Chapter 295
Chapter 295
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 295
>Chapter Title: Wanna Get Fucked?
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Cocartana's coastal region, the city of Kotana.
Located along the eastern shores of the empire, this place was renowned for its abundant marine resources and trade, but it was also one of the continent's premier tourist and resort destinations.
What did that mean?
*...Land prices here are insanely expensive.*
The base value already surpassed that of most cities in the empire's central region, and depending on the location, it rivaled major metropolises... Take Hazen, for example. And how did I know this?
“...Oceanfront location, this kind of view, this plot size... At this level, you couldn't buy it even if you had the money—it's just not available...”
It was because of Evelyn, who had been shocked speechless the moment she laid eyes on the Blandoga estate and was now frantically estimating its price.
I didn't really get the exact figure...
*...But damn, it's impressive.*
It was the vacation home frequented by Damian's grandfather—the previous head of the Blandoga Family—and it certainly lived up to the hype.
A vast expanse of golden-yellow sand stretched out, bordered beyond by deep blue waves rolling gently. The calm waters sparkled under the sunlight, and the sharp, vivid horizon met the sky head-on.
The sky started as a pale blue where it touched the horizon, growing more brilliant the higher it climbed.
And against that clear blue canvas floated pure white clouds.
Even someone as numb to scenery as me felt my chest swell with awe, so it was more than worthy of being called breathtaking.
Lost in the rare moment of appreciation, unable to tear my eyes away—that was when people emerged from the estate.
“You've arrived.”
It was the stoic servant, Ransi.
He must have arrived ahead of us from the Blandoga main house, probably because we'd taken a detour camping along the way.
Damian waved happily at the sight of Ransi.
“We're here!”
“Was your journey comfortable?”
“Yeah, it was fun.”
“Then please, come inside. We've prepared a meal. Your luggage will be handled here.”
The servants waiting at the estate approached quietly, took the bags we'd brought, and vanished just as silently as they'd appeared.
Following Ransi's guidance, we arrived at the balcony on the third floor of the estate.
“...Whoa.”
“Seriously...”
Chenbi and Evelyn seemed at a loss for words at the view from the balcony, though their reactions differed.
“...It's amazing.”
Chenbi was purely awestruck by the scenery.
“...How much does all this even cost?”
While Evelyn was still calculating the price.
Ignoring them, Damian, apparently hungry, took a seat at the table.
I grabbed a spot nearby, and soon servants streamed out with trays of food.
Not a single familiar face.
“Heh heh, Chenbi, Miss Evelyn? Please eat first. The scenery isn't going anywhere.”
It was the head butler, Alfredo.
*...What the hell?*
Why was this guy here...?
I could understand Ransi coming.
Damian might be doing better now—much better, even—but he was still the Blandoga Family's untouchable black sheep.
Only his stepmother and Ransi could handle him.
But Head Butler Alfredo...?
*Has he still not given up?*
No, that didn't seem right either.
“Young Master Damian, I came up to greet you. I hope you and your friends have a wonderful time.”
He gave Damian a polite bow and withdrew neatly.
I eyed Alfredo suspiciously, but soon the servants arrived at the table with their trays.
“We'll serve the food.”
It was a vibrant feast of colors.
The reddish shell of perfectly grilled lobster paired with its snowy white flesh, accented by green vegetables as garnish. And a dark brown sauce that made my mouth water just from the aroma.
The seaweed salad blended yellows, reds, and greens in perfect harmony. Octopus, grilled fish, and thick soup followed one after another onto the table.
“Young Master Damian, would you like an explanation of the dishes?”
“I'm good, but... what do you think?”
At Damian's question, Chenbi nodded.
“I'd like to hear it.”
“Me too.”
“Didn't ask Evelyn.”
“I'm seriously curious now. Ask me?”
“Sorry.”
Damian averted his eyes from Evelyn's sharp glare. The servants smiled warmly at the exchange, a reminder that the Blandoga household had a very different vibe from other prestigious families.
No matter how young the heir apparent was, servants rarely showed emotions in front of bloodline members.
Yet the Blandoga staff gazed at Damian with genuine affection. It was striking.
Anyway.
“To start with this dish, it's centered on the gechee lobster—a Cocartana specialty—with a sauce of...”
The servant standing by Damian explained the food in a gentle tone. It was definitely worth listening to.
Beyond just what the dish was, they described how to eat it for maximum flavor, what the chef aimed for in terms of taste, and the intent behind it.
In other words, even for the sake of enjoying it properly, it was smart to pay attention. That's when Chenbi tentatively raised his hand.
“Um, that... Could you explain again how to eat this one?”
Chenbi seemed a bit embarrassed.
But the servant smiled warmly in response.
“My explanation must not have been clear enough. Would it be alright if I assisted from the side?”
“I'd appreciate that, but...”
“No need to feel burdened.”
The servant's smooth handling eased Chenbi's expression.
Sure, food tasted good no matter how you ate it, but I could understand Chenbi's mindset.
*It's something you've never tried before—you want to do it the right way.*
Everyone enjoyed food in their own way.
And so the meal began.
Truth be told, these were dishes I'd eaten before.
*...Though calling them 'cooked' is a stretch.*
You wouldn't call raw, unprocessed stuff 'cuisine.'
In my past life, when I'd drifted at sea for nearly a month with smugglers ferrying illegal immigrants, we couldn't be picky.
At least one of the immigrants had fishing experience, so we managed some seafood.
Looking at these dishes...
*...This must be near where we drifted back then.*
Anyway, savoring the delicious food while reminiscing about those 'fond' memories for a while.
As the meal wrapped up, dessert arrived.
“If you'd like more, just let us know.”
“Uh... Could I get some more of this pudding?”
“Me too.”
“Evelyn, no for you.”
“Wanna get fucked?”
“Evelyn, you get mad so easily.”
Damian, clearly enjoying teasing her, kept poking at Evelyn.
She fired back fiercely without backing down—a scene unimaginable back at the academy.
Probably thanks to the trip bringing them closer these past few days.
By the time we'd finished dessert, it was already late afternoon.
Lunch had been a bit delayed, and dessert time had dragged on longer than expected.
“Yawn... So, what now? Too late to go out.”
She covered her mouth with a small yawn, looking a tad tired.
Damian and Chenbi weren't much different. That's when Alfredo stepped onto the balcony.
“How was it? Did you enjoy yourselves?”
“Yeah, it was fun.”
“Heh heh, splendid. Any plans for the rest of the day?”
At Alfredo's question, Damian shook his head lazily.
“Dunno.”
Tired, but not quite ready to head to his room.
Alfredo made an offer too good to refuse.
“How about a trip out on the sea?”
“...The sea?”
Damian tilted his head, and Alfredo replied.
“Yes. You were too young to remember, perhaps? There's a ship the previous family head loved to sail.”
“...Oh! I remember!”
“The weather's perfect, and the waves are calm. It could be nice. The sea from land is stunning, but the land from the sea is quite beautiful too.”
Alfredo waited quietly for Damian's response.
Damian nearly shouted “Let's do it!” in excitement, but then remembered Chenbi and Evelyn's fatigue and glanced their way.
And naturally...
“...I've always wanted to ride a boat.”
“The sea... Come to think of it, I've never been out on it.”
Chenbi and Evelyn agreed.
Damian's eyes turned to me.
“What about you, friend?”
“I...”
It sounded great.
Just...
“Could you prepare some nets or fishing rods? Or even a harpoon...”
“...Why would you...”
Alfredo tilted his head.
I answered.
“This sea... holds sad memories for me.”
“What kind...”
“I won't make any memories like that.”
“...”
Alfredo's eye twitched faintly.
Anyway.
Harpoons, nets, fishing rods—prepared.
No more worries about drifting.
* * *
We arrived at the pier by carriage.
Standing before the ship, even I could understand Evelyn's feelings this time.
*What the hell is this ship...?*
The estate made sense.
Wealthy nobles or merchant lords often built fancy vacation homes in resorts.
But this? Far from ordinary.
“Irecane Shipyard luxury passenger liner...”
Evelyn's dazed mutter.
I didn't know much about luxury goods, but the ship the previous head favored looked expensive at a glance.
And its size... Smaller than a giant passenger liner dozens of meters tall, but insane for an inland family to own.
“Please board.”
Alfredo guided us to the entrance and tactfully withdrew.
Me, Damian, Chenbi, and Evelyn—the four of us boarded, and soon the horn blared.
Bwooooooooom—
Signaling departure, the ship slowly advanced into the sea.
*The nets and rods... probably won't see much use.*
Who could imagine a ship like this sinking?
And so, the massive vessel pressed forward into the windless sea, propelled by what seemed like a magic engine...
On the deck.
We took in the scenery amid the headwind created by the ship's movement.
“The world is really... vast.”
“Yeah, it is. I'm starting to get it now.”
“How much does all this even...”
Even I had to acknowledge it anew.
*The Blandoga Family... is the real deal.*
Owning a ship like this as a mere resort luxury took extraordinary wealth.
But aside from that.
“...It's nice.”
“Isn't it?”
I nodded at Damian's question.
Somehow, the stuffiness in my chest cleared right up.
Maybe my sea-wide heart, facing the real sea, felt the need to expand further—and did so.
*...But if it gets any bigger here, that's trouble.*
“Friend.”
“...Yeah?”
“I don't know what you're thinking, but that face says bullshit incoming.”
...What the hell, this guy?
Dumbfounded, I glared at Damian as Evelyn and Chenbi's voices chimed in.
“Damian gets it too. That's exactly the look before he spouts nonsense.”
“I wasn't the only one who thought that.”
“...”
A beast saddened by the lack of friends.
If someone asked who I was, that's how I'd answer.
...
But.
I tore my eyes from the view and scanned the surroundings.
*...Am I imagining things?*
As I looked around.
“Friend! Look over there! Dolphins!”
“...Whoa.”
“Dolphins... nice.”
The sight was too beautiful for any other thoughts.
Too beautiful.