Chapter 0471 The Lone Dark
-x-X-x-
The Lone Dark, an ocean-going cruiser belonging to the Central Navy's First Fleet of the Suje Kingdom.
Its captain, Gorick Dew, is just 28 years old, making him the youngest captain of a ship of this class.
However, his experience, both in battle and long-distance voyages like the current one, is among the most extensive in the Central Navy.
With sun-kissed skin, wheat-colored hair, a well-toned body, black eyes, and a handsome face, Gorick is well-known in the capital city of Purri.
When he takes his crew bar-hopping, rumors naturally spread.
Since Captain Gorick always picks up the tab, his crew adores him.
Free drinks and meals are an effective way to win over the hearts of his sailors.
The Lone Dark is currently en route to the Free City of Kwebasa on the continent, but this time, they have two passengers aboard.
This is a rare occurrence.
Of course, it's not unheard of.
For example, when diplomats need to be transported.
Whether it's for assignments, attending meetings, or conferences, Central Navy warships often serve as transport.
In a way, it's a tradition of the Suje Kingdom to use warships for the travel of officials.
But these passengers are different.
They are civilians.
Not even citizens of the Suje Kingdom.
However, they have been ordered by Lord Protector Kabui Somal, the highest authority in the navy, to deliver them with the utmost care.
Queen Iliaja, who recently ascended to the throne, personally informed the entire crew that these passengers were of great importance to the kingdom.
The entire crew, including Captain Gorick Dew, was tense.
They had transported a Foreign Minister to a continental conference before, but even then, the tension wasn't this high.
The King's words back then had been more of a formality.
This time, it was different.
Queen Iliaja's words were filled with a surprising intensity.
It made Captain Gorick think that if they failed to deliver these guests safely, returning home could lead to demotion… or even expulsion from the Central Navy.
These two ultra-important passengers, however, struck Captain Gorick as somewhat peculiar.
"Gunno-sensei, I have a question!"
"Yes, Ryo-san, what is it?"
First, there's this.
Every morning at this time, they hold a study session for the Eastern countries' languages.
On the day they set sail, one of the passengers, a magician, had approached Captain Gorick with a request.
"I'd like to learn the language of the Eastern countries."
Lord Protector Kabui Somal had instructed them to accommodate the passengers' requests as much as possible.
While Captain Gorick had intended to reject any unreasonable demands, this particular request wasn't unreasonable or difficult.
After all, every crew member of the Lone Dark spoke the language of the Eastern countries.
This made sense.
When disembarking at a foreign port, you couldn't even order a drink if you didn't understand the local language.
Which wouldn't be any fun.
So learning the language for their own enjoyment was a given.
But the swordsman who accompanied the magician had a trickier proposal.
"If possible, I'd like someone who speaks the Central countries' language to teach us."
Both the magician and the swordsman wore an alchemy tool called a 'translator' in their ears.
Apparently made in the neighboring Komakyuta Principality.
Since Captain Gorick knew they were from the Central countries, he understood the swordsman Abel's request.
It was better to translate directly from their native language, after all.
That made perfect sense.
However, there was a problem.
Although the Central countries' language was widely spoken around the world and many merchants had mastered it.
Not many sailors spoke it fluently…
On the Lone Dark, there was only one person who fit the bill.
Chief Engineer Gunno.
The Chief Engineer was the third-highest officer on the ship, after the captain and first officer.
The Lone Dark is a sailing ship.
If it were just that, there wouldn't be a need for a Chief Engineer.
However, this wasn't a purely traditional sailing ship.
This was true for most ships benefiting from recent advancements in alchemy.
When there was no wind, or when they faced headwinds, they could generate wind through alchemy, allowing the ship to sail.
The alchemical device responsible for generating this wind was known as a 'Wind Generator', and the person in charge of it was the Chief Engineer.
As long as there were no malfunctions, the Chief Engineer's daily work wasn't too demanding.
Gunno had a team of engineers under him, so he didn't have to personally oversee the alchemical mechanisms constantly.
Therefore, Captain Gorick assigned Chief Engineer Gunno as the language teacher for the two passengers.
However, he limited it to two hours per day.
After their morning duties and before lunch.
If any problems arose or the weather turned rough, the lessons would be canceled.
Ryo and Abel accepted these conditions.
Now, it seemed that today's lesson had ended.
"Ah, it's nice to feel yourself improving every day. Accumulating small successes really boosts your confidence."
"Indeed. I never thought the structure of the sentences would be so different, but expanding my understanding is quite enjoyable."
Ryo said happily, and Abel smiled and agreed.
"That's great to hear. I hadn't used the Central countries' language much recently. But I'm glad it's coming in handy now."
Chief Engineer Gunno said cheerfully before returning to the engine room.
In the afternoon, the Chief Engineer would return to his usual duties, and the two guests would do whatever they wanted.
Abel would practice his swordsmanship, and Ryo would study alchemy.
Time seemed endless.
"Chief Engineer Gunno said he was born into a merchant family, didn't he?"
"Yes, he did. He mentioned that he had been learning the Central countries' language since he was a child. Just like Banhu from the Blue Jade Trading Company in the Komakyuta Principality, merchant families start training their children from a young age."
That's the strength of founding families.
Of course, there are cases where the founders or their descendants don't understand that strength and don't receive any training in their childhood…
"Abel, you also started learning various things from a young age, didn't you?"
"Well, yes. It's only natural, being of royal blood."
You can't achieve more than average results without effort.
It's because of the unseen hard work behind the scenes that people produce results that surprise others.
But people tend to focus only on the results.
They don't think about the invisible years, sometimes decades, of effort it took to get there.
So, they just say, "How nice", or "I'm jealous", and that's where it ends.
It's a sad thing.
"When we were suddenly sent to the Archipelago Region, we couldn't prepare for anything. But things will be different on the continent from now on. We'll make sure we're well-prepared!"
"One part of that is learning the languages of the Eastern countries, I suppose."
Both of them had managed to get through the Archipelago region by using the alchemy tool, the 'translator'… still, they couldn't help but admire the ability to speak the local language fluently.
"Admiration drives growth!"
"That's true."
Abel nodded at Ryo's words.
Of course, if all you do is say, "How nice" or "I'm jealous", you won't grow.
You have to see it and put in your own effort as well.
Effort always pays off.
Those who have worked hard—so hard that people around them might try to stop them, most of them know this truth.
That's why they can say it with certainty.
"Effort always pays off".
They would never mock someone who is trying their best.
Nor would they envy those who have achieved results.
Because they can imagine the effort those successful people must have put in behind the scenes.
Conversely, people who envy or resent others simply haven't worked hard enough.
Deep down, they know it.
They regret, somewhere in their hearts, that they could have worked harder in their youth or prime years… but they slacked off just a little.
They know they could have achieved something far greater, something that would have made their mark on the world if only they had put in more effort.
That's why they envy others.
That's why they resent others.
…Or maybe that's why.
"Once, a great person said this: Effort always pays off. And if there's effort that doesn't, then it's not really effort yet."
"T-That's a powerful statement…"
"That person worked and worked and worked, and eventually became the world's home run king. Abel, you should aim to be the king of the world, too!"
"I don't even know what this 'home run' thing is… and isn't your point changing halfway through?"
"The details don't matter. So, what do you think? Maybe as a souvenir, we could occupy the Free City and turn it into an enclave of the Knightley Kingdom…"
"Hey, stop talking nonsense."
Ryo suggested something mischievously, and Abel quickly put a stop to it.
"Of course, I'm joking. Come on, Abel, don't be so serious."
"With you, Ryo, it's hard to tell where the joke ends…"
Ryo laughed and playfully hit Abel's arm, while Abel sighed.
"Well, I'm looking forward to it… the Free City of Kwebasa… I wonder what it's like."
"Yeah. I hope they have good food."
"They'll have some, for sure."
Abel said it with conviction.
This was a rare occurrence, so Ryo was a little surprised.
"No matter where you go, there's always delicious food. That's because humans are just that kind of creatures."
"Abel… I'm a bit impressed. It's true, wherever you go, there's always something tasty. Now I'm even more excited!"
And so, with these two food lovers on board, the Lone Dark continued northward towards the continent.
-x-X-x-
"This is Banra, the northernmost town of the Suje Kingdom. We will stop at a few more island nations after this, but none as large as Banra. We'll be staying overnight to resupply. Departure is at 8 a.m. tomorrow, so don't be late. I'll be heading to the Banra governor's office for a report, so I won't be on the ship. The crew, except those on duty, will disembark as well. Ah, the Chief Engineer, Gunno, will be on duty this time, so if you need anything, ask him on the ship."
With that, Captain Gorick disembarked.
Ryo and Abel also took a little money from their storage in the cargo hold and stepped ashore.
"This is Banra."
"Yeah. It really feels like a typical port town."
The port and its surrounding areas were bustling with activity.
The governor's office, where Captain Gorick was headed, was located right by the port.
That indicated that the port was the heart of the town.
"Well, this is our last stop in the Suje Kingdom. We have a place to sleep back on the ship, but…"
"I know what you're getting at. Since we're already ashore, you want to sleep in a bed that doesn't sway, right?"
The Lone Dark was an oceangoing cruiser, designed to sail through rough seas. It was also equipped with an alchemy device to reduce swaying.
While the ship's movements were minimal, they weren't completely eliminated.
Ryo and Abel weren't particularly prone to seasickness, but even so… they both preferred to sleep in a steady bed when they had the chance.
Besides, they had plenty of money!
"There's a proper inn near the center of town."
"Like the Blue Jade Inn, right? Is the center of this town the port? Or would it be around a large plaza if they have one?"
Ryo and Abel decided to take a stroll through the town.
It was almost noon.
Before finding a place to stay, they needed to grab lunch…
The air was filled with delicious smells coming from various places.
There were quite a few food stalls as well…
"As expected of a port town, the seafood selection is amazing."
"You're right. We've had plenty of fish on the ship, but we haven't had shellfish."
"Now that you mention it, you're right! Let's try to find a place with shellfish."
The two, both hungry, began walking around the port area.
"But Abel, in these situations, something always happens."
"Huh? Something?"
"Yes. A boy who steals bread gets chased by the shopkeeper and is caught right in front of us, for example."
"…"
"Or a pickpocket bumps into us and steals our money, leaving us penniless."
"…"
"And then, pirates or a horde of monsters launch an attack on the town!"
Ryo's words followed a typical storyline.
Abel remained silent.
Of course, not because he agreed, but because he was exasperated.
"You always say these ridiculous things, Ryo. Didn't you bring up a pirate attack before?"
"Yes, I did. And you completely shot it down, saying pirates don't attack towns."
Abel, in an exasperated tone, recalled the conversation, while Ryo sulked at the memory.
"I'm telling you the same thing again. Pirates don't attack towns."
"Even if that's true, a horde of monsters might, right?"
"I won't say it's impossible… but why would they attack the town?"
"That's because…yes! They want to eat the townspeople!"
"No one would live in a town that's constantly being attacked."
"Ugh… you always have a counter for everything… Abel, you're such a swordsman of absurd reasoning!"
"First, I was the hungry swordsman, and now I'm the swordsman of absurd reasoning?"
Abel gained yet another nickname.
The swordsman of absurd reasoning.
The two continued bantering as they entered a restaurant… their decision was ultimately swayed by the enticing smells.
The food they were served…
"These clam-like shellfish are great."
"Big, too. The meat is plump and delicious."
"These that look like turban shells are nice as well."
"The slight bitterness at the bottom is surprisingly addictive."
The two hungry magician and swordsman were clearly satisfied.
"Yes, chef? Drizzle this over it? Is this soy sauce? No, it's fish sauce. How nostalgic."
Ryo was reminded of the fish sauce he used to make in the Rondo Forest.
He drizzled a little over the grilled clam-like shellfish.
"Oh? This black seasoning is amazing. When it's heated, the aroma really pops."
"Aroma that pops… Abel, you sometimes come up with some really cool expressions, you know."
"R-Really? I thought that was pretty normal."
When Ryo sincerely complimented him, Abel felt a bit embarrassed.
The clam-like shellfish drizzled with soy sauce…
"Perfect!"
"Tastes amazing!"
Both were fully satisfied with the flavors.
After feasting on seafood to their hearts' content.
"I didn't expect them to have fish sauce here."
"That black seasoning from earlier?"
"Yes, that's it. I used to make it back when I was living in the Rondo Forest, but I haven't had it since immersing myself in civilized society. When you think about it, that's kind of scary."
"Civilized society…"
"This is what civilized life should be like, a place with fish sauce. It's the proper way to live."
"That's quite an exaggerated way of putting it."
Ryo was moved, while Abel couldn't quite accept it and shook his head slightly.
Just then, Abel suddenly looked up.
Naturally, Ryo noticed as well and was startled.
"What is it, Abel?"
"It's nothing… I just had a bad feeling."
"Are you seasick?"
"You should be asking if it's heartburn. Besides, after all the food we just ate… I wouldn't be able to get seasick now."
"Your quick-witted comebacks are as sharp as ever, Abel."
"Stop saying stuff like that. It's embarrassing."
Ryo praised Abel, who shyly brushed off the compliment.
"If you get seasick, just let me know. I'll make you some seasickness medicine with alchemy."
"Can you really make something like that?"
"Yes. You know that manuscript I got as a farewell gift? I took a quick look, and on the very first page, it had a recipe for seasickness medicine."
"…Wasn't that book called 'The Abyss of Alchemy'?"
"Yes, that's the one."
"With a title like that, it sounds like it contains profound alchemical secrets… and the first thing in it is a seasickness remedy?"
"Abel, for sailors or people living in port towns, seasickness is a serious issue. The fact that the recipe for seasickness medicine is right at the beginning shows the wisdom of the person who compiled the book."
Ryo confidently counters Abel's doubts.
"Well, I mean, I guess it's not a bad thing, but…"
"Always thinking about what truly benefits the people. That's a mindset that anyone involved in governance needs to have."
"Y-Yeah."
"In that sense, knowing how to make seasickness medicine is extremely important. I believe that whoever compiled that book was someone who genuinely cared about the people, a true leader."
"Uh, right…"
Abel couldn't argue with Ryo's passionate reasoning.
Because, really, what he said was completely true.
It was just the gap between the grand title 'The Abyss of Alchemy' and 'seasickness medicine' that surprised him…
At that moment…
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding…
The sound of a bell echoed all around them.
"What's that?"
"I'm not sure… But it seems your bad feeling was spot on, Abel."
"Wait… what?"
Ryo pointed it out, and Abel was slightly rattled.
"Something bad must've happened because you said those things, Abel."
"Don't blame me! We don't even know what's going on yet!"
"The people of the city are suffering because of what you said…"
"It's definitely not my fault…"
As the two argued, they overheard someone shouting.
"The northern beach!"
"Something terrible is happening!"
"I can't believe something like that is coming…"
Those words reached their ears.
"The northern beach?"
"This is it for sure. A monster horde. Abel, it's your fault."
"Why do you keep blaming me?!"
Ryo was still trying to make it Abel's fault.
"Let's go!"
Ignoring Ryo, Abel shouted.
And started running.
Ryo followed after him.
Neither of them knew where the northern beach was, but since most of the townspeople were running there, they simply followed the crowd.
When they arrived at the northern beach…
They were met with an overwhelming sight, a massive number, perhaps thousands or even tens of thousands.
Steadily advancing from the sea towards the shore.
"This is…"
"This is insane…"
Even Ryo and Abel were left speechless at the sight before them.
An enormous swarm advancing from the sea onto land…
"It looks like… crabs?"
"Most definitely… crabs."
It was indeed crabs.
Each about the size of a grown man's palm.
All moving sideways, as crabs do.
"Are those crabs monsters?"
"No, I don't think so. They look like regular crabs."
Abel answered Ryo's question.
There were such things as monster crabs, but Abel recalled that they were much larger.
Though he had never seen one in person.
He remembered the name King Carib.
As Abel was lost in thought, he noticed Ryo approaching an old man nearby.
"Excuse me, sir. I'm just a traveler, but does this sort of thing happen often here?"
"Every once in a while… yeah, once every few years, a swarm of crabs comes ashore. But I've never seen so many before."
"I see."
"In a little while, the harvesting will start."
"Harvesting?"
"Yeah. Can't just leave the crabs here to rot, can we? They'd spoil and damage the environment. So the townsfolk will gather them up and eat them."
"How fascinating!"
"Soon enough, the governor's office will probably come out and start handing out crab soup, too."
"That's something to look forward to!"
Ryo and the old man's conversation was loud enough for Abel to overhear.
When Ryo came back.
"It seems the governor's office will be getting involved soon!"
"If you only convey that part, it sounds kind of ominous."
Abel had heard the whole conversation, so he knew what was going on, but hearing only that one bit could sound alarming…
"Shall we wait here until the crab soup stand opens?"
"…Didn't you just eat a ton of shellfish earlier?"
"That was that, and this is this. There's a saying, 'Crabs belong in a different stomach.'"
"Yeah, that's definitely a lie."
"To think Abel would see through me…"
"Anyone could see through that."
As time passed, more and more people arrived, some carrying buckets and barrels, others bringing carts to haul the crabs away.
And finally.
"That's it! The governor's office crab soup stand!"
A shop bearing the flag of the Banra Governor's Office had been set up.
Before long, a line of people formed in front of the shop… each receiving a fairly large bowl of soup.
Ryo and Abel joined the line and soon received their bowls.
Inside was a milky white broth.
"It's not miso-based, but it sure looks tasty."
"Hmm. It's different from the crab soup I had in Whitnash back in the day."
They chatted as they took their first sips.
"Oh…"
"Yeah, that's good…"
Another sip.
"It feels like it's warming me to the core."
"I know what you mean. This is delicious."
The crab soup seemed to suit their tastes.
Around them, the townspeople were also happily sipping and enjoying their soup.
The broth contained tender, shredded crab meat, which made it all the more satisfying.
"Ah, you two are here as well."
"Captain."
Captain Gorick Dew of the Lone Dark was also present.
He was supposed to be at the Governor's Office for a report, but…
"They ended the report because they had to set up the crab soup stand. I was wondering what that was about, and it turned out to be… this."
"It seems so. I spoke with an elderly person in town, and they said that while this scale is unprecedented, crabs come ashore once every few years. When that happens, the Governor's Office sets up a crab soup stand and serves it to the townspeople."
Gorick nodded in understanding at Ryo's explanation.
Soon after, Captain Gorick spotted some of the Lone Dark's crew members and left to check in with them.
"I know it's completely different, but… it reminded me of the Great Rune Flood."
"Ah, yeah. Though there is a difference between monsters and crabs… both happen regularly."
"Back then, no matter how many we hunted, there seemed to be no end…"
"That's what I heard. Wasn't it about 30,000 of them? Really incredible. It's amazing you survived, Abel."
"…Ryo, you were in the library, right?"
"Yes. You could have come to notify me."
"Like I could have left the battle!"
Ryo shook his head repeatedly as Abel retorted.
"But that last Great Flood, you just happened to be in Rune city and got caught up in it, right? That's what Marquis Heinlein's report said."
"That's right. I went there to have the daily special at the adventurer's cafeteria and ended up being caught by Ra-san. I had heard he was the Guild Master of Rune, but he's really doing a great job."
"The Great Flood of Ogres was quite something…"
"I took care of it in one blow with my magic. You could say I'm a hero who saved the city of Rune. Pretty impressive, don't you think?"
"I do think it's impressive, but it's also something that was expected."
Abel praised him but also stated it was an expected action.
"Ex-expected?"
"Yes. Because Ryo, you are a noble."
"Ugh…Noblesse Oblige… the duty of the nobility."
"I've never heard of that phrase, but the duty of the nobility is exactly right. It's the role of the nobles. Keep up the good work."
"Are nobles… slaves to the country…?"
"Nobles and royalty are the servants of the people."
As Ryo lamented, Abel smiled wryly while advising him.
Those involved in the country's politics are not necessarily great.
Rather, they are those who sacrifice everything for the people.
Rather, they are those who even sacrifice their families.
Rather… they are the servants of the people.
"What a harsh world…"
Ryo muttered while shaking his head slightly.
After thoroughly enjoying the crab soup and devouring the large crab legs that came as a complimentary service at the inn, the two of them rested comfortably in their beds. The next morning, they were full of energy.
"Man, that last night in the Suje Kingdom was perfect, wasn't it?"
"Yeah. The crab and the inn were both great."
They arrived at the Lone Dark at 7:40 a.m.
Twenty minutes ahead of schedule.
The crew was already mostly assembled… as expected of a warship.
As scheduled, the Lone Dark set sail at exactly 8:00 a.m., finally leaving the Suje Kingdom and heading toward the continent.
-x-X-x-
Life on the ship was, in a way, quite routine.
Eat breakfast, study Eastern languages, eat lunch, immerse themselves in alchemy and swordsmanship, have dinner, and then go to bed.
For practice, they sometimes chat with the crew in broken Eastern Countries language as they pass by…
Occasionally, Ryo would offer 'water'.
Fresh water is precious on long voyages.
Even though they are surrounded by water, it's all seawater.
You can't drink it, nor can you wash yourself with it.
But this time, they have a water-attribute magician on board!
And for some reason, this magician boasts an inexhaustible amount of magic power…
Ryo, who enjoys seeing people happy, sometimes turns the deck into a temporary shower room.
He crosses his arms proudly, nodding as he watches the crew joyfully splash around.
By the way, the ship Lone Dark has two female crew members.
The first officer and the head cook.
Naturally, Ryo helps them too, creating a huge ice tub and filling it with hot water for them.
The first officer is the second most powerful person on the ship, just after the captain.
The head cook controls the essential food supply.
It's wise to stay on their good side!
"Well, it's a good thing to be of use to others."
Abel said, praising Ryo's actions, fully aware of Ryo's 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' philosophy.
Though Abel was just offering genuine praise… for some reason, the magician was always skeptical.
"Of course, behind it all is the cunning scheming of a sly and starving swordsman."
Ryo said in a voice louder than a mutter, pretending to talk to himself.
It was clearly intended for Abel to hear.
"What do you mean, a sly and starving swordsman?"
"You're having me study alchemical repair techniques so that when the time comes, I can fix your armor."
In the alchemy of the archipelago, there is a technique to perfectly repair leather armor.
Ryo had been reading a book recommended by a leather armor repairman and had even gone to the trouble of purchasing a cheap piece of leather armor for the voyage.
He would intentionally damage it, then repair it, pierce it, and repair it again, gradually honing his skills.
Incidentally, 'repair techniques' was a category Ryo had made up, as usual.
"As expected of Ryo. You've seen right through my plans."
"P-Praising me won't make me do it for free!"
"What do you want? Grilled fish? Should I give you some grilled fish in advance?"
"Grilled fish is already part of our daily meals on the ship… I don't need advance payment like that."
"Such a picky magician."
"I don't want to hear that from you, Abel!"
Sometimes, the roles of jokester and straight man seem to get reversed.
There is even the potential for them to evolve into a double-joke routine where they take turns being absurd…
But that peaceful moment was suddenly interrupted.
"Captain! There's something on the northern horizon!"
One of the crew members standing on the mast, scanning the surroundings with a telescope, shouted.
Hearing this, Captain Gorick ran to the bow and aimed his telescope ahead.
The ship was heading north toward the continent.
So the northern horizon was directly in their path.
Ryo and Abel also moved to the bow, but neither had a telescope, so they couldn't see clearly.
If they squinted, it seemed like there was something out there…
Apparently, even Captain Gorik couldn't make a quick judgment. He kept watching for a while…
"Helmsman! Full starboard! Set course due east immediately!"
"Aye aye, sir!"
The helmsman responded to Captain Gorick's command.
Seeing Gorick tightly grip the railing, Ryo and Abel hurriedly grabbed on as well.
In that instant, the ship, the Lone Dark, made a sharp turn.
It was the first time since boarding that they'd experienced such a sudden maneuver.
It must have been something dire approaching, something they had to avoid.
Once the turn was complete, Gorick again peered through his telescope at the northern horizon.
"Abel, it seems something serious is happening."
"Yeah, looks like it."
"In stories from around the world, offering a sacrifice in times like this helps avoid disaster."
"…I see where this is going."
"We could offer Abel as a sacrifice…"
"I knew you'd say that!"
Ryo's plot was spot on, as Abel had predicted.
Despite their silly banter, both kept their eyes fixed on the northern horizon.
It was hard to tell with the naked eye.
They were curious, but asking to borrow a telescope just to satisfy their curiosity seemed too rude.
Interrupting the crew's work… that would be the worst.
Since the crew was working hard for their passengers, the passengers should remain quiet and wait.
They could fidget internally, but still…
"…Is that a giant wave?"
"Does it look that way to you too, Abel? But when dealing with big waves, I thought ships are supposed to turn perpendicular… and head straight into the wave…"
Captain Gorick must have overheard their conversation.
Because he lowered his telescope and responded.
"Ryo-san is correct. If it were a giant wave, the ship would charge straight at it and ride over it. However, that doesn't seem to be a wave."
With that, he handed them his telescope.
Ryo was the first to take a look.
But, to be honest, he couldn't quite make it out.
"…It looks like a wave to me."
He passed the telescope to Abel, looking a little disappointed.
Abel also took a look.
But the words that came out of his mouth were different from Ryo's.
"I thought it was a wave too, but it's not. Is it… flying fish? A large school of fish flying above the sea?"
"Flying fish? They live around here too?"
Hearing the familiar word, Ryo's face lit up with a touch of nostalgia.
Flying fish are fish that 'fly' close to the surface of the water.
They exist near the seas of Japan too.
That's right, they 'fly', not 'jump'.
Their pectoral fins are developed like gliders, allowing them to glide through the air.
Sometimes, they even leap over ships. When they do, though, they can hit people… and it hurts if they do!
"Yes, in the archipelago region, they are called 'Flyff'. It's probably the same fish Abel is talking about. The fish itself isn't the problem. The real issue is that it's a Kraken's favorite food."
"Kraken!"
Both Ryo and Abel shouted in unison after hearing Captain Gorick's explanation.
The Kraken, a sworn enemy of the two.
"Underneath those fish, or perhaps following them, there will undoubtedly be a swarm of Krakens moving in. And even this ship won't stand a chance against Krakens."
"That makes sense…"
Abel, recalling a past Kraken attack, nodded in agreement.
"Ugh… if it were just one, I could bury it with my Neil Andersen!"
Ryo muttered in frustration for some reason.
Even though the Krakens were their nemesis, the approaching creatures themselves had done nothing wrong…
"Well, let's set aside the battle-crazed magician here for a moment. Is this kind of phenomenon common?"
"No, not in the archipelago or the southern parts of the continent. That's why it took me so long to realize… The Komakyuta Principality marks the western edge of safe waters, but I've heard this can happen even further west. Still, it's not something that happens often."
Captain Gorick frowned as he answered Abel's question.
"First the crabs, now these flying fish… all from the north, huh?"
"Yes. It's not a good sign that such things are coming from the direction we're headed. It will take us a bit longer, but I'll adjust our course further east."
"Understood."
Abel responded, and Ryo nodded silently.
Taking extra time was far better than sinking.
"Still… what's happening up north, I wonder?"
"To calm things down, we should offer Abel as a sacrifice…"
"Vetoed."
"How unfortunate…"
-x-X-x-
The Lone Dark managed to safely avoid both the massive school of flying fish and the Krakens lurking beneath them.
What was expected to be a turbulent voyage turned out to be uneventful.
For two days, they did not encounter any major problems.
"Where are the pirate ships and ghost ships, I wonder?"
"What are you talking about all of a sudden?"
Ryo and Abel were relaxing with coffee on the deck after lunch when Ryo suddenly brought it up.
Of course, the Lone Dark hadn't been attacked by pirates or encountered any ghost ships.
"I thought on voyages like these, it's common to run into pirate ships or ghost ships, but we haven't come across any."
"The usual, huh? Generally speaking, pirates don't attack warships."
"Huh…now that you mention it, you're right. In that case, maybe we'll help a merchant ship being attacked…"
"Well, that's not out of the question… On land, people travel along roads, so it makes sense that we might come across a raid and help out. I'll admit that. But out here in the vast ocean, who knows?"
Ryo was surprised by Abel's response.
Normally, he would say something like, "There can't be so many bandits with the state of national security," but this time it was different.
"Abel, your tone has softened."
"What are you talking about? Even in a stable country, it's not unusual for bandits to show up on the outskirts or in remote areas. The Kingdom of Knightley has relatively good security, but not every country is like that."
"Especially on the sea?"
"Yeah. According to sailors, the shipping routes and fishing grounds are mostly fixed, so even in the wide ocean, it's possible to run into trouble. But honestly, I wouldn't know."
"I see."
It was at that moment.
One of the crew members, who had climbed the mast to keep watch with a telescope, shouted out.
"Captain! A ship spotted to the northeast! Only one vessel."
Hearing this, Captain Gorick ran to the bow and aimed his telescope ahead.
Ryo and Abel also rushed to the bow.
Last time, they saw 'something', but they didn't know what it was.
This time, however, the crew specifically said 'a ship', so it was clear that it was indeed a vessel.
"Abel, could it be…?"
"No, it's just one ship, right? Even if it's a pirate ship, once they realize we're a warship, they'll flee."
"No! It could be a ghost ship!"
"I don't know about that."
The two spoke in hushed voices.
Even the king didn't have any information on ghost ships.
However, the fact that Abel knew the term 'ghost ship' suggested that they existed in 'Phi'…or at least that ghost ship stories were part of the lore there.
"You know about ghost ships?"
"Of course. They show up in all sorts of stories. But I've never seen one, nor have I heard of any confirmed sightings."
It seemed even ghost ships were hard to come across.
Although their conversation likely wasn't overheard, the crew member atop the mast shouted another update.
"It appears to be a large broad-hulled ship from the archipelago! It's heading straight for us. Keeping the same course!"
"Is it flying a national flag?"
"It seems there's a flag at the top of the mast, but we can't confirm it yet!"
"Keep an eye on it!"
The crew member and Captain Gorick continued to shout at each other.
Between the sound of the waves and the various noises on deck.
It was necessary to raise their voices.
"Oh, Abel-san, Ryo-san. While it's not entirely certain, it seems to be a warship from one of the archipelago nations."
"Archipelago nations? So, not from the archipelago region?"
"Yes. There are several islands and small countries between the archipelago region and the continent. If we were on our planned route, we'd be familiar with the countries we'd encounter, but…"
"We moved east to avoid the Krakens."
"Exactly. They might want to board us for inspection. It's a common occurrence on the sea."
Captain Gorick responded with a wry smile.
"Could it lead to a fight?"
"Normally, no. But in these situations, we always prepare just in case."
As he answered Ryo's question, Captain Gorick glanced around.
Indeed, the crew's movements were different than usual.
Although the gear was simpler compared to what Abel wore, the crew had started donning leather armor.
Normally, under the hot sun, and with the vast ocean providing little chance for surprise attacks, they wouldn't wear armor.
"Abel, we should get ready, too."
"Y-yeah. Though, I'm always wearing leather armor…and you have your sword on you, right?"
"It's mental preparation! Oh, and the book! We should put away our books and bags."
"Got it."
Abel nodded in agreement with Ryo's observation.
"For now, the two of you should stay in the captain's quarters at the stern. There are doors and windows there, so you can observe the situation."
"Understood."
"Let's store the book in the captain's room, frozen."
Once again, the crew member atop the mast shouted.
"The flag has been confirmed! It's from Bor!"
Captain Gorick nodded.
"Bor is one of the archipelago nations. And that ship, as expected, is a large broad-hulled vessel from the archipelago. In terms of size and crew, it's about the same as the Lone Dark. Among the ships of the archipelago nations, it's one of the largest. For a ship like that to be conducting inspections over such a wide area… Something must be going on."
"I understand. We'll head to the captain's quarters."
Abel replied, and Ryo bowed in agreement.
As the two were about to enter the captain's cabin, a shout came from the lookout on the mast for the third time.
"Captain! A storm is coming!"
"What did you say?"
Captain Gorick responded, his tone full of suspicion.
Ryo and Abel exchanged glances, quickly froze their books and bags, placed them in the captain's cabin, and returned to the deck.
Captain Gorick was looking into the distance through his telescope.
"Indeed, it looks like the clouds are swirling up from the sea… A storm in this area? Could that happen? Storms like this are more common further north…"
After a silent moment of scanning through the telescope, Captain Gorick muttered.
"That storm… something's not right."
The moment those words were heard, Abel saw it.
A glimmer in Ryo's eyes.
Of course, it could have just been a trick of the light… but to Abel, it felt like confirmation.
"Ryo, you're thinking of something mischievous again, aren't you?"
"W-what are you talking about, Abel? You've got it all wrong."
Ryo was flustered by Abel's sudden accusation.
"Oh, so it's just my imagination then?"
"Yes, exactly. It's your imagination, Abel."
"…So, what were you really thinking?"
"Uh…"
Abel's relentless questioning left Ryo cornered.
Ryo looked away, trying to whistle nonchalantly—only to fail.
Because he couldn't whistle in the first place.
"…So?"
"Well, um… it was just a fleeting thought…"
"Yeah, and what was that fleeting thought about?"
Abel pressed, and Ryo finally gave in.
In a small voice, Ryo began.
"You remember, right? That old lady from Sera's village talked about the floating continent… About how it's surrounded by clouds and can't be seen from the outside."
"Yeah, I remember. So, you're thinking that might be it?"
"Yeah."
"But even so… doesn't it seem too low?"
"Ugh… maybe… but what if it flies lower when it's over the sea? "
Neither Abel nor Ryo had any real knowledge about the Floating Continent.
Just then, another shout came from the lookout.
"There's something in that storm!"
Ryo and Abel exchanged a glance.
"No way…"
"The Floating Continent?"
Captain Gorick, who had been frowning while peering through his telescope, briefly lowered it and murmured.
"That storm is definitely picking up speed."
At that moment, a woman approached and reported.
"Captain, all crew members are ready for combat."
This was Lena, the first officer of the Lone Dark.
The second-in-command on the ship.
Lena was more accurately described as beautiful rather than cute, with her striking black hair.
Abel had once muttered while watching her walk.
"She's… strong."
Ryo had nodded in agreement, adding:
"She can use magic."
Hearing this, Abel had widened his eyes in surprise.
"Is she the strongest person on this ship?"
"She might be. Best not to get on her bad side."
Abel had whispered cautiously, and Ryo had agreed.
Of course, Ryo had already taken action to win her favor.
He had provided both Lena and the ship's cook with ice baths.
Not cold baths. Actual tubs made of ice.
Filled with hot water.
Both women had been thrilled, something Ryo remembered well.
His strategy of winning over powerful allies was working perfectly!
"Ryo, you really are thoughtful about these things, huh?"
"Naturally. I help the strong and help the weak. Making everyone my ally is the best approach!"
It seemed that was Ryo's way of navigating life…
Captain Gorick nodded in response to Lena's report.
And asked.
"Lena, what do you make of that storm?"
Lena looked through her telescope at the storm.
After about ten seconds, she spoke.
"First of all, that's not a normal storm. It's more like… a monster covered in clouds and mist."
"Hmm. A monster? But I've never heard of such a creature on the seas."
"Neither have I. But… it seems like it's chasing that large ship from Bor."
"I thought the same. If you see it that way too, then we're not mistaken. The large ship is fleeing. And it's being pursued."
The lookout shouted down again.
"The large ship is signaling with flags: R-U-N. The message is 'Run!' "
Finally, the large ship from Bor had noticed the Lone Dark and was signaling them with flags.
"The storm is speeding up."
Lena reported calmly, continuing her observation.
And then, finally…
"Something's emerging from the mist."
"What is…that?"
Ryo muttered, and Abel was left speechless.
Out of the mist, it appeared.
"That's one massive ship…"
Captain Gorick remarked, and Ryo and Abel both nodded.
What appeared was an enormous sailing ship.
It had three masts, but its sails were tattered and torn.
Just by looking at it, it was clear this was no ordinary ship.
"It's a ghost ship."
Lena stated.
"What…?"
"No way…"
Abel and Ryo were both stunned…but their emotions differed.
Abel was purely shocked, while Ryo had moved beyond excitement to reverence.
"Even I've never encountered a ghost ship before. What about you, Lena?"
"No, this is my first time as well. But it's an exact match for the descriptions of the 'Ghost Ship Luri' from legend."
"The 'Ghost Ship Luri'…you can't be serious…"
Lena and Captain Gorick both grimaced.
"It's gaining on us…"
"And it's huge and fast."
Neither Ryo nor Abel could take their eyes off the ghost ship.
The ghost ship rammed into the stern of Bor's large vessel.
Simultaneously, multiple ropes were launched toward the ship.
"They're preparing to board!"
"They'll take the crew back to their ship and make them work… forever."
Lena added, quoting from the old legend, confirming Captain Gorick's grim suspicions.
"Damn it! I can't just stand by and watch this happen!"
Captain Gorick shouted sharply, his voice small but piercing.
However, he quickly regained his composure.
The Lone Dark was a warship. Carrying an incredibly important mission.
An order that was, in effect, a royal command.
They had to ensure the safe delivery of their guests to the Free City of Kwebasa.
Captain Gorick said nothing.
He didn't even glance in the direction of Ryo and Abel.
Yet, for those who understood, the unspoken tension was clear.
"Captain, don't worry about me or Ryo."
"Abel-san?"
"I don't know much about the sea or the politics of the eastern nations. But I do know that in situations like this… there's a protocol to follow when another ship is in trouble, right?"
"In the absence of war, it's customary for sailors to assist one another, regardless of nationality. However…"
Of course, this custom didn't exactly cover ships being attacked by ghost ships.
It wasn't in the rulebook. Still, ignoring a ship in distress was something no sailor could live with.
Yet… the enemy was a ghost ship, an entity out of legend.
If they tried to help, there was no guarantee their ship and crew would come out unscathed.
Worse still, if anything happened to the guests they were transporting…
Was it worth taking that risk, facing such dangers to help a ship of strangers?
"Captain, you're sailors, aren't you?"
Abel's simple remark struck Captain Gorick like a bolt of lightning.
His body trembled, as if jolted by an electric current.
Then, with resolve, he raised his head.
And issued his command.
"Full speed ahead! All crew, prepare for boarding combat! We're going to help the sailors on that ship!"
"Aye, sir! "
The crew of the Lone Dark responded with a shout.
They had wanted to help too.
As fellow sailors.
They couldn't just stand by and watch as those on the other ship were taken away by the ghost ship.
"If it comes to boarding combat, honestly, we can't predict what will happen. We may not be able to protect you both…"
"Don't worry. Ryo and I can take care of ourselves. Captain, just focus on doing what sailors do best."
Abel said with a grin.
Beside him, Ryo nodded in agreement.
"Thank you."
Captain Gorick said, bowing deeply.
And so, the mission to confront the Ghost Ship Luri and rescue the crew of the large Bor ship began.
-x-X-x-
"Bring us alongside the starboard of the large ship. We'll board from there!"
"Understood!"
The helmsman responded to Captain Gorick's orders.
Both the large ship and the ghost ship were stationary.
The ghost ship was massive.
Its deck was much higher than that of either the Lone Dark or the large ship.
Boarding a ship with such a high deck was challenging.
Conversely, boarding a ship with a lower deck was easier.
You just needed to toss a rope and slide down it.
The decks of the Lone Dark and the large ship were at roughly the same height.
With perfect maneuvering, the Lone Dark pulled up to the starboard side of the large ship.
"Toss the ropes!"
Ropes were thrown toward the large ship's deck from both the bow and the stern.
The bow and stern were much higher than the deck.
Throwing the ropes from such a height created a slope.
Using that slope…
"Board!"
Captain Gorick's command echoed.
The first to move was First Officer Lena.
She slid down the rope from the stern and landed gracefully on the large ship's deck.
The crew of the Lone Dark followed.
By that time, the deck of the large ship had already become a living hell.
"We're the Suje Kingdom Navy! We're here to help!"
As they boarded, the crew of the Lone Dark shouted.
Making it clear that they were allies and had come to assist.
The crew of the large ship had already lost morale.
It was essentially the same as giving up.
But now, reinforcements had arrived?
Here, in the vast open sea?
Come to think of it, there was a ship they had told to flee earlier…
"The navy?"
"That's right! We're the Suje Kingdom Navy from the Archipelago! Don't give up!"
The enemies boarding from the ghost ship were… skeletons.
They were skeletons.
Skeletons weren't particularly strong.
Of course, there were some special ones, but most were not too formidable.
However, there were a lot of them.
And some of them seemed to know how to use their numbers to overwhelm.
Moreover, some carried weapons…
All the skeletons on the large ship's deck had knives.
"I don't think they're marines… but they can board other ships?"
"Of course. If sailors on a warship can't board an enemy vessel, they're only half-trained."
Chief Engineer Gunno answered Ryo's question.
They were standing on the deck of the Lone Dark.
Ryo and Abel had never done ship-to-ship boarding, so they were left behind.
Gunno, as a senior officer, had been made the Lone Dark's acting commander.
This meant the captain and first officer had already boarded the enemy ship.
Although they were at the bow, they could still clearly see what was happening on the deck of the large ship.
"Skeletons, huh…"
"With knives, they're troublesome foes."
Ryo said, and Abel nodded in agreement.
To defeat skeletons, blunt weapons like clubs or hammers were effective.
On the other hand, edged weapons like swords or spears tended to slide off the bones without dealing much damage unless struck perfectly.
Knives were even worse in that regard…
"They're a pain for sailors who use knives as their main weapon."
"Ah, I see."
Ryo finally understood Abel's point.
The large ship they had come to help was apparently a warship from a country called Bor.
Naturally, its crew were soldiers.
Like the Lone Dark's crew, they should have been used to fighting…
In a world where ship-to-ship combat was common, being able to board and fight was expected.
They could board, so it wasn't surprising they could be boarded as well. That happens often enough in battles.
So, the crew should be able to fight, too…
Yet, the large ship's crew was at a huge disadvantage.
Ryo had been wondering why…
The problem was the mismatch in weapons.
Weapon compatibility cannot be underestimated.
The Lone Dark's crew also mainly used knives.
They were supposed to, but…
"Take that!"
"Break!"
"Hit!"
Shouting these words, they were swinging something.
"Is that…?"
"Hammers. In ship-to-ship combat, sometimes you board the enemy ship to break through the hull and sink it. That's when you bring those."
"I see."
Abel asked, Chief Engineer Gunno answered, and Ryo nodded in understanding.
If the enemy crew was too strong to overpower, sinking their ship by smashing the hull was a valid strategy.
Ship-to-ship combat, which looked straightforward, had its complexities.
"If the large ship's crew had known they'd be fighting skeletons in advance, they might have prepared such weapons. They probably have them in the armory."
Chief Engineer Gunno said, shaking his head slightly.
The importance of prior information.
On the deck of the large ship, intense combat raged, but the crew of the Lone Dark was holding their own.
They had been aware that skeletons were their enemy before boarding.
There was no sign of them being overwhelmed.
However…
"They just keep coming."
"I've cut that rope several times already, but it keeps getting reattached."
Ryo and Abel were focused on the rope connecting the ghost ship to the large ship.
The skeletons were using it to slide down and board.
Neither of them had set foot on the battlefield that was the deck of the large ship.
They remained on the Lone Dark.
Of course, neither Ryo nor Abel was just lazing around.
The crew of the Lone Dark had boarded first to save the crew of the large ship.
Their initial goal was to drive off the attacking skeletons, a temporary fix.
But that alone wouldn't resolve the situation.
The victory conditions were unclear.
What needed to happen for everyone to be saved?
What would end the ghost ship's assault?
If this were a game, the victory conditions would be explicitly stated, but reality doesn't work that way.
They had to figure out how to achieve victory on their own.
The enemy was skeletons.
In other words, they didn't tire.
The longer this dragged on, the more disadvantageous it could become for the humans… maybe.
Even that wasn't certain.
There was just too little information.
That's why Ryo and Abel weren't jumping into the fray; they were stepping back to observe the situation as a whole.
As for Chief Engineer Gunno, he was guarding the Lone Dark.
The remaining crew, mostly engineers and cooks, stayed behind.
In other words, everyone else had boarded the large ship…
Though even those left behind were fully armed.
"Hey, skeletons don't have magic stones, right?"
"Of course not. You've been an adventurer longer than I have, Abel. Why are you asking that?"
"Well, you see…even those talismans and spirit tags use magic lines to channel magic power instead of magic stones, right? I was wondering how skeletons work."
In response to Abel's question, Ryo grimaced and shook his head.
"Good observation, as expected from a former A-rank adventurer. But those skeletons don't have anything like magic lines attached to them."
"Yeah, I figured."
"You already knew?"
"Skeletons you encounter while adventuring don't have magic stones, and no one knows where they get their magic power from… but they still move. It's always been a mystery."
"That's true. It is strange. Are skeletons the only 'monsters' without magic stones?"
"Maybe wraiths… or shadow stalkers too? There aren't many like them though…"
Abel thought for a moment, looking up.
Before his words trailed off.
He was staring at the ghost ship's forecastle.
"Abel?"
"Just now…I think I saw something from the bow of that ghost ship."
"Something? Could it be the boss?"
"Yeah, the leader of the enemy. It's possible. I thought I saw something glowing blue, but…could it be that we have to defeat that thing to end this?"
"Glowing blue…What is that? I've fought strong skeletons like Skeleton Arcs that are immune to magic with everyone from 'Room 10', but none of them ever glowed blue. Oh, and I've also fought a skeleton swordsman stronger than you in a dungeon… again with 'Room 10'—but it didn't glow either."
"A skeleton swordsman stronger than me…?"
"Amon awakened and defeated it. That was the moment Amon began his path as a master swordsman."
For some reason, Ryo boasted about Amon's achievements with an air of superiority.
"I see…well, whatever. The crew of the Lone Dark is still holding out fine for now, but who knows how long that'll last."
"True. Well then, shall we have Abel storm the enemy's base?"
"Wait a second. Why just me?"
"Good catch! This is the perfect moment to send a frontline swordsman deep into enemy territory and settle things!"
"I think you should come too, Ryo."
"Dragging a rear-line magician to the frontlines? As expected of the brutal swordsman Abel, you sure live up to your name."
"Stop giving me weird titles."
Ryo's suggestion of a new nickname was quickly rejected by Abel.
"Fine. I'll go with you, but you're responsible for fighting whatever dangerous thing that approaches, okay? I'll take care of the other skeletons."
"Uh, sure…"
"Well then, Gunno-san, we're off."
"Eh? Oh, uh, okay? Take care?"
Gunno didn't fully grasp the situation.
He overheard Ryo and Abel talking about boarding the ghost ship, but…
How exactly were they planning to do that?
"Let's go.
As Ryo chanted, frost erupted from the deck where they stood.
It quickly grew into a massive ice pillar, lifting both of them high above the ghost ship's deck.
The frost pillar kept rising until it reached about halfway up the ghost ship's mast.
From there, the two looked down at the deck of the ghost ship.
"Swarming…like ants."
"Yeah, it's pretty gross."
Both Abel and Ryo grimaced.
It was understandable.
The deck was so packed with skeletons that there was barely any space between them.
There were easily over a thousand.
"
A few moments later…
Thud, thud, thud…
The sound of heavy objects falling echoed through the air.
The
The ice walls, created high in the sky, came crashing down onto the ghost ship's deck, crushing the swarming skeletons.
"Ahh, that felt refreshing."
"You never change, do you…"
Ryo nodded with a satisfied expression, while Abel shook his head slightly.
He had seen Ryo's magic countless times, but every time, Abel couldn't help but think how terrifying it was.
It made all strength, speed, and technique meaningless.
A magic that demonstrated the fearsome power of a magician.
The frost pillar shrank a bit, lowering them to the same height as the ghost ship's deck.
Ryo and Abel leaped onto the deck.
It had become a frozen wasteland.
And the crushed skeletons were vanishing.
"Not bad."
The moment that voice echoed.
Clang!
The sharp sound of clashing swords rang out.
Abel had blocked a sword, faintly glowing blue, with his beloved blade.
"Nice! Very nice, swordsman! You're a worthy companion for the magician who cast that spell!"
"Yeah, thanks."
The blue-glowing man laughed as he praised Abel, who responded with clear displeasure.
"It's been a hundred years since someone stepped onto this deck. Last time, it was just one. Now, there are two of you. What to do."
As soon as the blue man's monologue ended—
Clang!
Once again, the sound of clashing blades filled the air.
This time, Ryo had parried with his sword Murasame.
The attacker was a woman, also faintly glowing blue.
"I'll make both of you my thralls, to serve me forever."
She said flatly, without a trace of emotion.
"This is quite the problem. I'm a magician… yet here I am, crossing swords."
Ryo remarked, his voice louder than a mere whisper.
And the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Ryo's a battle maniac after all."
Abel muttered under his breath, though Ryo didn't hear him.
Thus, the battles on the ghost ship's deck had begun, two duels unfolding simultaneously.
-x-X-x-