Chapter 12
“What’s the most popular drink here?”
A man dressed in a flashy floral shirt and black sunglasses stopped in front of a shop.
With his loose shorts and green hair glinting under the sun, his entire look screamed, “I’m here on vacation!”
“Oh my, are you a tourist? Then I highly recommend our signature ‘Real Mango Sparkling Iced Tea’!”
“Great, I’ll have one of those.”
“Okay! Please wait just a moment~”
The island was drenched in heat. Palm trees, brightly colored flowers, the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
A subtle coconut scent hung in the air, adding to the exotic atmosphere. Lightly dressed travelers wandered the streets, and cheerful instrumental music could be heard in the distance.
“Hm.”
The man pushed up his sunglasses, scratched his chin, and narrowed his stormy gray eyes as he scanned the shop’s customers one by one.
It wasn’t the gaze of someone simply enjoying the sights—it was someone looking for something.
“How romantic, don’t you think? Giving up everything for the one you love! It’s like something straight out of a novel.”
Oh? The man’s lips curled into a sly smile.
That story—again? It was everywhere. On the streets, in shops, even whispered among market stalls.
Like hot sand burning underfoot, that tale had spread from person to person, reaching even this tiny island village.
“What nonsense. That’s not romance, it’s insanity. Falling for a criminal? Please.”
“Right? Exactly. You know what’s up, miss.”
Scrape. The man casually pulled out a chair and sat at their table, smoothly inserting himself into the conversation.
He rested his arm on the chair and smiled like he was genuinely intrigued.
“What’s so great about a guy who’s blinded by a criminal?”
“Exactly!”
“If a guy like that came to me, I’d run. You’d never know what he might do!”
“Totally. You can’t just be fooled by looks.”
“But still…!”
The man nodded along with the women passionately debating. They paused mid-rant, finally noticing him and looking him over.
Their eyes met.
‘Do you know him?’
‘No. I’d definitely remember a face like that.’
They had never seen him before. And come to think of it—when did he even sit down?
“And you are…?”
“Oh, just a tourist passing by.”
He answered calmly, and the women stared, stunned. Under his sunglasses was a strikingly handsome face, lips curled in a faint smile.
Even the tacky floral shirt and glasses couldn’t hide his aura. In fact, his confident posture made the laid-back look oddly charming.
“Sir, here’s your Real Mango Sparkling Iced Tea!”
“Oh, my drink’s here.”
He waved politely to the two women and walked over to the counter in a relaxed stride.
In one hand, he held a newspaper from the table.
“The Veritas Empire News always delivers the truth!”
“Thanks, boss.”
He took a sip of the drink and nodded with satisfaction.
“Mango… Mmm, tasty. By the way, this paper’s from a few days ago, isn’t it?”
“Who is Kanoe Bluebell, the ‘Lover on the Run’ who captured the Stormmaster’s heart?”
A scandal that shook the empire. Though days had passed since publication, no new paper was to be seen in the store.
“Ah, yes. We do get new papers delivered daily, but customers keep asking for that issue. So we just keep it on display.”
“I get it. I mean, it’s worth rereading while chewing on that face.”
“…Sorry?”
Clink. Veins popped on the back of his hand gripping the glass. Behind his smiling face, something unpleasant flickered.
What was that? The shop owner tilted their head. The tourist’s neat appearance suddenly felt chilly.
But the man quickly regained his composure and smiled again.
“Anyway, thanks for the drink.”
Flap flap. The paper fluttered in the moist sea breeze as he held it.
Published: 03.21.191
A date most wouldn’t bother reading. After all, anyone reading the article would figure it out naturally.
The man blinked slowly, recalling the issue he had personally sent adrift into the ocean.
Published: YM.DD.YY
That should be enough of a hint.
A simple cipher. Replacing numbers with letters—basic code.
If they couldn’t figure out even that much… then he really would pretend not to know anything.
The man made that firm decision and was just about to leave the shop when—
Thud.
His shoulder bumped lightly into someone entering.
“Oh, sorry about that.”
“No, it’s fine.”
The other man replied casually, giving the tourist a brief glance. Just a fleeting moment—their eyes met.
“Guess I’ll go enjoy some relaxed island sightseeing again.”
The first man broke eye contact, folded the paper, and walked off without looking back.
At the southernmost point of the Aquileia Empire, on one of countless island villages, a storm was quietly brewing over Fruit Island, Muia.
I had to admit it.
Ian Frederique was far too competent for someone labeled a temporary ally.
“The navigation log, the supply list for the island, even the ingredients and recipes… When did he put all this together?”
“Master, at this rate, he might take your captain’s spot.”
“Don’t joke. This ship is mine.”
“Then you can be the ship owner, Master.”
Jelly, that little… After all that talk about how he only had me.
I shoved a piece of white fish into his mouth to shut him up.
Stretching my arms, I got up. Sometimes the bustle was nice, but I still preferred this silence.
The sound of the waves slicing through the sea rang crisp in my ears. The gentle swells across the blue horizon felt like they were embracing me.
“At this pace, we should see the island in about 30 minutes.”
“No map, and yet so precise.”
Ian approached, standing beside me at the bow, catching the breeze. After decoding the pelican transmission, we were en route to a specific island.
“I’ve memorized every map of Aquileia’s territorial waters.”
“Oh? That a brag?”
“Would that work as an appeal?”
He’d been syncing so well with Jelly lately, I was starting to wonder if he’d always been this smooth.
Pouting slightly, I returned to steering the raft. I was grumbling about Jelly being too attached to him, but work was work.
Ian charted our course. We evaded the navy by cutting through the Sea of Wailing and the Calm Sea.
According to him, the navy wouldn’t dare attempt a direct crossing of the Wailing Strait.
I reached out and guided the water’s current. Letting it carry us, the raft drifted in the direction we needed to go.
The water is me, and I am the water. Like having extra limbs, maybe.
“You’re quite skilled, Kanoe.”
“It’s all from trial and error.”
It was a power I’d only managed to unlock after nearly drowning.
People used to mock my ability as nothing more than a glorified watering can.
“I’m guessing you reawakened your power after we met on the ship?”
“Reawakened, huh. Is that what people call it?”
“Yes. It’s rare, but it does happen.”
A seagull swooped low over the water, just barely touching the surface. Probably going for a fish. Oh, jackpot.
“Most believe powers can’t surpass their initial awakening limits. But there are two exceptions.”
Ian’s voice had a pleasant resonance to it. Warm sunlight, a quiet sea… it almost made me want to fall asleep.
“There was a time I was obsessed with that kind of info, too. But everything was restricted access.”
“Right. Not easy to dig up.”
Ian nodded serenely.
“The first method is to use banned substances.”
“Yeah, that would definitely get restricted.”
“The second is experiencing a near-death situation.”
His voice remained calm and steady, and I replied just as casually.
“So I’m the second case, huh. But how do you know this so well? Don’t tell me—you experienced it yourself?”
“I did. Both of them.”
“…What?”
Sleep vanished instantly. I snapped my head toward him.
This guy seriously—always tossing out lines like that and startling people.
“You meant you looked into it yourself, right?”
I laughed, trying to smooth it over, but Ian stayed silent. A chill crept down my spine.
“….”
Ominous. The vibe was very ominous.
It felt like I’d touched something I shouldn’t have. I stared at him, silently urging him to say it was a joke and let it slide.
But Ian opened his mouth again, his voice utterly devoid of humor.
“I meant I’ve experienced both myself.”
Why would you tell me that?!
