Ducky ducked under the boat and rolled over to look up at the bottom of the boat.

His senses were inevitably influenced by his form—it seemed so huge, so solid, rocky as it could not be shaken.

In fact, if he were to turn back into a dragon, the ship would not be as long as it was...... Of course, the tail has to be counted.

As long as he cut the anchor, he could easily tow it out. Even if that would reveal his whereabouts, by the time the other two big ships returned, the Unicorn would probably have been able to escape far enough...... If only it was as fast as they described.

He swam to the anchor. The chains that connect the anchor are thick and strong, but Ise has learned to solve such problems by brute force alone - he can make the chains brittle as glass in the heat of an instant.

It was so simple that he was even a little absent-minded when he held the chain...... It wasn't until he suddenly realized that his hands were frozen in a large lump of ice along with the chains, and he realized to his chagrin that this method was not very easy to use in the water.

He cursed silently at his own stupidity, trying to break free from the trouble he had created, and was glad that no one would see the ridiculous scene.

Breaking a lump of ice was much harder than he thought - ice dragons loved the cold and were naturally adept at using ice and snow magic, but they couldn't undo spells at the turn of a thought or snap of their fingers. In the library of Enshi Valley, Isis had read a story about an ice dragon who foolishly froze himself in too thick ice in order to get a good night's sleep, and only to die in it. He angrily dismissed it as another lie made up by humans, a joke that was taken for granted - but it wasn't a joke......

In frustration and irritation, he turned his hands into claws. It was only then that the ice shattered, and he simply tried to pull the anchor out of the reef with a hard force...... But that's beyond his current capabilities.

There was a sound of water overhead. He looked up. A figure was seen approaching rapidly—he had just grabbed the chain and pulled it around angrily, apparently shaking the ship and alarming the people on board.

He didn't hesitate to wave his hand as the pirate's eyes widened in surprise at him, causing him to sink into a humanoid lump of ice...... And, he suddenly realized that he didn't have to tow the ship out of port.

All he needed was for it to give the Unicorn a wide enough passage, and preferably to lose the ability to pursue.

And he obviously has better weapons...... He just. I really have to learn how to use it.

“...... Two people. Iger narrowed his eyes and looked his captives back and forth, feeling a little incredulous. "Do you really think that just two people can take back a ship from the Black Sail Pirates, or are you really stupid enough to think that we're going to be defenseless and leave a freshly renovated fastest ship on the Summer Sea empty for you to pick it up?"

"It's going to have to be a bit of a try. The little mouse-like man shrugged his shoulders, his eyes rolled around and he looked a little scared...... Or they are trying to pretend to be afraid. Another tall, brown-skinned pretty Brie lad. Just glared at him without fear.

Iger was silent for a moment. Unconsciously looking into the shadows around him—he suspected that these were not the only ones who had slipped aboard.

As a newcomer, he wasn't very familiar with Bertram and his men, but Nine Toes had already given him the boat...... As a captain, he couldn't afford to lose his ship before he had even set sail.

“...... Maybe we'd better send someone to search again?"

His new first mate, Banjie, spoke with some hesitation.

Benjie wasn't a smart guy – and he didn't need to be around someone who was smart or thought he was smart. If even Banjie doesn't feel right......

Iger smiled, pulled out the short knife from his waist, and walked in front of the little man.

"I suppose you know Boleyn?" his tone was kind and friendly, "they seem to call him Iron Fang." ”

“...... Of course. The little man stared at him suspiciously—more at the short knife in his hand, "He's our first mate." ”

"But you probably don't know that he has teeth that have long since been lost. Now there's one eye missing. Egg shook his head regretfully, "He really didn't have to have to gouge out an eye to surrender." ”

The little man's face quickly lost its color. Stared at him with glazed eyes.

He looked genuinely scared now.

“...... Robbers!"

The pretty fool of the Brie clan roared and tried to rush at him, and though he received a few solid blows at once, he did not stop resisting.

"You know we're pirates, right?" said Egg, a little amused, "Hasn't anyone taught you how to curse?"

But he likes such a simple and straightforward guy...... Very much. They don't even lie to people.

He casually slashed the little man's face with a short knife, but looked at the other person with a grin: "I don't think you would like to watch your friend's eyes gouged out?"

Brie's face froze.

“...... There are three more of us!!" It was just a bloodshot on his face, and the little man was already screaming loudly, "I promise to tell you where they are!oh no, better than that, I can take you there!"

"Bangbu!!" the Brie man roared.

Iger frowned. He wasn't sure if the little man would tell the truth...... But when he made such a fuss, he lost his value as a "friend". Of course, they may also be acting for him......

A strange noise came from behind him, followed by one exclamation after another.

Egger cautiously pulled away some distance before turning back, and watched in amazement as the Siren was inexplicably slowly tilting to the side not far from them.

The sturdy, medium-sized ship, as if pulled by an invisible hand, lifted one end and sank to the surface of the sea, and, having lost its balance, began to spin uncontrollably and crash into the reef to the right.

Iger cast his gaze on the water that seemed to suddenly come to a standstill, and watched in amazement as the crystal ice came to life as it climbed onto the deck that was half-sunk into the water. The ice prevented the Siren from crashing into pieces on the reef, but it also froze it firmly with the rock.

The sun was shining on the sea, but the wind was tingling with a chill. Iger felt the indescribable absurdity of the scene in front of him...... But it soon understood.

Frozen to the side, the Kraken was forced to make way for the Unicorn.

"The dragon ......," he muttered, "he's here!"

Iger couldn't help but smile wryly as the screams rang out behind him - maybe it wasn't the dragon he really had to worry about.

(To be continued.) )