Volume 3, Chapter 2: Patrida
In the end, we arrived at the island in the early morning.
We pushed the boat onto the sandy beach and secured it with ropes to prevent it from drifting away. Then we sat down on the sand.
Murasaki sat beside me as well.
"Now, where are we?"
"It's Patrida."
I was startled when someone called me from behind—it was Aoi.
"Why are you here?"
"They told me you went out to sea."
Aoi pointed towards the sea.
There were several sea serpents there.
"They were worried about you, so the representatives followed the sailing ship from behind."
I couldn't believe it.
I was incredibly happy.
"They came all the way here, leaving their comrades behind, just for me?"
I hugged the sea serpents that came to the seaside for me.
Well, they're all over a hundred meters long, so they're too thick for me to cling onto.
"Well, when I was in Phaisie, I told them that I was going to Luizin."
"Oh, I see. Thank you. By the way, what about you? Are you on the sailing ship too?" I asked, feeling a little troubled.
"No, it's just me. I came here with these kids."
"Huh? Why?"
"I'm alone too, actually. My mother was an albino and a foreigner, so I've always been kept at a distance," Aoi chuckled.
"I see."
"That's why I understand your feelings. It's tough when no matter how hard you try, no one understands you. I even tried imitating a girl named Ay〇 Rei and gave it my all, but it was just a waste of effort."
Ah, so I was forcing myself after all.
"I never thought I'd be so drawn to it."
"Well, I'm sorry about that."
"It's okay. Besides, I got tired too. That's why I ended up following you."
Aoi smiled sweetly.
Murasaki nodded beside her.
"Right, um, how should I put it... thank you. Of course, Murasaki too."
Both Aoi and Murasaki smiled warmly.
The sea serpent cooed as if it was delighted with me.
Uh-oh, I'm tearing up.
"Actually, this place is also my hometown."
"Huh? Really?"
"I heard that my grandfather, who is an influential person here, can help with the merchant's job change."
That's fortunate.
Aoi looked at the small boat we were on.
"Yesterday, there were many small boats floating around. It was probably a Pilates attack."
"Pilates?"
"Well, to be honest, they're pirates."
"Huh? Really?"
"So, our sailing ship we were on was also in danger?"
"No, we were passing them offerings so that we wouldn't be attacked by the largest Asanato among the Pilates. We flew the flag of the Kraken, which is Asanato's emblem."
"Oh."
"If you fly the flag of the Kraken, other Pilates won't attack you."
"I see, there are various things. By the way, is it okay to destroy all the Pilates?"
"Well... Some of them do things properly, you know. There are some really terrible ones who don't, so isn't it better to leave them alone?"
She made a slightly surprised face, but Aoi laughed.
"I see, it's about making money."
Murasaki responded, seeming to understand.
"Yeah, yeah, money is important, you know. And, are there any sea caves where hundreds of sea serpents can live safely?"
"Are they all called from there?"
Aoi asked.
"If possible, I'd like to do that."
"I understand. In that case, let's meet my grandfather and ask him various things. I haven't been aware of the recent situation here."
"I see, I appreciate it."
"But really, I don't mind, but it's true that ordinary people might not be able to keep up."
Aoi laughed with great joy.
While smiling at Aoi, who was having fun, I couldn't help but feel a little down.