"You wanted to know more about them?" asked Tomoe, looking at Z.
"Yes. There are multiple accounts of people going missing around the Trench Of The Ocean. Including my Mages. I've lost about five of the last I've checked my reports which were two days ago. I have to know more about this as my Mages should not die from such things."
"Well then, the Cloth Octopus won't be your target. But I will describe it to you. Like I've mentioned, they are from Japan waters. They are mostly docile creatures, swallowing and extending their form when they feel threatened. And after they feed, they do not return for some time."
"Your friend was doing something bad to it?" asked Tomoe, looking at Clement.
"Yes, he was about to chop the octopus up on his boat."
"But I highly doubt my Mages would be doing that..." said Z.
"If they were going by large ships or bats, the Koromodako will see them as a threat as well. Small boats seemed to be fine unless the people on them provoke the Koromodako. The Trench that you've said is located near Japan as well, so it should be plausible that they came from there."
"And these creatures go where ever the current brings them. Since they are from the deepest place on Earth, they can survive under any circumstances. The people there have no way of killing it since they haven't been too affected by them. They are not bloodthirsty," explained Tomoe.
"So, upon hearing this, what would be your next step?" asked Gillian, looking at Z.
"It's still not a strong enough thread to tug on. I will have to gather more data soon. But for now, I can only send more Mages to access the situation."
"Won't you be losing more Mages by doing so? If I have a say on this, you should not send out troops after troops. Just send about five at most at a time. Most of the creatures that I know there won't attack small groups. They only see others as a threat if they are large in numbers."
"Tomoe has a good point. What would be your final decision?" asked Gillian.
"I'll follow his advice and send out small groups instead. However, I do have to add one thing. There seem to be reports of an oversized eel popping up around the Trench's opening. Any clue about that?" asked Z, facing Tomoe and Clement.
"If we're thinking about the same thing, then you shouldn't have to worry about it. The eel did not try to eat us but we did not cook it or capture it for long since it was much too slippery. Oddly enough, they were covered with oil," described Clement.
"I'm surprised you didn't die from that. That 'eel' is called the Ikuchi, a giant eel capable of capsizing ships by tangling the ship and sinking it with its thick layer of oil. The only way to stop it is to scoop all the oil out before the ship sinks. Like the Koromodako, it harbors no bad intent."
"Ah, thanks for the information. I can try to gather more reports from the locals there. That is what I'll be doing for the seven days to come. But for today, I will be in, trying to gather and catch up on the witnesses' reports. If Clement isn't too busy, I might request for you to help me on this?"
"Of course."
"Alright then, I'll be in with Ysabeau to take care of the kids with Rina. Baldwin, are you going for a mission?" asked Gillian, coming to the end of the meeting.
"I've been on missions for a full year straight without a month's rest. It's safe to say that I shall be taking the month off. There are no pending problems on my Ark and I have full trust in my Head Knight to fix up the minor issues. I will only jump back if something major is going on."
"And yes, I will be extending my help to Raiyen and Mavislin if they happened to need it. And I would most like help to take care of the kids. That sums up my week's agenda. Any objections?" asked Baldwin, shoving a piece of toast and bacon into his mouth.
"Seeing that your mission progress has been on the positive side for the past few months ever since the Umbra's incident, I think you deserve to rest. Do not worry, any issue that needs your concern can go through me as well. You did well, my old friend," praised Gillian, winking at his pal.
"You're being nice to the Angry Man..." whispered Ysabeau, to her husband's ear.
"Without him, you wouldn't have a baby in you right now," boomed Gillian, shocking the rest of the team.