Chapter 59: Shipwreck by Design [2]
It wasn’t a lie that she had never attended a party.
For her, who had lived as a dedicated knight, a party was somewhat awkward.
"And why are you here?"
"...It’s not easy for me to mingle..."
It was a similar feeling but with a different meaning. While Luina’s was by choice, Aint’s was by circumstance.
Though he had received an invitation, students who were still wary of Schwaben didn’t easily approach him.
Balrosi had tried to lead him around, but the gazes were burdensome, so he deliberately avoided the spot.
And then, he discovered Luina.
"I asked unnecessarily."
"Ah, not at all."
Silence briefly enveloped them. After a while, Aint hesitantly spoke again.
"If you don’t mind, would you like to dance with me...?"
"I apologize for interrupting what seems to be enjoyable."
Just then, someone abruptly interjected, breaking the flow of conversation.
It was Gerhard.
"Aint Armian, I didn’t know you were acquainted with Luina."
"Ah, we just became acquainted recently."
"That’s right. There’s not much of an acquaintance to speak of."
At Luina’s quiet words, a small disappointment flashed across Aint’s face.
Gerhard didn’t miss it.
’The broader context has changed, but does this remain the same?’
Well, as the prophecy book said, though he wasn’t sure if it was under the moonlight, the fact that she met him while practicing swordsmanship alone remained the same.
There was no reason for the process of falling in love at first sight to change significantly.
’If it remains the same, Luina’s value increases.’
Love sometimes made people most foolish.
If he could utilize Aint’s love for Luina well, it would be like having the best card in hand to use when needed.
"Let’s go, Luina."
But it wasn’t for now.
"Now?"
"Yes, I have something to tell you."
"Then I should make way..."
"No, it’s fine. Enjoy the ball."
Gerhard disappeared with Luina.
Left alone, Aint’s gaze didn’t leave Luina’s back.
<It seems they’re not just ordinary acquaintances.>
<They’re a pair, and today, Gerhard brought her directly to the yacht club, right?>
"...Yes."
<Pull yourself together. Though that woman is an exceptional talent, if there’s a possibility of a rift between her and that upstart, you should be cautious for now.>
"Yes, I’ll keep that in mind."
At Gardner’s words, Aint lightly tapped his own cheek. His dazed eyes regained focus.
"By the way, what were we talking about earlier?"
<Among the things the sailors were discussing, there was talk about the route. They said they would circle around the islands near the academy. The first emperor’s legacy was hidden in one of them.>
It meant there was a high possibility of going to where the legacy was hidden.
<Can you swim?>
"To some extent."
<When you see an uninhabited island with two peaks, pretend to fall in.>
"Assuming I get it, how do I return?"
<Is there anything to worry about?>
<They won’t just do nothing when an academy student goes missing.>
<Above all, you’re an Armian.>
There was nothing wrong with that.
Even if the Armian had been pushed away from the core of power, their symbolism could never be taken lightly.
"Certainly that’s true...."
Aint stopped mid-sentence. He felt a presence nearby.
"Would you like a drink?"
It was an employee wandering around the deck with a tray of champagne.
"Ah, thank you...."
As Aint was about to take the champagne, he suddenly felt the back of his neck stiffen.
It was an instinctual sense of danger, something indescribable.
<Aint!>
Gardner’s cry belatedly confirmed that the sensation was correct.
Rumble-
A massive wave rose behind him.
Crash!
With a tremendous impact, the deck where he had been standing just moments ago was shattered.
Aint, who had rolled on the floor once, urgently pulled the fallen employee, and a tail that fell a beat late once again destroyed the deck.
"...My goodness."
And belatedly, Aint realized what was attacking the ship.
They were monsters. No, they were "monsters".
Dozens, hundreds of sea worms, known as sea worms, were charging towards the ship like a tsunami.
***
Ding-ding-ding-ding-
Urgent bell sounds announcing an emergency shook the deck.
Giant worm groups surging like a tsunami began to climb onto the ship.
Though he knew about it through the prophecy book, seeing it directly was a different feeling.
"Repulsive."
Gerhard’s face contorted. The screams of students could be heard continuously from the deck.
"Why sea worms?"
The Empire had regularly managed the route to the academy.
The appearance of such large-scale sea monsters was unexpected by anyone.
Except for Gerhard, who had confirmed it through the prophecy book.
"Luina. Help your friend moderately and stay back."
"Shouldn’t we stop the monsters?"
"Have you forgotten why I brought you?"
"...Don’t tell me?"
"Yes. It’s the work of evil ones. They’re aiming for something bigger."
Something bigger. Needless to say, it was Aint Armian.
"Considering the level of the students gathered here, it shouldn’t be a big problem."
"...Certainly."
"Go."
"Yes!"
Luina jumped into the battlefield.
But there were some things left unsaid.
"The ship will sink."
Though the students’ level was high, none were familiar with naval combat.
This was because the academy didn’t separately teach naval combat.
And Gerhard, despite knowing, didn’t make separate defenses against the monsters.
Because he wanted the ship to sink.
"The ship must sink."
Only then would it flow according to the prophecy book.
Aint drifting alone to the island where the first emperor’s legacy was hidden.
Evil ones who followed closely behind to attack him.
Things change from then on.
Only then would a point of contact be created where he saw the evil ones together with Aint.
Only then would Aint not misunderstand that Goldenheim was associated with the evil ones.
"Only then will I not end up empty-handed."
"...What are you suddenly talking about?"
"Nothing."
Gerhard shrugged at the sight of Hyde, who had suddenly emerged like a shadow.
"What about the other ships?"
"They’re on standby not too far away. They’ll come immediately if signaled."
"Yes, the evil ones are one thing, but it would be a big deal if precious people died. You handle the aftermath as planned."
"Yes."
Gerhard smiled.