Night fell, and a bright moon hung high in the boundless sky. Stars, like scattered diamonds, embellished the deep night sky.
In an open clearing, a huge bonfire was burning fiercely. The flames sometimes gently licked the night breeze, sometimes rushed violently towards the sky, emitting crackling sounds.
The air was filled with the aroma of barbecue and various delicacies, mixed with the smell of alcohol.
Around the bonfire were pirates singing, dancing, chatting, and bragging. A little further away from the bonfire were tables and chairs the pirates had moved from who knows where.
Under the firelight, everyone's face was illuminated red, and the atmosphere was as lively as the last banquet.
Sitting on the fringe, Euryale, who didn't want to join the men's carnival, just propped her chin on her hand, watching them and casually sipping the wine in her cup.
Asterios, on the other hand, was very happy. Sitting cross-legged on the ground with a simple and honest smile on his face, he watched the pirates' movements intently. While listening to the pirates' singing, he occasionally clapped his hands gently. As a lonely monster, he had never experienced such a lively scene.
Seeing the little bull happy, Euryale also felt relieved.
"...Is he asleep?"
Just turning her head, Euryale discovered Takumi lying on the small table, emitting regular light snoring sounds, and was slightly surprised.
If she remembered correctly, before this, Takumi only ate some barbecue and drank two sips of water.
"No choice. The battle before exhausted him; let him rest well for a while."
Drake glanced at Takumi, spreading her hands helplessly.
"He looks like someone who tries very hard no matter what he does... actually a bit like my foolish younger sister."
Euryale seemed to recall something, and her gaze towards Takumi instantly softened a lot.
"Haha, we also feel Mimi gives off the feeling of an obedient younger brother next door."
"...But unfortunately, as older brothers and sisters, it seems our help to him is quite limited; instead, we are taken care of by him more."
Drake scratched her head, somewhat embarrassed.
"Oh? If you put it that way, he's even more like my foolish younger sister. In terms of combat power, my older sister and I are also protected by our foolish younger sister."
Euryale raised her eyebrows upon hearing this.
"By the way, who is your younger sister?"
Drake touched her chin, finally asking the question she hadn't had time to ask all along.
"...You really have no knowledge at all. Inviting me onto your ship, I thought you would at least know my identity."
Euryale was speechless.
Obviously, Drake didn't know.
But this was also related to the unexpected nature of the day's journey. First encountering Blackbeard, then escaping using the storm, and coincidentally meeting Euryale and Asterios.
Although Takumi's initial goal was achieved by accident, it was unclear whether this was good luck or bad luck.
So much so that Takumi forgot to explain in detail to Drake.
...
The peaceful night passed quickly.
Takumi also slept well, recovering most of the mental and physical strength consumed in the previous battle.
Because the Golden Wild Hunt was damaged a lot in the previous battle, everyone got up early in the morning and first looked for various materials to patch up the Golden Wild Hunt.
After patching it up, they would think about going out to sea.
Takumi had more things to do because he had to refill magical energy for the Runes on the ship so that their effects could be restored.
As for how to move the Golden Wild Hunt from the center of the island to the seaside...
"Very good, just like that! Target is the sea one kilometer ahead! Charge, charge, charge!"
On the Golden Wild Hunt, Drake stepped on a crate with her right foot, pointing her flintlock pistol forward, her face full of excitement.
"Woo ah——!!"
They saw Asterios at the very front pulling the Golden Wild Hunt with a rope, letting out a roar, actually pulling the entire giant ship forward with just brute force!
Land boating!
Takumi also waved the flag on the ship with Drake, using his Noble Phantasm to add defense to the Golden Wild Hunt to prevent it from being wrecked during this journey.
"Hahaha, I told you following the Captain would be interesting, right? Now our ship has been to both the sky and the land!"
The pirates along the way cheered.
Watching the Golden Wild Hunt sliding on land with shining eyes.
Dragging a ship wasn't too difficult for Asterios's terrifying Strength, so in no time, he dragged the ship to the sea in a flash.
"Lads, hoist the sails! Set sail!"
With Drake's order, the group of pirates skillfully began to control the ship's movement.
Making the Golden Wild Hunt sail smoothly on the sea again.
"Mimi, which direction do we go next?"
When the Golden Wild Hunt was further away from the coast, Drake, standing on a high place, turned her head and shouted to Takumi.
Is it me pointing the way again?
Takumi had no intention of declining or refusing. [Revelation] was indeed very useful for finding the way, especially in this Singularity where it felt strengthened.
Now the task of finding Euryale was completed, and combat power was also supplemented.
The subsequent task was very obvious.
Hercules on Jason's side could be said to be invincible in this Singularity. Killing him was basically impossible; the only way was to kill him through the instant-kill mechanism of King David's [Ark of the Covenant].
So, should they go find King David now, meet up with him, and set traps waiting for others to come?
Takumi suddenly had a wondrous idea.
"Boss, do you think if we go find Blackbeard now, is there a possibility of winning?"
Hearing this, Drake looked surprised.
"You mean we turn around and look for trouble with that Blackbeard?"
She picked her ear, thinking she heard wrong.
"That's right."
Takumi nodded in affirmation.
In fact, Singularities were basically formed and maintained by relying on the Holy Grail. Theoretically, as long as the Holy Grail was retrieved, the Singularity would collapse on its own.
—Except for the Sixth Singularity where the Goddess Lion King used the power of the Holy Lance to destroy the entire Singularity, replacing the Holy Grail as the anchor of the Singularity.
And the Seventh Singularity where the Beast of Regression, Tiamat, manifested, also possessing the ability to destroy human civilization without the Holy Grail.
These two Singularities were exceptions; for the others, as long as the Holy Grail was retrieved, the mission should be completed.
Thinking about it this way, as long as they got the Holy Grail beforehand and retrieved it, wouldn't they not need to fight Hercules?
Thinking about it, Blackbeard should be easier to beat than Jason and the others, right?
Takumi explained his idea to Drake.
"If you put it that way, indeed fighting Blackbeard is the best choice..."
Hearing this, Drake also touched her chin and started thinking.
Their purpose for this trip was to help Takumi save the world. Since there was a once-and-for-all method, why not use it?
Plus, having played with this Holy Grail in her hand for so long, Drake also summarized some experiences. Although her combat power probably couldn't compare to herself after ascending to a Heroic Spirit, in the situation where neither side had a Noble Phantasm, it wouldn't be much different.
Looking at it this way, the combat power of both sides didn't seem to differ much?
"Let's do it! Next, we'll go raid Blackbeard and get back the face we lost!"
After thinking for a while, Drake punched her palm, making up her mind.
Hearing Drake's words, the pirates also got excited.
"Oh? Going to get back our face?"
"Right now? Right here?"
"Absolutely now, bro!"
"Right here, let them know who is the boss of this sea!"
...
The pirates spoke with high morale, all coincidentally agreeing with Drake and Takumi's decision.
After all, they were also hot-tempered pirates!
Being mocked to their faces by Blackbeard like that and fleeing in panic twice, they had long held back a bellyful of anger.
However, there were also those who were reluctant.
"Your decision makes me suspect if I boarded the wrong ship..."
Thinking of seeing that disgusting guy again, Euryale had a headache.
"What does it matter? We get rid of him as soon as possible, then you won't see him forever, right?"
Drake said grinningly.
"...True. That kind of guy who would pollute the whole world, it's more appropriate to send him back to the Throne of Heroes quickly."
Thinking about it a little, Euryale also affirmed Drake's statement.
Long pain is worse than short pain. Directly killing the problematic person solves more than half of the problems.
Unanimous agreement. So after Takumi pointed out the direction through [Revelation], everyone moved towards Blackbeard's direction.
While making combat preparations on the ship.
At least Takumi had to make a few more Rune cannonballs.