Chapter 5

The Japanese oceans ripped apart by a typhoon.

The scenes I saw on TV during September, are now being reenacted before my eyes.

The only difference is Im on a boat, standing in the middle of the storm. Although I say storm, the sky is clear and blue.

The clouds are moving a bit quickly, but all you see is the clear winter sky, even the winds arent that strong.

But the surface of the sea has waves crashing into each other and whirlpools.

The waves beating on the sides of the ship sweep across the deck, tall ones falling over our heads even ram continuously at the mast.

The guard ship patrolling around us has been blocked by the fierce waters, trapped in the distance.

Looking and the sky and the sea now, gives me the false impression of looking at heaven and hell.

It shouldnt be a giant squid, huh?

Of course not. Around the continent of Seisakoku, theres a special current known as the natural defense. This side of the sea is only calm for little over ten days every year. If you miss that period, no matter how skilled the voyager, no one can reach their country. Its like having an invisible shield as hard as rock! Its also why they were able to stay in lockdown for the past few millennia.

Soaked to the bone by the water spray, we move to the control room.

As the ship is already slanted beyond any more slanting, we are forced to hold the rails on the walls and inch our way forth.

This feels a lot like the pirate ships I used to ride in those familiar amusement parks.

But Sara loses his grip on the slippery surface, and almost falls onto the slanting floor.

Careful, Sara!

Before I even reach out, Lord Weller has already grabbed his slender shoulder and pulled him back to his side.

Oh, right, because he gives off a very delicate feeling, I subconsciously feel like protecting him.

Problem is, he already has a dependable bodyguard by his side. He doesnt need an amateur like me worrying about him.

On the other hand, my bodyguard put his right hand over his eyes, shielding the light as he looks into the distance.

What a shame, looks like I dont have the chance to show you my giant squid exterminating skills anymore. AhI get it. This isnt a squid monsters doing at all, its Seisakokus famous current, aint it?

Whatever you say, Josak, but its dangerous for you to stand so far ahead! Come back here quick, come back! Even if your biceps are really strong, if youre swept down there by the waves theres nothing for you to hold on to!

How mean, Your Majesty, do you only emphasize on my body?

Its hard to tell whos the bodyguard, exactly.

Backing up to the entrance, Josak looks at me with a worried expression,

The guard ships cant be seen with the naked eye anymore, and thats both ships. Logically its impossible that they sunk, but it looks like theyre quite far away from us now.

What does that mean?

Were being forced into entering enemy territory without any weapons at all.

I see, being a natural-born soldier, of course he would feel uneasy without a blade by his side for self-protection.

But were a peaceful ambassadorial envoy, if someone coming supposedly for peace shows off an exaggerated array off weaponry in self-defense, wouldnt that be getting everything upside down?

Of course Ill pray that the guard ships dont get in any trouble, but even if theyre not coming along, I dont mind.

But first we have to safely get to Seisakoku. Anyway, if we dont get past this obstacle, well probably end up as food for the fishes.

The control center of the boat is already soaking in water.

The three crewmen holding tightly onto the ship wheel are using all their weight to steady the ships direction.

To prevent the ship for flipping over, they must cross the waves at the right time.

Whos the star helmsman here?!

Thats like the term they use in the culinary world. Hearing Saraleguis voice, the man with the deepest colored hair turns around and says,

Its me, Your Majesty! But for safety purposes, please retire to your cabin and protect yourself with something soft!

Saralegui presses his spectacle frame to stop his glasses from flying off on impact, asking,

Do you have experience crossing these waters?

The star helmsman raises his eyebrows and widens his eyes, looking surprised.

Of course not, Your Majesty.

What about the captain?

Me neither, Your Majesty. Nationally-owned cargo ships cant approach Seisakoku.

The boy king tsks unhappily, muttering,

So at the end Im the only one.

I dont understand what he means by him being the only one.

I look around to see if anyone else heard him say that, but the crewmen are putting their all in keeping the ship steady, looks like no one heard it.

By now I unconsciously grip my fist, telling them,

Hang in there! No matter what, just hang in there! If theres anything I can help with, please dont hesitate to tell me!

Thank you However, as the guest you had still better return to the safety of the cabin

The short man next to star chef murmurs, gritting his clenched teeth.

Sensing someone moving behind me, I turn around just in time to see Lord Weller walking out of the room.

His hair, shoulders and the back of his Dai Shimaron army uniform, have all been drenched and changed colors.

Where are you

Please return to the cabin, and Your Majesty Saralegui, too.

Being forced under Josaks protection, Saralegui makes a noise of displeasure, but he cant stop me following after Conrad.

I think that he surely has a plan for the current situation, so Im eager to find out as soon as possible.

What do you want to do? Lord Weller?

The pouncing waves beat on me mercilessly, if Im not careful, theres a high chance I will slip.

Just trying to catch up to him as I grab the rails is sapping me of my strength.

Answer me!

Im looking for someone.

He walks down the stairs into the cabins, glancing at me.

After making sure that I havent been washed away, he sighs with an expression of resignation,

I told you not to come with me, there really is no stopping you Its dangerous here, so keep closer to me.

This concerns the fate of the ship Im on, of course Id want to know how to face this. Besides, where I want to go is my own choice, right?

But by doing this, youre forcing Josak to come find you after escorting Sara back to the cabins Youre as good at troubling your guards as always Be careful not to slip, watch your step.

I know that.

I brush my soaked fringe away from my face.

Seawater has gone into my eyes and nose, and my throat feels tight and horrible too.

I clench my fist, trying to wipe away the stinging pain on my face, but the corner of my eyes just gets more and more painful.

Ah, if you rub like that, youll

And after that Lord Weller falls silent, quietly crossing the pathway between the crates and lifting the floorboard from earlier to look into the dark ship bottom.

Thats the place the alleged slaves, the shinzoku are being kept.

The condition inside can only be described as terrible.

The water there is knee-deep, you cant even sit down anymore.

Add that to the fact that theres nothing sturdy and fixed in there to hold, so whenever the ship slants, people crash into the walls. Even so, they dont scream. They just moan quietly and bear it.

Hey.

My voice attracts a few golden lights.

Those are the eyes of people who had risked their lives to escape Seisakoku, only to be deported back now.

Are you all right?

I really asked a stupid question, theres no way they are all right.

If we dont scatter them quickly, once the water comes in faster, theyll all get three strikes and an out.

But how to explain to them in a language they dont understand?

Hey, if you dont get out of here now, youll be in danger

Lord Weller turns back into the center of the ship, grabs a lit oil lamp and some paper he tore on the spot before jumping down, and I carefully climb down the ladder too.

Itd be great if there are any seamen or former navy officers amongst them. Because if they are someone related to Seisakokus sea transportation, perhaps they might have the skills to overcome this obstacle. At least they would definitely understand these currents better than Shou Shimaron crewmen.

Ah, I get it! Its the Are there any doctors onboard? approach, right?

I dont bother about my rude what, so its just like that expression, and start yelling with all my strength in the middle of the shinzokus.

Please help us! If any of us can steer a ship AhSeriously, the language barrier again!

Hold this for me.

Lord Weller stuffs the oil lamp in my hands, and then starts drawing with the charcoal on the huge piece of paper. UhA sun?

Is that the sign of the electric source?

"No!

Then what is it Conrad, you dont seem to very good at drawing Ah~ I get it! Its the ship wheel, are you trying to draw the wheel? Lend me that for a while!

If art results can be classified into an average five levels!

Being someone of approximately the second level, I reach over for the charcoal and draw a huge ship wheel on the back of the paper.

Drawing like this should be OK, right? And then I lift it like a round girl, high over my head.

Can anyone here steer a ship?! Were looking for someone who can turn the sort of circle on this paper!

At first the shinzokus look at us like were monsters, but before long they leave the walls they were sticking to, and approach us slowly.

One man raises his hand timidly. His cheeks are sunken, and he looks like hell faint anytime now, but his deep golden eyes shine brightly.

Are you a helmsman? Thank goodness, Conrad, we found one, there really is one!

Yeah.

Actually I was sort of skeptical too!

We usher the man up the stairs without even asking him his name, because we have to get him to the control room as soon as possible, and ask him to help us cross the turbulent seas.

Conrad climbed up ahead of me, and I grab his hand, ready to leave the bottom of the ship.

Wait a moment.

What is it?

We cant leave these people here.

There are more than a hundred gazes trained on us, could this be the only exit?

Theres no time now

But what if the ship sinks? Staying down here, theres no way they can escape. Everybody, this floorboard, this piece of wood here, its open! The situation is dire now, so theres not a single guard. Please be prepared to board a lifeboat at any moment.

But they just exchange uneasy glances, making me feel again the pain of a language barrier.

Listen closely, this is open!

Your Majesty, please hurry.

Hearing the familiar title, I heave a sigh of relief, thank goodness we understand each other.

Conrad.

I lean on the sides of the wooden crates to make my way back to the cabins, but I still dont get it, so I speak up to ask Conrad, walking briskly beside me.

Why didnt those people come out?

That place is no different from a cave!

Although shinzokus are different from humans but they didnt get a humane treatment. If it was me, Id have long since lost it, and would even go complain to the authorities.

Perhaps they were always taught not to resist, but

Just then, the man walking in front of Lord Weller turns around and says something to his companion.

What happens after today is anyones guess.

Hes probably talking about those who stayed where they were.

Although there were a few lines purposely lower in volume, but soon they become agitated yells.

Even if I cant understand the contents at all, but when the ship shakes abruptly, and the three of us are thrown onto the crates, he says a few words even I recognize.

Venera? This shinzoku man just said Venera?

That was the word that showed up in the letter to me.

Although were not sure if its the name of a place or a person, Gnter did say its most probably a proper noun.

So even if I dont understand the verbs he was saying before, I still get the noun Venera.

I clearly heard, in this thin mans spittle-flying highly-agitated speech, the word I know.

Hey, you said Venera?! You just said Venera, didnt you?

I grab his clothes and shake him hard.

His clothes are like the girl who distributed the food earlier, nothing more than a piece of cloth tied with a leather belt.

Tell me, what is Venera? The only hope Jason said, the thing Freddy asked to save. Please tell me, how do I save it? What is Venera to you?

Your Majesty!

The stick-like body seems to be in pain, the way Im shaking it. Forget speaking, looks like he cant even breathe.

Yuuri!

Conrad forcefully wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me away from the shinzoku man.

My chin even knocks into his shoulder, the pain finally clearing my mind.

You cant understand each other at all.

Oh, yeah. Sorry It was my fault and this kind of question cant be asked with my level 2 art results.

The expression of the man who was randomly interrogated has become stiff out of fear and shock.

I dont know if he can understand my apology this way, so I bow my head to him one more time.

Lets go, or itll be too late when the ship sinks.

Does it start from the front?

Huh?

His half-joking words make me forget about the crisis for a split second.

When you say your art results are level 2, does that mean youre second best from the front?

Dont be silly, Conrad, of course I mean second last, counting from the back. Its okay, you dont have to comfort me.

We chat lightly as we climb upstairs, but once we reach there its like the end of the world, because each of the crewmen is grabbing something to prevent themselves from being swept away by the waves.

Some of them even tied themselves to a pillar using thick rope.

If Im not careful while advancing, Ill probably fall flat on my face when the waves hit me from the sides.

The surface of the sea is so turbulent, but the sky is so beautiful its otherworldly. The sunlight shining down from above is bright and warm. It makes the few of us, being tortured by nature, feel like were being punished in hell.

But, just when I want to take a deep breath, my concentration is broken.

I had definitely distanced myself from the edge of the deck, but a green wave assaults me from above, hitting me on the face and loosening my grip on the corridor railing.

Crap!

Thankfully the rails on the edges of the deck blocks me near my stomach, preventing me from falling overboard, but I also have to thank Lord Wellers reflexes, since he is holding on tightly to the back of my kitchen uniform.

He would probably ask me are you okay, as usual.

I sneak a peek at the surface of the sea I nearly plunged into, and having rushed to my side, Conrad also glances at the ocean with his brown eyes.

Theres a whirlpool there, a dark blue circle different from the surrounding waves.

Are you okay

So close, so close.

I keep staring at the unnaturally bright blue spot in the middle of the whirlpool, feeling as though Im being sucked in.

I remember this feeling, but I cant remember where I felt it before, so it frustrates me.

Lifting my head to look at Conrad, now almost shoulder-to-shoulder with me, I realize that he seems to be thinking the same thing.

I even feel as though a white hand might come out from there, grab my neck and pull me down.

Maybe I will painlessly, without a single clue as to where I am, be brought down to the depths of the sea where my lungs dont work

It feels as though someone is calling my name from a distance, so I take an unconscious half-step forward.

Logically speaking, I wouldnt have fallen in.

If someone hadnt pushed me from behind.