*Minorities*

"Say, Triff."

"Hmm?"

"Why are you looking so intently at the wood?"

"Oh, elf. Then, did you acquire this lumber? It's amazing, it feels as if there is mana flowing in it as if it were still growing. I would love to use some for a magical tool. Maybe that would be enough to prove myself."

"To captain? And you can just call me El by the way."

"A means to an end. I must learn under the Spirit of Magic, and that person seems to know her somehow."

"Ah well… no, nevermind. But I didn't buy or grow that wood. It's just wood, I turned it into that."

"You… what?"

"Like this."

"That's…"

"It's an Elf secret but you are friends with Captain so I can trust you."

"Can you please let me use some… No, wait. This maybe even better. Could you help me?"

"Sure. We have to stick together after all."

"Hmm?"

*Will*

"I didn't even know you knew him."

"Ah… I didn't really. I suppose I just gave him something near the end of his life."

"Ah, right you completed the pearl request for his late wife, huh?"

"I didn't even think about it at the time. I didn't see a hint of woman's touch in the house so I should have figured I'm sure I dredged up memories he didn't want…"

"You're wrong Cole. I saw him a few days after you all went to the capital. He was on his way to visit the gravesite. He had a smile plastered on his face and he carried a small silk bag. He was happy to be able to finish it in the end. You gave him something he wanted and with that, he could pass happily. I want to personally thank you."

"There really is no need to thank me. I knew I would complete that request the moment I laid my eyes on it. I just wish I could have gone back in time a few years."

"You may be strong but you have your limits."

"Unfortunately."

"But it really is an amazing piece of art. I wonder if he even knew you sailed it?"

"No, I doubt it. I admired the picture when I visited him, it must have been that. But does he not have children or someone who would be better?"

"He left his estate to the guild to be liquidated in order to build an orphanage. The only exception was that painting. As far as I know, he has no children. Please, he wanted you to have it, and I can think of no better place for it to hang."

"What a guy. And I suppose you are right. It would look nice in the Excalibur."

"Good then, I'll wrap it up for you."

*Rush*

"Two 'threes' and a small sour"

"Right."

"ETS #3 is back, does someone have their lunches ready?"

"Right here, can I bring it to them?"

"He's not helping with training today but sure you can take it."

"Nevermind, I'm swamped."

"Like a book."

"Oy, pay attention we got a crowd out here."

""""Sorry Autumn.""""

"Nevermind that, One 'eight' hold the toms."

"Got it."

"Next in line, please? Ah, wait why? Mirna and Cole?"

"Mirna's day off! Date with Captain."

"Oh, lucky girl. What can I get you two?"

"A 'Captain' and a 'Mirna' please. Extra white stuff on the 'Mirna'."

"You really ought to think about the names of the special menu though. I understand you ran out of numbers but…"

"What are you talking about, everyone loves it. They find it interesting to try the burgers all of you prefer. You do know you are like celebrities here, right?"

"Well if you say so. But, I'll get out of your way, I'm holding up the line. How much is it?"

"Ah, please…"

"I insist. It would be bad if my restaurant didn't earn money off a sale."

"Of course, well it'll be 20 silver."

"Oh… Hmm, do I carry silver?"

"Mirna's got it."

"Where did you get that from?"

"This is money Captain paid me for the Excalibur."

"Oh, right. Best deal I ever made "

*Sleep talk*

"Captain, do you think Alice is eating enough?"

"What do you mean Rou?"

"Aqua, you heard her last night, right?"

"No Rou, I don't think that's what she meant by 'fill me up'."

"No?"

"Ah, yeah Rou, that's likely not what she was thinking about. I'm not going to touch it but I think she is fine on food. Actually earlier I heard her complaining to Karlie about her weight so I doubt that's a concern at all."

"Yeah, Rou Alice meant she wants to be filled up by…"

"Aqua, please don't corrupt your older sister. I don't know why it's like this but I think it can be left alone."

"Oh, prefer the innocent type, Captain?"

"Will one of you tell me what you're talking about?"

"No."

"Alice was dreaming about sex with Captain."

"Wah… That's…"

*Letter*

[Dearest Cole, I am writing to you so soon after you left because of something I forgot. Perhaps everything I learned overwhelmed me, in any case, there is a book. Its title is the cause of much controversy. The royal family took ownership of the only copy nearly a hundred years ago. As I understand it nobody has ever read the book in sheer fear of the title. But I think you will find it alluring. It's called, of course, "Guide to being a Demon King". It is currently locked behind a heavily reinforced…]

"Girls, I'm going to the capital real quick. I'll be back in a bit."

~

"Finally. I didn't expect to battle a gargoyle for it but it was worth every ounce of effort. Now, what will you contain?"

'Chapter 1: How to design your harem.'

"This book clearly isn't meant for me."

'Dictated by Damien Krause.'

"You couldn't even write your own book? Scrub."

*Library*

"Why?! Why would he choose her? Chitose was so much better for him but he chooses Ayame? If Takumi Karusaki were real, I would banish him to infinity. Damn, the author used a pen name too. But really, I didn't expect to get so into these things. They are addicting just as he said. Sure they get repetitive but there seem to be thousands of them each with its own unique aspect. Ah, I could go on all day. Oh, Hmm. Why am I saying all this out loud?"

"Well originally it was because we were having a conversation but it devolved I guess."

"Oh, Beezle. Right sorry, I totally forgot. Right my point was, these are you're doing right? They must be, as bad as some of them are."

"Please call me Ba'al. And although I'd like to take credit. No, those are completely the human's creation. I have to admit, some of that tentacle stuff disgusts even me."

"Ho, ho. That's some compliment."

"As much as I hate to admit it those humans really have become adept."

"You can say that again! Man, if I could rewrite those holy books with giant robots…"

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"I would be down for another war of angels and demons if you are. I'm sure we could give the humans some help on giant robots."

"Ah well I'm waiting on a new season of Spice and Wolf, so I don't wanna interrupt earth for now."

"It'll never happen."

*Defender*

"Oy! Thief! Someone catch him he just stole my purse."

*SWISH*

"AGH! Ouch! What the hell!?"

"Sorry, I was told to catch you. And this was the fastest way I could think of."

"You bitch! You… You elf bitch, you shot me?!"

"That's not nice and the spear was rounded, it will only leave a bruise. Now then, ah here it is."

"Th…thank you so much!"

"No problem."

"Here, please take this."

"Oh, that's okay. I just did what I could."

"No, please if not for you then he would have…"

"I doubt it, he probably didn't realize but he was running directly towards the training grounds."

"Training grounds? Oh."

"Yeah, Pina isn't a fan of people interrupting her training."

"Then you're from the trading company?"

"Hey Claire, don't you know who this is?"

"Huh?"

"She's the elf crew member of the Excalibur."

"Th…that Excalibur?"

"Yes."

"No wonder she responded so quickly."

"You can just call me El."

~

"There's no way that happened."

"Think what you want, if I didn't see it myself I wouldn't believe it either."

"I've decided."

""Huh?""

"The Captain may be handsome and gentle, but I love El. She was like a gallant knight."

"What!? How can you say that in front of the other founding members of the 'Captain Cole Fan Club'."

"I don't know, I think I understand what she means a bit. And in any case that just leaves more Captain for the rest of us."

"I suppose you're right, but I still feel betrayed."

*New Inventory*

"What are you guys doing?"

"Trying to make cookies."

"Cookies?"

"Yeah, like the ones Master made for us after showing us this mansion. Dianna wanted to try reproducing them."

"Master, Huh?"

"Trying to copy Alice? You know that doesn't mean he will take you with him April."

"That wasn't my intention, I just…"

"Speaking of, I'm curious if you are free, why are you still here? Weren't you always talking about escaping back to your family? Weren't they nobles or something?"

"Yeah well, that was then, this is now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, look at this place. And look at the clothes Alice was wearing. Apparently, you can afford a better life as a slave of Master than you can as a daughter of a lower noble. So I will stay."

"I suppose that's true. But you should be careful saying that 'S' word around Captain. I heard him getting mad at Alice for that."

"Yeah, I know."

"I hear the full-time staff at the restaurant get paid two gold a month."

"Just how much money does he make?"

*Security*

"Ponzo sir, guard group #8 just checked in. All clear on the south-west."

"Good, another quiet night."

"Ponzo, sir?"

"Yes?"

"With a vault like this, what's the point in all us? It's a dwarven vault right?"

"That's right. It wouldn't open easily. It would require a skilled magic user. There are those in the shadows who can break the sealing magic, but it's an uncommon skill."

"So then why so many guards and undercover agents?"

"Partially because of Bank rules. But mainly it's because of who it is."

"What do you mean?"

"You haven't been here long right? But I'm sure you've seen it. The growth of this town has been rapid and it has only one cause."

"Mr. 'vault owner'?"

"That's right. Cole Moedy. If the rumors they say about him are true, then he's likely the most powerful man in the country, second only to maybe the king."

"What?!"

"It's not been announced but he was in the capital last month by invitation. I wonder what it was regarding. Perhaps marriage or 'Hero' rank even."

"Impossible!"

"In any case, he is a valuable client. If he thinks even for a moment we can't protect his money, he will do it himself. So we won't allow anyone to even near the vault. We will stop potential thieves the moment they enter the city."

*Training*

"Set your hand holds and begin."

"""Yes, Commander Pina!"""

"Fleet Commander Pina, ETS #5 returned from training and #2 is back from Yellow Sands. They suffered minimal damages but Golin ordered repairs. How should we…"

"Have them swap with #5, #2 should be fixed by tomorrows training so it will be no problem."

"Right, I am sorry to interrupt."

"No problem Karlie, they are all busy anyway."

"How are these new recruits if I may ask?"

"They aren't at all like my class. It's strange. When Captain first told us to lift the log we all thought it impossible. These ones didn't flinch, it's not as if they have strength. It's more they understand that this training yields powerful people, so they never hesitated to the brutality of it. They willingly worked themselves to the bone with a single word."

"They do seem proficient. The organization is lacking but with a good captain that can be fixed."

"That's the hard part though. Grooming a captain is more complicated than a sailor. They need to be respected by the crew while also being trusted by the trading company."

"Why don't you break up ETS #1's crew."

"What?!"

"Your crew is our best, no doubt. I think each of them could make a fine captain. And since you are training recruits right now we can't send them out. I think this is a win win."

"Mm, maybe. I suppose they do deserve promotions."

"Truly, you and Golin worked your butts off this past month, and your crews kept up with every step."

"I'll discuss it with Golin and we will decide the new fleet arrangments."

*Job*

"Heh, you must be new. ain't no point begging in this town kid."

"Ah, I'm sorry sir, I'll leave I didn't mean to trouble you."

"Oy hey, wait a bit kid. You misunderstood me. If you need work, head over to that crowded building over there. They are always hiring for something. You might even get to venture the seas. I was rejected for that, but even running boxes is good pay."

"You're… are you kidding? There is work?"

"Yeah, in fact, I heard the lady that runs the place mention they needed more hands setting up a farm."

"I can do that! My dad was a farmer."

"Heh, then head over, they are good people. If you mention your living on the street they'll let you stay in the boarding house until your first pay."

"That's…!? Just who are these people?"

"No clue, but I owe them my life."