I mastered orc and ogre language during the battle to defend the capital after speaking to the ancient dragon. So why can’t I learn anything else? Orcs and ogres are humanoid, pretty intelligent for animals and monsters, and their vocal communication is close enough to be considered a language. Are cats and dogs too vocally limited to communicate with humans? Or are their brains too different from human brains for me to scan?
Oh well, yet another failed attempt… But I might level up my language skill or gain a new skill eventually!
What’s that? Life isn’t a video game? …Fine.
But I won’t give up! I will establish my fluffy paradise one day!
The former Vanelian sailor still couldn’t believe the life he’d been given.
It’d been some time since Mitsuha von Yamano─the ruler of the neighboring territory, the Archpriestess who was blessed by the Goddess─had captured him and his crewmates. The rumors were that she had the appearance and mind of a child despite her position, and, well…she did. Regardless, she treated them well.
Normally, low-ranking seamen captured after a failed invasion were enslaved, or worse, publicly executed. Instead, the viscountess allowed him to naturalize and even gave him a high-paying job as an instructor in this kingdom’s new naval force. His young students looked up to him with respect, and to his continual disbelief, he was even approached by a wonderful woman. He’d been studying hard to learn the local language and he was grateful he did.
Some of his former crew members still struggled with the language but he practiced until he became fluent. He even spent his free time buying candy and handing them out to the local kids in exchange for a chat.
While his comrades wasted hours going out for drinks, he kept up his studies, and it was finally paying off.
Viscountess Yamano pointed out, “Why are you only ever practicing with girls?” but he failed to see why it should bother her. If he could get anyone to speak with him in exchange for his candy, why wouldn’t he choose cute girls over boys? Some people might prefer speaking to boys, but he preferred girls, and he didn’t think there was a problem with that.
Back in Vanel, he’d been a lowly sailor who worked long hours for little pay and had no romantic prospects. Here in Zegleus, he had a high-paying trade job and was even treated as a normal citizen. On top of that, he was considered a promising stock for marriage in his rural town. Me? Seriously?! he thought.
He and the other crew members were asked to teach the local people how to operate a sailing ship, but they wouldn’t be made to fight Vanel directly. The distance between the two lands made it highly unlikely their fleets would meet in battle, anyway. He didn’t even know if Zegleus was capable of reaching Vanel.
If a war did break out between the two nations, he was prepared to fight for Zegleus. He didn’t owe a damn thing to a country that treated him no better than a slave. I’d fight the devil himself to protect the woman I love and this country that treats me like a human being, he vowed.
One day, Viscountess Yamano gave him and his fellow former Vanelians shocking news: the Kingdom of Noral had antagonized Vanel, and the two countries were very likely to engage in naval battle soon.
Their homeland was too far away for them to help, however. It’d take months to sail there. Besides, what could they have done? They were nothing more than a bunch of poorly trained guys who were gambled away for an impossible expedition on three outdated warships.
“I’m thinking of sending a volunteer fleet from our country to support Vanel,” suggested Mitsuha.
Whaaaaat?! He was stunned. But it’d take months just to get there!
“I’m gonna take us in a flash using the Goddess’s power,” she continued.
What the hell?! The Goddess’s power is terrifying! Isn’t this kingdom at war with Vanel, though?!
“For one day alone, your three ships will return to their original affiliation and fight for Vanel. Returning to your home country is impossible, but would you be willing to use the Goddess’s power to put on one last grand show? It might even benefit your families back home somehow… I’ll pay you all a military salary, of course.”
Holy crap! Is this really happening?!
Viscountess Yamano’s a tidal wave, and I’m along for the ride!
And so the man returned to the Kalliad─the flagship of the expedition fleet─for the first time in many months. This time, he was aboard as an instructor to his beloved students who were racing around the deck to operate the sails.
What am I doing this for? For Vanel, my home country? For my parents, little brother, and little sister back home?
No…! I’m here today as a citizen of Zegleus. Here I stand with my students to face the enemy!
This mission was voluntary. There was no penalty for declining so I could’ve refused if I wanted to.
And yet, I chose to be here. I chose to face this battle of my own free will. This isn’t something I was forced into like in the past. This one’s for me.
This battlefield belongs to me and me alone!
“I know you’ve been up to something behind my back, Mitsuha. What is it?” Count Bozes asked out of the blue.
“Huh? Uh, I’m not up to anything…”
Oh crud. I’ve been gone a lot lately dealing with New World stuff. Is that why he’s suspicious?
My project in the New World is a personal endeavor, though. The initial investment I got from the king was a personal loan. I’ve long since recovered what I spent and even made a profit, but I still need that money to bluff so people will believe I’m wealthy. I can’t return it yet.
The count stared at Mitsuha, waiting for her to answer.
Damn it… He’s not gonna let this go…
Only two people on this continent knew about her activity in the New World: Colette and Sabine. She’d jumped a few citizens from the fishing village and her maids over there to man the small sailing boats and play ship spirits, respectively, but those were quick and easy one-time gigs, and she didn’t tell them where they were or what the work was for.
Count Bozes knew that Traversal didn’t actually cost much life force, so she hoped he’d assume she was staying in the capital or elsewhere in her territory when she was away from her residence.
Why is he suspicious of me? I’d better check. This could grow into a bigger problem if I don’t take care of it now.
“Um… Why do you think I’m up to something?” she asked timidly as she gauged his reaction.
“Mitsuha, I know you’ve been attending noble parties and visiting noble estates without telling us.”
Eek!
“H-How did you─oops, I mean…”
“Cat’s out of the bag. Now tell the truth!”
“Urrgh… How did you figure that out?”
She needed to know for future reference. Did he have spies? Did someone betray her?
“You only overeat when you’re invited to a noble’s estate where you can eat fancy food for free. And I can guess the frequency of your party attendances. You’ve clearly been going to more parties and banquets than I am aware of. Tell me, what faction are you associating with?” Count Bozes demanded.
Oh, I see why he’s worried. Rumor has it that he’s going to become a marquis soon. He’s also a sworn ally of Marquis Eiblinger, has the royal family’s favor, is close with the Lightning Archpriestess, and is the cornerstone of the new navy. The count’s influential enough that his faction could become the biggest and strongest in the kingdom. It makes sense that he’d panic if he thought I might be cheating on him with another faction.
Kinda like when a wife interrogates her husband, “Care to tell me where that lipstick on your collar came from?!”
Wait, how does he know I’ve been attending more parties and banquets? Figuring that out is my top…priority…
What’s he looking at? My modest yet graceful chest? No, he’s looking a little lower, toward my…belly…
Mitsuha gasped, “Ah…”
“Ah?”
“Aaaaaaaah!”