Chapter 248 – The Voyage to Silvatoria

“Well then, Theo-kun, take good care of yourself.”

“Yeah. Next time, in Termwills.”

“It feels a bit strange that we’re seeing you off here, then meeting again in Termwills when we return.”

“That’s true.”

Alfred, who had come to see us off at the harbor, and I exchanged wry smiles.

The next day. Blue skies with summer clouds. A transparent sea. It was a perfectly clear day, ideal for departure.

Alfred would be staying in the Marquisate of Fobrester for a few days. After that, he planned to return to Termwills with Ophelia and Viola in a Dragon Palanquin, escorted by the Marquisate’s Knight Order. So, the next time we’d meet would likely be after teleporting back from Mt. Tephra.

“Well then, everyone. May fortune favor you.”

“Ophelia-sama, let’s meet again in Termwills.”

“Yes. Ashley-sama.”

Ashley and Ophelia took each other’s hands as they exchanged words.

“Romina-sama, please stay well too. Do come visit Termwills again.”

“Yes, definitely.”

Ophelia and Romina seemed to have become quite friendly during their journey together. Ophelia had apparently helped bring Talcott and Cindy together as well, so she seemed to be good at looking after others.

Next to them, Princess Stephania and Marquis Fobrester were also exchanging farewells.

“Marquis Fobrester. Thank you for your warm hospitality.”

“I pray for the safety of your journey, so that Your Highness may fulfill your duties without incident and return safely to Termwills.”

“Thank you.”

Marquis Fobrester turned to face Marquis Zilbolt and bowed.

“Well then, Marquis Fobrester. I look forward to the day we meet again.”

“As do I, Marquis Zilbolt.”

“Now then—shall we go?”

Princess Stephania said quietly.

We climbed the gangway and all boarded the ship. The crew hurriedly ran about the deck, the anchor was raised, and sails were hoisted on the mast.

The sails caught the wind, and the ship began to move. From the deck, we waved to Alfred and the others who had come to see us off. They waved back, their figures slowly growing smaller.

Beyond the sea lay the country where Mother was born. And—the country that had driven Mother out.

“—Silvatoria, huh.”

“Is that… Lady Lisa’s homeland?”

When I murmured while watching the shrinking harbor, Grace responded. Ashley also looked concerned. Neither of them thought Mother was at fault. So that was… probably their concern for me. Had something shown on my face?

“Yeah. I think that’s probably correct.”

I smiled and replied.

“…It’s fine. It has nothing to do with our life back then.”

I put my arm around Grace’s waist and held Ashley’s shoulder.

“—Yes.”

The two nodded quietly and gently leaned closer.

Patricia the magician from Silvatoria, and Mother—Lisa. There was likely no doubt they were the same person.

Based on what Marquis Zilbolt had told me, it wasn’t hard to imagine that Mother had been associated with the academy head’s faction at the Sages’ Academy.

Driven by the Crown Prince’s schemes and the effects of the Faction Conflict, she probably fled the country to protect some kind of magic, technique, or item—and herself. But if that were the case, Mother had done nothing wrong. She was simply tossed about by the whims of those above her.

After holding the two for a while, I met Marlene’s gaze.

“Marlene.”

When I called her name, she came over with slightly quickened steps. When I pulled her into an embrace, she hugged me back, pressing her cheek against my chest. Marlene had probably overheard my conversation with Grace and the others.

When I then glanced at Claudia and Rosemary, Claudia’s cheeks flushed slightly, and Rosemary covered her face with her feather fan.

“If being on deck is the problem, should we go to the cabin?”

“No, it’s fine. I heard the conversation.”

“…That’s right. There’s no need to hold back.”

I pulled Claudia into an embrace, and Rosemary moved around to my back on her own, wrapping her arms around my shoulders. A brief embrace.

Or perhaps… if it were Zadias, he might call the elders sending Mother away an act of betrayal against the country. But as far as we’re concerned, accusations stemming from the Crown Prince’s convenience are none of our business. Mother’s life after she escaped—that was everything to me, and that’s all that matters.

Yeah. There’s no need to be nervous at all. Let’s change my mindset.

“Ah… Should I ask the captain if we can go fishing? Sheila, we brought several fishing rods, right?”

“Mm. I brought extras.”

Sheila nodded. Since we knew it would be a sea voyage, Claire the Arachne had prepared long fishing lines for us, thinking it might help pass the time on the ship.

Well, if the captain said no, then it would be a no… but judging by his appearance, he seemed like a rather bold person. We might get permission.

Right now—it was just after departure, and he seemed busy at the helm, so maybe I should ask a crew member to relay the message.

“Excuse me, would it be alright if we went fishing later?”

I asked a crew member wearing a bandana. The crew member showed his teeth in a cheerful smile on his sun-tanned face.

“Fishing? Got it. I’ll ask the captain.”

“Any time when he’s free is fine.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll come to your cabin later to let you know.”

“Until then, I’ll play something.”

“Hmm. I like the sounds Irmhild plays.”

Tephra, with Seraphina on her shoulder, reacted to Irmhild’s words.

“Then I’ll have to work hard to live up to your expectations.”

Irmhild rolled up her sleeves, flexing her arm as if showing off her muscles, and laughed.

So we all headed to the cabin. The cabin’s interior was quite luxurious, with high livability.

Marquis Fobrester had said that since we were escorting Princess Stephania to Silvatoria, he had prepared a ship and crew worthy of that task… I see.

Once we settled in the cabin, Irmhild immediately began playing her lute. She said it was a piece she learned from Justia the Siren.

A knock echoed through the cabin.

“Come in.”

When Princess Stephania responded, a bearded man holding a pipe entered the cabin. He was dressed exactly as you’d expect—captain’s hat and coat. This was Captain Montague, whom Marquis Fobrester had strongly vouched for as a trustworthy person.

Apparently, he had originally belonged to the Knight Order and now mainly transported goods between Termwills and the Marquisate, or was often used when the Marquis himself traveled to Termwills.

“Sorry for the rush. Took me a while to get back to you… oh, pardon me. An old habit slipped out. The sailors seem more comfortable with this way of speaking.”

Captain Montague gave a wry smile at his own manner of speaking, shook his head, and corrected his broken speech.

“Not at all. Sorry for the trouble.”

I hadn’t expected the captain to come here personally just for something like fishing permission.

“Not at all. You’re important guests, after all. I was planning to come greet you anyway. Her Highness Stephania and the Otherworld Ambassador.”

“I see.”

“So, welcome, everyone, to my Emeraldia.”

“Pleased to meet you, Captain Montague.”

At Princess Stephania’s words, Montague returned a salute. I see. It made sense that he was formerly a knight. His knight-style salute was polished, you could say. Though normally he’s probably a man of the sea.

“About the fishing—I’d like you to wear safety ropes if possible. The deck can be a bit unsteady, and it can be dangerous if you’re not used to it.”

“In that case, we can use magic or Magic Tools to fly in the air. How about that?”

“Ah, that’s right. Well, having magicians on board is reassuring, and the sailors are happy about it too.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You can create wind even in a calm, and make drinking water too.”

I see. So if something unexpected happens during the voyage, having magicians aboard means they can handle it.

“Then please let us help with water replenishment and Purification until we arrive.”

“Oh, that would be wonderful! A voyage with abundant water is unheard of normally!”

The captain grinned, showing his teeth. It seemed more appreciated than I had imagined. Certainly, I’ve often heard that fresh water is precious during sea voyages.

By replenishing water ourselves, we can also use water abundantly without hesitation. Though it’s a sea voyage, being able to do laundry, bathe, and such freely is probably quite luxurious.

The captain is frank and reasonable, and with this, the voyage to the Marquisate of Zilbolt seems like it will be quite enjoyable.