Chapter 09
The girl pulled out wine from that small shelf again. It was amazing how something seemed to endlessly appear from that tiny space.
Clink.
She poured it into the glass as if it were nothing.
“Enjoy your meal.”
Without a prayer, she picked up her fork immediately. Not a noble, perhaps? Philip instinctively took the outer fork first.
They continued their meal quietly, and the girl glanced at him from time to time.
“Were you a noble?”
Not wanting to hesitate and risk getting scolded, he replied immediately.
“Yes.”
“No wonder you use a fork properly.”
“My father was the lord of Hebon.”
“Hebon? Then that would be Count Girion’s territory. But how did…? Ah, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
She spoke casually, sipping her wine. Philip hesitated, then took a sip as well.
It felt strangely unreal. As if he had entered another world, or maybe he had died at the pier and was dreaming.
His guard slowly lowered, and Philip spoke.
“Five years ago, pirates attacked Hebon. We asked the count for help, but he refused. Of course, he didn’t do absolutely nothing. He went to the temple to paint a picture for Hebon’s victory. While the painting was being completed, my father and the villagers tried to fend off the pirates.”
“…Insane.”
The girl sighed and drank.
“My father never gave up, asking the count for support daily. Fortunately, after a month, Count Girion led knights down and drove the pirates away.”
“At least he eventually came.”
Philip gave a bitter smile.
“Yes. But for dragging pirates into our land, he executed my father and turned my mother, myself, and our household into slaves.”
A heavy silence fell over the table.
The red sunset had turned violet.
“I told you because you seemed curious, but I think I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“I thought it might make you uncomfortable.”
“No, I’m not uncomfortable. It’s just…”
“…Everything feels utterly disgusting all over again.”
Clink—
The sound of wine pouring broke the silence.
“Want another glass?”
Philip nodded.
“What’s your name?”
“Philip.”
“And your family name?”
“…I abandoned it.”
“Same as me.”
“How should I address you?”
The girl recoiled, looking like she had seen a ghost.
“Address me formally…! I clearly look younger than you! You should speak casually too. It’s weird if only I speak informally.”
“This is fine for me.”
“…Do as you like.”
“Can’t you just tell me your name?”
After a moment’s hesitation, she lifted her head. Her pale violet eyes seemed to reflect his face.
She hesitated, then quietly said her name.
“…Laila.”
The night sky was full of stars.
The dark sea, black sky, and sparkling stardust were breathtaking. Simply gazing at it cleared Philip’s mind.
Splash, splash—
Even the sound of the waves hitting the ship was peaceful.
The cozy comfort far surpassed lying on a small, chicken-coop-like bed.
Even though the sea beneath the ship teemed with monsters, he felt no fear.
Philip turned to look at Laila lying beside him. Even in darkness, her glowing eyes and smooth face were clear.
She blinked, staring at the sky as if waiting for something.
He wanted to ask so many things, but could not. Everything felt delicate in her presence.
Then, a green light washed over the deck. The ship rocked with a sudden surge.
“What is that?”
Laila leapt up and clung to the railing.
“It’s Mamel! Philip, come see.”
Laila’s bright smile reflected in Philip’s eyes. A mysterious green glow shimmered above her face.
Philip approached the railing. A massive Mamel rose from the sea.
“We had animals like that where I was. We called them whales. They didn’t glow like Mamel, though.”
She spoke in an unknown language, smiling faintly. The emptiness in her face seemed to vanish.
“Beautiful.”
“Yes, it is.”
The sea shimmered emerald green as the enormous Mamel glided alongside the ship, showering them in radiant light.
Philip was mesmerized. For the first time, the vague idea of freedom felt tangible.
Summoning courage, he spoke.
“Lady Laila.”
“Hm?”
‘Who are you?’
But meeting her clear, unwavering gaze, he couldn’t speak.
“…Why did you take me aboard your ship?”
Laila blinked, startled. Her expression seemed as if she were staring at an unparalleled scoundrel, and Philip flinched.
“Of course. How could I pretend not to see?”
“Most people would look away.”
“Perhaps I’m not most people.”
She seemed about to continue speaking but fell silent.
“Then… who are you?”
“Who I am?”
“I’ve never seen anyone use magic like you. I hear even the Belliana royals aren’t this skilled. And you have purple eyes, not green like the royals.”
She flinched. Philip realized he might have asked too much and went silent.
“To be honest, I don’t fully know who I am either. But I have no complaints. I can do anything I want, and also…”
She trailed off, glanced at the sea, and smiled faintly.
‘Why am I telling you this?’
She leaned on the railing, staring endlessly at the ocean. What was she thinking?
“I envy you, Lady Laila.”
“Envy me?”
“Yes. You said you could do anything you wanted.”
She turned toward him, a slight smirk on one side of her lips.
“If you could do anything, what would you want?”
Philip looked back at the sea. The dreamlike panorama filled his eyes.
The ocean shimmered like fresh grass, Mamel swam below, the indigo horizon stretched beyond, and scattered white gems dotted the sky.
For the first time, he saw a world he’d never known and spoke.
“I want to change the world.”
Laila chuckled softly. Though it might have sounded like mockery, Philip’s face held a happiness she had never seen before.
Suddenly, she raised her hand, holding up three fingers.
“Alright. I’ll help. Tell me three wishes.”
Her delicate fingers appeared in Philip’s eyes.
Could he really build the world he had dreamed of with his father?
Meeting this girl today… maybe it was fate.
Maybe… it really was possible.
An unknown hope swirled in Philip’s heart.
“I wish there was a bank that could lend a million gold.”
He expected her to dismiss it as absurd, but she nodded silently.
“And then?”
“The Marjestone mine owned by Count Girion. I want it.”
“Ah, the mine in the Hebon mountains. They say it’s full of monsters and hard to mine?”
“Yes. That’s why no one trades it. It may be the only unmined Marjestone mine on the continent.”
“What will you do with it?”
Philip didn’t answer.
“Anyway, that’s your second wish?”
She seemed indifferent.
“And the third?”
“To save Rosaline.”
Rosaline had been a fellow slave at Count Girion’s estate.
They had planned to escape together and meet at the pier, but she didn’t come. Instead, a slave hunter from the Girion family came looking for him.
He could imagine her fate.
Of all three wishes, this last one was the most desperate for Philip.
Finally, after speaking his three wishes, Laila’s expression brightened.
“Easy! But the bank and mine will take some time. You can’t just conjure those instantly. They’re social arrangements.”
“I can wait as long as needed.”
“It won’t take long. About a week. First, let’s go save Rosaline. Where is she?”
“Can we go now?”
“Yes, of course.”
Laila smirked arrogantly. Though she looked at least ten years younger, her proud demeanor made Philip laugh.
She stared intently at his slave mark.
“I just want to help with this. Is that okay?”
Philip watched her hand reach his face, and when the soft touch brushed his cheek, he closed his eyes instinctively.
He nodded slightly.
A cool sensation spread across his face. A strange, refreshing feeling swept over his neck, arms, chest, abdomen, and legs.
“This is healing. Not harassment.”
She lowered her gaze, looking troubled.
Philip wanted to thank her but found his throat blocked. He never said it aloud.
Under her touch, he felt as if time and space itself were distorted.
This must be because of the girl in front of him.
He tried to think more about her identity but stopped.
‘You’ve always wanted to change things.’
He didn’t want to doubt this lucky encounter.
