Chapter 3
“A storm is coming.”
That was what Ian Frederick had said. The prison island would be reached by tomorrow morning. If I was going to escape, tonight would be my last chance.
The deal was struck easily, and the plan moved forward without a hitch. I was to use the late-night storm as cover. He would secretly open a path, and I would escape using the emergency boat secured at the rear of the ship.
After that, I’d use the storm to put as much distance between me and the ship as possible. The darkness of the night sea would help conceal me from search.
And just as he said, the storm came. So strong that it rocked even this massive ship.
“Wow, his power really is something else.”
The master of the storm—his nickname wasn’t just for show.
Compared to him, my ability was…
No matter how I looked at it, wasn’t it a bit much to send a powerless ability-user like me to Karker Prison?
“…Well, time to go.”
I grabbed the simple provisions and travel funds Ian had given me and stepped out of the solitary cell. The lock yielded easily to the master key.
There were no guards in sight. Likely all out on deck, following Ian’s orders, battling the storm.
Unaware that it was their own admiral who had summoned that very storm.
They said Ian earned the title “Master of Storms” because storms frequently struck the route to the prison island.
Before Ian Frederick took command of the ship Marina, traveling to the prison island had been a life-or-death gamble.
The local currents were swift, the waters riddled with reefs, and the constantly shifting weather made shipwrecks and capsizing a regular occurrence.
But Ian had navigated countless storms without a single mistake. Since he took command, the death toll was zero.
“No one would ever suspect I caused the storm.”
Of course not. He had always been the one calming the storms and saving lives.
How could anyone suspect a man who had lived more earnestly than anyone else—just to protect his reputation?
“Strange man.”
Then why… why did he look so bitter, even with what he had long desired right before him?
“I’ll use the storm to get you out of the Empire’s territorial waters. If you make it to a nearby kingdom, show them this.”
I shook my head to clear his image from my mind and looked at the round identification badge he had handed me.
“…I never even asked for this.”
I glanced back at the now-silent cabin, then turned away without regret.
I headed down to the first floor and dashed carefully toward the last room on the left corridor.
Maybe Ian had intervened, but the door was poorly secured. I found the emergency exit without difficulty—and just as I flung it open…
Footsteps behind me.
“Crap! We’re late for roll call!”
“Run! You’re making me late too!”
I instinctively pressed my back against the wall. They were heading for the stairs to the deck.
The emergency exit I was using couldn’t be seen from the deck, but the emergency boat floating below it could easily be spotted from above.
“Hey! What’s going on here—huh?”
Ian was buying me time—drawing the attention of the other sailors so I could board the boat.
Of course, I had never expected the escape to be perfect. Not with this many navy personnel onboard.
“Admiral! There’s a boat floating below! You two—don’t come up! Check the lower decks immediately!”
“Y-Yes? There’s no one… down… here—”
The footsteps grew louder. I rushed to untie the mooring rope securing the boat.
Click.
“Found her! Prisoner en route to Karker spotted! Female with sky-blue hair, currently attempting to escape via the first-floor emergency exit!”
The door flew open, and gun barrels were aimed at me.
Two guards. The little boat rocked violently in the storm, looking like it might drift away like a leaf.
“Don’t move! Any suspicious action and we’ll shoot!”
I slowly raised my hands and stepped away from the boat. The waves surged as though ready to devour us.
Front: navy. Back: the sea.
“Good! Hands up and walk toward us slowly!”
“…”
“Why aren’t you answering?!”
“Do you know why I’m being sent to Karker and not a regular prison?”
“Quit your nonsense and follow orders!”
Ah. Now I was sure. These two were grunts—they didn’t know what my ability was.
I lowered my raised hands. Then, like I was holding a gun, I extended my fingers and aimed at their foreheads.
“S-Senior! That prisoner’s up to something!”
“Don’t hesitate! Fire!”
“You move, I shoot. My ability’s actually really scary, you know?”
Their faces turned pale. I could see their fingers trembling on the triggers.
Using that brief pause, I approached the rocking bow of the boat.
“Give me the gun!”
“Oh my. I told you not to move.”
The senior grabbed the gun from the hesitant junior and cocked it, finger twitching toward the trigger.
Of course, I had no intention of waiting for him.
A small droplet formed at my fingertip. And then—
“Bang!”
“Ack!”
Startled, the man stumbled and fell on his butt.
“Senior!”
Sploosh. The small, harmless stream of water I had released missed its mark and instead hit the front of his pants.
Their once pale faces flushed bright red.
“T-That’s it…?!”
Yes, exactly. My ability is shooting little streams of water. In short, I’m a human squirt gun!
“Y-You little—how dare you?!”
Ignoring his shout, I quickly turned around.
I had wasted too much time. Reinforcements would arrive soon, and I’d be caught escaping in the boat with an 80% probability.
Fine. I’ll ditch the boat.
“Well, I’m a bit busy, so I’ll be off.”
“S-She’s running away!”
“Oh, and you should wash those pants soon. Don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea, do you?”
“You brat!”
The man turned beet red, yelling at the top of his lungs. Taking advantage of the chaos, I dove into the sea.
“Damn it! What are you standing there for?! Go after her!”
“But, Senior! She jumped into the sea! The waves will sweep her away! That’s suicide!”
“Even if I die, I’ll catch her! That criminal sprayed water on me!”
As the two soldiers yelled behind me, I let the current carry me. Their voices grew fainter. My ears rang with pressure.
That sailor said jumping into the sea was suicide.
Then let me ask him:
What’s worse—drying up and dying in prison, or being swallowed by a storm?
“Get her!”
My vision blurred with sea spray. Amid the chaos of shouting soldiers, I glimpsed the Master of Storms.
Suddenly, I wanted to see the look on his face.
I tilted my head up—but I never got the chance.
And just like that, I sank into the sea.
* * *
“Say that again.”
“C-Captain… isn’t this enough already…”
“I said, say it again, Admiral Frederick.”
For the fifth time now, the same question had been asked. The same answer repeated.
The aide caught between the two men fidgeted anxiously.
Yet Ian answered his superior without a single crack in his composure.
“Last night, while transporting prisoners, the Marina encountered a storm en route from Trapaneil Port to the prison island. Amidst the chaos, Kanoe Bluebell escaped. We’re currently searching the surrounding waters, but no trace has been found.”
“And?”
“I was the one who helped her escape.”
Bang!
The heavy wooden desk rattled under the impact. The Navy Captain slammed his fist down, staring at Ian with disbelief.
“You lunatic.”
“I get that a lot.”
He’d heard it since before he could remember. Ian smiled faintly, unable to stop the laugh that slipped out.
“You really are insane. No wonder you wouldn’t talk sense. I’ve been trying to reason with a madman.”
“My apologies, sir.”
The captain rubbed his forehead, groaning in frustration. Ian stood still, quietly waiting for the next line.
“Do you even realize what you’ve done? You could face serious punishment. Prison time, even!”
“I’m aware.”
“Do you know who Kanoe Bluebell is? She’s the daughter of Asser Bluebell, the so-called ‘Ruler of the Horizon’—the infamous criminal who stole the Holy Grail and is now imprisoned! That’s the girl you let go!”
Yes, he had known all along.
Ian nodded silently.
“Explain yourself. Why? Why would you do such a thing?”
Why.
He rolled the word on his tongue.
Why had he agreed so readily to her proposal?
There were many reasons. Kanoe was his daughter. She was immune to his power. And more than that—she knew exactly what he wanted.
And—
“I did nothing against my will.”
Light blue hair. Eyes like the deep sea. Despite her delicate appearance, Kanoe Bluebell had looked solid—like a strong, weathered tree.
“Why would I bow down to someone like you?”
Ah… now he understood.
She had reminded him of someone from long ago.
A time she likely didn’t remember.
“Why aren’t you answering? I’m giving you a chance, out of respect. Just say she threatened you. Tell me she forced you.”
“She didn’t. It was all my decision.”
“So you’re saying you just fell for her overnight? That’s the only explanation left!”
“…”
Their deal had been simple: her escape in exchange for his freedom—from his family, his duty, everything.
After all, the deepest despair often came at the happiest moment.
Ian had been waiting for this very moment—when he would brand himself with a permanent disgrace.
Hoping that the head of the Frederick family, who had placed all his hopes on Ian, would finally experience devastating disappointment.
“…Wait. Are you saying you really fell for her?”
And so, Ian didn’t bother correcting the misunderstanding.
“How disappointing… I expected more from you than some foolish boy’s romance.”
But Ian never expected that misunderstanding would become front-page news.
<“Master of Storms” Ian Frederick—Elopes with Notorious Criminal Kanoe Bluebell?!>
Not even in his wildest dreams.
