In a very orderly fashion, the maids lined up in front of Marie in two lines of thirteen people.

With their master away, the city was in their hands. It meant that rest was still far from being an option.

Marie observed closely the twenty-six women, and noticed a few scratches here and there. The two showing the most injuries were Eden and Alice, as they were dealing with explosive magic.

Even if with their expertise, they weren't able to nullify every bomb without making a few blunders. Running around was exhausting, considering they had to judge the landing area of the bombs on the spot.

With a frown, Marie looked at the two.

"Eden, Alice."

The two twitched, knowing full well why they had been called out.

"How bad is it for you two?"

Opening their eyes slightly more, it didn't take long for them to genuinely answer, albeit with a shameful expression.

"We're in pretty bad shape."

"Yes... We can barely stand up."

With a nod, Marie noticed the trembling legs of the two maids. With her keen instinct, and constant command of the maid squad, she knew exactly how everyone felt.

They were exhausted. Physically, and mentally. While half of them were looking down, ready to sit down at the first opportunity, the rest were barely reacting to her words.

Still, they were self-trained and educated. Unless Olivia told them to, they would continue until they collapsed.

Their loyalty to Olivia was unwavering.

"With burns like that on you, you won't be working at full capabilities."

She looked at Alice, which looked in better shape than Eden. With Amelia in her arms, she approached her.

"I leave Lady Amelia in your care. Return to the castle, care for her until she wakes up, and heal those wounds as much as possible."

A faint smile appeared on her face as she handed over Amelia.

"It would be pretty regrettable to bear scars on that fair skin."

Tears swell up at the corners of the two maids' eyes. They were conflicted. On one side, they had a duty to carry out, but on the other, they were grateful for the opportunity to rest.

"Now, move fast. We'll take care of checking the civilians."

Taking a few steps back, Marie moved on the side to let them pass. As they walked toward the stairs leading to the kelpies, they thanked Marie.

"Thank you."

"Don't overdo it, either."

After seeing their leader nod, they walked to the top of the stairs, and stopped for a second next to Saffira.

"Good work out there."

"We wouldn't have been able to defend against everything without you."

Eden bent forward gracefully, while Alice lowered her head while carrying the unconscious Amelia.

"Please. We only gave back what we were given."

Saffira waved her hands in front of her with slight embarrassment, unprepared for their gratitude.

"Either way, thank you."

The two smiled at the humanoid kelpie, and went on the path that led to the castle. They still had a bit more than fifteen minutes of walking before arriving, considering their pace.

Eden began to limp the moment she was out of Marie's sight, before Alice peeked at her with a mocking smile. Seeing the two walk away with in a good mood, even injured, Saffira sighed in relief.

As she marveled at the relationship between these humans close to her friend, countless sounds of approaching footsteps caught her attention.

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Saffira glanced toward the stairs, and noticed the entire maid squad coming up.

"Thank you for your help today."

Marie stopped in front of her, before she bent forward like Eden did a moment ago.

"Please, don't thank me. I already received your gratitude from your friends."

"I see."

With a faint smile, Marie straightened and turned to the maids behind her.

"Let's begin now. Take it easy as you patrol the streets, and rest if you need to. We don't need to add any additional worries to our master."

The twenty-four women nodded.

"Yes."

At a slow pace, they all moved their separate ways. Some formed groups of three, while the rest continued in duos.

Always looking for each others, that was one of the most important rules for them.

The only one alone was Marie.

"Aren't you going to patrol too?"

Curious and confused, the leader of the kelpies asked.

"I..."

Marie slowly walked to the rocky ledge separating the beach from the city and placed her hands on it.

"I can't really do that."

A flicker of anxiety clouded her eyes as she stared at the thawing tidal wave. Past it, her friend and master, Olivia, went alone to find out about the creature that none of them would dare to fight head-on.

Saffira sympathized with her. Even her, as a kelpie, has no clue about this creature.

The two waited with frustration for the return of Olivia, while everyone else patrolled Noctelagia at their own pace.

...

With the breeze of the sea delicately brushing her cheeks and swaying her hair gently, Olivia looked down.

She came to a stop the moment she felt the eyes of the beast fell on her. Feeling deeply disturbed by the pressure it exerted, all she wanted was to turn back and run to Orion for help.

Unfortunately, it wasn't possible. She was alone this time, so she swallowed her feelings, and forced herself to be brave.

"..."

Taking long deep breaths, Olivia relaxed.

'You can make it, Olivia. There's no need to feel panicked.'

The thumping in her chest calmed down, as she adopted the bravery of her companion.

Following her deep focus, she slowly flew down toward the water's surface, seeing the gigantic white eye staring at her from below.

'This... is still terrifying.'

A low growl escaped the creature's mouth, creating a small-scale shockwave that directly boomed into Olivia's chest. Feeling the air leave her lungs, she began to sweat.

Her feet hesitantly touched the water, as she stood there, afraid, but determined.

'Do not shy away from the terror, but do not let it consume you. Those were Miss Tetra's words.'

Anyone would be terrorized in this situation. Especially with the size of this being.

All of its body was hidden in the abyss of the sea, but only a part of its head was visible from above. It had a flat head, with long jaws displaying sharp and shiny white teeth protruding out of the mouth.

It had white eyes, like jewels. Perfectly and unadulterated ivory white, like beads.

The monster watched every move Olivia made, but seemed impassive to her presence. Except for the warning it gave her, it stayed immobile in the middle of the sea.

'I don't have traces of corruption inside me. That's most likely the reason for its apathy.'

Olivia clenched her fists to ready herself, and opened her mouth while inhaling.

"I heard you earlier. Are you still in pain?"

The creature growled at her as instead of answering her call.

"..."

Her eyes met one of its eyes, and froze on it. She wasn't sure if trying to converse with this creature was worth the danger following it.

Yet, now that she was here, she couldn't go back.

"The corruption..."

The white eye focused on her instantly as she opened her mouth. It appeared to know exactly what was afflicting it, just like she had surmised while talking to Monolavir.

"That taint. It writhes inside my body, trying to take control of it."

A child's voice, mixed with a rough echo of a monster, entered her head.

Feeling a small stir in her head, she tried to ignore it.

'The 'Dragon's Tongue' is compatible with this creature, but it also shows dissonance?'

Now knowing that it was an intelligent being, capable of understanding her words, helped her relax. With a frown, she placed a hand on her chest and continued.

"I am one of those who fight the very problem forming inside you. It is called the corruption."

"When in contact with corruption, a being slowly forms a core inside their body, slowly eroding the personality of the individual in question."

The head of the creature rose toward the surface of the sea. Before breaking the surface, it stopped, and glared at Olivia.

"Am I to trust you? For all I know, this could be a trap."

Out of nowhere, Olivia felt like laughing. She contained it, but it still showed on her face. With a frustrated smile, she answered it.

"I wouldn't stand a chance against you. I could survive... probably, but I don't wish to die yet. Instead, I came to offer help."

"Help? To me?"

A thin membrane covered its eye, as it appeared to blink. This was a trait similar to crocodiles, which meant this beast was of the reptilian family, also related to the dragons.

"Yes. If you fear you would be captured, or taken advantage off, I will put my life at stake and swear that it will never happen."

"We have neither the resources to capture you, nor the power to fight you off. What choice is left to us?"

"..."

The gargantuan reptilian seemed to ponder for a brief instant, before answering her.

"The aura coming out of you isn't convincing me."

"I can't talk to you if I release it..."

"Why?"

"I'll fall into the water. I'll be terribly difficult, and far too risky for me to even consider."

"..."

With no answer in return, Olivia thought that her attempt to befriend the monster went unsuccessful.

As she hoped that at least it would spare her, its giant body emerged in all its splendor at the surface of the sea.

A broad, flat body glistened under the sun as water flowed back into the sea. About five meters emerged out, leaving two third below.

Its flat head emerged first, then the body and its four long flippers, then its short tail. It had a deep blue color, blending perfectly into the depths.

It was, in its entirety, around two hundred meters long, and fifty meters large. A truly colossal being, being only shadowed by the late Velridar, who was a titan among titans with his kilometer of length from head to tail.

Olivia understood with a single glance.

As she gulped in awe, she was face to face with a one of a kind being. A being she had no idea how to describe, to call, or to even believe existed.

One of the most dangerous beings in the world, terror of the animal kingdom.

A true, authentic, Apex Predator.