After swallowing the Spice Islands specialty tea, Viktor cut to the chase.

First of all, I want to thank you for coming all the way for my daughter. After all, you are a righteous man.

　Viktor bows deeply to me, who is younger than his daughter.

　He is one of the greatest merchants in the country and a remarkable man who grew in power not by bloodline, but by his own strength. It's not easy for such a man to bow. It was proof of his greatness.

　Such a man would be afraid to keep his head down, so I ask him to lift it, but still he does not hide his gratitude.

"No, you helped me the last time I was in the Garde Trading Company. If it weren't for you, they might have been sitting in this chair.

That's the worst thing that could happen.

"Yeah. So I can't thank you enough. And since you're here, you'll be helping my daughter again, won't you?

"Of course. Karen is a very important 'friend' of mine.

"A friend. As far as I'm concerned, you're my fiancée.

　It would be offensive to say that it's not, indeed.

　There has been talk for a long time about getting Karen and I engaged and becoming the heir to the Anaheim family. Each time I said no, but he hasn't given up yet.

Well, that's for another time. I will not be your wife, but the wife of the god of the sea.

"The sea god's wife ...... is going to be sacrificed, right, Karen?

Yes, I'm sure Hans has given you an overview. I'm sure Hans has given you an overview, but let me elaborate.

　Viktor said, getting up from his seat and pointing behind me.

　There is a map of this area, a so-called nautical chart.

You know that this is a trading city, but since it is a trading city, you can see that it is built on trade with other cities.

"Yes.

"I think there are a number of lines extending out and they will intersect in one at sea.

"Is . . passes between the islands.

"That is the lifeline of this trading city, Sille. Ninety percent of ships cannot come or go unless they pass through there. But we can't go through there now--

　Mr. Viktor paused there to take a breath and continued, "Because that's where the sea gods are rampaging right now.

"Because right now, that's where the sea gods are rampaging.

You're the god of the sea.

Yes,

"Would God do such a bad thing?

　It was a simple question for Lunamaría, but Viktor laughed and said, "Haha.

Will, not all gods are as good as your parents. And he is a god of the sea, but he is a rough god of sorts.

"Aragami?

A god who fails to become a god. A storm god is a god who fails to be a god. They're usually violent and annoy people.

"I see.

"That is the monster that failed to become a god long ago. I don't know if he's hungry or not, but in a hundred years he will wake up and storm the shipping lanes.

"You are strangely punctual for a violent person.

No, this time it was a 900-year cycle. He was up early.

I guess I'm getting old. Vandal Dad is a strange early riser, too.

"Maybe.

　Letting out a wry smile, Viktor. He seemed to feel the same way.

"I wanted you to wake up right on time here. Maybe then my daughter wouldn't have been a candidate for the sacrifice.

Do you have to sacrifice Ms. Cullen to him?　Why don't we just take it down?

　At Lunamaria's question, Viktor silently pointed to the side of the shipping lane.

　There was a huge snake painted on it. The giant snake was clinging to a large ship.

What a big snake ...... or is it a dragon ......?

　When I say that, Lunamaría

"Is it such a big snake?

　And lived to ask. explain to the blind Lunamaría.

"The great merchant ship is like a small boat. I can't believe these monsters exist.

Well, so much.

After all, this thing is a mythical creature. The Sea Serpent. The monster that was said to drink the seven seas dry.

　Viktor spits out.

"It's certainly not going to be easy to beat this one.

Exactly. Our predecessors knew all too well what he was capable of, so they compromised with him by offering a sacrifice at his once-in-a-100-year awakening.



"Sacrifice so you don't troll the shipping lanes?

　Lunamaria asks, but Viktor shakes his head.

"I don't know. It's just that our ancestors did. When it emerges, we sacrifice it and don't use its passage for a while. In years or decades, when he goes to sleep again, we'll use it again.

The point is, there's a tradition that sacrifices can hasten a sea serpent's return to sleep.

That's what it is.

You've been offering sacrifices without any proof?

　Lunamaria screams of blame.

"Let's face it. --But blaming our ancestors won't help. What matters is that the merchants of this city believe in the 'lore'.

"So Karen sacrificed

Oh, yes. In this city there is an organization called the Council. They run this city and they choose the daughters of the houses on the council in turn to be sacrificed. I am on that council, by the way.

I see, so that's why Karen has been chosen.

That's the way it is. I'm from Northwoods, but when I expanded my business here in town, I bought a share of the council. It was cheap, so I jumped on it, but that's the word on the street.

So it was the turn of the daughter of the owner of the stock to be sacrificed.

Oh, when I bought it, I didn't think I would have a daughter, and I didn't think the resurrection would be a decade early, so I calculated that even if I did have a daughter, I wouldn't be a "maiden" anymore. It's a bit of an excuse,

"There's no point in regretting it now. And I want to put an end to that bad lore.

"Will you ......

　Mr. Victor looks at me with confidence.

"Maybe this is God's plan.

　Lunamaria gives me a similar look.

"Yes, I'm going to save Karen. No, I'm going to save the city.

　And with that declaration, the door opens with a click. Then a familiar face comes in.

"That's my master, indeed. The hero of the heroes, the hero of the brave, my master!

　With wind-like speed, she dives into my chest and hugs me.

　The speed is like a renowned martial artist, Lunamaría said, but she silently overlooks Karen's actions.

　As you can see, Karen is in good spirits, but still she must be lonely.

　She was chosen as a sacrifice and must have shivered every day.

Karen is getting thinner and thinner as proof.

　She was a little plump when we last parted, but now she's light as a cotton ball. I'm sure she was so worried about her food that she couldn't even finish it.

　I think that Lunamaria immediately realized that and only now was she being selfish.

　--For about thirty seconds.

　Karen holds her breasts close for thirty seconds. I guess she thought she needed more educational guidance than that. I pull Karen away from me, and with a serious look on my face

"So let's figure out a way to avoid sacrificing Ms. Cullen.

　I declared.

　Karen stared at me regretfully, but she didn't say anything selfish because of the importance of the proposal.