Chapter 32
When I first awakened the power of water—
I awakened to the sensation of water flowing across my body. I could perceive everything around me, and the world I saw was completely different.
But for a long while after that, I was busy just dumping it out recklessly, relying only on brute force. It was like pouring out a whole bucket of water just to fill a cup.
I couldn’t go on wasting such overflowing power so inefficiently. After countless repetitions, I came to realize one simple truth.
Water flows.
And that flow could be changed by me. Not only direction and pressure, but also form, density—everything could be freely controlled.
Only then did I awaken to the sensation of moving together with water.
“Kanoue, be careful not to fall.”
“I’ll be fine as long as Ian’s holding me tight!”
Ian’s eyes narrowed sharply. Wind began to coil around us.
I raised my hand, where water energy had gathered at my fingertips. Then, like drawing out a thread, I spun a thin, delicate stream of water and gently wrapped it around his wind.
Water and wind overlapped, instantly tangling together like a swirling vortex.
Kwaaaang!
One, two—
The monster octopus’s tentacles were severed one by one, plunging into the sea.
The tremendous shock shook the ship’s hull, but I glided softly over the surface, dispersing the impact with the flow of water.
“Did we… beat it?”
The words had barely left his lips when the limp octopus twitched.
“……Not yet.”
Ian summoned a storm, whipping up a gale fiercer than before. Where his energy met my stream of water, it became sharper, yet smoother.
“Now!”
He thrust out his hand, and I timed it perfectly, weaving water’s flow into his wind.
Pupupupung!
With a colossal crash, the remaining tentacles were blown to pieces.
Only the body was left. The octopus shrieked and thrashed violently. Its blood-red eyes gleamed in one last desperate struggle.
“At midnight, you’re noisy enough to wake the dead.”
I gathered the last of my strength at my fingertips. The current coiled sharp and fast, piercing straight through the octopus’s eyes. The raging storm of wind subsided into calm.
In an instant, the world fell silent, as though holding its breath.
“……”
Moonlight spilled softly across the sea heavy with darkness. The fierce battle just moments ago felt unreal, with only the sound of gentle waves and ropes swaying on the mast filling the air.
As if nothing had happened.
If not for the grotesque octopus tentacles drifting nearby, who would believe chaos had broken out just now?
“…I wonder if it’s edible.”
The dream from earlier resurfaced as I glanced at the tentacles, then looked toward Ian. He avoided my gaze, his face making it clear he had no appetite for it.
“…Kanoue. There are tastier things in the sea.”
“Haam, sis, you’re like jelly. You’ll eat anything.”
Lucas yawned loudly beside me. Jelly, who had been watching with sparkling eyes, puffed up its cheeks indignantly.
“Humans really don’t know how to eat, do they.”
Sorry, Jelly. I wasn’t planning to eat it either. I’ll save the tentacles and give them to you as a snack later.
“Now we can finally sleep, maybe—”
As I turned my head, I caught sight of the ship’s condition. The sails were in tatters, the railing was broken in places, and the deck was bent out of shape.
In the silence that followed, our eyes met.
“……”
“……”
“…Guess it was just a dream? I’m going back to bed.”
Lucas bolted straight into the cabin. At least the cabin was still intact, so maybe that’s a blessing…
“My poor ship! Do you know how hard I worked to get it?”
Ian came over and draped a blanket around my shoulders where I sat slumped on the floor.
“That’s how it goes. Life on a ship is always unpredictable.”
“We’ll have to handle the repairs after some rest…”
“Shall we work that well-rested Lucas a little?”
“I do feel guilty, but if you’re my accomplice, I guess it’s not so bad.”
He chuckled softly.
“All right then. I’ll be your accomplice.”
And just like that, Lucas got saddled with new chores he didn’t even know about yet. I could already picture him grumbling about being the only one worked to the bone. But what could I do? I was the captain of this ship.
I let out a big yawn and pulled the blanket tighter. Sleepiness was washing over me. Just as I was about to head into the cabin, ending the midnight chaos—
“Help! Please, help!”
A faint cry carried on the wind. I ignored it. There was no way anyone would be here in this sea.
But then—
“P-please, help me!”
This time, the voice was clearer. A desperate plea cutting across the water.
“……”
I was tired. Exhausted. Getting tangled up with strangers could only mean trouble.
Who knew if that person was a pirate, a navy soldier, or someone who’d turn me in for a bounty?
So, I should ignore it.
I steeled my heart and turned away.
“One more skeleton added to the sea.”
His words made my head whip back before I knew it. Ian’s face was calm as ever. His voice was detached, reciting fact:
“I told you, didn’t I? In this sea, even the screams of the dead sink without a trace. Soon, that voice won’t be heard either.”
He tilted his head slightly, meeting my eyes. I held his gaze.
“……”
For some reason, his words struck sharply, sinking deep into my chest. In the end, it was me who lifted my hand. With a sigh, I shot him a glare.
“You’re insufferable.”
Always pushing the choice and responsibility onto me.
With a playful smile, he tilted his chin.
“I can be your accomplice, but…”
Through his loose bangs, his steady eyes quietly locked onto me.
“…You’re the captain of this ship, Kanoue.”
* * *
Anselro Obon
65 years old, male.
Lives on Muia Island, works as a fisherman.
Has a minor ability: he can sense where fish are under the sea.
He uses it to live peacefully as a fisherman. But one day, a mysterious group attacked him. He doesn’t know if they were pirates or not, but they chased him obsessively, threatening his life.
In desperation, he thought the “Silent Sea” might be safe since no one would pursue him there. He managed to shake them off—but then a monster octopus attacked, leading to his rescue by us.
“I see. All right, your testimony seems consistent enough.”
Must be his professional habit.
Ian had thoroughly wrung every bit of information out of Anselro, who, upon regaining consciousness after last night’s rescue, was promptly interrogated.
“Oh dear, I was stuck on that monster octopus’s suction cups, struggling so hard…”
The old man dabbed his eyes with his wrinkled hands. Even under Ian’s relentless questioning, he kept thanking us profusely.
“But you know… you all look familiar.”
Anselro narrowed his eyes. Muttering about his poor vision, he leaned closer, then his face lit up with sudden realization.
“Ah! I know! You’re the ones from those wanted posters!”
Jelly, perched on my shoulder, asked quietly,
“Master, should I knock him out?”
…This jellyfish has learned to punch first and ask questions later far too quickly. I gave a small shake of my head.
“Yes, you’re right, elder.”
Before I could say anything, Ian spoke first. His tone was polite but carried an unmistakable weight.
“But we don’t want to cause you any trouble. If you’d prefer to settle things quietly, it would be best to overlook minor details.”
His faint smile and unwavering gaze pressed silently like a heavy hand.
“Remember your benefactors—but as for unnecessary memories… best bury them, for both our sakes.”
“Ah…”
Anselro’s eyes wavered.
No wonder—how could he not be shaken? The very people who had saved his life last night turned out to be fugitives!
Unless you were some happy-go-lucky pirate boy, you’d be floored.
“So it’s true then—the rumor that you threw away the whole world for a single love…!”
“……”
Damn it. Just what kinds of rumors were spreading about us? I forced a stiff smile, pretending not to hear.
“Ahh, you young ones… making an old man cry…”
Anselro wiped his eyes again, like a dried-up eel wringing out the last drops. Then suddenly, he grabbed Ian’s arm.
“I swear, I’ll never tell anyone I saw you two here. I swear on my name. That much, I owe my saviors.”
His deeply rooted misunderstanding had now turned into a tearful vow.
I wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or exasperated, so I just smiled awkwardly.
“But young man, you’ve done well—as a man. To throw everything away for such a beautiful lover. Not everyone could.”
“I think so too.”
Ian smiled lightly and dipped his head. I stared at him in stunned silence.
“I believe it’s the best decision of my life.”
This man—his acting keeps getting better by the day.
