NOVEL NEXT Chapter 169
169. Delicious Ingredients Don’t Care About Looks, Isn’t It?
Having savored some rare, exquisite gourmet dishes, we decided to head toward the sea located on the northern edge of the town.
Since it would be my first time seeing the ocean, I was excited.
This information came from a conversation we had at a local eatery.
The walls of the Mizuho Divine Kingdom stretch northward as well, so the sea isn’t immediately visible.
Although I’d said Mizuho’s city was smaller compared to Golden Dawn, it’s far larger than any fortress city I’ve seen before.
In fact, it’s only slightly smaller than the royal capital, making it a massive city by normal standards.
After walking quite a distance, we finally reached the northern gate.
Matching Myrna’s pace, we walked at the speed of ordinary pedestrians, so it might’ve just felt like it took longer.
At the gate, a samurai standing guard called out to us.
“Are you adventurers from the Empire? The Adventurer’s Guild shouldn’t have issued any subjugation quests today.”
Kyle and I exchanged glances.
“No, we’re visitors from the southern kingdom here for sightseeing. We heard there’s a sea ahead, so we came to check it out.”
Our goal wasn’t sightseeing, but explaining our envoy mission felt tedious at the moment.
“Unusual, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
Kyle and I exchanged another glance.
“Why’s that?”
Could it be that the port is some sort of military secret?
It wouldn’t be surprising—nations with ports on the sea are said to be extremely rare.
“Well, the sea ahead forms a large inlet, and while it’s generally safe within the bay, monsters occasionally wander in. If you’re sightseeing, it might be safer to stick to the city.”
It seemed to be a simple act of kindness.
Kyle thought for a moment and then nodded. With this group, we should be fine.
“Thank you for the warning. We have reliable guards with us, so we’ll manage.”
“Is that so? Then I won’t stop you. Stay safe.”
“Of course.”
After leaving the northern gate and walking for a while, an enormous body of water finally came into view.
The wind carried a faint, fishy smell.
The inlet was vast, with capes extending to enclose the horizon. As we approached the port, numerous wooden ships, large and small, floated on the water.
The port itself was large, with many massive vessels docked. Even so, the enormous inlet made it seem sparse from a distance—imagine a giant lake fitting snugly within the bay.
“What a splendid port. The facilities for large ships are especially impressive. The smaller docks feel a bit chaotic, though.”
“Regardless, there’s a lot of life here.”
“Craft! Look over there! That ship’s loaded with an insane amount of fish!”
The ship seemed to have a built-in fish tank, and several barrels filled with fish were being hauled out of it.
We were drawn closer, almost instinctively.
All the crew—likely fishermen—worked shirtless, dripping sweat like waterfalls.
They had sun-darkened skin, lean yet muscular builds, and one of them noticed us.
“Hm? Who are you?”
“Ah, sorry to intrude. We’re sightseeing and wandering around. Are we in the way?”
“Nah, it’s fine! We had a big haul today, so we’re in a good mood!”
Welcomed warmly, we watched their unloading process with fascination.
“These fish… I’ve never seen anything like them.”
“Whoa! That one’s as big as Jitaro!”
“Bet it’d be a hearty meal.”
“Why does that sound like you’re suggesting cannibalism?”
“Can we eat it as sashimi?”
“Myrna… aren’t you full yet?”
Amused by the variety of fish, we chatted with the sailors, who seemed entertained by our reactions and eager to introduce us to more unusual catches.
“Wow, crab is really that good?”
“Oh, yeah! Boiled, grilled, even in hot pot—it’s unbeatable!”
“I’ve never heard of that dish before.”
“You should try it! I’ll tell you where to find a great spot!”
“This is sea bream. Sashimi is the best way to enjoy it!”
“And this is octopus. Perfect for stew or takoyaki!”
Persia suddenly recoiled at the sight of the octopus.
“Wait a second! You eat that tentacled demon-like creature!?”
Admittedly, it does resemble a cross between a slime and a roper.
“It’s not a monster—it’s perfectly edible! Though there are giant versions that are monsters.”
“Doesn’t that mean this is just a baby monster!?”
“Not at all. How about this, then? It’s called squid, and it’s delicious, too!”
“Doesn’t it look just like the octopus!?”
More or less, that’s how the conversation went.
I couldn’t see octopus or squid as food either, so I sympathized with Persia.
Still, the sea is undoubtedly a treasure trove of ingredients.
With a safe and vast inlet like this, it’s no wonder their cuisine thrives.
“Hey, Kyle. Does the kingdom have any inlets like this?”
“Hard to say. I’m not aware of any, but perhaps if we searched? However, there aren’t many habitable places near the sea yet, so as coastal development progresses, we might find some.”
“In any case, the kingdom’s sea is to the south, outside our reach.”
“Indeed.”
Golden Dawn lies in the northwest of the kingdom, so meddling with the south is off-limits.
Instead, we’re building relationships with small nations abroad—what a turn of events.
Our peaceful exploration abruptly ended when a nearby ship was suddenly smashed to pieces.
A deafening crash and a spray of water erupted as fragments of the ship flew toward us.
“”[Rainbow Light Barrier]!!””
Eva and I simultaneously cast a defensive spell.
This go-to spell, known for its rapid deployment and versatility, easily deflected most of the incoming debris.
Though weaker in durability compared to other spells, the combined power of the Twilight and the Sage made it incredibly robust.
A splintered mast was effortlessly repelled.
“Kyle! Myrna! Stay close to Craft! Ryuuko, too!”
Raidoc barked orders immediately.
I grabbed Kyle and Myrna’s hands and led them near a fisherman’s hut, pushing the fishermen inside for added safety.
“Persia, Marilyn, Jitaro—stay on direct guard! The rest of us… will take that thing down!”
Raidoc’s gaze locked onto the culprit: a massive, writhing tentacle adorned with suction cups.
The white appendage coiled around a small wooden ship and crushed it to splinters.
Several more tentacles emerged, and in the distance, a vertical, elongated body with two pairs of triangular fins rose above the water.
I couldn’t help but shout.
“It’s a squid!”
“I knew it was a monster!”
Persia screamed as well. I get it. I do!
I was about to reassure Myrna, but her reaction caught me off guard.
“It looks delicious.”
Her eyes sparkled like she was gazing at a feast.
Wait… has Myrna’s personality shifted?
“You guys… That’s not helping morale here.”
“What, you’re saying this’ll be tough for you?”
“I haven’t even gauged its strength yet!”
“Still not worried about it, though.”
Raidoc and I exchanged smirks.
“Well, let’s give them a show. I’ll handle the tentacles with Camille; Eva and Soral, you’re on the main body!”
“””Roger!!!”””
Raidoc darted toward the tentacles, leaping across debris as he swung his orichalcum sword.
“[Crimson Ascending Dragon Slash]!”
His flame-clad blade shredded and incinerated a massive tentacle.
Hey, wasn’t that move supposed to have a long charge time and limited use?
Raidoc’s strength, bolstered by the Sword Saint’s crest, seemed leagues beyond before.
Meanwhile, Camille approached another tentacle.
Wait, did she just run across the water!?
Her speed was unreal, closing the distance in an instant as she unleashed an incredible skill.
“[Mirroring Avatar].”
With a quiet murmur, Camille multiplied.
“What the heck is that!?”
“She’s duplicating herself!?”
“Is this the Ninja’s crest ability!?”
“If there are so many, can I keep one for myself!?”
Like hell, you can!
Also, those aren’t real bodies; they’re just part of the skill!
But then came the real shock.
“””[Shadow Waltz Twin Burial]”””
All of Camille’s duplicates unleashed a flurry of slashes.
These weren’t mere illusions—they were fully effective attacks.
The massive tentacle was reduced to minced bits in no time.
“Her crest is insane, too.”
“She’s reliable, though.”
“Man… back to one Camille…”
Why are you even disappointed!?
“Bite-sized… Perfect for skewers.”
Today’s biggest shock was Myrna’s casual remark.
Myrnaaaaaa-san!