Chapter 55
The Lazybones and the Flame Lion faced each other.
"Yo, Bohn! Long time no see. How's it going?"
Captain Maurice was the first to speak, his voice booming with cheer. Bohn smiled too, a cigar held between the fingers of his right hand.
"Business is bad everywhere, so I'm going broke."
Maurice and Bohn laughed together like close friends. Yet neither was off guard. Both kept their bodies coiled, ready to respond immediately if the other attacked. They both seemed adept at hiding their true thoughts behind a show of geniality.
"What are you talking about, Bohn? Your ship looks nice and heavy. You haven't packed it full of gold and silver treasures, have you? I hear you've been expanding your operations."
Captain Maurice laughed. However, the Flame Lion did not look particularly heavy. The remark was an indirect criticism of the Vahl Archipelago's piracy beyond its own territorial waters.
"You're carrying quite a treasure yourself."
"Treasure?"
"Yeah. A beautiful woman is quite a treasure."
Bohn's gaze shifted from Captain Maurice to me.
"Beautiful women are worth more than any treasure. Introduce me to her, would you?"
When Bohn asked, Captain Maurice looked at me as if seeking my consent. I nodded.
"Very well. I'll introduce you. This is Romelia-sama, the daughter of Count Graham of the Lionel Kingdom."
I motioned with my eyes for Al and Ray, who stood in front of me, to step aside. Anyone in a position of leadership must sometimes step forward, even when doing so is dangerous. This was one of those times.
Al and Ray reluctantly made way. I took a step forward and bowed to Bohn.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Romelia."
"I am Bohn of the Vahl Archipelago. Good heavens, you're beautiful. You're wasted on Maurice's stuffy ship. Why not come aboard mine instead? I'd be delighted to have you as my guest."
Bohn made an affected gesture and tried to entice me onto his ship.
"The nerve..."
Ray muttered beside me. His face was taut with anger, and his right hand was reaching for the hilt of his sword.
"You can leave out the 'stuffy,' Bohn!"
Captain Maurice shouted angrily, though he continued pretending to smile. I turned to Bohn and spoke.
"Bohn-san, thank you for the kind offer, but I have plans to go to Merka Island, so I cannot accept. The Lionel Kingdom is currently building a port. Once it is complete, I will invite you. Please come visit with everyone."
I put on the same smiling act as Captain Maurice.
"I had heard that the Lionel Kingdom was going to open a port, but it was true, then?"
"Yes. We hope to begin sailing into the Mebyum Inland Sea."
"I'm delighted to have another group joining us. Welcome to the Mebyum Inland Sea. We are glad to have you."
Bohn bowed with a theatrical flourish.
"Well then, we'd best be taking our leave for today. Maurice, sorry to have held you up."
"Sure, see you around."
Bohn waved lightly toward Captain Maurice, and Captain Maurice waved back. The crews on both ships sprang into action, raising the sails as the vessels slowly began to move.
As his ship moved away, Bohn called out.
"Romelia-sama! Until we meet again! Have a good journey!"
I gave Bohn a small wave in return.
The two ships grew farther apart, and the Flame Lion dwindled in the distance. Once it was clear they were safe, Al and the others finally breathed out.
"Good grief, what did that guy come here for?"
"To size us up. They want to know more about us now that we've begun venturing into the open sea."
At my explanation, Al murmured, "I see."
"But Captain Maurice is quite the operator, isn't he? I took him for a good-natured old man, but he's got courage, too."
Al watched Captain Maurice as he issued instructions to the sailors.
Captain Maurice had certainly handled the situation like a seasoned veteran. He had neither acted too timidly and invited contempt nor acted too aggressively and provoked resentment.
Though prepared to fight if necessary, he had also done his best to avoid conflict.
"Yes, he's just as rumored."
When I said that, Al and Ray exchanged puzzled looks, wondering what rumors I meant. I left their questions unanswered and watched the departing Flame Lion.
Bohn had clearly come to size us up. Before long, they would make some move against us. I would have to devise a countermeasure.