Chapter 502: Heading to the Island

Editor: Tseirp

“To be honest, I don’t feel like I’m alive right now.”

On the deck of the Lone Dark.

Three men sat on ice chairs around a table made of ice.

Ryo, Abel, and Captain Gorick.

The one who candidly revealed his inner thoughts was Captain Gorick.

Speaking in a hushed voice so the other crew members wouldn’t overhear.

“It’s all Abel’s fault. I sincerely apologize for the trouble.”

“Why me?!”

Ryo tried to shift the blame onto Abel, but it didn’t work.

“Oh, no, it’s no trouble or dissatisfaction or anything like that. We’re a military vessel. If we’re told to go somewhere, we go, no questions asked. And if it’s to save many lives, we’ll gladly charge into the jaws of death. It’s just… the current atmosphere is uncomfortable, that’s all.”

Captain Gorick said with a wry smile.

The source of his discomfort was visible ahead of the Lone Dark.

In front of the Lone Dark were 30 ships of the Grand Duchy’s fleet.

The Lone Dark followed at the rear as the fleet made its way eastward.

They had departed the free city of Kwebasa in the morning, and now the sun was about to set.

“Duke Helb said we’d reach the designated waters by tomorrow morning, right…?”

“Before that, Abel and I will be transferring to another ship, correct?”

“Yeah. They said only one ship protected by sorcery will approach the island.”

“Well, my Neil Andersen could’ve worked too, but if Duke Helb is willing to show us his cards, then that’s even better.”

Ryo said with a mischievous grin.

It was an overly exaggerated expression.

“What do you mean, show us his cards?”

“Because Duke Helb is definitely an enemy. I’m convinced we’re destined to fight each other eventually.”

“I don’t get why you’re so certain about that.”

“It’s the pathos of things.”

“There it is again—the pathos of things…”

Ryo said cryptically, and Abel replied, clearly baffled.

“If… if Duke Helb were to die on the island…”

“His people would turn on us… wouldn’t they?”

“Most likely. In that case, don’t worry about us—just break through and escape.”

Gorick said, expressing the worst-case scenario. Ryo acknowledged it as plausible, and Abel added a grim confirmation.

Although Duke Helb currently guaranteed the safety of the Lone Dark and its crew… there was no assurance that this would continue indefinitely.

Captain Gorick already considered the situation precarious.

At that moment, Chief Officer Mostara called out to Captain Gorick, and he left the two men.

“Still… something like a dragon’s corpse is troubling.”

“Yeah, he called it a death dragon, didn’t he?”

“You’ve never heard of it either, right, Abel?”

“Not once.”

“If even the king doesn’t know, isn’t that dereliction of duty?”

“Just because I’m king doesn’t mean I know everything.”

The premier duke criticized the king for neglecting his duties, only to be deflected masterfully.

“Rather, shouldn’t the premier duke, who supports the king, be the one to know these things?”

“W-well, I’ve been busy practicing water magic and playing with… no, experimenting with alchemy!”

“Did you just admit to playing around?”

“That’s just how I contribute to the kingdom! Utilizing diverse talents is essential for the nation’s growth!”

Abel countered, and Ryo tried to dodge.

Despite their banter, they were the kingdom’s number one and number two—king and premier duke.

Both were constantly thinking of the kingdom.

…At least, that’s how it should appear.

“Duke Helb will deal with the death dragon, but I’m curious about how he plans to do it.”

“Well, he did say he’s been storing up magic power. But is that even possible?”

“No idea. I doubt it’s literal magic power… it’s probably something similar, though.”

“What do you mean, something similar?”

“Well, magic is… never mind. Let’s talk about magic another time.”

“Don’t leave me hanging…!”

What exactly is magic?

Ryo had a hypothesis, but he doubted he could explain it to Abel.

Or even to Ilarion back home.

He wondered if someone like Akuma Leonor would understand better…

“Anyway, while Duke Helb handles the death dragon, we’ll probably deal with something else. I’m counting on you, Abel.”

“What? Me? No way—it’s gotta be you, Ryo.”

“I’ll cheer you two on! Don’t worry, I’m great at cheering!”

“Yeah, I doubt there’ll be time for that.”

Ryo’s suggestion was quickly dismissed by Abel.

“You’re so mean, always dragging me into things, Abel.”

“I’d say you’re the mean one, Ryo.”

Their fruitless argument was cut short by the ship’s chef, Susie.

“Dinner’s ready! Tonight, it’s curry!”

“Woohoo!”

Cheers erupted across the ship.

Sailors must really love curry.

“Yippee, Abel. It’s curry!”

“Yeah. Susie’s curry is amazing.”

Abel still pronounced it ‘cah-ree’.

Likely in memory of his late brother, Crown Prince Cain.

Nodding once, Ryo joined the line for curry.

With Abel following close behind.

Later, they secretly had three helpings each.

The next morning.

Early the next day, Ryo and Abel were on deck practicing swordsmanship and stretching when the Lone Dark came to a halt.

“It’s stopped?”

“Yes, it has.”

Abel confirmed, both looking toward the bow.

Ahead of them was the Grand Duchy’s fleet.

Which had also come to a complete stop.

“Captain! Semaphore signals from the Grand Duchy fleet. It’s an emergency! Repeating: it’s an emergency!”

“All hands, battle stations!”

Nan shouted from the mast, and Captain Gorick immediately issued orders.

Ryo and Abel quickly prepared themselves.

And ran to the bow.

A voice rang out.

“The sky!”

Looking east, the sky was turning black.

Although the sun was beginning to rise, something was spreading across the sky, obscuring the light.

“A massive flock of birds?”

.”

As Abel muttered, Ryo instantly chanted a spell.

Creating a protective ice barrier that completely covered the Lone Dark.

“Captain Gorick, I’ve covered the ship in ice.”

“Thank you! But what in the world is that…”

The barrier, nearly transparent, allowed Ryo to report.

While Gorick expressed gratitude, still unsure of the unfolding situation.

“Flying monsters?”

“Wyverns, maybe?”

“I’ve never heard of wyverns appearing at sea.”

Ryo voiced a thought, Abel added a possible name, and Captain Gorick denied it based on his knowledge.

“Well, they are too big to call birds.”

“More like a dragon’s lesser counterpart!”

“Smaller than normal wyverns, but…”

“Completely black wyverns, it seems.”

Both Ryo and Abel were familiar with wyverns on the continent.

Having hunted them for magic stones.

Usually brown or dark brown… these wyverns, however, were pitch black.

Jet black, one could say.

But…

“Only their eyes are red?”

“Unsettling.”

Then, as expected, the wyverns launched a attack.

One split into five.

Creating an area-of-effect strike.

However, the covering the Lone Dark deflected every single Sonic Blade.

“Whoa!”

The crew gasped in amazement.

“Attacks like this won’t leave so much as a scratch!”

Ryo declared, puffing out his chest confidently.

The number of black wyverns attacking exceeded a thousand.

The Grand Duchy fleet ahead was also under attack, though they seemed to be defending themselves with some invisible force.

And then…

A flash of light cut through the air.

It likely came from the flagship of the fleet.

And in one sweep, the light severed dozens of wyverns, sending them plummeting into the sea.

“Is that Duke Helb’s sorcery? Impressive.”

“Now’s not the time to admire it…”

Ryo folded his arms and nodded sagely at the display.

Earning an exasperated look from Abel.

“Moments like this call for the right atmosphere. One must exude an air of greatness!”

“Real big shots don’t announce they’re exuding anything.”

“Ugh… Abel got me with semantics again.”

Their casual exchange was only possible because the continued to deflect attacks.

Counterattacks are best executed after drawing out an opponent’s offense.

As retaliation could lead to another wave of counter-strikes.

“Hmm. It seems like the black wyverns won’t increase further.”

With a mutter, Ryo nodded and began chanting.

“”

Sixteen magic circles appeared, suspended outside the Ice Wall.

“”

The moment he completed the chant, thousands of ice spears shot out from the magic circles.

Each spear pierced through the wyverns.

Heads and chests.

Like a skilled assassin targeting vital points with bullets… Ryo’s ice spears struck with lethal precision.

“Oooooooh!”

Cheers erupted.

The applause came not just from the Lone Dark but also from the Grand Duchy fleet.

They likely had no idea who cast the spell.

If they knew it came from a magician aboard the warship from the Suje Kingdom, their reactions might be more conflicted.

But for now, the crisis was averted.

And that was reason enough to celebrate.

For now, at least.

“Approaching an island!”

Nan’s voice called out from the mast.

A single ship, larger than the rest, broke away from the Grand Duchy fleet and began heading toward the island.

“Duke Helb’s ship.”

Abel said with a nod.

“Abel-san, Ryo-san, you can go now!”

Captain Gorick shouted.

“But then the ice barrier…”

Ryo pointed out.

The barrier could be maintained in his absence, but only passively.

It couldn’t be opened or closed as needed.

Leaving it unable to respond to emergencies, such as rescuing someone overboard…

Thus, the had to be removed.

“If things go south, we’ll retreat. The Lone Dark is a fast ship.”

Captain Gorick laughed reassuringly.

That was the plan from the start.

“Understood.”

“We’ll be fine. Just make sure to get out safely.”

Ryo and Abel said their farewells.

“”

With Ryo’s chant, a massive ice bridge appeared.

Connecting their ship to Duke Helb’s vessel, now sailing ahead.

“Good luck!”

Ryo and Abel sprinted forward.

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