Scenario:Conquest of the Dark Singularity - Chapter 3: Fishy Situation - Episode 4

Conquest of the Dark Singularity - Chapter 3: Fishy Situation - Episode 4

The next morning, Hekate tells the crew to leave the investigation to her. The crew spends another day at the beach. Cupitan and Ragazzo build a sandcastle, while Ilsa and Percival converse at a quieter part of the beach. All of a sudden, Salmrick the king salmun leaps out of the ocean, headed straight for the crew. Feeling the king salmun's hostility, the crew prepares for battle.

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Waking up to a brand new morning, the crew on land returns to the sandy beach for another day packed with fun.

Sig, Tunaro, Kumbhira, Vikala, Vyrn, and Lyria are in the water, enjoying the cool touch of the waves.

Tunaro: Wha... My arms are too thin! I can't swim with these!

Sig: You won't be able to swim if you keep thinking your arms are fins. Mortal bodies that live on land use their arms and legs.

Kumbhira: Ahaha... Who would've ever imagined that we'd be teaching a fish how to swim?

Tunaro: I'm not a fish! I'm a primal beast, cor!

Vikala: Are you sure it's okay for us to just hang out at the beach like this?

Vyrn: Yeah, that's what Dream Lady told us to do. She said she was gonna go investigate with the primal ladies while we get to know Tunaro better.

Lyria: I am worried... but I can still feel (Captain)'s presence somewhere at the bottom of the ocean.

Sig: The Dragon Palace, eh? Wonder if it's got anything to do with the legends around Auguste.

Vyrn: What kinda legends are those?

Sig: A lot of sea legends shared between fishermen mention a residence somewhere in the ocean where sea creatures gather.

Sig: The details vary between different stories, but some say an old deity of the sea lives there in harmony with the other residents.

Lyria: I see... In that case, then maybe (Captain) won't be lonely!

Meanwhile, Cupitan and Ragazzo are crouched at the edge of the water, building a sand castle.

Cupitan: Okay! I've finished digging a hole on this side!

Ragazzo: That's great and all, but can you not use your Rainbow Bow to dig? It doesn't feel right.

Cupitan: Huh... But it's so useful...

Cupitan reluctantly puts away her bow and switches to scooping sand with her hands.

Cupitan: You're not going to swim, Ragazzo?

Ragazzo: I don't think it's a good idea with these artificial arms. We've got great engineers working on these limbs, but seawater's still a no-go.

Cupitan: "We," huh? Hehe. It's nice to hear you talk like a full-fledged member of the crew.

Ragazzo: Oh, shut it...

Ragazzo: What about you? No one said you had to waste your time hanging around me, you know.

Cupitan: It's not that... I'm just not very good at swimming.

Ragazzo: C'mon, you're not fooling me. You're hoping for some stories about Tristette during our time in Navis together, arent'cha?

Cupitan: Well... Maybe just a little.

Ragazzo: That's some rotten dedication. Although... I'm not really one to talk.

Just then, a large wave comes and sweeps away a part of the castle.

Ragazzo: Crap! We built this thing too close to the water.

Cupitan: Incredible how it's so short-lived... even though we spent so much effort building it.

Ragazzo: We can always build another one. With everyone together and a better spot.

Cupitan: That's... easier said than done.

Ragazzo: ...
It's hard for me too.

Before they know it, the waves begin licking at their feet.

The Two: ...

Without a word, the two start piling sand over the muddy castle once more.

At another part of the beach, two figures stand with their arms crossed as the others are enjoying themselves in the water.

The Two: ...

Ilsa and Percival are on guard, their eyes peeled for any threats or strange occurrences on the beach.

Ilsa: ...

Percival: ...

Ilsa: ...
What hobbies do you have?

Percival: ...
Why do you ask?

Ilsa: Well... never mind. I suppose I'm simply not used to complete silence.

The air of intimidation the pair give off discourages other tourists from approaching, keeping the vicinity quiet.

Percival: I'm not asking you to let your guard down completely, but there's no need to be so formal.

Percival: I know a mongrel who, when keeping watch, likes to play word games so his partner doesn't fall asleep.

Ilsa: Haha. A mongrel, huh? I know a puppy myself and I wouldn't be surprised if word games quickly become a favorite.

Percival: ...

Ilsa: ...

Percival: ...
Game.

Ilsa: ...

Ilsa: Egg.

Percival: ...

Percival: Gorilla.

Ilsa: Artwork.

Percival: "K," hm? What starts with"k"...

Percival: King salmun!

Ilsa: Heh. I'm afraid that's two words, Percival.

Percival: No, look! It's a king salmun! It just leapt out of the water!

Ilsa: What?

Salmrick: ...!
(I'm gonna protect the peace of the ocean, mun! I'll crush the skydwellers!)

Vyrn: Whoa! What is that?

Sig: That's a king salmun! It's a subspecies of the salmun—a legendary fish that you'd expect to find at the Dragon Palace!

Vikala: It's... It's c-coming this way!

Kumbhira: Hang onto me, Tunaro! I'll pull you to shore!

Tunaro: O-okay, cor!

As the crew scramble to swim back to shore, Cupitan, Ragazzo, Ilsa, and Percival race toward the water from the beach.

Salmrick: ...!
(Prepare yourselves, skydwellers!)

Lyria: Did... it just say something?

Percival: I'm not sure, but I'm sensing an incredible bloodlust from it. Get your weapons ready, everyone!

As the crew scramble to swim back to shore, Cupitan, Ragazzo, Ilsa, and Percival race toward the water from the beach.