Astral Online: Cursed by the Demon Lord to Become the Strongest Beautiful Girl, I Rapidly Grow and Dominate with Cheat Skills Despite Being the Weakest Profession - Chapter 201

Chapter 201: Preparations for the Battle in the Sea Kingdom

 

Thanks to the protection of the whales, we were able to safely reach the Sea Kingdom.

 

As I prepared to part with the ship that had supported us throughout our long journey, a wave of emotion welled up in my chest. Before disembarking, I touched the mast and silently offered my thanks to the vessel. Then, I descended the boarding ramp that had been set up.

 

The man who arranged the boarding ramp was Liam, the bearded harbor official who had helped us when we first departed.

 

Stroking his long beard with his fingertips, Liam greeted our return with a deep smile.

 

“Mr. Liam, thank you for helping us back then.”

 

“Oh no, I only did what was natural. It’s wonderful that you returned safely. And it seems the princess has awakened as the Songstress. That’s the best news of all.”

 

“If it weren’t for your assistance in getting us off to sea, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve my goal so quickly,” the princess said.

 

“It’s an honor to hear that from you, Princess. The king is overly cautious. If we’d waited for all the preparations he demanded, it might’ve taken another week or more before departure.”

 

As we were talking, I noticed a man with blue hair approaching us.

 

I recognized him from before, he had stood beside Queen Sara when she sang in the square.

 

Relying on memory and my insight skill, I quickly realized this man was King Tobia Enoshigaios.

 

The king, a man of formidable build, looked at Laura with an apologetic expression.

 

“I’m sorry for being such an inadequate father.”

 

“Father…”

 

“After you ran off from the castle on your own, Sara scolded me harshly, and it opened my eyes. She made me realize that as long as you remained under my protection, it would be difficult for you to awaken as the Songstress. And you, who chose to journey with companions of your own choosing, have returned safely as the Songstress…”

 

“Though it’s only in hindsight, if you hadn’t decided to embark on your journey back then, Sara would’ve reached her limit by tomorrow, and the great calamity would’ve been unleashed.”

 

“Mother is already at her limit?”

 

“Yes, she’s said to have until tomorrow at most.”

 

It had truly been a close call.

 

Hearing this from beside Laura, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

 

Next, the king turned his gaze toward me, then suddenly bowed his head.

 

“Sora, I deeply thank you for looking after my daughter. I offer my heartfelt gratitude to you and your companions for supporting her throughout the journey.”

 

Tobia opened a window screen and rewarded us with experience points, El, and a rare magic stone each.

 

From behind, I could hear Kuro and Inori quietly voicing their delight. While I remained silent, I checked the magic stone in my inventory and clenched my fist tightly in my mind.

 

Currently, magic stones are extremely difficult to obtain and so valuable that they can fetch a price of a million El among adventurers.

 

With this, my ?Silver Magic Sword? could become even stronger.

 

Judging by the experience points I had gained, I’d likely be able to ask Kirie for assistance after this battle.

 

As I considered the future, Tobia pointed to the carriage waiting in the distance and gave Laura a serious look.

 

“Sara is waiting at the castle. I deeply regret it, but this is where we must part. Laura, say your farewells.”

 

“Soon, we’ll split the Calamity of Lust between Mother and me and reseal it, right? Actually, there’s something I’d like to propose about that.”

 

“Laura…?”

 

“Father, instead of sealing the Calamity of Lust, I suggest we manifest it in this land and defeat it with our own hands.”

 

“What…!?”

 

Faced with her father, who could only envision resealing the calamity, the daughter, who had grown through her journey, stood her ground. She presented the second path she had discussed with me before.

 

Tobia’s eyes widened in shock as he listened to Laura boldly speak her mind without flinching. After blinking several times to recover from the surprise, he hesitantly asked:

 

“Defeat the calamity…?”

 

“Yes. While it would be impossible for us alone, with the power inherited by Sora-sama from the Archangel and the strength of the adventurers, I am confident that this is no idle dream or fantasy,” Laura replied resolutely.

 

“Rely on Sora and the adventurers…”

 

It was clear that the idea of defeating the calamity rather than sealing it had never occurred to Tobia. He fell silent for a moment, lost in thought, then looked at each of us in turn. His gaze finally rested on me.

 

Meeting the king’s eyes, I conveyed my resolve to face the calamity, ?Asmodeus?, not through words but through my expression.

 

Tobia let out a low hum and glanced toward the captain of the guard and Liam, who stood beside him. They nodded in agreement with Laura’s suggestion.

 

With newfound determination, Tobia looked back at us and declared:

 

“I see… Very well. To break this long-standing curse and secure a peaceful future, we too shall give it our all. From this moment on, we will transform the sealing ritual grounds into a battlefield to confront ?Asmodeus?!”

 

His resolute words echoed across the harbor. The citizens gathered there erupted in cheers, showing their support for his decision.

 

Smiling, Tobia began issuing orders to the knight captain and Liam.

 

“Captain Theseus, prepare the battlefield and reinforce the kingdom’s defenses. Liam, support the adventurers who will join the battle.”

 

“Understood, King Tobia,” they replied in unison.

 

Without delay, the two men sprang into action. The atmosphere turned hectic as preparations began. At that moment, Tobia requested that we accompany him to the castle, marking our farewell to Lucas and the others.

 

“It’s been a pleasure, Lucas,” I said.

 

“Likewise! This was one of the best adventures ever!” Lucas replied enthusiastically.

 

We shook hands, promising to go on another sea voyage together someday. With that, we left the harbor behind.

 

Two carriages awaited us, ready to depart at any time. Tobia and Laura climbed into one, and I was motioned to join them. Just as I was about to get in, however—

 

“Sorry, Sora. I need to take care of something with Kirie. Go on ahead,” said Kuro.

 

“Kuro…?”

 

Looking into her serious eyes, I nodded in understanding. Turning to Tobia, I requested that one carriage remain behind for Kuro.

 

Tobia readily agreed, instructing the coachman to wait and bring her to the castle when she returned.

 

“Thank you, King Tobia. …Sora, I’ll be back soon,” Kuro said.

 

“Alright, not sure what’s going on, but I’ll wait at the castle,” I replied.

 

And so, we temporarily parted ways with Kuro and Arisa. Inori and I climbed into the carriage, and we set off for the castle.

 

………………………………

 

“Wow, so that’s the castle of Enoshigaios,” I marveled.

 

At the top of the long slope, a familiar gatekeeper, the one I had delivered bread to in the past, opened the gates, allowing the carriage carrying us to enter the castle grounds.

 

Beyond the gates stretched a vast water garden centered around fountains, with a majestic castle in the distance that rivaled even the grandeur of the Dragon Nation’s palaces.

 

The carriage continued down the path and came to a stop in front of the castle. Tobia and Laura disembarked first, followed by Inori and me. We began walking toward the castle interior.

 

I assumed we were heading to the top floor, but I raised an eyebrow when Tobia descended a staircase.

 

“We’re heading underground?” I asked.

 

“Yes,” Laura answered. “My mother is in the ?Sealed Chamber?, a place designed to temporarily contain the calamity if it were ever released.”

 

“Ah, I see. That explains why it’s underground,” I said, nodding at her explanation.

 

We descended the long staircase and stopped in front of a large door. The soldiers stationed on either side opened it, and Tobia motioned for us to enter.

 

Tension hung in the air as Inori and I stepped inside. The space was enormous, at least five times the size of a school gymnasium.

 

“So this is the ?Sealed Chamber?…”

 

A massive magical circle was etched into the floor, its grooves filled with water flowing in a continuous cycle from aboveground.

 

?Lucifel? analyzed the area and spoke to me telepathically.

 

?This is an ancient magical construct. The sealing circle uses the circulating water to draw mana from the earth, restricting the calamity’s power. Whoever created this must have been a highly skilled mage.?

 

“Ancient magic? That’s news to me.”

 

The air changed as we stepped into the chamber. Even though my temperature settings were off, the sheer density of mystical mana in the space sent chills down my spine.

 

This must be the power of the earth itself.

 

The vast space and atmosphere felt distinctly like a boss battle arena.

 

At the center of the room, Queen Sara knelt in prayer, her hands clasped and eyes closed. She showed no signs of distress, likely due to the effects of the magical circle.

 

“Mother!”

 

Laura immediately ran toward her. Sara noticed her approach and stopped praying, embracing her daughter warmly. Laura tearfully recounted their safe return, and Sara nodded gently, a kind smile on her face.

 

Watching the reunion, I felt a sense of relief and walked over with Tobia.

 

When Sara saw us, she bowed her head in gratitude.

 

“Sora-sama, Inori-sama, thank you so much for taking care of my daughter.”

 

“There’s no need to thank us. We had business with the ring, and we couldn’t have reached the temple without her help,” I replied.

 

“And above all, it’s natural to assist a friend!” Inori added, puffing out her chest with pride.

 

Sara chuckled softly. Laura then turned to introduce us formally.

 

“Sora-sama and Inori-sama, and though they’re absent at the moment, Kuro-sama and Arisa-sama are my dear friends and cherished companions from this adventure.”

 

“Seeing you now, I can tell how remarkable your journey has been. Laura, I’m glad you met such wonderful people,” Sara said.

 

“Being praised so directly makes me a bit embarrassed…” Inori murmured, her cheeks slightly red as she shyly hid behind me.

 

Just as I was reflecting on her characteristic humility, Tobia cleared his throat to interrupt.

 

“Pardon the interruption, but we must speak with Sara about urgent matters.”

 

He stood before her and relayed the conversation we had at the harbor. Hearing it all, Sara’s serene expression turned serious, and she looked at us with resolve.

 

“To defeat the calamity ?Asmodeus?… If those who have already vanquished two calamities are willing to assist, then it is not an impossible task.”

 

“Very well. I’ll begin preparations to convert the magic circle for combat against ?Asmodeus?. It will take about three hours. During that time, Sora-sama and her team can study the information we have about ?Asmodeus? from ancient texts. Once you’re ready for battle, gather your allies and return here.”

 

“Understood,” I replied.

 

With the decision made, a notification for the emergency raid event “The Calamity of Lust” appeared before me.

 

The event was set to begin in four hours. That would give us ample time to strategize and organize our forces.

 

Exchanging a glance with Inori, I began preparing for the fierce battle ahead.