Ch. 1: The Prince of the Ghost Ship
Kingdom of Ancula in the Land of Pirates, Month of White...-
The ocean of Ancula gently ebbed and flowed under the dazzling sunlight…
On the glittering sandy beach, I saw another light that outshone the brilliance of the sand and stopped.
A ring…!
Reflecting the sunlight in such a way that it seemed to sparkle with its own inner light, I clasped the ring in front of my chest.
And then…
OO: "…!"
There was a momentary flash before the blinding light winked out.
??: "Hn…"
A man with an imposing physique appeared and slowly sat up.
OO: "Um, are you alright?"
He still seemed a little dazed, and I peered into his face.
OO: "Ah…"
His purple eyes had a strange appeal to them and I found myself leaning in closer.
Such strong…sad eyes.
I stood there for a moment staring…
??: "N…ha…where am I…? My ship…"
His voice was husky as if it hadn’t been used in a while.
OO: "Um…are you alright?"
As I asked again, he stared at me in surprise.
Then, he grabbed onto my arm.
! So strong…
He grabbed me with such force that I almost couldn’t believe he had just been asleep.
??: "Woman…are you the one…who saved me?"
OO: "…y-yes."
I suddenly felt a chill go up my spine.
A fog had settled around us and rain clouds had begun to gather in the sky.
What? The weather suddenly…
??: "Come. To my ship."
OO: "…!"
He forcible pulled me forward by the arm.
Eh…? When did this ship …?
I watched as a great ship appeared before me.
Though it was quite battered, I couldn’t hide my surprise when I saw traces that the ship had once been a truly splendid vessel.
A …ghost ship…?
It was an appropriate term for the ship that had mysteriously appeared in the dense fog.
And I was going to be made to ride that boat by the man I had just awoken.