Chapter 60

“Yeah, it’s not going to be that easy… The world that allowed me… is not a place that comes easily… It’s not a comfortable and sweet space…”

A small voice whispers in my ear.

Following that tune that always resonates in my heart, Cheshire arrived at the promised place from before.

In the midst of deep darkness,

only the moonlight sparkled at this hour.

At that location by the coast is a woman who is always waiting for Cheshire.

Dust.

Cheshire slowly walked toward her, who was spilling her enchanting sound as usual.

“Ah, you’ve arrived?”

“Yes, I’m here. Dust.”

Dust smiled while looking this way.

But,

within that smile, there was a dark emotion…

Realizing the loneliness that hung like a shadow, Cheshire asked with concern.

“Is something wrong? You don’t look well.”

“Huh? Ah… No… I’m fine. I…”

Dust, showing her embarrassment, denied it.

However,

“You’re not… fine.”

“Ch-Cheshire?”

“It’s late to say this, but… I already knew. I know what you’re thinking… and… what you’re worried about.”

“!”

Indeed.

Cheshire knew.

Since the first time they met,

the growing darkness in Dust’s face day by day.

Although Dust herself tried not to show it.

However,

Cheshire, who had been watching over her, had already noticed.

About the increasing agony that Dust faced each day.

And the source of that agony was definitely…

“Huh… how…?”

“I’ve noticed that your complexion has been getting darker day by day. Especially as the confrontations with the Kingdom of Frantz intensify.”

“!…?”

“Why didn’t you say anything? You said you considered me a friend too…”

Cheshire spoke with a heavy voice.

At that, Dust buried her head and started to tremble.

And…

“…I’m… sorry… really… I’m so sorry… Cheshire… I’ve… I’ve just…”

Dust apologized with a voice that sounded like she was on the verge of tears.

To that, Cheshire calmly replied.

“It’s alright. You don’t need to suffer so much. It’s just that you’re worried about causing me trouble, isn’t it?”

“…Huh?”

At her words, Dust raised her head slightly, her wide eyes filled with tears.

Feeling that emotion of ‘beautiful’, Cheshire smiled and continued speaking.

“I know everything. You’ve been saying that you’re alright, but in reality, didn’t you want to leave this island as soon as possible? In the meantime, our relationship with the Frantz Navy has worsened, and you’ve grown increasingly anxious about it.”

“…Ah…”

Dust looked blankly at Cheshire, who had hit the nail on the head.

Seeing the most dramatic expression Dust had shown among all the faces she’d worn until now, Cheshire couldn’t help but smile.

“Don’t worry too much. I heard from my mother today that we will be leaving here in the next two days.”

“Ah… is that so? That’s a relief…?”

“Uh-huh…”

Dust’s reaction wasn’t as joyful as expected.

Cheshire cautiously asked.

“Could it be… is it already too late?”

“Ah… no, that’s not it. It’s just…”

“Just…?”

“That means… in two days, we will have to part ways. Without any promise of meeting again in this vast sea.”

“Ah…”

A fact that Cheshire hadn’t thought about until now.

At the same time, a dark shadow began to veil her face, just like Dust.

“…I see. When that day comes… I’ll have to…”

“Well, Cheshire is a pirate, and I’m not from here either. Since we both cannot stay in one place, meeting again won’t be easy.”

“…”

Cheshire kept silent for a moment at those words.

Then she spoke quietly, a bit hesitantly.

“…I feel sad.”

“So do I…”

The two of them expressed their pure feelings to each other without any lies.

Though they carried unspoken secrets,

the emotions they held in this moment were a clear sincerity.

After a brief moment of silence,

Cheshire quietly said,

“Can I ask you one thing…?”

“What is it?”

Cheshire looked at Dust’s face.

Thinking that even in this situation, her silver hair sparkling in the moonlight was beautiful.

Dust spoke seriously.

“Would you… perhaps want to…”

At that moment.

-BOOM!!!

“!!”

“…Tch.”

The sudden sound of a huge explosion,

caught Cheshire off guard in a flurry of emotions.

“That’s… definitely where the Blue Queen is…”

“Is it another attack from the Kingdom of Frantz? How diligent of them to do this at such an hour.”

Dust spoke with annoyance, but Cheshire knew this situation wouldn’t end simply with irritation.

The explosion was happening where the Blue Queen was located.

Unlike before, the captain of the pirate crew was outright attacked.

And that meant war.

Moreover, although they had been rivals, the White Shark Pirate Crew wouldn’t just let this situation slide, as they shared the same hardships as fellow privateers from Brittania.

“We need to go. This is turning serious.”

“Ah… I should come too…”

“No. We’ll part here.”

“Huh?”

Cheshire firmly stopped Dust, who was trying to follow her as usual.

“This situation is different from the past. While in the past we avoided killing, this time there’s a high possibility it could really turn into war.”

“But… even so, we’re friends, right? I can’t just abandon you…”

“It’s exactly because we’re friends that I’m saying this!”

Cheshire raised her voice atypically.

At that, Dust fell silent, unable to say anything more.

“If war breaks out, the Frantz soldiers will definitely try to kill us. It’s obvious who the Admiral will target first.”

“!”

The monster with whom they’ve accumulated a grudge after countless encounters…

The Grand Magician, who possesses the close combat prowess of a high-ranked warrior, would undoubtedly have her sights set on Cheshire and Dust.

Until now, they had moved with an aim to suppress, so there hadn’t been the same murderous intent as during their first encounter, but now it would run wild.

If that were the case,

the outcome would likely end up with them getting crushed by the terrifying magic of that Admiral or having their throats sliced by her sword.

“When we officially begin war with them, there will likely be a moment of chaos at the port. Use that chance to escape.”

“…”

Dust didn’t respond to Cheshire’s words.

Seeing her friend still hesitating, Cheshire spoke in a cold voice.

“…It seems this is where we must part. I’ve enjoyed our time together. Thank you for putting up with someone like me…?”

At that moment, Dust grabbed Cheshire’s arm and started to move.

Cheshire felt lost at the suddenly determined actions of Dust.

“Wait… Did you not hear what I said? It’s dangerous! You could die—”

“Don’t worry. I won’t die. Just take care of yourself.”

“N… yeah?”

It was the first time.

Dust spoke informally.

Using the commanding tone that she had always maintained despite the circumstances.

That made Cheshire feel an unyielding force.

And…

“Let’s go. Whatever happens, never leave my side.”

“Ah… n… yeah. Understood…”

The first command coming from someone other than her mother.

Somehow it felt strange, yet… it also didn’t feel bad.

Moved by that sensation, Cheshire began to move along with Dust.

‘In the next… three hours…’

*

“What? Those filthy pirate bastards?”

“Yes… that’s correct, Commander Pierre. The privateers from Brittania are converging on our base all at once.”

“It seems they’ve definitely made up their minds. From the atmosphere, they look like they’re ready to start a war.”

In a cold tone, General Garden reported this to Admiral Napoleona.

In response, Commander Pierre scowled, his voice fraught with annoyance.

“Tch! I knew it! Those damn pirates have finally caused a problem! Immediately contact Achroiel. Since the pirates have betrayed us, we must go and catch them.”

“But Commander, do you really intend to engage in open warfare with the pirates this way?”

“Even if there had been clashes, they are technically still our allies. We must not forget our goal is to become the Pirate King!”

“I know that, but because of that, isn’t this also a good opportunity?”

“…What?”

“What do you mean…”

Commander Pierre raised an eyebrow at the incomprehensible remark.

To the two who were confused, he responded confidently.

“Think about it, if we annihilate the pirates here, all those enormous battleships they’re towing will become ours! Our Kingdom of Frantz is already lacking in warships compared to our forces, so capturing those ships would greatly strengthen us! Plus, we can take all the credit for defeating the Pirate King as well!”

“Do… do you really think that makes sense, Commander? Even if we capture the pirates’ ships…”

“I understand perfectly, thank you, Commander.”

Admiral Napoleona interrupted General Garden.

“…Admiral?”

General Garden raised an eyebrow at her, but,

she lightly shook her head and continued speaking.

“It seems we should carry out the Commander’s orders. We will annihilate the pirates completely.”

“Excellent. Make sure to engrain the terror of the Kingdom of Frantz into those Brittania dogs!”

Following the ‘order,’ the two left the room without delay.

To this, General Garden asked, his voice filled with doubt and confusion.

“Admiral, what is going on? Why…”

“General!”

In an instant, with a voice that was unexpectedly cold, the Admiral spoke.

She then looked directly at Garden with a clear voice and said.

“We are already doomed.”