Chapter 23 "Our Own Individuals"

We lost a few men during the last battle. We recovered their bodies and gave them a proper burial. We honored their sacrifices and realized that we weren't ready to take on the other factories. We were too outnumbered, and if the pirates in those factories have the same gear and skill as the ones in the armor factory, we were a hundred percent in trouble. So we decided to take a moment to rest, to breathe, to collect our thoughts, and spend time with ourselves or with someone else we want to. It was the healthiest and safest option.

The crew had different hobbies they attended to, and everyone was tired and just wanted to do what they do in their free time, so we let them. Knowing we were outnumbered, we once again returned to the brigs. Your uncle and I talked to some of the men we captured. We knew that the number wasn't the only factor that needed our attention; it was skill. So we grabbed a man named Fenroth, and we called in Nori, who had the blessing of Dongcha, the god of visions. Since Nori had his blessing, his eyes had a number of abilities, one of them being "Skillful Observation." He could see anyone's statistics, including a person's job description.

Fenroth was classed as a brute, a warrior skilled with large weapons like battle axes or great swords. We let Nori continue his wood carving session since he was making masks anyway. We asked Fenroth, "Did you like the position you were in when you served under whichever rogue lord ran that factory? He saw you and the rest of you as meat shields meant to protect him and his top brass. Is that what you think you're worth? Your name Is Fenroth, did he ever call you by your name?"

Fenroth smiled and replied, "You are an interesting man, you know that, right? But I agree, I didn't like the position I was in when I was serving under those pricks. I was nothing but cannon fodder, a disposable good that can easily be replaced. You saw my stats; my job description says I'm a brute, but just like every other person here, that's not all that I am. That monk just now, he's a woodcarver too, isn't he? You are a master knight and cadet, but you're training in blacksmithing. That man behind you, he's a master doctor and gunsmith, but he's training to be a potion maker. When I was working for those guys, I never got to try and practice my hobbies. I want to be a lumber worker, but they said I should stick to combat, and that's how I maxed out the Brute Occupation. So if you're going to ask me to join up, I've got only one question for you, captain: will I have as much freedom as your other men?"

I got up from my seat and asked your uncle to do a few things. "Hey, First Mate? I think our new member wants some lumber to work with. Go visit the lumber mill and take some of the men with you, get some wood for our new friend here. I'll buy you and every man you take with you a drink when we visit the capital after retaking all three factories." He patted me on the back and left, and I continued talking, but this time my words were directed to Fenroth, "Everyone in my crew is free to do as they please, so long as what they do doesn't take a toll on their performance. I'm assuming I've got a new friend to welcome aboard the St. Michael, am I right?"

Fenroth got up from his seat and hugged me. I could barely breathe from his strength, but once he let me go, he spoke, "You're right! Thank you for giving me a chance, and I know we once fought against each other out there, but now I stand with you. I know a few other men like me who, luckily for you, seem to be in your brigs as well. I'll get them on board so that you can have those factories by the week's end. Consider it my thanks for giving me a chance to be true to myself while still having purpose." I patted his back, "Go. I'll be in the cave by the watchtower if you need me, Fenroth. You're a great addition to our crew, and I mean that." And so I left the room and directed myself to the cave I call my workshop.

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew used their free time to enjoy their hobbies or learn something new from each other. Here's a story your uncle told me related to Nori and Lilly: you see, Nori was carving his wooden masks as usual, and Lilly was peeking behind him the whole time. But since Nori is a pretty big guy, peeking was hard. However, Nori's heart is bigger than his body. He told Lilly to sit in front of him, and he'd teach her how to make a mask. Lilly was ecstatic, and she sat in front of Nori and picked up a piece of wood. Nori started teaching Lilly, "You see, the things you have to do change depending on what kind of mask you want to make. You can either make a full mask, meaning it covers your whole face, only making a hole for the eyes, nostrils, and a small one for the mouth. You could also make a half mask, like the ones you see the samurai sometimes wear during battle." Lilly was listening like it was a math class.

I actually walked by them to grab some dye from the storage room Jey built, and Nori was really impressed at Lilly's skill, praising her, "Hey, you're actually really good at this. That small detail on the eye holes really makes it look better. You're a natural at this, and I mean it. I'd expect nothing less from the spawn of the goddess Themis." Lilly just giggled from being showered with praise.

While that was happening, Jey was out in the forest near the flower fields, sculpting using rock pillars she made by using her earth magic. She's quick with her hands; I'd expect nothing less from her. She'd already made statues resembling herself, Nori, Mil, Me, Max, Joy, Hana, Jo, and Zeth. If it were any normal master sculptor, they'd have stopped after making Mil's statue. They'd be too tired, but not Jey, though. It's like she never runs out of energy, and I share the same skill. I just keep making armor.

Hana passed by to give her some food Joy made for everyone, and she was so impressed she actually had Joy look at it as well. I walked by them as I was making my way to the flower fields to grab black flowers since I ran out of black dye. As I was walking back, I told Jey that she could ask for help moving them later. She laughed and thanked me. I stared at her for a bit, and she questioned me, "What's with the eyes cap? Am I that beautiful, bestie?" I laughed, "About as beautiful as a swamp donkey, my friend. I was looking at you 'cause you have mayo on your cheek. You look really goofy, that's all." We shared a good laugh with the other two since it was a normal thing for me and Jey to throw half-hearted insults at each other. After that, I went back to my cave to finish up some armor.

On my way back, I spotted Haruki, Rukio, and Aoi using a camera the emperor gave them to take pictures. Most of the pictures I received contained Aoi and Rukio since Haruki was the one who could properly use a camera. I noticed the pictures of him gradually got better when I walked by them, struggling to move the heavy basket of flowers I was transporting. I heard Haruki teaching Aoi how to spot a good scene and match the lighting to that scene. They were such an interesting trio; I had to stop and take a break and watch them take pics.

After a few minutes, Aoi laughed and asked Haruki for a picture that still shocks me to this day because of how good it was when he sent it to me. Aoi asked Haruki, "Hey Haruru, the lighting here seems nice, and the trees make me think of something a little risky. You down?" He replied, "Sure, I've taken thousands of risky photos before. Lay it on me." She smiled; she was so excited to give him her idea, "Ok so! I'll strip down to my birthday suit and have my pet snake rest on my shoulders. I'll have it cover my tits so the photo comes off as teasing. I'll also hold this apple so it covers my mouth." He gave it a thought and looked at Rukio; the thirsty bastard was practically drooling. Haruki laughs but agrees to take it. I left before Aoi could remove her clothes. Quite frankly, it's something I don't really wanna see.

The sky turned dark as night came around, but that didn't stop anyone. Nori and Lilly set up a mini lamp stand so that they could keep making masks. Jey used her light magic to light up an area around her while still keeping that sculptor's vibe to the area she was staying at. Jiro saw what the trio were doing and called upon a few fireflies to give them a scene to take a picture of. He offered to call upon the spirit to take a picture of the trio together. Though they got a little creeped out, they agreed, and the picture looked great.

It was also about this time where Lilly and Nori finished a few masks. Lilly had Zeth paint them using some of the dyes I had. By the way, I wasn't a color hog anyway. Zeth couldn't say no to the innocent Lilly, so she painted every mask, and Lilly loved every single one of them. Nori was like Lilly's older brother. He paid Zeth by giving her a bracelet made of amethyst beads. She enjoyed them and kept it on at all times as a good luck charm. Just as she put it on, Lilly gave her a half mask and said, "Oi Zeth! Here's a half mask resembling the face of Adikia. She's the goddess that backs you, right? I knew you'd paint the masks, so I prepared one for you!"

My sister may be rough and tough, but not even she could resist Lilly's charms. She took the mask and wore it instantly. Adikia's voice spoke in her head, "Suits you, makes ya look as beautiful as me. That Nori guy is a real piece of work, huh? Even I can see that he's just an overall amazing guy." Zeth told me she replied to her by saying the following, "Girl, you look about as pretty as me, and yeah, Nori is a sweetheart. I'll tell ya that right now, but I wouldn't dare date him. I don't wanna taint him." We just laughed about it when she told me.

Everyone enjoyed their day, And I know I did when I made that armor. It was so strong that I hid it atop Mount Gosaku, so only the worthy could claim it. The special sword I made to pair with it, I called it the Unwavering Mountain. Actually, I made a second one called the Ocean's Guardian. I hid that one somewhere on the cliffs near the harbor. Funnily enough, it was found by Jo while he was fishing one day. He was also fishing when I was making the armor, which just makes the story so much better.

But that's time, my dears. 12 AM, time for bed. Remember that we are all our own individuals, and we must acknowledge our own individuality. Enjoy what we enjoy while letting others enjoy what they enjoy. We never rain on anyone's parade; that's not how we do things, my dears. So remember that when you grow up, and when I inevitably pass on, my dears.