Note From Developer: I’m a big fan of Chinese web novels, but I often came across great stories with poor translations. That’s why I started this website! My goal is to make this the best web novel translation site out there. If you have any suggestions or feedback, feel free to reach out on Discord or Instagram.
Published: July 4, 2025
Admiral Lockday was returned to the hold.
As a prisoner, he couldn't spend as much time on deck as Ryo and the others did.
The place for prisoners was not the second deck or the third deck, but the hold...
It seems that not much changes, no matter which world you're in.
Ryo and Abel were reading books at an ice table.
The book Ryo was reading was one of the three he purchased in the City of Manyamia.
Ryo glanced at Abel.
Abel had been a bookworm since his time in the City of Run.
That much was certain...
But where did the book Abel was reading come from?
As you know, Abel was broke.
And books are never cheap.
They shouldn't be easy to obtain.
If that's the case, then how did he get it...?
Of course, Ryo had a few suspicions.
(He must have threatened innocent crew members and taken the book from them! What a ruthless and vicious swordsman he is!)
"Ryo, were you thinking something strange just now?"
Without looking up from his book and with an emotionless voice, he asked, startling Ryo.
Naturally, Ryo denied it with all his might.
"W-What are you talking about, Abel? No one thinks the ruthless swordsman reading a book taken from good crew members exists! It's not impressive to doubt a serious and kind mage without any basis."
"You were indeed thinking something unnecessary..."
Abel shook his head slightly.
"This book was borrowed from Captain Dao."
"Captain Dao?"
Captain Dao was the female captain of the Vashteque that the two were on.
In the previous battle, she had been at the forefront with two large knives.
Ryo remembered she was quite skilled.
Ryo looked at the cover of the book Abel was reading.
"The 'Knife Fighting on Board'... what a straightforward title."
"The Monlashu I fought used a straight sword that was too long to be called a knife but too short to be called a sword. But reading this allows me to understand that his techniques also derived from knife fighting."
It seems Abel was trying to solve questions he had during the battle.
Ryo thought that was really impressive.
It's commendable that he didn’t leave any doubts unresolved while his memories were still fresh.
"Abel, you're amazing!"
"O-Oh."
Ryo praised him sincerely, and Abel became a little embarrassed.
Even though Abel was a former a-rank swordsman and a king, he wasn't used to being praised.
Well, Ryo's praise turned the unnecessary thoughts into a vague topic.
"So this book wasn't taken from the crew."
Abel did not let it become vague...
Ryo looked around desperately for a way to change the subject.
"Ah, by the way, Abel, did you know? Princess Iliriaja was quite popular among the citizens of Sujay Kingdom!"
"You think you can change the subject with that...?"
"I-I don’t understand what you mean by changing the subject. I just thought it would be better to have a constructive conversation rather than a fruitless discussion."
Understanding that Ryo was desperately trying to divert the topic, Abel sighed dramatically.
And he jumped on the new topic.
"So? Princess Iliriaja was popular in Sujay Kingdom?"
Ryo felt relieved that Abel went along with it and continued speaking.
"Yes, indeed. It seems the king had five princes and six princesses. Ah, the second prince was adopted by the royal family of another country some years ago."
"Adopted by another royal family? I haven't heard of that in the Central Nations, but it seems to happen around here."
"I don’t know the exact details. Something about a not-so-big kingdom on the continent... He was said to even use earth magic, let alone being proficient in both martial and literary excellence. However, it seems his mother was of very low status, and she passed away when the second prince was small. Of course, the king was said to love him without discrimination... But it seems he was quickly out of the line of succession for the throne of Sujay Kingdom."
"I see. If there’s no chance for him to inherit the throne in his homeland, it might be a good idea to go abroad when invited."
Abel seemed to understand Ryo's explanation.
It doesn’t seem wrong to forge one’s own destiny through personal choice.