Chapter 67: Lysette Part 1

Two days later, we packed up our belongings in the Echaits Union and were preparing to depart for Lysette. I wanted to stay a few more days, but Darion's ship was about to set sail, and we couldn't delay our departure.

Before leaving the Echaits Union, I finished clearing the dungeon for Katharina and received an old scroll from her.

"What's this?"

"Since you fulfilled your part of the deal, I'm giving you something in return."

"A reward…"

"It was among the smuggled goods of the Crows."

"Did you get away with stealing this?"

"It's not stolen. I just picked up what was left behind."

"But you didn't return it."

"They're to blame for not leaving their names on the scroll."

"Hahaha."

After laughing for a bit, I untied the leather strap and unrolled the old scroll. It was written in an unknown language. Was it an ancient language? Or perhaps god's language? It was difficult to identify at a glance.

Wait, this is…

…evil language.

The characters of demons. They looked like the dregs that had bubbled up from a pit containing every script in existence. At first glance, they resembled the words of the gods, but in reality, they were entirely different. It was a blasphemous script designed to be confused with the divine.

"No expert could figure out what those characters were, no matter who we called."

"I see…"

That made sense. Evil language had been forbidden since ancient times, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it had died out by now.

If I didn't have the [Polyglot] trait, I wouldn't have realized that the writing on the scroll was the evil language.

"Do you want to try to find out what it is?"

Katharina asked me with a hopeful tone in her voice.

But should I really tell her the truth?

I rolled up the scroll again and tied it with the leather strap.

"I'm not sure. I think I'll need some time to research it."

"That's a shame."

"Fortunately, our next destination is Lysette. If we're lucky, maybe we'll find something out there."

It was a lie. The elves would likely recognize the evil language, and if so, the chances were high that they would take the scroll from me. Therefore, I must never let the scroll be discovered.

I've gotten my hands on something more dangerous than I thought…

If only this could turn out to be a clue for the Origin God Quest. I tucked the scroll into my clothes and expressed my gratitude to Katharina.

"Thank you for everything, Katharina. I don't know when, but I hope we can meet again."

Katharina's beautiful white tail swayed softly.

"There's no need for such a grand farewell. The Katharina Merchant Guild has branches all over the continent."

"Is that so?"

"…. If you ever need help, just find the Katharina Merchant Guild."

"Haha, thank you, Katharina."

I bowed and briefly kissed the back of her hand before stepping back.

***

Darion's ship boasted the sleek appearance typical of elven craftsmanship, resembling a dolphin. The bird decorated on the prow was modeled after an Envis, and the sails bore the crest symbolizing the Darion family. It was clear that much attention had been given not only to its functionality but also to its appearance. Quite splendid. Is this what being the Elf Queen's grandnephew entails?

While the crew prepared to set sail, I exchanged farewells with Katharina and Roshanak who had come to see us off and with Iris who was now Roshanak's magic teacher.

Though El and Roshanak were always bickering, they seemed to have grown fond of each other as El couldn't hold back her tears at the impending parting. Being close in age and having built a friendship over time, it was only natural. It wasn't just El; Roshanak also bit her lip while trying to hold back her tears.

I let the two girls say their goodbyes and turned to Katharina and Iris to express my gratitude.

"Thank you for everything, Katharina. Please take good care of Roshanak."

"Don't worry, and have a safe journey."

"And I entrust Roshanak to you as well Lady Iris. Please help her become a great wizard."

"Of course, Sir Theodore. Roshanak is a precious student to me as well. I will teach her well."

"Thank you both so much."

As I smiled, the two beautiful women each pressed their lips to my cheek and then pulled away. Is this a farewell custom in the Echaits Union…?

"Stay healthy."

"Have a safe voyage."

I waved my hand awkwardly and walked over to El and Roshanak.

Both of their eyes were moist and their faces flushed from crying. It was amusing to see the two, who used to squabble like they'd devour each other, in such a state. I pulled them both into a hug at once.

"Did you say your goodbyes properly?"

"...."

"...."

Both of them sniffled so much that they couldn't speak. I suppressed a chuckle and patted their shoulders.

"We'll meet again soon."

At my words, Roshanak suddenly hugged me tightly. She buried her face in my chest and sobbed.

"I'll become a great wizard…"

"Yes, yes."

"~~....."

I couldn't quite make out what she said next. I soothed her by patting her back.

I took a small pearl from my pocket. It was a sacred pearl containing a "blessing" sold at the Donar Temple. I had previously given her a necklace with a seashell to which I now attached the pearl. The pearl on Roshanak's neck shone with a pale light.

"It's a gift."

"..."

"This pearl holds the blessing of the god Donar. It will protect you."

"..."

Roshanak nodded her head. Seeing her tear-stained face stirred up a surge of emotion in me. Affection is indeed a powerful thing.

"Stay healthy, Roshanak."

With that, we gathered our things and boarded Darion's ship. The bell signaling departure rang long and loud, and we waved to the people standing at the port.

It was the beginning of a long farewell.

***

I popped a seasickness candy into my mouth and leaned against the railing. I continued to stare blankly at the undulating waves.

-Grrr…

Suddenly, I heard a growling noise from Ayla beside me so I lifted my head and looked in the direction where I felt the presence of someone.

"Theodore, what are you doing all by yourself? Can't you sleep?"

It was Darion. Even in the darkness that enveloped the sea, his blond hair shone brilliantly as he flashed a bright smile.

"It's okay, Ayla."

After calming the growling Ayla by stroking her head, I offered Darion a seasickness candy.

"I'm feeling pretty seasick, so I was just resting."

"What's this?"

"Seasickness candy."

"Seasickness candy?"

"It's made with dried ginger powder, dried mint powder, and honey. It's really effective against seasickness."

"Hmm."

Do elves not get seasick? Darion looked intrigued and examined the candy before popping it into his mouth.

"Not a bad taste."

"Right?"

Darion leaned against the railing and nodded his head. And then he turned to me with a sentimental look on his face, and asked in a cheesy voice,

"How do you feel about returning to your homeland?"

Ah, that's right. This guy believes I'm a half-elf. A descendant of ancient elves who had been abandoned outside Lysette for hundreds, perhaps thousands of years… It's an overdone backstory.

Still, playing along wouldn't hurt. Darion's presence would be quite beneficial to me in Lysette, after all.

I must not let him discover it's all a lie.

Fortunately, I had a good amount of knowledge about elves, thanks to being immersed in game lore from my previous life and stories told by the old woman who despised elves…

"I'm dazed. I never thought I had a homeland."

It wasn't a lie. After all, the Republic of Korea doesn't exist on this continent.

"Hehehe…"

What's with that cheesy laugh?

"Lysette is a beautiful place, little brother. You, who led a mundane life, might shed tears of emotion the moment you see it."

"...."

"You can look forward to it. I'm very eager for the day I can introduce you to everyone."

"Everyone?"

"Yes, to my family. It will be difficult to meet Her Majesty the Queen casually, though…"

Darion patted my shoulder with a dazzling smile.

"But I'll make a special request for you."

Suddenly, the scroll in my belongings felt heavy. If the Elf Queen were to discover it…

It would mean certain death.

' must hide it as well as I can.

Since the spatial ring would definitely be inspected before entry, hmm… perhaps I could hide it in the dimensional garden?

"What are you thinking about to make such a face?"

"Oh, nothing."

I quickly changed the subject and looked out over the distant sea, where the waves in the middle of the horizon were sparkling unusually.

"You look deep in thought…"

"…Huh?"

Darion started to say something cheesy again, but I couldn't hear him properly because the exceptionally sparkling waves were drawing closer to us.

Wait, it's the middle of the night. How can the waves sparkle?

As they drew nearer, the waves began to reveal their true form.

"That's…!"

"Sea goblins!"

I interrupted Darion and shouted at the sailors on the deck.

It wasn't the waves sparkling, but the spears and swords carried by the sea goblins!

I thought we had completely eradicated the sea goblins in this area, but were there still some left? They were riding on red sea lions, with four or five goblins on each, rapidly closing the distance.

"Prepare for battle! Everyone to your positions!"

At Darion's command, the armed soldiers took their places. As to be expected from elves, most of their weapons were bows.

But if those sea goblins dive underwater, bows will be useless…

My concern was that the sea goblins might pierce the bottom of the ship. Damn it, I've used up all the gill pills, and now there's none left for underwater.

"There are many of them. Theodore, you and your squires must stay in the cabin."

"I'd rather help…"

Darion shook his head with a typically annoying smirk of an elf.

"This is my ship. And my soldiers are very skilled."

Ah… is that so? I barely managed to hide my annoyed expression and stepped back.

"Then, I'll just watch. You never know what might happen."

"Haha, yes. That might be a good experience for you."

Darion nodded his head as if it couldn't be helped. Even if you offer to help, they make such a fuss. The elves' sense of being the chosen ones…. is really morbid.

To prevent any mishap, I watched the sea goblins intently from the deck. If necessary, I planned to summon something and wipe them out.

-Koogooogooogooo…

Just then, an even larger wave began to rise.