Chapter 9
(Isabelle's POV)
"..."
"..."
"...ahem!"
"....what?"
I annoyingly asked
"My lady, it's not good to give such face. What will Sir Creeper think of it?"
"So what? I'll show him whatever I wanted to show him. He better be grateful for that, hmph!"
"Sigh, my lady"
The one I'm talking right now is my lady-in-waiting, Cecile, who was standing at my left. She's also my mother's dearest friend. She wore a black and white outfit, while her hair was tied in the back, with a cap that perfectly fits a maid definition. (note: just search Victorian Maid, that's the reference)
Right now, we are sailing towards the east to where my father, the guild master, told me to go. We are riding a [Clipper Ship], a ship that mainly focused in speed. To be more precise, we are riding an Airship, a ship that sails in the sky than in the sea, with a 50 meters length, 10 meter beam, and 42 meters height.
I was on the captain's cabin, that was coated in medium greenish-gray floor, and a reddish-brown furniture - from the closet to my personal desk - and the door, with a silver charm doorknob.
I was sitting on the desk pouting, sulking, as I was alone in this voyage, while those 2 have darling by their side. It was supposedly our honeymoon, as it took exactly 7 years, 7 YEARS! For him to tell me his feelings, but that didn't matter, as I could even wait more until the time he will look at me. We even did our first night together
'Oh my gosh~, just remembering it makes me -'
"Hehehehehehe"
"....my lady...please fixed your expression"
As Cecile look at me with concern, I then hurriedly wipe the drool from my mouth. A couple minutes pass, I then look at my maid
"...are we-"
"We still aren't, my lady. You have been asking me that for almost every MINUTE now. Please be patient"
"Moo~"
"Fufufu Sir Creeper would totally fall for you even more, if he saw you sulking like that my lady"
Cecile chuckled, as she saw me pouting. The Airship I am riding is heading towards the east region. I was involuntarily tasked by my father, to assist our people in the south-west of the east, as we own the land there. Right now, darling should already headed towards the south to assist the [Kingdom of Entel]. They might take 7 days or more till they reach the kingdom (note: 3 days in ship+4 days by horse)
"Tch! Papa should have let me accompany darling"
I complain
"He might, but if he did, then there will be none to assist the [Town of Fall]. As it was your father, my lord's land, and as you are the next heiress, you are the only one suitable for this, my lady"
My maid spoke, which made me more irritated. I totally hate being noble. Rights, authority, and etc. are so annoying. I just wanted a life were I could live with my partner in life, till we die old. I only wanted a simple life, sigh. But if I do complain and hate it, I still can't run away, nor throw it away. It's both a curse and a blessing for me.
Baron Eric Fall, and Baroness May Fall were my mother and father, my darling's adopted aunt and uncle, and I, Isabelle Fall, is their daughter, the heiress. We became a noble when I was still 4, given by the authority of the king of the [Kingdom of Entel], when they asked assistance to both of my parents, during a monster stampede. I could still remember how the king himself kneeled towards my mother, to beg for cooperation
Chuckle
Mom was at early emerald rank, while father was already at mid that time. After that stampede, my parents were then granted a land in the east, which was also approve by the [Kingdom of Erendelle], when one of their officers was present during the stampede. So now we own a land both in the south and east, which is the [Town of Fall] located south-west of the east region, in the [Land of the Fallen], and the [City of Fall] located south-west of the [Kingdom of Entel], near a forest.
"When will we arrive?"
"As we are riding a speed-based ship, it will only take 3 days till we arrive to the town's port, my lady"
"...is that so"
I spoke in a low voice, as if I wasn't interested, as I looked towards the window in my cabin
"My lady, I know being a noble isn't something you like, but please do bear with it. As you, the heiress, will soon be placed with such authority, after your mother and father passed down the right of their lands to you"
"...."
"My lady"
As my maid, Cecile called. I then looked towards her direction
"Please do remember I am your servant"
She spoke
"I am your eyes and feet. Your support, and your companion. I am both your sword and shield"
She muttered. She then turns herself and faced me, kneeled down and placed her right hand to her chest
"My lady, I am nothing but a mere servant, granted the rights to serve you till this very essenses of my life. Command me, task me, governed me. Your burden, I shall carry them. Your problem, your worries, I shall bear them. My lady, till the end of my servitude, I shall be by your side, even if I shall sacrifice just for it"
I was a bit taken aback when Cecile suddenly kneeled, and spoke her vows towards me. It made me recall the time when she vowed at me when I was 5, and been serving me since then. She's been my loyal retainer, and attendant
"Then I'll be in your care"
I spoke, as I smiled at her
Knock Knock
"What is it?"
Cecile then swiftly stood up, and asked after she kneeled just a second ago
"Forgive my intrusion, but my lady.....we have an intruders"
"Oho~, is that so. Well then, we should properly greet our guest, Cecile"
"Yes, my lady"
Cecile then replied as I called her. She then went forward, and opened the door. The sun's ray then greeted me as I walked out from my cabin. 20 men or so were then lined up in the ship's deck - excluding the cook and steward, and few men that were below the upper deck. I gathered 30 strong men for this voyage, all were at peak gold rank, and early platinum rank. I then went up to the quarter deck, and meet with the captain of the ship. A bulky man, a bit taller than me, wearing a silver armor, was the first-in-command in this voyage
"Report"
"A pirate ship is pursuing us, my lady. They been at our tail and following us since then. Hiding between, and inside the cloud"
"Men?"
"Atleast 40 to 50 armed men on board"
"Accounted?"
"Assumption"
"Ship?"
"A [Schooener Ship], my lady"
"Guns?"
"Atleast 8 to 10 cannons at each side, based on their ship size"
"Hmm...Cecile"
"Yes, my lady"
"Isn't a pirate ship, a ship were stolen goods and treasured jewels hauled?"
"Yes, my lady"
"We hit the jackpot then"
".....my lady…..that's"
"Then it's decided! All men! Prepare!"
I spoke as I give command. Cecile and the captain then made a long sigh behind me.
6 mages were then stationed at the back, just a distance from my cabin. 4 archers were positioned in the ships fighting top. 10 armed men, clad in armor were then stood at the deck behind me, as I stood in front wearing only a brownish-orange top clothe, that extended like a collar that wrapped half of my neck, tighten at my wrist while quite lossen till my shoulder. It has a rectangular shape at its center till below my breast, with buttons at its middle, and a black-long pants, that is tight at my waist area, and quite lossen from my thighs to my ankle, while wearing a blackish-gray armor heel, as I crossed my arm.
"My lady, please don't be reckless"
Cecile spoke, as she stood by my side
"Don't worry, let's just catch some pirates"
"Sigh"
After an hour passed, those nasty pirates didn't yet went to their usual aggressive assault. As I was getting bored, I sat down at the upper deck's center, and asked my personal maid, Cecile, to brew me some coffee while waiting for those morons to attack us
"Report"
"The enemy is at 225° south-west, my lady"
"Speed?"
"Steady and catching"
The chief officer or first mate replied. A first mate is the second-in-command in the deck, the right hand of the captain, followed by the second officer or second mate
"Captain"
"We should lose them between the clouds, my lady. But if we wish for a confrontal attack, we should lure them at the center, and let them fight us where we are at the upper hand"
"Damage?"
"A full month repair, if we are lucky, 2 weeks maxed"
"...suggestion?"
"If I may, my lady, we should lose them between those cloud, 45° northeast, and try to ambush them there. As our vessel is only composed with man-armed and no cannons, it much better to do a surprise attack, than a confrontal one"
"Would they take the bait?"
"If they are idiots, yes, if not, then we will make them"
The captain spoke, with a dignity and pride of a sailor. I then smiled on his remark, as I took a sip to my coffee. After half an hour came
"My lady, they are speeding up!"
"Oh~"
As I was about to take another sip to my coffee, the man at the fighting top then reported a sudden change to our dearest pirates
"Captain"
"Yes, my lady"
The captain then steered the wheel and turned the airship to the right. We then speed up but not quite fast, as not to let the pursuer lost us
"Archers! Get ready!"
As the chief officer commanded, the archers at the top then took an arrow from their quiver, and aimed at the ship behind us. Tightly griping the arrows middle, and gazing at the enemy, they wait for the chief offcier's command
"Fire!"
"[Projectile Bomb]!"
Swooshh!
6 arrows were then fired. Like a hurricane, the arrows flew and dashed themselves forward, towards the enemy
Bang!
Boom!
Loud explosion then resound the sky, as the arrows that were fired collided to the ship. But rather than piercing through it, it was blocked
"Archers, take another aim! Mages!"
The archers then took another arrow, while the mages then casted their spells. A magic circle were then formed below the mages feet
"[Fire Bird]"
They muttered, as a flaming bird - half a meter in length - then flew and went towards our enemy.
Boom!
Another explosion came
"Fire!"
Swooshh!
Another bunch of arrows were then fired
BANG!!
But even so, none still were able to break the barrier. This time, the mages then casted another spell
"[Fire Bomb]"
But this wasn't just the usual [Fire Bomb], as the mages casted and merged the fire spell into one, creating a giant [Fireball]. They then fired it towards the enemy
(Enemy's Captain POV)
"Captain! A [Fire Ball]!"
"I can see that, idiot! Turn the ship sideway and avoid it!"
"Aye-aye"
As my first mate replied. Right now, we are pursuing a certain vessel, a [Clipper Ship]. We were able to spot them during our detour. It was a jackpot, as I can smell some gold inside that ship. I could only smile to how easy this will be
"Archers, get ready! Tak-"
BOOM!!
(Isabelle's POV)
Another explosion then came. The giant [Fire Bomb] that was fired was quite slow. The enemy's ship could easily dodge it, if that were a [Fire Ball] that is. [Fire Bomb] is a fire magic spell that explodes during contact, but it doesn't mean we need to actually hit the target for it to explode. So after the enemy ship invade the fire attack, one of our archer then aimed at the giant [Fire Bomb], and detonate it, causing a giant explosion
"Archers!"
Shout the chief officer, while the captain then steer the wheel, and turn the ship at 40° north
Swosshh!
Another bunch of arrows were then fired. The mages then casted another [Fire Bomb], but this time, it's 3
Bam!
Boom!
We didn't stop bombarting them, as we let them blindly chased us, not letting them get away from us, but not also losing them. It's like we are a hunting prey
(Enemy's Captain POV)
"Attack them you dimwits! Attack them!!"
"But they are to-"
"FIRE THEM!!"
"A-aye-aye!"
(Isabelle's POV)
Bam!
Boom!
"Oh~, they are fighting back"
I spoke, as the enemy ship started counter attacking us. But most of their attacks were either missed, or aren't a treat at all, but most of those who are brushing our barrier were fatal, and quite problematic. Most of those who hit us were blocked by our barrier – as their power were also reduced by some of the mages - so I was able to leisurely continue enjoying taking a sip to my coffee, while waiting. The mages then casted another spells, 2 medium size [Fire Ball], and 2 [Fire Bomb]. The archers also took another arrows, and aimed at the enemy behind us
(Enemy's Captain POV)
"Shit!"
I exclaimed, as those fuckers fired another magic at us, 4 [Fire Ball], or [Fire Bomb]?
"Fuck!"
I shouted, as I can't differentiate the difference between the 2
Bam!
Bang!
"Captain!"
"What?!"
I pissingly asked
"The enemy archers started using [Fire Bomb]!"
"Fuck!!"
Boom!
Boom!
"Dammit!"
I screamed, as I tried to hold on, not to stumble down as one of the [Fire Balls](?) exploded. The ship were getting bombart from here and there, causing the ship to shake, and the barrier to grow cracks
"Fix the barrier and enhance it! All cannon-"
"Captain! They are gone!"
"!!!"
(Isabelle's POV)
After the mages casted 2 [Fire Balls] and 2 [Fire Bombs] as a decoy, and the archers firing their arrows with [Projectile Bomb] as a diversion, the captain then turned the ship from the right, and hid behind those clouds. The mages then casted [Object Concealment], and hid the whole ship. [Object Concealment] could only cover a short range, but because all mages casted it, the diameter it envelopes widen. We then turn back as we conceal ourselves within these clouds.
I then stood up, and walked towards the ship's deck right side, and saw the enemy just a distance away from us, a full-rigged dark brown [Schooener Ship]. I then stretch my right arm at the side. Cecile, my lady-in-waiting, then brought and placed a metal weapon in my hand, that she took from one of the stationed guards, a spear, just a normal iron spear, an E grade weapon. I then griply hold the spear in my hand. I then took a deep breathe, stomp my left foot forward, channeled all my strength from my left foot to my waist towards my shoulder, and then to my arms, and tightly hold the spear in hand, as I aimed at the enemy before me
SWOOSH!
And fired the spear that was in my hand. Like a dashing boar, my spear cuts the wind as it pierced through, dashing itself forward
BOOM!
CRACK!!
"Captain!"
"Men at your stations! Prepare for close combant! Archers! Mages!"
As I called the captain, the captain then steered the ship, and dashed itself towards the enemy. Using the wind magic to boost the ship's speed, it then ordered its men. The clad armor crew then readied their swords. The archers took aim and started firing the enemy that they saw, while the mages then casted [Fire Bird]
"Don't destroy the ship! Take those who surrender! Kill those who oppose!"
"My lady, where do you think you are going?"
"Eh!?"
I blurted, as Cecile then halted my advances in front
"Well...ummm...to the fight?"
"My lady isn't needed to do so, as we are only dealing with mere pirates"
"Cecile But-"
"The captain's men are enough for this job, my lady"
"Wha!?"
I cried
"Miss Cecile is right, my lady"
The captain spoke, as he went down and stood by our side
"Let my men show their own galliant in this battle, my lady"
"Bu-but..tch...okay"
I sulkingly spoke, Cecile then giggled
"But I do admire your decision, my lady, to attack the ship but not to destroy it. The ship might be a pirate ship, but it's a ship nevertheless. It just need a good crew and commander, and it will soon turn to a good battleship, for additional suport on our lord's power"
Cecile spoke. She then looked upfront and muttered
"Hmm….and for the surrenderers my lady?
"Placed a [Slave Crest] on them, and let them serve the Fall family until their very life. They will be at our disposal. Don't let them handle this ship. They might turn their back on us"
I spoke. [Slave Crest] is a magic formulated crest that will make any slave obey you, with certain limitation and restriction, but even so, some still would commit suicide, and these people aren't different from them, especially they knew the ship well better than us, so being cautious is a must. [Slave Crest] only have a limited function "obey me and follow, disobey me then die", but you can't order them to leave their life behind them, neither destroying their will.
Take this for example, if we take and place some crest on those slaves, we could only order them to obey us and protect the ship, but they could still hurt us or betray us, but that would cost their life, except if we ordered them not to. But if we wanted them to fully obey us, then [Soul Slave Crest] is a much preferable one. It is a much powerful [Slave Crest]. A slave can only be freed from the [Slave Crest] if their master died, which is me
"Take them back to our estate. Father knows what to do with them"
"How many men should guard them, my lady?"
"6 men only, 1 archer and 1 mage"
I answered. After a couple minutes came, we were able to sieze and take full control of the ship. I then ordered some of the men to investigate the whole ship, to check if there is any hiding rats below, and to see if they brought some good goods, while the remaining one will throw the piled bodies of the pirates who opposed us. They were chopped, sliced, and beheaded, and the remaining crew will scan the whole perimeter, for any ambush or reincforcement. After everything was clear
"3,000 gold coins, 50 E grade weapons, 40 [Silver Ores], and 30 [Gold Bars], not bad"
I spoke, as we counted the loot we obtain on this little fishing we did. [Gold Bar] has a price of 50 gold coins each, with 30, we hauled a 1,500 gold coins, or 15 big gold coins. [Silver Ore] is much better grade of ore than iron, so we could expect a good fetch for it, but it would be much better for us to take it, and make our own weapon, with 50 additional E grade weapon on hand (note: 4,500= 45 big gold= 1 plat and 10 big gold)
"Hmm? Who's this?"
I asked, as I pointed the sword I took from our loot to a fat bearded guy
"It's the captain, my lady"
Cecile spoke
"Oh, is that so...dispose him then"
"!!"
"Wait what!?"
The fat bearded pirate cried, while my men that wrapped them up were quite shocked
"Throw him away from the ship"
"Y-y-you! I-I-I surrendered, I surrendered! You promise to take those who surrendered!"
"Oh I did? But I didn't. Throw him away. I don't need a squealing pig in my ship"
I harshly spoke as I turn my back away from him. 2 clad men then carried him
"N-n-no-no! You can't do this to me! I am the captain! The CAPTAIN! This is my ship! MY SHIP! Unhand me! No! Please no! I-I-I will tell you everything, yes everything! No! No! No! Save me my lor-Ahhh!!!"
As the man cried and plead, asking to be speared, but as I didn't bat an eye, he was then thrown and fell down, until his voice vanished
"....."
"You might be asking "why did I do that?"
I spoke, as I hold the steel sword in my hand, and walked towards where our prisoners are placed
"That man had a [Tracker] on him, so keeping him alive would only bring us troubles. And as for why..."
I then paused and stood in front one of the prisoners
"Why not asked...one of our dearest pirate friends"
I said, as I point the sword in one of the pirate prisoner, and placed the tip of the blade on his throat. The [Tracker] was drawn on his disgusting hairy chest – to the captain - with a star sign, and 3 magic circled encircling it, coated in purple. Which he exposed it pridefully, which gives me more reason to kill him.
A [Tracker] is as its name suggested, to track. It could easily let the one who placed that magic circle, to find the person with a [Tracker] emblem, whether they are dead or alive, can be activated by either the master, or the one who been placed with it. So after I thrown away that guy, we need to find another route going to the town. Thankfully, we are still far away from our destination, or I'll be a moron
"Cecile"
"Yes, my lady"
Cecile replied as I called her. She then walked forward and went behind the young man, and bend over and sat down like she was kneeling. She then took a needle from her sleeve, and took the man's hand that was tied, and pricks its finger
"So...where should we start?"
I asked, as I bend over and sat down in front of the man
Snap
"Ahhh!!"
The man groans and gritted his teeth, as Cecile snap one of its fingers
"Oh~, almost forgot. The needle that my maid used was dip from the blood of a plant like monster in the west. It can accelerate one's senses, to be precise, it can enhance your brain's sensitivity~. So in short"
I then move closer to the young man, and smiled
"You will feel 10x the normal pain. So good luck"
Crack!
"AHHHH!!"
....
"...captain"
"Yes, my lady"
"Report everything to my father, and inform him to find another route towards the town"
"Yes, my lady"
The captain replied, after I gave him an order. After a few groans and plea from the captive young man, we were able to squeeze a thing or two from him. About who was their leader, the usual route they take, their backer, could be unreliable as they weren't the main crew, and most places they usually target
"My lady"
"Hmm?"
"What should we do with him?"
Cecile asked, as she point out the unconsious pirate that was lying down, drooling and tearing up, with 6 of his fingers broken. The young man was also the first mate of this ship
"....well, he really did his job properly so...send him to one of our [Miners Dug]. That should be a good place for him, digging treasure and stuff"
I jokingly spoke. I then turn around
"6 men wiill remain here including the second officer, and will return to the estate. The others will accompany me to the town"
I ordered. They then replied "yes, my lady". After everything was taken care off, we then continued our journey towards the [Town of Fall]