Headed by a Snake

Chapter 1056 Red Light (Part Two)

Krysaos racked his brain, looking for an excuse that wouldn't make him look *more* pathetic.

Tycon must have thought he looked like a loser!

That hurt even more than getting embarrassed for forgetting to f*cking shave.

But Krysaos had good reasons! Mina was busy with her weird Sea Witch formation-- and he couldn't really trust any of the crew to not break anything in Jad.

...or to not steal anything.

--or to... not fornicate-with anything.

It was just a really bad idea, giving them liberty in Jad.

"Krysaos," Tycon said sternly... "Are you being *hazed?*"

"Wh-what?" Krysaos said, stunned, "Why would you-- but besides that, why do *you* smell like a WOMAN?!"

It wasn't a real insult. Krysaos would have loved to have a *real* insult, prepared or otherwise. He was just stating a weird observation.

"I recently shared the company of a woman," Tycon explained. "If we survive this, I might even marry her."

Oh. Yeah, that made sense.

"Grats, man."

"Thank you."

That was actually really good news. Krysaos had witnessed the guy's last b*tch of a girlfriend end their relationship through a gods-damned written letter.

He got thrice f*cked up over that. He deserved better-- really. (And no one deserved a break-up like *that.*)

"...Wait, that-- that woman doesn't have anything to do with the Star-Fury, does it?"

Though he hesitated for a moment, Tycon went on to explain anyroad.

"...Natalya is Star-Fury's pilot."

"...Oh."

The guy was on a first-name basis with one of the biggest hats in the Holy Country.

Krysaos wasn't jealous.

...Well, maybe he was a *little* jealous.

--but mostly, he was happy for the guy.

Tycon turned to the side, rubbing his chin with his hand.

"I am aware of the... *unsavory* tradition of hazing in our Marine Corps," he said. "New Marines are the primary targets-- but usually only those with *weaker* personalities than yours... and regular *enlisted* as opposed to officers?"

Krysaos felt his jaw drop so low it felt like it would unhinge.

Who the F*CK would dare haze HIM of all people? He was a godslayer! He killed the Sea God. He stole the bastard's still-warm, divine pants. And then, he became the new Sea God!

...but the unexpected accusation-- not to mention the credible source, made Krysaos second-guess himself.

*Was* he being hazed?

Would he even *know* if he was being hazed?

"And who in the seven hells would dare haze *you* of all people?" Tycon groaned, "I was told that both Admiral De la Croix and Captain Langhai oversaw your promotion ceremony."

Those were the two biggest hats in the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, respectively. It was a big deal, at the time.

He even got a letter of recognition from King Adal.[1] Mina insisted they frame it and hang it up in their private quarters.

But even better than the rank and recognition, Krysaos' favorite part about becoming official was the amount of backpay when his Captain billet got grandfathered in.

He was probably going to have to marry Mina to keep the peace, but he was pretty sure he could afford a mistress.

"By the way, I'm also a god," Krysaos muttered-- "I dunno if you forgot or not."

Do gods get hazed? He couldn't imagine a god getting hazed.

Tycon narrowed his eyes, "Oh, I most certainly did not. I was there for that spat of foolishness you, against all odds, somehow managed to survive."

Krysaos wanted to be offended.

Granted, Tycon was right. The bastard was always right.

But with all the doom and gloom in the atmosphere Krysaos was feeling over the past few weeks or moons, he had other things to worry about.

"Speaking of surviving--"

"Are you being hazed or not?"

"I'm not!" Krysaos cried, "Come on, guy! You know I'm smarter than that."

"Are you?" Tycon frowned.

Krysaos scowled at the plain insult. It looked like the piss-eyed noble wasn't in the best of moods.

But that didn't mean he could talk to him like that!

Krysaos was more confident in his own abilities than he'd ever been in his short, miserable life.

In the past few weeks, he got himself two magic teachers-- both willing to bring out the best in him.

The first was Lieutenant Eilean of the Sea Wolf Fleet. When she got going, Krysaos could barely understand a word she said... but he gained a lot of watery technical know-how that he didn't have before.

And the second... was Bella Sapphira, the Master Witch of the Sapphire Tower. She taught Krysaos how to tap into his immortal soul to use as a power source.

--or that's what it should've been like for a normal person. Since he was a half-god of sorts, the technique allowed him to tap into a keg full of an infinite amount of god juice!

Krysaos grit his teeth and took a step forward, "I'm stronger than I was before, Tycon."

Tycon raised an eyebrow, "Mm? Ah. So you are. Excellent news."

He then clapped a hand on Krysaos' shoulder, "You have earned my trust in the thick of battle on multiple occasions, Brother-Captain. I would trust no one more, man or god, than you, to guard the coast while I venture inland. Leave the Tyrant God to me."

"I will guard this garbage-arse coast with as many lives as it takes, mine included," Krysaos declared.

Wait-- that wasn't what he was trying to say.

"Ahem. But before that," he said, "let's have a little talk, LT."

Tycon shook his head, "It was good to see you, Krysaos. However, I must first see to my duties."

Aha. Honor and duty. That was pretty consistent for Tycon. He was a good guy all-around-- probably exactly what a Royal Marine was supposed to be like.

But Krysaos had been expecting that.

"I've got two crates of fresh oysters and a pot of that scallop stew you like."

For a tiny couple of milliseconds, the LT's eyes opened up like curious clams before he fixed himself. He went back to his usual look, stern and mildly disappointed-- but there was a sparkle in his eyes that changed his entire demeanor.

"It... has been a while since we last shared a meal, hasn't it?"

Yeah. Tycon was a different beast when it came to food.

[1] King Adal: The current king of Alizeau, the Magic Kingdom.