228. Sea Road, To the Dragon City (1)
#228
“Gagging! “Wow”
Ronan was disgusted. It felt like my stomach was being squeezed like a rag. The sea breeze which should have been refreshing felt as disgusting as fresh water. Schlieffen who was staggering next to him wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.
“…As expected it’s a strain on the body.”
“Oooh! Wow!”
Asher was holding on to the tree and spitting out what was inside. With this none of the three people vomited. Ronan muttered fiercely spitting out sour spit.
“If I go back to the system… I will break the legs of the guy who made this scroll.”
“Woo … Woo … I’m so … this is really ….”
Asher cried. The three arrived at the southern port of Tandrey in less than ten minutes.
The five scrolls prepared in advance were completely consumed. Every time I scrolled the afterimage of the ever-changing landscape still seemed to float before my eyes.
However despite their early arrival they had already been complaining of pain in the same spot for about thirty minutes. It was a side effect caused by continuous space movement magic.
Ronan was able to feel once again how elaborately Kratir and Navardose’s spatial magic was created. Of course even considering the side effects it was incomparably more convenient than other means of transportation.
“Anyway we arrived.”
He barely came to his senses and stroked his bangs. The panoramic view of Tandrey Pier was unfolding under the dark blue sky that was just beginning to dawn. The air was much warmer than the night sea and the palm tree islands indicating that they had reached the right destination.
“Those bachelors are still doing that. “Where does it hurt?”
“No it suddenly appeared out of thin air! “Why don’t you believe me?”
Some people were talking about Ronan and his group. Even though it was still early there were quite a few people gathered at the port. Judging by their wild behavior most of them looked like fishermen.
Women who appeared to be their wives or daughters were walking around. Perhaps because he was from the South he had a charm that caught my eye in many ways. What a harmony between bronzed skin and volume! Ronan muttered as if possessed by something.
“…I should have been born in the South.”
“Maybe I wasn’t that bad.”
Asher also did not specifically deny it. That was the way men bonded. Only Schlieffen kept his eyes quietly closed as if trying to shake off his anguish. The nobility of blue blood.
They immediately moved to the most corner of the dock. If I had the same mind I wanted to at least dip my toes into the nightlife of the South but I didn’t have the time left to do so. Soon Ronan spotted a familiar face and waved his hand.
“Hey Er.”
“I told you not to call me that.”
Itargand frowned. He was standing in front of the dock with a rather tired face. This was because he had come in advance to hand over the boat to the three men.
“I’ll ask you one last question. “Is it really okay if I don’t go?”
“Yeah man. “This is enough for me so I’m studying hard.”
Ronan waved his hand. He had no intention of taking Itar Gand with him in the first place. Even putting aside the fact that he was a freshman in the midst of a busy period it was clear that he would definitely stand out in Adren due to his status as a blood relative of Navardose. Itar Gand sensing what he meant nodded his head.
“I get it. That certainly seems like the right decision.”
“I’ll just take your heart. So is this the ship we’ll be taking?”
Ronan pointed to the sailboat behind Itargand. It was a small sloop that could carry at most twenty people. Compared to the red galleon he rode before the difference in size was about the size of a golden eagle and a chick.
“My tastes have become frugal. “Actually the one I rode before was too noisy.”
“Don’t look down on me. It’s an incredibly valuable ship that can’t be compared to the last piece of wood which was just as big. “My Red Whirlwind can perform all actions automatically even without a single crew member.”
Itargand spoke triumphantly. He explained that this sloop called Red Whirlwind is the culmination of magic engineering and the best choice for sailing. To be honest I’m not sure but looking at the measurements it seemed like a really good boat. Ronan tapped him on the shoulder.
“Thank you. “I can’t believe you lend me such a nice boat.”
“Ride as if it were your body. “If you even scratch me I won’t let you go.”
“Okay okay. don’t worry.”
Ronan waved his hand. Of course he had no intention of treating it harshly. They say it takes about eight days at most to reach Adren but what could possibly happen in that short period of time? He and his companions were just about to board the car. Itargand said.
“There is something I want to tell you for a moment.”
“What is it?”
“It’s been a while since I went to Adren so I’m not sure what it’s like now but… it would be better if you don’t go around talking about the fact that you’re my servant.”
His expression and tone of voice were serious. Ronan tilted his head.
“Why?”
“It’s a childish political issue. The current Dragon King Azida Haka is a person who harbors a huge inferiority complex towards his mother. “Now that his mother’s absence has been prolonged there is a possibility that he will find unnecessary faults and harass you.”
“It’s the Dragon Lord’s fault. “That’s scary.”
Ronan twisted his lips. It felt even more dangerous because it was something that could happen. It would be a relief if they ended up being denied room and board or being deported.
“Yo Dragon King?”
“That’s not good news.”
The two people listening in the background also responded. Of course there was nothing they could do so they boarded the ship without saying a word. Departure took place quietly.
“I’ll be back.”
“Do not tarnish my honor as a servant. “I hope you come back with what you want.”
Ronan waved his hand at Ithar Gand. The moment I untied the rope tied to the dock the boat slowly began to move forward. The sun had just begun to reveal its head coloring the eastern part of the sea red.
****
The place where Adren was located was in the middle of the sea called the White Sea. Unlike the southern sea which is as beautiful as a jewel it was a place with waves of dark blue that felt even empty.
Ronan and his party entered the White Sea on the morning of the fifth day after setting sail. Intense sunlight incomparable to that on land was shining down on the deck. A huge cumulonimbus cloud like an ancient castle was floating on the horizon.
“Damn I can’t get used to this heat at all.”
Ronan grumbled. It’s been a long time since I took off my top. The salty wind hit my bare skin but it wasn’t enough to cool me off.
His skin had ripened to a bronze color similar to Nabi Rose. Unlike the islands where autumn leaves had begun to appear the southern seas were reaching the peak of summer. Asher who was reading a book next to the ice pillar he had created opened his mouth.
“It’s refreshing when you come here….”
“There’s no romance in that. “Romance.”
Ronan clicked his tongue. Since I had never been to such a distant sea in my previous life I wanted to enjoy this voyage as raw as possible. Ronan who was looking at the sails puffed by a favorable wind muttered in a voice full of admiration.
“Anyway this is always amazing to see. “There’s a reason why that master was so confident.”
“Ugh. “Really.”
Asher nodded his head. As Itargand said this was a truly amazing ship.
It responded quickly to everyday actions such as steering and folding and unfolding sails as well as unexpected situations such as encountering storms or large waves. Since the destination of Adren had already been set the only thing the three had to worry about was a possible surprise attack by the enemy or the meal they would eat that day.
“I hope it continues like this.”
“That’s right.”
Asher muttered. Ronan also shook his head. The solemn resolve I had when I set off was inevitably going to weaken in the same scenery that lasted for five days.
He no longer saw the fishing boats or uninhabited islands he occasionally encountered. Only encounters with marine life such as whales or schools of flying fish served as variations.
The three people really liked this peace. Since it was obvious that I would have a hard time in Adren I hoped that it would at least last as long as I went.
The setting sun was about to set on the top of my head. Schlieffen who was standing with his arms crossed at the bow blurted out a word.
“It’s an island.”
“ok? really?”
Ronan who had been lying in her hammock stood up. When I went to the western railing of the ship I saw dark green lumps floating on the horizon.
“It’s true. “It’s pretty big too.”
“It looks like an island with a name.”
Judging by the fact that there were several chunks it was an archipelago. Unfortunately it was outside of the Red Whirlwind’s sailing route. Asher who came late unfolded a map the size of his torso and said.
“They say it’s a place called the Pashanti Archipelago.”
“Pashanti Islands?”
Ronan shrugged his eyebrows. It was a name I heard in passing one day. Before long he remembered the incident at Aurora Skal and snapped his fingers.
“aha.”
It was clearly an island that was the home base of the subordinates of the Poisonous Dragon. Was the name of the organization Green Tusk? Ronan who was looking at the island frowned.
“Troublesome bastards.”
Just imagining being involved in a criminal organization with a dragon as the boss made me sick. After telling the other two the story of the green tusk and the poisonous dragon he opened his mouth.
“Well it’s an island with that kind of background. “It’s going to be a bother so let’s just go quietly.”
“Uh yeah. “I think that would be good too.”
Asher quickly nodded his head. Since the ship was heading towards Adren anyway it was a problem that could be solved by just staying still. Ronan laughed patting his pale back.
“Don’t be so scared man. Is there anything special going on?”
“Uh yeah. “Is that so…?”
Asher then breathed a sigh of relief. The three people returned to their original positions and began to concentrate on what they were doing. Schlieffen sharpened his sword and Ronan did his sit-ups while standing on his head.
It was the moment when Asher opened his vajra to finish reading the part he was reading. Kwaaaaaa!! A loud noise that felt like my eardrums would burst rang out and at the same time the ship shook.
“Hiyaaaaaak!”
“What the fuck?!”
Asher screamed and jumped up. Ronan and Schlieffen turned their heads in the direction of the sound almost at the same time. The mast which serves as the center of the ship was dented as if it had been bitten by an invisible beast. The thick smoke was blowing away in the sea breeze.
“Po po po bomb?”
Asher said crying. At that time the slowly tilting mast fell onto the deck. bang!! The pillar which was thicker than a tree completely shattered the deck and cabin roof. Ronan placed his palm on her forehead. Itargand’s voice saying that he would not leave anyone alone if even a scratch seemed to echo in his ears.
“Nimi.”
“What?! where…!”
Asher who managed to control her emotions looked around her like a meerkat. Whirrit-! A sound similar to a whistle sounded from somewhere. Schlieffen reflexively turned and swung his sword. Quagwang! An explosion occurred in the sky about twenty steps away from the ship. As he gazed across the sea he opened his mouth.
“It’s on the island side. “You’re good at hiding your presence.”
“what?”
Ronan rushed to his side. Indeed three sailing ships were approaching through the current from the direction of the Pashanti Islands. They were all galleons several times larger than the Red Whirlwind.
At the front of every ship was a figurehead of an extremely ugly-looking dragon. Ronan who immediately realized their identity cursed.
“ah. “Fuck.”
“This is the territorial waters of the poisonous dragon Drahavie! “The boat ahead must stop immediately!”
As if to prove his prediction a loud voice rang out from the sailboat. I said I would pass by as quietly as possible but I never thought they would catch me. It seemed clear that the cannonballs had also been fired from over there.
Now that things were like this I had no choice but to either screw them over or ostracize them. Asher was breathing heavily and restoring the broken mast to its original position. Ronan took a deep breath and looked back at Schlieffen.
“Hehe…I guess I’ll do it. Or do you want to do it yourself?”
“I’ve already finished one ship.”
“what?”
Ronan frowned at her. He quickly lowered his gaze and noticed that the sword hilt Schlieffen was holding had no blade attached.
Ronan was about to say something. Sgak-! The wind seemed to have gotten stronger and the sailboat that was leading was cut in half lengthwise.
