The sea had been silent for a while now. However, something was brewing ahead of us. It was supposed to be sunny, but something basically spawned out of nowhere. And I could feel it in the howls of the wind. Captain Estelia, yes me, felt danger coming towards us, or we coming at it.

Wind’s howling.

The cold strange air revolving around the sea, the clear skies slowly switching to something grim. As I stood at the crow’s nest, at the very top of the ship’s mast, I narrowed my eyes as I felt the brooding atmosphere. My piratey coat flapped in the wind, and my long platinum hair waved violently. A flash of light lit up from the far distance, then was afterward followed by a faint thundering sound echoing throughout the sea. Darkness colored our way.

A storm.

Of course, I should have expected something like this. There couldn’t be a sea adventure without the ship facing and venturing through a powerful storm. But I would pretty much want to avoid it, how exciting it may be. Why? The crew didn’t have much experience manning a ship. With basically two men only guiding them.

I put out a finger and felt the wind.

Inevitable. It’s coming our way.

I may be the captain, but it would seem you couldn’t rely on me on this one. What? I knew nothing about seafaring stuff, even more so to sail ships. I adjusted my hat that was threatening to be blown away. We would hit the storm in a couple of hours, at the very least. Even that I wasn’t sure. Could be less than that.

Storms were always annoying, especially at the sea. These things just casually spawn all over the place. Ugh. Guess we had to face this hurdle. The first storm Captain Estelia would be going through! Her, and her precious ship called… Um, dammit, I had to give it a new name. No way I was going to use its original name. Let’s call this Boat #1. What? It’s disrespectful to call it a boat? Fuck, Ship #1 it is then.

I quickly descended off the crow’s nest, climbing down the ropes. I was quite agile with it, so everyone that saw it might be quite impressed, one you wouldn’t expect from an adorable princess. I glanced at a group of men holding and swinging their swords in the air, with Velar training them.

Given that they had nothing better to do, they decided to train on how to fight. They were pretty eager, too. Perhaps how they ended up in the hands of evil guys motivated them hard to learn. In this dangerous world, learning to fight was important, especially guys in their position and experiences.

Some of them were progressing quite well. A couple of them, the lucky ones with magic, were already learning to use Armament Magic. Weak and faltering, but at least it was progress. Oh well, maybe they could become adventurers or something if they wanted. Velar was quite hard with his training, too. Never gentle. Like in a bootcamp or some shit.

Perhaps it was a good choice to start learning to fight. Once we arrive at Shinoroa, I, Taneva, and the two Cursed Children, the most powerful on this ship, will be departing.

Anyway, their training would need to be stopped shortly. I approached the helm of the ship, where the two helmsmen were stationed.

“You know what’s coming?” I asked them.

The older man turned towards me with a concerned expression. “Yes. A storm is coming. A strong one at that.”

Hartwin joined up as well. “Can we avoid the storm?”

Some of the crew seemed to have heard that, and they looked up at us. They must have realized it as well.

The older man shook his head. “It’s coming this way, we can’t outrun it. If we try to go around it, we’ll likely won’t make it in time.”

“So we have no other choice?” Hartwin asked.

“No.”

I looked at the crew, they had stopped their training as Velar approached us. “Can you navigate through it?” I asked the helmsman.

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“... I have gone through a fair share of storms. But I’m worried about the crew. They have never done this before, and we need them.”

The younger helmsman lowered his head, seemingly nervous. “My dad always avoids storms.”

“If we are to go through the storm, I will need your help, boy,” said the older helmsman. “I might need you to supervise the crew if I can’t, or you take the wheel.”

“... Crap…” He appeared scared.

I let out a small and comforting smile and placed a hand on the young man’s shoulder. He looked at me with wide eyes and blushing cheeks.

“Be calm. Do not be afraid, being so is pointless. Have faith in yourself.”

“P-Princess…”

“Gather all the courage you could muster. Do not give into your fear and doubt.”

His voice was stuck to his throat before he nodded. “Y-Yes.”

“Now tell me, can you do it?”

He clenched his fists. “... I can.”

I formed a wide smile and turned towards the crew.

“What about you guys? Can you do it?”

They looked at each other, hesitation, fear and doubt evident on their faces.

“A powerful storm is fast approaching. It is a fearsome thing, I know. But we need to gather all our courage and face this danger, do not let fear rule over you. We shall conquer this new hurdle, as how you conquered the one before. Have you forgotten already?”

They looked up at me, listening intently.

“You have already proven your bravery. You fought off the enemies that enslaved you! You conquered your adversaries, the object of your fears!”

A new light began to shine over all who stood on the ship.

“Do not let this measly storm debase who you have become! Together, we shall conquer this new tribulation! Together, we shall face the danger and pummel down our fears!”

From the hesitant and fearful face that they once had turned into determined expressions. Their eyes held strength.

“Shall we be abused in the face of adversity again?”

“““NO!””” they all said in unison.

“Shall we cower in fear?!”

“““NO!”””

“Shall we face the storm as free men blazing with resolute will and valor?!”

“““YES!!”””

“Very good! Then prove to yourselves and to your comrades the strength of your hearts, and fires of your souls, and together, run through the storm!”

They all cheered and shouted loudly that the air trembled, their faces full of determination. They shook hands with their friends and expressed their conviction. All of them were ready to face their fears. My eloquence, my beauty, all worked together for this. Mostly the beauty. It was great to see everyone riled up, all thanks to Captain Estelia.

“Now then, we must prepare!” I announced. “Learn what needs to be learned. And when we face this new challenge, we will be ready.”

“Alright!”

“Yes!”

“Screw that storm!”

“We’ll beat it!”

I smiled widely and turned towards the older helmsman. “Lower the sails. It’s best we slow down as you teach the crew what they need to know when going into the belly of the beast.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Damn, at least call me Captain, geez.

The older man left the wheel to the younger one and joined the crew on the deck.

I glanced at the young helmsman. He seemed nervous, but he was strengthening himself, forcing himself to push away the fear.

“I will be relying on you, Morel,” I said gently to him.

“Y-Yes.”

Aaaw, how adorable. He reminds me of that cook guy in the kitchen.

Anyway, let’s get things ready.

I watched as the older helmsman began teaching the crew about what to expect and what to be done. He also gave some guidance in other preparations on how to reduce the damages and casualties. The most to be concerned as well were the ladies, but we already had a plan for them, it would seem.

I, of course, also listened. What kind of captain would I be if I didn’t learn from an expert? Would there come a day where I would be the one to lead these men through a storm? Eh, maybe never.

Everyone was tense, the storm inching closer at every moment. And thus, they all listened to the knowledge that would save them, as if their lives depended on it. Well, yeah, our lives depended on it.

I glanced at the storm once more. Honestly, I was quite looking forward to it, despite how annoying it would be.

I turned towards Taneva, who was just chilling at a corner. I frowned.

“Not even gonna listen to them?” I asked him.

He casually shrugged. “I know a thing or two about sailing through a storm.”

“You sailed before?”

“Life tends to get boring and you get to try many things.”

“We’re facing a storm, you know. You’re not worried about drowning?”

“What? It’s just drowning.”

“Drowning is terrible. Water going into your lungs is not a good experience. And imagine getting stuck beneath the ocean.”

He looked away as if pondering. “Hm, on second thought. You’re right, it’s not a good experience. But I can swim.”

“Nothing gets through you, huh?”

He smirked. “What about you, Princess? You don’t seem particularly scared.”

“Ah, I am scared. That’s why I’m listening to them closely and observing.”

“Is that so…? Isn’t this your first time going on a ship? To be in the middle of the sea. Frankly, I imagined you would have shaky legs since you came here, if you catch what I mean.”

Huh, he was right. This was my first time being at sea. In this world, that is.

“Now you are to ride through a violent storm where we could get lost at sea,” he added. “And you’re not even scared.”

“Oh noooo. I am shaking so terribly~. I should just run around in panic doing nothing~.” I squirmed around, a sarcastic expression on my face. I placed a hand on my cheeks, dramatically showing I was scared.

He chuckled. “Alright, alright. I get it.”

“Good. Now quiet down, I’m learning.”