Published: July 4, 2025
After a thorough discussion about the future of the Naitorei Kingdom, Captain Ra Woo and the first-class navigator from Myanmar arrived at the side of the king and the first duke, having finished calculating and recording the damages from the battle.
"We've completely shaken off the enemy," Captain Ra Woo reported to the two.
This was indeed a welcome report.
However, the captain's face appeared grim, as did the face of the Myanmar navigator standing beside him.
"However, we were unable to procure the food we planned to gather in the town of Shunbore."
"Ah..."
Abel and Ryo were at a loss for words in response to Captain Ra Woo's statement.
Indeed, the original plan to head to the port town of Shunbore was to acquire food supplies.
"Even if we save on rations, we only have enough food for three more days."
The Myanmar navigator continued.
The first-class navigator was responsible for the practical affairs of the ship.
Food management likely fell under his purview as well.
"I have picked out a few port towns we might reach within three days, but to be honest, I can't guarantee anything."
"In other words, it's possible that like in Shunbore, Prince Kouri's men could be ahead of us."
"Yes, there is that possibility."
Captain Ra Woo nodded in agreement with Abel's observation.
"We could continue north and somehow reach a port in the Payu Nation, but..."
"It would take at least six days. That means we'd have to make do without food for three days..."
"O-oh..."
It seems that this was not a realistic option.
While Abel, Captain Ra Woo, and the Myanmar navigator were engaged in conversation, Ryo inexplicably looked up at the sky.
Not in a daze, but quite attentively.
"What’s wrong, Ryo?"
"Uh... I’m not sure if this will work, but there’s something I want to try. If it goes well, we might be able to get food."
"What?"
Captain Ra Woo and the Myanmar navigator were surprised by Ryo's words.
It was only natural.
Could food possibly be obtained out here in the middle of the sea?
"Please."
After exchanging glances with the Myanmar navigator, Captain Ra Woo said this.
Ryo took a deep breath and then shouted towards the sky.
"Leonor! If you’re watching from over there, please come here for a moment! I need something!"
Ryo's voice, which came from deep in his belly, seemed to carry quite well, and many of the crew members on the first deck turned their gazes toward him.
Their expressions were uniformly astonished.
However, after realizing that nothing particularly happened following the shout, they resumed their work.
A minute passed after Ryo shouted, but nothing occurred.
Of course, Abel, Captain Ra Woo, and the Myanmar navigator did not say a word.
The latter two exchanged silent glances, probably compromising on their uncertainty about what was happening and choosing not to speak.
Excluding Ryo, only Abel seemed to understand what had just transpired.
Yes, the name that Ryo had shouted... Leonor.
Of course, it was the name of a demon.
A being of a certain kind that was very frightening.
At the very least, it was not someone to feel at ease around.
Another minute passed.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, what could be described as a four-meter-square black wall appeared on the first deck.
When Captain Ra Woo and the Myanmar navigator saw it for the first time, they were at a loss for understanding.
So they glanced at it once and then looked back again.
It seemed that when people see something they cannot comprehend, they tend to do a double-take.
"Seriously, suddenly opening a gate is too much..."
"Shut it, Jean-Jacques! I still have not forgiven you. You were the one who encouraged those two to provoke Ryo... Ah, Ryo!"
From the 'gate,' two demons emerged.
One was a man dressed in priest-like clothing.
The other was a woman dressed... in something resembling a swimsuit, albeit with horns and a tail.
"I’ve noticed recently that Leonor changes her outfit every time she appears."
"Indeed. Just a moment ago, I was in the pool. When I saw Ryo calling from there, I hurried over."
"You made me forcibly open the gate."