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“Let’s go already.”

On the second day after the duel between Ophelia and Eldesia, I told everyone.

“We’ve settled all our affairs, so it’s time to head to the Ice Palace.”

Sure, lounging around in the luxurious residence of Elvendell was nice and all, but if we stayed any longer, I felt like we’d get too comfortable in this sweet life.

After all, enjoying a peaceful daily life can only happen after we catch the Demon King. Having made that determination, no one raised any objections.

Well, except for one person.

“Can we stay just a little longer?”

“Then we’re in agreement.”

“Hey, are you ignoring me?”

Ophelia ground her teeth, but I pretended not to see.

In any case, there were no objections.

We headed off to greet the Fairy King, but it seemed he didn’t take kindly to having given us a branch of the World Tree, as he locked the castle gates and wouldn’t let us in.

“What a petty move.”

So, I brought up the subject with Kaius instead, who dug out a map as if this was just another one of his concerns.

“A journey to the Ice Palace, is it? I can spare you a guide.”

He traced a curve on the map while examining it.

“Direct access is impossible. There’s a mountain range that stands between the Great Forest and the northern Empire.”

“Can’t we go over the mountains?”

“If you want to die, sure.”

That meant we couldn’t pull off a Hannibal-like stunt.

“Anyway, there are two paths we can choose from.”

Kaius drew another line.

According to him, there was no direct land route from the Great Forest to the Ice Palace. We either had to go through the Empire’s territory or cross the northern Erosion Zone, also known as the Demon Territory.

The Erosion Zone was literally a place where the Demon King’s army and their minions’ magic had covered the ground. With the monsters crawling everywhere, the magic density was thick. Just a brief entry might be manageable, but camping there for days was a death sentence.

I wasn’t willing to take that risk.

Thus, the alternate route proposed by Kaius was none other than the sea route.

“If we follow the Euphrim River flowing east from the Great Forest to the sea and head north, we should reach the Ice Palace’s port in ten days.”

“But won’t the sea be frozen?”

“The Ice Palace’s harbor is an ice-free harbor. They pour astronomical resources into keeping the coast from freezing.”

In Sword & Chronicle, the option to travel by ship didn’t even exist. However, this world offered realistic choices unlike any game.

I nodded. It would be my first time on a boat in this world, but the Elves’ wooden craft skills were utterly overwhelming. There shouldn’t be a risk of sinking.

“Alright then. Can we borrow a ship?”

“Of course.”

I wondered if we needed the Fairy King’s permission, but it seemed Kaius had more authority in the Great Forest than I expected.

Everyone agreed to take a ship to the Ice Palace.

Except, once again, there was that one person casting a dissenting vote.

“I’m not going.”

Ophelia’s reaction was as follows: panic, her hands trembling, then she wrapped herself up in her blanket and started rolling on the floor.

“I’m not going!”

Ophelia’s face had turned pale.

“If you keep throwing a tantrum, we’re just leaving without you.”

“T-That Erosion Zone or whatever! I can’t go!”

It then dawned on me.

“Oh.”

Ophelia had a rare constitution that made her motion sick on any kind of transport.

*

“So, the Hero and their party took the sea route?”

Owen, the agent from the Information Bureau, nodded at the report. It was the perfect way to travel from the Great Forest to the Ice Palace. However, pulling a ship from that foul-tempered Elf was quite the achievement.

Owen sighed as he organized his documents.

“Have we heard anything from the Eastern Continent?”

“Well, it seems Black Water has set sail.”

“Naturally.”

Owen grimaced and sighed again.

Black Water Elgore.

The most vicious being among the Demon King’s cadre.

The pirate crew led by Elgore, which was increasing its power by plundering coastal villages on the Eastern Continent, had turned its prow westward, that is, toward the Empire.

The reason for this was undoubtedly the emergence of the Hero.

Owen rubbed the mark on the back of his neck and muttered.

“So, of all times, the Hero is traveling through that route…?”

The likelihood was low, but what if the Hero’s ship ran into Black Water’s pirate crew?

That thought sent a chill down his spine.

“Pass the word to the Hero. Black Water…”

Just as Owen was about to relay it to his subordinate, he noticed a man leaning against a corner of the room and frowned.

“Inquisition Officer, couldn’t you knock before coming in?”

“Oh, were you discussing something confidential? If that’s the case, I’ll pretend I wasn’t here.”

Inquisition Officer Yurede grinned widely.

This Inquisition Officer, who was tasked with a mission in the Empire’s diocese after leaving the Cathedral, was a nuisance who rummaged around the Empire.

However, he was powerful enough to not be easily restrained, and considering he prided himself on being a fanatic, Yurede was diligently shortening Evangelin’s lifespan.

“Black Water, does that mean ‘Black Hand’? Quite a dangerous individual we have here.”

“You don’t need to know that. So, is there a problem or not?”

Without warning, Owen asked the purpose, and Yurede smiled broadly.

He then tilted his head slightly toward his subordinate, and with that imposing movement, Owen’s subordinate hurriedly left the room.

Finally, Yurede and Owen were alone, and Yurede brought up his business.

“I was wondering, how about we work on a little job together?”

“Job?”

“Yes. Only the Information Bureau can handle this. Ah, and I will pay. The reward will be the blessing of the God.”

At Yurede’s words, Owen raised an eyebrow.

It was comical that a mere Inquisition Officer would suggest a request to Owen, the best agent of the Information Bureau, and to offer the ‘blessing of the God’ as a reward.

He wanted to throw him out right on the spot, but that would be a diplomatic faux pas.

“Sigh. Fine. What’s the task?”

For now, it would be better to listen to the details.

Owen sighed and gestured for him to continue.

And Yurede, feigning a serious expression, said.

“The Cathedral has colluded with the Demon King’s army.”

“….”

“We have circumstantial evidence.”

Even for Owen, who was quite composed, that remark was nearly impossible to keep his expression under control.

*

“…Elliot.”

“Yes.”

“Just… kill me….”

Ophelia let out a faint breath, nestled in my arms. I affectionately stroked her forehead and held her close.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not skilled at killing people.”

“Just… kill me…. I don’t think I have any worth living anymore….”

“No, every life is precious. It’s the same for you, Ophelia.”

Thud.

That was the sound of Ophelia’s fist hitting my chest.

Of course, it lacked both strength and intent, so it didn’t even itch.

“Damn. Just… kill me. Throw me into the sea.”

“That’s not going to happen. I will protect you till the end, Ophelia.”

“You jerk. You only act like a caring person at times like this….”

Ophelia’s face was pale, and her body trembled slightly.

Of course, there wasn’t anything serious happening to her.

“Sigh… can’t you just sleep? Instead of whining like this?”

As expected.

Ophelia was reeling from seasickness.

“By the way, you really have a terrible constitution.”

“Why is it seasickness?!”

Ophelia butted her head against my chin.

But it seemed she’d exhausted all her strength doing that, as she slumped in my arms.

Like a marionette with cut strings.

“Elliot….”

“What is it?”

“I need to go….”

“Are you saying you want to die?”

“No, I mean, I need to pee.”

“….”

Hearing the word “pee” come out of a saint’s mouth was unexpected.

Who would find this amusing? Maybe just Yurede.

No, I suspect even he would cringe.

I had to respond with a resigned expression.

“…Should I bring you a pot to use?”

“No, just throw me into the sea. I’ll figure it out there.”

“I’ll go get it.”

Gently laying Ophelia down, I exited the room.

Regardless of how annoying she was, seeing her suffer like that softened my heart.

Was choosing the sea route a mistake?

“That can’t be right….”

I muttered to myself.

Getting sick from the sea was nothing compared to the foolishness of crossing the Erosion Zone.

Having convinced myself of that, I went up onto the deck.

“…What the heck is this ridiculous situation?”

When I asked Albrecht, who was closest, he shrugged in embarrassment.

“Looks like someone wants to catch a whale.”

“Who?”

“Archery Master Erwin.”

“…Why?”

“I’m curious too. It seems the sea is a fascinating environment for Elves.”

Erwin stood boldly at the deck railing, loading a harpoon onto his bow and shooting out at the sea. He was even using a Mark.

Was there actually a whale? It turned out to be a tuna instead.

“I got one!”

“Whoa!”

This Elf lady, who had lived for over a hundred years, wrote a Mark just to catch a single fish.

Seeing Wuzmund joining her, it seemed there was no one on board willing to stop her.

“Well, at least we won’t have a problem with ingredients.”

…But then another problem arose.

Ismaël, no, Erwin was overly enthusiastic.

He had caught dozens of tuna.

Thanks to that—or maybe because of it—the ship stank of fish after that day.

It could have been mistaken for a tuna fishing boat instead.

“…You crazy Ear Demon!”

And that fishy odor was more than enough to worsen Ophelia’s seasickness.

 

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