Episode 109
At last, the day arrived.
In the southern lands of the Demon Realm, there was an old harbor—abandoned long ago but secretly restored. Hidden by layers of magical wards, a single medium-sized sailing ship lay waiting in silence.
“It’s really overwhelming to see this moment!”
Cecile’s face was flushed with excitement.
It was early dawn.
Whoooosh!
Boom! Crash!
Thunder rolled and strong winds lashed the shore, just as on every other day.
“At last… the voyage begins.”
Despite the storm, sailors bustled on deck, tightening ropes and securing sails for the final checks.
Ariella glanced at Cecile and grinned.
“Nervous?”
“A little.”
“It’ll be fine. We’ve prepared long enough.”
She turned to look at the few attendants who had come to see them off.
“Lord Ludwig, Lady Ariella—may your journey be safe and peaceful, and may you return without harm.”
Head butler Grüb bowed with dignity.
“Ke-heh! Don’t worry about the Demon Realm. I’ll guard it well,” Ulken declared with a laugh.
“And I’ll take care of the administration while you’re away,” Richmond added last.
But Ludwig frowned at him.
“Do I really look like that?”
Standing at Ariella’s side, Ludwig stared at Richmond in annoyance.
Richmond’s face was no longer skeletal—it was Ludwig’s.
“Why so upset? Do I look even more handsome than the real Demon King? That would be a problem—people might not tell us apart.”
His words were Richmond’s, but the voice was Ludwig’s. His appearance was the same too: red eyes, black hair against pale skin, even the twin horns on his forehead.
Richmond had transformed perfectly into Ludwig.
“We’re counting on you. If anyone learns Ludwig left his post, it could be dangerous.”
Richmond nodded firmly.
“I’ll wander the territory now and then, just to keep up appearances.”
The farewells didn’t last long.
“Cast off the lines!”
The captain of this ship was, of course, Ariella. No one else could take the role.
With a sharp tug, the ropes fell free, and the great hull slowly pushed forward. Waves curled white foam along its sides.
“Winds, settle down!”
High above the mast, hatchling Pi spread his wings. Like a rooster perched on a pole, he beat the air and shifted the wind.
Instead of slamming into the sails from all directions, the storm’s gusts now pressed steadily from one side, driving the ship forward.
“Not bad! All that practice paid off.”
Pi couldn’t shield the entire ship from the storm, but he could at least control the wind near the sails.
“The enchantments on the ship are working too,” Cecile reported.
Magical circles carved into the hull glowed faintly, stabilizing the vessel and adding propulsion.
Even in the middle of thunder and crashing waves, the ship pressed steadily ahead.
“Good. Everything’s running smoothly.”
At the stern, Ariella brushed back her short, windblown hair.
“Farewell!”
She waved at the attendants still visible on shore, who waved back until they faded from sight. Soon, only the salty smell of open sea surrounded them.
Ludwig crossed his arms, gazing at the horizon, then turned to study Ariella’s profile.
“What are you staring at?” she asked.
“I’m just amazed.”
“At what?”
“That you actually managed to set this ship afloat.”
“You know me—I always finish what I start.”
“Yes… I know. I know very well.”
He didn’t tease her this time. Instead, he watched her quietly, making Ariella feel oddly self-conscious. She turned back to focus on the sails.
The ship picked up speed.
Whooosh!
Boom! Crash!
As before, the sea showed no mercy—wind howled, rain poured, and waves battered them.
Pi’s dragon magic and the ship’s enchantments helped, but not enough to stop the rocking completely.
The waves hit too hard.
“Urgh!”
Even experienced sailors struggled to stay balanced.
“Hold fast! Don’t lose your grip!” Ariella shouted, her voice carrying over the storm.
This time, things went better. The crew didn’t panic like during their first training. Though pale and sick, they held to their posts.
“We won’t sink! We won’t capsize! No one’s dying today! Keep calm!”
Ariella’s sharp black eyes swept over them.
Not as smooth as I’d like… but given the short time, their progress is acceptable.
Still, one thing stood out—the orcs suffered far more than the demons.
“Uuugh!”
One clung desperately to the railing, heaving. At least they weren’t rolling on the deck anymore—that was progress.
Some pressed their foreheads together, muttering prayers.
“Merciful Earth Goddess, please bring me back to land…”
“Ancestors, watch over me…”
“Dark Lord, the sea can’t be trusted—I beg your protection…”
They called on every god they could think of.
“Urgh! I even ate less breakfast today, but it’s still churning in my gut!”
“Liar! You stuffed down three plates of meat before boarding, saying you were nervous!”
“That was just… tasting!”
Ariella didn’t scold them.
“This stormy stretch will pass. They’ll manage until then.”
Floating lightly above the deck with flight magic, Ludwig pointed at the groaning orcs.
“What are they chanting? Is that a song?”
“…?”
He was right. In their terror, the orcs had joined voices, shouting verses like a hymn.
“O lord of stone and soil!”
One sang, the others echoed.
“Guide our feet back to solid earth!”
“Protect us from the black-eyed water spirit!”
“Return us to the mountains’ embrace!”
Even in the chaos, Ariella leaned lazily against the railing, smirking.
“If singing calms them, fine. But those lyrics…”
“They sound desperate,” Ludwig remarked dryly.
Again the orcs cried out:
“Protect us from the black-eyed water spirit…!”
Ariella muttered under her breath.
“Of all lines, why repeat that one? …Managing seasick orcs might be harder than negotiating with the Northern Demon King.”
A few hours later—
“The storm’s gone?”
“The cursed wind has stopped!”
The waves settled, and the ship glided more smoothly.
“Finally!”
Crew members lifted their heads, relief on their faces.
Ariella’s eyes gleamed.
“We’ve found the fast current.”
Ahead, the sea stretched calm and glassy, yet the ship surged forward with unnatural speed.
Pi swooped down from the mast, grinning.
“We don’t need my wind magic anymore, right?”
“Right.”
“Then I’ll scout the skies and mark the islands! That way we can draw a map!”
The golden hatchling shot into the sky, wings flashing in the sunlight.
Beneath his shadow, the sailing ship raced forward, heading into uncharted waters no demon had dared enter for centuries.
Cecile’s Voyage Log
Day 3
We entered the fast current. Weather calmer, though dark without sun. Orc seasickness greatly reduced. Decoction of elven forest herbs eased their symptoms.
Lord Ludwig is extremely bored—since the ship has magical lights and heating, he has nothing to do. Tried to create firework displays in the sky, nearly burned the sail, also singed Pi’s scales. Was scolded harshly by Lady Ariella. Pi swore revenge.
…At first Ludwig seemed cold and intimidating. The more I see him, the more he acts like a child.
Day 5
With seasickness fading, new problems arose—some orcs suffer insomnia and anxiety. They wander the deck at night.
Pi enjoys hunting sea monsters, dragging several each day onto the deck. Lady Ariella praises him, which annoyed Ludwig, who claimed he could do better. He boiled the sea until the ship turned into a sauna. Everyone drenched in sweat. Ariella scolded him again. Almost pitiful now.
Day 8
Orcs show repetitive behaviors. Segutz keeps pacing the same patch of deck at fixed intervals. Lubeltz leans against the railing, then steps away, over and over.
Lady Ariella suspects “stereotypy”—behavior caused by confinement in a limited space after living in wide lands.
One orc cried, saying he missed the smell of earth and grass.
“They’re just weak-willed!” Ludwig grumbled, but Ariella looked worried. She decided that if things worsen, we’ll stop at an island or coast before reaching the North.
Splash!
The lanterns were dark in the lower cabins. In the shadows, the young orcs gathered.
“…If this continues, I’ll go mad,” one whispered. His cheeks were gaunt, shadows heavy under his eyes.
“No matter the training, the sea isn’t land. We’re children of the mountains.”
Others muttered in agreement.
“This whole voyage is a gamble. None of them have sailed this ocean before!”
“We’re following some ancient map of unknown accuracy. What if it’s wrong?”
“Then we all drown.”
One spoke more boldly.
“We’re stronger than demons. If ten of us take the deck at night and seize the helm—”
Their eyes glimmered at the thought.
But another cut in.
“And then? The Demon King himself is on board. Can you fight his fire?”
Even if they turned the ship, what then? Return home and explain to the chief that they abandoned the mission?
“We’d all be punished.”
The young orc bit his lip in frustration.
They exchanged uneasy glances.
“…Let’s just sleep.”
One by one, shoulders slumped, they left for their hammocks.
Cecile’s Voyage Log
Day 10
The ship came under attack for the first time… (details omitted).
