Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"Your determination is admirable, and I want you to keep it up," Roan said and then forced a smile. "But try to protect them without sinking a city in the sea… when you say it, it feels like you can do it."

An unparalleled wave of enthusiasm washed over them upon sharing the news of their upcoming trip with his sisters. Their excitement far surpassed any he had witnessed, even when they indulged in his finest strawberry sundaes. It was as though he had unveiled the most thrilling adventure imaginable.

With their anticipation soaring, Rain promptly contacted his friends and rallied them together. They set off for the organization\'s headquarters, eager to learn more about the mission that awaited them.

"Welcome, everyone," Karla said. "I am sorry for calling you all when you barely returned, but the situation is getting complicated."

"What exactly happened?" Jori asked. "We only know what we heard around the city."

"As you know, the port town that is governed by lord Ocis has been attacked for over a month," Karla said. "To avoid possible problems from spreading, we are working on keeping information about the situation from spreading, but that is quite hard. Regardless, put into simple words, monsters and the sea folk are attacking the port town on a daily basis."

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The spreading of information regarding the attacks in the port town had the potential to trigger a range of significant problems. Firstly, it could spark widespread panic and fear within the local population. The news of such assaults might instill a sense of insecurity and instability, potentially leading to mass hysteria and public unrest.

Moreover, this could attract undesirable attention from various groups or organizations. Pirates or opportunistic factions might view the vulnerable port town as an easy target for looting and exploitation, further destabilizing the area.

Additionally, the dissemination of such information could disrupt trade and commerce, causing economic instability in the region. Merchants and traders could become hesitant to conduct business at the port, impacting the livelihoods of the local community and potentially leading to an economic downturn.

Lastly, it might strain diplomatic relations with neighboring regions or factions. If the attacks were seen as a security breach or as the inability to protect one\'s territory, it could result in tensions, conflicts, or even retaliatory actions from neighboring powers.

"What about the reasons why?" Rain asked.

"We don\'t know the details yet. Lord Branden couldn\'t send the explanation through a letter," Karla replied.

The involvement of sea folk and their use of monstrous creatures in the port town attacks hinted at a deeper and more troubling issue. It suggested that an event of significant magnitude had likely occurred, something that couldn\'t be disclosed without causing substantial embarrassment or damage to the country\'s reputation.

The sea folk, known for their isolationist tendencies, weren\'t typically inclined to such aggressive actions without a compelling reason. Therefore, it was reasonable to assume that certain events or circumstances had provoked their anger or compelled them to resort to these drastic measures.

The secrecy surrounding the situation seemed to be a deliberate effort by authorities to save face or protect sensitive information that could have far-reaching consequences. Whatever had unfolded, it was apparent that there were hidden factors and intricate motivations behind the attacks.

Rain found himself musing over the enigmatic means by which the sea folk controlled the monstrous creatures. While he lacked concrete knowledge about their methods, his imagination led him to draw parallels with Earthly legends.

One intriguing notion that crossed his mind involved the possibility of mermaids playing a pivotal role in this control. Earthly folklore often depicted mermaids as possessing the power to sway and manipulate humans with their enchanting songs and mesmerizing voices.

While this was purely speculative and rooted in Earth\'s myths, Rain couldn\'t help but consider whether a similar concept might exist in this fantastical world,

"What can we know?" Rain asked, a bit annoyed.

"Forgive him. He is a bit on the edge since he has some family issues to deal with right now," Terra said.

"No problem. I was starting to think that Rain was a bloodless, cold person, so his anger puts me at ease," Karla explained. "What I can tell is that you should prepare yourselves for some Maritime fights. Also, lord Branden asked me to give you some potions in case you were to accept the job. He told me to ask others first, but…"

"Yeah, yeah…" Rain said and then sighed. "We will be ready to depart at sunset. I guess we should have dinner before leaving to gain time. Bring some cloaks since the trip will be a cold one."

The group split up, and then they dashed toward their homes to prepare for the trip. Usually, Rain wouldn\'t mind following Jori\'s lead, but lately, he had been a bit too passive. Besides, the safety of his sisters was also on the line, so Rain didn\'t hesitate in taking the reins of the situation.

When he arrived home, the girls were already ready to depart, and Roan was also about to leave. While saying that he would leave things with him, Rain\'s father returned to his home.

"You all might think that I am nagging at you by saying this, but I and others are going to work during this trip, so I want you all to follow my orders," Rain said. "I am not someone who takes unnecessary risks, so I hope that you can understand this."

"Of course, big brother. We won\'t cause problems," Dana said. "We will have fun, but we won\'t get in your way."

"Are we going to see giant monsters?" Kei asked.

"I wonder if the giant monsters are tasty," Gila said while smiling.

Rain was truly worried…