Chapter 834
It was also the kind of statement that swept away any thought about the time that had slipped by in an instant.
"What... What problem are you talking about?" Frozen for a split second, Miguel sprang upright, jolted as if by an electric shock. He didn’t even notice the cloak slide from his shoulders to the floor.
Only then did Palmer take a firm step back and answer, "The archipelago’s ships have appeared. They’ve spotted us and are closing in."
"Th-Those things we saw at night?" Miguel asked.
"We can’t be certain yet. I came to wake you before confirming it. I will head up to hear what the others have verified."
"Understood. Go ahead. I’ll prepare and follow right behind."
Miguel didn’t press further. From long experience, he knew there was nothing more foolish in a moment like this than wasting time on meaningless questions.
"Yes. I’ll report everything as soon as you come up."
With that, Palmer turned and sprinted out into the corridor. Miguel didn’t hesitate either.
Clank, click—
He was already moving on instinct, checking the prosthetic on his left arm and readjusting the gear strapped to him. Since he’d passed out before loosening anything, his gear required no resetting.
Lu Entre... just keep me alive until I see that kid again.
Even as he muttered the prayer inwardly, he swiftly fitted the crossbow onto his prosthetic arm and rose, snatching up the hooded cloak lying on the floor.
It was the same one he had used to cover Lily on the bed across from him. She must have gotten up and gone out long ago.
Don’t tell me she’s already lighting things up.
Without a second thought, Miguel turned and rushed into the corridor.
Lily wasn’t the type to take things as jokes. If someone so much as suggested killing, even in passing, she’d act on it without hesitation.
Creak, creak—
As if proving how much time had passed, the ship’s interior swayed slowly from side to side. Thankfully, he didn’t feel seasick. Perhaps because he had tensed up the moment he woke. Or maybe it was the weight pressing down on his shoulders.
If a battle breaks out, what am I supposed to do?
Even as anxious thoughts crowded his mind, Miguel tied his cloak in a smooth, practiced motion and hurried up the stairs.
He passed through a storage room stacked with wooden crates and pushed open the door leading to the central deck.
Swoosh—
A lukewarm, salt-laden wind rushed in as his view opened up.
Billowing sails, tangled ropes stretching in every direction, and figures gathered on the distant deck came into sight. Miguel didn’t spare them a glance.
His steps slowed on their own as he looked around.
It wasn’t just because he’d spotted the archipelago ships. They weren’t merely approaching—they were already sailing alongside them. Not just on the left, but on the right as well, two ships flanking them as if guiding the way.
They were still a fair distance off, but that did nothing to ease Miguel’s mind.
"Shit... damn it."
Large ballistae, mounted along the sides of the ships’ decks, were already loaded and aimed straight at them. The men gripping the winches, pirate-like in both look and demeanor, watched them without blinking.
Miguel quickly realized they were deliberately maintaining a distance that allowed them to strike unilaterally.
"It seems they won’t strike first, as long as we don’t make any sudden moves," Palmer said from the side.
Stiffening, Miguel turned toward the central deck.
Palmer and Nehat were approaching. Beside them was Lily, now wearing Miguel’s hooded cloak.
"Did the Captain say that?" Miguel asked, glancing at Palmer’s expressionless face.
"Yes. He says those ships belong to Count Drapier. The very lord we were heading to meet," answered Palmer.
Miguel turned his gaze back to the ship off to the left.
Atop its central mast, a black flag fluttered. A large yellow circle enclosing a white skull swayed in the wind.
"They say they hoisted a plain black flag on our ship in advance, just in case. It signifies a vessel unaffiliated with any faction," Palmer added as he came to a stop in front of him.
Nehat’s low voice followed. "Either way, we’re being led along at their discretion."
"To Villanueva, then?" Miguel asked, turning to her.
Her orange eyes glinted faintly as she nodded. "Most likely."
As Lily stepped up beside Miguel, Palmer shifted a step to the side and said, "You can already see the island."
Resting a hand on Lily’s shoulder, Miguel finally took in the view beyond the central deck.
Beastfolk and fairies stood gathered, watching both sides warily, clearly bracing for an attack at any moment. A few of the fairies even had their masks pulled down over their faces.
Beyond the bow, the stern of the Silent Storm now sailed much closer. A black flag now fluttered atop its mast as well.
Miguel’s gaze only paused there briefly.
"So..."
Beyond the ship, mountain ridges stretched out on both sides, dark as the sea itself. He couldn’t tell if the darkness was due to the dim light or their natural hue.
"That massive island is Villanueva," Miguel muttered as he slowly swept his gaze across it.
It was far closer than he had expected. At this rate, they would reach the island within an hour at most.
At that moment, a rough voice came from behind.
"Milav. The name of that island is Milav, Priest."
Miguel paused and turned his head.
Yalo, the captain, was descending the stairs from the aft deck, one hand on the railing. His face still carried that oddly relaxed expression.
Meeting Miguel’s faintly furrowed gaze, he continued, "It’s one of the four largest islands in the archipelago."
"It’s the one closest to the mainland. I’ve heard the Empire claimed it first. Villanueva was later built as an outpost city there," Palmer added.
Yalo turned to him, a wrinkled smile spreading across his face. "Well, now, it seems I spoke out of turn. Someone here already knows the details."
Instead of replying, Palmer gave a low, irritated snort, his nose twitching. Miguel watched Yalo pass them and head toward the central deck before turning his gaze forward again.
"So we might get through this without a fight."
"We’ll know for certain once Diana returns," said Palmer.
Miguel blinked in confusion. "Returns?"
"She said she’d go ask the Great Warrior what we should do."
This time, it was Nehat who answered. She wrinkled her nose in displeasure and looked toward the front.
"She ran off before anyone could stop her."
Following her gaze past the bow to the stern of the Silent Storm, Miguel frowned.
"You’re saying she jumped over there?"
"Close" was a relative term, after all. There was still plenty of distance—enough that they wouldn’t collide. And the stern deck was even higher than the bow.
Nehat didn’t answer.
There was no need to.
Tap, tap, tap! Whoosh!
In the very next moment, someone burst out onto the stern deck of the Silent Storm and kicked off the railing, launching into the air.
Miguel’s mouth parted slightly as he followed the arc upward. "Huh."
It was Diana. With her knees bent and her cloak spread wide like wings, she glided through the air as if riding the wind.
Only then did Miguel realize this was the power of her relic boots, making him instinctively glance down at himself.
Then... these too?
He was outfitted with relic gear as well.
Until now, he had felt too undeserving, almost reverent toward them, to even consider what kind of abilities they might hold.
Just as he found himself thinking he should quietly ask Ian about it later, Diana came down at an angle onto the central deck, tumbling before finally landing.
Thud, crash!
She passed straight through the beastfolk and fairies, who had instinctively stepped aside. It seemed she still wasn’t fully used to landing.
Rumble—
By the time Miguel looked back up, she had already regained her footing and slid to a stop. Her cloak wrapped smoothly around her as she sprang back to her feet and immediately started walking.
Judging by the fact that she was heading straight toward them, she had already taken in the situation on deck during her glide.
Miguel tilted his chin slightly as he asked, "So, what did the demigod say?"
Without breaking stride, Diana answered in a calm, even voice, "He said they’re likely trying to take us to Villanueva. Since it works out for us, we should avoid causing unnecessary trouble and just go along."
"Figured as much..." Relief slipped into Miguel’s voice without him realizing it.
It wasn’t much different from what they had expected, yet just hearing that Ian had made the call eased the tension in his chest.
Diana came to a stop between Palmer and Nehat and added, "Once we arrive, he said we should summon Count Drapier right away. Without conflict, and while cooperating with whatever procedures they require."
Miguel, who had just been exhaling in relief, stiffened again. He already knew what that meant. And it wasn’t exactly something he was eager to handle personally.
He swallowed, then asked, "Did you inform the ship ahead of us as well?"
"Yes. He told me to."
Diana smacked her lips lightly, then continued in her usual unenthusiastic tone, "And Chieftain Charlotte said she would gladly yield that honor to you this time, Priest."
"Yield it? Why?" Miguel asked a beat late, frowning slightly.
Diana gave a small nod. "She said it’s only natural, since you’ve been attending the demigod all this time."
"She really didn’t have to...," Miguel muttered awkwardly, then let out a low sigh and nodded. "Anyway, I understand. Thanks for handling things while I was out. You should all get some rest before we arrive."
There was no point in complaining to them.
After glancing over the three of them, Miguel jerked his chin past their shoulders. "And don’t leave the others standing around like that. Let them rest too."
"Understood."
"Yes."
Palmer, Diana, and Nehat turned almost in unison, already moving toward the mainmast as they waved the others over.
"Ha... right. Let’s go."
Letting out another quiet sigh, Miguel turned to the side, guiding Lily with him.
The ships came into view again, sailing alongside them as if guiding the smuggling ships. However, as Miguel approached the railing, he barely spared them a glance.
"Of the Radiant Goddess and the Stern Goddess..."
He had something far more important to focus on.
He’d seen it done many times before and knew exactly what to do, but to uphold Ian’s authority, he couldn't afford even the smallest mistake.
"Of the Black Land, the Demonic Realm, of jungles and deserts, the deep sea and the snowfields..." Miguel moved his lips silently, murmuring under his breath without pause.
Beside him, Lily kept her eyes fixed on the distant sea.
Shapes of other ships flickered into view here and there. The only reason they weren’t approaching was likely because the escort ship already had them under watch.
"Of Lu Sard... and of that great— ngh?"
Before long, Miguel suddenly clamped a hand over his mouth.
His expression twisted instantly. The seasickness was coming back.
He couldn't tell if it was easing tension or the rougher waves near the island—and it didn’t matter.
"Recognized by the heavens... ugh, urk—"
Even as his face turned pale, he struggled to keep mumbling until finally he leaned over the railing and bent forward.
Lily, who had been standing beside him the whole time, patted his back as if she had been expecting this.
"Ugh... blegh... da-damn it!"
Even as she mechanically patted his back, she scanned the scene ahead.
A coastline curved deep like a crescent moon was coming into view—and at its center, a city faintly lit in scattered points of light.