As the massive warship loomed ever closer, Lily rowed the tiny skiff at full speed, carrying Sager swiftly away from the harbor.
Colonel Rat might have been present, but his ship wasn't docked—perhaps as a precaution against the unexpected. Now that the unexpected had occurred, however, the warship was free to sail straight in and open fire on the port.
"Hey, this has nothing to do with you," Sager said with a frown. "Why are you heading out to sea?"
This girl was a princess. With the king dead, she was technically the next in line for the throne. What the hell was she doing sailing off at a time like this?
Lily pursed her lips, her tone firm and unwavering. "I killed a Navy colonel—I'll be wanted too. And besides… I won't let you carry this burden alone."
She turned to face him, eyes full of resolve. "It started because of me. I refuse to let you take the fall by yourself. If there's a bounty to be had, I'll share it. I'm going with you. I know how to navigate—I can read maps, plot courses. I'm a navigator. From now on… please take care of me!"
Sager blinked. "A navigator?"
The sea was fickle—weather could shift in an instant. If you didn't understand the sky or how to read the wind, your ship could capsize without warning.
CRACK—BOOM!
Thunder crashed overhead. Beneath dark clouds, a violent storm raged—but just beyond its reach, the waters were calm. A small boat floated peacefully, untouched by the chaos.
After narrowly escaping the bombardment, they'd drifted here.
Sager pulled a face as he turned to Lily, who was now peering curiously over the side, eyes wide with wonder. She looked like someone seeing the ocean for the first time.
"…You really are a navigator, huh."
She was a princess, raised in a palace, likely never allowed past the castle gates—and yet when they set sail, she'd correctly gauged the wind and pointed out the storm's path just by reading the clouds. She'd helped them avoid disaster entirely.
So… she actually knew her stuff.
Lily beamed at the comment. "I've read a ton of books on navigation! Ever since I was little, I've dreamed of becoming a navigator."
But as soon as she said it, her expression flickered. Her eyes grew distant, as if a long-lost memory had flashed behind them.
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
A very young Lily sat on someone's strong arm, gazing out the window at the endless blue sea. Her tiny face lit up with laughter.
"You want to sail the seas? That's wonderful. But you'll need to study first. Start learning now—if you do, I know you'll become an exceptional navigator someday."
…Whose arm had that been?
She couldn't remember.
Lily shook her head, chasing away the fragments of the past. She straightened, her voice full of certainty. "I haven't had much hands-on experience, true—but I've mastered the theory. I'll make sure you never lose your way."
Then she stood, making the little boat rock wildly, and drew the ornate rapier at her hip.
"I'm also a swordswoman. I can handle myself—I won't slow you down!"
Sager raised an eyebrow at the elegant girl and couldn't help the smirk tugging at his lips. "You seem pretty excited about this."
"I—I'm not excited!" she protested quickly.
But her flushed cheeks betrayed her. She quickly composed herself, gripped the oars with purpose, and took a deep breath.
"I just… find the idea of adventuring at sea a little interesting. That's all."
Her eyes sparkled like stars. Sager chuckled inwardly.
Yeah. He could imagine it. A girl raised like a bird in a golden cage, never allowed to make friends, never free to see the world—of course she'd crave something more.
The people of the Kingdom of Eucot had finally been liberated. The oppression hadn't ended entirely, but at least now they had the means to fight back. That must have given her some peace.
And honestly, whether she killed that colonel or not, it didn't matter. Even if she returned and claimed the throne, she'd be nothing more than a puppet of the nobles. In that sense, heading out to sea was probably her only real choice.
She'd trained in navigation… and swordsmanship.
If she were truly meant to live as a pampered canary, why would she need to wield a blade?
Sager knew well—elite Navy training involved combat arts, including swordplay. Her style reeked of one man's instruction.
Ennio.
That damned dead father of his—had he planned even this far ahead?
Sager sat cross-legged in the boat, resting his chin on his hand. "Honestly… I do need a navigator."
Anyone who could read maps or predict the weather was a precious resource at sea. Even someone with just the basics would be worth their weight in gold.
Otherwise, he'd be flying blind the moment they left shore—relying only on the sun for direction, just like a fool.
His words made Lily's eyes light up.
But before she could speak, Sager raised a hand. "Hold on. There's something I need to make clear. If you can't accept it, we part ways now."
"First off—I'm not out here playing pirates like it's some kids' game. I'm becoming a pirate for real. To me, piracy is a job. A profession. And I'm very professional. Whatever pirates do, I'll do. You okay with that?"
They'd stirred up enough trouble in Eucot. If he didn't end up with a bounty on his head, that would've been the real surprise. His plans to become a bounty hunter had gone up in smoke. So the next best career path?
Pirate.
"And by that, I mean everything pirates do," he added. "Burning, looting, pillaging—I'll do it all."
"I understand. That is what pirates do," Lily said calmly, locking eyes with him. "I'm ready."
Sager frowned. "Why, though?"
"Because you said you don't care about poor people," Lily replied solemnly.
Sager stared at her for a moment… then burst out laughing. "That's true, I did say that…"
He pulled out the tin flask strapped to his belt, took a swig, then tossed it to the golden-haired girl across from him.
Lily didn't hesitate. She caught the flask and downed a gulp, coughing a little as the sharp burn hit her throat and brought color to her cheeks—but she forced it down, wiped her lips, and looked him square in the eye.
"Lily Beondetta. Your navigator."
To their right: storm clouds and howling winds.
To their left: clear skies and peaceful waves.
And in between, two outcasts in a tiny boat, smiling at each other.
A pirate crew of two… was born.
"Right! Time for the master plan!" Sager said, fired up.
"First, we recruit a whole bunch of crewmates. Then we rob people until we build up enough capital. Next, we find an island and make it our base. Eventually, we build up enough power and wealth… to fulfill my ultimate dream—becoming a filthy rich landowner. Any objections?"
"I do have one," Lily raised her hand.
"…Before we chase your 'great dream,' shouldn't we find, you know, an actual ship to sail and rob people with?"
This canoe wasn't going to rob anyone. It could barely survive a single wave.
"And also…"
Grumble…
Her stomach let out a loud growl. Face flushing, Lily looked down, then quickly straightened again.
Maybe it was the thrill of joining a pirate crew. Or maybe it was the shared sip of alcohol that gave her courage. Either way, she shed her royal manners and said it plainly:
"…I'm hungry."
This canoe couldn't sail far, couldn't rob anyone—and didn't even have food.
(End of Chapter)