"Just moments ago, the skies were clear, and now—out of nowhere—this enormous storm forms over the sea... such extreme weather doesn't occur naturally," Selene murmured, her voice calm yet edged with curiosity.
Clad in her ceremonial robes, she used her gravitational field to envelop Esdeath, keeping her within her floating domain. There was no helping it—both Selene and Arisa could fly freely, but while Esdeath's power was immense, flight was simply not one of her abilities.
"Your Majesty... what do you mean?"
"Within the storm, I sense numerous life sources," Selene replied, eyes narrowing. "This level of density—either the Imperial Navy or eastern pirates. But more importantly, there's one life force among them... the most vigorous I've ever felt in this world."
In many ways, the vitality of a life force reflected the being's strength—it could serve as a direct gauge of power.
Within Selene's perception, at the storm's very core, an immense life form was moving—so vast that it occupied thousands of square meters within her sensory field.
"That must be the Cross-Tail Dragon..."
According to Rongo Rongo, the Cross-Tail Dragon possessed the ability to summon storms and command the elements. As the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, its territorial instincts were known to be overwhelmingly strong.
Following the First Emperor's recorded route from his own hunt, finding the dragon wasn't difficult—one simply had to pierce through the massive storm clouds it created to conceal itself.
"Hmm. Esdeath, your inability to fly is somewhat inconvenient," Selene said softly. "Let me grant you a new ability."
A pulse of violet light shimmered at her fingertips before converging upon the diamond-shaped crystal embedded in Esdeath's collar.
"The crystal I gave you before contained a healing aura and an imaginary barrier. Now, I'm adding something new—levitation."
"Next, I'll prepare the battlefield for you. Though I doubt you can win against this foe... show me what you're capable of."
"Arisa, head below. If the fleet below is Imperial, protect them. If they're pirates... ignore them."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Bzzz—bzzz—bzzz...
"Now then..." Selene clasped her hands together. Endless violet light flared around her body, so bright it eclipsed the sun itself.
Simulation—Repulsion. Expand field—Release!
...
Meanwhile, beneath the storm-torn heavens—
Violent gales roared across the sea, raising towering waves ten meters high. Against the fury of nature, even the most advanced man-made warships were powerless.
The once orderly Imperial fleet was thrown into chaos, struggling desperately amidst the sudden tempest.
Wilson no longer cared for decorum, letting seawater crash over him as he fixed his gaze upon the blackened heavens.
With each flash of lightning, his face grew grimmer. "The Dragon King of the Eastern Sea... damn it! Its domain lies over a thousand kilometers from shore—what's it doing here?!"
Beside him, Wave—now clad in deep blue armor after activating his Teigu, Carnage Incarnate · Grand Chariot—spoke gravely. "So the legends were true... the Dragon King really exists."
Through his enhanced vision, Wave could just make out the faint silhouette of a massive azure dragon within the storm clouds—its vast form twisting through the sky, its long silver mane glinting coldly like countless blades.
"Wave, you need to leave!" Wilson barked. "At least one of us has to survive to carry on the fleet's line—"
"No, teacher! I refuse to run! I won't—"
"You must go!"
As the two argued, a deafening roar split the sky—BOOM!!!
A surge of violet light tore through the storm clouds. In that instant, both Wilson and Wave felt the entire world fall silent—the pressure in the air was suffocating, a tangible wave of apocalypse closing in.
Then, with a thunderous explosion, that vast power erupted completely. A colossal shockwave swept across the ocean, dragging the waves with it like a heavenly curtain of water, unstoppable in its advance.
"Damn it... this might be the end of the entire fleet!" That was the last thought to cross Wilson and Wave's minds.
Suddenly—
"Huh?! You're Imperial Navy? I'm Arisa—the Queen—uh, the Empress sent me to protect you!"
Whirrr—
Accompanied by a soft, sweet, and almost adorably flustered voice, a exquisite figure appeared before the fleet—her blue-violet wings of light fluttering gently as she hovered in midair. Compared to Wilson and Wave, she seemed fragile, but the power radiating from her was undeniable. Raising both hands, Arisa projected a vast azure barrier that enveloped the entire fleet.
In the next instant, the colossal shockwave—laden with an overwhelming surge of seawater—crashed into Arisa's shield.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—!!!
The heavens and sea turned upside down. Under Arisa's protection, countless Imperial sailors clung to one another, watching in awe and terror at the cataclysm before them.
Beyond the azure barrier, torrents of water and countless sea creatures—fish, crustaceans, and even aquatic Danger Beasts—rushed past at indescribable speed, spreading violently in all directions.
Some of the weaker creatures couldn't withstand the immense velocity; their bodies tore apart mid-current, staining the waters crimson before their eyes.
...
No one knew how long it lasted. Eventually, the roaring of the surging waters subsided. Those who survived the ordeal slowly opened their eyes.
The once black, oppressive storm clouds had vanished, replaced by clear blue skies and brilliant sunlight streaming down. They had survived.
But before they could even cheer—
Splashhhh—!
"AAAAHHH—!! H-Help!!!"
Their warships were floating—in the sky?! The sea beneath them was completely gone, replaced by an empty expanse of air!
"Silence."
The voice rang out—soft, regal, and absolute.
In front of the awestruck sailors, the one who had saved them descended through the sunlight—a radiant figure of white, gold, and violet, pristine and untouchable, embodying both beauty and majesty.
Using her gravitational field, Selene had lifted more than a dozen Imperial warships into the air to prevent them from being swallowed by the receding waters. Her crimson eyes glimmered with quiet command as she asked, "Imperial Navy, is it? Who among you is the commanding officer?"
"Y-You're... General Selene?"
Soaked to the bone, Wilson rubbed his eyes in disbelief. Remembering the official message from the capital, he immediately fell to one knee. "This subject—Wilson, Admiral of the Eastern Fleet—pays homage to Your Majesty. Long live the Empress!"
Upon hearing their admiral, Wave and the remaining sailors quickly followed suit, kneeling and shouting in unison, "Long live the Empress!"
"Oh? You recognize me?" Selene asked, faintly intrigued.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I attended the Imperial Military Conference years ago and had the honor of seeing you in person."
ROOOOAAARRR—!!!
Before Wilson could continue, a deafening roar split the air. The soundwave itself became visible, a wall of raw sonic force surging toward Selene with devastating power.
"HUMAN EMPRESS!! YOU HAVE BROKEN YOUR ANCESTOR'S PROMISE!!!"