Chapter 7

007

Finally, we were recovered inside the ship.

Metti's face turned pale, and she was crawling next to the emergency hatch.

"What... what's going on..."

I feel the same way.

"Captain, thank you for your hard work. I will perform a vital check on this person."

Suddenly, Nanami appeared next to Metti.

No, it's just that the CG is displayed on the eye patch.

However, even when I move my head, Nanami's position remains fixed next to Metti, so this CG is quite sophisticated. Impressive.

Nanami nodded.

"Vital check complete. Well, she has mild dehydration and fatigue. No signs of infection or poisoning were detected."

You can tell that much?

"Out of caution, let's take some simple quarantine measures. There are officers' private rooms, so can you guide her there?"

Yeah, that makes sense. Even if the bacteria are harmless to Metti, they might be fatal to me.

It might be too late, though.

I walked through the narrow and dark ship corridors with Metti. The ship looks large from the outside, but the corridors are narrow and the ceilings are low.

Metti, who seemed unfamiliar with the ship's interior, was looking around curiously.

"Metti?"

"Ah, yeah. Sorry. Well, let's continue the introduction. I'm from Environ Island and I'm the daughter of a general store."

Ah, right, I should ask while I'm at it.

"What did you mean by 'mainland' earlier?"

"Environ Island is part of the Paranya Kingdom. The capital, Fario, has a national university."

Hmm? Paranya Kingdom? Fario?

I've heard of these before?

Ah, I remember! Is that it! How nostalgic!

But as I remembered, Metti looked down with a worried expression.

"But the ship was attacked by pirates... I thought it wouldn't be attacked because only poor people use the regular ferry to the mainland."

She sighed and continued.

The pirate fleet consisted of four ships and completely surrounded them.

Could it be the fleet we sank?

When we reached the cabin, I had the monitor display the images.

"Are these the pirates who attacked you?"

The combat records appeared on the screen. It was a video.

Metti's eyes widened when she saw it.

"What... what is this!? The photos are moving!? And they're in color!?"

"In my world, this kind of mechanical device is very common."

"How... how is it done?"

Metti touched the LCD monitor, then looked at the back, moving around frantically.

"So, how does it work? Are the photos being rapidly replaced to create the movement?"

"Yeah, that's the basic principle."

I nodded casually, and Metti leaned in close to me.

"Then, how exactly does it work?"

Her face was close.

"Isn't this the time for that? Check the moving photos, the video."

"O-Okay."

Metti stared at the pirate flag billowing in the smoke.

Eventually, she nodded.

"No mistake. I definitely saw this shark and skull flag."

Could the captured dancers have been sunk too?

"When were you attacked?"

"Um... four... five days ago?"

Then the "cargo" must have been unloaded by now. The port is nearby.

I hope so.

"Five days. You did well to survive."

This girl has strong survival skills.

Metti then looked into the distance with a cloudy gaze.

"Yeah... but I never thought I'd have to drink my own urine. It's a rule for shipwrecked sailors, apparently."

"That... must have been tough."

"I also caught fish and drank their juices."

It must have been really tough...

I secretly admired her will to survive.

Since we managed to rescue her, I want to help her.

"Alright, let's start with clean water. There's only water, but you can drink as much as you like."

When I offered her a glass, Metti drank it greedily.

"Thank you! Wow, it's cold!?"

"This ship has a device to cool water. This room is also cool and comfortable, right?"

"Yeah... amazing... Hey, this..."

"The explanation can wait, later."

"Come on, tell me."

I don't know much about it either, so what can I do?

Resigned, Metti drank more water.

Her expression brightened.

Yeah, good job.

After drinking three glasses of cold water in a row, Metti smiled brightly.

"Ah, water is so delicious! It's the best! Thank you!"

I watched her smile warmly and then made a suggestion.

"Alright, let's start by getting you to the mainland."

"Huh?"

"Isn't there an exam? Will you make it in time?"

"Yeah, the exam is probably tomorrow, so I think I'll make it..."

Her expression turned gloomy. What's wrong?

"The pirates probably sold the captured women to slave traders in Ansar. We need to help them quickly."

"Is there a slave system in Paranya?"

"No, of course not, but the port area of Ansar has a black market. The harbor patrol is in cahoots with the slave traders, so they do as they please."

Slaves.

They probably won't be killed, but I can't ignore it.

"Hey, can you help the captured dancers first? I'll go with you, okay?"

"But you're on your way to the exam, right?"

I used to be a student too.

I sympathize with Metti, who got caught up in trouble on her way to the exam.

But Metti shook her head vigorously.

"If we dilly-dally, the dancers will be sold at the slave market! Then we won't know where they'll be taken!"

"True, but... are you sure? Will you make it to the exam?"

Metti's eyes widened.

"Isn't this the time to worry about that!?"

Please don't yell at me in Kansai dialect.

Scary.

Metti gripped the hem of my coat and looked up at me with a desperate expression.

"Even if I get into university by letting people die, I can't be proud of being a scholar. I can't do it."

"Is it that serious?"

"When the pirates attacked, I hid by myself. This time, it's my turn to help the dancers."

Indeed, without Metti, we wouldn't understand the Paranya language. It's not like we can find someone who speaks Japanese easily.

But to Metti, the dancers are neither family nor friends. They are complete strangers.

She is willing to abandon her important exam for these strangers.

And without hesitation.

Could I have made the same decision when I was a student?

No way. Absolutely not.

Metti, still gripping the hem of my coat, continued to plead.

"I can speak Paranya and know the laws and geography of this country. I can help in many ways."

Her expression was so serious and earnest, it was painful to look at.

My respect for Metti grew even more.

I looked down at her face, which was at about chest level.

"You..."

"What's wrong?"

"You might be... something special."

I made up my mind.

I'm on this girl's side.

I can't do much myself, but I'll fight for this girl.

"Alright, I understand. Nanami!"

Nanami immediately appeared on the monitor.

"Yes, I've heard the story. Captain, what are your orders?"

Hey, don't make such a cool entrance.

I want to do that.

As expected, Metti's eyes widened.

"W-What... is that... a person...?"

Nanami puffed out her chest proudly.

"I am the interface personality of the strategic escort transport ship Nanami. Please leave everything to me regarding this ship."

"Metti, this is the will of the ship, like a guardian spirit. Think of it as a mechanical device."

"Ah..."

Metti's eyes remained wide.

I should preemptively set the record straight.

"We'll explain the mechanism later."

"Yeah, that's right. We don't have time for that now."

Reluctantly, Metti seemed to understand.

I smiled coolly and said to Metti.

"Let's go save the captive beauties."

Why am I only helping people today?

Oh well.