Unearthing Captain Eagle's Treasure
Salacia Sea.
"Shovels aren't used like that—you'll hurt your back."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, you gotta use it on Kirke."
"Riko, come on."
I was digging away enthusiastically at what we guessed was the treasure's burial spot. My technique was a bit clumsy, so one of the crew corrected my form. I followed his demonstration and shoveled the earth. Riko just cheered from the sidelines, but that alone seemed to energize the sailors—they dug with renewed vigor.
Even on this unfamiliar island, Kirke had gathered edible fruits and was whipping up juice.
"You've got some fine handiwork there, missy."
The captain's praise made Kirke flash a proud smile my way and wink. I gave her a quick hand wave and kept shoveling.
In the pirate movies I knew, they'd follow the treasure map to an island, dig up the chest, cheer... But reality was harsh. The island was village-sized, and pinpointing the treasure meant pure guesswork. We'd been at it for nine hours since arriving, excavating likely spots.
"Kuhahaha!! Nothing on land escapes my harpoon!!"
"Awooooo!!!"
Two burly guys were over the moon with a massive wild boar they'd caught. Ignoring the crew, they kept digging furiously. Sweat poured down my face, baking under the scorching sun. Riko sneaked in some rune magic to stroll the beach leisurely. Meanwhile, Kirke collected clams, crabs in a bucket, and seaweed to prep dinner.
"Well, well, Hero, you've got yourself a fine wife."
"Ha, haha..."
I couldn't deny the captain's words and just laughed while digging. Mortis had raised a slight eyebrow at Kirke, but since she was a wear-species introduced by the saintess, someone I knew, and Hyacinth recognized her too, she let it slide. The saintess was wear-kin herself, so having a acquaintance made sense—and someone who could roam the seas freely was perfect crew. I dreaded what chaos would erupt if they learned she was the legendary sea witch Kirke.
"Hoo..."
Hot. My whole body burned. No sunscreen, so I shielded with mana, but the heat seeped through. I could switch to ice affinity to endure, but freezing solid scared me off. I kept digging, praying to the Fate Goddess: Goddess, this is pit number seven—please guide us! As I cleared the dirt... clang! My shovel hit metal.
The crew swarmed like ghosts at the sound.
"Dirt! Clear the dirt!"
"Careful! We don't know what it is!"
We brushed away the soil by hand, and out popped a treasure chest. Seeing the eagle emblem, the sailors cheered: "Captain Eagle's treasure chest!" Exhausted moments ago, they now yanked it from the earth with monstrous strength.
Opening it spilled dazzling gold and jewels. Textbook treasure—I couldn't help but gasp.
"Hahaha! This is it! Hero, you're a lucky charm! A symbol of fortune!"
The beaming captain eyed the loot happily. He warned the crew against pilfering, then prepped to haul it to the ship for the captain's safe. Surprisingly, no one pocketed even a single coin. Puzzled, Mortis wiped sweat from my face with a towel and explained.
"It's a commission from the All Gods Temple. Pirates have faced divine punishment before. Plus, they got the ship on this job—stealing means killing us aboard to take it all. And the temple pays equivalently anyway. God's blessing might fall on the hardworking, so no greed here."
"Not to mention, smooth sailing—no storms, no monsters. A divinely blessed ship? Stealing takes guts most lack. Heh heh heh."
I nodded at the captain's words. Makes sense—with sailing like divine watch, who'd risk theft? The crew cheered that more treasure meant bigger shares.
"Hey, you lazy brats—nice work on the wild goose chase. Thought we came to hunt?"
"Damn... Found it already? At least we got dinner!"
"Check that out."
The captain pointed to the beach. Everyone looked. A massive lobster was being prepped by Riko over hot flames. Beside her, Kirke cooked in a pot from the clipper, ingredients bubbling expertly. The boars from Kid and Hyacinth looked puny next to two giant lobsters. The guys slumped, shoulders drooping.
"As expected from the saintess's pick. Sea expert? Hahaha!"
Kirke elegantly sliced cheese-topped, butter-basted lobster with a knife, speared a chunk on a fork, and offered it. I took a bite—Riko elbowed my side. Sighing, I rolled up sleeves, drew my spirit sword, and butchered the boar cleanly—adventurer skills honed. Sucked the blood with world tree guardian fruit, topped with bamboo leaves, and grilled.
"...You can cook?"
Riko stared shocked. Sprinkling booze on the meat, I nodded.
"...Did you think I couldn't?"
Her face screamed: With your usual slop, yeah. Fried chicken was easy, but I'd mastered basics from cookbooks here. Recipes make anyone a chef. I sliced the grilled meat elegantly like Kirke, fed her a piece. Served in bamboo bowls with fruit—she smiled happily, sat on my lap.
"Whoa, crumbs everywhere! Hahaha!"
The captain laughed—no sugar needed for his coffee—and tore into meat heartily. Treasure found, booze flowed—party time. Good start, sea-blessed voyage; they were thrilled. Hyacinth chugged, puked in the sea; Kid danced with harpoon; Mortis and Riko downed kegs unflushed. All merry.
Kirke sipped a few, drooled asleep in my arms.
"Seeing Kirke so relaxed makes me happy. She suffered from us or that damned evil god bitch."
"Long years, huh."
"Anyway, not returning to my room tonight. Make it official?"
"Getting mad?"
She really didn't—kicked out Hyacinth and Kid, claimed my room. Those two, blackout drunk, slept in the flagship jail. Kirke clung even tipsy; loved by a slender woman, I slept beside her.
Morning denial earned a choke from pissed Riko... Minor stuff.
Our voyage stayed peaceful. Even Kid griped: "No monsters?!"
"Ocean means sea beasts! Wanted deck fights!"
Crew agreed, bored—bet coins, brawled on deck. Mortis heals, so no worries? But seeing her pummel Kid, I realized she started it—back to fishing rod.
"Happy my love"
Leaning on my shoulder, feeling her hair sway in sea breeze, her warmth—whispering happiness, with Kirke, I gazed at Salacia Sea's endless horizon, relaxed.
This pace, it'll just be a sea cruise... Then—another island appeared.
"Sea tavern! First in 50 years?"
Captain handed binoculars: "See?" Gaudy neon signs flashed; pirate ships docked. Crew stretched, prepped to disembark. Captain yelled for gold—restock big.
The vast sea is truly beautiful, isn't it?
The horrors lurking within, the ruins now mere traces.
Cheering on the hero's revival of his extinct race~ Long time no see! Always watching? Man up and hold her!
This voyage, what trials await the hero... Plenty eye the divine gear.
Stay vigilant? Pirate world differs from Trust Union.
Gifting Constellation Ticket x4 and Rank-Up Ticket x2~ Last gods rated generously!
"...Ooh..."
Real treasure. Grinning, I prepped to disembark. Kirke: might be recognized, so she'd room with Riko. Captain patted: "No good showing women—buy booze."
What skills this time... What shadow on our peaceful sail... I sensed something brewing at that tavern. Like a Hong Kong flick.