"Is the duke sure for choosing me for this mission? I've never made any significant progress in training unlike Captain and the rest of you," Rein, a moss-haired, average-looking, knight stated as they rode the ship to Mermaid Isle. He was at the deck savoring the warm sunlight with his fellow knight. Quincy, the black-haired, tan-girl knight, punched his arm.
"The duke never looks at the qualifications of the knight for this mission. And besides, aren't you glad the duke has noticed you? It just means you're making progress." Rein frowned.
"I'm just good at doing rounds. I'm not specifically good at fighting," he pouted. Soon, a spikey-haired knight appeared behind them. "What are you talking about huh? From afar. You seem to be a couple," Harlan teased as he put his arms around them.
Quincy removed his arm around her. "You mean, a couple of idiots?"
"Hah! What a harsh thing to say, Quin. Mind you, it's hurting this guy's ego," he nudged Rein in his arms as Rein struggled to take off Harlan's arms around him. Harlan is way too muscular compared to him, who looks like a twig. Rein pulled Harlan's arms.
"T-Take your arms o-off me, Harlan, I-I'm a fragile thing," Rein spoke as he struggled to breathe. Harlan laughed as he strengthened his hold.
"Man, you feeble little thing. Maybe you chose the wrong profession?" He stated in a mocking voice.
As he tried to choke Rein with his huge biceps, Rein decided to stopped pulling Harlan's elbows away and instead elbowed his side.
"Argh!"
Harlan let go of his hold and began writhing in pain, turning to the side.
"Bro, that was hard," he squirmed.
"Well, that's what you get for teasing too much," Rein answered with a smug look. Quincy laughed.
"Poor Harlan, beaten by a fragile twig," she chuckled. Rein looked at her with an offended expression.
"Seriously? Twig?"
"Well, you do look like a twig," Quincy shrugged glibly. Rein resigned to his colleague's comment and sighed.
The cabin door opened, revealing a black-haired, bearded man in his early 40s. His precise jawline matched well with his muscular build. Unlike Harlan, his muscles are not overly exaggerated. The black, long-sleeved tunic fitted his body just right. His hair fluttered against the sea breeze. Despite looking mature, he looked dignified with his simple attire and sword buckled on his side.
The captain glanced to their side. Rein, Harlan, and Quincy straightened up, folded their left arms behind their backs, struck their left shoulders with their right fists, then straightened their arms and folded them behind their backs in a crisp salute.
"Captain, " they greeted in unison.
Captain Dainsley of the Leopold dukedom has served three generations of dukes. He served as the trusted confidante of the previous duke during his reign. Known for his loyalty and insane physical strength, it made up for his lack of aura as a knight. He was granted the title "Sir" due to his achievements and service for the dukedom.
Dainsley strode towards the three. The nervous three gazed forward, afraid of doing anything that might disrespect their superior. Dainsley stopped in front of them and stared at their stiff expressions.
"The master has woken up. We'll arrive soon at the Mermaid Isles." He spoke. He continued.
"You can relax. You don't have to be tense. Although this is a mission, the duke asks us to be too formal since we must act as naturally as possible." The three exhaled in brief relief yet stayed on guard. The captain chuckled.
"Change into your casual clothes. We must not let our presence be known once we docked at the port."
"Yes Captain."
"Let the others know. Where are Fiore and Jonas?" Dain looked around as Harlan answered,
"They seem to be sightseeing at the other parts of the deck."
Dainsley nodded. "I see. Let them know."
He then walked away and went to converse with the captain of the ship. The stiff expressions of the three fully relaxed. They breathed out as Rein commented.
"Geez, even though Captain always tells us to relax, we never seem to do so," He chuckled. "His presence is too intimidating and domineering compared to the duke."
"Though we are only a few years older than the duke, he is friendly around us," Quincy added.
"The Captain has always been strict with us knights and his students. Do you remember when he challenged the duke in a duel before? Man, I got goosebumps! Up until now, the scene where the young duke then overpowered the Captain for the first time is still etched in my mind," Harlan trembled as he reminisced the scene in his head. Quincy shook her head in amusement.
"Only the duke could overpower the veteran Captain Dainsley in a fight."
As they were busy reminiscing the past in their heads, The captain of the ship yelled.
"Land ho!"
The heads of the three knights turned as the sight of Mermaid Isles was seen a few miles ahead. Harlan then moved away from his two companions.
"I'll go find Fiore and Jonas." Quincy interrupted.
"I think I know where Fiore is. You go find Jonas." The two moved in opposite directions, leaving Rein alone. He then shrugged
"Guess I'll go prepare."
*****
"Land ho!"
The voice of the captain of the ship wakened Zavier. He groaned as he rose and sat on his bed. Massaging his temples, he muttered under his breath. "What time is it?"
Taking his brass pocket watch on the table, he checked the time. He then peaked at the porthole and saw the sunlight shining brightly outside, He then looked at the time again before closing the pocket watch. He went to his private restroom and washed his face.
After rinsing his face, he looked at the mirror. Staring at his reflection, he reminded himself of his goal to the Mermaid Isles, as if preparing for this day. He has been waiting for this day to come, to achieve his purpose and avenge his father. As he gazed at his reflection, lost in thoughts, he snapped to reality and changed his clothes.
The knights were waiting on the deck. They were wearing casual clothes and cloaks to blend in with their surroundings. As they waited, Zavier went out of the cabin clothed in brown, wool, tunic, and long. white, sleeves underneath. A bronze, leather belt adorned his waist with comfortable pants and leather boots. He then wore a blue navy, hooded cloak and joined the group. The knights saluted the duke. Zavier just raised his hand and brushed it off. He then looks at each of them before speaking.
"You guys will serve as my bodyguards and companions for this day. I have informed you everything you need to know for this mission before we leave the dukedom. Don't be too tense and act casual since we're in a foreign territory."
The knights nodded in unison. Zavier continued. "We have discussed the plan. Observe and be vigilant. Stay hidden."
The ship arrived at the port. As expected, it was bustling with people and the heat was scorching. Traders and merchants were hustling their products down from their ships. Some were about to depart, while others were still arriving.
The merchants of the ship began unloading their stuff from the boat. The chief merchant only knew that the duke would be doing business in the Mermaid Isles but had no idea of the real business they'd be dealing with. A word must not spill that one of the great nobles of the empire has visited the Mermaid Isles since the Mermaid Isle is a liberated country, free from the jurisdiction of any ruling species. If ever there will come a time that any of the allies have stepped on the Isle and interfered with any business going on, a cold war may break since the place has been running under the illegal activities of the Gorgons.