Maria and I decided to search for anything usable from the tattered ship until Lisha returned.
“Any luck?” Maria inquired.
“There’s hardly anything usable here… The map is nothing but ashes, maybe the compass is still functional,” I replied.
“True,” Maria agreed. “There wasn’t much cargo to begin with, and nothing that could be used as a weapon. We have plenty of wood that could be used for a fire, but you can find that in any forest.”
“What’s really concerning is the lack of water and food,” I remarked. “I can conjure water with magic, but food is a different story.”
“Do we have any idea where we are?” Maria asked.
“I was heading towards Walter, so I’d assume that direction, but we were zigzagging to evade the sky pirates, so I’m clueless,” I answered. “Your Highness, can’t you fly and scout the area?”
“I can, but my magical reserves are completely depleted. I used up all my magic for the defensive barrier during the crash landing… or rather, emergency landing. It kept us alive at this altitude and speed.”
“Well, regardless of what you call it, that was a crash landing,” Maria pointed out.
“It was a controlled descent,” I corrected.
“It seems like it’s getting dark, and I’d like to leave soon. Where did Lisha go?” I wondered aloud.
We were being chased by sky pirates in the early afternoon. It isn’t dusk yet, but it will be soon, and it’s best to depart before darkness falls.
“I have no idea. I can’t read her mind… By the way, Your Highness,” Maria started, “Your magic is depleted, right?”
“That’s correct,” I confirmed. Recovery will take some time.
“Lisha took the sword with her,” Maria noted.
“That’s right. So, are we just left here defenseless, without weapons or magic?” she questioned.
Maria is a healer, small in stature, and not physically strong. Naturally, she is weak. My magic is drained, and I am without weapons.
“If monsters appear, I’ll have to use Maria as a decoy to escape,” I stated matter-of-factly.
“Why!? You promised to protect me!” Maria protested.
“I don’t recall that. Maybe it’s due to the impact of the crash landing,” I mused.
“Protect the royalty!” Maria pled. “It’s the duty of men to protect women! Lisha, please come back!”
As Maria shouted this, rustling came from the nearby bushes.
“Ah, she’s back!” Maria exclaimed joyfully, but I didn’t share her enthusiasm. The rustling bushes were only waist-high, clearly not indicating a person emerging.
“Princess Lisha—eh?” Maria’s elation turned to shock as the creature that emerged was a goblin, far from resembling Lisha.
“Lisha…?” Maria tilted her head in disbelief.
“Where’s the resemblance to Lisha? Not a hint of her beauty,” I remarked.
“Maybe the true nature of the sewer manifested…” Maria speculated.
“Clearly a goblin,” I added.
“Please, Your Highness!” Maria implored, seeking refuge behind me.
“Hmm, can we win this?” I pondered. Goblins aren’t particularly formidable foes, but without magic or a sword, it was uncertain if I could prevail. After all, as a prince, I’ve never had to battle monsters.
“I can do this! At worst, my healing magic can aid us! I’ll charge fearlessly! Let’s use the physical advantage! You’re a man, right?” Maria encouraged me.
The goblin was visibly inferior in size compared to me, so there might be a chance. Still, this situation felt disrespectful…
I reluctantly took a defensive stance, ready for a direct confrontation. The goblin, observing us, grinned grotesquely.
“Eek!” A startled cry was heard as the goblin charged towards us.
“Alright! Hey, let go, you idiot!” I prepared to tackle the approaching goblin, but Maria, in fear, grabbed my clothes, apologizing as she quickly released her grip, causing me to stumble due to the sudden release.
“Ah! Your Highness!” Maria exclaimed as I fell forward.
“This is your fault! Remember that!” I seethed silently. As I looked up from the ground with hands planted, the goblin was closing in.
“Damn it! I’ll give that goblin a Prince’s headbutt!” I prepared to deliver the blow but suddenly, the goblin fell, its head flying skyward. In its place stood a stunning beauty with flowing golden hair, Princess Lisha.
“Princess Lisha!” Maria cheered happily.
“Hah! No one can surpass the beauty of the incomparable Princess Lisha,” Lisha boasted, swinging her sword with finesse, blood splattering.
“Who do you think you are, getting cocky over a goblin…?” I mused.
“What’s with that attitude after I saved you?” Lisha retorted.
Well, none of this would have happened if you hadn’t taken the sword…
“Ah, Your Highness! Are you alright?” Maria rushed to check on me.
“You told me to charge, yet you grabbed my clothes…” I remarked.
“S-sorry! Heal!” Maria apologized, casting a healing spell on me.
“Sigh… well, forget it. More importantly, Lisha, where were you?” I inquired as I got up.
“I was scouting around,” Lisha replied.
“And? What did you find?” I asked.
“Forest,” she replied simply.
One look around and it’s evident…
“What about monsters?” I questioned.
“I dealt with a few goblins and encountered some wolves,” Lisha reported.
Leaving us in such a situation…
“Any signs of a path or road?” I asked.
“None. Where are we?” Lisha questioned.
I have no clue!
“No leads… What should we do? Move forward or wait for my magic to recover…” I pondered.
“Let’s move. Your magic will replenish as we go, and waiting here won’t bring any help. We should keep moving,” Lisha suggested.
I agreed with her sentiment.
“Maria, which way – that way or the opposite?” I pointed in the direction opposite to where the dilapidated airship lay while asking Maria.
“Huh? That way, I guess?” Maria indicated the direction of the airship.
“Then, that way it is,” I confirmed.
Lisha and I set off in the direction opposite to where Maria had pointed.
“Why there!?” Maria exclaimed in confusion.
Well, there’s a reason for that…
