Elza Dives Into the Sea

"The rocking… urp."

"That's an unexpected weakness. I thought you'd have trained your inner ear too."

"This is just how I'm built."

"If you're struggling, don't force yourself to respond. Here."

Finn answered barely able to breathe.

He handed her a glass of water. Finn accepted it meekly and gulped it down.

At this rate, Finn wouldn't be of any use in combat.

Fortunately, there seemed to be no situation requiring Finn's abilities at sea, so she would just have to rest.

Medicine and Elza's healing hadn't helped with that.

They'd been given a room called "guest quarters," though it was really just a large shared space.

Elza and Alexia, whose clothes had gotten soaked, had already stripped them off and were using magic to dry them. Staying in wet clothes would give them a cold.

A large wave caused the ship to rock dramatically, and Finn, who had been lying down, went rolling across the floor.

She apparently lacked even the energy to resist.

Azu hurried after her to stop her.

Orleans was helping with that as well.

"The ship doesn't seem likely to sink, but we can't exactly move around freely."

"It was fine when we first left shore. It got rough so suddenly after we'd gone a ways. It's probably a monster causing trouble, or maybe a labyrinth or magical tool."

"So it's not natural after all."

He wasn't familiar with the sea, but he'd heard that terrain could cause rough waters.

Still, this had been too sudden.

It felt deliberate.

"The crew said it's always like this around here, so there must be something going on."

"The surrounding magical energy is disturbed. A small ship would probably sink."

"Hmm… can you do something with magic? Even if you can't stop the storm, maybe soften it a bit?"

"That's asking a lot. Not unless we had a mage specializing in wind or water."

Alexia said this with an exasperated tone while slipping her arms through her now-dry sleeves.

Elza also seemed pleased with her clothes, warmed by hot wind.

"Well, I'll try. Though I doubt how effective it'll be. Azu, come here for a moment."

"Coming."

Azu came over when called.

It seemed she'd left Finn's care to Orleans.

Orleans was placing a bag of ice on Finn's head.

"Can you borrow the Water Elemental's power? My magic probably won't be very effective on its own, but with the Water Elemental's support, I think we could at least suppress the rocking."

"Hmm, let me ask."

Azu closed her eyes and clasped her hands together in front of her chest, waiting briefly.

She seemed to be communicating with the Water Elemental.

There was a reaction in Azu's right eye.

"It says it can help. But this storm is being caused by magical power, so it can't stop it without addressing the source."

"So we need to deal with the root cause for a real solution. And what do you want to do, Master?"

"… I'm not sure if we should meddle."

Interfering carelessly wouldn't be good.

If it led to liability issues later, palliative measures would be better.

"It's not a problem, sir. Resolving this sea route's issues would actually benefit Duke Grabahl."

"Oh? Even though Iselia might end up blockaded by sea too?"

"There are still ships. His Grace could gain an advantage at sea. If Ateil claims dominion over the Azure Sea, that gives him legitimacy. And he won't refuse if it means maritime trade becomes possible."

Exclusive economic zones, was it? Unlike land, these were hard to establish clearly at sea.

Which would make it easier for the Duke to intervene.

Nobody would want to sail through a storm by choice.

Though it would increase the Empire's shipping capacity.

… He'd keep this from Princess Tianis.

He wasn't obligated to report everything.

He'd been entrusted with work, but he wasn't her subordinate.

"It's not like we've decided we can actually solve it."

"True enough. We don't even know what's causing it."

"Well, let's just try and see what happens."

As long as the downside stayed minor, there was no real risk.

Azu and Alexia would just tire themselves out a bit.

If it meant Finn would stop groaning like a zombie, it was worth trying.

"Azu, give me your hands. I'll guide the magic."

"Yes, Alexia-san."

Azu and Alexia joined both hands, and Alexia began murmuring something.

Elza watched over them while reinforcing them with her blessing.

Even Yohane could clearly feel the magical power filling the area around them.

The ship, which had been rocking constantly, gradually steadied.

Finn's complexion improved.

The sea stayed calm as if becalmed for a while, but eventually the ship began rocking again.

"Oh, Finn-sama, stay with us."

"I won't die from something this stupid."

Orleans was shaking Finn's shoulders.

Finn didn't even have the energy to shake her off.

"Phew."

Alexia let out a breath.

It seemed she'd released the spell.

"I can hold it in balance, but not indefinitely. My magical power would run out first."

"My magical power was draining incredibly fast…"

"If a monster were causing this, the drain wouldn't be this severe. There's definitely something out there."

"What should we do?"

"Azu and I will suppress it again, so Elza, go take a look."

"Huh, me?"

"It'd be too dangerous to send Master, and Finn's the best suited for it but look at her."

Elza hesitated but eventually agreed.

Apparently the Water Elemental's protection would let her breathe underwater.

"If it seems dangerous, come back immediately. This isn't worth risking your life over."

"You're worried about me. So kind."

Elza teased as she tied back her hair.

When the storm was suppressed again by Alexia and Azu, Elza dove into the sea.