NOVPUB"What are you saying? Captain Berd and his entire fleet were destroyed by a mere merchant fleet!?"
In the dark and foreboding depths of the ocean, a furious leviathan monster stirred from its slumber, its monstrous form an embodiment of primal terror.
As it surged upward from the abyssal depths, it left a churning water trail, signaling its malevolent intent.
The leviathan was a behemoth of epic proportions, a creature of a nightmare with scales as dark as the abyss itself. Its eyes glowed like blood-red beacons, casting an eerie and menacing light upon the surrounding waters.
Its jaws, lined with rows of dagger-like teeth, snapped open and shut with a deafening thunder, sending shockwaves through the ocean reverberating for miles.
Each movement of its massive, serpentine body created a cataclysmic disturbance, sending whirlpools and turbulent currents cascading through the sea.
"Y-yes, my lord! They possess so many advanced cannons. They now hold our comrades captive on the sea surface and dare you to confront them. They also asked you to bring some good ransoms. If not, they will slaughter everyone."
A fishkin pirate knelt in front of the whirlpool-like abyss, facing such a monstrous creature with a hint of fear. Even so, he still had to report on what had happened.
In front of him was a 10th Rank deep sea serpent, and the one that held his life was a Soul Fox Deity. Truthfully, he wished the former to severely beat up the latter. Afterward, they could plunder that fleet and enslave those arrogant terrestrial creatures.
As for the Soul Fox Deity, it would be best if she died or was seriously injured. That way, his life would be safe. That was why he added so many seemingly exaggerated details about how such a merchant fleet could destroy the fleet of pirate ships in a matter of minutes.
"Speak! If they are so ferocious, how can you come here unharmed?"
The massive sea serpent brought its face closer, baring its sharp teeth as if it were about to devour the fish man.
"This, this one was just a little lucky. Several brothers managed to escape during that merchant fleet’s brutal bombardment..." Obie stuttered a little as the fear started to win him over.
"They are just a bunch of merchants with good ships, and you are just pirates with old junk ships. I’m just doing this because you pirates paid good tributes and offerings to me every month. Very well, let me help you out this time."
The deep sea serpent swam away, leaving reverberating vibrations behind.
---
In the middle of the night, on a calm ocean, a fleet of warships was lined up in a single-line assault formation as if ready to face an opponent in full offensive mode.
No sea monsters were detected within a hundred miles radius. Yet, the atmosphere seemed to signal that a catastrophe was imminent. The approaching dark clouds signaled that a storm would come soon.
A large cage held over a hundred pirates on a particular heavy cruiser at the forefront. They were suspended by a steel rope attached to a thick metal rod, resembling a large fishing lure.
"Her Majesty, a massive monster is approaching super fast from the ten o’clock direction."
"The enemy’s size is estimated to be no less than four times the size of our flagship battleship."
"A hurricane with potential for a tsunami is approaching. Predictably, the approaching monster is the Lord Leviathan, the 10th Rank deep sea serpent monster!"
Several soldiers reported the situation.
"Good, that one answered our invitation. Ignore evasion and go all out into offensive mode. Do as planned. Greet it with a bang~" Luna smiled faintly, then turned around, leaving the central command room.
"Roger!" The soldiers saluted.
Lynn and Yusagi then went to follow Luna. A squad of experts above 7th Rank was already waiting for them on the front deck.
The monster was still under the sea. All warships immediately released dozens of torps when the monster entered their firing zone.
*Boom!* *Boom!* *Boom!*
Several violent explosions occurred in the distance, creating a massive wave of water soaring into the sky like an art of explosion between fire and water.
"Roar! How dare you, lowly terrestrial creatures!" The massive deep sea serpent roared out loud with fury. Those explosions could barely injure its thick scales, but it was still painful to withstand a batch of explosions.
"Fire!" Luna gave the command, and the entire fleet fired their main gun and released many ballistic missiles at the massive monster.
Another batch of violent explosions occurred, bombarding the newly arrived deep sea serpent.
Unfortunately, those attacks were not enough to defeat a 10th Rank monster. Because of this, Luna led her strongest squad to conquer that massive monster.
After a series of battles that lasted half an hour, Lord Leviathan ended up beaten, and he had no choice but to surrender. The opposing party had a Deity and several Demi Gods!
"It’s good if you understand quickly. Be grateful that you hold some importance to us, snake. Otherwise, you might end up being a snack." Luna wiped her hands and landed on the deep sea serpent’s head.
"Yes, yes... I didn’t know it was your fleet, Soul Fox Deity. Those pirates deserve the death penalty for daring to attack you." Lord Leviathan stared intently at an iron prison containing over a hundred fish pirates.
He offended a stronger Deity because of them. He also ended up battered because of them. Thus, he couldn’t wait to torture and devour them to vent his frustration and anger.
"Open your spiritual sea, and let me put my mark there." Luna didn’t beat around the bush and immediately stated her goal.
"My lady... this, isn’t that too much? I already gave a bunch of treasures as an apology. What do you want by doing that?" Lord Leviathan felt reluctant and tried to reason with the opposing party.
"I won’t harm you if you obey, Lord Leviathan. We are looking for someone, and you must help us. Do it now, or I shall beat you up more." Luna stomped her foot on Lord Leviathan’s head.
Lord Leviathan considered several things, but he had no other choice. He was defeated miserably, and the victor held the final say. Thus, he opened his spiritual sea and let his opponent place a soul mark there.
He would suffer if this Soul Fox Deity wished to do so, but he could do something about it when the situation cooled down.
Luna then asked about a pink mermaid, but Lord Leviathan knew nothing about the outside world’s affairs.
Even so, she would ensure he would help find the pink mermaid. As a 10th Rank monster, he held that kind of power, and any sea creature would give him some face by assisting him with any request if he so desired.
After that, Luna formed a small team to go with Lord Leviathan to the deep ocean, the underwater world.
---
While turmoil was brewing in the ocean far to the east, dawn had just risen, illuminating the Sacred Mountain with warm morning brilliance. Elysia opened her eyes, about to summon her plushie avatar.
However, super soft cushions greeted her right after she woke up. It was comfortable, and the feeling was heavenly... her head leaned against someone’s twin peaks. She was still in Zera’s embrace.
"???" Elysia’s movement caused Zera to wake up too. She glanced down and stared at the baby Elysia in her arms. A pair of mesmerizing purplish-blue eyes stared at her with an innocent gaze. She then spoke. "Are you hungry?"
"Uh-huh? Mm, maybe I need to eat something to replenish my strength faster. I’ll need to awaken our Goddess friends soon." Elysia rubbed her tummy and then leaned her head on Zera’s breast.
"How does a baby eat? I can see some mammals breastfeed their babies. Should we do the same?" Zera kneaded her breasts, wondering if she could do it or not. She might need to share some life essence with her master or something?
"Heehee~ Just soft food will do. I do shrink as a baby, but not entirely a baby..." Elysia was amused by Zera’s wondering expression.
She rolled to the side, freeing herself from Zera’s embrace. She then summoned her plushie avatar out.
"We’re alive..." The shrine maiden plushie muttered softly, looked at her baby mother, and gave a bear hug. They were both smol, but she truly craved some love, her mother’s love.
"Fufu, that’s, of course." Elysia hugged her plushie avatar and gave it a lot of gentle head pats.
She then added. "Many things have happened, and incoming matters must be dealt with. Unfortunately, I will stay as a baby until the backlash period ends. We need your help. Your presence is necessary as Holy Maiden Miko, my precious."
"Alright, I’ll handle it beautifully. We can gain some benefits from this situation. Those influential experts come with some purposes, but we also have some wishes~" The shrine maiden plushie looked up with a sparkling gaze.
"You’re quite naughty in recent years, hmm."
"But, I am part of you, Mama Elysia."
"Fine, please behave like you normally do outside. Your role as Shrine Priestess Miko is required."
"Then, I shall take the role of shrine priestess, Holy Maiden Miko." 𝓃ℴ𝓋𝓹𝓊𝓫.𝒸𝓸𝓂
Elysia loosened her arms and put her plushie avatar on the bed. She then turned to Zera and spread her arms as if asking to be carried.
"..." Zera felt it was a bit unique and strange because Elysia spoke to that plushie avatar as if they were a pair of separate entities. Yet, in fact, they were one unity...
Zera threw other thoughts aside and stretched out her hand, hugging Elysia with great care.
At that moment, the plushie avatar was enveloped in a soft golden light and enlarged, forming the figure of a lovely shrine priestess.
"Welcome back." Elysia waved her hand.
"Mm~ I’m back. Can I carry you in my arms, mama?" Miko stretched out both hands, asking Zera for permission.
"Everything is good. I’ll take good care of Master Elysia." Zera held Elysia tightly in her arms, reluctant to let her master in anyone’s hands, including her master’s avatar.
