Part 2 Chapter 48

Part 2 Episode 48

 

Rein’s flag?

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the window.

Not too far off, a black flag fluttered in the sea breeze. The pattern of raging violet flames reminded me of the piercing sharpness of Rein’s eyes.

The sight of the flag plunged the room into panic.

“N-No way… The flames of death will consume the ship! Somebody save us!”

“O Deus… Protect us… Have mercy, at least on my child…”

Amid the chaos—people scrambling, stumbling, trembling in fear—a man climbed onto a table.

“Everyone, stay calm! I am here! I will protect you all. Please, do not panic and follow the crew’s instructions to evacuate!”

It was the pink-haired Flame King.

“Ah… Sir Flame King!”

“Thank goodness… Yes, we have the Flame King with us…”

Just as the peak of terror began to subside—

BOOM—!

A violent impact shook the ship.

SCREEEECH—

The sound of twisting metal echoed as terrified screams erupted from all directions.

I quickly moved to the window to assess the source of the impact. A massive harpoon was embedded in the hull, trailing a long chain that connected back to Lian’s warship.

Fwoooosh— Kaboom!

Red smoke burst into the sky like fireworks—a distress signal. Two more harpoons pierced the ship, sending tables and people tumbling into disarray.

The Swordmaster, who had quietly approached, closed his eyes as if sensing something, then murmured softly:

“Four ships in total.”

“It seems they intend to seize not just the cargo, but the entire ship and all its passengers. Is this route normally this dangerous?”

“It’s never been safe, but a situation like this is far from common. At worst, it usually ends with simple piracy. I’ve never seen them attempt to take hostages like this before.”

By then, passengers had begun evacuating the café under the crew’s guidance.

Amid the chaos, Baroness Fyora, who had been standing nearby, called out:

“Lord Andert!”

“Baroness.”

“Are you alright? Please, get up and follow me. I’ll escort you to a safe location.”

A safe location. Given Baroness Fyora’s duty, it was a perfectly reasonable offer—but we did not move.

As I remained still, leaning against the window and gazing outside, a deep confusion bloomed in her eyes.

But only for a moment. Soon, her face flushed red, and she bowed her head deeply.

“My apologies, Lord Andert. I overstepped—”

“Not at all. What’s the plan?”

“…Yes, this route is regularly patrolled by warships from both Penrotta and the Republic. They’ve likely received the distress signal and are already on their way. The passenger ship also has a private security force onboard, so I believe our best course is to hold out as long as possible.”

The Swordmaster, who had been quietly observing the chains embedded in the hull, murmured softly:

“They’re coming aboard.”

Just as he said, magical platforms materialized along the chains, and pirates clad in black hoods began swarming onto the passenger ship.

“There are quite a few of them. Should we evacuate the café for now?”

“Let’s do that.”

“Ah, I’ll assist you as well.”

Baroness Fyora quickly issued orders to her aide before hurriedly following behind us.

The aisle was full of people evacuating to a safe spot. A man dashing out frantically in a bathrobe, a couple repeatedly calling their child’s name in terror, arguments breaking out over stolen belongings…

As we neared the deck, the chaotic noise gradually subsided. Climbing the stairs, I asked Baroness Fyora:

“Is there a reason they chose to attack today?”

“It’s just my speculation, but… I believe it’s meant as a warning to the Republic. Lian is the one who can open the Path of Fire, so perhaps they’re telling us to abandon any dangerous ideas and stay in line. It seems they’re uncomfortable with both the Sword Demon and the Flame King operating together.”

What a vicious way to issue a warning.

Baroness Fyora, who had been speaking with a grave expression, suddenly looked up at me with eyes brimming with hope and confidence.

“But in the end, it was a foolish decision. Not only is the Flame King unexpectedly aboard this ship, but… you are here as well, my lord.”

Her unwavering, trusting gaze fixed solely on me. Was it because I felt undeserving? I was at a loss for words for a moment.

But I couldn’t show weakness when someone was relying on me.

“That’s right.”

It truly was a foolish decision.

The stern deck, which had been bustling just moments earlier, was now completely empty. The Swordmaster, scanning our surroundings, turned to me and said:

“What will you do, Andert? I came here to protect you, so I’ll follow your lead.”

“In that case, please take off that mask.”

Instead of answering, he just laughed.

Truthfully, I hadn’t yet formed a solid plan. The exact positions and movements of the enemy ships remained unclear.

As I calmly organized my thoughts, Rue whispered to me:

“Close your eyes and focus. You can sense every presence on this ship.”

He was right. As a demigod, there was no presence around me that I couldn’t detect.

Following Rue’s words, I closed my eyes and channeled the flow of energy throughout my body, down to the tips of my toes.

The first presence I sensed was from a small cabin below deck.

They were almost motionless, clinging tightly to one another. It seemed they had chosen to hide in the cabin instead of evacuating. The Flame King and some armed personnel were on the deck, while the rest of the security forces and crew were guiding passengers to the garden plaza.

Enemy ships were positioned on the left, right, and directly ahead of the bow.

The ship blocking the path at the bow was the largest, and judging by the powerful energy emanating from it, they likely had a capable mage on board.

“…How skilled is the Flame King?”

The Swordmaster answered:

“He didn’t earn the title ‘King’ for nothing.”

“Then, shall we quietly eliminate the ones trying to board? The front is already secured by the Flame King and the soldiers, so it would be best to split up and handle the sides.”

“Let’s do that. I’ll take the left.”

“Then I’ll head to the Flame King and keep both of you updated on the situation.”

From what I could tell, Baroness Fyora seemed to already know the identity of the handsome swordsman. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to communicate so naturally with the Swordmaster while under the effects of an awareness-blocking spell.

Rue and I moved to the right. Just then, I spotted intruders descending the stairs via the chains.

“……Hey, there’s something strange over there.”

As I walked closer, they drew their swords and charged at me. Keeping Rue behind me, I caught the blade swinging toward me between my fingers and kicked the enemy in a vital point.

After sending the staggering man overboard, I reached for the Pearl Sword, but—

‘…Ah.’

The sword wasn’t there.

Why isn’t it there? Why—Ah, I threw it to that boy. How many times have I repeated the same mistake?

Hmm.

“Gah.”

No choice.

“Grrk!”

I’d have to knock them down with my fists.

“…Andert Fager?”

After sending the masked man who questioned me into the sea, I gathered energy at the tips of my index and middle fingers.

I glanced at the chain the pirates had climbed and slashed horizontally. The force, sharp as a sword, sliced the thick iron chain in two.

CRACK!

A massive spray of seawater erupted as the enemy ship lurched violently. I swung my hand again, intending to sink the vessel, but a protective barrier activated, effortlessly neutralizing the attempt.

Guess it’ll be easier to just board it.

No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than I prepared to leap onto the enemy ship—

Something launched from within my arms, soaring high into the sky.

“…Ash?”

A long shadow soon fell over the sea.

A sharp hawk’s cry pierced the air as massive wings veered and dove straight toward the enemy ship.

Good grief.

Wasn’t that hawk about to snatch an enemy soldier in its beak and carry them off into the sky?

“Ash!”

No! My sweet baby hawk can’t be doing something so horrifying!

“Spit it out, Ash! Drop it! Drop it!”

The clever Ash quickly caught my concern. Ptui. With a scream, the enemy soldier plummeted into the sea.

—

Lmaooo