The resounding tremor surged through the palace once more, akin to a mighty blow delivered with immense strength. Its sheer force reverberated through the very fibers of our beings, jolting us even in our current positions.
In that moment, my gaze instinctively shifted towards the windows, where a sight of disbelief awaited me. Hovering amidst the ethereal realm of the heavens was a ship, its presence defying the laws of gravity. From its elevated vantage point, it mercilessly launched cannonballs in our direction, each one hurtling through the air with an ominous intent.
As my eyes fixated upon the incoming projectile, a surge of urgency coursed through me, compelling my vocal cords to unleash a primal cry.
"Get down!"
With a desperate urgency, I flung myself to the floor, bracing for the impending impact. Within seconds, the ball collided with its target, shattering the colossal glass barrier that shielded us, forcefully penetrating the very heart of the grand hall. Miraculously, no one in its destructive path suffered harm, but my lungs burned with the strain of my exertion, gasping for precious breaths.
Scrambling to my feet, I scanned the scene before me, my gaze alternating between the wreckage and the ominous vessel that continued its relentless assault. Despite the havoc they had already wreaked, they persisted, bombarding us relentlessly. It was in that chaotic moment that my father, driven by paternal instinct and boundless courage, positioned himself valiantly before the window, shielding me from the imminent danger.
"Soldiers!" he bellowed, his voice brimming with determination. "Escort Mila to safety. I will hold them back!"
My eyes locked with his, a cocktail of anxiety and sorrow evident in my expression. "Father, no!" I implored, my voice trembling. "We don't know how many there are, please don't do this."
In response, my father's voice resonated with a depth that conveyed his unyielding resolve. "I would rather perish than be a king who fails to protect his kingdom, or his own daughter."
His gaze bore into mine, brimming with a poignant mixture of sadness and determination. "Now, go. I will join you soon enough."
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(At that time, The deck of the approaching ship)
In the majestic and solemn cabin of the ship's captain, a mere soldier made his entrance. With unwavering determination, he spoke in a voice that resonated through the room, commanding attention,
"Sir, I bring news that echoes your every word. The palace is being evacuated, just as you foresaw."
In that very moment, an enigmatic figure occupied the captain's chair, known only as "Captain Barlog." His reputation preceded him, whispered tales of his merciless nature and unwavering adherence to order. Even his own crew regarded him with a mixture of awe and trepidation.
True to his mysterious demeanor, the captain sat with his back turned to the entrance, as was his custom. His countenance remained concealed, and his gaze never lifted. Yet, his voice, thick and laden with authority, filled the air,
"Excellent. Just as I had surmised. Inform Poison to seal off all access points surrounding the castle and subdue any opposition. Our operation commences now."
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(At the time, In front of the palace) (Ryuu)
My battle with the Knight was over. We were both out of breath, but I had won the war. The Knight was lying on the floor, defeated.
While gasping for air, he then slowly looked at me and said,
"I'm just an obstacle, but you just choose to stand here and look at me. Why?" Why don't you finish me off when you had already won the fight?"
"My purpose extends beyond killing or inflicting harm upon others. I am here to save the Princess," I responded, my voice steady and resolute, echoing the conviction that burned within me.
At that very moment, my attention was drawn to the sky, where cannonballs soared through the air, mercilessly pounding the castle walls. I instinctively turned my head, following the trajectory of destruction, only to witness the unbelievable sight of a flying ship. It was a spectacle so surreal that, for an instant, I questioned its existence, doubting my own senses. Yet, there it was, as real as the ground beneath my feet.
Struggling to rise, the defeated Knight spoke amidst the chaos, "That's not good. This is Captain Barlog's ship."
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Perplexed, I sought clarification, "Who is this Captain Barlog, and why does he possess a flying ship?"
"He is the most formidable among the Elite Soldiers," the Knight explained, his voice tinged with resignation. "As you can see, his colossal vessel signifies his lack of fear in engaging in grandiose battles. If he were to launch an assault upon us in such a critical moment, the outcome would be far from favorable."
"Then time is of the essence," I declared firmly, locking eyes with the Knight. "Escort the princess to safety without delay. I shall divert Captain Barlog's attention."
He regarded me with a blend of fatigue and astonishment, unable to comprehend my motivations. "Why would you undertake such a perilous act? I fail to discern any reason for a stranger like you to aid our cause."
"From the very beginning, my intent was to provide assistance," I stated resolutely. "Perhaps the circumstances we found ourselves in were never meant to be confronted or fought, but when I endeavored to overcome you, I harbored no ill intentions. Leaving behind so many lives at stake would be an unacceptable loss—one that I refuse to allow. Please, aid me in safeguarding the princess."
The Knight remained silent for a fleeting moment, his thoughts weighing heavily upon him. Eventually, he let out a sigh and relented, "I shall heed your words. However, be forewarned—I shall scrutinize your every move, and any hint of suspicion will incur dire consequences. Do you understand?"
He then turned to his comrades and bellowed, "Brienne! Irio! Cease your skirmish. We must make haste back to the palace, for our people are in desperate need of our presence. Follow me swiftly!"
Brienne's voice cut through the urgency of the moment, her gaze fixed upon the imposing vessel before us. "Akihiko, is this Captain Barlog's ship?" she inquired, her words laden with concern.
Akihiko nodded with grim determination. "Indeed, it is highly likely. We must make haste to the castle. Countless lives hang in the balance. Follow my lead," he commanded, urgency lacing his voice.
As we sprinted towards the castle, my mind whirled with a maelstrom of thoughts. "Akihiko," I whispered to myself, etching his name into my memory amidst the chaos.
Within seconds, General and Hiroshi caught up with me, their breaths ragged and labored from the exertion. Hiroshi, his words punctuated by gasps, conveyed both awe and disbelief, "Diving into the castle was a daring move, but a flying ship? I could never have fathomed encountering something so extraordinary."
"Crazy indeed," General concurred, his expression etched with concern. "However, our priority now is to find a way to thwart their advance. While Mila is guarded by the knights, we must divert the attention of that menacing ship."
Hiroshi voiced the pressing question, his tone laced with uncertainty, "But how do we reach the ship?"
"The cowboy is right," the general added, acknowledging the seemingly insurmountable challenge. "Considering I'm old, I can't throw you up there in one go."
Moved by a surge of determination, I approached the mighty tree standing sentinel before us. Each strike of my fist against its trunk reverberated with purpose, fueling my resolve. Blow after blow, I unleashed my strength upon the unyielding bark, until at last, the monumental tree yielded to my efforts, its roots uprooted and its massive frame hoisted upon my back.
Addressing my comrades with unwavering conviction, I called out, "Ascend this mighty tree! I shall hurl it toward the ship."
Hiroshi, though skeptical, recognized the gravity of the situation. "This plan may be the most ridiculous plan I've ever heard of, but I guess we don't have a choice, do we?" he remarked wearily. Sighing, he continued, "So be it. But remember, if anything goes awry, the responsibility rests on your shoulders, Ryuu."
With their trust placed in me, they clambered up the towering tree. Though my idea seemed implausible, it was the only course of action that presented itself. Summoning every ounce of strength within me, I bent my legs, coiling my muscles tightly. With a mighty heave, I propelled the colossal tree skyward, watching it soar as high as my efforts allowed.
As the weight released from my shoulders, I darted towards another tree, its branches reaching towards the heavens. Agile and swift, I scaled its formidable height, ascending closer to the zenith. Although leaping onto the ship directly proved impossible, I calculated that I could bridge the gap by leaping onto the airborne tree.
Summoning my courage, I leaped forward, stretching out my arms towards the flying tree. Yet, the force of my jump caused the tree to sway perilously to the side. For a suspended moment, time seemed to halt as we teetered on the precipice of failure. Just as our descent accelerated, and hope wavered, the General harnessed his extraordinary power once more—his "One Inch" technique.
A surge of energy propelled the tree from behind, granting us a burst of momentum, ascending us to the height of the ship. Supporting Hiroshi and the General, I ensured their safe passage as they leaped onto the vessel.
Hiroshi, the General, and I found ourselves bewildered, our surroundings unfamiliar and enigmatic, within the confines of a ship whose origins eluded us. Barely moments after we had boarded, a commanding voice resonated from above, piercing the air with a sense of urgency.
"Captain! We have company!"
Swiftly responding to the call, a figure descended gracefully from the ship's ropes, landing beside us. Yet, our eyes widened with a mixture of intrigue and astonishment as we beheld this enigmatic newcomer. Half-fox and half-human, he possessed a captivating blend of ethereal charm and formidable strength, his sinewy frame a testament to his prowess. He was not alone, as two more individuals materialized from disparate corners of the ship. Among them stood the four-armed elite soldier with whom I had clashed before, and a woman exuding an aura of mystery, her masked countenance sharp and penetrating.
As we stood face to face with our potential adversaries, I anticipated some display of their power, an attempt to discern the depths of their abilities. Yet, to my surprise, they maintained an eerie composure, their stillness belying the potential storm that lurked within them.
A moment of silence hung in the air until the large doors of the captain's cabin deliberately opened in front of us. From the shadows emerged a figure, exuding an aura of undeniable authority. Clad not in the garb of a pirate, but rather in attire befitting a military general, he sported a shark tooth pendant that dangled prominently from his neck. Even at this distance, his commanding presence reverberated, the magnitude of his power tangible.
With measured steps, he advanced towards us, his voice carrying the weight of his station as he spoke with unwavering conviction.
"Welcome aboard my ship. I am Captain Barlog. Though to the eyes of the world, I am known as 'The Whip of The Sea'."