Damn, I still needed to feed this monster girl here with me. She was doing well holding the monstrosity within, but there were limits to how much one could endure. I didn’t want to give her my blood, at least not yet. My blood was special and a reward, it was not something I should easily give her, or to anyone in this matter. And I couldn’t just ask one of the crew. Velar…? Would that be right to do, I wondered.

As we were coming down from the bridge, we stumbled upon Hartwin. He was wobbling around until he leaned on the wooden railing, groaning quietly. He was obviously heavily hungover, judging by his expression. His clothes were also sandy. With a pained expression, he placed a hand on his head.

Which reminded me, he wanted to go to a bar the night I got out for my mission.

“Rough night?” I asked.

He groaned again as he looked at me from the corner of his eyes. “The night was good, the morning… not so good.”

“I can see that.”

“No, no. It’s um, more complicated than that…” He wryly smiled.

“What could be more complicated than a simple hungover?”

“Well,” he awkwardly laughed. “... I don’t remember much last night. But I woke up on the beach.”

Holy shit. Just how much did he drink?

“And… Uuugh. I could have sworn I still had a lot of coins left.”

“You spent them all.”

He vigorously shook his head. “I still had plenty of coins in my pouch when I was… I was with those women.”

Of course…

“But when I woke up. My pouch was gone…”

Seeing his miserable state, and misfortunate event, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“I had a couple of jewelry I found on the ship too… But they’re gone.”

I frowned, directing a pitiful look at him. “You got robbed while dead drunk.”

“I-It can’t be…”

“And the sword I gave you?!”

“I-I, uh…”

“Don’t tell me you lost it.” I’d be so pissed.

“No, I didn’t…” He grinned. “I left it here. It would be a bit risky to… to bring such a fancy weapon alone in a bar. You know how many people get mugged around bars?”

“Not sure. But it would seem I just witnessed one. Can’t believe you’re that foolish to let yourself get robbed like that.” But at least the rapier I gave him wasn’t taken. I’ll give him credit for thinking that. However, a competent person like him still got robbed. “Don’t tell me those women you mentioned took it all.”

His eyes widened as if in realization. “That’s! That’s it! Those damn vixens! They made me extremely drunk and robbed me afterwards! And threw me to the beach all alone!” He clutched his head in utter shock. He must still be slightly intoxicated. “I had never experienced such humiliation!”

“Really?” I tilted my head. “I quite imagine you’ve already experienced plenty.”

“But not like this!”

Oh, so he did experience plenty of humiliation. “What? You plan on getting them back? You really think you can get your hands on the money again?”

He moaned as he leaned on the railing. “You’re right…” He placed a hand on his face. “The people here are sharper than I expected. But the women were extremely sexy, though.”

“Ugh…” I snubbed. “That’s exactly what got you in this trouble.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Remind me not to let him go to a bar alone again.

Hartwin then paused and noticed the girl beside me. His eyes narrowed. “You adopted a child or something?”

Why does everyone think I adopted this kid?!

Can’t anyone just bring along a child they found on the street? I certainly ain’t gonna be this kid’s parent or something.

“No adoption, just found her while on the mission. She’s coming along with our journey.”

“Huh. That’s something. Why though?”

I shrugged. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

“... I see. The compassionate goddess saved a child with a grim, uncertain destiny. And now she took her into her divine grace, bringing her along on her lengthy journey.”

I shook my head. “Still poetic despite it all I see. And you’re exaggerating things.”

“Hehe. You did save her, didn’t you?”

“...”

“Hehehe. Would that even be an exaggeration? Besides, exaggerations are good. Otherwise, people will forget so easily. But it’s not a lie, is it?”

Would exaggerations be lies? Or would it become an exaggeration because of the delivery? Or because of a reaction? Still, if it was based on truth, should it still be regarded as a lie? When there was no lie at all. Or would the exaggeration be the lie itself? Huh. Deep stuff.

“Whatever. Just rest and wash yourself or something. You reek of booze.”

“Yeah yeah… Where’s Velar, by the way? He died or something?”

“He’s pretty much alive. Just resting.”

“Huh. Your target didn’t give much trouble then? I expected as much. There must be a lot of magic spells flying around, huh?”

“There are no spells that flew around.”

He blinked. “No? Then how did it go?”

“Smoothly and quietly.”

“Quietly?”

“Yup.”

“How do you mean quietly?”

“I meant there was no commotion whatsoever.”

“What?! I thought the guy was supposed to be incredibly strong.”

“Guy’s overrated.”

“No, no, no. You gotta tell me what happened. I am to document your story, after all!”

“Would like to hear how it went too,” Taneva casually commented from beside me. “But I already knew you’d be fine. If you could beat a beastman solo, you’re pretty set.”

“Are you referring to that wolf in the forest? You seriously just watched and didn’t help me?”

He shrugged. “Hey, if you died there, then the prophecy only corrected itself.”

I frowned. “I hate that… Prophecy.”

“Yeah. Well, I figured it was a bit weird in the beginning, anyway.”

“What prophecy?” Hartwin curiously asked.

“Just some prophecy that said I was supposed to die or something. And some others,” I said.

“Woah woah, tell me about that!”

“No way. Look at you. Get fixed and I might feel telling you. But you should ask Taneva about that. Apparently, he knows more than me.”

“Wait, did you actually die? Aren’t prophecies quite serious?”

“Just go and clean yourself, Hartwin.”

He let out a sigh and began walking away. As that happened, I suddenly yawned. I have not slept since yesterday.

I turned towards Taneva. “Can you feed your blood to Nira?” I whispered.

“Mine? I don’t mind.”

“It doesn’t have any special effects on them, right?”

“I may be immortal, but my blood isn’t anything special.”

“Oh. Then it’ll be fine.”

“Just get me a cup.”

“Grab one in my room.”

“Alright.”

I glanced down at Nira. “Go with Taneva.” She was hesitant, looking worried. “You’ll be fine.”

With a moment of thought, she meekly nodded.

“Don’t try to scare her.”

As they went, Taneva’s face contorted. “How do I even scare her?”

I shrugged and watched them as they entered my cabin. Letting out a sigh, I placed a hand on my stomach. I was hungry, I had not eaten yet. I should get something to eat before going to sleep. Therefore, I went down the deck and immediately found a box of fruits. After filling up my arms, I returned to the topside and sat down on the wooden railing, facing outwards. I just wanted to see a good view while eating.

After some time, while I was savoring my food, Taneva and Nira got out of the cabin. Glancing behind me, I noticed that Nira was looking significantly better than before. Nira promptly approached me.

“No longer thirsty?”

“Yes…”

“That’s good.” I chomped down on my last fruit. “I will be going to sleep. You can hang out with Taneva or Hartwin for the meantime.”

“Hey now, being a deadbeat already?” Taneva remarked.

“What the heck do you mean by that…? Anyway, I need sleep.”

I got off the railing and patted the kid on the head. “You’ll be fine. If they get annoying, just tear off this guy’s face. He wouldn’t mind.”

“I would prefer not to get hurt needlessly.”

“I thought you liked that?”

“What am I? A masochist?”

I chuckled. “Oh, you’re not?”

He grinned. “So that’s how you wanna play it? You sadistic princess.”

I scoffed. “When was I ever sadistic? Ridiculous.” I was absolutely not a sadist. You agree, right? I never liked inflicting suffering. I’m serious. Inflicting suffering was not something I truly favored. It was just that inflicting pain was a quick way to get what you want.

“Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that.” He waved his hand, as if dismissing what I said.

My frown deepened. “I would rather be called a killer than that.”

“What if just both?”

“Okay. I take back calling you a masochist.”

“You dislike being called a sadist that much?!”

Growing tired of this exchange, I ignored him and headed straight to my cabin. I made sure to lock the door so I wouldn’t be disturbed. I wanted a straight, smooth sailing sleep. I changed into a casual outfit to feel more comfy before jumping on to my bed. Truth be told, I might miss this smooth bed once I go on my journey. There wouldn’t be any smooth and soft bed anywhere. Nothing but the sheets between me and the hard ground. Sucks to be honest. But that’s just how it is.

It didn’t take long for me to fall asleep, being tired and all.