Hikari wondered what the captain of the ship had to tell them. He'd briefed each individual adventurer team on their own, saving Hikari's group for the end. Now, the man in the wheel chair sat in the captain's chambers, while the ship rocked against the waves outside.
The elf was still feeling great from the card gas she'd played. The group had talked about balance changes, and they were going to fix Hikari's deck in the anti. When she inevitably went to Earth at so point, it would be fun to show the modern people the ga. Magic arriving in Earth seed like an inevitability.
Captain Vuldragon cut her thoughts off. "They told that you'd be here, but I didn't expect you to appear so nonchalant."
"This your first run-in with an elf?" Hikari asked.
"No, this isn't my first one. Elves rarely leave their holand, but it happens sotis. Many years ago, I was lucky enough to see one on my travels throughout the continent. You ever been to Amalin?"
The elf smiled and nodded. "In a way, you can say that's where I ca from. Ah, but I don't worship that silly goddess."
"Silly?"
"Never mind that, I was told that this was supposed to be a briefing."
"You've probably heard or were made aware of the noises outside. The other adventurer groups think sothing big is coming, and I tend to agree with them. As you can see, my legs are useless. However, I find use for my other organs and senses. Everything is screaming at to cancel this voyage...Sothing that hasn't happened in a while. But what would you say?"
The elf shrugged. "You're right about one thing. There is sothing huge happening, but it's really none of our business. Let's let the goddesses nd their relationship on our own. I only care about these spiders and threads."
"So honest...Do you talk like this to all lords?"
"Of course, even the queen of Amalin is not above this manner of speaking. If you want so sense of formality, then you're barking up the wrong tree."
The man smiled wryly, looking over her small form. "I don't actually mind how you speak. I'm not much like my younger brother. Now, onto your main duty. I already know who you are as an adventurer. The only person I've ever seen fill the 8th rank. However, that ans a separate duty for you."
"What is that?"
"I want you to be the one protecting and everyone on this ship. Don't get wrong, I can handle certain things myself, but it would be much easier if you're watching my back."
"Is that really all?"
"Yes, I don't care what else you do in the anti, but if you can alert of imdiate dangers and protect , then I can do my job in protecting the people."
The elf nodded. "That's a surprisingly wise decision. It's not often that people admit to needing help and protection."
"As you can see, I'm not completely put together. If I didn't rely on the people around , where would I be in the end? I'd be dead in the water at this point. There cos a ti in every man's life when he's forced to realize that he can't do everything alone. This is one of those tis."
Hikari's eyes widened. "Truly the wisdom of a leader to make that statent. It should be so obvious, yet I've seen it ti and ti again where people will remain prideful before ever accepting help. You have my respect, Lord Vuldragon. At the sa ti, I will fulfill your request."
The man smiled and gripped the wheels on his wheelchair. "Thanks for the words of kindness. I will make sure that your ti here is well worth it."
///
As the elf left his cabin, Lord Vuldragon let out a breath he'd been holding in. Of course, being on an island did not make him immune to the news outside. The Empire still had its mail service, and he more or less understood that girl's position. Still, I wonder why gods and goddesses co only now. Where were they when I was little?
He was no bitter about it anymore, but it still didn't sit right with him. All of those years that he'd suffered because of his ailnt—so kind of curse—and there was no help to be seen. As a man, he'd not bla his misfortune on everyone that he ca across, nor could he really bla it on the gods.
The only thing he could do was work hard to get to the position he was in. And work hard he did.
He went from nothing but a sorry crippled, to becoming a master of the sword. It didn't look like it to any one on the outside, but the man could handle himself in combat. If you're missing your legs, you need only strengthen your arms even further.
The lord lived by this mantra. Every ti he walked outside, he was expecting to be forced to use the skills he taught himself, always keeping himself on high alert.
A pain racked his body, starting from his feet and climbing up to his thighs. He groaned from the sensation and pulled out his pipe, looking towards the sky as he did so.
"At least if you're going to make them useless, you could also get rid of the pain that courses through them."
He stuffed his pipe full of green before igniting it. A deep inhalation, and the smoke entered his body. The effects worked quick to calm the pinching of his nerves. He breathed a sigh of relief, pulling his pants down slightly to investigate.
A pulsating blackness attacked his skin—the thumping a testant to his struggle. No matter how much he struggled, tears would never co to surface anymore. All of that was long behind him, a remnant of his days as a young boy.
He puffed the last vestiges of the smoke inside of his pipe. Ash was all that remained, and he slapped the resin-filled dish against a tray.
Soon, there ca a knocking on his door. "My Lord!"
"Co in…"
A sailor in a white uniform with a star on the shoulders entered and saluted. "Sir, everything is ready, and we should be smooth sailing for a while. The day is fair, and we'll be calm for at least many hours to co."
"Good work, sailor. I think I got an idea of what those waves we felt earlier were all about."
"Was it that elven woman who said?"
"Indeed, this seems to be sothing completely out of our jurisdiction anyway. The only thing we can do is remain vigilant. You should head towards your quarters for so rest. Weren't you the one who checked those boarding?"
The sailor shook his head. "That may be true, but the day is still young. Besides, how can I rest when you've yet to rest yourself. Don't think I don't know the burden placed on you, My Lord. This entire crew should feel so lucky to have you as the captain."
"I wonder if that's really true," the captain said, gazing down at his legs.
"Everyone has already told it to you many tis, Captain. Those legs are not the thing that defines you. If you were as healthy as your brother…"
"We both know where this conversation goes. If you're intent on staying busy, do a favor, will you?"
"Yes, My Lord?"
"Go into the cargo bay and collect so more grass for my pipe. I want the strongest stuff we got. I'm gonna need it. And while you're at it, treat yourself to so fresh oranges. You might need the citrus."
The sailor officer looked down at the lord's legs with a frown. "Are they bothering you again? Maybe this ti we'll procure sothing that will cure them."
"Yes, and maybe the octopuses will start flying…I have no need of pointless hopes. The only thing I can rely on is my arm and my crew. If you want to keep yourself reliable, then fetch those goods already."
The other man saluted. "Yes, My Lord."
Lord Vuldragon watched him leave with a sigh. He didn't an for his words to sound harsh, but each passing second, the pain was growing once more. The lord had a feeling that this could be his very last voyage on the open sea. He knew that the Imperial family had numbered his life span. Whether or not he survived, eventually he would face execution anyways.
The thoughts brought a pain to his chest and mind. He never intended to be opposing his little brother. If it were up to him, they would not be so divided. Now, the captain knew that his little brother was beyond reasoning. The mont that the lord showed his incompetence, he'd be executed, exactly like General Trent and his maid.
"Execution by gods or execution by the Emperor. I wonder which one is worse?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)