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chapter 18
Rinka, who had suddenly strayed from her spot, was quickly caught by Deloem, who warned her several times.
“How many times have I told you to be careful….”
“I’m really sorry. I just felt like something suddenly grabbed hold of me.”
“Let’s move. We don’t have time to waste.”
Digory didn’t say a word and simply kept an eye on Rinka again.
Was it really just my imagination? It felt damp and cold….
Lost in thought, Rinka watched as Digory entered a shop and haggled for a jar of monster’s blood.
Then it came again.
A chilling presence brushed across her shoulder. This time it was so sharp she couldn’t possibly miss it—the murderous aura stabbed into the back of her neck. Her shoulder flinched on instinct.
“Eyes forward, Maribel.”
“…Yes.”
Thankfully, it didn’t seem directed only at her, as Digory stayed close by. Acting as if he sensed nothing, he bargained for a jar of monster blood and then nudged Rinka to stand in front of him. She, feigning to help carry the jar, stole a glance over her shoulder.
What was it?
A strange sensation swept across her chest, a mix of danger and something else—something truly unfamiliar. Her body trembled, her breath caught. She had never felt this before. It wasn’t something one should think when faced with a murderous aura, but…
…It doesn’t feel dangerous.
She still couldn’t see anyone who looked threatening. Only passersby going about their way, oblivious to her presence.
“Maribel, collect the payment.”
Digory’s whisper brushed against her shoulder. She jolted back to her senses and nodded.
“Deloem, wait with Maribel for a moment.”
“Yes, Navigator.”
Digory smoothly sent Rinka toward Deloem, and once again they positioned themselves as if guarding the remaining jars.
The pirates still didn’t pay them much attention. Some glanced at the jars and asked what they were, or exchanged a few words with Deloem, but thanks to the perception-dulling magic, no one seemed to notice Rinka.
Even the murderous aura had vanished completely, leaving the surroundings strangely clean.
“Uwah!”
“What the hell?”
Suddenly, a spray of seawater burst up from the ground.
But this is the middle of a massive island! Why would waves erupt here?
Rinka clutched her hat tight before it flew off, thrashing against the thick mist of water that swallowed her vision.
Clang!
Thud!
“Damn it, who are you?!”
Crash!
“Move! Out of my way!”
It wasn’t just Rinka whose sight was blocked—sounds of things shattering, people falling, and curses flew around her.
She couldn’t find Deloem. The mist blinded everything.
“What’s going on?”
“…Rinka!”
Through the chaos, Deloem’s voice reached her. She quickly turned her head in that direction.
Or rather, she tried to.
“…Hh.”
Her gaze collided with golden eyes.
At that instant, Digory’s warning flashed through her mind.
Human… no, not human.
Something not human.
Her lips wouldn’t move, as if sealed shut. Even though she heard Deloem calling right beside her, she couldn’t respond.
The golden eyes moved very slowly.
Blink.
Snap.
And Rinka’s vision shifted instantly.
The water spray vanished as if it had never been. The street was left clean, no trace of moisture, only a few broken and toppled items, and several injured people.
And with that water spray…
“Navigator.”
“Deloem. What happened?”
“Rinka is gone.”
“What?”
Rinka Maribel had vanished. The plain human woman—without magic, hidden by a spell so she wouldn’t even be noticed—was simply gone.
“I felt her presence until just after the spray hit. Then, in an instant, she disappeared completely. Along with the water spray.”
Their faces hardened grimly.
Temporary or not, she had signed a proper crew contract. More than that, the captain had entrusted her safety to them—her responsibility was theirs.
“…Did you sense anything else?”
“I can’t be certain, but it wasn’t human. I suspect you think the same, Navigator.”
Yes. Not just not human but…
“I don’t want to believe it, but…”
Deloem’s heavy words were answered by a low, grave voice.
“I came to tell you the news was true—that the Lord of Lavanto has awakened.”
Long silver hair, ornate earrings, a fur cloak.
Solemn blue eyes fixed on a single point.
“…Captain.”
“I understand the situation.”
Without needing further explanation, Ananta cut Digory off and waved his hand.
“I’ll go find her. Handle things as usual. I’m leaving.”
As if there was no need for details, Ananta pointed to the jars they still needed to deal with, then turned his back and strode off.
Toward the west side of the central plaza.
Toward the mansion said to house the Lord of Lavanto.
Beneath his steps came the sound of ice, crisp and shattering.
Meanwhile—
“Ugh, my head…”
Rinka opened her eyes on a plush sofa. It was made of fine material, so soft it could have served as a bed. Around her, fragrant candles burned, and the vase on the table brimmed with orange blossoms the same shade as her hair.
It was a drawing room, meticulously decorated by its owner.
The problem was… Rinka had no idea where she was.
“…What? Where is this?”
Oddly, she didn’t feel any danger.
She clearly remembered seeing those eyes through the mist and being startled, but now—why was she in such a beautiful, luxurious room?
I didn’t lose my memory, did I?
Momentarily forgetting her sense of crisis, Rinka pieced her memories together.
There had been heavy mist. Then something had grabbed her. And yet now, this comfortable room?
She looked around slowly. Maybe it was dangerous, but it felt far too ordinary for that thought to stick.
Except…
I can’t get out.
There was a window, but it wouldn’t open. She could pull back the curtain easily enough, but the window itself simply wouldn’t budge. No locks—just immovable.
The same with the door. She could turn the knob, but it wouldn’t open no matter how she pushed or pulled.
“What? Does it not open from the inside?”
She tried again, tugging, shoving, twisting—but nothing changed.
She didn’t want to admit it, but she was trapped.
Rinka let out a short sigh, backing away from the door to perch on the sofa.
She had been taken—by something not human.
And locked away.
It only felt like a home, lulling her into comfort. The truth was, it was no different from being in danger.
Outside, it was still light, but she had no idea how much time had passed, or what might have happened in the meantime.
Biting her lower lip, she reached into her bag.
Her fingers closed around—
A bottle of seawater.
She had two ways to deal with whatever danger might come.
