Pursuit (4)

After Calix and Krout finished their bath and stepped out, the server bowed politely and spoke.

"We've prepared simple food and wine in a spot with a great view. Please cool off from the heat with the river breeze while watching the sunset."

"Sounds good."

The two followed the server. Passing the annex garden, a small wooden building with a terrace overlooking the river came into view.

They climbed the stairs to the second floor, where a few simple fruits, cheese, and two bottles of wine had been laid out.

Krout's mouth fell open in admiration.

"Whoa... high-class inns really are something else."

"This is the most expensive room here."

"Damn... wine's not really my thing, but this pricey stuff hits different."

"It's booze, not soda. Drink slow."

Krout, his face slightly flushed, gazed at the vast Elin River stretching before them and asked,

"Does the sea look like this?"

"Never been?"

"No."

"You can at least faintly see the other side from here. Not with the sea."

"Right."

Silence settled between them for a moment.

To Calix, this moment felt like a dream. With enemies swarming to take his life, the very fact he could spend such leisure time was surreal.

'I've gotten bold, huh.'

As he let a self-deprecating smile cross his lips, Krout pointed upstream and shouted.

"Huh? That ship over there."

Calix turned to look. An enormously large and ornate ship was slowly approaching them.

"That ship's heading our way, isn't it?"

"Probably docking at the pier up ahead. Whoever's on it has some unique taste, though."

The ship they'd spotted was lit up like daylight with dozens of magic crystals, and it draped East Continent silk—more expensive than gold—like cheap rags everywhere.

It was far too lavish for a mere nouveau riche's pleasure cruiser.

"What the hell kind of money is that? One of those magic lanterns could feed commoners for a year."

Krout grumbled, pursing his lips.

"Jealous?"

"Not that..."

At that moment, women's shrieking laughter faintly carried on the wind.

"Hohoho."

"Kekeke."

"Sounds like it's coming this way? The laughter's getting louder."

"Don't pick a fight. We've got enough enemies gunning for our necks already."

"You think I just go around causing trouble...? Mmph!"

Calix pressed a finger to Krout's lips.

"Shh."

Krout's eyes asked why?, but Calix's focus was entirely on one person.

Following his gaze, a man in flashy attire was drinking on deck with five or six women.

Krout whispered,

'Know him?'

Calix nodded silently. He'd never seen the face before, but the status window told him everything at a glance.

'A big shot.'

'Cardinal' Cesare Lavaro Archduke.

One of the seven protagonist-level warlords, alongside the 'Black Prince' Gail Krakuf.

A peerless beauty so stunning that merely locking eyes made women clutch their hearts. Rumors swirled he was an excommunicated priest turned layman after seducing countless noblewomen.

His martial talent was exceptional too—Krout, a Class 6, hadn't sensed his strength at all.

Class 7 masters controlled mana near-perfectly, appearing ordinary if they wished. It wasn't surprising.

Cold sweat trickled down Calix's spine.

An opponent he couldn't resist after so long. No scheme could stand against such overwhelming power.

That's why he threw himself into training relentlessly.

Calix desperately signaled Krout with his eyes.

'Eyes down, stay quiet. Pretend we're not here.'

'...?'

Unfortunately, his oblivious entourage just tilted their heads.

Then it happened.

Calix felt his eyes meet Cesare Archduke's from afar on the ship. It was a dot at that distance, yet it felt real.

He could've sworn the man smiled.

'Huh? No way I could make out his expression from here. Why'd it feel like that? And why's he standing? Shit!'

Cesare Archduke stood lightly on deck, two women under his arms, and kicked off.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

He soared across the air in an instant.

Whoosh—

Thud!

He landed feather-light on the terrace railing, women still tucked at his sides.

Krout gaped, entranced, before belatedly reaching for his sword. Or trying to.

Click!

"Hng?"

Cesare's toe pinned the hilt just as it began to draw.

A slight twirl, and Krout's sword spun from its sheath, flying high into the sky.

Whoosh—whirr whirr whirr thunk!

It twirled mid-air before embedding point-first into the wooden floor, hilt-up. Krout's face hardened—not just unable to draw, but disarmed.

"A master...? "

Unlike the rigid Krout, the two women dangling from him squealed noisily.

"Eek! So cool..."

"Oh, Your Highness! Do it again, please?"

The archduke shook off their arms casually and strode toward Calix. Calix swallowed hard without thinking.

"W-Wait..."

Krout stepped forward to block, but a light gesture sent him sprawling on his ass.

In that gap, the archduke reached out, tilting Calix's chin. He brought his face close—breath mingling.

"Why so scared of me, lady? Like you've seen a ghost. First time meeting, no? Or did some brute hurt you before?"

'Lady?' Stumbling over the odd word, Calix shook his head.

"No. Just startled someone flying from that far. And I'm no lady—I'm a man."

"Hmph! Liar. I saw your face pale from the ship."

Calix's heart sank. His clumsy attempt to hide the status window had backfired into suspicion.

Luckily, Cesare didn't dwell. His interest lay elsewhere.

"Beautiful."

"Pardon?"

"Come with me?"

"What?"

"Ah, sorry for mistaking you for a lady. But the offer stands. Man or woman, beauty is beauty to me."

'What the hell?' Calix's mind blanked in absurdity as the two women flanking Cesare whined.

"Oh? Your Highness! Forgotten us already?"

"Hmph! I'm ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠way prettier than that kid. Bigger chest too."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Ignoring them, he spread his arms.

"One more time. I'll make you happy forever. Will you come with me?"

Regaining his wits, Calix clenched and replied,

"Sorry, but..."

As he started to shake his head firmly, a thought flashed.

'Wait... isn't this an opportunity?'

He needed a ship to the capital anyway.

Better this than using innocent civilians as meat shields—it'd minimize collateral.

Cesare alone was Class 7 master sword-mage; his escorts rivaled royal knights for sure.

Hoping the sweat down his back went unnoticed, Calix feigned calm ignorance.

"Not sure what you mean by 'together,' but... sorry. Can't right now, though you kindly offered. Got business in the capital. Miss the deadline, and I'm honorless."

"Hm? Ah! My bad—too hasty. Capital... Elesina, eh? How about this? Want a ride?"

Calix shook his head.

"Can't impose."

"No bother. Heading to Somora anyway."

Calix pretended deep thought again. Growing impatient, Cesare pressed,

"No pressure. Just chat till we arrive."

Finally, Calix nodded.

"Understood. Rude to keep refusing Your Highness. I'll humbly accept. Thank you."

Cesare beamed.

"Pack up and board. Just restocking water and food—sailing before dawn."

"Yes, Your Highness."

He flew back to the ship the same way. Pure magic in motion.

Only after he left did Krout leap up.

Calix hadn't noticed, but Cesare's subtle pressure had silenced him.

Teeth gritted in humiliation,

"Damn...!"

Staring at his sword—hilt alone protruding from the floor—Calix said to Krout,

"Feel wronged? Get stronger. Him being stronger now doesn't mean forever."

"He's a master. And there's a 'death valley' between Class 6 and 7. You really think I can surpass him?"

Calix answered without hesitation.

"Of course."

By max level alone, Krout couldn't catch up. But max levels weren't absolute.

He himself had Perum Infinitus to raise his.

Boosting vassal potential as a player was easier, too.

"Don't worry. I'll make you the best. Don't complain I overwork you later."

Krout finally chuckled.

"Hearing you say it makes me believe it'll all work out."

"It will. That's the plan."

Back at the annex, they gathered the scattered group and packed. Laila, who'd gone to the smithy for supplies, returned and asked,

"What happened?"

"Ah... damn."

Seeing the sole woman in their group sparked an old game memory for Calix.

He'd dismissed it as exaggeration in-game. Seeing it firsthand, it felt understated.

Even as a man, the handsomeness grated.

"Uh... you like handsome guys?"

Laila tilted her head quizzically at Calix's question.

"Out of nowhere—what?"

"Never mind."

Three hours later, the dazzlingly lit pleasure yacht departed Nodesa, slowly setting sail.