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 games she'd played. The group had talked about balance changes, and they were going to fix Hikari's deck in the meantime. When she inevitably went to Earth at some point, it would be fun to show the modern people the game. Magic arriving in Earth seemed like an inevitability.
Captain Vuldragon cut her thoughts off. "They told me 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 homeland, but it happens sometimes. 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 came 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 something 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 me to cancel this voyage...Something that hasn't happened in a while. But what would you say?"
The elf shrugged. "You're right about one thing. There is something huge happening, but it's really none of our business. Let's let the goddesses mend 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 some 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 means a separate duty for you."
"What is that?"
"I want you to be the one protecting me and everyone on this ship. Don't get me 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 meantime, but if you can alert me of immediate dangers and protect me, 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 me, where would I be in the end? I'd be dead in the water at this point. There comes a time in every man's life when he's forced to realize that he can't do everything alone. This is one of those times."
Hikari's eyes widened. "Truly the wisdom of a leader to make that statement. It should be so obvious, yet I've seen it time and time again where people will remain prideful before ever accepting help. You have my respect, Lord Vuldragon. At the same time, 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 time 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 come 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 ailment—some kind of curse—and there was no help to be seen. As a man, he'd not blame his misfortune on everyone that he came across, nor could he really blame 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 time 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 testament to his struggle. No matter how much he struggled, tears would never come 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 came a knocking on his door. "My Lord!"
"Come 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 come."
"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 something completely out of our jurisdiction anyway. The only thing we can do is remain vigilant. You should head towards your quarters for some 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." Sёarch* The NovelZone.fun website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
"I wonder if that's really true," the captain said, gazing down at his legs.
"Everyone has already told it to you many times, 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 me a favor, will you?"
"Yes, My Lord?"
"Go into the cargo bay and collect me some 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 some 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 time we'll procure something 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 mean 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 moment 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?