"Morick, is there any result from the pilot room?"
"Your Highness, although the sea conditions are good, since the world changed, not even the finest sailors can ensure they comprehend the navigational status as they used to. Unless... would you agree to use the Prophetic Spell here?"
"..."
"I trust everyone and believe they can pave the way through the unknown and confusion. The prophecy and such should be left to the big folks later."
Inside the room on the bridge.
Princess Claudia was conversing with her knight.
Her Highness clearly wished not to convey any negative information to her subordinates, but practically, both knew the difficulties they faced in sailing now, rely unspoken in the tacit atmosphere.
Mid-June, it's not even a week since they left [Nikos].
But the challenges of the voyage truly began to unfold at this ti.
As the gatekeeper of the sea canal, [Nikos] is virtually the watershed of national power. Sailing further south here, the level of civilization of nurous countries plumts dramatically, even falling!
Though [Gred] has nautical charts of these regions and has even established several colonies.
But the overly backward environnt causes even the finest sailors to feel unsure about their familiarity with the Southern Hemisphere and its routes.
The number of ports at clearly defined positions is scarce, people familiar with sea conditions are rare, compounded by the world's changes and the backwardness of communication here.
The ultimate result is the linear increase in the difficulty of navigation.
Yet, this is what the fleet must face.
For this voyage, besides the nominal pursuit of the remnants of the [Nine Commandnts eting], the hidden purpose is to open up the routes.
This is a challenge that must be overco.
Morick left after reporting back, Claudia sat in her place, her gaze peering into the distance through the bridge's glass.
The sea was as calm as usual, only with slight color deviation through the glass on the bridge.
Honestly, Claudia didn't quite like it here.
Because, as the Princess, the bridge here was inexplicably decorated with inadequately strong stained glass, often requiring the upkeep of a dedicated Caster.
Ostentatious and wasteful, and seemingly aningless.
If these odd expenses could be shifted to truly important projects, it would certainly be more reliable than making so decorations for herself.
"..."
"Your Highness, a ssage from below, Ronald has left Ship No. 2 and is coming our way."
In her contemplation, Claudia was interrupted by her knight once more.
Having completed his task, Morick re-entered the bridge, bringing the latest news and questions:
"So, do we need to make any preparations?"
"Ronald..."
Claudia pondered briefly.
The Ronald she rembered was not a noble who only thought about gaining prominence every day, nor a social elite fond of interaction.
This was a Caster accustod to quietly being alone, his interpersonal relationships maintained just within a limited scope.
This Ronald, without reason, would rarely cross over ships specifically to find her.
Among them must exist conditions making this necessary.
Having reached a conclusion inwardly, a slight smile appeared on Claudia's lips.
"Before coming here, did Ronald have contact with anyone else?"
Morick had researched this earlier and replied decisively:
"Ronald had lunch with the church's saint-priest, then, besides inquiries, without any interruptions, directly ca our way."
In a quick exchange, Claudia quickly made a decision.
"Morick, shortly, you'll continue the navigational work below, I'll talk with Ronald alone."
The loyal knight naturally bowed his head and exited the bridge imdiately.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
...
Thereafter, Claudia had others leave.
Soon, footsteps sounded outside the bridge, and upon hearing this, Claudia knew who the visitor was.
Confident steps – no weak person.
Hard-bottod boots – people from Ship No. 1 almost all wore uniform, the type of shoes would not produce such sounds.
Only six steps from the staircase to the bridge – at least a height above 1.77 ters.
eting these conditions, only the expected visitor remained.
Thus, before Ronald knocked on the door, Claudia confidently invited him:
"Ronald, co in, the door here isn't locked."
"..."
Ronald opened the door, swept his gaze around, only Claudia in the bridge.
So he joked:
"If I rember correctly, I didn't knock, nor introduced myself, right?"
"How did you know it was ?"
"It's a lady's secret." Claudia joked along. Being long-ti friends, not much pretense existed between them, so Claudia directly said, "Ronald, you don't seem the type to like visiting ."
"Having just eaten with the saint-priest you ca here, surely there is sothing?"
No outsiders present, Ronald straightforwardly responded:
"I indeed have matters."
"Claudia, you encountered problems in navigation, right?"
"Difficulties do exist but don't yet count as problems." Claudia shook her head to deny but in firm tone, "Before the voyage began, I already knew this journey wouldn't be simple."
Having denied this, Claudia nonetheless sighed.
The Princess turned to view the sea outside the window, beginning to vent her grievances to her friend:
"But I never expected so many occurrences."
"Sea monsters of Carpen, relics of [Lackmont], and ambushes of the [Nine Commandnts eting], the ergence of these events is reasonable, and I understand the cause and effect within. But the frequency is indeed a bit high."
Claudia's complaints perfectly matched Ronald's mindset, who had been amid various incidents all along. Hence, hearing the young lady's dissatisfaction, he subconsciously lanted:
"Seems it's not easy for you either."
Claudia gracefully shrugged:
"What can be done, taking it as my mother's trial."
Ronald then smoothly presented the map he prepared:
"Saying that, it's actually the reason I ca to you. In aspects of navigation, I may provide so help..."
Claudia's gaze fell upon Ronald's hand.
Due to her recent involvent in mariti endeavors, her sensitivity to maps and charts heightened, thus with just a glance, she recognized what Ronald held.
"This is a chart!!!" Claudia leaped up unladylike and promptly snatched the map from Ronald's hand.
Then, bending over the bridge's table to study this treasure, Claudia barely distractedly asked Ronald:
"Ronald, whatever you want, just let know."
Ronald fully understood Claudia's directness and attitude.
At that mont, he also had so business, hence he candidly spoke:
"Claudia, recently, I've been writing a book..."
User Comments
0 comments from readers