97. Setting Sail and the Day We Flew (A Wish)
Five ships departed from the city of Fulft.
We were aboard one of them, loaded with cargo for the Mateo Merchant Company. The other ships carried cargo for different trading companies.
From here on, this fleet would sail down the river all the way to the city of Heiron.
The ship we were on resembled a carrack. It was the same shape and size as that wrecked ship that had turned into a dungeon. But unlike a pure sailing vessel, it could also propel itself with oars like a galley, using manpower. That said, they rarely used the oars—especially when going downstream, they handled almost everything with just the wind. The rowers doubled as mercenaries in combat.
I stood on the deck, gazing at the receding city of Fulft. The rooftops of the houses growing distant, reflecting the sunlight and gleaming white.
The sun beat down harshly, and the breeze felt tepid.
In addition to the Levante members, Claire was there too, taking in the view of the city just like us.
"We'll be on the ship for a while now," Claire said.
"What about at night?"
"We basically don't travel at night. We'll dock at small towns along the way."
"Do we sleep inside the ship?"
Mizuki asked Claire.
"I'll arrange inns. If I can't... sorry about that."
Claire looked apologetic, but we were hired hands on a guild quest to guard the company's shipment. Not guests. With over fifty crew on a single ship, some would stay aboard for duties anyway. A city the size of Fulft might manage, but I doubted every port could house everyone in inns.
"There are tent villages too, but the cabins are more comfortable, I think."
Yeah, the local inns couldn't accommodate us all.
"I'd rather camp on land if I had to."
Cecily said. Her face looked a bit green. Come to think of it, she'd gotten carsick on the wagons. The ship rocked too, though not as bad.
"Seasick? You okay?"
"I think I can handle this much... maybe."
Not her usual confident tone. She seemed uneasy.
"If you feel like throwing up, let me know."
"Yeah. But if there's a good way to deal with it, tell me now."
"You were fine on horseback, right? I'll let you ride me."
By the way, the horses and wagons weren't on the ship. They'd been loaded with goods gathered in Fulft and sent back to Rishel. We'd procure new wagons in Heiron.
"...I shouldn't have asked."
My joke didn't cheer her up.
"Still, what a sight."
I took in our ship and the accompanying sailing vessels. Traveling as a fleet was for mutual defense against pirate raids.
"We can fight aquatic monsters with just one ship, and the old pirates were small, disorganized groups. But since the old empire fell, the river mouth area's become Demon Kingdom territory. Now demonkin form their own fleets and sail upstream. Though demonkin pirate ships don't reach Heiron—they haven't been spotted near Fulft."
Catching the drift of my words, Claire explained about the pirates.
"Do all demonkin ships turn to piracy?"
"Of course, most are merchant vessels. Even empire ships go commercially to the Demon Kingdom's capital. But they're disguised, so it's hard to tell. Ships with high freeboard are likely pirates."
Claire said with a joking tone. High freeboard meant no cargo—light and maneuverable. Once targeted, escape was tough, forcing a fight. The loot became their cargo.
"No empire-side pirates hitting demonkin merchants?"
"Probably some do, but sailing back upstream after a raid makes them easy targets."
Yeah, pursuers could catch them laden with stolen goods.
"How do demonkin differ from humans?"
My question drew Myra over like she'd been waiting.
"The clear difference is horns. Demonkin also have superior physical abilities and mana compared to humans, relatively speaking. And their lifespans are twice as long."
"Humans got nothing going for them, huh."
"Humans have higher fertility rates. Though even compared to other races, humans top the list."
I was pondering how humans pissed off the gods enough to spawn all races when I noticed everyone's stares on me.
"Guys like Mash are why..."
Ira muttered.
"Demonkin also lack divine gifts... special skills. None have them."
Myra added, trying to smooth the air.
"Is that because demonkin come from human-monster hybrids?"
I recalled Myra saying monsters couldn't use special skills. Demonkin must have inherited that trait.
"Legends say so. ...But we've seen monsters using special skills and even talking ones."
I pulled the crescent blade from storage—the one the Crocodile King had given me. Despite countless clashes, no nicks. Like my knife, it was forged with mana seeds by a master smith like Aidan.
"Master. That's cool."
Fam said. Her eyes sparkled a bit. She was curious about everything.
Come to think of it, lately her attacks had been harder to land against strong foes.
"Wanna try it out?"
"Can I?"
"Yeah. It's my buddy's, so maybe it suits you better."
I offered her the crescent blade. She took it.
"...Master has friends?"
Payback for yesterday? I'd told the wrecked ship story but skipped the boss since Myra made me promise.
"I got friends too!"
"Must be some pervert."
Ira chimed in. Still mad I shared stollen with everyone? She'd been icy. I glanced her way, and she hid behind Myra.
"Yeah. They tried stripping me twice."
Myra nodded emphatically in front of Ira. Sisters only unite like this at the worst times.
"...!"
Fam and Mizuki's glares sharpened. Fam pinched the blade like toxic waste and shoved it back.
"W-wait, Fam! That sword's owner was a real good guy! Myra, c'mon, tell 'em his good side."
"...Not a good person... or monster? No, I didn't think so... He targeted kids, the coward. But he was strong."
Myra's half-hearted, reluctant defense was obvious.
"Master befriended a monster? Is this its weapon?"
"Yeah. Called himself the Crocodile King. Treasure it."
"Crocodile King..."
Unlike Myra's diss, Fam seemed impressed by the "king" title.
Fam assumed a stance with the crescent blade. Fitting for the Crocodile King's gear, it was heavier than her one-hander, but with her leveled-up strength, no issue. I equipped her shield too—the old battered one from early days.
"I'll switch based on combat."
"Yeah. Get a new shield."
I patted her head.
"...Mash, I wanna do that."
Mizuki pointed at the bow and tugged me along. What the Crocodile King had Myra do.
"What're you talking about?"
I played dumb.
"No way you don't know. That luxury liner movie scene. I wanna do it!"
"The one where they play music while sinking?" I doubled down.
"Not that!"
"Mizuki, you know how that movie ends, right? Bad omen?"
"It's fine! Heroine survives!"
"..." Just her, huh.
"Seriously. No iceberg here, and we dock at night."
The more she denied it, the more I felt it might happen.
"Fine. Close your eyes, I'll take you."
She placed her palm on mine and shut her eyes obediently.
I stared at her face. A smile played on her lips. She was genuinely excited. Still, her features were stunningly perfect. I pulled her close and kissed her.
"Nnh!"
Mizuki's eyes flew open in surprise, pulling away.
"W-w-what're you doing? Everyone's watching, embarrassing!"
"Huh? Wasn't it a kiss scene?"
"Yeah, but don't skip! I want the part before!"
"Sheesh, so demanding..."
I took her hand again. But she peeked at me suspiciously.
"This time for real."
"Yeah. Mash, I've been looking forward to this since hearing about the ship."
Mizuki closed her eyes. An old movie from before she was born—what fired her up? I led her to the bow.
"By the way, what'd you do the day before yesterday?"
Casual question.
"After guild, I dungeoneered with Fang and Doris."
"That sudden dungeon?"
She shook her head.
"Good. Don't do anything too risky."
"Don't talk like an old man."
Mizuki pouted.
"...Sorry for being old. But risky stuff? Wait till the team's full."
"Got it. If you say so, Mash."
We reached the prow. No climbable metal rail, sadly. She'd have to settle. I positioned her as forward as safe, arms wide. Supported her from behind so she wouldn't fall in.
"Mizuki, open your eyes."
She did slowly. No flying speed, just a gentle drift, tailwind at our backs. We savored the passing scenery together.
"Mash, the water's sparkling so pretty."
I hugged her tight from behind. She turned, so I leaned in. She met my lips willingly.
Leading Mizuki back, Myra headed a line for some reason.
"Mash, my turn next!"
"..."
Fam, Cecily, Ira, and Claire at the end met my eyes.
"M-me too, please."
"Got it."
No choice but to nod. Looked like I had to do everyone. Crew and other ships watched curiously.
Sudden embarrassment hit, but stopping after Mizuki would spark fury.
"...Fine. Myra first."
"Yes!"
She beamed smugly, gripped my hand, closed her eyes.
I tried leading her to the bow, but she wouldn't budge.
"Myra?"
"You kissed Mizuki here. She got mad, but I won't?"
Right, no one else knew the movie. Guess I had to kiss them all too.
After Claire, Aver was there.
"Aver, you too?"
"Hell no!"
Her normal reaction relieved me.
"Man, tough break even if you picked it."
Sympathy visit? Noticing my confusion, she grinned.
"What I wanna do with you is this."
She tossed me a wooden stick.
"Called Beers and Fang too. Time to drill ship combat hard."
Thank you for reading.
Thanks to everyone who liked, bookmarked, and rated.
It motivates me. I'll keep at it.