Chapter 351: Dark Continent (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 351: Dark Continent (2)
Grains of sand heated up under the sunlight shining down on them. The cool yet somewhat damp wind smelled slightly of salt in this place, the Island of Beginnings, Laemia. However, the vast sea stretching along the horizon wasn't visible this time.
[You have entered the Great Sea on the sixth floor.]
The first thing I saw when I crossed through the portal was over a hundred super-huge sailing ships lined up along the coastline. The number was so big that even the vast sea felt cramped.
"Now, now, if you've passed through the portal, quickly move to the side! The others have to come up!"
Without a moment to look around, I left the vicinity of the portal under the instructions of an adventurer wearing an Adventurers' Guild badge. His tone of voice was so light that I asked Erwen about him, and she informed me that he wasn't a regular employee of the guild. Apparently, these were adventurers commissioned by the guild. The guild had received a request for cooperation from the palace to manage adventurers, but not having the manpower to send, they had resorted to outsourcing.
True, it'd be hard for ordinary guild staff to get to the sixth floor.
As the war had been going on for over a year now, the rigidly organized process went naturally and smoothly.
"Come this way! First, you'll register for war and be designated a unit!"
After waiting in a long queue that stretched down the eastern coastline, I submitted my ID tag and finished registering for the war. Then there was a bit of a commotion. Erwen had become too famous.
"Erwen Fornacci di Tersia... Uh... uh, B-Blood Spirit...?"
"Is there a problem?"
"N-No... there isn't! Sorry for the fuss!"
They could have questioned Erwen on why she was registering as an independent, but the registration clerk was uncomfortable even making conversation with her and just wrapped up the process quickly.
"Rank-five adventurer Emily Raines. You have a previous record of participating in the war. Registered." Amelia went after Erwen, and this time the registration really ended in one second. As her identity had been made two years ago, her age on her ID was twenty-two. Apparently, she started off as a rank-nine adventurer and went through the slow process of raising her rank. She even went as far as paying taxes among other things to completely create a new identity. Unless she encountered someone who knew her face like Erwen, her new identity got her off scot-free.
Unlike me, who was receiving some peculiar looks.
"Rank-five adventurer Riehen Schuitz. You have no record of participation. Would you please take off your helmet?"
The identity Amelia found for me, Riehen Schuitz, was an adventurer who was active five years ago. Of course, the broker had paid his taxes faithfully that whole time, so there were no issues with the documentation.
"Hmm." The reaction I received was mixed, probably because my face looked younger than twenty-nine years old. I felt like a minor trying to buy cigarettes. Still, I managed to get through safely, perhaps thanks to my hair having been dyed light brown as written on the ID card. I made sure to choose an identity with the same eye color as mine.
"What, is there a problem?"
"No, it seems you are returning from a long break. I wish you the best of luck."
"Thanks."
I did have to raise my helmet once, but fortunately, the registration process ended without any real incident. There were many cases of people returning from retirement for the war, so there wasn't much suspicion, just as Amelia told me. Two of the Seven Powerful had done the same as well.
"Then we just have to be assigned a unit now."
After completing registration, we moved to the bulletin board on the side. On the board, there was a brief list of the ships currently on standby and the number of people on board. Deciding which ship to board was quite important in war. This was because the adventurers on the same ship formed a single unit once they arrived on the seventh floor.
"There's no need to think it through. Since this is your first time participating, you can only take a third-class ship," said Amelia.
"Third-class ship?"
"It's a ship mainly crewed by adventurers without war achievements or those that don't come from a big team like a large clan. As a result, they're located in the rear as support since their combat power is lacking."
Haha, so newbies have to claw their way up from the bottom? Well, it would be troublesome to have a newbie holding you back on a dangerous battlefield.
"Then I'll ride that one." We chose the least crowded ship among the third-class ships and the three of us boarded together, deciding that it would be advantageous to choose a room with as few people as possible.
"Luckily, we were able to get a three-person room," said Amelia.
"Why, is it difficult to get a three-person room?"
"Not really, but it is the most popular."
I was able to figure out the reason for that without having to ask.
Ah, right. The binding spell was updated while I was away.
In this era, six-person parties were common. Three-person rooms were a popular way to split into two groups to sleep.
"Then let's all take time to rest until departure tomorrow."
"Okay! What should we talk about now?"
"...I said let's rest."
"Yes, exactly. That's what I'm doing."
I looked at Amelia in search of help, but she had already finished organizing her belongings and was laying in bed.
Jeez, pretending to sleep.
"Then should we talk about the war...?"
"Okay! Do you have any questions?"
"I heard participants on the third-class ships are usually placed on rear support. What exactly do they do?"
"Uh... I'm always at the front so I don't really know... But I think I heard they are in charge of securing retreat routes or escort missions."
I wasn't particularly tired so I talked with Erwen, listening to various war stories. A while later, we suddenly got a visitor.
Knock, knock.
It was someone we all knew well.
"...I heard you were on the same boat so I came to say hello. It's been a while, Miss Tersia."
I didn't expect to be reunited so soon.
***
"Whew..." The blonde woman standing in front of the closed cabin adjusted the collar of her uniform. Then she let out a deep sigh.
Why does this woman have to be so unpredictable?
Blood Spirit, Erwen Fornacci di Tersia, was the reason why Raven was standing in front of this cabin right now. For some reason, this member of the Seven Powerful was on a third-class ship instead of a first-class ship.
"Then we just have to be assigned a unit now."
After completing registration, we moved to the bulletin board on the side. On the board, there was a brief list of the ships currently on standby and the number of people on board. Deciding which ship to board was quite important in war. This was because the adventurers on the same ship formed a single unit once they arrived on the seventh floor.
"There's no need to think it through. Since this is your first time participating, you can only take a third-class ship," said Amelia.
"Third-class ship?"
"It's a ship mainly crewed by adventurers without war achievements or those that don't come from a big team like a large clan. As a result, they're located in the rear as support since their combat power is lacking."
Haha, so newbies have to claw their way up from the bottom? Well, it would be troublesome to have a newbie holding you back on a dangerous battlefield.
"Then I'll ride that one." We chose the least crowded ship among the third-class ships and the three of us boarded together, deciding that it would be advantageous to choose a room with as few people as possible.
"Luckily, we were able to get a three-person room," said Amelia.
"Why, is it difficult to get a three-person room?"
"Not really, but it is the most popular."
I was able to figure out the reason for that without having to ask.
Ah, right. The binding spell was updated while I was away.
In this era, six-person parties were common. Three-person rooms were a popular way to split into two groups to sleep.
"Then let's all take time to rest until departure tomorrow."
"Okay! What should we talk about now?"
"...I said let's rest."
"Yes, exactly. That's what I'm doing."
I looked at Amelia in search of help, but she had already finished organizing her belongings and was laying in bed.
Jeez, pretending to sleep.
"Then should we talk about the war...?"
"Okay! Do you have any questions?"
"I heard participants on the third-class ships are usually placed on rear support. What exactly do they do?"
"Uh... I'm always at the front so I don't really know... But I think I heard they are in charge of securing retreat routes or escort missions."
I wasn't particularly tired so I talked with Erwen, listening to various war stories. A while later, we suddenly got a visitor.
Knock, knock.
It was someone we all knew well.
"...I heard you were on the same boat so I came to say hello. It's been a while, Miss Tersia."
I didn't expect to be reunited so soon.
***
"Whew..." The blonde woman standing in front of the closed cabin adjusted the collar of her uniform. Then she let out a deep sigh.
Why does this woman have to be so unpredictable?
Blood Spirit, Erwen Fornacci di Tersia, was the reason why Raven was standing in front of this cabin right now. For some reason, this member of the Seven Powerful was on a third-class ship instead of a first-class ship.
Honestly, they always make me do the annoying tasks.
The Third Magic Corps, the corps she belonged to, was scheduled to board a third-class ship as well because a corps made up of wizards was essential for defense. However, this was not that ship. Somehow, she had ended up getting reassigned here on orders from her superiors.
We're not even that close anymore. And we weren't that close in the past, either.
Her superiors assigned her to this ship because they were once a part of the same clan, but Raven was not confident in her ability to keep Erwen in check. How could she control that wild woman when she had no idea what trouble she'd cause in the future?
But since I've been ordered, I have no choice but to at least talk to her and get a sense for what she plans to do...
Sighing, Raven knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
The door opened about ten seconds later.
Creak.
The hinges rusted from the sea breeze opened with a creak, and the closed cabin came into view. In keeping with the information she received, there were three people in total inside.
Rank-five adventurer Riehen Schuitz, and Emily Raines.
One was wearing a helmet even indoors, and the other had her eyes and ears covered with a black cloth that came down to her nose. This made Raven even more curious. Who were these people, if Blood Spirit was suddenly working with them?
"Stop staring at Mister and say what you want."
At the borderline cold and aggressive voice, Raven stopped studying the cabin and looked at Erwen. Then she tried to put on a customer-service smile. "I heard you were on the same boat so I came to say hello. It's been a while, Miss Tersia."
"Yes. Then if you're done, can you please leave?"
Tsk, when will she fix that attitude of hers?
Even as she tutted inwardly, Raven did not let it show and continued talking. That was because she had too many questions to leave like this. For example...
"Did you just say Mister?"
Why did this woman refer to this man as Mister? Wasn't that nickname reserved for that man?
Unfortunately, Erwen offered no reply. She simply glared at Raven, her eyes clearly conveying that that was none of her business. But there was also a somewhat nervous tint to them, almost as if she'd let Raven see something she didn't want her to see.
"Hmm." Raven moved her eyes from Erwen to the man. He was a stranger and she couldn't even see his face because it was covered by a helmet, but for some reason, the air he gave off was very familiar. She just couldn't put her finger on how.
No, even if they had nothing in common, nevertheless, he strangely resembled that man.
"A-Are you—? This man..." Soon, Raven's jaw dropped and she looked between Erwen and the stranger frantically.
***
The longer the silence dragged on, and the longer Raven's eyes were glued to me, the more I got to thinking.
What? She caught on already? Then what happens next? Can I convince her that I'm not an evil spirit? Even if I can't convince her, the news will definitely reach the palace...
As I shifted my eyes over to Erwen, I saw she was also looking at me as if to say, Mister, what do we do now?
I was kind of amazed. I mean, she was the one who made that slip of the tongue.
"Could it be..." Just then, Raven opened her mouth and ended the uncomfortable silence. "I didn't know you were this damaged."
...Huh? Say what now?
While Erwen and I were both confused, Raven continued in a tone tinged with sadness. "Miss Tersia... no, Erwen... it's not right to look for someone to replace him."
"Ah...?"
"There's no way someone like that exists. It must be hard, but the only thing you can do is overcome it."
"Uhh...?"
Only then did I get what was going on. Raven had misunderstood. She thought Erwen missed me so much that she had found a similar man and covered his face to roleplay.
"And you." Wearing her small uniform, Raven whipped around to glare at me. "I know what you're thinking, so you'd better give up on using Miss Erwen. Because I'm not going to let that happen. I'm going to keep an eye on you, and if you cross the line even a little..."
When Raven trailed off, I found myself making excuses. "Wait! I don't know what you think this is, but I'm not thinking of—"
"Your voice..."
"My voice?"
When I tilted my head, not understanding, Raven flinched and avoided my eyes. "Your voice... is... similar." It looked like she now sympathized with Erwen. "So that's why..." Raven muttered, rueful, before turning to Erwen. "Still, you shouldn't. Something like this... he wouldn't want this, either."
Fierce sincerity colored her tone, and it went beyond offering advice and was almost in begging territory. However, that wasn't going to work for Erwen. Raven had the wrong idea about all of this in the first place.
"W-Who are you to interfere? You don't know anything!" Erwen came to her senses and chose defense. Simply put, that meant she went on the attack. "Get out, and don't come back!"
Erwen forced Raven out and slammed the door shut.
***
After Raven's visit, time passed quickly. On the day of departure, not only did the warships floating on the coastline unfurl their sails, but the role of this ship was also determined.
"Escort for the Magic Corps, huh?"
As soon as this ship arrived on the seventh floor, the adventurers on it would participate in battle as escorts for the Third Magic Corps. For reference, battle formations and tactics were taught on the deck.
So this is why they tie troops to each ship. Because there's time to teach them to work together as they go.
The estimated length of our voyage to the seventh floor was approximately fifteen days. Aside from training, most of my time was free but I spent most of it on deck. The reason was simple. I was once again realizing that barbarians were weak to the sea.
"Blaaargh!"
Even though the ship was big, I couldn't stay in the cabin because of my seasickness. Here, I could just throw up anywhere.
Anyway, since I was spending so much time on the deck, there were times I ran into Raven, and with considerable frequency. For some reason, it was always when Erwen wasn't there.
"...Even the motion sickness is the same. How annoying."
"...Blargh."
"Why are you hiding your face? Because Erwen told you to?"
"Agh..."
"True, your face is too different from his. Why are you hiding your face like that? Don't you have any pride? I swear, if you make one mistake. I won't let it slide."
Ugh, I'm already having a tough time as it is. Why won't this kid leave me alone?
Honestly, they always make me do the annoying tasks.
The Third Magic Corps, the corps she belonged to, was scheduled to board a third-class ship as well because a corps made up of wizards was essential for defense. However, this was not that ship. Somehow, she had ended up getting reassigned here on orders from her superiors.
We're not even that close anymore. And we weren't that close in the past, either.
Her superiors assigned her to this ship because they were once a part of the same clan, but Raven was not confident in her ability to keep Erwen in check. How could she control that wild woman when she had no idea what trouble she'd cause in the future?
But since I've been ordered, I have no choice but to at least talk to her and get a sense for what she plans to do...
Sighing, Raven knocked on the door.
Knock, knock.
The door opened about ten seconds later.
Creak.
The hinges rusted from the sea breeze opened with a creak, and the closed cabin came into view. In keeping with the information she received, there were three people in total inside.
Rank-five adventurer Riehen Schuitz, and Emily Raines.
One was wearing a helmet even indoors, and the other had her eyes and ears covered with a black cloth that came down to her nose. This made Raven even more curious. Who were these people, if Blood Spirit was suddenly working with them?
"Stop staring at Mister and say what you want."
At the borderline cold and aggressive voice, Raven stopped studying the cabin and looked at Erwen. Then she tried to put on a customer-service smile. "I heard you were on the same boat so I came to say hello. It's been a while, Miss Tersia."
"Yes. Then if you're done, can you please leave?"
Tsk, when will she fix that attitude of hers?
Even as she tutted inwardly, Raven did not let it show and continued talking. That was because she had too many questions to leave like this. For example...
"Did you just say Mister?"
Why did this woman refer to this man as Mister? Wasn't that nickname reserved for that man?
Unfortunately, Erwen offered no reply. She simply glared at Raven, her eyes clearly conveying that that was none of her business. But there was also a somewhat nervous tint to them, almost as if she'd let Raven see something she didn't want her to see.
"Hmm." Raven moved her eyes from Erwen to the man. He was a stranger and she couldn't even see his face because it was covered by a helmet, but for some reason, the air he gave off was very familiar. She just couldn't put her finger on how.
No, even if they had nothing in common, nevertheless, he strangely resembled that man.
"A-Are you—? This man..." Soon, Raven's jaw dropped and she looked between Erwen and the stranger frantically.
***
The longer the silence dragged on, and the longer Raven's eyes were glued to me, the more I got to thinking.
What? She caught on already? Then what happens next? Can I convince her that I'm not an evil spirit? Even if I can't convince her, the news will definitely reach the palace...
As I shifted my eyes over to Erwen, I saw she was also looking at me as if to say, Mister, what do we do now?
I was kind of amazed. I mean, she was the one who made that slip of the tongue.
"Could it be..." Just then, Raven opened her mouth and ended the uncomfortable silence. "I didn't know you were this damaged."
...Huh? Say what now?
While Erwen and I were both confused, Raven continued in a tone tinged with sadness. "Miss Tersia... no, Erwen... it's not right to look for someone to replace him."
"Ah...?"
"There's no way someone like that exists. It must be hard, but the only thing you can do is overcome it."
"Uhh...?"
Only then did I get what was going on. Raven had misunderstood. She thought Erwen missed me so much that she had found a similar man and covered his face to roleplay.
"And you." Wearing her small uniform, Raven whipped around to glare at me. "I know what you're thinking, so you'd better give up on using Miss Erwen. Because I'm not going to let that happen. I'm going to keep an eye on you, and if you cross the line even a little..."
When Raven trailed off, I found myself making excuses. "Wait! I don't know what you think this is, but I'm not thinking of—"
"Your voice..."
"My voice?"
When I tilted my head, not understanding, Raven flinched and avoided my eyes. "Your voice... is... similar." It looked like she now sympathized with Erwen. "So that's why..." Raven muttered, rueful, before turning to Erwen. "Still, you shouldn't. Something like this... he wouldn't want this, either."
Fierce sincerity colored her tone, and it went beyond offering advice and was almost in begging territory. However, that wasn't going to work for Erwen. Raven had the wrong idea about all of this in the first place.
"W-Who are you to interfere? You don't know anything!" Erwen came to her senses and chose defense. Simply put, that meant she went on the attack. "Get out, and don't come back!"
Erwen forced Raven out and slammed the door shut.
***
After Raven's visit, time passed quickly. On the day of departure, not only did the warships floating on the coastline unfurl their sails, but the role of this ship was also determined.
"Escort for the Magic Corps, huh?"
As soon as this ship arrived on the seventh floor, the adventurers on it would participate in battle as escorts for the Third Magic Corps. For reference, battle formations and tactics were taught on the deck.
So this is why they tie troops to each ship. Because there's time to teach them to work together as they go.
The estimated length of our voyage to the seventh floor was approximately fifteen days. Aside from training, most of my time was free but I spent most of it on deck. The reason was simple. I was once again realizing that barbarians were weak to the sea.
"Blaaargh!"
Even though the ship was big, I couldn't stay in the cabin because of my seasickness. Here, I could just throw up anywhere.
Anyway, since I was spending so much time on the deck, there were times I ran into Raven, and with considerable frequency. For some reason, it was always when Erwen wasn't there.
"...Even the motion sickness is the same. How annoying."
"...Blargh."
"Why are you hiding your face? Because Erwen told you to?"
"Agh..."
"True, your face is too different from his. Why are you hiding your face like that? Don't you have any pride? I swear, if you make one mistake. I won't let it slide."
Ugh, I'm already having a tough time as it is. Why won't this kid leave me alone?