Chapter 49
Chapter 49
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 49
That awkward atmosphere didn't last long.
Soon after wrapping up negotiations with the captain, Judith led the two of them straight outside.
The captain they met again looked quite haggard in the meantime.
It didn't feel like he'd been worn down by Judith.
Asher could tell at a glance.
"!"
The way he flinched the moment Versia appeared, gazing at her with distant eyes before turning away with a gruntit said too much.
One might say why get upset on her behalf, but strictly speaking, Asher had more right to be displeased.
Of course. Hadn't this captain fallen for Versia at first sight?
In other words, he'd fallen for Asher's original appearance at first sight.
He couldn't accept that.
By Asher's standards, a man's affection was a wicked act that deviated from the Parent God's providence in creating humanity.
So whenever the captain's gaze turned to Versia, Asher grew more vigilant, sticking close to her.
To a third party, the whole thing might seem exasperating enough to sigh over, but since the person involved was sincere, it could be overlooked.
In any case, the meeting with the other captain who divided the eastern seas... a crewman of Pirate King Kyle Riguelle... was prepared quite meticulously.
This time, things were easier than before.
For one, since it was within the eastern archipelago, there was little chance of word spreading outside, and their base was on an island right next to this one.
There were no issues even going to meet them, so the real challenge was drawing out the captain without any bloodshed.
That's where Lykers' help came in.
"That guy prepared a letter in advance, so we just send this and we're good."
This was part of Judith's plan too.
Before setting out, she couldn't know who they'd meet in the eastern archipelago, so she'd prepared contingencies for both sides.
Judith explained as much, and around then, the captain looked shocked.
"Pirate King's daughter?"
His gaze toward Asher changed.
Asher felt a bit awkward and troubled at the same time.
If his type was strong women and such, what if she ended up falling for him? There'd be nothing more troublesome...
"Yeah, so that's how you got such a beauty... no, a stunning beauty."
As he chuckled and shook off his lingering feelings, Asher's eyes narrowed.
What was this? It felt like getting rejected without even confessing.
No, he would've refused anyway, but it still felt oddly off.
Giggle. Versia laughed.
Asher startled and looked up at her, then under her knowing gaze, he found himself denying it for no reason.
Such minor hiccups occurred.
Things proceeded smoothly to the easternmost outskirts of the archipelago.
And so, Asher met the second fragment of his past.
"Huh? Daughter?! Kyle Riguelle has a daughter?!"
Sunken eyes from drowning in booze, a wrinkled old body, and a magic staff.
"N-No way! I thought that bastard was seedless!!!"
"?"
Perric Terban.
Pirate King's navigator and shipboard magethey made contact with him.
* * *
First came bewilderment.
It was because the professions of pirate and mage clashed so badly.
Second was mixed feelings.
It felt a bit sorry to only have negative impressions, but Asher couldn't help it.
"That bastard Kyle had such messy relationships with women. So much so that rumors spread it was his fault no women stayed in the archipelago they all fled in disgust from us pirates!"
Reminiscences.
...A lot of rather awkward reminiscences.
"He tumbled around with so many, yet weirdly had no kids! That's why I was sure! The guy was seedless! Kahak! But he went and had such a pretty kid! So the bastard had a hidden ace up his sleeve!"
Of course, Asher had a rough idea already.
Even recalling his childhood, it was the same.
He remembered nights when women's cries came from Kyle's room, so he'd tattled to Hwaran that Kyle was tormenting women.
Looking back now, 'that' was it.
After about a dozen assassination attempts from Hwaran, Kyle stopped, but that clue alone painted a clear picture of his true nature.
'If not for the Captain, Kyle might've died ages ago.'
Such idle thoughts even crossed his mind.
Anyway, after several awkward reminiscences, just like with Lykers, he had to inform Perric of Kyle's death.
It was only the second time, but it still didn't feel familiar.
Perric, who had been laughing and chatting heartily, showed tears at that moment.
"Ah, yeah. Makes sense. If that guy left this sea and never came back for so long... there'd be no other reason."
Not a clean reaction like Lykersit hurt the heart.
And ironically, that reaction let Asher realize Perric had truly cared for Kyle.
Asher tried to comfort him.
But he waved it off, forcing a smile as he said,
"Kuh... No, I'm fine. Fine, kid. That guy's left you behind, hasn't he? A truly pathetic death leaves nothing. Kyle didn't do that. He forged a birth from his death. That's beautiful. No, it makes us see that as beautiful."
In that moment, he sounded every bit the mage.
His booze-ravaged, hollow eyes gleamed with spirit.
In the somewhat subdued atmosphere, he sat by the window and gazed out at the distant night sea, saying,
"Brings back old memories. I set out to sea seeking truth in magic. It felt like the perfection I sought lay in those depths. The sea sweeps you away on whims, yet sometimes guides the lost to shore. Drawn by that mystery, I reached the archipelago and met Kyle, dreaming happy dreams."
The old man chewed his lips, then grinned like a boy.
"Yeah, I dreamed. Dreams worth a lifetime. That's enough. Now I can let go."
"...Captain?"
"Ah, not that I'm dying. It's time to end this pointless strife."
He was a busy thinker.
Muttering alone, words spilling fast, lost in thoughtit was hard to keep up.
But the core message came through clearly to Asher.
"I thought Kyle might return someday. Had to hold his place. That's why we fought. But now, no need, right? I don't have to fight for control of the archipelago anymore."
Retirement. That's what he meant.
"Waves don't stop. And every wave ends at the shore. Our lives too. After the vast ocean's long journey, finding land to restthat's life. Just doing that."
Asher respected his intent.
He could feel Perric had fought for the archipelago's dominance all this time for the Kyle who might return.
Losing a mage's power in battle.
Regrettable that way, but forcing someone who didn't want to fight was against reason.
He was about to nod in understanding when
"This war will be my final voyage."
"...Pardon?"
"Kid, aren't you the wave leading the new era? This old man has to clear the path for you!"
Thud!
Perric placed a hand on Asher's shoulder.
Then bared his missing teeth in a grin.
"The Pirate Empress who inherits the Pirate King's blood has appeared! Fighting for her will make my last voyage shine brightest! Ah, war! That longed-for thrill! Kuhahaha!!!"
Asher froze up.
For one, it was clear he wasn't a man of normal sensibilities.
The reason a mage turned pirate made instant sense.
Pirate Empress? War for a new era?
What was he saying to someone planning to leave once the job was done?
But lying to someone this sincere felt a bit guilty.
Lykers seemed like he'd gobble up the archipelago if Asher left, but this man was different.
She whipped around to look behind her.
She shot pleading looks at Judith, Versia, and Melvin, but they were ruthless.
"The old coot knows his stuff? Yeah, our lady's gonna be a great empress. Unify the archipelago, conquer that mainland coast too."
"A true warrior, our lady."
"Damn right! Damn right! Don't worry, old timer!"
"Kid! With such reliable underlings too! Your leadership's just like Kyle's! Well, not the face, but!"
"Uh, well..."
"You lot!!!"
Asher's eyes spun in panic.
Amid it, Perric shouted to the pirates.
"Our lord has returned! Let's see... Yes! 'Goddess of the Waves' for a title! A war for the goddessit's a holy war! Kuhaha! Perfect! Let's wage a holy war!!!"
"Ooooh!!!"
Like any group of rough men, pirates were simple.
And if it sounded cool, they jumped in excitedly first.
Goddess of the WavesVersia's body, housing Asher, had sky-blue hair and blue eyes. Her looks were goddess-worthy, so the metaphor fit perfectly.
"Goddess of the Waves! Goddess of the Waves!"
"Archipelago Empress! Holy war!"
"Waaaaah!!!"
It felt like things had spiraled out of control.
Perric, oblivious to Asher's inner turmoil, grabbed her wrist and hoisted it high.
The pirates' cheers grew louder, and Asher forced a creaky smile through teary eyes.
'Th-this isn't it...?'
Embarrassment flooded to the tips of her hair.
But she couldn't just douse them with cold water.
For a moment, screw it, whatever.
Asher eventually went along with the flow, steadying her breath before adding one line.
Still, there was one thing to correct.
"St-still, not a goddess, I think. This land has only one god, the Parent God! That's too heretical an expression, so please hold back...!"
"Heretic! Holy war!"
"Beauty that blasphemes even the gods!!!"
"Wooooh!!!"
Of course, they weren't listening.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
"...Ah!"
Asher felt dizzy!