Fwsh!
"That salty, cold breeze that passes over the water… it really feels nice, doesn't it?" The king of Anore spoke firmly, his arms on the wooden railing. He turned his head to look back.
Yezekael stared into the sky, laying back on a long wooden chair on the right side of the deck.
"Yeah. Really pleasant."
His hair had grown a bit. He rested, though clad in light armor. Underneath that armor was a simple brown shirt, and black pants.
Caelum van Eustis wore a black collared shirt with a quatrefoil pattern designed so finely that it was difficult to see in the dark. His pants were simple and black.
Hanging over his shoulder was the strap for his AHMC that dangled behind his back.
"It's about time that I started doing something. Seeing my sister fight so bravely despite everything, lit a flame in me."
Yezekael got up, walking over to stand beside Caelum.
The two were headed straight for Sar. Before the main forces would reach.
"Offshore fishing. Have you ever tried it, my king?" Yezekael asked curiously as he grabbed fishing rods out of one of the duffel bags he had brought with him.
"I heard it's been getting popular in Anore. More of a hobby for the working class though, no?"
"Yeah. Out at sea, fish is a lot more exotic. Good sales."
"That's thanks to me. You know, before I was in position, the prior king had this strange import tax that completely discouraged such a thing."
"Huh. Sometimes I forget that you have actual duties."
"Why?"
"I mean, you're— what, 17? You became king at a much younger age to add on to that. It's wrong for you to be the king. You should be enjoying your life."
"It's my responsibility. And besides, I could say the same for you. We're around the same age, yet you're so ready to do this with me. Why is that? You don't find my age a reason to trust me any less."
"… Well, no. I find it as a reason to trust you even more."
"And why is that?"
"It's because of that age similarity. Knowing the king is so young, yet so… fervent, I guess. It feels nice knowing that."
Caelum grinned.
The two enjoyed the calming sea breeze. They watched fish pass through the water, some occasionally jumping out and reaching for the skies. Cods, salmon, flying fish, and even some large fish like sharks could be seen.
"All this seafood is making me especially hungry," Caelum remarked, with reminiscent eyes.
"My-"
"You shouldn't refer to me so highly. Caelum. From now on, I'll be a soldier, just like everyone else."
"Right. Caelum. I didn't know you had a sister. You've never mentioned her."
"We're… ahh… a bit estranged, I guess. Bad upbringing, the both of us."
When Caelum spoke about her, he stared off into the distance, his pupils wandering aimlessly. Something was solemn about the way he stood, leaning against the railing.
Though Yezekael could not figure it out. He remained silent, eyeing Caelum carefully.
"What's… how long is it gonna take for us to reach there?" Caelum asked.
"At this speed… well, of course, the wind won't maintain the kind of speed throughout. I reckon three days, or so."
"Three days."
Caelum turned around.
"I guess we'll really have to get comfortable."
.
The duo sat quietly inside the boat's cabin. A painting of a seashore hung from a nail etched into the wooden wall.
A white fluffy carpet covered a majority of the floor. Six chairs surrounded one circular table.
"When we get there… no, I'm sure you have this all figured out, right? There must be some insider. We'll meet with them, then we'll reach the king, and slay him. Right?"
"…"
Caelum stared outside the window, into the salty ocean. The sun was starting to paint the horizon a warm orange. He observed the white seagulls that flew over the water.
"Right?!" Yezekael interjected.
"Huh— Oh, what? No, of course not."
"Are you… kidding me?"
"Relax. No one really knows what the king of Anore looks like-"
"That's beside the point!" Yezekael interjected yet again. Caelum was visibly irritated.
Yezekael continued.
"We're going into a foreign enemy country, with nothing but a spear and a gun. Do we even have a backup plan? How the hell are you going to conceal that AHMC, an ANORE creation?!"
"Jeez, relax. We got this."
"…"
"And, I can conceal the AHMC rifle, thank you very much."
He shifted his open palm over the gun.
[Cast: Conceal]
It disappeared.
Yezekael sighed.
Caelum stared outside again. After a few minutes of sea gazing, he suddenly spoke.
"It's stupid."
"What, you?"
"No. Having a painting of the shore on a boat. Especially when it's 75 percent ocean."
Yezekael directed his focus to the painting, then to the window.
"It's because people are often disappointed with reality. The picture might look a lot better than the ocean to some people."
Hearing that, Caelum's eyes widened, just slightly. Was it to see more of the ocean?
"Despite you're age, you seem to be a wise guy."
"We're the same age."
Again, it fell silent.
To break the silence before it became an awkward one, Caelum inquired.
"You from here, Yezekael? Anore, that is."
"Yeah. Keresu County. I was born in a very small village."
"Really? That explains the accent. Keresu is really a beautiful place. Being all the way down south, .it's a given. The vegetation is beautiful."
Yezekael smiled, his eyes looking up to the ceiling. Likely thinking about his past.
"I know. We always picked fresh fruit from the garden. Sometimes, I even picked it straight from the forest. Ha, you've made me think about my past. I'm really getting nostalgic."
He sighed, his hung head dropping.
"I really miss it. What about you, Caelum? Where are you from?" Yezekael asked, staring up a flowing conversation.
There was a bit of hesitation. Hesitation filled the air with momentary silence. Then his lips separated.
"The capital. I was born in the capital."
His answer was quick and almost sharp in nature; he maintained a tone that was begging for no further questions to be asked.