Chapter 44
Chapter 44
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: In Search of the Crows (5)
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"......"
"......"
"......"
The overwhelming sight left everyone speechless for a long while, making the deck fall silent.
"Wh-what in the world...?"
The captain, who had been directing the ship, was the first to break the silence.
Murmurs spread from him.
"My God, what did I just see?"
"I've lived by the sea for over thirty years, but I've never witnessed anything like this."
"Was it some kind of magic?"
"You idiot! It's a druid—druid!"
The chatter from all around gradually faded into the distance.
"Ugh... blegh!!!"
I clung to the railing and vomited right there. It was due to the rapid mana depletion and seasickness. The potions weren't working properly because I'd burned through so much mana so quickly.
"Master! Are you okay?!"
"I-I'm fine... ughhh!!!"
"I'll get some water! Just hold on!"
I heard El rushing off somewhere.
I gripped the railing with sweat-slicked hands, waiting for her return. Beside me, Ayla kept rubbing her head against my waist, whimpering worriedly.
"Hah... huff..."
As I gasped for breath—
*Porrr.*
Pipi, who had been nestled in my arms, flew up and perched on my head.
*Pipiro?*
With a curious chirp...
*Shwaaa...!*
Fresh air, like the dawn breeze through a forest, suddenly flooded my lungs. The clean, cool air cleared my head and eased the tension from my body.
"This is..."
*Pip?*
It felt just like the time Pipi had turned bathwater into life-filled water.
This little guy really is something...
But right now, all I felt was gratitude toward Pipi over any suspicions.
I rinsed my mouth and quenched my thirst with the water El brought, then stood up, feeling much better.
"Theodor!"
The merchant, who had been hiding in the cabin, rushed out and hugged me.
"I knew I could count on you!"
"Haha..."
"You're truly a druid blessed by Lynshaka! I've never seen anything like this in my life!"
"St-stop shaking me..."
I was just puking my guts out a minute ago.
I leaned against the railing and let out a long sigh.
"The moment we arrive in the Ekaitz Confederacy, I'll report this to Lady Katarina. With you around, sailing the eastern seas will be no problem at all!"
The merchant rambled on excitedly.
Does he think I'm fine just looking at me?
I'd just pushed myself to the limit using [Beast Summon].
Pirates are the type who swing their swords without discrimination.
With no time for deals or negotiations, the odds of dying without a fight were high, so I'd overexerted myself with the skill.
Even then, it only worked because they were human pirates. Against the krakens of the eastern seas, it wouldn't have fazed them at all.
They travel in packs, and right now, all I could summon was one abyssal king whale.
And even that only if I pushed way too hard.
But I didn't have the energy to explain all that to the merchant now.
I quickly popped a honey candy into my mouth.
"I'm sorry, but I can't talk right now. I'd love to help with repairs, but I don't have the strength. Mind if I rest a bit?"
"O-of course! Absolutely! Head to the cabin and rest up. We'll handle the rest."
"Thank you."
With El's support, I made my way down to the cabin.
"Damn it..."
The moment the cabin door closed, my legs gave out. Ayla caught my collapsing body. I barely made it to the bed and lay there staring at the ceiling. My eyes grew heavy. My body felt leaden.
*Piie?*
Even Pipi's strange healing efforts couldn't dispel whatever this was.
[Beast Summon] was a skill that only applied to beasts summonable within the caster's mana reserves.
I had cast it envisioning the largest possible beast...
'I didn't think an actual abyssal king whale was possible.'
My mana quantity and quality must be better than I thought.
All that dedicated training paid off.
'Granny should've seen this...'
That was my last thought.
According to El, I slept for nearly a week. No matter how much they tried to wake me, I wouldn't stir—it was downright scary.
"You didn't eat or drink anything. I was so worried you'd... pass away like that."
"Haha, was it that bad?"
"Don't laugh. Ayla and I were freaking out."
"I'm up now, aren't I?"
"Pipi kept doing something by your bedside the whole time. Was that what kept you safe?"
"Who knows, maybe."
I glanced down at Pipi, exhausted and asleep in my arms, then shrugged. Is Pipi really a hidden pet? No status window or anything to check—go figure.
"Anyway, they say we'll arrive in two days."
"Already?"
"It's been ten days since we set sail. I just want to feel solid ground. I'm so done with the sea."
"You were saying it was way better than the desert not long ago."
"Now I miss the desert."
I had a meal with El and Ayla for the first time in ages. The captain said we're nearing Ekaitz Confederacy waters, so no more threats.
Thanks to that, I spent the next two days leisurely fishing. For some reason, after waking up, my seasickness was gone—I could move freely without motion sickness candies.
I'd toss the occasional small fish to Ayla as a snack, and use perch or similar catches for meals with El. This is the joy of sailing. Father must've wanted to share this with me. Understanding his feelings late brought a pang to my chest.
'When I get back, definitely...'
I'll ask Father to go fishing.
It felt distant, but I resolved firmly while gazing beyond the horizon.
* * *
"We've arrived."
The ground underfoot felt solid after so long.
El and Ayla jumped around joyfully the moment they stepped off the ship. Look at these two...
"I'm really going to miss you, Theodor."
"Haha, I'll visit soon."
"Don't forget—come see me, you must."
The merchant offered us lodging at his guild's inn, but I politely declined. I didn't want more debts, and staying there would surely come with restrictions.
'I'd have to watch my step, too.'
Even without that, we had plenty of coin for a good inn.
"Alright, let's find a nice inn first?"
One with tasty food would be ideal.
"Want me to carry your luggage?"
"I'll do it!"
"No, me!"
Kids like this are in every city.
A swarm of children rushed over, chattering and trying to grab my bags.
"Get lost!"
Of course, El wasn't about to let them.
El punched at the kids like some village thug instead of a noble lady. I watched until they were about to scatter, then stopped her just in time.
They must've pegged me as the one with money—their eyes sparkled as they stared. I pulled a silver coin from my pouch, tossed it in the air, and caught it gleaming in the sunlight.
What's the most important thing at an inn?
Food.
"The one who takes me to the inn with the best food gets this silver coin. But..."
I plucked a fruit from a hanging branch and used [Breath of the Forest]. The fruit rotted instantly, leaving only a seed.
"If anyone lies, I'll curse them."
Total bluff, of course. Curses don't grow on trees.
But it works wonders on kids.
The confident hand-raisers hesitated at the sight of the rotten fruit and lowered their arms. But one kid kept his hand up, unwavering...
"Good, you there. Lead the way to the inn."
I tossed the silver to the steadfast boy and followed him.
The inn was a weathered but bright and clean building. Despite its small size, the first-floor dining hall buzzed with quite a crowd.
"Welcome!"
A hearty innkeeper greeted us.
"Got your largest room available?"
"You're in luck! A guest left the day before yesterday. All cleaned up spotless. Charlie, show them up!"
"Yes, Mom."
We unpacked in the widest room at the end of the upstairs hall. "Widest" meant space for two beds and a table.
"Wow, a real bed instead of a swaying hammock!"
El seemed thrilled enough with that.
We stowed our gear and headed downstairs for food.
The meals the merchant provided during the voyage were decent, but not great—limited by ship life. My packed lunches were sometimes better.
We snagged a small table. The dining room was cramped, so the ever-growing Ayla couldn't join us. Unfortunate, but unavoidable.
"What'll it be?"
"Bring your specialties."
"Hahaha! That's a fun order!"
"We just finished a grueling voyage. Need something memorable."
"Right away."
The innkeeper brimmed with confidence. Expectations rising...
First came cream soup with fresh peas and bacon. Salty yet smooth—perfection. Goat milk cheese maybe? I devoured it in awe. El did too.
Next: freshly baked pumpkin bread and roast goose. The goose, basted in butter and sprinkled with salt and pepper, wafted mouthwatering aromas. The accompanying carrots and potatoes looked vibrant and fresh, already promising sweetness.
I halved the flower-fried onions and shared with El's plate, then tore off a tender goose leg for her. El gave me a look like she couldn't hold back.
"It's to celebrate your first voyage. Dig in."
I smiled and bit into the juicy goose leg. The rich flavor more than compensated for our hardships.
"Some beer too!"
*Ahh*, this is what keeps me going in this world!