Published: July 4, 2025
The first fleet of the Sujay Kingdom's Central Navy, the long-range cruiser Rondark.
Captain Gorick Dew, at twenty-eight years old, is the youngest captain among the same class of ships.
However, he is one of the most experienced individuals in the Central Navy, not only in battle but also in long-range voyages like this one.
With sun-kissed skin, healthy wheat-colored hair, a toned body, black eyes, and handsome features, he is well-known in the royal capital of Pyuri.
As he leads his crew from bar to bar, rumors spread quickly.
Naturally, since the drinking expenses are covered by Captain Gorick, he is well-liked by the crew.
Free food and drink are effective ways to win the hearts of the sailors.
The Rondark is currently on a voyage to the Free City of Kubevasa, but this time it carries two passengers.
This is a rare occurrence.
Of course, it’s not entirely unheard of.
For instance, when delivering diplomats, it happens quite often.
When assigned to a mission, attending meetings or conferences can involve the Central Navy’s warships.
Being used as transport for officials could be considered a tradition of the Sujay Kingdom.
However, this time, the passengers are different.
They are civilians.
Not even citizens of the Sujay Kingdom.
Yet, under strict orders from the Lord Protector Kavui Somaru, they are to be delivered with utmost courtesy.
Directly from Queen Iliriaja, who has just ascended to the throne, the crew has been informed that these individuals are very important to the kingdom.
All the crew members, including Captain Gorick Dew, were nervous.
He had previously delivered a foreign minister for a conference on the continent, but even then, he hadn’t felt this much tension.
At that time, he had also received words from his majesty the king, but they had been somewhat perfunctory.
This time, it was different.
Queen Iliriaja's words were astonishingly passionate.
If he were to fail in delivering the guests and return home, it could lead to demotion or even expulsion from the Central Navy… it felt that serious.
These two guests, who are of utmost importance, seemed quite peculiar to Captain Gorick.
“Gunno-sensei, I have a question!”
“Yes, Ryo-san, what is it?”
First of all, it was the language study session for Eastern Nations that takes place every morning at this hour.
On the day they set sail, one of the guests, a mage, approached Captain Gorick.
“I want to learn the language of the Eastern Nations.”
He had been instructed by Lord Protector Kavui Somaru to accommodate their requests as much as possible.
If the request was unreasonable, he intended to refuse, even if it was from the Lord Protector, but this request was neither unreasonable nor difficult.
Because every member of the crew aboard the Rondark could speak the language of the Eastern Nations.
This was to be expected in some sense.
If they disembarked at a foreign port and didn’t understand the local language, they wouldn’t even be able to order a drink.
That wouldn’t be enjoyable.
It’s natural to want to learn the language for their own enjoyment.
However, the suggestion from the swordsman who had come along was troublesome.
“If possible, I would like someone who can speak the language of the Central Nations to teach us.”
The mage and the swordsman were both wearing a translation device, an alchemy tool, in their ears.
It appeared to be made by the neighboring Komakyuta Feudal Kingdom.
Knowing that they were both from the Central Nations, Captain Gorick understood what the swordsman Abel was suggesting.
It would be better to convert directly from their native language.
That was entirely reasonable.
But there was a problem.
While the language of the Central Nations is quite widely understood globally, it is often mastered by merchants.
However, sailors… not so much.
Only one person fit that description.
Chief Engineer Gunno.
The chief engineer is the number three on the ship, after the captain and the first officer.
The Rondark is a sailing ship.
In that aspect alone, a chief engineer is unnecessary.