A Sea Voyage Begins

“Have you ever been on a ship?”

“No, Master.”

Saranya shook her head, her face alight with curiosity. Kaelan, standing before her, gave a slight nod, her beautiful crimson eyes briefly sweeping over Saranya before she said nothing more, stepping onto the gangplank first.

They stood at a small dock on a deserted island, far beyond the confines of Vero City. The small boat that had brought them still bobbed in the shallows, while a massive three-masted schooner, utterly disproportionate to the dock, lay anchored before them. Its imposing hull gently rose and fell with the waves.

To conceal their true identities, the ship flew neither the Bloodsail Alliance flag nor that of the Vero Autonomous City. Instead, it bore the merchant flag of the Olavi Empire, disguised as an imperial ocean-going cargo vessel.

Saranya stepped onto the broad deck, her foot eliciting a soft creak. A distinct scent, unique to large ships, enveloped her—a blend of salty sea air, wood, dust from ropes, and a faint hint of tar. It wasn’t exactly pleasant, yet it carried a reassuring quality.

The Bloodsail sailors bustled between the masts and rigging, some shouting orders. It appeared they were preparing to weigh anchor.

Following closely behind her and her Master, Paresha also stepped onto the deck. The young priestess was clad in a smart suit of chainmail today, one hand resting on the armed sword at her hip, her expression solemn.

Borok stood by the mast near the stern. Upon seeing Paresha board, he grumbled something under his breath before turning his back to them in displeasure.

According to the original plan between them and Borok, only Saranya and Kaelan were to board the ship. Paresha was Kaelan’s last-minute addition.

The young woman possessed experience fighting monsters, and in an emergency, she could even perform ritual magic to summon Freya for assistance. This made her exceptionally well-suited for the maritime reconnaissance mission against the demon plague.

Moreover, members of the Vero Night Lily Knights’ branch had once been ambushed and massacred at sea by the Bloodsail. This served as a stark warning.

While this was not the time to settle old scores with the Bloodsail Alliance, their past transgressions necessitated a degree of caution.

As a priestess of Vero, Paresha represented the interests of the Moon-Marked Sect Church. With her presence on board, the safety factor of their journey would undoubtedly increase.

Regardless of their individual strength, faith leaders possess a sacred and inviolable political correctness. This is their most crucial value.

Borok’s past schemes and use of force against Saranya and Kaelan could be tenuously explained as gang disputes. However, if he dared to lay a hand on a church priestess, it would be an act of sacrilege.

At least nominally, the entirety of Vero would unite to crush the Bloodsail Alliance.

Kaelan surveyed the entire ship before leading Saranya and Paresha directly to the bow. The vantage point here offered the most expansive views and was far removed from any clamor, making it ideal for appreciating the seascape.

On the towering masts, thick ropes crisscrossed, pulled taut with a soft swish. The enormous flaxen sails slowly unfurled, immediately billowing under the strong sea breeze, filling the air with a resounding flap.

The colossal vessel began to move, officially commencing their three-person sea journey.

“Master, Borok mentioned that this voyage, a round trip, would take at least three days.”

“…Mm.”

Saranya stood on the deck, her hand gently resting against the ship’s hull. Kaelan stood to her left, gazing silently at the sea, appearing somewhat distracted.

“Returning to Vero in three days doesn’t leave us much time. Master, you know the demon plague is already very close to the city…”

“I know.”

‘The demon plague, the demon plague… For any living creature in this world, it was a nightmare incarnate: magic storms that could tear everything apart, powerful and cunning monsters, loved ones and comrades corrupted and transformed into fiends.’

‘During her time in Vero, since meeting Kaelan, she had been her Master’s s*ave, constantly ordered about, and occasionally asked to participate in small, alphabet-related games. In essence, everything revolved around Kaelan.’

‘Though it felt strange to admit, she… was deeply satisfied.’

‘She and her Master were growing more attuned to each other, and they had a shared mission to pursue. This life was far superior to her days resisting the demon plague in the Northern Reaches.’

‘Yet, with the impending arrival of the demon plague, she had a premonition that she would soon plunge into a new nightmare.’

A profoundly gloomy emotion enveloped her at the thought.

‘What if they failed? Should she flee? Where could she even go? No, she didn’t want to lose what she now possessed…’

‘And Master… what were her thoughts? Truly, Master always maintained such a cold demeanor…’

“Master, if the demon plague spreads from the sea…”

“Then let it come.”

“Regarding your plan… how do we stop the initial magic storm? On my end, I will swiftly mobilize my supporters within Vero City, take over the city council. We need to consolidate resources, select elite demon-hunting squads, and prepare in advance—”

“Shh.”

Kaelan raised an index finger, gently pressing it against Saranya’s lips.

“You’re at sea for the first time. Don’t dwell on things that make you unhappy. This is your Master’s command…”

“Eh…”

Kaelan lifted her small hand, twirling her wrist in the air before pointing towards the ocean at the bow, drawing Saranya’s gaze to the distant horizon.

Before them lay an endless expanse of cerulean sea and sky.

The sea surged with soft, dense long waves. The ship’s bow cut through the water, plowing a frothing white wake. Waves danced at her feet, emitting a pleasant lapping sound, carried towards them on the slightly salty sea breeze.

‘This is… the ocean.’

Amidst the boundless sea and sky, Kaelan’s already petite figure appeared exceptionally slender. Her skirt billowed, and her smooth, long hair streamed backward in the sea breeze. The habitual arrogance and coldness on her face, that delicate and indifferent profile, seemed to Saranya to possess an unexpected gentleness.

“How does it feel?”

In Saranya’s memory, this was perhaps the first time her Master had expressed concern for her. Though the four words sounded a little stiff, they made her nose tingle, and her eyes slowly welled with tears:

“So vast…”

It was the only word her slow-witted mind could conjure.

“Th-thank you… Kaelan.”

Her Master did not respond, leaving Saranya unable to fathom her thoughts.

In that moment, she again perceived Kaelan as a normal person. Such a quiet, lovely young woman, one who would appreciate the sea view, immerse herself in the delightful voyage, and even share this tranquility with her.

‘How could such a person possibly commit those perverse and cruel acts?’

The sea breeze ruffled a few strands of hair onto Kaelan’s cheek, tickling the young witch enough to make her turn her head slightly.

Saranya cautiously extended a hand, gently sweeping Kaelan’s hair back and tucking it behind Kaelan’s small, delicate ear.

“Don’t… Mph…”

Her fingertip trembled, inadvertently brushing Kaelan’s cool earlobe, instantly sending a jolt of electric numbness through her.

Kaelan must have felt it too, her eyes widening slightly as she shot Saranya a sidelong glance. A faint, faint blush crept up her earlobes.

“Who?”

Suddenly, Saranya detected a faint gasp behind her ear. She turned her head, her nose nearly colliding with Paresha’s.

“What are you doing?!”

“Ah… ah!”

Paresha, who had been standing behind her, had quietly leaned forward, pressing her face into the intertwined strands of Saranya and her Master’s hair, secretly sniffing their combined scent. Discovered, she looked utterly flustered, letting out a startled cry.

“You…”

‘There! The most perverse person on this ship has appeared!’