Southern Star! Setting Sail!

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

In the year 1990 of the Sacred Calendar, on November 11th, it was the day the Southern Star set sail.

The dock area of Frand Port was bustling with a crowd, exceptionally lively.

Everyone who had heard about the opening of a new sea route rushed to the docks to witness the spectacle. Sailing a ship all the way to the Angle Bay area was a great adventure that many hadn't even heard of.

The officers and soldiers aboard the Southern Star were busy making final preparations for the upcoming voyage, while the shipyard supervisor, Rubin, and the old shipwright, Benjamin, led craftsmen around the ship for inspections.

Even the underage cadets were running around on the deck, moving things here and there according to orders from above.

Young Alan and his companion were struggling to carry a large barrel down the ladder into the hold.

After setting down the barrel, the two boys saluted the steward on board.

"Mr. Steward, this is the last barrel of wine."

"6 barrels of rum, 4 barrels of wine, 4 chickens, ... 10 boxes of canned goods... biscuits... bread..."

The steward counted the supplies in the cargo hold while jotting down notes in his notebook.

"Very well, all the food is ready. You can take a break now."

"Yes!"

After a busy half-day, they could finally relax a bit. Alan and his companion climbed out of the cabin happily.

Even the cadet children were extremely excited about this journey south. After all, they were already orphans and had long been accustomed to living on warships. Wherever the ship went, that was their home.

Alan ran to the ship's side and looked towards the dock, seeing many familiar figures. However, he regretted not seeing Dr. Ward and Sister Susan's figures. They had gone to Alden Town for some training and hadn't returned yet.

He proposed to the cadets who had come down to the deck with him, "Hey! Everyone, the captain said this voyage south might last over a month. Let's go say goodbye to the people on the dock and in town. We've been grateful for their care in the past few days."

"Sure!" "Yeah!"

This proposal quickly received approval from many people. They got off the ship together and walked towards the outer patrol zone.

...

"Gentlemen, please follow me!"

Captain Quik led five people who were obviously not dressed like navy personnel onto the Southern Star.

Among these five people, four were merchant representatives, not only from Alden, but one of the representatives also came from Byerldine.

As for the fifth person, he was arranged to be on the ship by the Lord himself, a young man named Dilak, said to be a scholar, who was to accompany the Southern Star to Angle Bay to bring his family to the Northwestern Bay.

Calling him a young man was quite appropriate; Mr. Dilak was indeed very handsome. If it weren't for his two small mustaches, Quik would have suspected him of being in disguise as a woman.

Quik thought with a hint of envy, "If this were in the South, with this young man's appearance, he would definitely be a frequent visitor to those ladies' salons."

He said to everyone, "For the next month at least, we'll have to spend our time on this ship. Let me show you around the Southern Star."

Quik led everyone leisurely around the ship. They first entered the hold.

Although it was called a hold, it was also where all the crew except the captain rested. Hammocks hung in rows, only being unfolded when it was time to sleep.

Quik led the five to the rear area of the hold.

He extended his hand and introduced, "This is where you will be resting."

Different from other areas, this area was divided into five "small rooms" by thick canvas "walls," each equipped with a hammock hanging above and a box below for personal belongings.

Although each "room" was only about two square meters, on the Southern Star, this was already a rare luxury, specially arranged for these five passengers.

Quik walked to the end and opened a door, "This is the captain's cabin... well, where I live."

This captain's cabin could be said to be the most luxurious place on the entire ship. It was about four square meters in size, with a bright window on the back wall. In addition to a hammock and a chest for items, there was also a small table and a stool, on which were placed items like ink bottles and goose feather pens, presumably for keeping a navigation journal.

In addition, there was a ladder in the captain's cabin that led directly to the uppermost open deck.

"Next, we need to see a very important place."

Quik led everyone to the front part of the hold.

Here, there were two doors, one on the left and one on the right. Quik opened the door on the left, and everyone saw a very small compartment inside, notable for its downward-facing hole.

Soon, someone guessed what this place was for, "Captain, could this be... the restroom?"

"Yes," Quik nodded, "Congratulations, you guessed it right. Below that hole is the sea, very convenient! Also, I know some people are particular about not bathing in front of others, so you can come here to take care of that."

Everyone exchanged glances, momentarily speechless. However, no one found it unacceptable; after all, they had all traveled far and wide, often enduring nights under the stars.

Mr. Dilak secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It would have been troublesome for "him" if this ship didn't even have a proper restroom.

Quik then led them to the food storage area.

"Gentlemen, we have enough food and drink here to last us 15 days. We should start with these fresh vegetables, meats, eggs, and bread, as these are the things that usually spoil first. Then, we'll move on to the dried vegetables, preserved jerky, and biscuits. Oh, I must remind you, if you find maggots crawling out of the biscuits, please don't shout or scream. It's quite normal at sea."

Maggots? Oh my god!

Everyone suppressed their disgust as they listened to the captain continue, "After finishing everything else, we'll have to rely on those canned goods. Additionally, we have four hens on deck, which will provide us with fresh eggs daily."

Clapping his hands, Quik said, "Alright, everyone. Go to the dock and bid farewell to your friends and family. We'll be setting sail in about two hours."

...

Approximately two hours later, nearing noon,

"Everyone, this mission must succeed, without fail!"

Austin stood on the deck, with all the officers and soldiers of the Southern Star, including Quik, standing neatly before him, listening to the pre-departure speech from the naval commander.

"Without exaggeration, you carry the hopes of the Northwestern Bay and the Lord himself!"

"When you return, all officers and soldiers involved in this operation will be promoted by one rank, with additional material rewards!"

Quik shouted on behalf of the entire ship's crew, "Rest assured, Commander! We will complete the mission!"

"Very well, I won't delay you any longer. Set sail immediately!"

"Yes!"

Austin turned and left. Before leaving, he glanced at the green-haired "young lord," who gestured back with a reassuring "no problem."

Only then did he confidently walk across the gangway to the dock.

Quik quickly assumed his role as captain.

"Raise the gangway!"

"Weigh anchor!"

"Lower the sails!"

"Southern Star! Set sail!"

The wind was strong today, and the ship soon began moving out towards the harbor.

"Fair winds!"

"Safe return!"

The onlookers on the dock erupted into cheers, waving their hats or handkerchiefs as they shouted blessings to the departing warship. Rubin and the old shipwright Benjamin were among the crowd, tears welling up in their eyes as they waved vigorously at the Southern Star, as if seeing off their own children about to embark on a long journey, their faces filled with pride and worry.

The sailors on board also waved back to the people on shore, some even crying. Most of them were leaving their hometown for the first time, and they were heading thousands of miles south.

And so, under the strong sea breeze, the Southern Star sailed bravely into the depths of the ocean...

(End of the Chapter)