The next day, aboard the Alcor.
Beneath a clear, sunny sky, two sails rose from the deck like towering pines. Wild waves battered the enormous wooden hull, sending up splashing sounds as it cut through the water.
Two figures stood on the dragon-headed prow, accompanied by a floating little sprite with pure white hair.
"Haha, weather this fine calls for a drink or two. Want to try some?"
Captain Beidou's long black hair danced in the sea breeze. She took out her flask, tipped her face toward the sky, and took a swig, laughing heartily as she spoke.
"N-no, no thanks. We're not interested in drinking." Paimon shook her head and waved her hands, repeatedly refusing. "Anyway, Captain Beidou, did you need something, calling us here so early in the morning?"
Lumine pressed down on her white flower-petal hair ornament, which the sea breeze had loosened a little. A trace of confusion also showed in her amber eyes.
"Fine weather like this is a good time to sail, and it's also when certain creatures hunt. In short, something big has its eye on us."
"Something big?" Paimon scratched her head.
Lumine gently parted her soft lips and asked, "How big?"
"Haha, you'll see. Here it comes!"
Beidou laughed twice, then her pupils contracted slightly. She put away her flask and swiftly drew a claymore with a red body and silver-gray edges.
It happened very suddenly.
An enormous tentacle covered in suckers abruptly shot out of the sea ahead, hurtling straight toward the prow.
"Tidecaller!"
Beidou held her claymore horizontally before her. Lightning rose around her body, forming an Electro shield encircled by Thunder Beasts that enveloped her.
At the same time, just as Beidou's shield finished forming...
The enormous, sucker-covered tentacle crashed down with mountain-shattering force. With a bang, it