Chapter 56

"Where are we going next?"

"We'll head west for a while, then go south by southwest to Ishrallie. After that, we'll head to Lalagi,"

Arisa sat next to Satou, dressed in a white sailor uniform, dangling her feet over the railing. It would be good to head straight to Lalagi, but we have some unwanted company.

"I get why we're putting off visiting Lalagi for a while, but why aren't we heading straight for Ishrallie as soon as we leave?"

"For appearances, that's all. If we head south-southwest immediately, certain profiteering types might try to come after us,"

I look behind us and out at the horizon as Arisa questions Satou. Two high-speed ships are tailing us. A tracker ship from the Weaselman Empire and another from the Saga Empire have been following us ever since we left port, and matching our course changes too many times to be a coinsurance.

"I don't know how long it'll take if we follow the normal route at a leisurely pace, so we'll just have to keep going until they give up,"

One could take the usual path to go towards the long peninsula situated at the western end of the Ganika Marquisate and sail from one little island to the other until arriving at the Kingdom of Sorcery Lalagi, and finally sail northeast from there until they reach Ishrallie. But we were taking a different route. Satou selected our route because it was quicker, though it had few safe spots to anchor, and the waters were full of monsters. This gave us an advantage because we were less likely to be seen. We could maximise our usage of our flying vessel by taking this itinerary.

"Arisa?"

"The sampling, sir,"

Tama and Pochi, dressed in their sailor attire, beckoned Arisa to join them in the cabin. Lulu and Sara had been trying to come up with new dishes from the fish we had been catching on our journey, which was probably why they were calling for Arisa.

"Satou,"

"What is it, Rei?"

Rei, wearing the same attire as her younger peers, advanced towards Satou, examining the records I was examining with interested eyes. Since we departed from the harbour, she has not returned to a trance-like state where she spews information. She mentioned that headaches accompanied by fragmented flashes of memory sometimes came in her waves. So, she must have been starting to regain her past. We determined that forcing her to remember might cause additional pain, hence why we decided to be patient and wait until her memories resurfaced on their own. Hopefully, it will not be long before she remembers her so-called sister, Yuuneia, and the rest of her history.

I decided to leave those two alone and find something to occupy my time with. I can see Nana up in the lookout nest, but she is busy keeping watch, so I shouldn't disturb her. I was tempted to see what Lulu and Sara were making but decided against it. The last time I dropped by uninvited, they complained that I was ruining the surprise and chased me out. In the end, I joined Pearl and Liza's training session.

"Even together… it wasn't enougt…"

"Next… we will do… better, master…"

An hour later, Pearl and Liza were worn out and covered in sweat as they struggled to stand. I handed them some towels and cold drinks before taking out some seats from a magic bag. It was a good workout. We started with simple practice moves before Pearl and Liza wanted to spare with me. Those two are really good, and if I had let down my guard for a moment, I would have won, but in the end, I was victorious.

"You two still fought well, so don't let it get you down,"

I meant my compliment. I spare with some elite knights when visiting nobles, and those guys pale compared to Pearl and Liza. If they keep going as they are, I wouldn't be surprised if they become world-famous warriors. Apart from Satou and the demon lord, no one has made me put as much effort into a fight as those two just had. I didn't even get started on their teamwork. Liza and Pearl were a flawless team, covering each other's weaknesses and creating opens they could exploit. Together, those two would probably be able to take down greater hell demons.

<0 >

"Whoooosh?"

"I can spin it even faster, sir,"

Tama and Pochi had fun with Satou's prototype artillery rack, modelled after a revolver cylinder. It isn't a toy, but no one stops them when they see how much fun Pochi and Tama are having.

"What's that? A Gatling?" Arisa asked.

"It's a rack for the Magic Cannon. I'm trying to come up with a way to reduce the lag between shots and create the possibility of rapid-fire,"

We probably wouldn't need them, but it should be helpful if the worse should happen and everyone was attacked when Satou and I weren't around. It still wasn't finished, but Satou was confident he should have it finished within a week or two.

"Baaay?"

"A bay, sir!"

Tama and Pochi, abandoning their game with the prototype, focused on pointing at the shore. We had been travelling for approximately half a day since setting off from Sutoandell, and suddenly, a bay with a few small towns and fishing villages came into sight. Knowing that the next bay was still a long way off, we decided to stay for the night here.

This location, similar to the entrance to Sutoandell, had anti-monster pillars set up. However, its gate was more simplistic, resembling those of a city wall with its cranking device. In lieu of Magic Cannons, catapults and large crossbows were mounted to protect the entrance.

"Hero Kura, a small boat is approaching, I report."

"It's probably just the harbour authority,"

Satou granted permission for the yacht-like vessel to come alongside their ship, so Liza lowered a rope ladder to allow them to board.

"Hello, we are from the harbour authority, tax department. We are here to collect your bay entrance fee if you please,"

The government officials addressed us in a manner befitting our vessel's regal aura, revealing that, unfortunately, despite usually being exempt from city entrance taxes, we were not, this time, likely because we were on a potential trading ship.

"Thank you very much,"

Satou paid the sum that was asked of us; it appeared that the rate was calculated based solely on the vessel's displacement volume, as they didn't take a closer look at the cargo or anything else. Afterwards, without any issues, we moved deeper into the bay. Though it wasn't expansive, there was one sizeable town and several fishing settlements. We spent the rest of the day wandering around the port town.

"Big caaatch?"

"So many little fish, sir,"

"You could probably catch tons of these with some sabiki rigs,"

Standing on the pier, the kids were captivated by the sight of the vast numbers of fish as they swam around in the water. It was clear they were having lots of fun.

"You have a good catch there,"

"Thank you,"

Meanwhile, I was surrounded by fishermen who were eyeing my bucket of fish. I don't know whether it is because of my 'Fishing' skill or the fact I was using the fishing rods the elves gave me, but I was catching a lot more fish than anyone around. I have dealt with people accusing me of stealing their fish and people trying to steal from my bucket ever since I started fishing. Still, most of the people who approached me weren't like that. I had some interesting conversations and learned a few new tricks in the process of where to spot good fishing spots.

But for some reason, none of the friendly would stick around me for too long. I don't know why, but whenever we joke around and enjoy ourselves, the fishermen suddenly turn pale and say they have important business elsewhere. The last guy even looked like he was about to die of fright. I can't see any monsters around, and Satou isn't reacting to anything, so they can't be a threat. Still, the timing of their departure was convenient. It's an odd coincidence that everyone seems to run away when they offer to introduce me to their single sons.

"Lots of bites?"

"It looks like someone has me beat, though,"

Both I and the fishermen turn when we hear the commotion behind us.

"There are tons of them, sir!"

"That's... amazing,"

Satou beamed with pride as Tama, Pochi, and Rei gazed in awe at the numerous small fish he had reeled in, having used his own homemade sabiki rigs. He then passed the fishing rod onto the younger group whilst continuing to craft more lures; those things seemed to be a magnet for the fish in the area.

"Five?"

"Pochi will catch fish on all six hooks, sir- Aaaah! Don't run away, sirs!"

"This manner of fishing is quite involved, it seems,"

Liza, Pochi and Tama were enjoying their own unique way of fishing.

"I knew sabiki would catch lots of 'em,"

"Arisa, I've got a bite! What do I do?!"

"Reel it in quickly, or it'll get away,"

The unexpected role reversal of Lulu being excited and Arisa staying calm was quite a surprise. The fishermen have no taste as they comment that the beautiful Lulu is plain-looking. Lulu is a beautiful young lady, and her happy smile only makes her more beautiful. Meanwhile, they weren't the only ones Satou handed out sabiki rigs to.

"This is...very...fun,"

"Mm. Pleasant,"

Rei and Mia hummed as they cast their sabiki, which seemed to have a magnetic effect on the fish they gathered in noticeably larger numbers than usual. Their tune is even attracting the locals.

"Are these small fish larvae?"

"No, they're not. They're just different species,"

"Hero Kura, your advice is appreciated, I declare,"

Nana appeared to be battling with herself internally. Thus, I provided her assistance. I'm glad I could help her, but I wish she would hug me so tightly and press those oversized assists against me.

"Whoa, get a load of that!"

"Are they magic users or something?"

"Maybe he's a fish mage too!"

"Dang, that's amazing,"

It looks like the people who turned pale and ran off have recovered. Satou garnered some notice from the people in the area, gathering a bigger crowd than I had.

"Would you like to try, too?"

Satou handed out sabiki rigs to the local kids, and soon the town had its biggest hull of fish in its history.

"Whoa, this is nuts! I'm catchin' tons of 'em!"

"Mister Mage! Can I borrow one, too?"

"Sure, go right ahead,"

Once Satou started frying the recently caught fish into deep-fried delicacies, it wasn't long before a festival seemed to break out around us. We had already gathered a few buckets of fish, but the following feast was entirely his fault. The local guard eventually arrived to investigate the incident, so Satou gave the baron of the guard a model sabiki rig as an apology for the disturbance. But his reaction was unexpected.

"Sir Pendragon, we knew you were a miracle chef, but you appear to be a miracle fisherman, as well. We shall treasure this sabiki as a family heirloom!"

As the sun set, we asked some spectators to direct us to the finest seafood eatery in town, leaving the baron and the other townsfolk mesmerised by the sabiki rigs.

<0 >

"I'm sooo fulllll."

"Oh, Arisa..."

Lulu softly scolded Arisa, who was placing her hand on her tummy as we exited the eatery.

"That was a pretty great restaurant,"

The scrumptious full-course meal consisted of regional delicacies such as shrimp and crab.

"Putting the shrimp on the bread and eating it with that scallop dip was the perfect bite,"

Despite not being too distant from Sutoandell, I found it remarkable how different the cuisine and menus were between here and there.

"Indeed. The grilled crab had a particularly wonderful mouthfeel,"

"The shrimp was yummy?"

Liza and Tama shocked the waitstaff when they ate the crustacean's shell and everything inside it.

"Pochi liked the mountain goat meat best, sir,"

Among the middle courses was a dish featuring a preserved mountain goat.

"Meat doesn't count?"

"That's right. Meat is always delicious,"

Pochi's remark sparked a discussion between Tama and Liza about the greatness of meat.

"It was my favourite too,"

Sara's voice was soft and quiet, not during the attention of the others, as she gave her opinion while Pearl nodded in agreement.

"The crab meat paella was also delicious, I report,"

"Mm. Yummy,"

"It was...quite...good,"

Mia, Rei, and Nana all seemed to favour the seafood paella. Mia ended up feeding me most of her seafood portions causing Arisa to try and feed Satou, but she seemed to like the seasoning.

"Master, what is that?"

When we exited into the town square, Arisa anxiously gestured towards the monument in the middle, appearing quite shocked.

"A stone sculpture of...a gaming console?"

"The Dragonturn Rock, a magic apparatus developed to repel the dragons who strode about Lalakie as if it were their own. Magic circuits in the slate surface display images when it is provided with a great deal of magic power and the buttons are pushed,"

Rei answered Satou's mumbled question as she entered a trance state.

"There's an explanation over here,"

A stone tablet near the monument revealed that it symbolised peace and prosperity that had been here since before the Shiga Kingdom's creation. Satou attempted to use a small quantity of magic to test the Dragonturn Rock, but unfortunately, the magic circuits had become worn with age and did not activate. We spent some time conversing at the monument before heading to the inn.

"Are we being followed again?" Arisa whispered.

"Yes, we seem to have an expert spy on our hands,"

Satou scanned the radar for additional details. Despite the spy successfully camouflaging himself, Tama, Satou and I could still easily make out his figure. Pochi also seemed to sense something was amiss. However the spy's 'Invisibility' ability prevented her from locating him. He watched the inn all night but seemingly remained oblivious when Satou cast the 'Invisibility' spell on himself and snuck away.

I'm sure Satou will only do what he said he would, placing seals around the area to aid in our future travels. Still, Arisa wouldn't stop pacing and accusing Satou of visiting a brothel up until the moment he returned. I can't exactly blame her since Satou has a habit of sneaking off to visit brothels. Still, I think Arisa was using the pretence of checking for perfume on Satou as an excuse to sniff him.

<0 >

The voyage progressed like a regular sailing vessel for the following days: spent journeying on the open seas and nights spent in port cities and towns. We were lucky that our disguise was convincing enough, as the ship from the Saga Empire trailing us steered back towards Sutoandell when we arrived at the border.

With numerous small islands, reefs, and close proximity to the shoreline, the route forward was relatively restricted unless sailing longer distances in open seas. Consequently, we encountered many other boats while journeying through the day.

"Reminds me of the Seto Inland Sea," Arisa remarked.

"That's true," Satou nodded. "The water's pretty calm, and there are a lot of small islands."

"Hero Kura, what is this Seto Inland Sea, I inquire?"

"I heard from Hayato that there is an island close to Nippon. The Seto Inland Sea is the name of the water between Nippon and that island. According to him,"

It must be a difference between my Japan, Satou, and Arisa's. In my old world, the Seto Inland Sea was called the Seto Sea.

"Fightiiing?"

"Master! A ship is being bullied, sir!"

Tama and Pochi shouted in desperation from the lookout, pleading for help. The urgency in their faces was plain to see as they pointed towards a midsize merchant ship that was being attacked by pirates. Accompanying the merchant ship was a small escort vessel; however, the pirates had already gained control of it. The three galleys of the pirates, having an easy displacement of two hundred tons each, were unleashing bursts of Fire Shots and arrows at the sails of the merchant ship.

As our vessel edged nearer, the fleeing merchant ship became visible; it had been pursued by some swashbuckling pirates. Satou still hasn't given any orders, but it was clear that we would help, so in his place…

"Everyone get into your armour," We climbed downstairs to quickly change, and while we did, I continued to give out orders. "Nana, when we are close enough, aim for the sails of the pirate ships. Pochi, Tama, there are slaves on the pirate ships, so make sure to only hit their sails with the cannon, too."

One of the pirate ships had come close enough for me to identify slaves, pirates and prisoners on their ship.

"Orders received, I confirm,"

"Aye, aye,"

"We'll be careful, sir!"

Nana nodded a bit too enthusiastically as her bust giggled with the movement. At the same time, Pochi and Tama struggled into their armour, putting it on backwards at first.

"Lulu, aim for leaders. Arisa and Mia try to keep the pirates away from any slaves and prisoners," It didn't take us long to get ready. "Liza, Pearl, focus on repelling boarders until we get close enough to board the merchant ship escort. Then we will storm it. Sara, stay close to us. There are plenty of wounded sailors on their ship. We'll protect you while you heal them."

Satou increased the ship's defensive shield to maximum power and set a course for the confrontation. "I guess we'll go fight some pirates, then," He muttered as we charged forward, and I relayed the plan to him.

On the pirate ship closest, the captain had reached level 26, much higher than the average of the rest of the crew, which was only about level 10. This strength was more than what many of the soldiers on land possessed. It can be assumed that this strength was acquired since they were dealing with monsters much more often than landlubbers.

Satou and I stood at the helm, brandishing bows loaded with stun arrows from the Magic Bow stash we had discovered inside a submerged vessel. We were prepared to fire these non-lethal projectiles with precision and accuracy. Satou and I began firing, creating pandemonium on the pirate ship. We focused our shots on those with deadly skills or weaponry, hitting them with lethal precision. We paid no attention to the pirates' frantic cries as we went on shooting, diminishing the ranks of their archers as the pirates hastened to grab their shields.

"Pirates! Please go get help from the navy!"

A voice from the merchant ship reached us with the help of Wind Magic, so Satou used his"Amplification" skill to call back to them.

"We'll take care of them. Just get to the next bay!"

As the merchant ship passed us, they warned us to turn back, yet if we were to do so, the pirates would be able to catch up to both of us without difficulty. As a result, the pirates shifted their focus to us instead of the merchant ship.

The Fire Shots the pirates launched at us were accompanied by their angry cries. Yet, our ship's protective shield kept them at bay without difficulty. In a state of panic, three pirates put up a large shield crafted from monster parts just as we commenced our assault.

Nana fired her Foundation spears, tearing through the rope and fabric of their sails. Huge holes were torn through the pirate's sails as they scrambled to dodge the fallen debris. Pochi and Tama hit the masts, shattering them and sending splinters flying everywhere. As much as they didn't deserve my help, I protected the pirates from any lethal blows from the shattered wood. There are already too many dead bodies, and I don't want to add any more to that count.

The pirates were leaderless and frantically trying to stop us. Whenever someone tried to take command, Lulu swiftly took them out with her magic gun. The situation only worsened for them as Mia's spell burned their eyes like pepper spray, and Arisa's magic spread confusion among the pirate ranks.

"Let's get going,"

I led the charge onto the pirate ship with Liza and Pearl behind me. We quickly took down the pirates on the deck before signally for Sara to join us and treat the wounded. The pirates were pushovers since we had thoroughly crushed their morale. We knocked them out one after the other and secured all the slaves and prisoners without incident.

The other two ships fell just as quickly. One of them tried to board us, but we quickly repelled them and stormed their ship. The others tried to flee, but they were too slow, and we quickly caught up to them and boarded that ship, too. Now, that leaves the captured escort ship, but we didn't need to do anything as they freed themselves during the battle and took back their ship.

Just as we assumed all was finished, a daringly high levelled, disdainful pirate tore himself away from his bindings and advanced with a wide cutlass and a parrying dagger. Instantly, Liza, who had been in the act of binding her captives near Nana, quickened to cut off the onslaught. Rays of red radiance followed Liza's Magic Spear as it flew to confront the captain. He managed to grasp hold of the spear with his parrying dagger. He retaliated with a sweeping attack from his cutlass.

"Useless, I exclaim!"

Nana blocked the pirate captain's cutlass with her Flexible Shield and simultaneously used her 'Taunt' skill. She then hit him with her shield.

"Tch, so the Practical Magic user is on the front lines now, eh?!"

The pirate attempted to avoid Nana's shield by taking a step back. However, Tama and Pochi were ready to attack his legs from the sides.

"Back off, ye brats!"

The captain cursed as he swung his sword toward Tama. Liza and the vanguard simultaneously lunged their Magic Spear and Swords towards the pirate. Despite the wounds sustained to his legs, he was able to protect himself from their four-way attack. The probable reason behind his success could have been the discrepancy in levels, or it could be attributed to the captain's expertise in battling a squad alone.

"Awfully stubborn, aren't you? Jamming Field!" Arisa's Space Magic hit the captain, throwing off his balance.

"Now."

"Right!"

Mia's bow and Lulu's Magic Gun pierced the pirate's shoulders, forcing him to relinquish his cutlass and parrying dagger as the vanguard swiftly struck him unconscious.

After apprehending the pirates, we loaded up the nearly sinking galley with the liberated people and ventured to the closest harbour. Initially, obtaining permission to enter was a bit of a challenge. Still, one of the freed captives happened to be a renowned figure in the port town, thus making the situation much more manageable.

"Now, are you quite certain you wish to release these slaves without any compensation?"

"Of course. They are victims who were captured by the pirates, after all." I nodded at the official.

Satou left it up to me to report this, saying he had to perform maintenance on the ship. Still, I think he doesn't want to handle all the paperwork. Releasing slaves, claiming bounties and reporting what had happened. There was a lot of paperwork involved.

The hefty bounties awarded to the pirates and their high levels fetched a respectable price when they were sold as criminal slaves. Their possession of a few valuable Fire Rods added to their worth. But the reward doesn't mean I have forgiven Satou for dumping all this work on me.

"Sir Pendragon, we intend to strike the pirates' base next. Perhaps you would like to join us?"

"No, I'll leave that in your capable hands, thank you,"

When I returned to the ship, I encountered Satou at a meeting. The baron of the guard, already armed and prepared, then set off with his followers. It seems they'd asked Satou to join them, likely because the baron had high hopes they would find a significant treasure hoard when they raided the pirates' hideout. I didn't want to get involved with any more pirate hunting, so I kept quiet and hid nearby until the baron was out of sight.

We were invited to a celebrity's mansion for a lavish feast later that day. There were fantasy-style hostesses. However, thanks to Arisa's ironwall-like presence, Satou could not go anywhere near them. To mark the beginning of a new chapter for the former slaves, the celebrity initiated a trading business and provided them all with employment. To further celebrate, we gifted them the vessel confiscated from pirates.

After being newly appointed president of the company, the celebrity was so impressed with Satou that they fashioned the company's crest after Satou's surname: a sea serpent twisted around a spear-like pen. As a result, the company was named the Dragonwrit Trading Company. I later learned that this was meant to be named after Satou and me, and the celebrity mistook us for a married couple.

<0 >

"All right, shall we start heading south?"

The following day, I noticed that the Weaselman Empire vessel, tracking us, had reversed its course and was heading back to Sutoandell. For about half of the day, we travelled westward along the southerly ship route until we found ourselves all alone; at that point, we switched to flying mode and started to move southward.

"Ah, I definitely like the flying mode better,"

"Mm. Pleasant,"

Arisa and Mia were delighted that the ship had ceased its rocking motion.

"So a big cut of ootoro is waiting for us in this Ishrallie place, right?"

"Yeah, that's right… they're not here..."

For some reason, Satou soon became depressed all of a sudden.

"Maybe they're farther ahead,"

"Yeah,"

And now he is looking pumped. I do not know what is happening, but Arisa looks excited, too.

"Bored,"

Mia grumbled discontentedly as Nana taught Rei the Shigan language.

"Larva. Repeat after me, I instruct,"

"Larba,"

"Pay careful attention to the movements of my lips, I request. Larva,"

"Larva,"

Mia stood by, ready to intervene if the unusual words she noticed Nana teaching Rei became too much, so the situation was most likely fine.

"So peaceful..."

"Mm,"

Arisa sighed listlessly and sat down on one of the cushions on the deck, watching their language lesson. Mia quickly followed suit and plopped herself down beside her.

"Peace is a good thing, though,"

"Exactly," I concurred with Lulu.

Tama, crawling around on the deck on all fours, looked up at Satou with a plea for help. Knowing what she meant, Satou gave her a sign not to alert the others. Out of the group, Satou, Tama and I were the only ones who had seen the level-52 Kraken squid, along with a stow of torpedo squids, charging up to attack us. Satou immediately responded by casting my new Remote Harpoon spell, removing all enemies immediately.

Sadly, the squid Kraken did not meet our expectations; it had a strong smell of ammonia, which could not be removed, no matter how much it was cooked. Thankfully, the torpedo squid was quite enjoyable, and we ended up having squid in various ways for lunch.

"Delicious,"

"Fried is yummy?"

"The boiled squid rings are chewy and good, too, sir,"

The beastfolk girls clearly appreciated the fried squid and teriyaki squid rings that had been boiled.

"The sashimi's pretty good, but squid somen is still my favourite,"

"Yeah, it's very good. Since the fish is so fresh, it's nice and jiggly,"

"Yes... It's very...good,"

Usually, it was only Arisa and Satou who indulged in sashimi. Still, Rei decided to partake in the meal as well this time.

"Larva, you will get a stomachache, I warn,"

"Mm. Parasites. Danger,"

Nana and Mia attempted to dissuade Rei from consuming raw squid. But it is safe to eat. Satou would never have served it if he was worried about everyone's health.

<0 >

"...Orichalcum. A sacred, mysterious metal that can only be made by the gods and the elves. The technique is so top secret that even the Lalakie dynasty could not replicate it through experimentation," I stepped onto the deck for my turn on watch just as Rie was recovering from one of her trances. "Did I...say something...again?"

"Yes, you were explaining Orichalcum to me,"

"I still...remember...a little bit. Orichalcum is...a metal...that can't be made...by humans,"

Her amnesia seemed to be slowly wearing off. It should only be a matter of time before she can remember everything.

"Satou, what are...? Never mind. It's... nothing,"

Rei appeared to have more to say, yet she stayed silent and stepped away from Satou, heading towards Nana and the others. I was curious to hear her thoughts but didn't want to pressure her, so I went to the crow's nest.

<0 >

"They're not here, either...?"

It wasn't long before Satou was back to being depressed. He looked the complete opposite to Arisa who cheerful pointed and cried.

"Whoa, it's Nessie! A real live Nessie! I wonder if it'll go pii, pii?"

The creature that arose from the depths resembled a plesiosaur in every way. It seemed closely related to the mosasaurs in the Seadragon Islands. I could see why Arisa was so enthusiastic due to the similarities of this find to a certain cryptid. Still, I wasn't sure why she was so worked up.

"Broiled eel! Prepare to fall into my stomach, I Vow!"

It didn't take long for Nana to grab the creature's attention.

HROOOOARRR!

"Th… that wasn't a pii at all!"

"Water Hold Mizu Shibaru,"

"Now!"

"Gotchaaa?"

"Take this, sir!"

Mia's Water Magic immobilised the plesiosaur, allowing the beastfolk girls to finish it swiftly. Its level appeared to be somewhere around the 20 mark, thus, it wasn't as formidable as it initially appeared. In terms of taste, the plesiosaur was tougher. With an unfamiliar flavour compared to sea serpent, it should still be enjoyable if appropriately seasoned and paired with a suitable sauce.

<0 >

"Flower Island,"

"Flower Island... Pretty..."

"Mia and the larva are correct, I concur,"

After encountering the plesiosaur, we had been journeying south for close to two hours when we chanced upon an island flourishing with blooming flowers.

"Master, let's make land there!"

"Sure, but you'll have to wear void suits, all right?"

 "What do you mean?" Arisa tilted her head.

"Those flowers are all poisonous,"

"I guess every rose has its thorns," Arisa said wisely as we left the island behind.

When Mia spotted the island first, we found out that Tama and Pochi had been dozing in the lookout post, resulting in a scolding from Liza. As we navigated around it, we noticed a metal frame covered with flowers at the island's centre.

"Late-Period Biakii Floating Ship. A masterwork ship that was the most frequently built model in Lalakie,"

Rei entered her trance state as soon as she saw that old ship. We didn't find anything of particular interest about the ship, so we chose to pass it by.

<0 >

"What is that? Sand?"

"It seems to be volcanic ash,"

After seeing the flower island a few days prior, Arisa noticed some ash particles in the air, carried in by the breeze. Thanks to our magical Air Control, the ash was prevented from reaching the deck. It seemed to be coming from an island in the middle of the region.

We decided to forgo the opportunity to visit one of the remote, inhabited southern islands in this new monster territory for we had something more pressing to attend to. Arisa looked at him nervously as Satou was getting ready to set out.

"Don't do anything reckless, okay?"

"Don't worry. I'm just going to set a seal slate and do a little harvesting while I'm at it," Satou responded lightly.

I manoeuvred the vessel as near as possible without incurring the risk. Then Satou launched himself from the deck with his Flying Shoes. Volcanic islands were advantageous as they provided a chance to collect lots of sulfur, fire stones, and other valuable items. When Satou returned, I wished I had gone with him after he mentioned fighting the Flame Lord.

<0 >

Later on the journey, when we stopped at one of the islands along our route...

"Pineapples,"

"Bananas are the best, sir,"

"There are even kiwis and mangoes,"

...we were able to find a bunch of tropical fruits.

Upon laying eyes on Mia, the island's head chief instantly radiated warmth and hospitality. The absence of menacing creatures on the island further contributed to its serene and tranquil atmosphere. Due to Rei's trance state, the absence of monsters was finally understood as being caused by a cone-shaped magical object.

"Monster-ward stones-a magic monster-repellent device that was distributed to all territories under the control of Lalakie,"

The inhabitants of this island shared similar physical features with Rei, such as tanned skin, dark hair, and eyes. Many also donned a unique garment, resembling a long swath of red fabric draped over one shoulder. However, this left half of their chests exposed, leading the women to cover up with white chest wraps underneath. Most people living in the village adorned themselves with necklaces, bracelets, and anklets made of small wooden pieces. These accessories served as a status symbol, with more lavish adornments distinguishing those of higher standing within the community.

"Are you certain it's all right if we take this much?"

"Of course. It is our tribute to our honoured elf guest,"

The leader was conversing in a dialect known as 'Ujan Language,' which bore a stronger resemblance to the language of the Saga Empire than that of Shigan. Still, it seemed to be unique to this island.

"Besides, you have already gifted us with foreign food and drink the like of which we have never seen,"

We offered the man a taste of our clear Shigan sake and bitter ale. It was likely a novelty for him, as the alcohol on this island primarily consisted of a sweet, unrefined sake derived from fruits. We provided them with deep-fried hydra meat and succulent whale steak sourced from Tobkezerra, the colossal and monstrous fish, to satisfy their hunger. In gratitude, the villagers prepared a dish not often on their menu: soup made from sea turtles. Though it differed from the usual soft-shelled turtle soup, it was still remarkably delicious.

"Arisa,"

I nodded towards trouble when I saw it. It took only one look for Arisa to immediately realise what was happening and spring into action. Unfortunately for her the cheerful crowd keeps getting in her way and blocking out the sound of her despite cries. I couldn't help but laugh a little, watching Arisa jump around, waving her hands about as the chief's daughter leaned closer and closer to Satou.

"Satou, drink this,"

The high school-aged daughter of the chief warmly presented Satou with a cup of what appeared to be a dark liquid following their dinner. Although the other girls had wider chest wraps, Satou didn't seem tempted by the enticing bit of volume that peeked out around the edges of hers. It was clear to everyone that her actions had a deeper meaning, yet he was oblivious.

"Is this...cocoa?"

Cocoa? I haven't seen that being served around here. I wonder if it tastes like the kind I am used to?

"Kokoa? No, this is 'drops of love.' When two people drink it, they share a special love and are granted a child,"

The chief's daughter moved closer to Satou, her voice and eyes blazing with intense heat. Maybe I shouldn't have cocoa if someone offers me it. I am far too young to become a mother. But at least Satou looks like he finally noticed the girl's intentions.

"Nuh-uh, you're not taking on any local sweet- hearts on my watch!"

Arisa finally managed to break through the crowd and get between the girl and her Master.

"But we always seek a child from a powerful visitor, of course. I was chosen from among all the girls of the village,"

Evidently, one individual in the town possessed the skill of 'Analysing People'. Like our actions in previous settlements, Rei was provided with a magic tool that hinders recognition, so we should be safe.

"Don't give me that folklorish world-building nonsense!"

"Satou drank the drops of love,"

The cup in Satou's hand was the object of the girl's accusatory finger. It is starting to look like he accepted a marriage proposal. But Satou covered the top of the cup with his hand, clearly up to something.

"Want to give it a taste?"

"What? But I just did..." Satou showed her the cup, which looked like no one had drunk from it. The girl gave it a sip. "It's sweet...and tasty. What did you do, Satou? "

"It must be a miracle from the gods. They're telling us that it's too soon for love to bloom between us,"

"...I see. Very well,"

It looks like Satou managed to get out of that child-making situation. After hesitating for a moment, the chief's daughter ultimately yielded to the temptation of the drink and consumed it. She then rejoined the other villagers. She had a sad look on her face, but it would be better for her to find love with someone who wasn't planning on leaving in the morning.

Besides, she seemed to cheer up when I shared some of my octopus takoyaki. But that caused me to be swarmed by everyone, leading me to spend the entire feast cooking. If Lulu hadn't come over to help me, I doubt I would have been able to keep up with all the orders. Handling tedious paperwork and now cheering up heartbroken girls. Satou really owes me big time for handling his messes.

<0 >

"Madam Elf, we pray that your journey is a safe one,"

"Mm. Thank you,"

The following day, a group of islanders gathered to bid us farewell. As Mia responded briefly, the villagers expressed their gratitude towards her by prostrating themselves before us.

"Sir Satou, Lady Kura, there is a cursed island in these waters called the 'Fire-Breathing Island.' It is said in our village that a dreadful monster called a 'flame-beast' is sealed there, so powerful it could burn the ocean itself,"

Despite the serious look on the chief's face, neither Satou nor I revealed that Satou had already defeated the entity. It was his way of maintaining his low-profile life. But if you ask me, he has already failed that by all his previously known feats despite his attempts to push all the praise and attention onto me.

"If you see smoke on the horizon, pray, turn around and distance yourself as far as you can,"

"Thank you. I'll be sure to do that,"

As we bid farewell to the villagers with a nod, we departed from the island and continued our journey. Along the way, we came across multiple deserted islands abundant with cacao fruits, which we happily collected for making chocolate and other tropical fruits. However, we needed to harvest just the right amount to not deprive the locals of their food source.

<0 >

"Is that Ishrallie?"

Ahead, Arisa gestured towards a looming structure resembling an island. This was the gateway to the next area, the Kingdom of Ishrallie. Comprising hundreds of islands ranging in size, the nation was centred around a main island similar to Japan's Shikoku. Within the largest island was a serene lagoon that served as the heart of the capital city of Ishrallie. Unlike the subtropical conditions of the previous area, the climate here was mild and inviting, seemingly regulated by a powerful City Core.

"I think so, yeah," Satou answered Arisa's question vaguely as he looked at the map.

Arisa gestured towards a settlement situated on the outskirts of a circular-shaped island. Despite being similar in size to the Ougoch Duchy, Ishrallie's population was only a fraction of it. It appeared that the majority of the people resided on the larger islands. As anticipated, the kingdom's territory was crawling with pirates. Still, due to our distance from the usual route, we were fortunate enough to avoid encounters with them.

"We're not running into many monsters here,"

"Well, we're not in a monster-dominated territory anymore,"

During our journey, we successfully captured various types of marine creatures. Among them were the coveted green quartz seahorses and the rare flying shark fins, which we knew would command a premium price on the market. But they were too useful for us to sell.

"I suppose. But what about my ootoro?" Arisa's eyes gleamed with gluttony as she asked.

"They don't seem to be in this area, either,"

"Hero Kura, a small airship is approaching, I report,"

As I followed Nana's outstretched finger, my eyes were met with the sight of a curious contraption approaching us. Resembling a bathtub with the added novelty of dragonfly-like wings, it was manned by a man with a large and unruly moustache. Nana really needs to listen to me. No matter how many times I tell her, she still keeps grabbing my head and pushing me into her assets.

"Be ye pirates? Speak!"

The language of this nation had a striking resemblance to the Ancient Language. However, considering their ancestry from Lalakie, I anticipated them to speak a variation closer to the Hallowed Language. When we failed to reply, the gentleman with a moustache resorted to shouting in broken Shigan.

"You, pirates! Yes, no?!"

"We are a trade ship from the Shiga Kingdom! We wish to make port at the capital of Ishrallie,"

Following a brief back-and-forth dialogue, the man directed us to the sole entrance of the inlet.

"Biiig?"

"Amazingly amazing, sir!"

Perched on a cliff overlooking the entrance stood a curved fortress boasting a pair of massive Magic Cannons.

"...Totorie Magic Cannon, eighth-generation model. Also known as Dragon Cannons, they boasted the highest attack power of any in the Lalakie dynasty. Because of these Dragon Cannons, Totorie's Magic Cannon technology was praised as the greatest in the world; this led an envious Lalakie engineer to involve the senate, accusing the Totorie royal family of treachery, which led to its fall as well as that of the floating castle. The prince fled with the Dragon Cannons, which were forever lost to the annals of history..."

Rei slipped into a trance, her mind becoming consumed by deep focus. With utter fluency in the Hallowed Language, she delivered an extensive explanation. Rei's dazed state was quickly replaced with surprise as Nana enveloped her in a warm embrace. Blinking in confusion, she struggled to regain her bearings.

"Larva, you are quite knowledgeable, I commend."

"Hmm? Nana?"

As our vessel navigated the tight passageway bordered by towering cliffs, we headed towards the sheltered inlet.

"It's a little scary how close these walls are..."

"Fear not, Lulu. If the worst should happen, Master will surely protect us,"

Usually, Liza would take on the role of protector, but for obvious reasons, handling severe situations such as natural disasters was left to Satou.

"Soldierrrs?"

"There are so many, sir,"

Tama and Pochi gazed upwards at the defence garrisons, expertly etched into the rugged cliff walls. With excitement, the youngsters enthusiastically greeted the soldiers stationed there, to which they kindly responded with friendly waves. Soon enough, our vessel emerged into the inlet, and we set course for the island situated at its heart.

"What a pleasant place,"

"It truly is,"

Arisa remarked, and Sara nodded in agreement. As we entered the inlet, the warmth of the air enveloped us, almost like a hint of spring. The tranquil waves lapped gently against the boat, barely causing any movement. Numerous tiny fishing boats glided gracefully on the water's surface, drawing in a diverse array of vibrant tropical fish.

"Swirlyyy?"

"It's a spirally city, sir,"

"Mm, snail shell,"

Tama, Pochi, and Mia could not take their eyes off the island, home to Ishrallie's capital. The city was a sight to behold, with its multiple layers resembling a beautifully crafted seashell. There was a brief silence before Arisa's response. Still, just as she uttered a questioning 'Well?' Rei slipped into a trance again, causing her pupils to vanish.

"Totorie-style buildings. The spiral structure was characteristic of the floating island Totorie,"

Rei's explanation was brief this time. However, based on this and the previous details shared, it seemed that the people here were descendants of a nation known as Totorie during the Lalakie-dynasty era. It was likely a subordinate country under Lalakie's rule or something similar.

"Big shiiips?"

"They've got oars and sails, so they must be strong, sir!"

At one end of the harbour stood a designated dock solely for battleships. This area housed a total of five mighty war vessels, as well as an additional forty smaller ones of varying measurements. As Pochi noted, the Ishrallie warships were distinct from the rest. All are operated using oars and sails. Although most large warships were constructed from wood, the central flagship, which outmatched the others in size, was crafted from a durable mithril alloy. Its appearance was slightly damaged, hinting at its recent involvement in a battle. Despite its small size, this nation's navy appeared remarkably extensive. But it was likely necessary to safeguard against the dangers of the monster-filled ocean in which they resided.

"The flamebeast..."

As the wind carried a familiar word towards me from the nearby naval port, I decided to utilise my Space Magic abilities of Clairvoyance and Clairaudience to investigate. After all, my 'Keen Hearing' skill was limited to a certain distance.

"Captain! We've dispatched a messenger. But is the rumour true?"

"Yes, it's true. The seal on the Fire-Breathing Island has been broken, and the flamebeast has been revived. Our land forces were completely wiped out, and the other warship challenged the flamebeast so that we could escape...>"

"But who would want to revive the flamebeast?"

"The Skeleton King,"

"What?!"

"A witness from a neighbouring island said they saw a flying ghost ship,"

"It can't be! Is he after Ishrallie's Dragon Cannons, then?!"

"Indeed. No doubt he intends to incite the flamebeast to attack us, then steal the cannons once our nation is consumed by flames,"

"What a devious scheme. And all to bring down Lalagi..."

So that is the Skeleton King's plan. I wish I could see his face when he learns that Satou destoryed that plan by accident when he was exploring an island. But he could still try to lunch and attack. Just as I thought this, Satou warned me to be on guard as it looked like the Skeleton King and Yuuneia were making some moves in an area called the Kraken's Domain.

"Totorie Royal Villa. A palace-type floating castle. Bears a close resemblance to the one utilised in the time of the prince's escape,"

The day after we arrived at Ishrallie, Satou, Sara, and I paid a visit to the royal castle, with Rei coming along too.

"Is she quite all right?"

"Yes, she just tends to talk to herself,"

The trade ministry representative responsible for our visit to the castle shot a worried glance towards Rei. Upon discovering our ship hailed from the Shiga Kingdom, he approached us intending to discuss buying Shigan silk.

"We simply must have silk for Her Highness the Princess's coming-of-age ceremony!"

Recognising his apparent desperation, Satou proposed a trade: some silk in return for an opportunity to meet with the king of Ishrallie. The fact that Satou's request was granted the very next day, and we could visit the castle, indicated their strong desire for the silk. Our visit was mainly to see if we could jog Rei's memories and cure her amnesia.

"Nenelier design. An engraving style originating from the floating island Nenelier. Popularly used during the Lalakie dynasty,"

As I tuned in to Rei's trance-induced murmurs, I began to examine the intricate design of the royal palace. The structure featured a recurring pattern of arches formed by pillars, with additional pillars rising above to form a grand dome-like expanse.

"Please do not worry. We'll be sure to avoid any such muttering in front of the king,"

I could sense the official's unease, so I offered a warm smile to reassure them. As the court lady led the way, we followed closely behind. Instead of being attired in the typical Eastern Roman Empire fashion like the men, the woman wore a lightweight fabric loosely draped over a short vest and a wrapped skirt. Satou was struggling not to stare at her curves. Her belly was prominently displayed from the front, resembling a mixed style of Roman Empire and Arabian Nights attire.

Heading further into the vast dome, our journey led us to a majestic throne at the heart of the space. Positioned two steps above the ground we traversed, it added a regal presence to the room. As Rei gazed up at the dome, she spoke about its significance. However, our meeting with the king was imminent, and Satou intervened with a gentle nudge, snapping her out of her trance. I couldn't help but notice how effortless Rei's shifts in and out of a trance were becoming.

"Are you the merchant who wishes to present us with silk for my daughter?"

The king of Ishrallie looked down at us from the throne. The man's appearance exuded a slightly sinister vibe, as if he had indulged in many mischievous activities during his younger days. The Shiga Kingdom's traditional crown paled compared to his, a lavish wrap of gold thread adorned with Heaven's Teardrops. Its beauty was unmatched, an impressive display that set it apart. The jewels known as Heaven's Teardrops were flawlessly circular and dazzling in the sunlight. It was no wonder that the nobles of Shigan highly coveted them.

"It is an honour to meet you, Your Highness. I am a hereditary knight of the Muno Barony in the Shiga Kingdom. My name is Satou Pendragon,"

"So you are a noble, not a merchant? Forgive me," The king nodded magnanimously, urging Satou to continue.

"This is jade silk from the Shiga Kingdom,"

"Jade silk, you say?!"

Surprise was expressed by not only the king and the nobles nearby, but also the official standing next to us.

"You've avoided the preposterous tax imposed by Lalagi? Do you, by chance, have a Liquor Baron title, perhaps?"

Ishrallie was infuriated when they discovered that the Kingdom of Sorcery Lalagi was taxing jade silk at an exorbitant rate, making it over a hundred times more expensive than its actual value, each time a merchant ship passed through their territory. This was a deliberate ploy by the kingdom to boost the sales of their product, red silk, at a premium price while obtaining Heaven's Teardrops at a discounted rate. As we had gathered all of this information from Ishrallie residents, it was wise to approach it thoughtfully.

"If you have brought gifts of jade silk and such high quality, at that, you must be seeking the right to trade in Heaven's Teardrops, correct? Very well," The incident caused a stir among the assembled authorities and subjects, generating a commotion that bordered on shrill cries. "But first, I must speak with you. Come this way."

The Ishrallian king gestured for Satou to follow him, leading him through a secret passage accessible only to royalty. Rei joined them, but Sara and I remained with the other officials and nobles.

"I hope Satou didn't cause the king any problems," Sara said, stepping closer to me.

"He's fine," I assure her. "The king probably wanted to buy something through him."

They were only gone for less than twenty minutes before they returned and both Satou and the king appeared to be in a good mood. The king's face paled once Sara and I finally introduced ourselves. He shocked everyone when he threw himself to the ground and begged forgiveness for his ruefulness towards a hero and Oracle Priestess. It took us a while to calm him down and assure him we weren't offended.

By the time we left, we had been given rooms in the castle and invited to dine with the king and Sara and I were given a small bag filled with Heaven's Teardrops as an apology for earlier. It wasn't necessary, but they might come in useful if I need to make a deal with nobles in the future. And on our way back to join the others, Satou filled us in on what the king wanted to talk to him about.

"...Guard the prince?"

"Yes. Lalagi will soon hold the Skydea Festival? The king told me it is the custom for the prince to make an appearance as a show of goodwill,"

The king probably wanted to send his son to another nation in case the flamebeast attacked. It was reckless sending the prince to travel with a stranger but the king had his reason. As far as he knows, the flamebeast is still alive, and he needs to use Ishrallie's powerful navy to defend against that threat. We should probably say I defeated it. Satou doesn't want the credit, and the king could use his ships and trusted personnel to guard the prince.

<0 >

"Master! Over here, over here!"

After receiving a call from Arisa using the Space Magic spell Telephone, we headed to the shopping district of the castle town to reunite with our group. It appears that she desired to show us a seashell workshop of some sort. The fancy logo displayed on the signboard read LI-BURA.

"What do you think? Amazing, right?!"

"Yes, it really is. It's more like an art studio than a workshop,"

As I examined a fragile shellwork creation, I couldn't help but notice an oddity. The listed 'Estimation' price seemed far too inexpensive. While the larger pieces were priced in silver coins, the majority were only worth a single copper coin each. The largest piece, a regal crown adorned with lustrous pearls and delicate seashells, exudes an aura fit for a queen reigning over an enchanting underwater realm. For an artwork to possess such intricate detail, it should be valued at a minimum of one gold coin.

I couldn't help but buy up some pieces to use as gifts when meeting nobles for the first time. I didn't bother haggling that much on the pieces, even when the shopkeeper raised them by a few copper coins. If I were a merchant, I could make a small killing, reselling them even if the shopkeeper charged me five or six times the amount I paid for them.

"So, if you have extra stock, I would love to make a bulk purchase,"

"R… right. The young lady suggested as much to me, so I've just come back from our storehouse with a list,"

Satou had a similar idea of buying a lot like me. Only he cleans out the shop's inventory. As per the shop owner, their inventory consisted of approximately three hundred items, yet only about fifteen exhibited the exceptional intricacy displayed on the storefront.

"I'm afraid I only have Shiga Kingdom coinage. Is that all right?"

"Yes, of course. We rarely get Shigan copper coins around here, so the traders will exchange them without a fee,"

Upon further inspection, I noticed that the Ishrallie copper coins were significantly smaller than the Shigan ones. This led me to the realisation that the amount quoted by the owner was, in fact, equal to my initial estimate.

"Master Noble, if you like, could I perhaps inter- est you in my friend's shop as well?"

After completing our payment, we agreed to the offer made by the shopkeeper. Lai-Bura was the name of the pearl shop, while Tori-Bura was known for its coral merchandise. With the rest of our group in tow, we engaged in further exchanges at the pearl workshop and a coral workshop.

Each display exhibited remarkable artistry that could rival the exquisite shellwork. However, the coral workshop stood out with their extensive selection, including everything from fashionable accessories to stunning interior decor. Impressed by their offerings, I eagerly purchased a large amount of their merchandise.

The inland regions of the Shiga Kingdom and other areas highly prized products made from sea-based materials such as coral and pearls. Therefore, investing in such items would likely prove to be a wise decision.

Besides, most of us had fun. We girls had a good time trying on the accessories and comparing looks. Satou looked like he was getting bored after a while of this, but he still smiled and humoured us with his opinion when asked.

<0 >

"My name is Sabaan Ish…"

Just as the handsome prince with his charming, droopy eyes began to introduce himself, the king of Ishrallie swiftly jabbed his elbow into his side, silencing him. Clearly, he had almost revealed his true identity rather than using an alias.

I met the prince last night at the banquet. The prince seems like a good guy… when he is sober. Toward the end of the evening, after he had a few too many drinks, he started making some cruel comments comparing me to Sara. It's not my fault I am a late bloomer. I'm sure that part of me will grow someday and make everyone else jealous.

"Erm, Sabaish. Thank you for taking me to Lalagi,"

With a noticeably regal tone, the prince made his introduction, prompting a groan from the king. The prince really isn't cut out for this sneaky sneak stuff. Doing my best to look completely oblivious, I introduced myself to "Sabaish" along with Satou. After a brief conversation, Satou asked the king about Lalakie. It was during the party that we managed to get information about Lalakie.

"Are you interested in Lalakie?"

"Yes, I happen to be doing some research on it,"

"If it's treasure you seek, I advise against it," The king sipped a goblet full of an orange cocktail as he gave me a warning look. "Even the Flue Empire failed on their quest to acquire the treasure of Lalakie. It is written in our history books. In their battle against a demon lord, that empire sent a large fleet east of Lalagi to seek the ancient weapons. Almost the entire fleet was sunk by monsters called 'sea lord's spawn' in the Kraken's Domain near the Seadragon Islands. Only one captain managed to bring his ship back to tell the tale."

The monarch proceeded to clarify that the warship made of mithril alloy in their port had been taken from the survivors members of the Flue Empire fleet.

"Thanks to those sea lords' spawn, the greedy empire's fleet was destroyed, so they could not steal our autonomy or our Dragon Cannons," The king chuckled heartily. "I guess even monsters can come in handy sometimes," He clarified that the phrase' sea lord's spawn' was a broad term encompassing a diverse group of octopus-like creatures dwelling in the Kraken's Domain. "They say that Lalakie undoubtedly sank somewhere in the wide expanse of the Kraken's Domain, but to venture into that area would be suicide. Steer clear of that place, I tell you."

Together, the king and prince guided us to the grand banquet hall. The spread was a magnificent assortment of seafood dishes, including the most mouthwatering giant fish boiled in savoury soy sauce. Its remarkable taste left us in awe. Each course was a delight for the taste buds, as the chefs' remarkable talents shone through in every dish they created. It was only Satou, Sara and myself attending from our group but the others were being treated to a feast in a separate room.

<0 >

"Lady Kura… I can't go on..."

As we set sail from the harbour, a feeling of unease washed over Prince Sabaan. He soon fell into my arms, trembling and whimpering, overcome by a sudden bout of seasickness. I held up the slumped Sabaish.

"Don't be silly. I have medicine for seasickness,"

"I'm sorry, but that stuff doesn't work on me,"

"How about some medicine to make you sleepy, then?"

"Yes, that would be great, thanks. I hope we're in Lalagi when I wake up..."

I was surprised by the prince's inability to handle the ship, being from a sea-faring nation. I administered a powerful sleeping potion to alleviate his condition and placed him in a guest cabin on the forecastle. The prince's sleep allowed us to utilise the ship's flying capabilities, a fortunate circumstance for all involved.

<0 >

"Master, more pirates!"

"So it's three small galleys this time, hmm?"

Half a day had passed since we left Ishrallie, and we hadn't had much trouble so far, even when we encountered pirates. Instead of going through the hassle of arresting the pirates and transporting them back to Lalagi, we simply chose to drive them away and sink the ships carrying wanted criminals with high bounties. The pirate ships often launched surprise attacks from the concealment of nearby islands, allowing the crew to easily escape by swimming to shore. However, their fate depended solely on their skills and chance as they faced the dangers of monstrous creatures inhabiting the deserted islands.

Despite facing attacks from a handful of pirate vessels, some of which were cleverly disguised as ships mounted on the backs of enormous fish or turtle-like creatures, we emerged victorious. However, our success was not without consequence, as the very beasts we had defeated overflowed from our ship's food stores, much to Pochi and Tama's delight. We could have kept it in storage, but we needed to keep up appearances in case the prince woke up and wondered where all our food was coming from.

"Which kind?" Arisa asked.

"The really evil kind," Satou answered after checking their bounty info.

I observed no slaves on the ship, so I used a pre-emptive Water Wall attack to capsize it. Then, I used Short Stun to create some holes in the bottom of the ship, causing it to sink. At this point, I had perfected this routine after countless uses.

"Master Satou, recommending a change in course,"

"Good idea," Satou nodded at Nana's suggestion before turning to Arisa. "Arisa. They're here."

"Whaaa…?" She responded blankly.

"Tuna,"

"Wh… where?!"

"They're a little far away, so we should take care of things in Lalagi first,"

As Arisa and Satou made eye contact, they couldn't help but break into matching grins. While I can comprehend their excitement, their reaction appears to be a bit excessive. They even started laughing, and the looks on their faces caused Tama and Pochi to hide behind me.

<0 >

"There's a sailing ship over that way, sir,"

Pochi, who was manning the lookout post, was the first to spot the vessel. Lounging lazily beneath the mast, Tama perked up and sat upright with her ears twitching. She quickly ascended the rope ladder and borrowed the longscope from Pochi to get a better view of the ship.

"No one's theeere?"

As Tama said, the ship approaching us lacked any crew members. Satou quickly checked his map and couldn't find any of the crew on any nearby islands. Instead, Satou noticed four groups of twenty-eight vessels drifting along the route in front of us, all without any crew on board. A few of them had run aground, but still, it was strange. Satou didn't see any monsters prowling nearby.

"What's up with that?"

Like Tama, Arisa had been lounging around because of the scorching temperatures. Still, she suddenly sat up and shielded her eyes to scan her surroundings.

"Mrrr?"

"Hero Kura, the larva's hair decoration is glowing, I report,"

Mia and Nana directed my focus towards Rei's hair accessory, which emitted a subtle glow.

"Satou...?"

"It's okay… it's just purifying miasma,"

My 'Miasma Vision' was engaged as we approached the unmanned ship ahead. Its entire surface was engulfed in thick, black ink, miasma. The eerie presence emanated from the drifting vessel, resembling tentacles that had already made contact with our ship. This miasma was not typical, leading me to believe that a nonhuman entity was responsible. The reconstruction of the Skeleton King's ghost fleet seemed highly probable and explains why there were so many unmanned ships. But it would be wise to examine the vessel before making any hasty assumptions.

"Hang on a minute. I'm going to get rid of the miasma,"

Satou released his powerful spirit light, which he usually kept restrained, with full force, banishing the miasma around us. The vibrant hues of his spirit light instantly dissipated any miasma that came into contact with it. After spending time in the elf village, I knew that spirit light could eliminate miasma. However, witnessing it first-hand was genuinely remarkable.

"I'm going to go check out that ship for a minute."

"B… be careful!" Arisa called nervously.

<0 >

"How many ships are left? Three?"

Arisa's focus shifted to yet another unoccupied vessel that had crossed our path.

"No, this twenty-fifth one is the last,"

After an hour of navigating our flying ship and recapturing the straying vessels, we ultimately arrived at the final one. Unfortunately, the last trio met their demise at the hands of vicious creatures before we could rescue them. Satou and I took turns purifying the ships and recovered as much of the bodies, cargo, and so on as possible.

Despite treacherous sea conditions where three ships were lost in a brief period, the ability to salvage twenty-five vessels suggests the Skeleton King was in closer proximity than we had initially thought.

"Do you think this is the work of the Skeleton King?"

"Most likely,"

It was highly likely that the Skeleton King was responsible for claiming the lives of the crews on these ships, transforming them into undead sailors who now roamed the seas as part of his ghost fleet.

"It's... gone!"

"Vanish"

"Poof, sir,"

Initially, Rei was taken aback by the vanishing ships, but as time passed, she appeared to have grown accustomed to it. Satou had been utilising Magic Hand to stash away the crewless vessels into his storage. Rei stood alongside Tama and Pochi, gazing at the tiny whirlpool formed by the ship's vanishing.

"Larva, do not lean over too far, or you may fall, I advise,"

"Mm. Danger,"

"Okay... I'm sorry,"

Rei meekly pulled back from the railing.

"What about uuus?"

"Aren't we in danger, too, sirs?"

"Of course you are. Come back to the deck at once before you fall,"

Tama and Pochi seemed to be feeling left out, so Liza scolded them gently.

"Aye-aaaye?"

"Yes, sir,"

Tama and Pochi hopped down to the deck with big grins, seemingly unaffected by being reprimanded. Their strange cheerfulness was noticeable to those around them.

"Master! There's someone out there!"

Lulu's ordinarily soft voice was replaced with a surprisingly loud shout as she peered through the scope of her rifle-style sniping Magic Gun. Satou had fashioned the impressive Magic Gun by ingeniously reusing one of the Small Magic Cannons salvaged from the depths of the sunken ships. Although it was significantly less powerful than the original, I was impressed by the fact that a single person could carry it. Furthermore, it even had a battery made from bluecoins, allowing even Lulu to operate it.

"Ah! They're sinking!"

Satou lifted off the deck and used See Through and Magic Hand to retrieve the individual from the sea. The dense miasma appeared to have rendered him unconscious, prompting Satou to heal and allow him to recuperate in a comfortable guest cabin. I was curious about the attack on his ship. Still, he seemed to be in a more fragile condition than I had anticipated. Therefore, it seemed unlikely that we would obtain any details from him until we arrived at Lalagi.

"Huh, so he's a Shiga Kingdom noble?"

"The second son of Marquis Ashinen, it seems,"

From my Tolma notes, it is evident that the household of Marquis Ashinen held great sway within the royal capital. Additionally, the current head of the family, his father, held the esteemed position of viceroy in Labyrinth City Celivera, a destination we had on our itinerary.

"Let's make our way to Lalagi. We're passing a few pirate hideouts along the way, so better get armed and ready,"

"Understood,"

Liza nodded, and we all left Satou to go downstairs and prepare for battle.

<0 >

Lalagi's capital was nestled within a bay comparable in size to Tokyo Bay. In contrast to the neighbouring Shiga Kingdom, which had a visible water gate at the bay's entrance, Lalagi was guarded by a mystical invisible barrier reminiscent of the protective barrier found in the Bolenan Forest that shielded the elves' home.

"Tiltyyy?"

"It's slanted, isn't it, sir?"

Tama and Pochi tilted their bodies to match the sloping streets of Lalagi's capital. Perhaps they were searching for an angle to make the city appear perpendicular to the ocean.

"Lalakie's northern branch castle, Lalagi. A battle-ready floating castle that oversaw the discipline of the landfolk," While entering a trance, Rei gazed up at the city and began to speak.

A multitude of ivory structures enclosed a massive, cone-like structure that likely served as the castle. At its peak sat an enigmatic object resembling the Heavenslight Protection found on the Ishrallie royal stronghold. The majority of the structures surrounding the castle boasted significant height. At the same time, the city's outskirts were characterised by one or two-story homes. The city's noticeable slant was likely a sign of an emergency landing it had made on the ground in the past.

"It smells...sort of...sweet,"

"That is the scent of pastries, I inform,"

"Mm. Sugar,"

Rei's earlier anxiety, which had surfaced while confronting pirates, vanished entirely as she listened to Nana and Mia excitedly contemplate the potential selection of sweets to be found in the city. The Kingdom of Sorcery Lalagi was renowned for its vast sugar production along the popular sugar route. The royal capital was home to a bustling sugar refinery, solidifying its reputation as a key player in the industry.