Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

"Snap—"

However, the stinger, which was powerful enough to tear through steel plates, shattered the moment it pierced the skin, spilling its murky liquid onto the ground, emitting white smoke and a pungent odor.

At this moment, the skull of the dinosaur seemed to have changed its fighting style, and was forcefully drilling into Tomat's mouth, intending to force its way into his throat.

It's okay.

"Crunch—crunch—crunch—"

A crisp sound rang out, but it wasn't the sound of the dinosaur moving; it was more like the sound of chewing. The dinosaur's movements suddenly became very violent, as if it was struggling, changing from actively crawling into the mouth to trying to break free.

But it no longer had the strength to resist anything.

The chewing sounds grew louder and louder, and fewer and fewer of the dinosaurs were exposed outside Tomat's mouth. His gills and jaws moved back and forth, until finally only his bony tail remained outside.

"Suck it-"

And this last bit of residue was sucked into Tomat's mouth like slurping noodles.

With a final swallow, Tomat smacked his lips twice, then said to the stunned Specter Shark:

"Now you know where those two points are, right?"

Of course, the expressions of the others weren't much better.

"...How does it taste?"

Skadi snapped out of her daze and immediately asked a bizarre question that matched the strange scene she had just witnessed.

Thomas pondered for a few seconds, then answered very seriously:

"There was more food inside the bones than I expected... It felt like I was eating the big bones of a tumor beast. I think it would taste even better if I cut it in half, grilled it, and sprinkled some seasoning on it."

Upon hearing this, the ghost shark revealed a genuine and eager expression of anticipation:

"Wow, that sounds pretty good? Come to think of it, I've never eaten a Terrorfish before. You and Skadi had some in Saltwind City last time, right? I'd like to try them too..."

As for the other two, they exchanged a knowing glance and then remained silent, showing no intention of joining the conversation.

"pity."

Thomas looked at the cargo box, and while sighing, he seemed to have made a decision in his mind.

I had planned to use what was in the box for a while, but now it seems I'll have to go and restock myself.

Then, the moment he looked at Kal'tsit, she nodded knowingly:

"Approved. If the other two also want to go, they can come along too."

Then, she also said to Gretia, who hadn't originally intended to get involved:

“Deep-sea hunters are also responsible for eradicating the terror fish and the sea creatures. I think you can go there with them.”

Such a suggestion naturally drew a counter-question from Goredia: "Do you think they need additional fighting force?"

Kal'tsit answered the question with a question: "...Do you think the three of them combined could write a report that people could understand?"

This time, Greta showed no doubt.

Kal'tsit continued, "Although there's no mission assignment and it's not an emergency, it's still considered fieldwork for Rhodes Island members. It also involves the Sea Kings, and there are high-ranking Iberian officials involved. It's better not to treat this as a vacation or a hunting trip."

"So, you also subconsciously view their 'hunting' activities as extermination," Greta replied.

Kal'tsit corrected: "Actually, I prefer 'extermination,' so I hope at least one participant can keep some proper reports. If you don't get along with their style of action, you don't have to get involved directly."

It's impossible for a serious and upright person not to feel "excluded" when they're out with other people whose motives aren't exactly righteous.

However, Goredia didn't seem to mind this level of being out of place.

Anyway, ever since she came to Rhodes Island, neither her former colleagues nor her new ones seem to be into her ways. Everyone's common sense and habits are from a completely different world from hers. And Gladys is convinced that it's not that she's abnormal, but that Rhodes Island is abnormal.

As for how long I can resist being assimilated by their style, I can't guarantee that.

[Event] Fool's Tale: Chapter 5 Your infamy is known from Ursus to Laterano

Rhodes Island's standard aircraft soared rapidly through the endless sky, and the deafening roars in their wake sent birds and beasts scattering in all directions.

"Let me make this clear: I'm serious about catching the Terrorfish, but I'm also serious about the previous rating. Although I shattered the body, I overlooked the remaining parts that were playing dead. This is an easy opening to exploit in battle, and it would be a bad thing if I, my teammates, or the people I was protecting got injured."

Tomat, who was in charge of controlling the vehicle, was talking to the people in the back seat about what had happened on Rhodes Island not long ago.

"Who says I didn't notice? I don't care about him, it's all because the instructor is here."

Ghost Shark retorted in a nonchalant tone.

"Stop flattering me." Tomat glanced back. "Anyway, since Dario sent the terror fish from that town, it means there must be similar ones over there. You guys help the locals get rid of this pest, and while you're at it, think about how to avoid repeating the same mistakes."

Skadi spoke up at this moment: "...direct carpet bombing will leave them with nothing but bones."

Thomas initially agreed, but then quickly changed the subject and raised several questions: "Good idea, but not every battle will give you such environmental conditions. When large-scale attacks are not allowed, how do you deal with those guys who are good at camouflage? Do you precisely target the lethal parts, or do you carefully and suppress the power to crush them from head to toe? These are things that need to be considered in battle."

"You may enjoy facing a large group of reckless enemies alone in an open field, but the enemy doesn't care about that. They can open fire on you even in places full of ordinary people."

Thomas's seasoned experience in dealing with enemies was, in a sense, one of the reasons why the proud and arrogant Goredia maintained her respect.

Although she didn't understand how this man, who was clearly younger than her, could have so much combat experience, she was quite certain that it was not just theoretical.

Guerrilla warfare, annihilation warfare, mass warfare, target preservation, reconnaissance, infiltration, and even assassination—Tomat demonstrated extensive experience in every area. Whether operating as an independent combat unit or working with others, his skills far exceeded what one would expect for someone his age, and Goredia knew that Tomat was not some immortal being.

However, what puzzled her most was "why he had combat experience outside of annihilation battles," because Goredia couldn't think of any enemy that would warrant him adopting and practicing tactics.

Perhaps he fought against an even more powerful opponent?

Of course, Goredia prefers to believe that Tomat himself possesses a studious spirit that doesn't forget to learn tactics even when he has outstanding strength, because thinking this way makes him even more admirable.

"After all, Deepsea Hunters were not designed with this kind of problem in mind. We are mainly used for annihilation operations in areas where enemies live in groups, while also ensuring that friendly forces in the surrounding area have the ability to 'not be accidentally injured'."

Thomas's words did not offend Gladys. She honestly admitted that the Deepsea Hunters were not the kind of group that Thomas described as skilled in agile combat.

"However, under the influence of training with you and the other instructors, I feel that we will gradually overcome those shortcomings. Whether it is the technology called Aura or the technology I saw on Rhodes Island, I have benefited greatly—to the point that it is enough to make me postpone my plan to return to Agor."

The more you desire something, the more you crave it.

If you can go whenever you want, as easily as going to the market, then you won't have too much to worry about.

Whether it's her thirst for combat as a deep-sea hunter or her passion for science and technology as an Agorian technical officer, Goredia chose to stay on the Rhodes Island and work with the operators for a while longer.

But this is a rare opportunity. Since the incident in Saltwind City, she hasn't been active near Iberia for a while. Now that she's back by the sea, she wants to see if she can return to Agor on her own, instead of looking for clues from the Deep Sea Church or searching for the Golden Fleet to use as a means of return.

Before that, she was going to deal with the terror fish in that city, not like the other three, not for practice or to eat, but for the duty of a deep-sea hunter—although the result was the same.

Now, even though Gretia didn't initially have much of a desire to leisurely catch the Terrorfish with Tommat and the others, as they got closer to their destination and the scent of the ocean became more pronounced, she became somewhat eager to try her hand at it and show off her skills.

However, her refinement allowed her to conceal this impulse well beneath her cool exterior, appearing calm and composed.

"Speaking of which, if your wife finds out that you and the rest of us went to a port town in Iberia for some fun, won't she be angry?" Ghost Shark, wanting to have some fun, started a provocative topic with Tommat since they hadn't reached their destination yet. "An Iberian trip with one man and three women~ Instructor is quite good at using his authority."

"...I'm curious if your nun's habit is just for show. You need to repent to God for your unfounded associations." As if used to Ghost Shark's somewhat irreverent teasing and banter, Tomat replied quite seriously, "Yelena needs to rest and recuperate during her pregnancy, so she's in Ursus. Although we're far apart, we can communicate telepathically at any time. Why would I do something that would lead to my father-in-law hunting me down across borders? I don't want to become the 'number one enemy of the new Reunion Movement,' or a scoundrel whose name is known throughout the world."

Some people joke with you not to see if you can take their jokes. If you respond even slightly, they'll think the joke was worthwhile. Staying silent and ignoring it will only disappoint and bore them. Specter is clearly the latter type. Seeing Tomat seriously explain a long explanation of her joke, she smiled knowingly and turned her face to the window.

Goredia didn't participate in the conversation, but Skadi looked at Tomat with a hesitant expression.

Thomas then asked, "...What kind of look is that? Patriot would really do that for Yelena?"

Skadi said calmly, "Ah no, that's not what I meant. That Wendigo who's obsessed with his granddaughter wouldn't hesitate to beat up the Emperor of Ursus for her. If you did something to offend her, it wouldn't be surprising if you were wanted all over the world."

"But in terms of being a 'world-renowned scoundrel,' it seems to be already one, doesn't it?"

[Event] Fool's Tale: Chapter Six Arrival

Faced with Skadi's blunt assessment, Tomat calmly replied, "If their reasons for being dissatisfied with me aren't 'not doing what they want and letting them use me,' I wouldn't mind listening, then seeing if I've gone too far, and then thinking about whether there's a better way."

Ghost Shark smiled and bluntly stated, "But setting aside those who want to take advantage of you, most people, even if they are innocently dragged into this and affected, probably wouldn't dare to speak up."

Thomas knew this, of course, and continued, “If they don’t say anything, how would I know? If they don’t even dare to speak up, then there’s nothing I can do. I can’t just do nothing for a group whose very existence is uncertain. I’ll try my best to avoid those situations and at least make sure that the people within my sight don’t dislike me.”

Ghost Shark said jokingly, his face still bearing that ambiguous smile: "Line of sight? Are you sure it's not range? Besides, your range is the entire world."

There was no need for Tomat to clarify, but he still retorted: "Ha, I didn't use violence to shut people up. People who are afraid to speak up either have something to hide or they think I would get violent for honestly telling them about their misfortunes."

"Of course, otherwise the world would either be destroyed or become an unprecedentedly extravagant empire ruled by capricious kings."

Specter Shark clearly understood what the world would be like if Tomat were truly as he claimed, indifferent to the feelings of others and prone to abusing his power.

When an uncontrollable or unpunishable force is in the hands of an individual, their emotional fluctuations or fleeting thoughts can determine the fate of others and the course of the world. Under such absolute power, nothing in the world can talk about survival or happiness; everything depends on the will of the other party. Such a "thing" is probably just a strange existence covered by a layer of human skin.

Tomat, on the other hand, always gave people the impression of being a human being who was "not quite the same as us, and did not consider himself a god or any other superior being."

This is one of the reasons why people can get along with him normally.

"While in a sense that it would be good, isn't that exactly what that Philin wanted to do but failed to do? Lobbying and warnings failed to unite the nations in the face of the crisis, but you can use sheer force to mold all the nations in the world into a 'solid sheet' in a physical sense."

Gledia unusually spoke in longer sentences when discussing the topic, which immediately drew a surprised glance from Specter:

"Isn't it a bit disrespectful for the legion commander and weapons director of Agor to say such things? If you were to make such remarks in Agor, even you would be punished."

Her mischievous grin simply made Goredia choose to close her eyes and state her story:

"Soberly stating the facts proves that I am not insane, and refraining from reckless courage shows that I have a clear understanding of the gap between reality and the truth."

"I am quite clear about what a crisis that can only be barely withstood through unity and what an individual who can quell it alone represents."

At this point, Thomas interrupted Greta, then slowly said in a thoughtful tone:

"That's not necessarily true. If there were a way to concentrate countless tiny forces together, you could unleash power far greater than you can imagine."

The fact that Grétia acknowledged the gap only to be denied by Tomat left her somewhat bewildered. However, she didn't understand what Tomat was referring to—it couldn't possibly be the spiritual notion of "unity is strength." In her view, an absolute difference in strength could not be compensated for by sheer numbers. This wasn't just her opinion; it was a fact she had witnessed countless times.

"However, it is ultimately just something 'borrowed' from others. It can solve immediate needs, but it is not enough to be a reliable means. In my opinion, it is like the Fusion Technique. The more you rely on it, the weaker you become."

“It’s good to acknowledge the gap in power, and it’s fine to feel that others can’t surpass you. But Gohan and I teach you how to become stronger and train you so that you can surpass yourselves. Since you already think that you are so weak that you can’t win by just piling on numbers, shouldn’t you make yourselves and the people around you stronger? At least when you are united, you will unleash a stronger power than before.”

Skadi asked, "Is it like the difference between Rhodes Island in the past and now?"

Thomas didn't answer, he just nodded.

[10km remaining to destination]

The aircraft emitted a warning tone.

From the porthole directly in front, you can see the buildings floating in the mist along the coast.

You can see that this was once a magnificent town, but now even the tallest Iberian church is covered with a layer of ruins, and the streets and alleys seen from above are just desolate.