Chapter 7


    <strong>#The Devil''s Hand that Appeared in the Sea (2)</strong>


    "The Devil''s Hand, you say?" Dominic pondered internally, ''What kind of childish name is this? The naming sense in this world, seriously!'' Nheless, he managed to maintain an expression of surprise on the outside.


    "Ah, you may not know. You did mention this is your first time residing near the beach in our vige."


    Still, Calron''s expression remained serious.


    The issue wasn''t limited to Calron; Ian''s face had also tensed up.


    <em>''Is this really a serious matter?''</em>


    Contrary to his robust appearance, Calron, who would make a fuss over a single wild boar, differed from Ian, who had been a stable presence over the past week, proving that he had earned the trust of the aristocracy not by chance.


    The fact that even he regarded Calron with a grave expression indicated that a situation of significance was unfolding.


    "Are you suggesting that the Devil''s Hand has begun to proliferate?"


    "If it were just a few sprouts, I wouldn''t be this concerned, Sir Knight."


    "In that case, could it be..."


    "Yes. A swarm of Farmer Turtles has appeared. It seems they''ve alreadyid their eggs on the shore at the edge of the vige."


    "This is the worst-case scenario!"


    Dominic, who had been uneasy with Ian''s informal manner of speaking to himself but formally to Calron, furrowed his brow.


    However, what mattered most at the moment were not formalities.


    "What''s this Devil''s Hand and Farmer Turtles? What are you talking about?"


    "You''re the vige chief of a fishing vige, and you don''t know?"


    "I''m not a fisherman to begin with."


    <em>''I didn''t be vige chief because I wanted to,''</em> he thought, swallowing the words at the tip of his tongue, and looked at Calron.


    "The Devil''s Hand is a sea nt cultivated by the Farmer Turtles. Or should I call it a sea tree? A fully grown Devil''s Hand can be three times the size of an adult man."


    Calron sighed deeply.


    "Seaweed? Are you talking about algae? It''s intriguing that turtles cultivate algae."


    "It''s not something to simply marvel at. If the Devil''s Hand spreads, fishing boats won''t be able to operate!"


    "But still..."


    "And it regrows so rapidly! Even if you manage to cut it down while avoiding the watchful eyes of the Farmer Turtles, it returns in full force in just a few days. And if that were the extent of it, it would be fine! The turtles cultivating the Devil''s Hand drive away all therge fish near the coast, leaving only the small ones!"


    "The impact on fishing will be significant."


    "Who wouldn''t know that, Sir Knight!"


    "If there''s anything I can do to assist, I would be more than willing."


    "Really? Is that true?"


    "Yes. Ensuring the livelihood of the subjects is also a part of a knight''s duty to his lord."


    "Oh, thank you, Sir Knight! Thank you!"


    Calron gripped Ian''s hand as if he were a beacon of hope in the darkness, grinning broadly.


    Though a lone knight might not have the power topletely reverse the situation, this could be an opportunity for the vige''s misfortune to reach the lord''s ears.


    <em>''Fortunately, with Sir Knight''s assistance, we might be able to fend off the Farmer Turtles! There really isn''t anyw dictating that we must face our demise.''</em>


    Just a few hours earlier, Calron had been in despair, dering that fishing for the year was over.


    That wasmon knowledge in this world.


    Fishing was impossible in the Sea of Farmer Turtle. The silver lining was that the growth of the ''Devil''s Hand'' onlysted about a year.


    For some reason, the Farmer Turtles never remained in one location for more than a year.


    "Yet, sir, you seem quite knowledgeable about the Farmer Turtle, am I mistaken?"


    "No, you''re not. Your observation is indeed keen. Our vige is visited by the Farmer Turtle once every few years. When that happens, we give up on fishing for a year."


    "That''s peculiar. I heard Farmer Turtles are rarely seen near beaches inhabited by humans."


    "It''s because the Farmer Turtle discovered the coast of Evergreen first, not humans."


    "Really?"


    "When I was purchasing thend to establish the vige, I was swindled. Hahaha!"


    Thend that former mercenary leader Calron had bought for settlement was, in other words, worthlessnd that unwee guests would visit.


    "...You find that amusing, sir?"


    "What can we do, it''s a thing of the past. Fortunately, it''ll move on somewhere else after a year. Then, the Devil''s Hand will also disappear. Hehe."


    At Calron''s words, Dominic clicked his tongue.


    "Let''s monitor the situation for now."


    "Of course, Sir Knight!"


    The three quickly made their way toward a hill with a clear view of the coastline.


    <strong>Whoosh-</strong>


    Contrary to the concerned expressions of the vigers they had encountered along the way, the sound of the waves on the beach remained tranquil.


    Seagulls, too, were gliding low over the sea as usual, and the warm breeze tinged with salt continued to brush against their cheeks.


    "It''s quite sizable."


    "The number of Farmer Turtles that arrived this time is quite substantial. It seems they transnted fully grown Devil''s Hands right from the start."


    Hearing Calron''s words, Dominic chuckled inwardly, picturing turtles transnting nts. It seemed like something that could only ur in a cartoon.


    "Take a closer look."


    "At what?"


    "At the waves."


    Ian dropped a hint, gazing at Dominic with a somewhat pitiful expression.


    <strong>Whoosh-</strong>


    Another substantial wave crashed.


    <em>''What''s within the wave?''</em>


    Dominic widened his eyes and peered into the wave.


    And he saw it.


    The enormous seaweed swaying within the wave.


    <em>''...My goodness.''</em>


    Even Dominic, who appeared to be engaged in aughter-holdingpetition, was suddenly ovee with shock and fear.


    The motion of the seaweed, swaying back and forth in the boundless sea in rhythm with the waves, extending its long, dark leaves in every direction, was enough to conjure up images of it easily ensnaring a few small fishing boats and dragging them down into the depths of the ocean.


    It was a moment that vividly demonstrated why it was called the ''Devil''s Hand.''


    <strong>Whoosh-</strong>


    Anotherrge wave crashed.


    It appeared as if the seaweed was once again extending its eerie appendages.


    Concealing the fear welling up from the depths of his heart, Dominic muttered to himself.


    "...Ultimately, it''s just seaweed soup..."


    "Seaweed soup?"


    "...what?"


    "You just mentioned it, seaweed soup."


    The blonde knight had ears sharper than necessary.


    "Is it a soup made from seaweed? But what is seaweed?"


    "That''s what I''m talking about, the Devil''s Hand."


    "I have no idea what you''re talking about. You''re calling the Devil''s Hand seaweed?"


    "Huh?"


    "Huh?"


    Dominic and Ian once again failed toprehend each other''s words.


    "Ah! In the region where I briefly resided, they referred to it as seaweed. What do you call it here?"


    "It''s called ''Devil''s Hand,'' what are you going on about? Tsk."


    At Ian''s words, Dominic finally realized that ''Devil''s Hand'' wasn''t a nickname but the official term for that seaweed.


    <em>''Whoever named it...''</em>


    Dominic couldn''t help but ponder the sensibilities of the person who not only coined the term but also made it the official name. Nevertheless, he continued.


    "But Calron, can we eat that seaweed, uh, I mean, Devil''s Hand?"


    "...Huh?"


    "It''s delicious when you make soup out of it."


    Dominic was thinking about how great it tasted when you stir-fried the seaweed with meat in sesame oil and then simmered it. Didn''t they know that?


    <em>''Well, in my previous life, there were only a few countries that ate seaweed.''</em>


    In South Korea, where he had lived in his past life, seaweed was consumed on birthdays, by new mothers, and frequently in school lunches. It was a staple in various diets.


    <em>''If you took seaweed away from dieticians, it would be challenging for them to create meal ns.''</em>


    As Dominic was lost in these thoughts, he heard Calron, who appeared bewildered.


    "You eat... Devil''s Hand?"


    "Why not?"


    "Because it''s the Devil''s Hand."


    "What does that mean...?"


    "...? Exactly. Why didn''t I think of trying it?"


    Calron, who had no particr aversion to food ingredients, tilted his head.


    "Does it contain any toxins?"


    "I''ve never heard of that."


    "Is it prohibited for religious or cultural reasons? Perhaps the temple disapproves."


    "Not that I know of. It''s just called ''Devil''s Hand''; it has nothing to do with dark magic."


    <strong>p-.</strong>


    Dominic pped his hands and beamed with a bright smile.


    "So, would you like to give it a try? It''s delicious."