PBGS 02

Chapter 2

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There were dozens of sacks filled with flour, and near the warehouse door, sharp, well-forged weapons like swords and spears were piled up. Among them, hanging at the far end, was what seemed to be a magic gun—the kind so rare that even the lord’s castle only had a few.

The warehouse itself was massive, and seeing such an overwhelming stockpile of weapons made it clear that this ship was no ordinary vessel. It was a sizable pirate ship.

Rinka, having stepped aboard fishing boats a few times when she was younger, could at least gauge the size of a ship. This one was as large as those that ventured far out into the open sea.

How would it compare to the navy warship that Maccard Cader had once proudly shown off to her?

But more importantly…

“Once a pirate ship sails out, when does it ever return to land?”

The size of the ship wasn’t the real problem. The true issue was this:

Dozens of flour sacks. Countless crates of what looked like preserved rations. So many dried fish that it would be tedious to even count them.

Come to think of it, hadn’t she overheard the pirates boasting earlier, while she was hiding, that the captain had splurged this time on supplies?

And then—

BOOM!

The blast of a cannon shook the ship violently.

Rinka lost her footing and tumbled into the pile of flour sacks.

With a loud crash, the warehouse door burst open. Rinka clamped her hands over her mouth and curled her body tightly.

“Don’t dawdle—grab your guns, boys.”

“Aye, aye~”

“There are two warships… no, three.”

“First time I’ve seen the Cader Navy actually doing their job.”

“No kidding. Let’s finish this quickly before the waves rise and head back.”

The pirates—half a dozen of them—snatched up the magic guns and chattered as if it were nothing.

From their words, it seemed the navy had launched an attack. Yet they showed not the slightest sign of panic. Leisurely gathering weapons, urging one another to end it quickly—like they were about to play a game rather than fight a battle.

Rinka ducked her head lower and exhaled slowly, carefully.

Her heart was pounding so loudly she feared they’d hear it.

“Damn heart—stop beating so loud, they’ll hear!”

Fortunately, no one seemed to notice her. Their footsteps receded.

The door remained ajar, but Rinka cautiously pulled back her outstretched leg to crouch even smaller.

Rustle.

“Captain?”

“…Nothing. Come on, let’s deal with this.”

Her foot had snagged the string of a sack, loosening the knot. The small sound, in that momentary lull between cannon fire, was impossibly loud.

Her chest thudded as if she’d die right there—but then, the door shut.

Only after another thunderous BOOM echoed from outside did Rinka finally let out a shaky breath.

“Hah… haah… wow, I really thought they were going to—”

“—catch you?”

A low male voice suddenly cut through the silence, right by her ear.

Rinka froze. Was she so tense she was hallucinating?

Hadn’t the pirates just closed the door and left?

Unable to even turn her head, she clamped her hands over her ears, then released them.

Silence. Just silence.

Must’ve been my imagination… right?

“Staring at the wall won’t help. Look here.”

—No, it wasn’t!

Cold sweat trickled down her back.

“Hurry.”

The voice was soft, rich, almost playful—urging her to turn toward it.

She hadn’t thought much ahead when she slipped into the warehouse. The plan was simple: once the ship drifted into shallower waters away from Cader, she’d make her escape.

But being discovered this soon—before even a day had passed?

Rinka stared at the loosened knot by her foot for a long moment before slowly lifting her head.

“…Oh.”

And then she saw an angel.

Even in the dim warehouse, the man’s silver-blue hair seemed to emit its own light.

His jewel-like eyes, a striking shade of deep sapphire, watched her quietly.

There was no hostility in them, no suspicion—only calm observation, as if he was looking simply because she happened to be there.

Rinka found herself staring, entranced by the flawless, picture-like beauty of his face.

“…An angel.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

For a moment, his eyes widened, then his expression crumpled into disbelief. He chuckled.

“Ha… hahahaha. An angel, really?”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant!”

The tension broke instantly, the atmosphere lightened, and Rinka blurted out the denial.

He was dressed nothing like a pirate. His silk shirt was finely tailored, with gem-encrusted buttons that gleamed in the faint light.

And—unfortunately—four of those buttons were undone, exposing a glimpse beneath.

Rinka’s gaze slipped downward before she caught herself, snapping her head away and pressing a hand to her still-thumping chest.

“Looking at the wall again? Eyes here.”

“Yes, sir.”

It was as if this angelic man had been schooled to maintain eye contact during conversation—he insisted she look at him.

Rinka screwed her eyes shut, turned her head, then reluctantly met his gaze once more. Her dusk-colored eyes lifted to meet his.

The strange yet perfect contrast of colors filled the space between them.

BOOM!

Another cannon roared outside, the ship rocking violently.

Rinka, unable to brace properly, nearly toppled into the wall.

But a large hand caught her cheek just in time, steadying her.

Not to harm her, but to shield her from the impact.

And those blue eyes seized hers again.

The man’s thumb stroked her cheek lightly, as if brushing off dust. Rinka swallowed hard, every muscle tense.

It felt like standing before a great serpent, prey caught in its gaze.

“So.”

“Y-yes?”

“What are you? A spy?”

“What? No!”

He tilted his head slightly, silver hair spilling like liquid light as he studied her.

It shone more brilliantly than the meticulously tended locks of Lady Cader herself.

Rinka almost lost herself in it—but the word spy jolted her back.

“N-no! I’m just… a Cader villager!”

“A Cader villager? Then why are you on my ship?”

My ship.

The phrase struck her.

Yes—of course. No ordinary pirate dressed this finely. And with that face—such beauty would be talked about wherever he went.

He couldn’t possibly be some nameless crewman.

That meant… this man was the captain.

“What’s with the slow answer?”

“…Hhh—”

“Do you want me to kill you? Hmm?”

The air thickened instantly with killing intent. Even someone like Rinka, who had never faced real danger before, recognized it instinctively.

She couldn’t breathe.

She tried to lift a hand to her chest, but her body wouldn’t move. Not even her gaze could stray from his piercing blue eyes.

“Answer me. Why is a Cader villager on my ship?”

The killing aura eased slightly. Still smiling, he gripped her chin and drew her closer.

Some instinct told Rinka this was her last chance. She took a sharp breath—

“I was being chased by the Cader Navy!”

She blurted it out.

It was, in her mind, the most believable excuse she could give in that fleeting moment.

If she’d just begged for her life without reason, he might’ve dismissed her as suspicious. Better to cut to the core.

“Chased by the Cader Navy?”

“…Yes.”

“Why? Cader isn’t infamous for tyranny or oppression.”

“Th-that’s true.”

“Then why would the navy pursue you? Unless…”

Unless—

Had Maccard Cader spread rumors already?

The truth was, Rinka had been chased ever since Maccard discovered her using the power of a mermaid.

She had been so careful, always cautious.

Maccard—her childhood companion, her only friend—had stayed by her side for years. Even after she discovered his true identity as the lord’s heir, their friendship had remained, though she resented him for hiding it.

That was why she couldn’t just leave him bleeding out when he was injured.

Fearing he’d die from blood loss, she’d wrapped herself in heavy clothes to keep the glow of her scales hidden and prayed for his bleeding to stop.

But upon witnessing her power, Maccard had mistaken her for some secretive healing mage—or perhaps a witch. Not long after, he brought the knights and ordered them to capture her.

If he had guessed her true nature and spread the word, then even this pirate captain might know…

 

“You’re not… a pirate, are you?”