The house was small, and we barely fit in the main room.
"So, you disappeared for so long and now returned, bringing so many beauties with you. I'm glad you finally remembered your little village," the miller said.
"But it seems I chose the wrong time?" I replied.
"Did you already meet the new local residents?"
"Yeah, they tried to drag me down to the depths!" Leira angrily slammed the table.
"I apologize, miss, but there's nothing we can do about it. You're not the first one to be attacked."
"Can you briefly outline the situation?"
"Hmm? Have you come up with something again?"
"With my comrades, we've fought monsters worse than your fish people several times. We can rid you of them."
The miller pondered, scratching his chin.
"Well, I'll tell you what I know, but I wouldn't advise you to get involved with them," the miller walked to the window and pointed to the cliff to the west. "If you've forgotten, there used to be a church there."
Upon closer examination, it did seem that the place where the church stood was now empty. It used to be on a cliff, overlooking the northern coast of the bay, visible from all over the island.
"It seems the cliff has also become smaller."
"Yes, that happened a few months ago. An earthquake shook the island, and the cliff collapsed along with the church. By the way, after the feudal lord drove away the inquisitors who took you, they returned here to escort a new priest. He and the church sank to the bottom of the sea."
"Heh, the local church doesn't have much luck. And how is it connected to the attack?"
"It's because the priest came back after a week, claiming that the true god appeared to him and saved him."
"Really... he went mad so quickly?"
"We thought the same, but you see, he was gone for a week, and then he just emerged from the sea as if nothing had happened. And he demanded that the people bow before the great sea god."
"Hoo... And, of course, those who prayed to him had their catches return?"
"Yes. And eventually, the entire city started worshiping this strange deity, even though no one had seen him."
"Well, well... and of course, any strangers who arrive here without the god's permission are drowned by sea creatures?"
"Yes... that's how he 'protects' us," the miller sighed heavily. "Now people have to worship him out of fear, but fanaticism and hunger can lead our city to a grim fate. Krito, do you really think you can rid us of these creatures?"
"Don't worry," Katrina stepped forward, "we won't abandon people in trouble. We will definitely help you."
"Thank you... I hope you'll have better luck than the count's people."
"So, the feudal lord already tried to intervene?" I carefully chose my words.
"Yes. The disappearance of so many ships couldn't escape his attention. About two weeks ago, two warships with the count's guards and several battle mages arrived here... The whole city saw them being dragged to the bottom by something huge. I don't know what it was, but those were definitely not simple fish people dragging unfortunate swimmers down."
"So, this god, whoever he is, is a real creature... If that's the case, then he can be killed for sure."
A knock on the door interrupted our conversation.
"Don't stick your heads out, I think the city won't be very welcoming to guests," Harod peered out of the window cautiously. "It's Chris; she's a bit late."
"We've already met her; she said she would talk to the elder about our proposal."
"Tsk, I'm afraid you did it in vain," the miller opened the door, and the girl shyly entered the house.
"I told the elder about you. He wasn't pleased that you killed the fish people, but he agreed to discuss your proposal at the 'Sea Devil' tonight."
"Where?" Katrina was surprised by the peculiar name.
"It's the largest tavern in the city, and it also serves as a secret meeting place for important people of our city."
"So, that's its name?"
"Yes, the great-great-great-grandfather of the current owner used to tell stories about how he outsmarted the Sea Devil and, in return, received his wealth, which he used to open the tavern."
"Pfft, what nonsense."
"However, he did indeed become rich quickly."
"I think not all of us should go. Krito, let's go together."
"I think I should accompany you too," Vina, the guild master, interjected. "And perhaps Seleria and Hilda should come as well."
"What are you planning?" Katrina looked skeptically at the merchant.
"I think that if we succeed, this town will have to rebuild trade relations with other countries, and their representatives can help us with that."
"Alright then. The rest of you stay here; I hope the negotiations go well."
As soon as it got dark, we headed to the city, concealing ourselves with cloaks. In the tavern at the central square, important figures of the town were already waiting for us.
"I thought we would meet with the elder," Katrina skeptically surveyed the attendees and questioned me.
"He won't make such a decision alone. This is the port master, owner of the trade warehouses, head of the fishing community, and the owner of this very tavern. Together with Harod and the elder, they form the city council."
"Hmm, seems like you know the local customs," Vina narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. "In such a closed town, all the power is in the hands of these people, not the feudal lord. But at least three of them would benefit from getting rid of the sea creatures, and that's already significant help for us."
"Cough, Krito, does that mean you decided to return to your hometown?" the silver-haired man in his sixties, sitting in the center, addressed me first. "Christina has already conveyed your proposal to me."
The elder exchanged glances with his neighbor.
"You must understand that your failure will incur the wrath of the god on the city," the man in his forties with shaggy black hair nervously tapped the table. "My people are already catching barely enough fish to feed all the townsfolk. If that stops due to your actions, famine will follow."
"You must understand that a city cannot survive on fish alone! The island's agriculture won't be able to sustain everyone, and without trade, you won't last long," Vina shook her head in dismay. "You understand that getting rid of the monster is your only chance, but you fear that if you fail, the townsfolk will take vengeance on you."
"You're talking easily, but you'll escape from here as soon as you face failure, leaving us to deal with the aftermath!"
"Do you really think that if we lose the battle, we'll be able to escape the island? We are risking no less than you, but at least we are fighting against the threat."
"The count already sent his men here, and they all perished. Do you think you can succeed where they failed?"
"Believe me, we are much stronger than ordinary guards. We can handle any monster!" Katrina stepped forward. "We take full responsibility for our actions."
"But if you fail?"
"Then we will bear the consequences."
"And mind you," Vina chimed in, "we will help you restore trade relations with neighboring countries. Because right now, hardly anyone will want to cooperate with you, and our companions can help you with that."
The girl nodded towards Seleria and Hilda.
"These are not the last people in Leran and Nordrune, and they can inform their acquaintances that the eastern path is once again clear. So, will you risk entrusting the future of your city to us, or will you continue to sit, cowering in your dark corners, waiting for death?"
"And what do you propose?"
"If these monsters obey some kind of sea god, then all we need to do is kill him, and they will leave the island. We just need to find out how to locate him."
"Easy for you to say... Only the preacher talks to the god. He does it every night at the place where the church used to stand. But for the past week, he hasn't gone there. He said the god has gone to the east to spread his will among the lost sheep in distant lands."
"To the distant lands?" I exchanged glances with Kat. "We should warn Aileen; I fear this won't end well."
"Alright, we'll keep watch at the cliff at night and wait until he contacts his preacher again."
"And how do you plan to defeat him?"
"Hmm," the princess paused for a moment, pondering. "Well, if he's a water monster... like his minions... then maybe fire and lightning will work on him. If necessary, we'll strike together with Seleria and Ragni, hoping that will be enough."
"That's a rather poorly thought-out plan!!"
"Well, I couldn't come up with anything better. If you have any ideas, please share!"
"Not yet. We know too little about him. If he sank two warships with a single blow, then his size may be greater than what your magic can handle."
"And what? Are you suggesting we just wait for the right moment?"
"No. We killed his minions, and he will want revenge. We need to strike first and try to gauge his strength in battle. I don't see any other way."
"Alright, that's what we'll do."
"And how much will you ask for this task?" The elder nervously rubbed his neck. "Keep in mind that we can't afford to pay you even a couple of hundred coins."
"Hmm... that's a bit of a problem... we can't work completely for free. Vina, do you have any suggestions?"
"Well, if the feudal lord already sent his men here, and they died, then he should be able to allocate some reward to us. Although, given the current state of affairs, we shouldn't expect a substantial amount."
"Well, nothing we can do about that. We'll consider it as help to our fellow guild member. We'll sort out your problem."
"We'll count on your help."
"By the way," I intervened in the conversation, "don't tell anyone about our arrangement. If we fail, the wrath of the sea god will fall on your city. But this way, you can just consider us independent mercenaries hired by the feudal lord. If needed, you can use that as an excuse."
"Alright, but where will you stay?"
"It's best to stay on the ship, so there won't be any complaints against you. And we need to somehow contact the Empire to find out what happened there."
We also discreetly made our way back to the mill and informed our comrades about the next course of action.
"In the end, Vina only took us as decoration," Seleria snorted in frustration.
"Why not? Your appearance says a lot. Fiery hair and eyes tell experienced traders that you come from noble families in Leran. And Hilda's clothing speaks for itself. Otherwise, they wouldn't have believed in our continued assistance," I explained.
"I hope you didn't lie about providing help?" Seleria questioned.
"Yes, I'll contact Henry and have him request aid for this city, and also outline the prospects for restoring trade routes," Vina assured.
"Can he do that?"
"He's the chief treasurer of Verania; I don't think convincing the king will be a problem for him."
"Well, then we're left with dealing with this god, or whatever he really is," Seleria sweetly stretched. "I volunteer to keep watch on that cliff. I want to get rid of that monster as soon as possible and get back to resting."
"Well, there's no one there today, but tomorrow, Kurone and Seleria will keep an eye on the local preacher. Aileen, pass the message to the Empire. I don't want some monster breaking our truce."
"Hmm, I have something for that occasion. Katrina, Krito, come to my cabin on the ship."
"I guess staying in the city is dangerous primarily for its own residents. We'll have to stay on the ship and leave someone on guard," I suggested.
Grain volunteered to guard the deck, and the rest of us returned to our cabins. Katrina and I followed Aileen into a spacious room at the stern.
"Wow... Is this the captain's cabin?" I examined the room, maps scattered on the table, several diverse blades on the wall, and a luxurious bed in a separate area. This cabin was bigger than the common ones where the others gathered. "Now I understand why you don't let anyone in here."
"Heh, it's my ship, and I have the right to set up any room I want."