Chapter 93

# Chapter 93: <If We're Moving, Then>

Kale stood in front of the blood-soaked whale without listening to Chaihan's answer.

‘Deliberately inflicted wounds.’

The whale's skin was covered with small cuts, but no major injuries. This level of damage could be completely healed without a trace by using a potion.

"Did you use blood?"

Witura's eyes narrowed at the calm question, devoid of any worry.

"A little. Since I was leading, I thought it would be better."

Witura was the one who fought at the forefront, even more aggressively than the most belligerent orcas. Moreover, she was the type who didn't fear physical harm.

Such a mindset was sometimes necessary in war.

When the whale clan and their allies fought against the merfolk and sea creatures, if the successor like her led the charge, spreading blood in the sea and pushing the mana-consuming merfolk to the back, how inspiring it would be. Morale would be greatly boosted.

‘I don't plan to do that, though.’

Kale thought that avoiding injury was more important than boosting morale.

"Shall we go to the tent and talk a bit?"

"Sure."

Squish. Steam rose. Soon, Witura transformed into human form and descended to the shore.

‘Scary.’

Seeing her human form covered in blood was quite terrifying. Kale subtly took a step to the side, away from Witura, and walked towards the tent.

"Follow me."

"Yes."

Kale entered a different tent, not the one where Ron was, and immediately got to the point.

"Paeston told me the gist, right?"

"Yes. I was a bit worried when I heard that the people helping the merfolk were not ordinary. I didn't expect them to be such a large organization."

Witura took out a potion and drank it, adding. As she drank, her wounds rapidly healed.

"For a few days, swordsmen and spear users have been attacking from above the water, which has been quite annoying. Our whales and whale clan have no choice but to surface occasionally."

Huh? A few days?

Kale paused.

Witura continued.

"Magicians who mainly use fire spells are also a headache, but especially one swordsman who, when he surfaces, shoots aura into the water, which is quite bothersome."

Aura?

Shooting aura?

Isn't that at the level of a Sword Master?

...This is a bit different from what I expected.

"And the spear user is no less troublesome. He seems to have learned Eastern Continent spear techniques. His aura control is very refined, though not at the level of a Sword Master, but he might soon become a Spear Master."

...That's almost at the level of a Sword Master, isn't it?

This is quite different from what I expected.

Kale's pupils slightly trembled.

The enemies were stronger than he thought.

Kale looked at the calm Witura.

Well, the whale clan is small in number, but the humpback whales, with the bloodline of the whale king, are stronger than Chaihan, and the aggressive orcas are about Chaihan's level, while the rest are below that.

"Quite capable people have come to assist."

"Yes. Once we deal with the combat merfolk, it should be easier."

The combat merfolk, who consume dead mana, avoid the whale clan but ambush other sea creatures and sea spirits.

Kale listened to Witura's brief account of the current battle situation.

"Do the swordsmen, spear users, and magicians mainly attack the whales?"

"Yes."

Whales and the whale clan must surface during battles. The secret organization takes advantage of this to launch attacks.

"No one from the whale clan has been injured, but many of the whales have been hurt."

Witura's calm face showed anger. Although not sea spirits, whales are intelligent and strong creatures. They clash with the merfolk at the forefront of each battle zone alongside the whale clan.

"...Many have also lost their lives."

That's why Witura wanted to kill those assistants, but the merfolk kept attacking weaker sea creatures and sea spirits, preventing her from going to High Island 5, even though she knew they were doing it on purpose.

Currently, the whale king Sikelor is considering when to attack High Island 5, where the assistants are.

"I see."

During this time, Kale received a message. Information about the organization and a willingness to help, even a little. He didn't know how grateful they were.

At least if Kale and his group fought the enemies on the water's surface, their movements would be easier.

"Yes. So, though it's a bit presumptuous, if you could help a little, our movements would be much easier."

That's the help Witura was thinking of. Fighting alongside them.

However, Kale had a different idea.

After a moment of thought, Kale's mouth slowly opened.

"Witura."

"Yes."

"I'm thinking of destroying the island."

"...Destroy what?"

A map unfolded in front of Witura, who asked with a puzzled expression.

Swish. The map was spread out by the black dragon's front paw.

Raon's paw pointed to a spot.

"I'm thinking of erasing High Island 5 from the map."

Kale spoke quite seriously.

High Islands 1 to 15 are mostly rocky islands within a two to three-hour distance from each other.

According to Ron, High Island 5 has no living beings except for the secret organization.

"Anyway, we can anchor at High Island 7 by sailing a bit further."

For those using sea routes, High Island 7 would be an alternative.

"No, is that possible—Ah."

Witura stopped speaking and involuntarily closed her mouth, realizing something. The black dragon was staring at her intently.

"Possible, whale!"

"Yes, as the dragon says, it should be possible."

It couldn't be impossible. Although High Island 5 is several times larger than the black swamp, since it's about destruction, control isn't necessary.

"Right. But I need two things."

"What are they?"

Witura's posture became more proactive. Kale could sense that she was indeed a creature of the sea.

Island. She didn't care at all about the land breaking apart. On the contrary, if there were other living beings on the island besides the secret organization, Kale would have given up after much deliberation.

"First, there's a prerequisite before those two things."

"Prerequisite?"

"Yes. We plan to fight without revealing our identities as much as possible, especially when targeting the assistant organization."

Witura understood the meaning of his words.

If they got entangled with the assistant organization while helping, it could lead to trouble later, which wouldn't be a good outcome.

And if he's going to destroy the island, what does his identity matter?

"Yes, I understand."

"Good. First, we need a mount."

"I'll provide the whales."

"Small ones."

"Yes. I'll consider both mobility and stealth."

Small whales that the wolf clan children could ride.

"Secondly."

Kale and Witura's gazes met.

"You need to cause a commotion."

"...Cause a commotion?"

"I want the whale clan to cause a commotion and draw attention."

Kale continued calmly.

"Then, while they're distracted, we'll blow up High Island and the merfolk's base beneath it."

"You want us to draw attention. Should we draw out the swordsmen, spear users, and magicians?"

"Yes."

"Ah!"

Witura seemed to have an idea.

"However, the magician has only been near the island since the swordsmen and spear users arrived. He doesn't come out except when approaching the island."

"Really?"

Good.

If he could destroy the island and the blood-thirsty Redica, it would be perfect.

"Yes. He seems a bit... mentally unstable."

Witura's expression soured. Kale understood why.

"You sprayed blood while fighting, and he laughed maniacally and charged at you, right?"

"How did you know?"

"From the information we gathered, he's obsessed with the color red."

"Ah."

Witura looked at Kale with a worried expression. The black dragon turned its head sharply to look at Kale.

Receiving that gaze, Kale brushed his red hair and said calmly.

"So, if I'm exposed, it will be troublesome."

"Indeed, human!"

"I see."

The whale and the dragon understood.

Witura muttered.

"That swordsman also seemed strange."

"Swordsman?"

"Yes. She seemed to have a similar disposition to the magician. However, we probably won't meet, so you don't need to worry."

Witura smiled, and the black dragon had a determined look.

"Well, that's true."

Kale brushed it off.

After a brief discussion about the plan with Witura, he parted ways and the next day saw off the wolf clan children and Hillsman.

"The whales will guide you well, so stay quiet at High Island 12 like a mouse. Did you take the clothes I gave you?"

"Yes! Master! I have them. I'll lead the children well!"

Kale half-listened to Deputy Hillsman's words and looked at Lark and Mess. The two boys nodded confidently.

Lark was a bit timid but became responsible when with his younger brothers, probably due to a sense of responsibility.

"Go on. If there's a problem, send a signal flare."

"Yes."

A group of 12, riding adolescent whales and baby whales about 4 meters long, each carrying their weapons, headed for High Island 12. Watching them go, Kale said to Vicros, who was standing beside him.

"Even if you're upset, you need to stay with your father."

"I understand, Master."

"Good."

"Please."

Kale fully understood Vicros's desire to fight but was holding back