Chapter 22
“Feel free to pick anything you like.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Hehe, I told you to call me ‘sister,’ yet here you go again.”
The red-haired woman with a short bob, Bennessa’s naval admiral, Arcroyal, laughed softly as she browsed masks with Ambasha.
Watching this from a short distance away, the remaining three members of the group found themselves feeling rather exasperated.
-“What’s going on? I just got the money, so why is she here now?”
-“I don’t know; it just happened. Ugh, my luck has been terrible lately. I thought becoming a pirate would change things, but look at this mess.”
In response to Magellan’s irritated question, Elkana grimaced as she answered.
Hearing this, Franklin cautiously asked,
-“But… is it really something to worry about? I mean, at least for you two—didn’t you work with her before? Maybe if you explain things properly, she’ll let us off…”
-“No way.”
-“Not happening.”
Even though they had once been comrades, Elkana and Magellan knew better than anyone what kind of person Arcroyal was.
One of the few individuals to defeat Magellan in battle, she had risen to the position of Bennessa’s admiral despite being from the Britannian Empire.
With a combat prowess at the level of a 10th Rank Warrior, even if Magellan and Franklin attacked her together, victory would be far from guaranteed.
Moreover, this was her home turf, Bennessa.
A single delay would bring in a flood of reinforcements, making any confrontation almost unwinnable.
But her combat abilities weren’t the most concerning issue.
Arcroyal harbored an exceptional hatred for pirates.
The Britannian Empire, known for tolerating privateering, was lenient towards pirates.
Yet, Arcroyal had resigned from her post as an officer and voluntarily enlisted in Bennessa, working her way up from a common sailor to admiral—all due to her intense loathing of pirates.
To her, pirates were an enemy that had to be eradicated, even if they were former allies.
“The moment she hears we’re pirates, she’ll draw her sword immediately.”
“And if she finds out we work for the Pirate King… she’ll probably chop off our heads on the spot.”
“Hmm… I guess we just have to lay low for now…”
Faced with an encounter they wanted to avoid at all costs, the group could only silently endure the uncomfortable situation, waiting for it to end.
‘Well, at least… she hasn’t changed her love for kids.’
‘She’s more interested in Ambasha than us. Of course, that’ll change the moment she finds out the truth.’
To anyone who knew the truth, this was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.
However, the people involved acted as if they’d known each other for ages, despite just meeting.
“I like this one—the crow mask.”
“Really? Don’t you think it’s a bit plain? The decorations aren’t very fancy either…”
“It looks like the one my father used to wear. If I’m getting one anyway, I’d like it to be the same.”
“Is that so? You must really like your father.”
“Yes, I love him a lot. I worked hard this time, too, because I wanted to make him proud.”
Blushing slightly, Ambasha smiled brightly.
Watching her, Arcroyal gently patted the young girl’s head.
“You remind me of myself. I used to adore my father too.”
“Oh, really? What kind of person was your father, Arcroyal?”
“He was an amazing man. Respected by many and always kind to me.”
“My father’s like that too. Everyone says he’s incredible, but he’s always gentle with me. He often pats my head like this.”
“I see… I’m envious… really.”
“…”
A hint of melancholy appeared on Arcroyal’s face as her voice betrayed her true emotions.
It was clear that she was recalling unpleasant memories, though she tried not to show it.
Noticing this, Ambasha remained silent for a moment before standing on her tiptoes to reach out.
And then—
“!?”
Ambasha gently patted Arcroyal’s head.
Though a simple gesture, it left Arcroyal feeling slightly emotional and surprised.
“Cheer up. My father said that parents always think of their children no matter where they are. I’m sure your father, resting far away, is thinking of you too.”
“…”
Though the words came from a child, they struck deeply at Arcroyal’s heart.
After a moment of stunned silence, she let out a light laugh, her expression brightening.
“Haha… Looks like I owe you more than I thought. Hey, Elkana.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“Do you have time later? I’ve got some free time and thought we could grab a meal together.”
“I… I don’t think—”
Growwwl
“…”
At the worst possible moment, Elkana’s stomach let out a loud grumble.
Given that they had planned to eat right after finishing at the bank, they were indeed quite hungry.
“You’re going to eat anyway, so don’t turn me down. This time, it’s on me.”
Turning her gaze toward Ambasha, Arcroyal’s interest was unmistakable.
“So, what would you like to eat?”
“Grilled clams. Elkana said she wanted juicy grilled clams with mushrooms.”
“…Grilled clams with… mushrooms?”
Arcroyal couldn’t help but feel the combination was odd.
Realizing it came from Elkana, she glanced at her old friend’s awkwardly averted gaze, wearing a faintly amused expression.
“Don’t say strange things in front of the child.”
“N-No… That’s not what I meant. I just… like it, you know? Grilled clams with mushrooms.”
“And I heard adding cream cheese makes it taste even better.”
“…”
“…Sigh. You’re really… How can you not have changed at all? Magellan, don’t you teach your subordinates properly?”
“This one’s on me… I couldn’t stop her, sorry.”
Magellan apologized sincerely, his voice devoid of any excuses.
Feeling a different kind of discomfort, Elkana found herself unable to say another word for a while.
__
The steaming hot grilled clams arrived.
Arcroyal carefully picked out a perfectly cooked piece and placed it into Ambasha’s mouth.
“Is it good?”
“Yes, it’s delicious.”
The warm, tender clam meat filled Ambasha’s mouth, bringing a joyful smile to her face.
While some people disliked clams for their fishy smell, this restaurant had mastered the art of balancing it with tomato-based sauces.
Besides, Ambasha wasn’t picky and enjoyed eating almost anything.
“But really… I still haven’t heard your answer. Why are you here? Are you really hunting pirates?”
“Well… Something like that, but…”
“If you’ve got a good target, I can help. Things have been pretty quiet around the coastal areas recently, and I was getting restless anyway.”
Though Arcroyal’s offer came with good intentions, for the pirates present, it only served to heighten their anxiety.
At that moment…
“No, it’s nothing like that. We’re here because of the auction.”
Ambasha, who had been enjoying the grilled clams, suddenly brightened and spoke up.
“The auction? You mean the Grand Auction?”
“Yes, someone said there’s an item they absolutely must get. But we don’t know how to get in without an invitation, so we’re stuck.”
“!”
Her innocent-looking face had deceived everyone, including Magellan, who was caught off guard by Ambasha’s confident bluff.
Magellan quickly chimed in to back her up.
“Y-Yeah, that’s why we even went to the trouble of getting the money. But it’s impossible to find an invitation.”
“Haha, well, it’s true that getting one isn’t easy. I heard a lot of big-name guests are attending this year.”
“So, could you help us somehow? I mean, you owe me a favor from back then. If not an invitation, maybe you could help us sneak in and buy the item we need?”
“Hmm… That’s tough. I can’t just let someone in without an invitation. But if I were to bend the rules a little…”
Arcroyal pondered deeply over Magellan’s request.
Watching this unfold, Elkana couldn’t help but feel impressed by how well Ambasha had handled the situation.
‘Whoa… I thought she was just clueless, but she’s better than me at this. Is this my chance to hit the jackpot?’
***
Lying on her bed and staring at the ceiling, Auriel was lost in thought.
Normally, she would review her sheet music or warm up her voice in preparation for tomorrow’s performance, but tonight, her mind was elsewhere.
One thing consumed her thoughts: the man who was now staying in the room next to hers.
At first, she had seen him as her savior.
Then, she had thought of him as a heretic in need of salvation.
But now, she began to question whether someone like her could ever “save” him.
Despite being a heretic who did not believe in God, his words and actions stirred something within her.
His patience, even when she tried it, and his resolute answers to her questions—they showed a strength she found herself admiring.
Though he did not serve the Lord, his character alone made her feel he was noble.
These feelings of admiration—or perhaps something more—only added to her inner turmoil.
“Why is this happening… Why am I feeling this way about someone whose name I don’t even know yet…?”
It was then that she realized she hadn’t even asked his name.
Auriel abruptly rose from her bed and headed toward the door.
“This… This isn’t anything special… I just can’t go on not knowing the name of the person who saved me…”
As she justified her decision with plausible reasoning, her heart remained confused.
And so, she opened the door.
“…Huh?”
“…”
Standing right in front of her door was the man, still dressed in his plague doctor attire, about to knock.
Seeing him, Auriel felt a mix of surprise and a strange flutter in her chest. She cautiously asked,
“W-What brings you here?”
“I have something to say. May I come in?”
Though his words asked for permission, Auriel felt an inexplicable sense of anticipation rather than discomfort.
“P-Please, come in.”
—
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