NOVEL WEB Chapter 136: Sail
The Caispean King's gaze lingered on Elaine and Elias. "You both inherit many of your parents' features," he commented. "Send my regards to Cornelius, Lisette, and Gerard when you return. It has been decades since I have last seen them."
"Unfortunately, my mother is no longer a part of this world. However, I will relay your kind words to my father," the black-haired young man replied.
Elaine softly concurred while numerous questions raced through her mind. It was the first time she heard of the male protagonist's mother's name. Besides her lineage as a member of the mysterious Wandering Wisemen, the woman's identity had always been an enigma, even in the original storyline. Elaine initially assumed Elias' mother had abandoned him as a child. Yet, based on his earlier response, the truth might be far from her speculation.
"It is a pity." The older man patted the male protagonist's shoulder, expressing his regret. "Lisette was an unparalleled beauty and possessed unmatched wisdom. Please send my condolences to your father."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"What was their relationship?" Elaine blurted, unable to control her boiling curiosity. She cursed her impulsive mouth, but it was too late to retract the question.
All gazes fell on Elaine, and Elias studied her with contemplating eyes.
"Whose relationship are you referring to?" the King inquired, smiling gently at her like an uncle toward his niece.
She swallowed, taken aback by the older man's friendly demeanor. Perhaps he was more familiar with Estella's and the male protagonist's parents than she presumed. Ignoring the coils in her stomach, Elaine continued, "Between my father and Sir d'Amboise's parents."
"They were comrades. Your fathers were the closest of friends. I still recall when they introduced Lisette to me twenty-five years ago."
The revelation dropped on Elaine like a falling comet, sending her speculation machine into overdrive. She bobbed a curtsy to express her gratitude toward the Caispean King. The undesired stopover had yielded unexpected information. Elaine wanted to press for more details but controlled her urges. After all, she was on a critical mission and could not afford to waste precious time digging into the past.
After they exchanged a few more pleasantries with the King, he led their entourage down a private path to a large pier separate from the primary docking location. Waiting for them at the destination was a sturdy, medium-sized ship with elegant, elaborate carvings. On its masts were the Étoile Empire's flags fluttering against the wind. Several men with Caispean features and distinct tattoos on their chests and arms carried boxes of supplies onto the ship. They all stopped their work and bowed when Elaine's groups arrived. The Caispean King waved for them to continue and called over a stocky, middle-aged man. "This is Captain Rowan Grova," he introduced.
Rowan removed his cap, revealing a balding head. "It is an honor to serve the Empire." He inclined his body.
"No need for formalities, Captain Grova. We will be in your care for the next couple of days," Elias said.
"Please call me Rowan, milord," the middle-aged man laughed sheepishly, not daring to act impudently before the Étoile Empire's high-ranking aristocrats.
"How long will we be sailing?" Elaine asked.
"About seven to nine days. Our speed will also depend on the ocean's current and weather," Rowan answered.
"I see." She nodded, confirming his estimation was similar to Elias'.
After a brief chat with Rowan, they thanked the Caispean King and boarded the vessel. Once on board, the middle-aged man showed Elaine and the male protagonist to their rooms. Mariam would remain by Elaine's side. Cecil and the knights had their own quarters, while the soldiers and servants would stay with the crew. The ship set sail, departing from Rhiska. Before returning to his station, Rowan gathered everyone on the main deck. "We always take precautions to reach our destination safely. However, the ocean contains many dangers beyond our control. Thus, I advise you to follow the crew's instructions during the journey," he warned.
After the captain left, a crew member handed each person in the Étoile's entourage an envelope. Elaine opened hers, taking out a sheet of paper and perusing its details. It was a list of forbidden actions while sailing at sea. "Do not stare too long into the ocean," she repeated skeptically at one of the more peculiar rules. Water surrounds us. How is it possible to not look?
"Unless you want to be taken by the Locrzen, you should heed the warnings, Lady Estella." Elias folded his paper and tucked it back into the envelope.
"The Locrzen?"
"A giant creature with a bait on its forehead resembling the human upper body. It hypnotizes people with the bait's captivating features and then lures them to jump into the ocean," he explained. "Those who fall into the trap are immediately torn apart and become its food."
Shivers traveled through Elaine, raising the hair on her neck. The black-haired young man's description of the creature resembled the mermaids in fairytales from Earth. Yet, its traits were more monstrous than beautiful and innocent. "Thank you. I shall take the cautions." She gripped the list tightly in her palm.
"Of course, it is only one of the many predators lurking in the deep," Elias added.
"I feel lightheaded." Elaine decided that she had absorbed enough knowledge about monsters for the day. This conversation stirred within her the repressed memories of her unpleasant time in the Insidious Forest. "Please excuse me, Sir d'Amboise, I need to return to my room and rest."
"Certainly, please go on ahead, milady." The male protagonist acknowledged, slightly shifting his body to let her through.
"Thank you." She glided past him. Mariam, whose complexion turned pale after hearing the terrifying depiction, hurried after her. Cecil also followed them. Before entering the ship's cabin quarters, Elaine caught a glimpse of Elias approaching a young maid and snapped his fingers. The maid's appearance changed. Her swept-up dirty blond hair melted away, transforming into long, silky raven locks.
