The Banshees gathered around Theus, their bodies soaking wet, many stained with mud and blood. A strip of kelp still hung from Nini's head, leaving her looking rather bedraggled.
These Banshees had defended Castel countless times and had long since come to regard it as their home. Even so, Theus's words sent warmth blooming in their chests.
"My lord, what should we do next? Most of those Fishmen are dead, but those Sea Urchin Monsters are really troublesome," one of the Banshees asked after a moment of silence.
The Banshees were already powerful enough by mortal standards, but they were outmatched by those sea urchins. Almost all their combat abilities relied on direct attacks, yet these creatures were particularly difficult to defeat head-on.
"Pull back our lines for now and focus on defense. Those Sea Urchin Monsters must have weaknesses. Besides, didn't you successfully kill several of them?"
The Banshees whispered among themselves, then turned together toward the first squad. Only Nini and Ash's squad had fought the Sea Urchin Monsters head-on.
"Let's leave the details of how to fight them aside for now. We'll find a way. How did your investigation of those Pollution Serpents go?"
Ash looked troubled, but Nini spoke first. "We threw away the box containing the serpent's flesh. I gave the order. Please punish me."
She really did blame herself. They could actually have saved the flesh sample they had cut from the Pollution Serpent,
if they had taken the bomb out at the start.
But before they encountered the sea urchins, Nini had thought it unnecessary. After they encountered them, she had no time to retrieve it. In the end, the sample had been blown up along with everything else.
Theus blinked. "There was nothing else you could do under the circumstances. You successfully