Honestly, even people as worldly as Gawain or as thick-nerved as Rebecca often found themselves thinking, What did you say? What did you say again? For fuck's sake, what did you just say? whenever they discussed the sea monsters' "way of life" with them. So many things these deep-sea saltwater lunatics did lay beyond the expectations of normal humans—and even abnormal humans found them unexpected.
Hearing Tir casually say that, Gawain froze for two seconds before coming back to himself. In the end, all his countless thoughts became a long sigh. "...Is this really something a carbon-based lifeform could come up with...?"
Before Tir could speak, he carried on himself. "Forget it, you weren't carbon-based to begin with. You're more the lesbian kind—let's not talk about that. Now that communications have been restored, Antavien should already know the outcome of this war, right?"
"Yes, I've sent the news over," Tir said with a solemn expression. From beginning to end, she had never felt that she had said anything unserious. "Her Majesty Queen Petia, sovereign of the deep sea, has asked me to convey her congratulations on the Alliance's final victory, as well as her tribute and gratitude to the brave and fearless soldiers at the front. The bond forged through fighting side by side will forever remain in the hearts of the deep-sea people."
Gawain was not used to Tir, who usually slept the days away, suddenly speaking to him in such solemn diplomatic language. But he understood that it represented the deep-sea sovereign's earnest attitude, so his own expression became serious. "Please also convey my respect to Her Majesty Petia. In fact, it is the Alliance that should be expressing its gratitude—the expeditionary force from Antavien played a crucial role in this victory."
"We were doing it for our