Chapter 45

★ Kingdom of Light Knights, Port Town Zackerhaven ★

The target dock had a door like an access point, and the locksmith immediately began to check it.

"…Uh, yeah, no problem. I can open this in 10 minutes."

"Make it 5."

Told by Cook, the locksmith hurriedly started to pick the lock.

"Wow, Cook, that's unusual for you to rush the locksmith like that."

"…Not really, it's better to hurry, isn't it?"

Cook's indifferent response made Lark tilt his head, but — Cook just wanted to steal the magic ship quietly without anyone noticing or causing any trouble. If they were discovered, they would be chased by a large group. In that case, Lark would probably use his innate power.

"…Not yet?"

"Still working on it. Just started."

Cook looked up at the sky. This passage, sandwiched between two docks, was quiet and dark, but there was nothing to hide behind.

The sound of the lock being picked could be heard amidst the rustling of the waves, which were close by.

"……"

"……"

Cook was checking the direction of the sea, while the scout was checking the direction of the town.

"…There are some people coming this way."

"Tsk. Is it patrol time?"

"Can't tell. Doesn't seem to be at a fixed time."

"Locksmith, are you done yet? It's been 5 minutes."

"Almost… it's open."

The door creaked open just then.

A directional magic lamp — essentially a flashlight — shone down the passage.

"…Hey, what's wrong? Why aren't you moving?"

"Ah, no… didn't you think something was strange?"

The five guards had stopped at the narrow passage between the two docks.

The man in front, holding a light, continued.

"Something… it's so dark here."

"Idiot. It's naturally dark at night. Move it."

"Huh? That's weird…"

Scratching their heads, the five guards slowly entered the passage.

They eventually reached the access door.

"Right, around here… the light didn't reach. It felt like it was blocked by a curtain."

"Ha, you must have just seen a stage curtain or something."

"No, it's not that."

"Sure, sure, must be nice to have a girlfriend. Let's hurry up and get back, I want to sleep."

"……"

The lead guard, tilting his head, continued forward, and the others followed, chatting.

"…Are they gone?"

"They're gone."

"Phew… that was close."

Right after the guards passed, the five of them, who had been pressed against the wall, let out a collective sigh. At that moment, when the light stretched out, they were indeed in the passage. But at that time, a curtain of darkness — a "curtain-like thing" — had hidden them. They slipped inside the access door during that gap.

"Heh, see? Bringing me along was a good idea, right? My ability isn't just for fighting, you know."

Lark said proudly. The "curtain" was, in fact, the blade of Lark's Shadow King Magic Sword Technique, which she had expanded to temporarily hide them.

"……"

Cook turned on the magic lamp. Lark's forehead was beaded with sweat — she had exhausted herself with just a moment's use of her ability.

"…You're right, damn it. We can't do anything without the lady. Come on, let's go."

But Cook didn't voice his concern; instead, he chose words to get his companions moving.

(What we need to do now is not to regret our inadequacies or to pamper the lady, but to move forward.)

The vast space of the dock was visible in the light.

"Wow…"

Someone muttered, but it might have been Cook himself.

In front of them was a magic ship so large it towered. In a world where sailboats were the norm, this ship, without sails and with huge paddle wheels on either side, could be called "abnormal." The ship's body was supported on either side, and the ground was dug into a V-shape, sloping towards the sea. Logs were placed there, and the ship would be rolled down on them.

The entire ship was made of a black, shiny metal.

"Does iron float in the sea?"

It was understandable that the scout said this without thinking.

"…Engineer, can you get it moving?"

"Well, steering a ship isn't that difficult, so it should be fine."

"Alright, then get it moving in 10 minutes."

"No, I meant steering! Starting the magic engine is a different story!"

Saying this, the engineer hurried to the steering room. A portable ladder was set up, and the engineer led the way, followed by the scout, Cook, and Lark. The locksmith had a separate task to open the main door of the dock.

Lark was already out of breath from climbing the stairs. When Cook reached out to help her up to the deck,

"…Damn, I don't want to get old."

He muttered.

"Still, it's not a problem as long as you can talk tough."

"True. Real old people start lecturing or saying they're 'tired' after the second word."

"Don't look at me like that while saying that."

"Hehe."

Lark didn't take Cook's hand but jumped down to the deck herself.

Ten minutes passed.

"O, o, o, o, o Captain!"

The locksmith was shouting.

Leaning out from the deck, Cook asked,

"What is it!"

"The main door is open, we can leave anytime!"

"Idiot! Get up here quickly!"

"Y, yes!"

The disheveled locksmith found the ladder and ran towards it.

"Let's go!"

From the steering room, the engineer's voice could be heard, and the ship began to vibrate loudly.

"Hurry, locksmith!"

"Y, yes!"

"Scout! Remove the restraints on both sides!"

"Got it!"

Once the restraints holding the ship were removed, it would fall and head towards the sea.

"I'll help—"

Just as Lark, who had been sitting and resting, stood up, she saw them.

"—We're in trouble, they've spotted us!"

The access door opened, and a large group of guards poured in.