"It's… beautiful!"

It was the next day in Cal Mira and the Spear Hero's party was picking up their commissioned staff for Merlay. Shan had told them yesterday that he wanted to take the time needed to ensure that he made the best possible staff he could out of respect for the Dryad that supplied the wood.

To say he disappointed would be a lie and a crime, even if the name is a mouthful:

Magic Bright-Starfire White Dryad Staff (Excellent Quality)

Additional Effects: Mag up, Mdef up, Agi up, Healing potency up

Enchantments: Mag up (Extreme), Agi up (Medium), Healing potency up (Medium), Support duration up (Medium)

The Oreiku used was designed to hold the gemstone with a "Quad-prong" type setting like on rings, the base of which was inlaid with smaller Moonwater gems. Additionally, Shan somehow managed to make the wood of the staff grow up and hold the bottom of the gemstone with root-like tendrils.

The White Dryad Wood with the gold-colored Oreiku metal holder was very pleasing to the eyes. Whenever Merlay held the staff in her hands, the entire weapon glowed a soft white with a red glow coming from the Bright Starfire.

Merlay hugged it with tears in her eyes. "I'll treasure it always!"

Shan smiled. "It turned out better than my wildest dreams. White Dryad Wood, while not the absolute pinnacle of staff woods, is very high up there. If you had brought in Gold Dryad Wood or, even more crazily, Yggdrasil Wood, I probably could have made staffs that ranked amongst the most powerful, only falling short to a full-potential Seven Star Vassal Staff."

"The prospect sounds interesting, but this will more than suffice for a long time." Chazon looks at his other party members. "Just to make this clear, I do have intentions of getting EVERYONE above-normal quality equipment. I just want to wait until we can commission Erhard for it since I trust him as a blacksmith."

"We weren't doubting you, Chazon-kun." Rino clapped gleefully. "But now that Merlay has a brand new staff, what say we give it a test run today?"

Rifana grinned at the prospect. "Then let's go! We're burning daylight hours!"

As the party set out for Inult Island, Kardia pondered what she heard from Chazon, Merlay, and Kekal yesterday. Everyone was informed of what happened and that any women from Faubray might be after Chazon for the exact same reasons.

What I'm wondering is if there's any correlation between Chazon-sama only wanting to marry Rino-sama and that. If so, I need to think of a plan and fast! I need to keep his odd evasiveness in mind as well…

Then again… after yesterday, he's been a bit more affectionate to everyone including me. I'll have to observe for a bit longer before I do anything drastic.

Kekal stretched as the boat carried them all to their destination. "Do you all think that we'll be able to knock the last two islands out at once?"

"Depends on if anything else happens on the remaining islands that are special. It also depends on how fast we find the spawning point for the Karma monsters." Merlay thought back to the other spawn points. "They seem to always be around strange stone formations, even on islands with no ruins or otherwise any signs of ancient settlement."

Chazon had to force down a snort of laughter. Good ol' Stonehenge making a cameo in this world. Makes me wonder if the theories that those formations in my world had special, otherworldly meaning are true.

Obsidian hummed a bit. "Couldn't we find Karmic Familiars and try to trace them back to their spawn point?"

"No dice. The Familiars spread out from the spawn point in a very haphazard manner, meaning chain-encountering them is unreliable." Kardia made sure to point out. "However, the idea has merit if we are struggling to find it in other ways."

"I'm sure we'll find it fast today, because I have a good feeling!" Amber piped up excitedly.

"I was told by the Earl that we still have a while before the Event ends and our vacation is over." Chazon remembered the Earl telling him this when he was waiting for his party in the lobby of the inn. "Even if we don't knock out the last island today, we still have quite a few days."

Rino hummed in acknowledgement. "In that case, couldn't we just take our time? I know we agreed to "double-dip" today to make up for yesterday, but we don't need to rush."

"I agree." Kekal smirked a bit. "That way, if an emergency of some kind were to happen tomorrow, we wouldn't get caught off guard and be too tired to deal with it."

Like the one we had yesterday? No, I need to stop thinking so negatively about it...

Chazon wanted to apologise to Rifana for the way he acted at the hot springs, but chickened out and merely gave her a Purple Hyacinth before beating a hasty retreat. I thought, after identifying my real issue, I could face it better, but I guess I just don't like social confrontations with my party members…

I really need to grow a spine at some point…

That day went by normally after that point. The Karma Dog and it's Familia's were absolutely no challenge to Chazon's party due to how powerful everyone had gotten, especially Merlay who's spells had gained a lot of power thanks to her new staff. When they returned to the main island, Naofumi told them that, after tomorrow, they would stop the grind altogether since the level cap for Cal Mira was 80. Chazon agreed that, outside of materials, any further fighting would be pointless.

The next day, the Karma Penguin ended up being their final target. Chazon noted that he got a Penguin Kigurumi drop from it, which looked like combat-ready pajamas. Despite it's rather excellent stats and effects, he was glad that he upgraded everyone's armor alongside their weapons. Rino tried to get him to wear it on account of him not yet updating his own Custom Medium-plate, but he refused.

The only one who wanted to wear it was Obsidian and, strangely, it gave him the penguin color scheme. It was ultimately relegated to bed-time use only since the Filolial King admitted that he felt restricted with it on.

Everyone was now level 77, 78, or 79. Because no further leveling was really needed, Chazon's party started treating the rest of their time on Cal Mira as relaxation time. Their first destination as a full party was the beach, complete with everyone getting swimsuits for the occasion.

Chazon didn't know where to look. Why do they all look so good?! Rino with the red, Rifana with the pink, Kardia with the blue, Merlay with the purple, and Kekal with the black! All bikinis!

Amber and Obsidian started building sandcastles while Rifana and Kekal went right into the water. Kardia was sun-tanning a distance away while Chazon, Rino, and Merlay all sat at one of the beach tables enjoying the view. As much as he didn't want to admit it, all 5 of the girls were giving him plenty of eye-candy, especially Kardia with her position.

"Chazon-sama… could I get your opinion?" Chazon looked over and almost did a spit-take. Raphtalia had approached their table in a rather stunning blue swimsuit with a bashful look. "H-how do I look?"

"Amazing, Raphtalia! It really suits you!" Rino and Merlay agreed with bright smiles on their faces.

That got a relieved sigh from the Tanuki. "Thank you! I wanted to impress Naofumi-sama as best I could, but I wanted to make sure I was on the right track!"

Right then, guilt and realization pierced the Spear Hero's heart. I-if Naofumi still looks at her the way I used to look at Rifana and Kardia, she doesn't stand a chance! The fact that she was literally NAKED in front of him in the past and he didn't bat an eyelash at it solidifies it. But… she looks so dedicated towards it! I can't...

Doing his best not to drop his smile, Chazon nodded. "I'm sure you'll do fine!"

"Do your best, Raphtalia-chan!" Rino cheered for her friend as encouragingly as possible.

Emboldened by all the positivity, Raphtalia left to find Naofumi. Rino and Merlay smiled after her, only to notice Chazon in a state of immense gloom, complete with purple will-o-the-wisps. "Chazon-sama, what's wrong?"

"I… I didn't want to stop her after seeing how dedicated she was, but… I get the distinct feeling Naofumi isn't going to see her the way she wants to." He looks at the two girls before him with guilt in his eyes. "I would know… because I shared his feelings once."

Rino looked a bit sad, but she nodded. "Even if she doesn't get the reaction she wants, if she doesn't keep at it she'll never reach his heart! I believe in her!"

She's right. I shouldn't get all gloomy and pessimistic on Raphtalia when she needs all the support she can get! Chazon shook off his gloom and nodded. "You're right. I wish her all the best in her endeavor."

Merlay had noted that, during downtime between fights before, Chazon had been paying attention to all of his party members a bit more. Almost as much as he had been to Rino in the past. Does he still feel guilty about what I went through the other day? I want to say it's okay, but my selfish part wants to let it continue for a bit longer…

"Chazon-kun, Rino-chan, Merlay-chan! Join us in the water!" Kekal suddenly ran up and started dragging Chazon towards the ocean. "It'll be fun!"

"Wah- Kekal?! Slow down!" Chazon was stumbling forward trying to keep up with the hyperactive Vampire dragging him along.

Rino smiled at the scene as she got up. "I really hope Chazon-kun is considering letting everyone become his wife, or at least his mistresses. For now, let's enjoy life!"

Merlay noted Obsidian looking at his party members swimming and splashing around in the water with a distant look in his eyes. He wanted to swim too, but he didn't want to leave Amber alone since she wasn't comfortable swimming in the sea. "Obsidian-kun, you can join them. I'll look after Amber-chan."

That perked up the Filolial King. "Thank you, Merlay-nee! Amber-chan, thank you for the fun in the sand!" Amber giggled happily as Obsidian ran towards the water.

Kardia noted Chazon playing with Obsidian and the other 3 girls in the party, with Merlay choosing to keep Amber company. "Hmm… perhaps I should join them. Hehehe, I might engineer a few "accidents" just to see Chazon-sama's reaction!" With that, she abandons her sun tanning and runs to the water as well.

After some time playing in the water, and being embarrassed by Kekal's lack of shame after a wave washed her bikini-top off, Chazon decided to look after Amber in Merlay's place so that she could have fun in the water too. "Are you having enough fun on the beach, Amber?"

"Yup! Thanks to Obsidian-nii and Merlay-neesama, I'm having plenty of fun. I do wish I wasn't afraid of deeper waters, though…"

"Hey, you can't help your irrational fears if it's hard-wired into your genetics. All that matters is that everyone is happy and not being alone in the process." Chazon pats Amber on the head, to which she started humming happily.

"Chazon, we have an emergency." Naofumi suddenly approached the duo with a worried Raphtalia and Filo. "Let's gather Ren and Itsuki because I found something very important. Raphtalia will let your party members know where you went."

Chazon was stunned for a bit before getting up. "Alright. Ren should be on the island since he took his party member's advice and stopped worrying about grinding since they all plateaued rather hard. I don't know where Itsuki is, probably still at the grind wheel."

"I'll worry about Itsuki. Go find Ren and have him come to the Melromarc military building. Time is of the essence." Chazon saw slight panic in Naofumi's eyes and opted to speak no further as he dashed to find Ren. Filo decided to stay with Amber.

"So what is this "emergency" you're talking about?"

In the Melromarc's Cal Mira Military HQ, All four Cardinal Heroes and the Earl were in the meeting room. Ren was confused while Itsuki was irritated at his leveling being interrupted.

Naofumi decided to be succinct with everyone. "There's a Wave of Catastrophe on the way to this archipelago."

After stunned silence he went into the details. "At some point, Filo found an underwater island and brought my attention to it. When we swam down, we found ruins of the civilization that once inhabited the island when it was still above sea level. Inside… was a Dragon Hourglass. When I attuned to it, it told me that there were only 2 days until the Wave arrived."

There was a pause before Ren leaned onto the table with both elbows. "So… we have a wave to contend with here as well. However, according to my timer, the Wave isn't set to happen until a long while after."

"You guys are still thinking that the Waves only happen in Melromarc." Chazon remembered his chat with Fitoria well. "The wave happens all over this world, in every region that has a Dragon Hourglass."

Itsuki sighed. "Looks like the lies of the Three Heroes Faith haven't been completely purged yet. As it stands, we need to prepare for the wave on very short notice." He nods without a shred of arrogance. "Count me in. It's our duty as Legendary Heroes after all. Plus, it'll show just how much our training has paid off!"

Chazon nodded at that, but then noticed Ren acting funny. "Ren, you're looking rather pale."

"L-look, if you guys are so gung-ho about fighting this wave as a test of strength, then you don't need me! I'll head back to the mainland and plan m-my next move!"

Haven't seen this side of Ren since before the third wave. I wonder what brought on this level of- wait a minute…

Naofumi and Itsuki must have both come to the same conclusion, because both gave Ren an amused smirk as Naofumi said, "Ren, let me ask you a simple question. Can you swim?"

"W-what are you talking about?! I just wanted to let you guys prove that your time here was fruitful!" Ren immediately realized that he dodged the question and stammered a bit. "W-what I mean to say is… I can swim! I can definitely swim!"

Chazon snorted in amusement. "Saying it twice doesn't make it more convincing."

"I'll say it a third time: I can totally swim- OWOWOW!"

Wyndia, who had been overhearing the conversation from outside, chose to come into the room and start pulling the Sword Hero's ear. "Ren-sama, you really shouldn't embarrass yourself like that. Refusing to accept your faults leaves you no room for self-improvement."

"Uuuugh… fine! I can't swim at all! I drown in knee-deep water!" Ren wanted to crawl into a hole now out of pure shame.

Yikes, I never imagined I would meet someone with real-life Super Drowning Skills.

Naofumi nodded in understanding. "That doesn't mean you can't participate, though. As it stands, even if the Wave happens further out on the open sea, there's a chance that aquatic monsters that can traverse land will head towards the shoreline to cause carnage."

Ren breathed a sigh of relief. "So I can just defend the shoreline? Might be a bit boring if no terrestrial sea monsters spawn, but I'll take that over having to fight on a ship." Wyndia left the room, satisfied that Ren had agreed to help in his own way.

Chazon realised something and got Ren's attention. "Would you mind if Amber joins your party for the wave?"

"Right, she's afraid of both aquatic monsters and the deep sea. I'll look after her while your party is out on the water." Ren remembered that detail from the boat ride to Cal Mira. "Will she be okay fighting the monsters if she is on solid ground?"

"I believe so. Her irrational fear is two things packaged as one. As long as she only has to deal with one fear or the other, she'll put on a brave face and power through it. It's only when both are present does she break down into hysteria."

Itsuki was impressed by Amber's fortitude. "I heard she's capable of defending alongside Rifana, right? Pretty impressive considering her size and equipment."

"Yep. She's my brave little girl." Everyone could hear the pride Chazon had for his kid.

Naofumi let out a cough. "Since Ren can't directly participate, we'll have him and everyone joining him on the nearby shoreline to defend against potential monster attack. As for us remaining three, we should consider calling in the main Melromarc army to assist us with repelling the Wave. We'll figure out formations and the like once we are sorted out."

Ren crossed his arms. "I've seen plenty of combat-capable adventurers during my time here. We could also put out a call-to-arms to them and see if we can't get more assistance."

"Then let's do so. Once we're all registered for the Wave, I'll head to Melromarc and see if we can get the Queen's troops signed up as well."

The Earl, having been silently observing the entire time, spoke up then. "Before everyone leaves here, I'd like to explain some tactical advantages we could use should we be fighting the Wave on the open water. You all know of the Rucolu Fruit?"

"The fruit Naofumi was eating without falling over with alcohol poisoning?" Chazon still couldn't wrap his head around how that could happen.

"Interesting that you mentioned alcohol poisoning, because there was a fishing method used before it was banned due to uncontrollable damage. It involves dumping Rucolu Fruit into the sea and letting the alcohol do the fishing for you. If the monsters of the Wave are underwater creatures of flesh, then that is a potential way to stem the onslaught."

Itsuki remembered when he learned about dynamite fishing and why it was made illegal. "An interesting way to weaponize those fruits, but I think we should refrain from it until the Melromarc army can board the ships we're using."

"I'll discuss it further with Queen Mirellia once I've gotten her army registered for the wave." Naofumi looks at everyone else. "For now, after everyone is registered for the wave, you guys need to start recruiting adventurers to further aid our chances. Dismissed!"

While getting Ren down to the Dragon Hourglass proved an amusing challenge, every hero was now registered for the wave. Naofumi managed to get the Dragon Era Shield and his own personal teleportation skill, however a new, unwelcome detail made itself known.

Cal Mira's Event prevented teleporting in every regard. Even attempts to teleport to one of Chazon's Aetheryte Crystals proved useless, leading Naofumi to board a ship back to the mainland to get out of range of the blockage.

Chazon, meanwhile, decided to see if he couldn't spread the word that adventurers were needed for the Wave of Catastrophe coming up. The Earl was able to have a bunch of posters drawn up for it as the Spear Hero's party moved to post them at key locations.

"Looking for help, Spear Hero?"

Chazon looked over from the flyer he just put up and saw Kelo's party approach him. He smiled. "Yeah, and on incredibly short notice too. I have to say, thanks for all your help and advice the other day. While I'm still working up the courage to properly confess to the other girls, I have reduced my tendency of keeping them at arm's length."

"I'm happy to hear it, Sir Chazon." Lene was overjoyed to hear that the advice she and her party gave him was taken to heart. "I understand that you need to prepare yourself for the confessions. It takes great courage to admit you're wrong to do that to them, especially when you tried to set the precedent in the past."

Lerino put a hand on his chin. Hmm, mayhap his lack of confidence belied his fear. I guess I was off the mark, but by missing the first target I blew the cover off the real target.

Cel looks at the flyer Chazon had just posted. "The Wave of Catastrophe, huh? To think Cal Mira is now the site of the next one."

"Actually, are you guys fine with being contracted as mercenaries to help fight the Wave? Nobody knows how bad the Wave will be and we might need all the help we can get."

Kelo smirks. "You're speaking our language, kid! We probably would have signed up for it anyways, but I guess this cuts down on the time spent sorting it out."

"Great! I'll introduce you to the Earl of Habenburg and we can negotiate your pay. If you want, I can throw in some materials to make the deal a bit sweeter."

"Don't put the Filolial before the carriage, Kiddo!" Dari made sure to interject. "We'll have to see what the Earl will offer us first before we haggle anything."

Turns out, not much haggling was needed. The Earl was very receptive to the Nika Mercenary Group, having contracted their help in the past and is very well acquainted with them. "It'll be good to have your services once again in the defense of Cal Mira!"

"Glad to help, old man! The Spear Hero is our acquaintance now as well, so it was going to pass sooner or later!" Kelo grinned as he shook hands with the Earl after finishing the contract.

Kelo is definitely a good ally to have. If I didn't have Hatred's Trident when I fought him, I would have lost by a landslide and he's guaranteed to have gotten stronger since then. Plus his actual mercenary group is along for the ride too. I'm already feeling good about this wave!

"Um… Papa?" Chazon looked to see Amber giving him a scared look as she approached. "I-is it true the Wave might t-take us out to the o-open water?"

"There's a very real possibility of that, yes. Don't worry, I've already requested that Ren take you as a temporary party member since I know you fear the deep sea. He'll be fighting on the shoreline instead of on the water."

Amber lit up at that as she hugged Chazon. "Thank you, Papa! I'll fight hard for Uncle Ren, I promise!"

Lene giggled at the pair. While it was clear Amber was Chazon's adopted child, they shared a strong familial bond. I hope Kelo and I will share that kind of bond with our future children.

00:10

As the timer ran down for the Wave to hit, everyone who had signed up for it was waiting on the ships that are to be used for the wave. Those who wanted to help but didn't want to go out to sea were with Ren, including Amber.

Chazon had already held a pre-wave meeting with his party members, the main topic of which was how everyone would fight. Chazon decided that he and Obsidian were the only two heading into the water in the beginning, since both could fight underwater just fine.

Kekal was in the Crow's Nest of one of the ships. It was already loaded up with a large stock of arrows, so she didn't have to worry about running out.

Rino, Rifana, Kardia, and Merlay opted to stay on the decks of their respective ships. Rifana wanted to stay by Kardia, since she was exceedingly vulnerable to attack if caught by surprise. Merlay chose not to set any affinity boosts since she wants access to all of them at once for flexibility.

Chazon noted that Itsuki's party was looking a little haphazard, but still well leveled and equipped. One thing that stood out to him was the giant squirrel-like person nearby, only to realize it was Rishia in a costume after she "Fueeeh"'d in nervousness. I don't see Alay or Welst anywhere. Where did they go?

While the last minute counted down, Chazon noted Kelo's merc group all concentrated on one ship, with him and Lene sticking very close together. Dari had a humongous axe and was heavily armored. There were a few others that he didn't recognize.

On another ship, he saw L'arc wielding a giant scythe with a rather grim look. Beside him was the blue-haired woman Chazon had seen on the way to Cal Mire. That might be L'arc's female companion, Therese if I'm not mistaken. I wonder if she's a caster as well.

As the last thing to do before the wave started, Chazon made sure to use all of his known Strengthening Methods to enhance the spears he was going to use. While his primary offensive spear was still the Soul Eater Glave, he changed his dedicated magic spear to the White Dryad Spear and upgraded it as such.

As for his defensive spear, he didn't realize that he had a hidden gem that came from absorbing a Machalite Ingot:

Machalite Ingot Gunlance

Equip Bonus: Atk up (Medium), Def up (Medium), MDef up (Medium), 'Shell-fire Dash' (Gunlance Exclusive)

Special Effects: Atk up (Medium), Def up (Very High), MDef up (Very High), Shelling type (Wide blast)

The Gunlance came with all of the same mobility downsides as the Grenadier's Gunlance, but this one not only had more defensive perks, but also had a "shaft guard" similar to the Stone Golem Spear. In terms of design, it looked like a giant double-barreled shotgun with long bayonets coming out the two muzzles.

I hate to say it, but the time has come to retire the Stone Golem Spear, even if it had far more mobility than this new tanking Gunlance. You've served me well, old friend.

After shifting the equipped ores around, awakening his respective spears, and everything else, he felt prepared for the wave as he would ever be.

00:00

As soon as the timer hit 0, all of the adventurers in the alliance and their ships suddenly teleported out onto the open water, a fair distance away from the main island. The blue portals opened up and started spewing monsters into the water.

"Anyone capable of underwater combat, head down into the water and prepare for monster attack!" Kelo shouted out. Because he had experience leading his merc group, everyone agreed to let him lead the initial charge until Naofumi and/or the Queen arrived. "Everyone else, be prepared for boarding monsters or the ones that fall onto the decks! Watch your sixes for the Boss Monster, because only the Legendary Heroes and their parties can properly fight it!"

Obsidian dove into the water as soon as he could to get his bearings straight. Merlay, Kardia, and Kekal started shooting monsters down as they dropped from the sky. Rifana chose to reserve her MP for monsters that boarded her ship.

Right before he hit the water, Chazon saw a bunch of smaller boats on course to their larger ships and recognized both the Queen and Melty on them. Under the water, he was surprised to see what looked to be half-animal, half human hybrids darting around the water and engaging monsters. After testing to make sure his Air Dash worked underwater, he joined them in skewering monsters.

The main enemy spawned was the Inter-Dimensional Sahuagin Shadow, which clearly could fight both underwater and on land. They were tricky foes to deal with for Chazon, since his underwater movement was limited to what his unlocked spears gave him and his Air Dash.

After killing a few, he went up for air. That was when Naofumi was able to get his attention as a conch sounded off. He had already joined the Alliance party group. "We're recalling everyone out of the water to deal with the Sahuagin swarming the decks!"

Shoot, I didn't think of how I was going to get back onboard. Remembering his skill on his new Gunlance, Chazon switched to it and pointed the muzzle downward. "Shell-fire Dash!"

The result was the explosive force of the skill launching him skyward, high enough to clear the rails of the deck. He used another Shell-fire Dash to complete the transfer as explosive barrels were dropped into the sea. "Those are the barrels containing Rucolu Fruit, correct? I guess we're really clearing them out with alcohol poisoning."

It didn't take long for the sea to be stained red with alcohol. Any monsters caught in it drifted up towards the surface as corpses, though some unfortunate fish were caught in it as well.

"Sir Chazon, you should head to the sea-level rift and attack it. That will help force the boss of the wave out of hiding sooner!" Queen Mirellia knew Chazon was never present for the boss spawning in prior waves, so she directed him as such. Nearby, Melty was fighting off the Sahuagin and keeping them from boarding her mother's ship.

"On it! Let's end this Wave before it-"

"Wh-WHAT IS THAT?!" When a soldier cried that out, both Spear and Shield Heroes spun around in time to see a massive horned whale leap out of the water.

Inter-demensional Whale

Level: ? ? ?

"Three guesses as to which monster is the boss." Chazon remarked dryly.

"And the first two don't count." Naofumi finished before shaking his head. "Looks like you're going back into the water to attack that thing."

Chazon thought of something. "Get Kardia to start launching earth spells at it. Her magic is so high, her Faust-class spells should take meaty chunks out of it."

"Sir Naofumi, get Raphtalia and Rino to man the ballistas as well. With their high stats, it should be effective."

Chazon rushed over to Obsidian in human form. "Change of plans, we're going towards that whale monster. Can I get a lift?"

"No problem, Daddy!" He transformed and leaped into the water with Chazon in tow. "However, I'm not diving too deep after that thing because I don't know how long you can hold your breath for!"

Chazon quickly thought of something and managed to get Naofumi's attention as he jumped into the water with Filo. "Naofumi! When the boss first attacks, I'll cling to it and attack after you block it! I'll see if my attacks will get it to abandon attacking the ships!"

"Just be careful you don't get eaten when you do get its attention!" Naofumi and Filo dive, ready for the whale's first attack. Chazon dived soon after, just in time to see a sight that almost made him drown from laughing.

Naofumi had not only blocked the whale's horn attack with ease, but he had grabbed it by said horn and started DRAGGING it around like it was a pool toy. Trying his best not to let go of his breath to laugh, Chazon went right into the whale's side and embedded his Soul Eater Glave into it. He tried to muffle "Lightning Spear" out without letting any water into his mouth.

The effect was instant. The entire whale was suddenly electrocuted, complete with the skeleton effect, and removed 1/8 of the boss' health. It was also enough for Naofumi to fully drag it to the surface. "Watch your electricity!"

"Sorry! Couldn't resist a shocking twist!"

Naofumi groaned at the pun. "Just climb it and start mauling it! I'll keep it from going anywhere!" The whale had started launching magic from the gemstone-like scales dotted on its hide at Naofumi. He never even flinched. "Come on, is that the best you got?"

In before the Shield Hero has consistently been the most powerful hero even in the past. Good lord, that's some obscene defense.

Shaking his head, Chazon manages to leap onto the whale's back and started utilizing powerful physical skills like Demonic Strike and Royal Thrust. Obsidian and Filo quickly joined in on the fun and the ballista used by Raphtalia, Rino, and Itsuki tore into the monster.

It's HP was depleting rather fast.

"Flying Circle!"

That shout startled Chazon into looking over, only to see L'arc launching a disk of light from his scythe and slicing the whale's tail clean off, immobilizing it. The fact that it looked like a skill greatly confused the Spear Hero. "It's on its last legs! Let's finish it!"

"Hang on, I know the perfect way to end it off since it's incapable of swimming away!" L'arc and everyone else gave Chazon a confused look as he turned to shout at the nearby ship. "Hey Kardia! Want to turn this thing into a Flying Seafood Special?"

Kardia had to think for a moment before she knew what he was getting at. "You guys better get clear of the whale because I'm not holding back!" With that, she begins to channel her magic.

L'arc frowned. "This thing still has a third of its HP left!"

"You'll see. Let's make like some hay and bail!" Chazon hopped onto Obsidian as he swam as fast as he could. Filo gave Naofumi and L'arc a ride as she confusedly swam away from a monster they won against, but weren't killing.

"Drifa Galestorm Blast!"

Everyone's confusion turned to shock when a MASSIVE waterspout launched the whale skyward after Kardia's spell-ball hit it. Therese, on another ship nearby, was stunned because of how powerful Kardia's magic was.

Guess she held back some of her power when she used it against the Xenobaku.

After the waterspout suddenly vanished and water started pouring back down, Chazon looked at the sky. "Any bets as to how long it'll be until it comes back down?"

"Chazon… please keep Kardia on a leash… because that magic power is just downright insane." Naofumi knew even his defenses would be sorely tested against Kardia's Magic stat.

"Hehe… maybe I should change her stat growth a bit…" L'arc had an indiscernible look on his face.

After a few moments, the whale's corpse came crashing back down into the ocean, causing a massive tidal wave. All of the mages that knew Water magic blocked the waves from washing the ships away.

Once the water calmed down enough, Chazon, Naofumi, Obsidian, Filo, and L'arc climbed onto the corpse. Chazon jumped on it a few times. "It's definitely dead. Now watch, we're going to have another whale to deal with if the last Waves we've contended with are any indication."

"Even if it's another whale, we're more than capable of killing it." Naofumi grins at Chazon. "Between you, me, and everyone in our parties, this was no trouble. Heck, even with how much the small-fry swarmed, they were no match for everyone who participated."

"Very true. There's also the rift we need to take care of if we want to stop, or at least slow down, the Wave." Chazon suddenly grins. "By the way, you're whale-come!"

"Really?! Really right now?!" Naofumi facepalmed as Filo and Obsidian laughed. He looks back up and suddenly notices a hint of red on Chazon's face. "Did you get intoxicated?"

"Huuuuuuh?" Chazon tried walking straight, only to keep stumbling. "Guess I am feeling tipsy. I wonder if I did swallow some alcohol when I used Lightning Spear?"

"That explains a lot…" Naofumi sighed as he motioned towards the Queen. "Let's get everyone directed towards the Rift before-"

There was a sudden clang that interrupted the Shield Hero. When everyone turned to look at the source, it was L'arc. Pointing his weapon at the two heroes with Therese right behind him. "I guess you weren't lying when you said you were the Shield Hero, kiddo. Or should I say, Naofumi? And to think the Spear Hero was right in front of my nose this entire time."

Naofumi grunted, getting a bad feeling from it. "I've been telling you this entire time! Besides, what's your angle here, L'arc?"

L'arc, despite the guilt in his heart, merely grinned. "For the record… I really don't have anything against you two. I really don't. But… for the sake of our world…

"Both of you need to die."

I should mention, I actually increased the Inter-dimensional Whale's HP and defenses for this chapter. Unlike in Canon, where Raphtalia using a ballista was the only real source of damage until L'arc decided to end the fight himself, there's a LOT more potential damage output in my story. Between A Spear Hero that's actually competent, Itsuki being far stronger, and Raphtalia being joined by Rino and Kardia, if I had use the Whale's canon stats, it would have been quickly demolished. That, and I wanted Kardia to flex her magic stat a bit.