Chapter 10

The crew starts running towards the helm, and those who cant escape in time jump directly into the sea.

Everyones holding hands as we climb up the slanting deck, then gripping the railings tightly. The cargo ship that was originally stopped beside us is speedily leaving in fears of being caught up in the calamity. Only the first few soldiers to jump across are now catching their breath on the deck.

Just then, someone yells, The boats sinking.

The boats sinking, quick, jump onboard!

I wrap my arm around Wolframs waist, then hold my breath and prepare to jump.

Your Majesty!

Gnter, if we dont get away soon, the boats gonna sink!

The Special Ambassador clad only on his underwear and with his hair a mess, shakes my shoulders with a spine-chilling expression, making me feel like even my dried-out brain juices are sloshing around in my skull.

Your Majesty, please forgive my bringing up an unreasonable request at a time like this. Im a ghost, a devil, and Covenant Castle is like the Temple of Exorcism! Logically speaking now I should be strongly advising Your Majesty, and trying to stop your actions, but even if later I am cursed by the people or punished accordingly, I do not mind so

W-w-w-w-what do you want to say, G-G-G-G-Gun

Im begging you to stop shaking me, as I desperately try to hold up my powerless neck.

Everything shall be done as Your Majesty wishes.

Those violet eyes veil a flash of bitterness. But Gnter immediately changes his mind, pointing at the rapidly departing cargo ship.

Hes pointing at Lord Weller, whos sticking his body out, and Saralegui, hugging the railings tightly. Theyre sandwiched in between the Shou Shimaron crew.

Go, Your Majesty. If you miss this opportunity to go to Seisakoku, there wont be another!

But the boat and you guys

Captain Sizemores on his way, well be fine!

Wolfram roughly grabs my hand, and says simply,

Dont worry so much, just go! And then you must return safely Gurrier!

Josak runs up to us, tossing away bucket of water and gripping a rope.

Just in case, he even tugs at the thing in his hand several times, replying as he tests its strength,

Here!

Protect Yuuri properly.

Yessir. Then, Your Majesty, please pardon my rudeness.

Before I can ask what he wants to do, Josak has already lifted me into his arms carefully, then he lifts his heels on the slanted deck, and the next second were already on the ocean surface.

WaaWhat are you doing Were gonna fall!

But the waves pass under our feet like blue stripes. Right now the rope is wrapped around the mast of the cargo ship, which means to say that Josak wants to send me to that ship from this one. Next, I use the skills picked up during outdoor excursions as a kid, and personally become a temporary Tarzan.

AaaaaAaaaa--- AaaaWaa!

This angle aint that good.

I even hear a displeased tsk by my ear!

Josak!

Lord Weller immediately rushes to diagonally below us, his expression solemn and his arms open wide.

Hurry!

In that moment the childhood playmates exchange a glance.

Sorry, Young Master.

Shin Makokus well-honed intelligence officer doesnt even finish his sentence, before he throws me into the air.

I wail with a long endnote, Thats too much And then I fall towards the deck of the cargo ship. At first I thought I would crash into the deck, so I curl myself up into a ball. But surprisingly, the impact Im waiting for doesnt come.

Weird?

Turns out Conrad, who had moved directly underneath me, had already caught me firmly.

Con

He very quickly puts me down, then carelessly helps me pat away the soot on my clothes.

Are you hurt?

No.

Thats good.

Having finally gotten here, Captain Sizemore rescuing the people in the water, one by one. Seeing my friends in their ranks, I feel a weight lifted off my chest.

As for Josak, who had slammed into the mast, hes now sliding down the pole looking half-dead. His nose and forehead are bright red, and his orange hair are messy as flames.

Ow ow oww, someone come help me.

Josak!

I use my injured subordinate as an excuse, escaping from that suffocating space.

Ah! Your Majesty, thank goodness youre safe. On the other hand, it seems like Gurrier must ask Lady Cheri for whip-using pointers!

Over the mischievous Josaks shoulders, I see the beautiful ship snapped into two.

Shou Shimarons flagship, The Golden Salmon sinks just like that, while red flame and black smoke rise from the sky and the sea.

Saralegui sits on the deck despondently, covering his face with his slender fingers.

I I

The voice muffled in his palm is shaking with uncertainty.

I know the opposing forces should have been immediately quieted down, after all Storob is an excellent soldier. And theres still Shin Makokus warship for reinforcements. Even if we were to be ambushed and take some damage, theres still an overwhelming difference in military power. Only...

There are only two medium-sized cargo ships leaving the war port at full speed. Considering this is a long distance trip for the king of Shou Shimaron, it counts as an imperfect guard force.

Only, the final outcome is that all I got is this cargo ship, and now Im heading to an unfamiliar land with no real trustworthy subordinates. What should I do after this

Cmon, youll be fine.

He is someone raised since young as royalty. Even if hes an expert at governing the people, theres no way he would know how to take care of himself. Even I can only pat his shoulder or grip his hand to console him.

Relax, Sara. Therell be a way.

Yuuri, theres one more even scarier thing!

The hand that has never before lifted any loads, grips my calloused hand tightly. He raises his face, expression tragic, and I realize that those eyes hidden behind the thin lenses are still brimming with tears that may fall at any time.

I nearly had you killed.

What does that mean?

You No, the reason your friend was shot at, is most probably because of my cloak.

So thats what it was!

After hearing him say that, my previous suspicions now make sense. The man who was tied to the middle of the mast and shot Wolfram, wouldnt be able to tell who was wearing the cloak from that height. But that shooter had unhesitatingly loosed his arrow at Wolfram, not me. That time Wolfram had said a name, though, what was that person called again?

Kinan

Kinan? Wolfram did say something like Kinan back then.

Although its a name Ive never heard before, but that man wasnt aiming for Lord von Bielefeld, his attack was directed at the light blue cloak.

At the shiny cloak that Shou Shimaron king Saralegui normally wore.

Your friend took that arrow in the chest for me I-if, back then the person wearing the cloak was Yuuri, whenever I think that it couldve been you I When Storob called me over, I shouldve just asked him to board the ship with me. If only Id never returned to land, and just stayed on The Golden Salmon. Or if I couldve made it back on to the flagship in time, instead of being late I shouldnt have waited to switch ships after reaching the outer sea. Itd be fine if Id just stayed on The Golden Salmon like a good boy!

But in that case, you wouldve been the one attacked, Saralegui.

I gently put my arm around Saraleguis shoulder, as he sobs uncontrollably.

Because you dont have the Poison Ladys protection, you couldve died if you werent careful.

Since he doesnt understand what Im saying, hes shocked there for a moment. But those unbidden tears still flow from his lost-looking eyes.

His shoulders, so slender theyre like a girls, are shaking unstoppably in guilt.

I think to myself, This wont work, this child cant protect himself. As a king who leads the people and runs the country, he doesnt have any skills necessary to protect himself.

Its okay, Sara. Wolfram is fine, and there arent any deep wounds either, so its really fine.

I regret it, I regret it so much. Why did I give you that cloak?

Wasnt it because you were scared Id get cold? You were scared that the sea breeze and the sunlight were too strong, thats why you kindly lent me your cloak. Thank you, I was really very happy.

Yuuri, you really are so gentle. I just dont know how to make it up to your friend

Saralegui cups his face with his right hand, and before long starts sobbing. Only until my fingertips are getting chilly in his grip, does he finally stop his tears flowing, and those eyes staring out at the sea finally regain their old light. He uses his fingers, damp with tears, to push his pale golden hair behind his ear.

Theres only one way I can compensate.

He heaves a long sigh, then says in a soft but determined voice, The only way I can make it up to you and your friend, is by leading this ship and sending you safely to Seisakoku. Thats all I can do.

Saralegui.

The interactions upon reaching there, are between Shin Makoku and Seisakoku, something I cant interfere with. But following the flow of the current, navigating the sea according to the nautical map and the stars sending you to the Seisakoku jetty at the ends of the sea, thats something I can do.

Releasing my hand, Saralegui stands facing me and hugs my waist, asking excitedly,

What do you think, Yuuri? Is doing that enough?

Actually, you dont have to mind so much.

The boy king, now alone after losing his subordinates, runs away the drying tears on hisfaace, then turns his gaze behind me, thats a look of focus.

Lord Weller.

Yes.

The voice comes from somewhere not too far from me, scaring me in spite of myself.

You said before that Dai Shimaron is like a parent to Shou Shimaron. As His Highness Belar the Seconds appointed ambassador, you have the responsibility to report and invigilate my country so we dont do anything out of line, yes?

Thats right.

And also the responsibility to make sure Shou Shimarons rights are not infringed, as well as giving suitable assistance.

The ambassador from Dai Shimaron nods in lieu of a reply, and waits for him to continue.

Im ready to head to Seisakoku with Yuuri. Therefore, I have to commandeer this unfamiliar ship, deal with the hardships of the ocean, and may even be in mortal danger.

Lord Weller gives him a sideways glance with those pale brown eyes, predicting what the next line with be, the silver irises hiding a gleam.

Saralegui speaks in a strong and challenging tone. He, who had just been on the edge of cliff, seems to have been saved from despair and gotten back onto his feet, his words showing glimpses of his strength.

Are you willing to protect me?

The Dai Shimaron ambassador, whose fringe is billowing in the sea breeze, pauses for several seconds before nodding and saying, I will do my best to protect you.

I use the secret technique of finding the emergency exit in hotels, and start wandering the deck of another countrys ship. I give the hardworking Shou Shimaron crew a sideways glance, then I walk around to the back of the thick mast. When I sit down on the wooden box there, the damp sea breeze blows my hair into a mess.

I bend my body to put my head between my knees, my eyes seeing only the wooden floorboards.

Youre just too mean, Young Master. If you want to go for a walk, you shouldve invited me, Gurrier, too!

The joking tone and what looks like borrowed military boots approach me, and then he sits down so close to me he can almost touch my legs. His arm seems to wrap around me, landing on the back of my white kitchen uniform.

But I never would have thought.

He uses a rare solemn tone, saying at the most comfortable distance from my ear,

Is it because you have to take care of yourself, so youre feeling really lonely?

No.

I shake my head slowly.

If I had that confidence and corresponding ability, then I wouldnt need to bother anyone.

Im real hungry, so much so I can barely move, since I practically havent eaten anything since yesterday morning.

Next to me, Josaks body trembles as he laughs heartily.

Aww, you poor thing! Humans will get hungry whenever, be it at weddings or funerals!

He doesnt forget to add Of course, Mazoku too. So we can continue living on.

And the only redemption is the fact that were on sea.

Surely the waves can take away any sort of emotion.