Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 452: Arc 6, - 68: Split the Party

Purplish-black shadows glimmered in Fumeko’s eyes, "Well, you heard the grand alderman."

"Very well Thundering Blade," the major general turned and saluted. "The SS Narwhal will be docked at port soon. We will signal you when it’s time for departure in T-minus one hour."

"Thank you," Jotou was still a bit astonished she all of a sudden had an immense amount of authority in the situation. With her hands on the table, she shook her head, "Fastest is one thing, but what’s the timing?

When would we get close to Beauregard? She already has a head start towards the Malecise Regime and you’re saying she’ll be there around nine in the morning."

"Yeah, plus ships and storms don’t really go well. Probably worse if that titan controls water," Ben added.

"I’ll have an assessment at the ready soon. But if you’re in need of details; the SS Narwhal is a motorized boat meant primarily for flanking purposes. About eighteen metres, it’s meant to have enough ammunition and firepower to disable larger enemy vessels.

As such, it’s able to handle rough waters and make sharp turns. But considering the current enemy, I don’t honestly know what our top speed can be.

We’re now in the realms of magic and turbulence caused by it. There will be six agents sent with you, including the captain," the major general relayed.

"I’ll be going as well," Hotaru quickly butted in.

"That’s fine Azure Firefly, the weight of passengers is negligible for the factors of speed. But I’d still recommend to travel with the least numbers possible for other reasons," he replied.

"Then I’m going too," Fumeko approached the golden blonde.

"Kid-"

"Are you gonna say what Jotou said was wrong? If there was someone who could’ve stopped the great fire, if that person was you dad, would you give up on it?" her eyes glimmered with purplish-black shadows once more.

"You know that’s not what I was gonna say kid," Kazuo replied, crossing his arms.

Fumeko looked up at Jotou, "If something goes wrong, which I’m betting it will, I’m the only one who can save everyone’s asses and get us out of there."

"But Meko, we still need magic, we haven’t really slept well and there’s only one potion," Asobi chimed in.

"I can guarantee sir that the rough estimates are that we’ll reach the target by o seven hundred hours at the earliest, but we don’t know the turbulence caused by the target at that time," one of the navy soldiers stated.

Major General Dalevern glanced over towards Jotou, "By those calculations, assuming the enemy doesn’t stop, you may only have a few minutes to do what you can before the damages are irreversible. You’ll also be in enemy waters and therefore will have to evade enemy fire."

"They’re gonna be too busy dealing with the massive slime-girl approaching anyway, we have stealth and speed on our side. We’ll just cruise on by. That new god probably’s gonna clear our path too," Ben added.

Jotou, who had silently been staring at the table the entire time, raised her brows and looked at everyone, "Alright, it sounds like I have an hour-ish before going anywhere, so let me at least have some time to think, please," she huffed.

"Let’s get you some fresh air kid," Morgana stated and held the door to the room open.

Giving their nods to the major general, one by one they left the office and out of the building. All the while Jotou was lost in thought, barely registering the people walking with her.

’Even if Beauregard’s the main problem, I need to be able to outthink the cult. They might have a contingency if I stop Beauregard; or are they betting that I can’t even do that? Hell, I don’t know if I can stop Beauregard...

But Ceridwen sent me here, as entertainment? Surely she would’ve just meant for me to intervene at Palais Celneir; maybe to make me feel that there’s no hope of stopping them...?’

They stepped out onto the dockyard. Navy soldiers were on high alert, moving about the area in a rushed but organized manner. The sound and smell of the sea was by their right side; and so to the view of the entity at large. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Navy ships were entering port, while the gates were being closed where some of the under-repair ships were parked. People loaded crates and cannons onto one side of the ship to tip it and check for damages underneath, hooking heavy metal cables to stabilize them.

Strands of her blonde ponytail was caught by the sea-breeze and waved behind her. ’Show’s not over yet.’ Slowly, she let herself hear the voices around her that were talking the entire time.

"I’m sure we can have some sleep on the ship itself. Then when we get close enough, Jotou can drink the potion and be up and ready for the fight. She’d have two full nights of rest in her; right Jotou?" Hotaru shook Jotou by the shoulder.

"Hm? Yeah, that works."

Suddenly, Jotou was lifted up into the air by the waist and spun around, "Dude! You were so sick in there! You got the damn president on your side!?" he let her down.

Jotou let out a surprised giggle as her mind rushed back into reality, "I, I didn’t know you could lift me."

"Kid, I know you’re determined, but are you sure you want to do this?" Kazuo asked of the blonde.

"Sure’s a strong word," Jotou replied. "I just know I want to do this; I can’t not."

"Enough with the will she, won’t she, question is, what’s your plan going forward?" Morgana folded her arms while Kira flew overheard.

Jotou gave it some thought. She then looked around the area, "Thing is, I’m paranoid that the cult might pull something else. I refuse to let them be another step ahead.

It works in our favour that we need to travel with less numbers, not that I’m gonna ask anyone other than Aru to join me on that ship."

"Dude? Are you kidding? You don’t even have to ask!" Ben volunteered.

"We’re with you all the way!" Asobi cheered on.

"I-if the party insists..." Tiffany timidly hid behind the brunette.

"I’m going, my dad quite literally can’t stop me," Fumeko crossed her arms.

Kazuo exhaled through the nose as his eyes glazed over at that fact.

The golden blonde smiled, "Thanks. But my paranoia’s that something’s gonna happen here if we’re all out there. I think it’s best some of us stay behind." Her eyes darted over to the two detectives.

"Not gonna argue that kid. I think your mind’s on the right track, I’m sure there’ll be some evidence here the navy might’ve missed," Kazuo replied.

"If you don’t mind a bird, Kira’ll be on the ship to keep an eye. That way dear Detective Namora can rest easy," Morgana started putting on a pair of gloves.

"We can rendezvous with Rose and see everything she’s dug up," Kazuo added.

"Crispy? Sorry, but Meko had a point earlier," Jotou winced an eye. "Fire and water’s not gonna be doing much. Plus you’ll sink to the sea floor like a rock. You’d be much better safeguarding Belle-Ventrialis in case the cult tries something else."

Ben’s entire expression deflated. He took a moment to consider, "Okay man, it’s your plan," he gave in. "Wish I could be in on the action, but if you think Belle-Ventrialis needs a guardian, then you can count on me!" he set his hands on fire.

"Glad I can count on you man," she smirked and rolled her eyes. "Sobi? I’m gonna have to ask you to stay behind too. If anyone can put on the best show and trick the cult, it’d be you."

"Hmm..." Asobi gripped her wand in both hands and pouted to the side. One look to Fumeko and the other to Hotaru before looking back to Jotou... She gave a bouncy nod and beamed, "Roger, roger! One city-changing show coming right up!"

Jotou cocked her head to the side, "Meko and Tiffany with me and Aru."

"Oh. Ahem! Thou hath called upon the void oh maiden of gold, and thy voice is hearkened. I, Stella Vespertillio, the Child of Void within the Sea of Stars, am at your beck and call," Tiffany posed as a ripple of silvery-white waved up her eye.

Fumeko merely stood triumphantly.

"I’m only there to make sure you don’t get yourself killed," Hotaru stated with a bittersweet smile.

Jotou stuck her tongue out, "I’m not planning on dying anytime soon," she winked with a spark in her eyes.

"That’s the SS Narwhal," Fumeko pointed towards an incoming ship, which she was barely able to make out the writing of. Shadows licked her feet; she would be gone if it was not for the hand that laid on her shoulder just a nanosecond before.

"Kid..."

The brunette rolled her eyes, still facing the sea.

"Good luck; stay safe."

Only for her brows to unexpectedly furrow. "...I will. You too."

"Don’t use your magic, we need everything we have," the redhead scolded.

"Yeah, yeah," Fumeko began to walk instead.

"Is this goodbye?" Ben asked of his friend.

"We have less than an hour before we go, but not for long buddy. I’ll probs be back by lunch," she jested.

Ben opened up his arms, but just simply stood there.

Awkwardly and with a small grin, Jotou moved in and gave a hug at which point Ben wrapped his arms around. "You really should go see Daiyu once this is all over."

"Well the thing’s gotta be over first. Don’t die man; you got this," he replied and let her free. "Beat that god’s ass."

"Sir?"

"Dude- You know that’s not what I mean!"

Jotou stuck her tongue out and gave a giggle.

"Go finish your mission you troll," Ben groaned aloud.

Jotou watched the ship approach and the outline of the massive figure, only shadowed by a storm above her. ’You fall at dawn false god.’