"Yes, yes I insist." Franz, the lord of Marrow says. Not taking 'no' for an answer. "Come along I'm sure everyone is already assembled at the table, let us not make them wait now."

"After you." I reluctantly say giving way to the older, well-dressed man.

It had become like this after I attempted to see myself out after a long talk about the future of Marrow and how my future plans corresponded. He was an outgoing, but stubborn, person.

"But I heard you received a summons from the king. Will you be heading to the capital soon?" He asks as we meander through the halls towards the dining room.

"I have no current plans to respond to the summons. It didn't actually say I had to come, so at this point, I don't know what I should do."

"It likely has to do with the demon king."

"That's what I have heard but I really don't know much about all that. I am not opposed to fighting if it will help people but as it stands…"

"There is likely a long time away before the actual fighting comes. It's more a sense of security for the people of the land. To know there is someone, strong enough to be recognized by the king, protecting them."

I thought about what he said as we enter the dining room. But my train of thought was quickly derailed by the smell of roast meat.

Oh, that looks good. I didn't know chicken analogs existed in this world. I need to hunt some.

"This is my son and daughter. Evan and Ellie."

The boy, likely around twelve. Stood and shook my hand, exchanging his name smoothly. He had surely grown up a Noble. I doubt I could greet someone that nicely.

"It's good to meet you, Cole." The daughter says extending her hand to me and curtsying. The manner in which her hand is positioned leads me to believe she wants me to kiss her hand. So I will attempt to do it even a hair as classy as Evan's handshake.

After separating my hand from hers, she blushed slightly and quickly took her seat fiddling with a bow on her chest.

"I guess the rumor about him being a Casanova were true." A woman seated at the end of the table says grinning at her daughter. "You could learn a thing or two from him, Evan."

"Truly. To even make sister falter. I didn't think it possible."

What are you talking about? I just tried to look half as cool as you. Though I guess I can't say that to a kid younger than me.

"Shut up!" Ellie says still pulling at her bow. "I was just surprised is all…"

"Ah, a lively family is a good family." The woman says laughing again. "My name is Julianne. It's a pleasure to meet you, Cole. I would extend my hand but I'm afraid Franz would take issue if I ended up falling in love."

"You…" Franz says looking between me and his wife.

Look, man, I didn't do anything.

~ ~

"So you are starting a business Mr. Moedy?"

"Please Evan, if you insist on calling me by my last name at least call me Captain Moedy. Mr. Moedy was my father."

"Understood Captain."

Why does that sound so familiar?

"Yeah, I plan to start a business. I hope to increase the well-being of the island villages. I've heard Chipowa isn't the only one who has issues receiving consistent food deliveries."    

"That's a very admirable goal," Julianne says picking at a slice of cake with her fork. Likely deciding if another bite was worth it or not. "Do you think you can accomplish it?"

"If it's him, I think he can do it," Ellie said staring at her plate blankly, probably unaware that she had even said it out loud.

"Ellie really has fallen quickly it seems," Julianne says laughing again and stuffing a fork-full of cake into her mouth with a satisfied sigh.

"I apologize. And yes, I believe I can do it. Or rather the people I train will be able to do it."

"Dad, Dad can I?" Evan asks turning to his dad with a gleam in his eye.

"I understand what you mean Evan. Even I am tempted to take part in the training. Adventuring on the seas. It sounds like a wonderful life. But for now, you are too young."

"I understand." The boy says dropping his head in disappointment.

Does my life really sound like that much fun? So far, yes, it has been mostly positive experiences. But I don't deny the fact that this is dangerous. Any voyage could be our last. The girls realize that fact, but do these two men understand it?

~ ~

I have currently over 3,000 'Ship points' and over 10,000 'Merchant points'. It seems I received the ship points for rescuing prisoners and I received the merchant points for the shark corpses we carried back to Marrow. I also seem to have received some from when we were transporting slaves. I was apparently a slave ship for about twelve hours. I even received a title called [Slaver].

I'm not sure how I feel about that.

This is more than enough to buy a few cheaper ships though. Nothing extravagant of course, but strong enough to travel black seas without worry.

I can also afford the much-needed weapons for the girls. I'm thinking a small flintlock pistol for Rou and a long Spear for Aqua. El, on the other hand, said she wanted a spear gun like mine. I wonder about the safety of giving her explosive tipped spears but I found a water-soluble clay that works perfectly as a makeshift fuse. The clay has to be fully submerged to break down so rain drops and waves won't trigger it.

After assembling a few extra spears for El and purchasing extra rounds for Rou the armament was complete. I plan to give them out once we plan our next voyage. They will also require proper training. But I have a plan for that.

I thought of adding a cannon or two to the Excalibur but for now, I will save my points for the 50 cal.

Not to mention I need to buy boats. I can spend Merchant Points on them but it seems cheaper to buy with SP.

After some deliberation, I decide on the ship that will make up our fleet. It was skinny but had comfortable looking cabins, a thick hull, and a sturdy looking mast.  

But images only give so much detail. If I want to be sure I need to purchase one and inspect it. But I can't just make a ship appear at the port. It would be seen as demon's work or worse.

When I tell the crew I was going to where we first got the Excalibur everyone claims they want to come too. This was a problem because I didn't want the ship left unattended. In the end, I agree to take Mirna and El. Rou and Aqua had witnessed me move it in the first place so they had no excuse to come. Alice seemed to want to come as well but she didn't speak up so I left her be.

I have a theory that Alice wants to stay with the crew. Her and Aqua seem close, and Mirna and her chat often. She was outgoing about the plan to set up shop in Marrow but she seems to be looking out for Karlie more than herself. When the time comes for us to leave I wonder what she will choose to do?

"This is it," I say pointing to the eroded gash in the sand.

"Look over here," Mirna says pointing to where the tip of the boat had lain.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Where she pointed two deep holes were imprinted. She puts her fist into the hole and knocks on the sand.

"Hard as rock! Amazing! Was this Captain?" Mirna says bouncing over to me with glee.

"Yeah, I guess I'm heavy," I reply with a smile.

"So what are we doing here?" El asks looking towards the forest behind the beach.

"Well I wanted it to be a secret but I don't mind if it's you two. But keep quiet about it please."

I say as much to the girls and begin to operate the menu. I choose the proper settings and mentally click.

""WAH!"" The two girls shout looking at the boat that sat where the Excalibur once lay.

"New secret fort!" Mirna shouts running towards the beached ship in a hurry.

I had built the ship aground on purpose I wanted no one running away with my trial product.

"Should we go inspect it?" I ask El who is still in shock.

"Yes, lets." She nods back to reality and chases after Mirna.

~ ~

It was about what I expected. It's suitable for the job but small. It would probably suit the crew I currently have perfectly. I could probably even operate this ship myself if I had to. That was of course due to Rou and Aqua's lessons though.    

The only fault I had with it was the size of the bed in the captain's quarters. Though I guess that's an issue only in my situation. All in all, it made me appreciate the Excalibur that much more. It really was a well-made ship.

El has proactively decided that this ship needs a purple keel as well so she began and was finished within a few minutes. I guess that truly proves how much smaller of a boat it is. It took her nearly an hour to finish Excalibur's keel but this one was finished in less than three minutes.

Maybe the purple stripe will become the symbol of our shipping company.

Well, the ship is good, now I just need work on the pier to start. They began collection of lumber but they claimed it could take up to a week before they find the proper beams for securing it.

Work also began on the replacement of the deck on the Excalibur. They planned to burn the wood but I kept it just in case. I have a theory.

~ ~

"Come on captain we so rarely drink together yet it is supposed to be a tradition! We are going to the bar whether you like it or not."

"Fine, fine."

I was whining but I didn't have anything particularly against the idea. It would be good to take some time off. And I hadn't spent much time with Rou recently.

"Yay!"

~

"Pahhh! The best." Rou says slamming the cup down and sighing contently. "Come on, drink, drink."

I follow her lead and drink the thick mead. Perhaps I should introduce better alcohol in this world. I thought I could handle the occasional drink with Rou but this is just foul.

"You certainly have some taste."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing. So was there something, in particular, you wanted to talk about or…?"

"Nope, just to relax. Why, did you have something?"

"No, not really. I guess I'm curious how everyone is handling being on the ship. Heard any complaints?"

"Hmm, well the new girls are of course getting a tad sea sick but you have already noticed and begun to address that. As for the crew. I think everyone is happy. It's hard not to be. El is fitting in well. She's now basically become a necessity for docking that behemoth."  

"And Mirna?"

"Mirna is vital as well. I swear she can read our minds sometimes with the timing of her meals. And those skewers are getting dangerously good. I'm almost afraid what the next experiment of hers will bring."

"Aqua?"

"Aqua would likely follow you to the edge of the planet just because of what she witnessed the day we all met. I do think she is a little worried that she can't show her abilities better but I think that's a good thing over all. Healing magic is incredible but it's not something you want to need."

"I understand that. I also hope the time her abilities become necessary never comes. But she should know that we feel safer just having her nearby. And how about you?"

"I love… I… I really enjoy being on the ship with everyone, Captain included. I used to think it was impossible to live on a ship as nice as Excalibur. But when I'm with you I wonder if anything is impossible. I feel like if I follow you I can become stronger. Ah, I…" She flushes and buries her face back into the mug.

"I'm glad. I too hope we can continue sailing together. Nothing would make me happier."

~ ~

"So what do you guys think?" I say to the group assembled in the small attached storage room. "It's a little small now but we can expand if we need. For now, other than weapons there really is nothing we need to store anyway."

"Is the…"

"Yes, before you even ask the other building attached to this was also included in the sale. I will be teaching some of you how to make the hamburgers and we will be converting it into a walk up restaurant."

"Walk up?"

"Yeah it will be similar to a food cart we will have two people taking orders and money at the front and a few making the burgers in the back. I think six people will be fine. Which leaves six people to work the main business. It will probably be overkill for awhile but it's fine. So any volunteers to sell burgers?"

"Wait, six and six?" Karlie asks seemingly doing the same math as the rest of the girls, possibly a bit faster. "Then what about the…"

"Rou and Aqua have determined we would run at peak efficiency if we had two more crew members, so I'm opening the invitation to you all first. Anyone?"

"Come on. He's all but asking you…" Karlie says pushing on Alice's back.

"What, but… No, what are you talking about? If I go then…"

"I will be fine. You have your own life to lead. Listen, Alice, you have helped me for as long as I can remember. In school, during the bandit attack, even on that dreadful ship. But now it's my turn to protect you."

"Protect me? Wouldn't going be dangerous?"

"It would," I say with a nod to the two of them.

"No, I'm not protecting something silly like your life. I'm protecting the most important thing to a girl. Her love! So go!"

"Wha…! Karlie you promised you wouldn't talk about that!"

"Alice will be going with you," Karlie states to me firmly.

"Alright, welcome to the crew Alice." I extend my hand her to which she lightly grips and shakes.

"Thanks for having me."

~ ~

The groups split up and begin to discuss job assignments. I left that up to the two in charge of the operations. A daughter of a baker on the hamburger front and Karlie holding the reins to the Excalibur Trade Company.

As for the other volunteer for our crew, it was the only boy left among the rescued slaves. He was nine or ten I would guess. I remember him being one of the sea sick ones so I was somewhat curious about why he decided to join. But I then remembered the look on his face when Mirna gave him the skewer that first day. It must have been love at first sight.