Chapter 146
Chapter 146
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 146
Chapter Title: Flying Over the Sea
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'Huh...'
I loved night flights.
Especially flying over the night sea with Armis—it offered a spine-tingling happiness and beauty.
'Are you insane?'
But this was too much.
At sunset, we encountered Crisia's wyvern in the skies above the harbor.
And without warning, we started flying toward the open sea.
'It's been three hours already. Where the hell is she taking me?'
Early evening, as the sun set and the moon began to shine brightly.
We flew aimlessly over the blue sea where stars swam.
A little further, and even Bebeto would be too tired to turn back.
If we tried to land on the sea to catch our breath, sea monsters and magical beasts would drag us to the ocean floor, and I'd be gone for good.
'No way she's planning to fly the whole way.'
The Kesmir Archipelago was as far from Neruman Harbor as the Bazran Empire's capital.
All sorts of ominous thoughts made my insides burn.
I couldn't die like this.
All the sweat I'd shed would be for nothing if I died a bachelor ghost.
'Huh...? What's that!'
It was then.
Suddenly, Crisia's wyvern, flying several hundred meters above the sea, dove sharply toward the water.
And in that instant, I spotted something following behind.
'A ship!'
A massive vessel sailing with three long sails unfurled, bathed in moonlight on the gentle waves.
'Whoa! That's the legendary wyvern transport ship I've only heard about!'
A colossal sailing ship from the Kaliyan Continent, classifiable as a modern aircraft carrier.
It was truly enormous.
Bigger than any warship I'd seen on a school trip to Jinhae in middle school.
Through the magical lanterns hung all over the ship, I could see the terrifying bulk of the beast at a glance.
'Whoa, what a structure.'
It had a unique design.
Unlike other ships, this wyvern transport ship was distinctly different.
The middle and rear sections had three enormous sails, each dozens of meters tall, while the front seemed designed for wyverns to land and rest.
'It can carry twelve wyverns—that makes it a large-class transport ship.'
Fleets with wyvern transports and those without were worlds apart.
The moment you encountered a fleet with one on the open sea, the enemy fleet might as well pray for a swift death on their knees.
And for good reason: hurl a few Blessed Spears from a ship sailing the skies, and any vessel would be riddled with holes and sink.
That was how the Kesmir pirates dominated the seas.
Even if continental nations pioneered sea routes, they couldn't match the pirates' naval prowess.
Even with wyvern transports, the fleets of various nations were no match for those who treated the ocean like their backyard.
'At least dozens of transports, minimum.'
The fleet Crisia led reportedly had dozens of wyverns.
She'd told me there were seven such fleets in total.
'A landing signal.'
While lost in thought, Crisia's wyvern had already landed on one side of the transport ship.
Opposite them, sailors holding red magical lanterns signaled the landing.
"Bebeto, land nice and smooth."
Kuooooooo!
Landing on a ship for the first time in his life, yet Bebeto showed no fear.
He let out a mighty roar and slowly flapped his wings into landing position.
Flap, flap, fla-flap-flap.
Powerful backwash from the muscular Bebeto's wings, and he gently descended onto the sailing deck.
Thud.
A slight vibration through my whole body.
'More fun than I thought?'
Landing on a ship was completely different from solid ground.
One wrong move, and you'd belly-flop into the sea—pure thrill.
"Oh my, Bebeto. Such a stylish flight landing."
Crisia removed her Air Plate helmet and approached, lavishing praise on Bebeto.
Her sea-blue hair fluttered naturally in the ocean breeze.
'She really shines by the sea.'
Crisia possessed her own healthy beauty, no less than anyone else's.
But seeing her on the ship added something unique.
Like soy sauce and dumplings, a snowman and mittens—perfect harmony.
The crashing waves and Crisia's voice formed a melody that tickled my heart.
Even in this rush, my sentimental side wouldn't quit.
Kuo, kuo.
Bebeto, thrilled by Crisia's praise, lifted his beak skyward and purred happily.
Crisia stroked Bebeto's wings.
Enviable guy, through and through.
"Sir! Saluting the Commander."
"Choo!"
A man appeared on the transport ship's deck and saluted.
"If the Captain hadn't shown up right on time, we'd have been lost at sea."
"Nonsense. Does the Commander not know the sea better than any sailor here?"
"Hoho, it's all thanks to the Captain's teachings."
'The Captain commands this ship, right?'
The man revealed under the magical lantern.
He looked early fifties, with a bushy beard and sturdy build—a classic man of the sea.
More like a pirate captain than ordinary.
"Commander, is this the famous Lord of Neruman, Count Kaiyer?"
"Yes, this is Count Kaiyer."
'Huh? He knows me?'
The pirate-like uncle eyed me closely and greeted me.
"Haha, pleased to meet you. I'm Count Analtayan, the Captain."
"Pleased to meet you. Count Kaiyer, Lord of Neruman."
You couldn't frown at a welcoming smile.
I returned a pleasant grin and formally greeted him.
"Why don't we head inside? Dinner is prepared."
"Hoho, music to my ears. I thought I'd faint from hunger on the way here."
Crisia showed her lively personality outright.
Raised in the pure sea, her words held no pretense.
'Come to think of it, I flew here without eating.'
Dragged here on impulse to this transport ship.
Squeal, squeal.
Several sailors dragged out a mouthwatering pig.
As expected of such a huge ship—plenty of animals aboard for wyvern feed.
★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
"Today, a toast of thanks to Romero, the Lord of Bonds, who granted us this precious connection."
Clink! Clink!
A banquet dinner on a ship, something I'd only heard of or read in novels.
Though Crisia, my superior, was present, Count Analtayan, the ship's master, led the meal.
Confirming the saying: on a ship, the captain is king.
'A feast fit for nobility.'
Honestly, I hadn't expected much from ship food.
But the course after course on the wide table left my eyes bulging.
A spread rivaling a great noble's banquet.
Honey-glazed mystery fowl, smoked meats of all kinds, fresh fish stew and fritters from the sea, steaming bread, and unknown fruits—all whetting the appetite fiercely.
'They even have a magic warehouse?'
Conveniences not falling short of a 21st-century aircraft carrier.
Magic made long voyages effortless.
Gulp.
'Damn, that's good.'
Not beer, but a sweet grape wine like ice wine.
Perfect for stimulating the palate.
Scrape, scrape.
I took the mithril fork and sliced into tender, juicy meat.
'Oh!'
An exclamation burst out naturally.
I was hungry, but the unexpected deliciousness doubled the joy.
'Maybe I should build a transport ship sometime?'
Having one didn't sound bad.
Once my territory stabilized, I'd want to visit the Eastern Continent, travel the Kaliyan Continent.
A wyvern transport would be the perfect cruise ship.
'Mango-like fruits too.'
The Kesmir Kingdom dominated the seas and monopolized intercontinental trade.
A dozen unheard-of fruits prettily adorned the table.
"Is the next transport ready?"
"As per your orders, Commander, it's set on coordinates and sailing. Depart on schedule, and you'll meet at the destination."
"Captain, send Lumikar to confirm once more."
Crisia used honorifics with the Captain, despite outranking him.
From her words, he seemed to be the one who'd taught her the seas.
"Haha, no worries. It's been ages since an emergency relay, but I won't mess up."
He spoke so casually.
Clearly, "emergency relay" meant floating transports on the sea and wyvern-hopping between them.
On the way, Crisia had navigated by magic compass and stars.
One slight angle error, and you'd plummet to your death—yet the Captain calmly said not to worry.
"Any accidents during these emergency relays?"
I asked cautiously while cutting meat.
'Well... the first in decades...'
Despite "no worries," he admitted it was the first in decades, dodging a firm answer.
My cutting motion froze.
"Haha, still, don't worry. Lord Bormio, god of winds and freedom, has blessed you abundantly through the Commander. In our kingdom, Princess—no, Commander Crisia—is known as the lucky mascot."
'What the...'
Not some scientific or routine safe relay—just "Crisia's lucky, so relax," from the Captain.
'Shit.'
My face stiffened, curses bubbling inside.
Treating my one and only life so lightly.
If I'd known, I wouldn't have done this reckless stunt.
"Count Kaiyer, don't you trust me?"
Crisia pierced right to the heart with a sly fox smile.
"What are you saying? Even if things go wrong, dying with the lovely Crisia—what's there to fear? Hahaha."
"Really? Hoho, you really know romance..."
Crisia sparkled at "romance."
'Romance my ass!'
I'd tossed a veiled warning since my life was on the line, but she sang of soju-and-rice romance.
Mind elsewhere, my lips curved in a soft spring breeze smile.
"Count Kaiyer."
Count Analtayan called me.
"Yes, Captain?"
He respected me, so I used honorifics.
"I'm curious where that guts comes from. You look too weak to catch a single beast, yet they say you shake the continent. If you have the trick, teach me too."
Analtayan asked with an ambiguous expression—joke or serious?—probing my audacity.
"Well... life just turned out that way. A big tree wants peace, but the wind shakes it relentlessly—how can it not sway?"
It captured my heart perfectly.
I'd wanted quiet, but the continent's powers couldn't leave me and Neruman alone.
We'd fight till one fell.
'The ship's so big, no rocking.'
The sea was calm, but this was the deep ocean.
Two-meter waves, yet the massive ship absorbed them effortlessly.
"Haha! Hits home. You're not just a capable lord, Count Kaiyer—you've got bard's talent too."
Analtayan recognized my gift.
I grinned, speaking for my heart.
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Whoooosh.
Splash, splash.
Unique ship structure.
Thick ropes, surely made from Parvens tendons as Crisia once explained.
They tautly supported the masts from midship to stern.
I knew little of ships, but this setup seemed prone to spinning—yet it didn't.
'Using magic circles.'
Fierce mana flow under my feet.
Magic circles stabilized the ship for sailing.
Kuo.
Cutting waves, but the high deck kept spray away.
Bebeto, lounging in his spot, smelled me, lifted his head, and roared lightly.
'Illusionary.'
Stars stretched from horizon to horizon over ink-black waves.
No less moving than stars from flight.
Kuoku.
While I gazed enchanted, sleepless Bebeto called me—seemingly as restless.
'Heh, serves you right.'
Lately, seeing Bebeto irked me for some reason.
My petty heart soured by his nightly happy shrieks.
Revenge felt sweet in Bebeto's temporary solitude.
'Kid's got some conscience.'
Sure, Crisia's spotted female wyvern was next to him, but with eyes everywhere, Bebeto just smacked his lips.
Meeting my gleeful stare, he buried his head in his wing.
'That safety harness prevents falls.'
Special gear over his body for high waves.
Leather straps linked to wyvern armor, with safety rings everywhere.
Rings locked to sturdy deck anchors.
'Prisoner exchange should be done by now...'
It was my place, but unavoidable—I sent Raiker.
With his usual attitude toward me, he'd handle imperial nobles fine.
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"Wh-why aren't the mages here?"
"Mages? Oh! Those escaping prisoners."
Temporary negotiation site at the Neruman-Havis Kingdom border.
Late night, but the tent blazed with light.
"Call the Lord of Neruman! This violates our agreement!"
Marquis Trevilta, dispatched by the Raviter Empire's imperial court to retrieve POWs and pay.
From the start, when the titled Lord sent an untitled Sky Knight as proxy, his mood soured.
Feared by all but a few in the Empire, yet this curly-haired knight oozed arrogance.
Knights usually showed courtesy to enemy nobles, but Raiker treated a marquis like dirt.
Even now, mid-talk, he picked nose hairs and answered half-heartedly.
Without the faint powerful mana aura, Trevilta would've drawn steel long ago.
"Busy. Our lord ain't got time."
"Y-you!!!"
Raiker spat blunt retorts despite Trevilta's courtesy.
If knights were inside, duels and chaos would've erupted.
But just two in the magically sealed tent—no sound escaped.
"Fine, fine. Sit. Pay everything minus the mages."
Trevilta's face flushed rage-red.
Raiker waved him to sit, the rude Sky Knight.
"And 10,000 POWs surrendered willingly. Deduct their fee too."
Raiker's salt-in-wounds words to the face-planted marquis.
Trevilta tasted despair beyond fury.
This brute Sky Knight defied reason.
Fury blazed toward Neruman's lord for sending such a proxy.
"We calculated: minus the advance million gold, just 9.95 million more."
Still blunt.
"No, excluding mages and 10,000 soldiers, 8 million suffices—why add 2 million?"
Furious but under orders to retrieve POWs safely, Trevilta pointed out the math.
"Tsk tsk, first deal? Negotiated a month ago, right?"
"Y-yes."
"Then who pays a month's food, medical, misc for POWs? Our generous broke lord, or the rude invading Raviter Empire? Anyone with a head knows."
"..."
Raiker's absurd nonsense.
"And who digs ditches for fun? Who's paying my sleepless labor fees? You sinners, obviously."
Now demanding his wages, devilish.
"Come on, sign quick. Late night hikes my fees and wyvern boarding."
Raiker ignored the desperate's feelings.
Pushed a paper, urging signature.
"What, hate it? Cheapskate pennies tank the deal—your sly emperor'll love that. 'Inflexible marquis,' he'll say."
At "sly emperor," Trevilta shuddered.
Raiker was right.
Fail over pennies, blame fell on him.
'Grit! I'll repay this humiliation!'
Gnashing in rage-despair sauna, he glared at the blue-eyed curly knight matching his hair.
Next Neruman attack, he'd tear Raiker apart personally...
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'Ugh! So boring!'
Good till morning.
Early dawn: warm bread, soup, takeoff from transport.
Gazing at rising sun, manly spirit swelled.
But that's it.
Hours crossing endless, featureless sea.
No islands—the vast ocean nauseated.
Unlike land, sea's start and end blurred samely.
Suppressing vomit, stared at Crisia's back ahead.
'How far have we flown? On course?'
Crisia chose hardship for me.
Childish distrust aside, I didn't fancy ocean burial.
'Even Bebeto's tiring...'
Roughly six hours nonstop.
40 km/hour: over 240 km.
Plus last night's flight and ship: 400+ km.
No match for modern cars/planes, but huge here.
Over endless ocean, no less.
Whoooosh.
Then Crisia's wyvern ahead dipped head-down.
'Whoa! Th-that's!'
One sight hit me.
'Island! Island!'
Now I got why sailors in movies cheered landfall.
Relief escaping terror-sea embrace.
Tiny island jutting from waves.
Stifled breath burst free.
Swoooooosh.
Kuooooooo~!
Bebeto roared joyfully, diving sharp.
Me and Bebeto's first sea-crossing.
Soul-blessing beach: instant landing.
"Haa!"
Undid harness, leaped to sand.
'Now I can live.'
Small island, but trees thick.
Forest sight revived my eyes.
"Tough, right?"
Crisia beamed fresh, asking if hard.
'Weird vibe.'
Crisia glowed mermaid-fresh by sea.
Hot woman, uninhabited isle landing—odd mood.
Plus her blatant liking.
Eyes met: she smiled like blooming spring flowers.
"Island midway between continent and Kesmir. We sea folk call it Resting Hornpipe."
'Resting Hornpipe?'
Odd name.
"When water fills that rock, it horns. Sound carries dozens of km."
"Ah!"
Now I recalled.
Faint hornpipe before island.
Thought helmet broken.
"Hearing it mid-voyage brings rest, peace. You felt it, Count Kaiyer, but in vast sea, such an island brings tears. To sea folk, island's like mother."
Crisia's island praise.
I nodded agreement.
"Lunch here before takeoff."
'L-lunch!'
Realized hunger.
"I brought bread, water—wait a sec."
Crisia headed to her wyvern.
"No pigs or edibles on island?"
"Huh? Yeah... sadly small island."
Birds visible, but too tiny to sate.
Bread scraps? No thanks here.
"Bebeto!"
Kuo!
Bebeto clawed sand like burying bone.
Head up at my call.
"Fish hunt!"
Kuo, kuo!
"Fly!"
No waiting.
Cast Fly, kicked beach.
"C-C-Count Kaiyer!"
Crisia called startled at sudden flight.
"Haha, gather some branches."
Told Crisia, soared over sea.
Crystal-clear depths showed innards.
Activated mana for mage-only fish hunt.
Even Diamond Mountains after meal.
Busy or not, proper eats—my life motto.
Missed jajangmyeon never returns; same for meals.