Shall We Go Fishing?

I'm ready, my lord!

Yeah. You must've carried quite a load. Thanks for hauling it all the way here.

Not at all! I'm just thrilled to be fishing with you, my lord! I don't feel tired at all!

Thrilled, huh...

Anyway, since we finally made it out here to fish, why not relax a little? You're way too stiff.

I'm fine! A true knight must maintain composure no matter the place or time!

Hmm...

Haah, I think we finally made it, Princess...

G-Good work, Bedi. I didn't know you knew about this place, Ethan.

Right? He'd sometimes disappear on his own, guess he was scouting fishing spots during those times.

That's because that fool's head is always full of ways to slack off.

...

Let's just fish.

You said there are some huge fish in this sea, right? I've heard fishing is all about the thrill of the catch. I can't wait.

You've never fished before?

Not really. The most I've done is catching tiny fish in creeks.

With what?

My hands... or a dagger. It's good training, so I do it occasionally.

...

I prefer mountain climbing, but now that I know your taste, my lord, I'll try to develop an interest in fishing too.

Bait goes on... one, two...!

Heave-ho!

Is the sashimi ready yet?

Of course. Now I get why you agreed to come along so easily... Just wait a little longer.

Ethan, do you often come fishing like this?

Yeah. Nice, right?

It is, but... is it okay to just leave the Holy Relics like that? I'm a bit worried.

Holy Relic? Oh, you mean the Grail and all that. It's fine, Eva's keeping watch inside anyway.

Ah! I heard you've been communicating with the spirit of the Grail more lately! You're amazing, my lord.

What kind of person is the spirit of the Grail? Is she a beautiful goddess or something?

Hmm... You probably haven't met her, huh...

Eva is a wonderful spirit!

Yes, she's saved us several times using the Grail's power. Without her, we might've been wiped out long ago...

Now I'm even more curious, hearing the Princess say that!

She's not that overwhelming. If I had to compare...

Sashimi! Grilled fish! Grilled clams! Steamed octopus!

...Slightly more composed than that idiot.

Swordbringer...! Is that how lightly you think of me?!

Whoa, don't shine so bright! You'll scare off the fish!

T-The spirit of the Grail... Eva!

Eva! Over here! Ethan's about to catch a big one!

What nonsense are you spouting? And all of you... let me make one thing clear, this isn't my true form.

Huh? You have another form, Eva?

Of course! I'm the spirit of the Grail! Do you think I've always been stuck clinging to a human just to absorb mana? How pitiful would that be?!

Pitiful, huh...

I used to look far more magnificent!

Ethan, did you know about this?

First I've heard of it...

Hmph. For an ancient spirit, it's natural that she can't manifest her full power right away.

After all, even my true form is far grander, more elegant, more beautiful...

So that's why you've been absorbing my mana more often lately? You used to manage fine without it.

That's right. Though your mana does taste rather good...

I see. No wonder the Grail's power has been feeling stronger each time lately.

If Eva regains her strength, we'll have nothing to fear!

Yeah! Something to look forward to.

Uh... I'm amazing too, you know... truly magnificent...!

Incredible! As expected of the Grail's spirit!!

O-Of course Morgana is incredible too...!

Hmph! Whatever. Foolish Ethan would never appreciate me anyway. I'm going to lie down, my stomach's empty.

You're hungry already? Is your blood sugar okay?

Still, I can't maintain this form for long. Until then, take proper care of me.

Hmm... Not sure if that makes me happy or depressed.

If we work hard, I'm sure things will go well! You can do it, my lord!

Swordbringer.

Yeah?

Come here...

Wait... not HERE... Are you serious?

You never know what might happen. It's best to replenish mana regularly.

And... since you mentioned it, now I want to absorb more mana...

Guess I have no choice...

Huh?! What's this? Are you and Eva about to... something romantic, huh?!

No! This isn't...

He said it's kind of like eating.

Y-Yeah... something like that.

I don't really get it, but it's something only you can do! That's amazing, my lord!

Nnngh...!

Eek! So embarrassing...!

E-Ethan's an adult, Bedi. Adults... do things like that...

Hey! Don't say it like that! We're just holding hands and channeling mana!

Phew... that should do for now.

I'll be counting on you tonight too, Swordbringer.

My lord! You'll be with Eva at night too?!

That's not what she meant! I'm not doing anything like that!

R-Really? I thought maybe you had some special mana training... something I didn't know about...

Ah... if you mean it that way... then, yeah, kind of.

Is the food ready yet? My stomach's about to collapse.

My patience is about to collapse! Thanks to all of you, I haven't caught a single fish!

That's not quite true...

What?

This sea... I think it's merfolk territory. Most of the marine life has fled far away.

What? That wasn't the case last time I came here...

Probably because you cleared out all the monsters. When one kind disappears, another takes over the territory.

No wonder there's been that fishy smell lingering... so that's why.

Morgana, that's something you could've mentioned earlier...

I thought it was Ethan's foot odor.

You little...!

Kyaaah! L-Let go of me!!

Princess! The merfolk have appeared!

Guess our noise disturbed them, they look furious.

My lord! What should we do?

Damn it! I'll take out my anger on them! Raaagh!!!

W-We should follow Ethan!

Good luck, everyone. I'm too hungry to move.

To think something like this would happen, this must be part of the fun of fishing! You truly plan for everything, my lord!

As if...

Phew... maybe because we knocked down this many of them, they're not charging as hard.

Don't get complacent. Fish brains don't go anywhere.

Mark my words, in a little while they'll forget and attack again. Stay on guard.

Ethan, why would merfolk come all the way out here?

Eva said it, since we cleared out this area, that's why.

Still, merfolk usually make the shoreline their base. This isn't technically the sea, it's an inland lake.

Hmm...? Now that you mention it, you're right.

I've fought merfolk a lot, so I know a bit about them.

They're aggressive, but cowardly, they only move when their territory is threatened.

So that means... the merfolk were pushed this far by something else?

Very possible.

Bedi. Percival. This isn't the time for idle chatter.

Right... they're starting to move again.

Pardon me, Princess. I was being complacent.

Th-The fish's eyes are spinning round and round...

Eek?! It looked right at me!

Squawk! Kill the humans!

See? They won't even give us a breather.

We'll find out the details once we take them all down. Let's go!

I never knew fishing could be such excellent training! I'll follow you to the end, my lord!

I told you, that's not it!

Ethan! It's a Kraken!

Damn it... What's that monster doing in a sea this small?!

Ancient creatures sometimes act beyond human logic.

Thankfully, this Kraken is smaller and weaker than the ones we know. We can take it down.

So, you mean it's... a baby Kraken?

Maybe not exactly reproduction in the usual sense, but something like that.

Amazing, Bedi! Is that part of the World Tree's wisdom?

I-I'm not sure... it just came to me naturally...

I don't fully understand, but I assume that means we destroy it, right? I'll take point!

Be careful. That's no ordinary monster.

Yes, my lord.

Guh! This thing... why's it so tough?!

Small or not, ancient beings aren't to be underestimated... no matter how much we cut, it just keeps going!

My strength... is starting to fade...

I'll push harder...!

Sigh... Honestly, you're all helpless without me...

Eva...!

Hmph, didn't you treat me so lowly earlier? How's that working out now? Need my help?

Eva! The Kraken's too strong, do you have a spell that could work against it?

Please help us, Eva! The octopus... the octopus is terrifying...!

O divine spirit, hear our plea!!

Hmph. You all sound desperate.

What about you, Swordbringer? If you'd just bow your head, I might lend you my strength.

Sigh...

Guess I've got no choice. Help us, Eva.

Fine. When it comes to water, nothing beats lightning. Watch closely.

Gaaah!

Cough! Cough!

I'm soaked... waah...

Yeah. That spell was way stronger than usual.

Maybe you're slowly regaining your true strength. You did show a glimpse of it earlier, didn't you?

Phew... We won, but... moving like this is impossible. My clothes are sticking to me...

P-P-Princess...! I heard when that happens, you should huddle together for warmth!

That's... not exactly what that means...

Really? Then shall we dry off with each other's body heat?

Yes, Princess!

Bedi...!

Yeah... go ahead, hug it out...

M-My lord...

Percival? What's wrong with you? Why are you frozen like that?

I-It's just...

She's probably just cold. You should take off your armor and let it dry before it rusts.

If we all hug together, the warmth will rise even more!

N-No, Princess...!

Huh? What's wrong?

Percival's face is turning bright red...

D'you catch a cold or something? You're built like a rock, and now you're blushing... Did something shock you?

It's not that... When Eva unleashed her magic earlier... I felt something surge through me...

Something surge...?

It was electric... tingly... warm all over... a sensation I've never felt before. It's... confusing.

I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

If I take off my armor or get too close to you right now... I might not be able to hold back...

Something might explode...!

M-My lord... it's hot... inside...

Enough. Don't say another word. You're just exhausted, that's all.

Ethan! Elizabeth! Is everyone alright?!

Morgana?!

Morganaaa!! Waaaah! I'm all wet...

We defeated the enemies... Though, looks like our fishing trip's over.

Morgana actually ran here out of concern... guess miracles do happen.

What are you talking about? I ran because I was starving!

You fought a Kraken, right? Then you must've prepared an octopus dish for me, yes?

...So you could move after all.

Hmm...?

Got one! Hurry!

Huh?

Come on!

Whoa! It's huge! Percival! Elizabeth! Give me a hand!

Y-Yes, my lord!!

Hold on, Ethan!

You can do it, Ethan! Hurry up and catch my dinner!

Bedivere! Muzzle that brat!

Yes!

Mmph! Mmph!!

This won't work otherwise. I'll give the signal, pull together!

Okay, Ethan!

One, two...

Three!!

Haaah!!

Ah... we lost it...

U-Um... my lord... if you wouldn't mind... could you get off me... ow!

Ah! S-Sorry...

How could you lose my dinner like that?!

Forcing it won't help. Let's ease up a bit, then pull together.

That sounds better...!

Then I'll loosen my grip.

Ohhh!

We got it! It's huge!!

Wow! Even a legendary fisherman would envy a catch like this! You're amazing, Ethan!

Seriously. I've never seen a fish this big. Didn't know you had it in you, Ethan.

Haha... this is pretty normal for me.

Hehe... Then the great Fairy Queen will happily eat it for you!

Let's head back to town. We should get changed before dinner.

I've learned so much today, my lord!

You did great today, Ethan.

I'm just glad we made it out safely.

We managed somehow... but I didn't really get to enjoy the fishing part. I wanted to haul in a full catch.

That's fine. The sea's peaceful again, that's enough.

Next time, I'll show you what fishing's really about. It's one of life's quieter adventures, after all.

I think... I already had plenty of fun today...

Hm?

Nothing. Let's go, Ethan!

...