Empire's Admiral and Third Prince: The Reluctant Levitfoot Goddess

The empire's admiral and the third prince. As someone who's starting to receive faith as the Levitfoot goddess, how the hell am I supposed to live from here? I've got a ton of holy power from the constellations too, so the goddess herself basically certified me as practically a demigod. I figured that might boost my stats or something, but nope—it just means more karma piling up, so she can hand out tickets more often. Fine, then. I asked for guaranteed tickets as much as possible.

Anyway, an imperial ship? Stepping out, I saw this massive galleon keeping pace right beside us. And the empire's flag flying from it—first time seeing it, but it had a red dragon emblazoned on it. That imperial mercenary we saw before was wearing a dragon mask too. Wonder what the dragon symbolizes for them?

A grizzled Canidie with black skin, spiky Doberman-like ears, and a dark red uniform leaped aboard ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠our deck without warning and landed smoothly. He approached the captain with a grin, like old pals reuniting. They chatted away, but it didn't seem like anything I needed to butt into, so I checked my four new tickets. Two Constellation Tickets and two Rank-Up Tickets... not bad. The issue's what comes out, but with quantity and reroll tickets left, no hesitation—time to use 'em.

It felt weirdly bittersweet knowing these tickets were born from the faith building toward me. Sure, some folks might worship me just 'cause I'm the hero. Would they expect me to swoop in during crises? Right now, somewhere out there, people might need help and be praying to the hero for it. Thinking about that made me a little down. In the end, one person can't save everything, so there'll be folks who resent me for it. All the more reason to push harder and get stronger.

Pointlessly stylish... So when the hero crashes in with a bang, tokusatsu music blasts? Electric guitar and drums? If that's the case, maybe prep some entrance lines... Might become a black history, but with the song too, kinda wanna try. "Behold! My transformation!" or "Now, count thy sins!" With me as the only hero, nailing five might be tough. We have rideable robots, but that's kinda sad. Still, no downsides—solid win. 1:30 is short, but toggleable, and as a Bard Buff? Perfect acceleration for my short-burst style. Long fights are tough with our numbers anyway. Funny saying that with 70+ skills.

Prep to overwhelm right after transforming and drop those elves. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Should ask Circe about elves too—got busy and forgot. The elf stories were so shocking I just wanted to forget.

Am I on a hot streak today? Anticipation building, I checked the next skill.

This one's risky in its own way... Without [Clear Mind], it'd be dangerous. Powers up easier against strong foes, right? No clue on the scaling, but against evil gods or the Maou? Massive boost. Just might blow my arms/legs off. Gotta distribute the power-up carefully, or my body bursts like a balloon. But "susceptible" doesn't mean "possessed." Already groaning with 6x boosts causing muscle pain—using these two means fighting with my life on the line.

Surprisingly, both are solid enhancement skills. At this rate, Rank-Ups should be top-tier...? Hoping so, I tore a Rank-Up Ticket.

Lord almighty, dropping this suddenly... Well, with 70+ skills, it's inevitable. Gotta grit my teeth and save 10 tickets! As a hero, maybe dress as a magical girl, do idol shows to rack up karma? Desperate times. 3 abilities for my manly dignity? Worth it—could even make bank...

I crossed my arms, pondering.

Why's the goddess always having a blast? No cooldown on her hype. I tore the next Rank-Up.

This goddess is way too into it... But we beat the succubus lord ages ago. Now what? Damn, how ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠do I get rid of this skill? Kinda curious where LV.3 goes, though. Succubi unconditionally obey now...? Minus drain, it's the hypnosis harem dream. Problem's finding them post-god-loss.

All tickets used, I leaned on the captain's quarters railing, eyeing the imperial ship. Wondering what tune [Hero Arrival!] plays, when Nex called me over with a wave.

Heading down the stairs, the towering imperial navy guy looked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me over then averted his eyes.

"That unforgettable sea scent had me guessing, but didn't expect to see you again, Zan."

"Same here. Didn't know you were still admiral of the imperial navy, Shark."

"Hmph, empty title. No real support thanks to noble pressure—just my old crew sticking around. Useless shell. If we hit the Pirate King like this, we'd lose 100 out of 100."

The chuckling black-skinned man was Admiral Shark of the imperial navy. They shook hands—acquaintances, apparently. "50 years since last, glad you're healthy," exchanging greetings.

"Skull-Smasher! Still that Dullahan beauty. All who fell for it got spines ripped out. Surprised you're a priestess now. That betrayal, huh?"

At "betrayal" from the admiral, Nex scowled fiercely: "Watch your mouth."

He waved it off: "Whoops, too long apart—my bad." Turns out, post-king's age, nobles run wild, can't touch Pirate King, cut funding calling navy "leeches," no reinforcements—dismantling slowly. He mocked his plight.

"Used to lead fleets, hunt pirates, claim islands for empire."

"World's the same. Just no place for us."

"Hate time passing... Heh, glad we aged gracefully, Zan. Still beautiful. Scouted you for empire, but now? Glad you didn't join the rot."

"Then switch sides here?"

"Can't face dead comrades. Pass."

"Fair."

Chatting like close friends, another jumped from the imperial ship. Aran with crow wings like a draped coat. Graceful landing, black ponytail, mid-20s youth. Ominous sword at his waist.

"Meet him: the third prince, booted to empire's boonies after dropping from succession."

"Admiral Shark, that insults the crown, right?"

"Sure does. Navy's farming islands sans support. Might as well defect to All Gods Temple."

"Wasn't it 'can't face dead comrades' earlier?"

"Best place to pray for their rest, no?"

"...Can't argue."

"Not joining Trust Union, old mutt can't rampage anyway," Shark sneered at the prince. More friendly ribbing than disdain. The affable, smiling black-winged Aran youth scanned us and introduced himself.

"Heard of me already, I bet. Name's Griffin E. Castella. Exiled to sea 'cause sick of rotten nobles and throne fights—waste prince. Hate stuffy places. Walked out to roam the world free. Watch close: someday, continent's top swordmaster!"

"Then this one's future Pirate King," Bartholomew Kidd slung his harpoon, mocking: "Don't expect prince treatment at sea."

"Hah! Pirate King before a prince? Sea's mine—fame and throne follow," Griffin hand on hilt.

"Please don't fight... Big bro Radamu, why the straw hat?"

Just... felt right. Like I've seen this scene.

The weird-prince and mean-pirate growled into a stare-down. Young bucks brawling? Admiral and captain ditched for drinks and old tales at a deck table. Even Nex shook her head at me: "Handle it," and wandered off.

...You called me for this?

"Alright! Show us future Pirate King's skills! Spear vs. sword—which wins?!"

"Hah! Top swordmaster? Go inland! Why sea?! Come at me!!"

"Guns strongest, right?"

"You too!!"

Hyacinth... why add fuel? He bared teeth, fired up, drew gun and charged.

Is instant brawling sea men's law? Exhausted, I flopped on deck, chugged a drink.

Just form a pirate crew, you three—go hunt One Piece or whatever.