204 Episode 204 "Ship and Demon Heading North, Nagi and Cutlass Combined Technique".txt (1/2)

A few days later.

We left the port city of Ilgafa in a merchant ship.

Our destination was the northern town of Hermilt.

The journey takes two nights each way via the resort town of Mishlila.

On board the ship are a sailor and the captain. The Ilgafa regular soldiers and their captain. Other people involved.

And me, Iris and Cutlass.

Cecil, Aine and Rafilia will be joining us at the sanctuary. It would be great if we all transferred to Ilgafa, but if we all move around so frequently, the transferable items might be exposed. After meeting with the lord, me, Iris and Cutlass decided to board the ship.

I wanted Cecil and Rafilia, who can use magic, to be there as well, but - it's for alibi work. Besides, I've thought of a plan.

It is the pride of a regular soldier to have the Sea Dragon Priestess on board the ship. Please be at ease!

Shh. It's a secret about Iris, right?　The regular captain.

Iris put a finger to her lips.

Now she has her green hair in a ponytail and is wearing a leather armor. It's a 'riddle-sheaf melody' style that Iris had recently developed.

”Please call Iris 'Melody' now. I'm an adventurer carrying a cargo to the northern city at the request of the Ilgafa lord. Next to me is my colleague and my beloved 'big brother'. Please keep that in mind.

Yes, sir!

The captain saluted and moved away from us.

That regular soldier is the one who guarded Iris during the Festival of the Sea Dragon. It's a good idea to have a good time with them.

Maybe that's why we were so polite to you, because we remember that time.

It's my first time on a boat. ......

Gazing out at the sea from the deck, Cutlass said, ”I've never been on a ship before either.

I've never been on a ship before either. I never had a chance to get on one even in my old world,” he said.

We're on a large sailing ship,” he said. After we leave Ilgafa, we'll be riding the current to the north.

Of course, since it's a sailing ship, we have a specialist wizard on board to help us sail into the wind.

These are girls in sky blue robes, and right now they are talking to the captain at the bow of the ship. They are called 'Fu-Sei-Madoshi' for their ability to read and manipulate the wind. It's a professional job in Irgapha, and I'm a professional in that field. That's cool.

''But they're all a bit harsh in character, so I'm not very good at ...... melody.

Iris gave a small sigh.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's been in the business for a while. I hope that will help you calm down...

...... Those guys have been glancing at us for a while now.

And with a pretty sharp eye.

I remember being told when I boarded the ship, ”Hired adventurers should stay quiet so as not to get in the way.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you, but I'm not sure it's the same for ...... exclusive wizards.

''There's a ship leaving ────!

At the head of the ship, the captain shouted.

The sails were raised and the ship started to move slowly.

This is how we ended up in the boat, heading for the resort of Mishlila.

The boat is moving along the land.

The boat is moving fast because it's riding on the ocean current. We hope to reach the port of Mishreira in the evening.

Above us, the white sails tremble. At the back of the boat are two Wind Spirit Mages, who are using wind magic.

They control the wind - rather than controlling it, they seem to be reading the flow of the wind and transmitting it to the sailors.

That's why the ship doesn't shake so much and is heading calmly to the north. There is no sign of the ”sea dragon Kerkator”. According to Iris, after manipulating the current, they went on a distant sea patrol.

'...... Arujiddo'

”Come on, Cutlass.

It seems that the wizards have been staring at us for some time now. ......?

I looked at him sideways when he told me, sure.

And then he walked towards me.

What is it ......?

I'm going to rage my shoulders as hard as I can and stomp my feet as fast as I can, but ......?

Hey, guys.

”I hear you are adventurers hired by the Lord of Ilgafa.

The two girls in sky blue robes stop in front of me and Cutlass.

They're looking straight at us and snapping their feet in frustration.

'Answer me...we're asking you.

I'm an adventurer at ....... I'm supposed to be escorting a package to the town up north.

Our job is to deliver the goods to the merchant, sir.

Me and Cutlass looked at each other and then answered.

'A swordsman?　You're not a wizard, are you?

The girls said.

I think you can tell I'm not a wizard when you see it.

As you can see, I've never used magic before.

............ pfft.

He laughed at me. Why?

”Swords are useless on ships. We're better at using magic than you are. And you're not too high headed.

............ Huh?

To tell you the truth, we're better than you at sea. Don't forget that.

I'm not making a joke ......, are you?

The two wizard girls are beaming at us. Their noses are also breathing heavily.

...... But why do we have to be so sneaky ......?

We're ostensibly supposed to deliver a package to the northern town at the request of the lord of Ilgafa. But our work will be done after we're on land, so it's outside of business hours right now.

And Wind Spirit Mage shouldn't be too busy either. I'm not working so much that I feel like selling a fight to this side. The ship is on the current, so we just have to watch the wind every certain time and .......

Why are you poking at me when you're at ......?

'Our work will be done when we are on land. We have an agreement with the Lord of Irgafa as well.

We're talking about a work ethic.

It's funny.

These people are just ordinary adventurers, right? So why are they so high and mighty?

You mean like the nobleman who belonged to the White Guild?

Hey!　What are you doing?　Hired hands!

I heard the voice of the regular captain. Iris - or rather, Melody is with him.

''You are both employed by the Ilgafa Lord family. There is no hierarchy. In other words, ......

They just work in different places.

Yeah. This sifu is right.

The regular captain coughs and says to himself: ”This ship is advancing on the tide thanks to the blessing of the 'Kerkator' sea dragon.

I'm sure that this ship is moving with the tide under the protection of the sea dragon Kerkator. A wizard's job is not so much a wizard's job as it is a wizard's. Why do you need to intimidate your colleagues? Why do you need to intimidate your colleagues?

When this job is done, we're going to be the heroes.

............ Yes?

I thought I had heard wrong.

But the wizard girls are stretching their chests and showing the accessories they wear on the collars of their robes. A brooch in the shape of a wing and sword, made of silver.

This is a membership card sold to me by a certain person. In this group he was with, the hierarchy was determined by how good you were.

The man said that those who were better than others on the spot would gain control over those below them. And sooner or later, he said, he's going to start a new organization. We will be in it. So we are above you, mere adventurers.

...... No, we're not affiliated with that organization at all.

''When this job is done, we will cross the sea to fight the Demon King's army. Do you still claim to be your equals?

...... demon army?

'Yeah, that brave man said it was time to move against the Demon King.

Really?

If there was a Demon King on the other side of the ocean and it was on the move - I'm sure 'Sea Dragon Kerkator' would tell me that. But the sea dragon hadn't said a word about that. How could these girls know information that even the Sea Dragon didn't know?

Anyway, we're the better side of the boat, so maybe you should change your tune a bit?

The girls once again burst out of their chests.

For now, I'll hold off on the information. Besides, there's no point in fighting here.

I decided to leave, backing away from Iris and Cutlass.

''Hey!　Wait a minute! What's with the attitude!

Let's get to work.

I said.

'What if the demons come out while you're doing this?'

Ha! You don't know anything!　There's never been a demon in these waters before! If they come out, we'll use our magic to wipe them out!

It's a demon...!　There's a demon out there: ────!

I heard the sailor shout.

He leaned out of the port side and pointed offshore.

There - several small boats were floating there - several small boats. It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

''It's a higher species of 'sea-water goblins'!　Big brother!

Iris exclaimed.

'There's no way a demon could get anywhere near Ilgafa's ship, yet you seem to be cheating the sea dragon's eyes by wearing ...... human clothing and getting on the ship.

'If you're on a ship, it's hard to see from the 'sea dragon Kerkator' in the sea. Are you saying that it will be indistinguishable from the ships that humans ride on, so you won't be able to attack them carelessly ......?

'Yes. So I guess that's how pirate goblins are sometimes found: ......

”Pirate Goblins

A higher-ranking species of seafaring goblin, they are skilled swimmers and water fighters.

They have an insatiable appetite for precious metals, and often attack merchant ships.

They approach in small boats. They can be a nuisance if they are captured by a ship, so be careful.

There are a total of 3 ships with the ”Goblins” on board.

They will approach slowly, protecting themselves with their shields.

”Fire an arrow!　It's a pain in the ass to be obsessed. Get rid of them!

'd*mn. Demons, you have ...... wisdom. ......

The soldiers on the merchant ship are shooting arrows at the small boat.

'Melody, Cutlass...... come here for a moment.'

We hid behind our luggage so that we wouldn't be disturbed.

First of all, we have a strategy meeting here.

''If it's only goblins, I'm sure the regular soldiers will be able to take care of it ...... but it's going to take some time.

The goblins in the boat. The target will be small.

It'll be a problem if he gets on board, sir.

Even as I was saying this, an arrow flew over our heads. It was fired by the ”Pirate Goblin”.

I'm sure we'll be able to get rid of them sooner or later, but I don't want anyone to get injured .......

You can't blame them. Let's try to sneak a hand.

You are secretly helping people.

If we are confronted, I suppose we'll let the 'Kerkator' blessing wash over us.

Me, Cutlass, and Iris, sticking our foreheads together, consulted whisperingly.

We decide on a plan within a few dozen seconds.

”So... so, that's it.

My weapon is the key, isn't it? Yes, sir.

Iris is your protection in times of need.

'Yes. If you think it's too dangerous, use Iris's judgment and activate the skill.

Yes, sir!

So, let's get to work...

”Please, 'Wind Spirit Mage'!　Turn up the wind speed!

”Why are we standing on the deck? Increase the speed of the ship and get rid of the 'pirate goblins'!

Suddenly, the soldiers started shouting.

When I looked, I saw that the girls of the ”Wind Spirit Mage” were staring at the ”Pirate Goblin” with their arms folded.

And then...

”There's no way I'm running away!　For we are the ones who will be the brave!

I'm gonna kick the 'pirate goblins' out of here!

''We must show that the 'Wings and Swords Guild' that will eventually arise is the 'Original Brave Guild'!　To remind the 'Original Brave Guild' of the fake heroes!

””──── yes?”

”The Original Brave Men's Guild” and ”The Original Brave Men's Guild”, what's that?

”Let's see what we can do!　Vanish Wind, the vacuum blade!

Sss!

The wind blade created by the wind wizard girl slammed into the shield of the 'Pirate Goblin'.

''Guggah!

The ”pirate goblins” speak up.

The shield has a slanted incision in it. It's just that wind magic. It's a pretty powerful thing.

It's not a bad idea.　There is not a single demon left standing before our magic.

f*ck you, f*ck you, f*ck you!

Sigh. Ssshhh. Splash. Ssshhh. Sss!

The girls are firing a series of wind magic.

It's effective. It is true that they have wounded the 'Pirate Goblin' shield. But the hit rate is too bad.

This is on a rocking ship. Long-range attacks are hard to hit.

On top of that, the girls' complexion is gradually turning blue. What is this...

'You're using too much magic!

”Shut up about it, you punk! ''This is how the people of the Original Hero Guild awaken!

...... awakening?

'Yes. We'll use our powers to their limits to discover the possibilities that lie beyond.” ”Then we'll return to the inn to rest our bodies and gain super recovery. In this way we will awaken further strength.

'Isn't it your job to get cargo and people to port?　Combat is what soldiers do, isn't it?

Oh, shut up!　We're not going to end up being just 'wind spirit mages'! You adventurers, just because you're fighting those demons doesn't mean you can't go out there and show them what we're capable of.

The 'Wind Spirit Mages' shouted with a faint voice.

''We aim to be brave!　Therefore, we have to keep showing that we are better than you...!