volume 3 - Chapter c261 (1/2)

To Ampere Seale!(3)

The Nagas in The s.h.i.+ning Sea was fairly infamous across the region, often attacking the merchant s.h.i.+ps that were along the way from Ampere Seale to the Port of Grey Winds, and even at Port Gris! But the Nagas in the deep waters were not united as one, and was split into several different tribes, with the Kou Toas and the s.h.i.+ning Scale Nagas being the most famous amongst them. The s.h.i.+ning Scales did not only appear in the s.h.i.+ning Sea, and can be seen across the Seven Seas of Vaunte, and was the most bada.s.s pirate in all of history. It may seem that they closely resembled a Kingdom, with its culture, language, and traditions.

The underwater tribes survive by stealing and robbing, and the Nagas were no exception. Sometimes there would be tens of tribes having infighting. And in all of history, there had never been a case where these sorts of pirate fights did not bring trouble to the merchant s.h.i.+ps that pa.s.sed along the way. If anything, it troubled them.

To the sailors, the bandits were not as frightening as the Sirens from the legends, and with just Brendel’s warning, everyone regained their composure. “But it sure is mysterious. The Merfolk barely ever banded up with the Nagas to wreck a s.h.i.+p.” Despite all that, James asked doubtfully.

He pulled out his smokepipe and shook out the tobacco within it before stuffing it back into his bag. His longsword in his right arm, the captain ordered the other sailors to pull up the s.h.i.+elds on the flank of the s.h.i.+p.

“Be careful of their javelins!” He roared.

In the game, the Merfolk had close ties to Nagas. They often partic.i.p.ate in the internal conflicts of the Nagas, using their melodious voice to aid their comrades. Plainly speaking, they were the wandering poets of the battlefield, the underwater battlefield. However, they were kind creatures, and had always denied attacking the humans or the dwarves alongside the Nagas. That was why James found it odd when the two species had surfaced to attack them.

At that moment, the creatures broke the surface of the water. They held an uncanny resemblance to humans - except their blue skin and some other fishlike characteristics. Their skin was made of scales, and had gills under their b.r.e.a.s.t.s. They had nostrils and lungs to breathe in air, but with the dry air in the atmosphere, they rarely left the water.

The Nagas that surfaced did not have a head, and in its place was a stalk of blue nerves. It may seem odd at the beginning, but in time, it would be quite a pretty sight. Most of those who came out of the water were males. Males had two arms and non-obvious b.r.e.a.s.t.s. Their faces were chiseled and sharp, with waterproof battle prints on them. Their muscles were humongous, and had a barbaric aura to them.

Legends have it that the Nagas were the descendants of the Heavenly Snake, a half-human, half-snake. The female Nagas had one additional pair of arms. According to the legends, the G.o.d of Nagas wanted the females to be more creative than the males, who were only needed on the battlefield.

But that was only based on the legends. In reality, the Nagas and the Merfolk were good at throwing the javelins. The Nagas had two arms, one to wield the javelin, the other was meant for either a short sword or s.h.i.+eld. The seas were rich in natural ores, and the Nagas used the iron and bronze there to enlarge their weaponry. Plus, they could use the volcanoes to forge them and even a method to preserve the weapons underwater. That explained why their weapons were not too bad compared to humans. But the biggest difference were the Nagas’ leaf-shaped s.h.i.+elds. They were made for underwater combat to reduce water resistance.

Seeing that the Merfolk’s charming voice did not work as it was intended to, the Nagas floated up to the surface. This was their common tactic, to rain down javelins on the deck of the s.h.i.+p. Unfortunately for them, the captain James was really experienced and had ordered them to raise their s.h.i.+elds. The s.h.i.+elds were the ordinary ones seen on the battlefields of Vaunte, and they were commonly hung on the hull of the s.h.i.+p, and they would be pulled up when they were needed.

The metallic spears fell like raindrops, embedding themselves onto the s.h.i.+elds or sliding back down into the water. The crew were safe, after all, the s.h.i.+elds were invented as a countermeasure against the pirates. The Faraway was a huge s.h.i.+p, and was meant to take on any sort of situations.

After a while, Mephisto, Ciel, Andrea, Scarlet, Morpheus, Ropar and Medissa also appeared on the deck. Seeing them, Brendel sighed in relief. Although he was not informed about the strength of Brendel’s forces, he can see that at least Medissa and Ciel were gold-rankers. With the two powerhouses on the s.h.i.+p, it could be said that it was one of the most powerful s.h.i.+ps in all of Vaunte.

“What’s going on?” Mephisto asked upon seeing the monsters when he appeared on the deck. James would not have guessed that the cold middle-aged man was actually Brendel’s most powerful a.s.set, but with his calm composure, he was sure that the man must not be just cannon fodder.

However, there was a reason behind his calm demeanor. After all, it was the beginning of the year where everyone was really weak. Unlike back then, even a bandit had Elemental powers. Besides, don’t even mention the Aouine, Mephisto was ranked as one of the strongest even back when he served the Kirrlutz Empire. With just being slightly careful, he could eliminate just about anyone without even being figured out.

Just merely a few Nagas that were nothing but small fries in his eyes.

“It’s the Nagas.” Brendel held firmly onto his sword but did not make a move. He eyed the warrior on the surface, sensing a little familiarity. It may seem that all the Nagas looked alike, but there was actually a slight difference between each one of them, like the s.h.i.+ning Scales to have more striking scales. But the ones before them seemed to be the Grey Fined Nagas, with their slightly pale fins.

He shuddered. It cannot be that coincidental, can it?

“These are the Nagas?” Albeit knowing about them, Mephisto had never been to the sea and had obviously seen them before. He turned over to look at Brendel, “ How can you always meet up with trouble?”

“I…” Brendel had never dreamed of the day he would see this serious fellow diss him in such regard.

Only he would be that relaxed in such a situation anyways.

However, he did not expect Orthlyss to agree with the Grey Sword, “He is correct. How can you always be involved in trouble wherever you go?”

“Dear Marsha. I am innocent, okay?” Brendel muttered. Back when everything was just a game, he prayed so hard to be involved in some scenario, and yet when he came to this world, he could not help but be involved. Just as one ended, another will begin. All that has begun to stress him out, both mentally and physically. [T/L: Dude, you’re the MC of this story, ofc you’ll have drama arcs. HAHA]

Orthylss was just joking, however. Meeting bandits were common in the oceans. And not only on the waters, but it would be normal to see bandits in the mountains and plains as well. The feudal lords only cared for the capital of their lands. And the further one goes from the center, the higher the crime rates will become. And at those places where there was no government, it was a playland for the unruly.