The ship taking us across the sea was quite an impressive large vessel. It was a rather premium three-masted sailing ship (they called it Barque right?) and looked quite new. Based on what I was told, this ship was launched only about three years ago, meaning around the time I was just teleported here. The figurehead was a meticulously carved wooden statue of a woman in silk clothes, posed as if flying with her garments billowing like rolling waves. The ship's captain explained it was the heroine Iskra—the namesake of the island where the head of the Shipwrights Guild was born and raised.
Legend has it that in the early days of the Laplace War, the heroine single-handedly held back a tsunami created by a Demon God, thereby saving the lives of all the island's inhabitants. Although she died after that feat, her glorious deed was worshipped by the residents, who renamed the island after her.
So naming the ship and using Iskra's statue was a way to pray for a peaceful voyage and the strength to withstand the mighty power of the sea.
Hearing that story made me feel safe enough to step aboard. After all, a ship named after someone who could stop a tsunami would surely be protected by her spirit in heaven, right? I really hoped so, honestly, because I don't know how to swim.
Actually, in both of my lives, I have never set foot on any ship. And honestly, I don't even like the sea that much, which is a bit weird for a guy so passionate about seafood, right?
The first time in my life I went to the beach was on a certain weekend when I went to Baker Beach to try it once in my life. And I hated that place. Sand, heat, sun, sweltering weather, crowds, and countless other problems that human existence can bring—typically, lovey-dovey couples. As for Japan, I dropped dead before I even had the chance to try going there once.
In short, my impression upon merely touching the edge of the ocean was already bad. Not to mention that occasionally seeing stories like the Titanic, or some anime where the male lead gets his head put on a nice boat, only made me feel like there was no reason to ever set foot on a ship.
Now I'm on deck. Truly, things aren't that bad. I had expected it to be rocking back and forth constantly and all that, but I didn't feel anything too extreme. Just a slight vibration occasionally, nothing compared to the ordinary earthquakes I experienced countless times in my past life.
And from this high vantage point, I could see further towards the horizon, where the winds were constantly caressing my lovely teenage face. The dawn light at daybreak made me extremely excited and somewhat sleepy. Maybe taking a nap out at sea would be quite interesting. I wonder if my cabin has a window like in the movies?
Oh, seems like I've switched to excitement mode, haven't I?
Actually, like I said, I just didn't like the idea of going to sea. Meaning I didn't hate the idea that much. I was on the Iskra with a rather expectant mindset that my past life impressions would be washed away by what I was about to experience.
Because think about it. Aside from the bullshit I just listed above, the sea is still quite an interesting thing. Like the fresh, cool breezes you can catch at the bow of this ship. The sight of dolphins jumping on the water surface that you can only see in movies. And even cool things like watching seagulls fly along with the ship, accompanied by their pleasant cries.
Or those giant sea creatures waiting to sink the ship and devour me, ha ha ha.
Dammit, I want to get off this ship, I hate the ocean so much, boo hoo. I don't want to meet any damn hideous creature!
"The sea... I guess I just have to deal with it."
Besides me, it seemed Talhand was also fed up with having to travel by sea. The moment he boarded the ship, he was already looking pale.
"I heard this ship will be faster than last time," Roxy, standing nearby, immediately reassured him. "Instead of a week, the journey will only take four or five days."
"So that saves three days... not bad. Well, I'm heading back to my cabin to rest a bit." Talhand then looked over at me. "If anything happens, I'll have to ask for your help."
"Ah. Yes. Of course." I nodded, replying politely.
Talhand nodded back at me and walked away.
The thing is, Talhand and I would be sharing a cabin. I heard it was just a tiny room with enough space for a bunk bed. So to save money for our party, men and women were split into two rooms. Therefore, Talhand and I would share, and he asked me to use healing magic on him whenever he felt seasick. That's the gist of it. I don't mind helping others out anyway. I owe Talhand a debt for helping Isolde, after all.
It's just... I find it a bit weird that our group is quite wealthy but still stingy. But I couldn't force others to spend more money just for my extravagance, so I just stayed quiet and went along with it.
Come to think of it, I was also curious about what everyone's last sea voyage was like.
"How did everyone cross the strait from the Millis Continent to the Demon Continent last time?"
"Well, just like now, we got on a ship and arrived a week later," Isolde answered nonchalantly. But then, as if realizing something, she flashed a meaningful smile. "Oh, is this your first time on a ship? Don't worry, at most there will just be a few sea monsters like the Great Maw."
"Great Maw?" I frowned; it sounded like I just heard a terrifying name.
"It's a sea monster with a giant mouth that occasionally opens up and sucks in everything around it. Legend says its mouth is as big as an island," Isolde explained with a bright smile that didn't fit the context at all.
"What the hell!? There's no way that thing is real!" I immediately objected.
"Oh, it is real," Roxy replied deadpan.
"Really!?"
"But don't worry, the Great Maw is located somewhere in the middle of the Ringus Sea; it's not in this region."
"Oh, okay then." After hearing Roxy's explanation, I breathed a sigh of relief.
"But this area has the Great Serpent." Then Isolde said this. "Just one ram from it can sink an entire ship. And have you ever heard of Sea Dragons?"
"Eeek!"
"Don't worry, they won't attack us if we don't make them hostile." Roxy explained again.
"Oh I see." I sighed.
But Isolde just won't stop.
"And don't forget—"
"OH CAN YOU PLEASE STOP IT!!!"
I want to learn flying magic to fly over this damn sea! Aaaaaaa!!!
…
Broadly speaking, after lying in my cabin and waking up from a nap, the ship had traveled quite a distance; I couldn't even see the mainland anymore. Even if I wanted to change my mind now, the only way was to swim back.
After a rather depressing meal of dry rations, both Talhand and I were in no mood to eat much anyway. Luckily, I met the captain afterward. He laughed and assured me that in his fifty years of sailing, he had never been shipwrecked once. That's why people call him Fortuned Jack, implying he's extremely lucky—he hasn't even encountered a single storm in the past five years.
Furthermore, I later met an S-rank party hired to protect the ship; they were called Aqua Road. They were a four-person party, and I had gotten to know each member a bit during my time waiting for the ship in Wind Port. Basically, they seemed like a party quite experienced in fighting sea monsters. Every question and concern of mine was calmly addressed by their leader—a highly intellectual-looking mage wearing glasses—who explained how they would deal with each threat.
After that, they even spent hours telling me about the most difficult challenges they had ever faced. Even though I thought some parts were made up, the conversation with them truly made me feel much more at ease.
To further ease my mind, a few crew members even suggested I climb up to the crow's nest to observe and chat more about how the ship operated. Of course I agreed, since it sounded interesting. At this time, the navigator, a guy probably in his twenties, taught me a few things about seafaring. Like how to read the wind direction, calculate our current position, blah blah blah...
At first, I thought it would just be ordinary knowledge; I'd know it all since I'm a modern person. But after listening for a while, I realized there were some quite interesting things related to experience and practice. Extremely fascinating magical devices that made a voyage efficient, like a compass that always points to a set destination they are heading to, just like the one in One Piece. And also some weather prediction devices, magic circles assisting in creating wind for the sails, and so on. Overall, it wasn't as boring as I thought.
After that was done, I was able to relax more and come up to the deck to catch the breeze like this.
The fresh air, clear sky, and ripples of clouds stretching all the way to the horizon truly made for a beautiful scene. I also strolled around, inspecting the ship's structure, and it truly was a masterpiece; from its build to its aerodynamic design, it was incredibly efficient.
Not only that, but it also looked exceptionally cool. Now the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack was playing on loop in my head.
I could really imagine how excited Eris would be getting on a ship like this. She would constantly be in awe, pointing at interesting things she was seeing for the first time, just like the time we first left Roa for Buena. Then I would have the opportunity to explain each novelty, telling some stories I'd read to impress her. Otherwise, we would both sit and listen to experienced people tell their tales, just like I had earlier. Eris's fiery red eyes would light up with excitement and pour all her attention into the stories.
Wrapping up a day full of new and interesting things would be a crimson sunset from the horizon, making Eris's hair look even more beautiful and graceful in the wind. I swear, the imagery was so vivid it was as if I saw it right in front of me. It was so poetic and emotional that I composed a poem on the spot.
Upon the whispering tide we softly glide,
A crimson-haired beauty right by my side.
Her tresses catch the fading light of day,
As ocean breezes sweep the world away.
The sun dips low, painting the sky in gold,
A silent love story, beautifully told.
Beneath the amber dusk and twilight hue,
I found my perfect sunset, sailing with you.
I'll name it Crimson and Gold. Even though I know I'm naturally bad with words, after years of practicing this discipline, this is probably the best poem I've ever come up with. Hilda was right; I should let my emotions, guided by breathtaking scenery like a sunset, lead the way to recite the most beautiful poems.
Maybe I'll read this one at my wedding, he he he.
"Oh my, how romantic," a sweet but slightly mocking voice rang out. Without even needing to look back, I knew it was Isolde. "Who is the poem dedicated to, oh great poet? For me, perhaps?"
"Is your hair red?" I turned my head back and replied with a hint of laziness.
The Water King's fingers stroked a lock of hair resting on her shoulder, then twirled it around her index finger. She cast a sidelong glance at that strand of hair and smiled mischievously.
"Well, right now it is quite red? And I'm literally standing next to you."
It was actually a purplish color, but it did have a bit of a reddish tint.
"But you know perfectly well who I wrote this poem about, Isolde."
"I know, I know. Hehe. Just teasing you a bit."
She grinned, putting both hands behind her back, and slowly walked over to stand right beside me against the railing. The wind seemed to be getting stronger, causing Isolde's silky hair to flutter into strangely graceful waves. Even though Isolde is a swordswoman, she probably takes great care of her appearance, especially her hair.
Thinking about it made me remember the time I grabbed her hair back in the day.
"Yeah, you really don't know how to treat a lady with care," Isolde, seemingly aware of what I was thinking, lightly tucked the hair near her ear behind it. "I guess you'll be gentler when sparring with that red-haired young lady?"
"Actually, no," I admitted. "If I go easy on her, Eris will scream that I'm not respecting her."
Once, I tested out a few techniques I had thought up in my head, and the results weren't great. Consequently, Eris thought I was just playing around and was pissed at me for the whole day. But luckily, I always had my trump card—crispy, delicious fried food—to instantly coax her out of it, after which she would smile brightly as if nothing had happened. I wasn't sure if it was because Eris was still a child or if that was just her nature. But even so, things like that are still quite funny to think about.
"She sounds like an interesting young lady." Isolded commented.
"Ha ha! More than interesting," I laughed as I suddenly recalled the few times Eris greeted me in the Boreas style. That slightly grumpy 'mew mew' sound was truly cute. "When you meet her, you'll understand. Actually, I think you and Eris will get along."
"I'm also looking forward to seeing what kind of person you love so much that you can compose such a lovely poem for her."
"Ha ha."
Far away in the distance, flocks of migrating birds were flying south. The wind also mellowed out, but for some reason, I felt a certain coldness start to well up inside me.
Is it even love?
I actually thought I loved Eris, especially on the last night we were still together. But over the past three years, I've started wondering what my feelings back then really were.
It wasn't like the way I used to feel about Sarah or any girl I secretly crushed on in the past. My feelings for Eris are perhaps something purer. Because despite the weird things I did—like sniffing her scent or naming my kids—I never thought about things that crossed the line. Maybe even though I used to be a terrible pervert, I was never that terrible. Because she's still a kid afterall.
Not to mention that Eris and I were initially a political marriage of sorts. I only agreed to the engagement because I didn't want Philip marrying Eris off to some random asshole-should-be-good-as-dead like Darius. So no matter how you look at it, the situation was partly decided by a bunch of old men on behalf of a child who didn't even know what love was yet. That's honestly quite unfair.
So I don't know. Is it even love?
"You look deep in thought. Wanna share?"
Isolde's words were like a gentle knock on the door of my contemplative room just now. It's indeed quite hard to hide any anomaly from a Water King, especially a perceptive one.
"Actually, I'm worrying about how it'll be when we meet everyone again," I admitted half the truth. "A lot has happened recently. It's hard to expect everything to go back to how it was."
I heard that Fittoa had been completely wiped out, and all its citizens had been scattered everywhere. Many families were broken and separated forever. Although luckily the Boreas family was still intact, everyone's plans from the past definitely couldn't be carried out anymore. Like how Philip wanted me to marry Eris so we could dominate the Asura political chessboard together. Now that the Fittoa territory was gone, even if Philip became the lord of that land, it wouldn't help me defeat Pilemon.
"You're worried the young lady won't like you anymore, aren't you?" Isolde read me like a book, her eyes seeming to say there was no need for me to deny it.
"Yeah, partly."
And yes, that was partly it... a large part.
I really had started having worries lately. Like the fact that Eris has gradually matured and might no longer see me as a romantic interest. We've been separated for over three years now, right? By the time we meet, Eris might be 16 or 17 already, as mature as Isolde was when she first met me again. Still a kid in my eyes but she could become a completely new person who I can't recognize anymore.
It sounds a bit hard to believe, but by then, Eris might have grown up and begun to realize that agreeing to marry me back then was just a momentary impulse. I know that teenage romances often lead nowhere. So many couples who fall in love in middle or high school and look so good together still end up breaking up, maybe even hating each other for life.
I've also changed a lot and very quickly lately. Even though I think I'm still handsome, Eris might not think so. Maybe losing an eye would make her despise me? If she's still like before, she would find it cool but we can't be so sure about anything.
So there's no guarantee that when I return to Asura, this marriage will become a reality. Eris could absolutely reject me and ask to never see each other again. Philip or Lord Sauros may find someone else more suitable for her and their political interest. And if that happens, even if it hurts a bit, I'd accept it. After all, I don't want an uncertain marriage either. I want to marry a wife who will stay by my side for a lifetime, not a partner who regrets seeing me next to her every time she wakes up.
So I had started mentally preparing myself for the worst-case scenarios. This world has taught me countless times that plans and intentions can always change at any moment.
"If that really happens, what will you do?" Isolde asked again, keeping her eyes fixed on me without looking away. Just like a scientist observing a specimen. "I mean, if you get dumped."
"Then I'll just have to accept it." I shook my head, sighing somewhat apathetically. "That's life. Actually, I'd be quite happy if Eris could genuinely speak her mind. Ah no, I'm pretty sure Eris is the type who will always say what she thinks... So I mean, if Eris doesn't want to be with me and says it out loud, I'd be happy too; that's the gist of it."
It was that very thought that made me suddenly realize something. That perhaps I never really loved Eris. It was probably just the pure physiological reactions of a kid just starting puberty.
One thing I am sure of, however, is that I respect the girl. I want to protect Eris, I want her to be happy and achieve everything she has ever wished for. She deserve it.
Looking at it like this, it sounds more like how an older brother thinks about his little sister, doesn't it?
But I won't rule out the possibility that when we meet again, everything will go according to plan. I won't hesitate to rediscover what my feelings for Eris truly are and marry her. Regardless, I'll have to take responsibility for making a teenage girl fall in love with me anyway. I'm not the type to make someone fall for me and then run away.
"Sometimes I see you as an old man, Atur." Isolde frowned. "How old are you, really? 44?"
"14. I'm younger than you." I shrugged. "So you'll be an old hag who's older than an old man."
"Calling a woman old is a bit impolite, you know." Isolde smirked; she looked quite amused rather than offended in the slightest. "I can't believe that you could be this childish."
"Old or childish, pick one."
"You're both." Isolde concluded firmly. "You're a prematurely old 14-year-old brat with the temperament of a six-year-old."
"Wow, that hurts."
"It's the truth. You are."
And she's right. Maybe I've tried living like a kid so much that I forgot I'm an adult. Sometimes I completely forget how a damn 14-year-old kid is supposed to act. Let's see... what did I do at 14 in my past life? Ah right, studying and occasionally trying to peek under my female classmates' skirts.
And what about 14 years old in this world? We have Paul, who ran away from home and became a playboy. We have Pilemon, who already had over a dozen kids. Henry... well, let's skip his case because it's too special. In short, only Philip is perhaps the most normal among the men I know.
So I can see that I'm quite a good boy compared to this world's standards. Maybe I should be proud of that.
"But after all these years, you still haven't given up on writing poetry, huh?" Suddenly, Isolde changed the subject. "I'm quite surprised because you're actually starting to get some rhythm to it."
"Of course." Thumping a hand against my chest, I replied somewhat smugly. "If I gave up just because I was bad at something, I wouldn't be a North Saint or be able to stand on equal footing with you right now."
"There you go again," Isolde shook her head. "You were never that bad to begin with. Reaching the Beginner rank at five years old is already better than most people."
I suppose that's true; normally, ordinary people only start practicing swordsmanship around age ten. A bit earlier would be around 6 or 7, like Eris or Tristina. If you aren't smart enough and don't have the right build, it could take two years just to reach the Beginner level. So even if it's just the beginner level, not many five-year-olds can achieve it. Unlucky ones like me or Rudeus, who were forced to learn since age three, are a different story.
Back when I was in the Royal Capital, I heard a rumor that Luke, despite being the bodyguard of some princess whose name I completely forgot, was only at the Beginner tier of the Water God Style and Sword God Style, I think. At that time, my brother was around ten, and just that much was already considered talented.
Meanwhile, according to Calina, in a few years when my body fully develops into a man's, there might be even more terrifying leaps in progress. She even said that at this rate, me reaching the Emperor tier is just inevitable.
In short, I am not normal at all.
But compared to the 'normal' standard, what's so great about it? My goal is to defeat a 'genius'. Which means I have to reach the God rank and beyond.
"I bet when you were five, you were already at the Intermediate or even Advanced tier, weren't you?" I shrugged.
"Actually, I was only at the Beginner rank then; that was when I started practicing the sword seriously," Isolde replied instantly. "Before that, I just watched."
"Huh? You started practicing the sword even later than I did?" I gasped. "And you went from Beginner to Saint tier in five years!?"
"Yeah." Isolde nodded. "During that time, I didn't care about anything else besides swordsmanship, whereas you did all sorts of random things. So don't compare us. If you had only focused on swordsmanship, I think you would've reached the Saint tier a long time ago."
Hmm... What's going on? If it were the usual Isolde, she would say it was because she's different from me or because she's a genius. Now she's saying I would've reached it too? She seems really weird lately. Oh, or is she just comforting me because she saw I looked a bit worried about Eris's situation? Probably.
"You're exaggerating. I couldn't be that good." I sighed, crossing my arms and leaning on the ship's railing, resting my chin on them, my eyes gazing at the sun gradually disappearing below the horizon. "And speaking of random things, now you also have a bunch of other random things to do. You're even learning magic."
"It's all because of you. Master Reida is very displeased that I'm learning magic."
"Sorry about that. Looks like I made the future Water God candidate veer off course." I didn't have an ounce of remorse. On the contrary, I proudly patted my chest. "But don't worry, I'll become the Water God in your place. And you can just sit comfortably as a Water Emperor under my command."
"Keep dreaming." Isolde snorted a laugh. "I'm about to complete two secret arts, you know. You're a long way from surpassing me."
She's right; after all, I'm still struggling with the second secret art. Meanwhile, Isolde is on the verge of becoming a Water Emperor. Sigh... Can I call myself her opponent at this point?
"Tsk. Fine then, when we meet Master again, I'll take the blame for making you learn the North God Style and magic." I sighed.
"No need, I prefer it this way." Isolde smiled again. That smile was as dazzlingly radiant as if it was absorbing the light of the sunset. "I should be thanking you instead. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have met Roxy, then Elinalise and Talhand. And the people at Necross Fortress too. If it weren't for you, I probably would've just spent all day crossing swords with some grumpy old men and ladies forever."
"Seems like it, huh? Then a few decades later, you would've definitely turned into a grumpy old hag who finds everything an eyesore." I nodded in agreement. "A lonely old hag who can't find a friend or a lover."
"You're implying I would end up like Master Reida, aren't you? You really have a death wish."
"That's your own thought, you know. Besides, you should pay me back for making your life more interesting. I accept all forms of currency, by the way."
"Next time we share a room, I'll let you sleep on the bed."
"Deal." I agreed instantly before suddenly realizing the problem. "But we have no reason to ever sleep in the same room again! Are you scamming me?!"
"E he he. But you already agreed." Isolde laughed out loud, leaving absolutely no trace of a maiden behind. "Then wait till the end of your life for that repayment."
"Sigh..."
Well, I guess I have to accept it. It's not like I need her to give me any rewards anyway. To me, the fact that anyone I cherish can still live well and happily is already better than thousands of gold coins.
The ship kept speeding south, and the sunset of my first day at sea had also faded, leaving behind a starry night. Maybe I don't hate the sea that much after all? Maybe I can enjoy my life a little bit with this journey.
…
The next day, our ship encountered a storm that Captain Jack himself said was the biggest storm of his life.