately."
Then, ignoring the captain's reaction, Nidhogg hurried to the stern.
He understood that the next enemy they would face could not be dealt with by the "Sea Horse's" artillery fire.
The captain gave the signal. The "Knight," "Sea Horse," and "Maiden" all obeyed the order.
Only Guts on the "Smith" also sensed something. So the "Smith" also stayed behind the fleet, alongside the "Knight."
Nidhogg stood at the stern of the "Knight." When he turned his head, he saw a man at the stern of the "Smith" —Guts himself.
Guts carried the Dragonslayer and lifted his chin towards Nidhogg.
In this situation, Nidhogg didn't stop him. He similarly drew his greatsword, facing the slightly salty sea breeze.
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