Aruhi no Oujisama: Douglas
These are the memories of a certain prince shown in the Dream Stone…-
~Flash of Light~
…
……
I smelled salty air, and opened my eyes to find myself aboard a large ship.
The blue sky and clear sea spread out around me, and I could see land a short distance away.
It's so beautiful…but, what is this ship…?
I wondered that as I walked around the deck, when…-.
??: "Alright you lot, I can just about see the bay!"
Sailor 1: "Aye-aye sir! Prepare to come along side-!"
At a brief word from the man standing at the prow of the ship, the sailors hurriedly went about their work.
At that time, one of the sailors rushed from the cabin…
Sailor 1: "Captain Douglas! The navigation's officer wants to talk to you about the bay- He'd like you to come into the cabin-!"
Douglas: "Alright, I'm on my way-! …we're just a little ways out, so I can leave the rest to you right?"
Sailor 1: "No problem Boss!"
Douglas: "Good. I'm counting on you!"
The man called Captain Douglas turned towards the cabin, and the sailors hurried about their jobs.
They called him 'Captain' but…is he the prince these memories are from? Ah, but they called him 'Boss' too right? And we're on a boat so…
A bunch of questions filled my head, and I walked around the deck for a little longer.
Then, I heard the sailors chattering as they went about their work.
Sailor 1: "Ya know, the treasure this time is the gold hidden by a legendary pirate."
Sailor 3: "Yeah. I don't know if this bay is the one where it's said to be hidden though. Well, with Captain Douglas here, we'll find it for sure…-"
Douglas: "Hey you lot! Don't just stand there talking, get back to work!"
Sailor 3: "Ueh!? C-Captain? You came back quick…"
Douglas: "Haha! What, did I scare you? Well, I was just kidding. I know you guys always work hard."
The man called Douglas smiled as he spoke, then headed back to the prow of the ship.
The other sailors watched him go with respect in their eyes…-.
~Flash of Light~
…
……
Navi: "It seems this time we're viewing the memories of Prince Douglas, Prince of Ancula in the Country of Pirate."
Medi: "P-pirates!? You mean the ones who steal treasure and attack villages!?"
OO: "Hmmm. But they didn't seem like those kind of people…"
Avi: "Yeah, and Douglas seems like the kinda guy who's idolized by his underlings."
Navi: "Indeed. When you think of pirates, it always brings up negative images but… I've heard Ancula mainly manages thieves and maintains public order on land and at sea."
Medi: "It's like they're allies of justice!!"
Luke: "Even though they're called pirates, there are many ways to look at the name."
Navi: "Everyone…I sense a Dream Eater…"
~Dream Eaters appear~
Avi: "Geez…these guys are the real baddies huh."
Medi: "Indeed. I shall punish you with magnificence!"
~Battle~
Avi: "…phew, that should be the last of them."
Medi: "Haha. You're ten thousand years too early to defeat me!"
Luke: "That's an unreasonable number of years…"
OO: "Ah, everyone! The Dream Stone…"
~Flash of Light~
Navi: "It's the next memory. Let's see what happens next."
~Flash of Light~
…
……
As the ship slowly makes its way forward, Prince Douglas stands on the deck and stares out at the calm seas.
Then…
Douglas: "Oh, if it isn't Sarasa!"
Eh…?
I followed Prince Douglas' gaze as he shouted at the surface of the sea and…
A-a person!? Are they drowning?
I panicked as Douglas used a practiced hand to throw a life ring attached to a rope out onto the surface of the water.
Then after the person called Sarasa had grabbed onto the ring, Douglas pulled him up onto the deck with one tug.
Douglas: "…well, Sarasa, long time no see."
Sarasa: "Yes, it's been a while."
Eh…!?
As I looked at the man in front of me, I was at a loss for words.
His upper half was of a human, but his lower half was a fish.
He was like the Mermaid Princess I'd heard about in fairy tales.
Douglas: "You seem to be doing well. How's your family?"
Sarasa: "I am, but…why are you interested in my family…?"
Douglas: "Huh? Well we're friends…ah, maybe it's too soon for that, and I've never met your family. Well, it's natural to worry
about the family of someone you're on good terms with right? And besides, your sisters are exceptionally beautiful. There's no way I wouldn't be interested, and I'd like to meet them some time."
Sarasa: "…my sisters hate humans…so I don't think you'll be able to meet them."
Douglas: "Haha, yeah? That's too bad. Ah…but you're not scared of me are you? Though you were pretty cautious when we'd just met…"
Sarasa: "…you aren't that scary."
Douglas: "Huh…?"
Sarasa: "…? Why are you surprised?"
Douglas: "Ah, sorry…just hearing you say it…"
Prince Douglas looks kind of glad…
Douglas:" …I know! Sarasa, how 'bout taking it easy for a bit today? I recently stocked up on some really good alcohol in port. You want to drink with me and swap stories again?"
Sarasa: "Yeah, sure."
Douglas: "Alright. Just wait right there and I'll get it."
Prince Douglas quickly headed off to the cabin.
During that time, Sarasa looked curiously about the deck of the ship…-.
~Flash of Light~
…
……
Navi: "The person with Douglas this time is Prince Sarasa, the prince of Lorelei in the Mermaid Country."
Avi: "So that guy's a prince too. Though I'm surprised he's a mermaid…"
Medi: "Aah, I'd like to see his sisters…!"
Luke: "I was also surprised at his mermaid form, but I'm even more surprised there's a country of them under the sea. People that live in the ocean…I'm quite curious as to how they run their country."
Avi: "Yeah me too…hm? That light over there…"
~Flash of Light~
OO: "The Dream Stone."
Navi: "Yes, let us see what happens next!"
~Flash of Light~
Aboard the ship, Prince Douglas and Prince Sarasa are having a good time as they talk.
The sea is as calm as before, and the area is wrapped in a gentle atmosphere.
They really look like they're having fun.
Then…
??: "…heeeey!"
Douglas: "…hm? That voice…"
Sarasa: "It's Corail. He's over there…"
Corail: "Sarasa-! Douglas-! Let me join in the fun too~!"
Douglas: "Alright! Just hold on-!"
Just like before, Douglas threw the life ring out to the person waving their hands on the surface of the water.
Then the person called Corail broke into a huge grin as he smiled at Douglas and Sarasa.
Corail: "Thanks Douglas! I saw the two of you on the deck of the ship and I couldn't help myself."
Douglas: "Haha, I see. Well you're welcome here any time."
Corail: "Really? Then maybe I'll just come and hang out every day~[music note] …ah, right! Guess what! I saw something really amazing on the bottom of the ocean!"
Douglas: "Hm? Something amazing?"
Corail: "Yeah! It was a ship that moved under water! Isn’t that amazing!?"
Sarasa: "I saw it too. I wonder what it was. Douglas…do you know?"
Douglas: "Yeah, it's called a submarine. There's actually a small one aboard this ship."
Corail: "Really!? Hey, does that mean if they use a submarine, I can show the humans the beautiful coral up close?"
Douglas: "Yeah…I suppose so."
…? Prince Douglas looks kind of troubled. I wonder why.
Corail: "Alright~! Submarines are so nice. I wish my country had one too~!"
Douglas: "…Corail."
Corail: "…? Douglas, why do you look so serious?"
Douglas: "…there are lots of different kinds of humans."
Corail: "Eh…? What do you mean?"
Douglas: "Frankly, there are bad guys out there who would want to use the coral for making money…It's unfortunate, but I've caught quite a few like that. That's why I can't easily approve the use of submarines."
Corail: "…oh. I guess that makes sense… But you know, Douglas, even so, I…-"
~Flash of Light~
…
……
Medi: "Wha…that's the end of this amazing thing!?"
Luke: "Navi, Corail just now is a prince too right?"
Navi: "Yes. He's the prince of Coralia in the Country of Coral. From what I've heard, they are very pure people and have good connections with humans…"
Avi: "Connections with humans…I see. So that's why he didn't seem to fully agree with what Douglas said."
OO: "Yeah. But to think there are people out there who would want the coral just to make money…"
Avi: "I don't think there'd be a problem if it was a respectable business but…it doesn't seem that way based on how Douglas talked about it."
Navi: "Yes, it's quite unfortunate…Prince Douglas protects the seas from people like that though."
Luke: "I see…I wonder if that's why people like Prince Sarasa follow him. Prince Douglas probably feels very strongly about the ocean, deep in his heart."
OO: "Yes, I think so too."
~Dream Eaters Appear~
Medi: "Oh come on. Seems there are bad guys appearing everywhere."
Avi: "Everyone, we'll protect this place to the end, without fail!"
~Battle~
Luke: "Seems like they're all gone now."
Navi: "Ah, that light is…"
~Flash of Light~
OO: "The continuation of Prince Douglas' memories."
Avi: "Yeah, let's hurry and see."
~Flash of Light~
…
……
I slowly opened my eyes and saw Prince Douglas standing alone on the deck of the ship, looking out at the sea.
Did something happen? He looks sad…
In that moment, with a pained look on his face, the image of him trying to persuade Prince Corail about the dangerous humans who would want to use his coral passed through my mind.
Douglas: "…"
Prince Douglas stared out at the sea, his face falling into further sadness.
At that time…
Douglas: "…hm? Bonita, what's wrong?"
A monkey…Bonita ran up onto his shoulder and looked him straight in the eye. Then it rubbed it's cheek against Douglas, as if trying to comfort his aching heart.
Douglas: "Bonita…thanks. You were worried about me."
As Prince Douglas smiled gently, he stroked Bonita as it sat on his shoulder. Bonita made a sound of pleasure, and playfully bit his finger.
Douglas: "…hey, Bonita."
Prince Douglas turned his gaze away from spoiling Bonita on his shoulder and back out to the sea, then spoke so quietly it was as if the sound of the waves would drown it out.
Douglas: "I want to protect this beautiful sea. The sea that my old man and my mother love, the one everyone loves…"
~Flash of Light~
…
……
Medi: "Was that monkey also the prince of another country?"
Navi: "N-no. That is Prince Douglas' pet, not a … also, that monkey was a female."
Avi: "Still, it seems like the troubles of a prince go on forever, no matter the country."
Luke:" You're right. Prince Douglas wants to protect not only the surface of the ocean where he lives, but also everything in the ocean. I think it's a very wonderful ideal. But I wonder if maybe that's too much of a burden…"
OO: "It's possible that Bonita is the only one Prince Douglas opens up to."
Avi: "Yeah. And Bonita seems really attached to him too."
OO: "You're right…ah."
~Flash of Light~
Medi: "The Dream Stone."
Luke: "I wonder what the next memory will be…"
~Flash of Light~
I opened my eyes, and saw Prince Douglas looking down at a map on a desk with a troubled expression on his face.
Is this…the cabin?
I looked around the room, which was larger and more gorgeously decorated than I'd have expected from a room on a ship, and there were stacks of books and maps everywhere.
Douglas: "Damn, is this the only clue…?"
Prince Douglas muttered and let out a sigh, then the door flew open. I turned around in surprise and saw a sailor, his cheeks flushed.
Sailor: "Captain Douglas! We've just heard about the western port city, there's someone there who is selling what seems like plausible information!"
Douglas: "What!? … that's just what I wanted to hear!"
Prince Douglas' expression instantly turned around, and he smiled with unrestrained joy.
Douglas: "Alright, set a course for port. Tell the others!"
Sailor: "Yessir!"
The sailor left Prince Douglas' room in a hurry.
Douglas: "I haven't been there in a while…"
After Prince Douglas had watched the sailor go, he gently lifted up Bonita who had been sitting on the desk.
Douglas: "Right Bonita? It'd be nice if we could find it this time."
…what kind of information are Prince Douglas and his sailors collecting?
Douglas: "…well, since we'll have the chance…it's been a while, maybe I'll go see Mother."
Eh…?
~Flash of Light~
…
……
Luke: "I wonder what kind of information Prince Douglas is looking for?"
Avi: "Well he's a pirate, so it's probably about treasure right?"
Medi: "If that's true, what kind of treasure is it? I can't help but be curious!"
OO: "Me too. Though I'm more interested in the last thing Douglas said…"
Luke: "Now that you mention it, he said something about…going to see his mother after a long time didn't he. That means his mother doesn't sail on the ship too. And what about his father…?"
Navi: "About that…Prince Douglas' father passed away in an accident at sea. And his mother…Her Majesty, the Queen of Ancula, governs the country as far as the land."
Luke: "As far as the land…"
Navi: "Yes. Ancula's domain is made up of the land and Prince Douglas' pirate ship."
Avi: "So that's how it is… ……"
OO: "Avi?"
Avi: "Ah, sorry. It's nothing. Just…I was thinking about how Douglas had lost someone important to him too …you know."
Luke: "Avi…"
Navi: "…! This presence is…"
~Dream eaters appear~
Avi: "Tch…guess they won't give us time to get wrapped up in sentiment."
Luke: "Here they come everyone!"
~Battle~
Medi: "Honey, are you alright?"
OO: "Yes, I'm fine."
Avi: "We are too."
Navi: "Everyone, the Dream Stone…!"
~Flash of Light~
Navi: "This is Prince Douglas' final memory…I wonder what it'll be about."
OO: "Yeah, let's hurry and see."
~Flash of Light~
…
……
Prince Douglas sat in a corner of a restaurant, speaking with a woman wearing an apron.
It seemed Prince Douglas had reserved the whole area as there were no other customers or staff.
Douglas: "…I see, so that's all the information. To be frank, I don't have high hopes for this."
Woman: "Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't be more help…"
Douglas: "It's not a problem. I didn't think getting my hands on it would be that simple. … now then, I'll be heading back to my ship."
Woman: "Alright. Feel free to contact me again if you need anything."
…
……
Douglas: "Haaa…"
I didn't know how many times Douglas had sighed like that as he walked on the beach.
Prince Douglas had acted like it wasn't a big deal before, but I bet it was actually a shock…
Douglas: "I didn't think it'd be easy to lay my hands on…"
I watched Prince Douglas as he tried to convince himself of that, and it made my chest ache.
Douglas: "… … …well, I'll go pay my respects to the Queen and then go back to my ship."
Bonita made a small sound as if trying to comfort Prince Douglas as he smiled sadly. He patted Bonita on her head, then turned towards where I stood.
Douglas: "… … … …I wonder why."
Eh……?
Douglas: "Even though I tell myself I didn't think it'd be easy… I feel like I'm sure to find it soon……I wonder why I'm thinking that."
Prince Douglas spoke quietly as he looked at the beautiful sea spread out behind me…then after a little while, he turned on his heal and started walking back towards the center of town…-.
~Flash of Light~
…
……
Navi: "Prince Douglas seemed to be depressed didn't he…"
Luke: "I agree. I'm sure he'd have been more pleased if he'd gotten better information…"
Medi: "But I wonder what 'it' is that Prince Douglas was talking about."
Avi: "From what he said, it sounds like something that's hard to get…"
Luke: "Yeah. I hope…he can find it."
OO: "Me too. I'm sure he will, some day…"
The memories of the prince we'd seen this day…-.
They were the memories of an incredibly chivalrous prince who loved the beautiful sea and the many people who lived there…-.
END