The group isn't rushing and there's no fast creatures either so the ride to the reef area will take about 30 minutes.

I ask the maids while were going there why they have there maid outfits on.

The princess made these outfits to be battle ready so we can wear them while fighting says Beth.

'They don't seem strong though.'

Eliza answers, almost every battle outfit/gear is meant to channel mana better and defend against elemental attacks or attract it like our gold attracts electric attacks which opens up room for the others to attack.

No one really uses heavy armor since it slows you down which is guaranteed death for mermen, though there are heavy shields used for big creatures in large mermen formations for fighting big sea creatures and surface dwellers.

Ships I assume? I ask her, she says yes and that there's nothing wrong with them fishing but they destroy the reefs and hunt for mermen as well to sell them.

Whenever their wars calm down on the surface the more they focus on the ocean, though the humans and demons ships aren't really much of a threat compared to the giants ships.

Phil hears us and joins in the talk, 'you know the ships aren't really the problem except for the really strong ships made from rare materials, it's the magic they use on board.

Lots of water and wind mages from the most powerful fleets can carve right into the ocean floor and make the whole area their battlefield, especially the giants.

Of course with lenght of the ocean even the giants get worn out and dangerous sea creatures and schools can wipe out fleets.'

We continue on and arrive at the location, the half gigantic crab is there and comes out alone.

Everyone is surpised and Phil says it is more intelligent than even bigger crabs though it's smaller than normal, around 6 meters/20 feet.

It knows the rest of the crabs stand no chance so it came alone like a warrior and it looks like it wants a duel.

Everyone wonders what to do and Phil decides to take it on.

'we've underestimated it alot, the whales won't be able to take it over and we'll lose alot of members if we take it on in a free for all.'

The others are worried but leave it to Phil since he's a veteran and the crab is only about 2 and a half times the size of a merman but it is wide with 8 claws and 8 legs.

Is he that strong? I ask, he's not that good at magic but he's experienced so he can take on stronger foes, he's a warrior type but that means little since the fish are physically stronger than mermen so mana amount and magic control is the most important thing says Eliza.

Phil goes invisible and charges at the crab, we can't see anything and the crab is surprised.

Being invisible doesn't stop the water from moving though so you can see where something is if it doesn't do something about the water movement.

He goes for the eyes while magic boosting his trident but is blocked by a claw, the claw cracks a bit.

Seeing this Phil attacks again at full strenght while repeatedly upping his power with the [attack up] skill and unleashes a fury of magic enhanced weapon slashes which are all blocked by the crab.

Its claws will be destroyed at this rate so the crab uses air slices to get time for regeneration but Phil knows that and won't give it time.

He dodges the slices with his superior speed and gets closer again but the crab swings wildy and one claw hits Phil though he blocks in time with his small arm shield.

He's hurled back and hurt but he can't afford to slow down his attacks so he casts his magic, from his trident comes out earth.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

He's an earth element user fitting his brown theme, he's really dedicated to that.

It hits the crab while encasing it in earth at the same time.

The crab breaks from it and the ground shakes, oh yeah it had earthquake skills.

More air slashes are launched and Phil uses a magic barrier to defend himself, all his moves don't need much control to use so perfect for him.

He gets close again but this time he straight up blasts the crab with a magic blast from his hand.

It hits right on his face and it loses an eye.

More air slices come and cuts Phil this time, he's bleeding all over, [recovery] and his wounds close up.

The crab jumps, the first time he's moved from his starting location.

Phil easily moves out of the way and to it's side, he launches more earth magic but simple sharp projectiles this time.

The crab uses an earthquake move towards the magic and it travels trhoughout the water crushing them, Phil dodges it but the crab is on the offensive now and rushing him.

Earth magic and earthquake keep clashing, it seems like a stand off but the crab is healing, even its eye is growing back.

Magic blasts are countered with earthquake too and Phil is tiring out, BAM he's hit again and lets go of his trident.

Seems like this is it, the others are preparing to go in now too to help Phil, the crabs are still in their spots.

I use my light to blind the gigantic crab a bit and grab Phil at his waist with my puppeteer skill and holy skills.

Hmm skills? oh right I have the slave title, it seems weak now.

'hey I'll handle this' I tell them as I go and use my holy maker and projection skills to make 2 huge crab like pincers.

I extend holy light lines at the crab's legs while it's shocked at the huge pincers.

The lines wrap around its legs and I pull forward, it falls and I use the pincers to keep it in place.

I don't want to kill it with holy rays or attacks and I don't want to get close to hit it.

I think and look back, the maids are there, lets have them hit it so I can enslave it.

I tell them to come and attack the crab but not kill it.

They agree and start circling and attacking with their gold daggers boosted by magic at the crab's body and limbs.

Some of them are cut off and then they hit it with magic blasts too.

It seems like it's enough so tell them to stop and I shout with my mind OBEY ME at the crab.

Looks like it worked, I order it to calm down and not attack as I release my holy skills constraining it.

The fight is over and everyone rejoices that it's over.

The maids are hugging each other and the guys are celebrating, the other menman didn't do anything but they still had to dodge all the air slices and earthquakes from the crab that kept coming all around.

Phil is being treated for his wounds as well.

I ask what will happen to the crab and they tell me it'll stay here until there's some fight they need it for, they can't take every strong creature into the cities.

The mermen continue to patrol the area a bit and we head back, mission complete.

I order the crab to be good and kill any bad sea creature, I heal it a bit with my holy recovery and give it holy mark.

Also I enslaved the other crabs and sea creatures in the area just in case.

The maid tell the princess the tale of the fight 'unghhuu I wanted to see it too' she says while flailing around in bed with her pillow and so ends the day and night.