Volume 4 Chapter 90 Dive
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
January 3rd
The harbor square was even more crowded than yesterday.
Music played from every direction, groups of people danced in tight formations, and food stalls were swarming with customers. But among all that, I saw no one who looked like an Amazones. Almost everyone was Polynesian. There were some East Asian faces mixed in, and the Caucasian-looking ones seemed to be Dwarves.
By sunset, the crowd had grown even larger, and people began moving toward the piers. No one tried to board our ship without permission, but there were so many people that we ended up moving Izumo offshore.
”Where are they all even coming from?”
Even Fredys, our squad leader on the bridge, sounded annoyed.
”Other islands… come.”
Kai, one of the Amazones with a special ability to find a ship’s position just by looking at the stars and sun, told me in her still-rough Schweilitz.
”Beyond hill… port there. Small boats only… festival… many come.”
There was a hill north of the harbor, and apparently there was another port beyond it. People were arriving from other islands too.
”Here… men’s coming-of-age ceremony. Find… partner.”1
So this New Year’s festival was apparently for finding marriage partners. Now that she said it, there were a lot of girls who looked barely past childhood.2
”Strange ship coming from starboard forward.”
A report came down from the crow’s nest atop the mainmast. I turned to look—going around the peninsula on our right-front, shown against the setting sun, something like a scaffold was heading our way.
”What in the world is that?”
Looking more closely, I could see it was actually two ships with wooden beams tied across them, holding up a scaffold that had to be at least ten meters tall.
”Rite of Passage… boys jump from there.”3
Compared to the rites of passage back in Strock Village, this was brutal.
”That’s easily ten meters, you know. A bad fall and you’re dead.”
That was our Dwarf bridge squad leader.
”Hey… what if someone’s too scared to jump?”
”Then no wife comes. So everyone… try hard.”
Well then. You’d better be ready to jump like your life depends on it.
”Fleet coming from the east as well. Likely Amazones. I know the ships.”
A report came through the voice pipe from the crow’s nest. We couldn’t see them from the bridge, but they didn’t seem dangerous.
The scaffold-bearing ships anchored a bit farther out than the midway point between our pier and the one beyond, dropping great stone anchors. And then, slipping between those scaffold ships and the pier, the barnacle-covered royal barge sailed in and dropped anchor right in the center of the harbor, between the two piers and the scaffold ships.
The Amazones warships anchored in a half-circle around the outside of the scaffold ships and began getting their bonfires ready.
The women aboard wore bikini armor—probably covered in oil that caught the sunset’s shine.
With hot sisters like that watching, a guy would jump from any height, no matter how high the scaffold. I mean, come on.
Some time later, just as the sun touched the sea, a noise broke out on Izumo’s deck.
”The Regent of the Amazones wishes to meet with the acting captain.”
A Mage from the Artillery Department, who’d been on watch on the foredeck, reported through the voice pipe.
”What could she want? I was told there was nothing planned today.”
Even Fredys, who’d met with the Queen and Regent at the palace last time, looked unsure.
True, but…
”Still, we can’t exactly refuse to see her.”
Just as I started toward the stairs, the Regent came up on her own.
She was huge. A warrior through and through—she looked more like a general than a regent. And she was wearing bikini armor over skin covered with oil. Looked like a female pro wrestler.
”Regent, it’s been a while. Is there some urgent matter?”
Kai translated for me.
Just then, Kenze—my bodyguard, my rock—came up to the bridge.
”Larry-dono… festival… join.”
Kai translated the Regent’s words, but surely I’d misheard?
”They’re telling me to join in the festival?”
Kai nodded strongly.
”Hey… you’re not saying I have to jump too, are you?”
”At the end… you jump. Decided.”
I confirmed—was I really going to be the very last one to jump from that scaffold? She nodded again.
Why?
”Larry-dono… your child… Queen. If you don’t jump… no Queen. Queen wishes… you jump.”
Unless I jumped, my child couldn’t become Queen. So the current Queen was wishing for me to jump. That’s what I thought she meant—and I really hoped I was wrong.
No, no, no. I was told there was nothing planned today.
And that height—a bad fall and it wouldn’t just be back damage. It could be death.
”Don’t worry… everyone no hurt. They practice.”
Greeeeat. I haven’t practiced!
As I kept exchanging words with Kai, the Regent must have lost patience—she walked over and grabbed me by the scruff of the neck. Her grip was incredible. As strong as Louise.
That said, I couldn’t exactly blast the Regent of the Amazones with mana just because she grabbed me.
”Kenze, do something!”
I called out to my beloved Kenze, who I thought had come to protect me. But—
”You… made Queen pregnant… so give up. If one of your bloodline becomes Amazones Queen… I’ll be happy too. Shut up and jump.”
What are you even saying?
Aren’t you my bodyguard?! We’re talking about jumping from that high—hitting water at that height is practically like hitting concrete!
I looked to Fredys and Roland for help, but they just smiled and nodded in encouragement toward Kenze.
I’ll remember this.
Apparently happy by my understanding that fighting was useless, the Regent tightened her grip. I was dragged off the bridge, off Izumo, and moved onto a small boat.
The Regent kept shouting something at me, but I couldn’t understand a word.
When I was taken to the scaffold ship, there were about thirty young men lined up on the stairs, wearing nothing but loincloths.
Some were quiet, steeling themselves. Some were talking nervously. A few were even holding hands and crying.
Didn’t you guys practice diving?!
The Polynesian men on the scaffold ship took charge of me, stripped me completely naked, and dressed me in a thick loincloth.
By then, the sun had sunk below the horizon. Where there had only been afterglow, fires now began to appear. Bonfires were lit on the front and back of the Amazones longboats, atop the scaffold, and even on parts of the piers in iron baskets.
Someone shouted something at the top of their lungs.
Then, on the roof of the royal barge’s cabin, the Queen and her partner Akeshino appeared. They raised their hands in greeting to all four directions, and a cheer went up along with the thundering beating of great drums.
The drums came from the Amazones longboats—there were quite a few of them, and the sound vibrated deep in my gut.
Eventually, the drums slowly faded and fell quiet. The crowd quieted too.
”※Φ〇-〇△, □＋＋▼”
A loud voice called out from atop the scaffold.
Dodondo-don, dondo-don, dondo-don.
The drumbeat echoed into the night sky, followed by another cheer. I couldn’t see from the bottom of the scaffold, but was someone about to jump?
The drums kept beating—simple, repeating, nonstop.
”Waaaah—!”
A scream-like cry, then the sound of impact and splash. Damn. Jumping into the night sea like it’s nothing.
A rope was thrown from the pier to the man who came up, and as he was pulled up, clapping and cheers went up once more.
And then—
Some took their time before jumping. Some didn’t stop at all. But no one refused to jump.
They probably knew what kind of miserable life waited for them if they did. And that Amazones drumbeat—jump, jump, jump—sounded exactly like it was telling them to.
Dodondo-don, dondo-don, dondo-don.
About halfway up the stairs, I could see the Amazones women beating the drums. They crouched low, legs spread like sumo wrestlers, pounding the huge drums laid out on the deck. The rhythm was the same over and over, but they’d been at it for over half an hour.
With each strike, their half-exposed breasts and bare buttocks shook—the gluteal muscles rippling. Eight such women per ship.
If I didn’t have to jump, this would be an absolutely incredible view.
And yet. Why.
As I cursed my bad luck, my turn drew closer and closer.
”GYAAAAAAAAH—!”
That was probably one of the ones who’d been crying and holding hands earlier. For some reason, he fell sideways.
That’s bad, I thought, and sure enough, several people from the pier grabbed ropes and dove into the dark sea. The boy was pulled up unconscious, laid on a door plank, and carried away somewhere.
Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
The next one must have been scared, because he took forever to go. After a painfully long time, he finally dropped, flailing and screaming.
I hate to even think it, but maybe someone pushed him from behind after waiting too long. He came up conscious, though, and grabbed a rope to be pulled up.
Finally, there were just three people ahead of me. Then I was standing on the scaffold.
The ten meters it had looked from below? From up here, it looked deadly.
The platform was about the size of a four-and-a-half-mat room, with a diving plank sticking out from it. There was an MC who seemed to be shouting names, and an assistant.
One young man would walk to the end of the plank—then come back, too scared to jump. He did this twice. On the third try, the assistant shoved him off.
If you get pushed, your body could end up in a bad position. Dying from that would be just too sad.
Finally, my turn.
I heard “Larry” mixed in with the MC’s shouting—along with some Schweilitz words. They were introducing me, apparently.
Alright.
I’m jumping in one shot.
Decided, I stepped onto the plank.
SO FREAKING SCARY.
Even with bonfires shining off the surface, the sea was a wide-open pitch-black mouth. It would probably look friendlier in daylight, but right now? Absolutely not.
I tried to move forward, but my legs were shaking so badly I could barely step. And the plank shook with me.
Dodondo-don, dondo-don, dondo-don.
The drums seemed to shout: Jump already, jump already.
Then the assistant shouted something. Crap. If this guy pushes me, who knows what position I’ll hit the water in? Worst case—back injury. Death.
I tried to take one more step forward—and tripped, falling off the plank.
Oh no, I’m going headfirst.
I didn’t even have time to think about the “banzai pose” before I hit the water.
Glub glub glub—bubbles.
I was alive.
Gotta get up, quick.
Dolphin-kicking toward the bonfire light, I came up right by the pier. There was some kind of cheer. Right away, I was pulled up, dried off by Polynesian girls, and dressed in fresh clothes.
The festival didn’t end with my jump. Firewood was loaded onto the scaffold ships, they were pulled offshore, and set on fire.
The moon—on its seventeenth night—rose in the southern sky, casting an almost dreamlike scene, but I didn’t get to enjoy it for long. I was taken onto that barnacle-covered royal barge.
The Queen and her partner Akeshino weren’t on the cabin roof—they were inside. And they weren’t alone.
What caught my eye first was a man dressed like a sumo referee—and looking dangerous as hell. He had two attendants. Then there was someone wearing a planner’s robes but with a pale Polynesian face, with just one young boy.
”My lord, that was a great dive.”
The Queen approached me, her strange-colored eyes shining, and offered her praise.
I wanted to hug her—but there were suspicious men watching. Also, Akeshino was looking at me with a slightly guilty expression.
”Thank you. And who might these gentlemen be?”
The sumo-referee type was especially worrying. Though “sumo referee” was a loose comparison—his outfit was made of plant-dyed cotton cloth, not the gold-threaded finery of actual sumo referees. Most of his extras were white. And the sword at his hip—if it was real, that was a red flag. His eyes had that “I’ll do anything” look to them.
His two attendants looked just as dangerous.
The planner-robed one was also clearly no pushover. He wore a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
”This is Ambassador Hojo Takachika, from the Land of Shura.”4
The Queen introduced the dangerous one.
Hojo. Could it be Hojo—as in the Kamakura shogunate?5 I hadn’t taken advanced Japanese history in my science class, but I knew the Hojo clan from the Kamakura period. And the Goseibai Shikimoku—”Thou shalt not kill rashly.”6 That era of Japan, full of berserkers who pushed back the Mongol invasions.
In this world, I’d heard they make the “Red Flame Balls” of the Boltechino. There were so many things I wanted to ask—about their truthfulness, about their magic tool level—but this seemed impossible. Also, this man hadn’t said a single word even after being introduced by the Queen. Talking seemed unlikely.
”And this is Ambassador Lin Shang of the Luson Kingdom.”7
What is that, some kind of rinse-in shampoo?8
The planner-robed man approached still smiling and held out his hand.
”Larry von Fee.”
I gave my name, and the berserker reacted more than this Lin guy. He fixed his gaze on me.
Wait, because of my name? Or because I didn’t say it to him?
As I was thinking about that—
Right after the handshake.
This planner bastard tried to read my mind.
Rude asshole. I’ll kill you.
I threatened him telepathically, and Lin right away pulled back his hand. They weren’t giving me any room to let my guard down.
Maybe I should blast him once just to set boundaries…
As I was thinking about something unwise, the berserker stood up.
===
Thank you for reading this far!
Those of you who noticed may have realized—this diving ritual is inspired by Vanuatu’s land-diving rite of passage.
—
Summary:
Larry is forced to join a Polynesian coming-of-age ritual where young men dive from a ten-meter scaffold into the sea, with the Amazones Queen needing his jump to make sure his child’s right to the throne. After surviving his unintended headfirst fall, Larry is taken to the royal barge where he meets two dangerous ambassadors—Hojo Takachika from the Land of Shura and Lin Shang from the Luson Kingdom. The chapter ends with Larry finding out Lin can read minds and Hojo standing up in a worrying way, showing rising political tensions.
—
Trivia:
Kai has a special ability to find a ship’s position by looking at the stars and sun.
The Amazones Regent speaks Schweilitz through Kai but shouts in her own language when annoyed.
Kenze, Larry’s bodyguard, actively pushes him to join in the ritual rather than protecting him.
The diving ritual is inspired by Vanuatu’s land-diving rite of passage.
The Land of Shura ambassador, Hojo Takachika, has not spoken a single word despite being introduced.
Lin Shang tried to read Larry’s mind right after shaking his hand.
Larry is a known figure to the Amazones Queen—his child is set to get the throne.
The Amazones warships are crewed by women in bikini armor with oiled skin.
The festival includes bonfires, drumming, and social dancing together with the diving ritual.
Many participants are too scared to jump and either take a long time or are shoved off by an assistant.
One participant is carried away unconscious after a bad dive.
The royal barge is described as “barnacle-covered.”
Akeshino is the Queen’s partner and looks guilty when meeting Larry.
The MC’s voice is heard in both the local language and Schweilitz when introducing Larry.
The “banzai pose” is the proper form for diving safely in this ritual setting.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Al – Alberto (Al), a massive red‑haired man recently wed to Mary, lives near the Dish Basin. He’s a companion of Hans, helping intimidate and rally elders as a villager and leader.
• Izumo – The iron-hulled primary vessel, named and personified as a character herself, who loyally carries the protagonist and his crew throughout their journey.
• Fredys – Izumo’s deck crew foreman and squad leader is a battle-hardened former slave with a formal, pragmatic bearing. Related to the Ullmans via Uncle Torge and living with Roland, she serves as the Acting Captain’s voice of reason, calling out his behavior while remaining loyal. Refusing command while Larry lives, her sharp judgment makes her an indispensable advisor focused on rescue operations following the Whale Eater attack.
• Schweilitz – This kingdom, featuring towering academy spires and a full military arsenal of Royal Army troops, forces the protagonist to return. Ruled by a king involved in a hostage exchange, this political power holds a captive feared for execution. It also ordered the confirmation of Princess Rosa’s corpse, driving a scheme that the Queen has caught onto.
• Kai – An ash-covered, 20-year-old Dwarf Mage and Bridge Leader accompanying Roland. Recognizable by her translucent white hands, sturdy body, and high regenerative resilience, she has a strong sex drive and unstable mana lower than Maria’s. A capable Izumo crew member and peerless combat mentor with a mysterious past, she loves teasing protagonist Rhein and fueling a romantic betting pool.
• Mage – Elf mage and shut-in engineer who stands watch in the engine department, managing the ship’s boilers. They are highly reclusive, irritable, and fiercely resistant to any orders coming from the Torpedo Department.
• Kenze – Kenze is a muscular, brown-skinned Amazoness and former Takshurgan operative turned research student. A dragon-tattooed guardian and crew member, she rooms with Larry, whom she would prioritize over any mission. Once deeply bonded with Earnest, she is now quietly wasting away while nursing her egg and larva. Despite declining health and a rural background, she remains a strong, warm, and sea-wary presence.
• Larry – Larry is a dark-haired, weary 16-year-old reincarnated Second Lieutenant, cynical Acting Captain of the Izumo, and Associate Professor. A pragmatic, sardonic narrator and Mana user, he founded the Fee Grand Principality, carries Philip IV’s sword, and seeks to protect his companions. Haunted by past trauma and complicated relationships, he struggles with moral conflicts while awaiting his next assignment.
• Louise – A tall, rugged, guard-built, red-haired Jutland-born school principal, faction leader, and former 101st Golem Battalion Mage Lieutenant and Type 95 pilot. Earnest’s pregnant partner and mother to his son, her complex bond fuels gossip, while her relationship with Major Sonya is cited as evidence of “lilies being mandatory” in the military. She recently witnessed Larry’s humiliation.
• Roland – Roland is a dwarf bridge squad leader, former ship captain, and indispensable navigator for the Acting Captain’s crew. Practical, cautious, and authoritative, he expects clear communication, uses telepathy, and advises tactical withdrawals. Implied to be gay, he lives with Fredys and a young boy, and is the only male unmoved by bikini-armored Amazonesses. His unmatched precision is proven by his remarkable ship docking maneuvers at Oceanus.
• Akeshino – Queen’s partner. Mentioned only as absent from the bed beside Queen’s.
• Takachika – Hojo’s family name.
• Hojo – Ambassador from the Land of Shura. Dressed like a sumo referee with a sword at his hip. Has dangerous, unpredictable eyes. Does not speak during the scene. Presumably related to the historical Hojo clan.
• Ho – Ho is the family name of Oliver, a 17-year-old deck crew member and comrade of the protagonist. As a member of the military unit that defended Garao Village, the young man was ultimately murdered during a night watch, slaughtered alongside Marx-san.
• Boltechino – An entity that departed from Rus, this explorer traveled to discover a continent that became the birthplace of shipping trade.
• Lin Shang – Ambassador from the Luson Kingdom. Wears strategist’s robes and has a pale Polynesian face. Smiles without reaching his eyes. Attempts to read Larry’s mind telepathically and withdraws when threatened. His name is a wordplay on “rinse-in shampoo.”
• Shan – The arrogant deputy administrator of Hodayn Port.
• Fee – Larry Fee Getys is a 15-year-old reincarnated youth and titular Duke. Pragmatic and telepathic, this sharp-eyed young man leads the Getys household and rules Strock Village alongside Hans, Iffens, Teressa, and their maid Nico. While building a new nation, he enjoys prime whale meat and maintains crucial connections to Adolf and various underground networks.
• von – The noble particle ‘von’ indicates high social standing and ancestral roots connected to territorial estates within the Sabaski lineage. It marks the noble bloodline and full names of Annerose von Bülow, Walter von Riedel, and Marc von Harritz, establishing their shared aristocratic identity and familial relationship within the Kingdom.
• Philip – Philip, King of Schweilitz, is the same individual as King Philip the Fourth. The protagonist serves as his representative during an audience with Queen Sámi. He sent a prestigious treasure sword as a official gift from Philip IV to the Fee Grand Principality.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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