Spring is creeping and sliding in. Fernandez stood at the bow of the deck, gazing at the distant port. Merlin Port. At his request to set sail for the departure point, Queen Leia readily raised the anchor.
“Thank you.”
“What for? I’m almost sad the journey is so short.”
Leia smiled slyly. The voyage north was rough and perilous, but now that they had secured Malerun’s Flagship, the Phaeirn Royal Family had regained its title as the strongest naval power in the northern seas.
The small ships scattered like grains of rice around the capital ship were no less formidable than the galleys of any kingdom, and the civilian ships they escorted were now being used as supply and trade vessels.
The Phaeirn Royal Family was rapidly amassing wealth through relay trade and privateer operations across the northern seas, much like they had during their occupation of the City of the Awakened Dragon. And all of them had willingly given up a season’s voyage for the sake of one person’s journey.
It was truly a state-level reception. It had been a week since they left the grand celebrations in the north and headed south. As they sailed further south, the weather quickly cleared and warmed.
By now, the Sernerd Barony would be in the midst of its spring harvest. It had been two years since he last left the barony, and he couldn’t help but wonder what it was like now.
-Nostalgic, are we?
‘What, like an old man?’
-Now you’re denying your age too?
‘I’m twenty.’
-Sure you are.
Faijashi interjected into Fernandez’s thoughts with a short grumble. Anyway, it was spring. At least they hadn’t spent an entire season in the bitter cold, which was something to be grateful for. He didn’t know, but for Kirhas, who was from a warmer region, it must have been quite the ordeal.
“I hope we’re not too late.”
“We sent a courier ahead on a fast ship. We can’t be late.”
“The Inquisition Office is quicker than you think, Queen Leia.”
Before crossing the Bifrost to Asgard, Fernandez had sent Zephis back south. Naturally, the situation at that time would have been reported to the office… It was impossible to think that the Inquisition Office, having heard that a saint had crossed into the gates of Hell, would have taken no action.
So Fernandez was feeling a somewhat pleasant anxiety. Beorn’s face, trying to remain expressionless while clearly panicking every time he submitted a report, was quite a sight.
“The port!!”
-Ta-da-da!
A white dress fluttered past him. It was Freya. She had spent almost her entire life in Asgard and the rest in the north. To her, the southern continent was uncharted territory.
Her eyes sparkled as she clung to the bow of the deck and shouted.
“The great Vanir, rightful heir to the throne of Vanaheim, goddess of life, spring, flowers, and all things beautiful, is coming. Civilizations of the south!”
Worship her!! Freya spread her arms and shouted. Of course, there was still a long way to go before they docked, and Malerun’s Flagship was too massive to enter the harbor, so the only ones who could respond to her cries were Fernandez and Leia.
“Send the bill to the Vaitas Church.”
“Haha. Your jokes have improved! I like it. Any plans for this summer?”
“…None, but?”
“Have you ever heard of it? There’s a beautiful island covered in gems. Just a handful would be enough for a person to live luxuriously for a year… It’s a truly magnificent place. Would you accept an invitation from the royal family?”
Leia took a step closer to him and spoke quietly. Fernandez chuckled and took a step back.
“Tempting a monk with worldly luxuries? That goes against the vow of purity.”
“You don’t seem all that pure…? Where’s the monk in a man traveling with two beauties? Ah, now it’s three. Even the nobles with their string of mistresses couldn’t match such beauties.”
“Assistants. Local assistants.”
“Of course.”
Leia laughed softly. She then turned her head without hesitation and shouted.
“Prepare to dock! Ready the disembarkation! And the gifts!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!!”
Soon, the sailors’ loud shouts accompanied the rapid descent of the speedboats chained to the ship. Fernandez spoke with a bemused expression.
“Gifts?”
“Yes, of course, gifts are necessary. Last time, we were in such a hurry we couldn’t prepare any honors.”
Leia playfully tilted her head, holding the collar of her coat.
“Allow us to show the proper respect to a nation’s benefactor. Your dignity is no different from the dignity of our entire people. We can’t just let you enter that port like a refugee.”
Leia spoke cheerfully and then walked away lightly. She waved her hat behind her back and said.
“And don’t forget my offer! That island is not only beautiful in summer but also in autumn, winter, and even this season!”
Fernandez chuckled and glanced at her before turning back to look at the port. Anyway, it was spring. The sunlight was warm, and the breeze was gentle. It was the spring of the southern port.
-Pop!
And it was a spring where the goddess of spring, overwhelmed with joy, made flowers bloom all over the deck.
-Booooom!!
Merlin Port was the Phaeirn Royal Family’s central hub for material trade, the most prosperous port, and the key trading port of the northeastern triangular trade.
Thus, the city guards of Merlin Port were strict in military discipline, and the port’s defenses were nearly perfect. The patrol ships sounded the alarm as soon as they saw the approaching Serpent King’s Flagship.
Of course, the Serpent King’s Flagship couldn’t be harmed by cannons. Whether the alarm sounded or not, they approached the port.
The massive flagship, which alone could distort the sense of distance just by appearing on the horizon, was entering the harbor. The sight of what seemed like a city wall approaching sent all the citizens near the Merlin Port harbor into a panic, scattering in all directions.
These were people who, even for city dwellers, were quite accustomed to disaster situations. Just last year, the Walker incident had devastated the entire city, and before that, there had been werewolf riots, and after that, Guimerin’s Golden Fleet had illegally occupied the harbor.
