Chapter 60
—“Yes… it wouldn’t be easy… This world that allowed me to exist… it’s not a place that comes easily… a cozy and sweet place…”
A faint voice whispered into her ears.
Following the familiar melody that always touched her heart, Cheshire Jabberwock arrived at the place they had once promised to meet.
In the thick darkness, only the moonlight shimmered.
And at that place by the shore, as always, stood the woman who had been waiting for Cheshire.
Dust.
As always, she was letting out a beautiful, resonating sound that stirred the heart. Cheshire slowly walked toward her.
“Ah, you’re here?”
“Yes, I’ve come, Dust.”
Dust turned to look at her and smiled.
However, within that smile was a shadow—A quiet loneliness, like a dark veil, which Cheshire sensed and asked with concern.
“Is something wrong? You don’t look well.”
“Huh? Ah… no, I’m fine. Really…”
Dust responded in a flustered tone, trying to deny it.
But—
“You’re… not fine, are you.”
“Ch–Cheshire?”
“It may be late to say this, but… I already knew. What you’ve been thinking about… and what’s been weighing on you.”
“!”
Yes.
Cheshire had known.
Ever since their first meeting,
Dust’s expression had been growing darker and heavier by the day.
Even though Dust had tried not to show it—
Cheshire, who had stayed by her side, had already noticed.
The growing burden deep within her, day by day.
And the root of that burden was, without a doubt…
“H-How…?”
“I could see it in your face. Your expression grew darker as the conflicts between the Franz Kingdom and our crew worsened.”
“!…”
“Why didn’t you say anything? You said I was your friend… I thought of you as mine, too…”
Her voice heavy with emotion, Cheshire spoke.
At that, Dust lowered her head and began to tremble.
And then—
“I-I’m… I’m sorry… I really am… Cheshire… I… I didn’t mean to…”
She apologized in a trembling voice, as if on the verge of tears.
Cheshire, in turn, responded with a calm voice.
“It’s alright. You don’t have to torment yourself. I know… it was because you didn’t want to trouble me.”
“…Huh?”
At her words, Dust looked up slightly, her eyes wide.
Tears shimmered in her blue eyes.
Feeling something beautiful stir within her, Cheshire smiled and continued.
“I understand. You said everything was fine, but in truth, you’ve been needing to leave this island as soon as possible. And when tensions with the Franz Navy escalated, your anxiety worsened.”
“…Ah…”
Dust looked at her, dumbfounded—
As if her heart had been pierced perfectly.
Seeing this most vulnerable expression Dust had ever shown, Cheshire couldn’t help but let a faint smile form on her lips.
“Don’t worry too much. I heard from Mother today. We’re scheduled to leave this place within two days.”
“Ah… I-I see… That’s… a relief?”
“Hm…”
Dust’s reaction wasn’t as joyful as Cheshire had expected.
She cautiously asked in a soft voice.
“Don’t tell me… is it already too late?”
“N-No, that’s not it. It’s just…”
“Just…?”
“Well, that means… in two days, we’ll have to part. With no promise of ever meeting again in this vast sea.”
“Ah…”
A fact Cheshire hadn’t thought of.
And as it hit her, the same shadow of sadness appeared on her face.
“…I see. When that day comes… you and I…”
“Well, you’re a Pirate, and I’m not from this place either. We were never meant to stay in one place. It’ll be hard for us to meet again.”
“…”
Hearing that, Cheshire fell silent.
And then, in a quiet voice, she spoke with some difficulty.
“…I feel sad.”
“So do I.”
The two of them—sharing their honest, unfiltered emotions with one another.
They both carried unspoken secrets,
But this feeling in their hearts—this, at least, was the truth.
After a moment of silence,
Cheshire spoke softly.
“Dust. May I… ask you one thing?”
“What is it?”
Looking into Dust’s eyes, thinking how her silver hair shone so beautifully under the moonlight, even in such a moment—
Dust answered sincerely.
“You… would you perhaps…”
At that moment—
-BOOOOOOM!!!
“!!”
“…Tch.”
A loud explosion rang out suddenly.
Caught off guard by the unexpected situation, Cheshire Jabberwock was seized by confusion.
“That place… that’s where Blue Queen was staying…”
“Is it the Franz Kingdom attacking again? How diligent of them, even at this hour.”
Dust muttered irritably, but Cheshire knew this wasn’t something to dismiss with annoyance.
The explosion occurred at the location where Blue Queen was residing.
Unlike before, this time a Pirate captain had been directly attacked.
And that meant war.
Moreover, although they were usually rivals, the White Shark Pirate Group, sharing the same fate as privateers of the Britannian Empire, would not let this pass quietly.
“I must go. This situation isn’t heading in a good direction.”
“Ah… then I’ll go with—”
“No. Let’s part here.”
“…What?”
As always, Dust tried to go with her, but Cheshire stopped her firmly.
“This time, it’s different. Until now, we’ve avoided killing, but this could truly escalate into a real war.”
“B-But… even so, we’re friends. I can’t abandon you now—”
“I’m doing this because we’re friends!”
Cheshire raised her voice—something very unlike her.
That left Dust at a loss for words, falling silent.
“If war breaks out, the Franz Kingdom’s forces will try to kill us for real. And it’s obvious who that Brigadier will aim for first.”
“!”
That monstrous woman who had steadily built up resentment through repeated clashes…
A high-ranking warrior with devastating Magic and close-combat ability—she would definitely target Cheshire and Dust.
Until now, she had held back from lethal force, but now that restraint would be gone.
And when that happened—
The result would likely be the same as their first encounter with her—
Unstoppable destruction, incinerated by her overwhelming magic, or beheaded by her blade.
“When the war breaks out, the port will probably open temporarily. Use that chance to escape.”
“…”
Dust gave no answer.
Seeing her friend still hesitating, Cheshire spoke in a cold tone.
“…It seems… this is the end for us. I had fun. Thank you for keeping me company—?”
Suddenly, Dust grabbed Cheshire’s arm and began dragging her along.
The decisiveness in her movement caught Cheshire completely off guard.
“W-Wait! Didn’t you hear me? I said it’s dangerous! If you’re not careful, you could die—”
“Don’t worry. I won’t die. You worry about yourself.”
“…Huh?”
It was the first time.
The first time Dust had ever spoken informally.
She had always used refined and elegant speech, but now she issued a clear, commanding tone.
It made Cheshire feel something irresistible—something powerful.
And then—
“Let’s go. No matter what happens, don’t leave my side.”
“Ah… Y-Yes. Understood.”
A ‘command’ given not by her mother, but by someone else.
It felt unfamiliar… and yet, somehow, not unpleasant.
Drawn by that feeling, Cheshire followed Dust.
‘Three hours left…’
***
“What did you say? Those filthy pirates?!”
“Yes… that’s right, Commander-in-Chief Pierre. Right now, the privateers of Britannia are charging straight toward our encampment.”
“From the looks of it, they’re dead set on something. Their mood suggests they’re ready to go to war.”
Admiral Gardin and Brigadier Napoleona reported in cold voices.
To which Pierre frowned and replied in a voice full of irritation.
“Tch! I knew this would happen! Those damn pirates caused trouble after all! Contact Arcroyal immediately. Tell her the pirates have betrayed us and we’re going after them!”
“B-But Commander, are you really planning to go into full-scale war with the pirates?”
“There may have been conflict, but they’re still our allies. Don’t forget—our goal is the Pirate King!”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten. But that’s exactly why this is a good opportunity.”
“…What?”
“What do you mean…?”
Commander Pierre said something incomprehensible, leaving the two confused.
With confidence, he explained:
“Think about it. If we destroy the pirates here, all those massive warships they brought become ours! The Franz Kingdom has always been short on ships relative to troops. Capturing those vessels would boost our power significantly! And we’ll get all the credit for defeating the Pirate King, too!”
“C-Commander… do you really think that’s realistic? Even if we take their ships—”
“That’s enough. I understand, Commander,” said Napoleona, cutting Gardin off.
“…Brigadier?”
Gardin looked puzzled.
But Napoleona gave a slight shake of her head before continuing.
“We’ll proceed as the Commander wishes. We’ll wipe out the pirates.”
“Excellent. Let those Britannian dogs feel the full wrath of the Franz Kingdom!”
With that “order,” the two immediately left the room.
As they did, Gardin asked in a voice full of confusion.
“Brigadier, what are you doing? Why are you—?”
“Admiral.”
Suddenly, Napoleona spoke in an icy tone.
Then, staring Gardin in the eye, she declared:
“It’s already over. We’ve already lost.”
—
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