Romelia's Wings

"Al? Ray? Is that them?!"

Borel exclaimed in amazement. There was no doubt that Al and Ray were riding on the kite. Clinging to it, the two of them were shouting my name.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"No way."

Captain Maurice and Mary-san stared wide-eyed. Ray was probably controlling the kite with wind magic. But the idea of people flying through the sky... I couldn't believe it.

Before I knew it, even the attacks from the Flame Lion, positioned off our port side, had stopped. Bohn and his crew were also staring up at Al and Ray on the kite in stunned disbelief.

"I never thought you'd come to rescue me like this."

I couldn't believe it either.

I had thought Al and Ray might ignore my orders and try to rescue me. But they had no way to control a ship. I had assumed there was nothing they could do, but I never expected them to fly here to save me.

The heavens had granted me a power called 'Grace' that drew good fortune to me. That miraculous power might have helped the two of them fly. But even so, deciding to fly and putting that plan into action had been their own choice and determination.

"Captain Rome!"

"We're coming to rescue you right now!"

Al and Ray's eyes met mine as they clung to the kite. At that moment, a certainty that we would win surged within me.

"Al! Ray!"

Watching them, I pointed emphatically with my right hand at the Flame Lion, stationed off our port side.

All I had done was call their names and point, but that was enough for them. Ray's body began to glow green as he used wind magic. The huge kite changed course and began a steep dive toward the Flame Lion.

The diving kite looked as though it would crash into the Flame Lion's mast. But just before impact, Al and Ray kicked off the kite and launched themselves into the air. They were aiming for the Flame Lion's sails.

Al drew the sword at his waist in midair and drove it into a sail. Ray clung to Al's back.

Pierced by the blade, the sail was slashed apart diagonally with tremendous force.

By cutting through the huge canvas and canceling their falling speed, Al and Ray landed on the deck in a tumble. The moment they got back up, they readied their swords and assumed fighting stances.

The Flame Lion's crew, startled by Al and Ray's sudden intrusion, nevertheless surrounded them.

"Kyle! Borel! Gatt!"

Knowing that this was our chance, I gave Kyle and the others their orders. The three nodded in understanding, ran across the deck of the Silverwing, kicked off the railing, and leaped onto the Flame Lion. Its crew were distracted by Al and Ray. Taking advantage of the opening, Kyle and the others felled three sailors in an instant.

"Dad! Now!"

"I know! Hard to port! All the way!"

I wasn't the only one who had recognized our chance. When Mary-san shouted, Captain Maurice spun the wheel with all his strength. The Silverwing changed course to the left, and its hull slammed into the Flame Lion, which was positioned off our port side.

The two ships collided, and a tremendous impact struck us. I nearly fell, but somehow managed to keep my footing. When I regained my balance and looked up, the ships were close enough for even me to jump between them.

"Now! Board them!"

Mary-san boarded the Flame Lion herself with the sword she had picked up in hand. The crew of the Lazybones grabbed weapons and followed her. The children aboard the Silverwing did not board the enemy ship, but they fired arrows to support us.

I surveyed the deck of the Flame Lion, now a battlefield.

The enemy still outnumbered us. But we had the momentum. Al and Ray were especially wreaking havoc in the center of the ship, taking down the Flame Lion's crew one after another. With Kyle, Borel, Gatt, and the Lazybones crew joining the fight, our momentum only grew.

Victory had completely swung in our favor. Considering the effect of 'Grace,' victory was as good as certain. That left only one thing to do.

"Kyle! Borel! Gatt! The letter! Secure the letter from the Kingdom of Hameil!"

I pointed toward the stern of the Flame Lion. The captain's cabin there should contain the letter that had come from the Kingdom of Hameil.

At my words, Kyle and the others each nodded and headed inside the Flame Lion.

"Don't let them go! Stop them!"

Bohn held a sword in his right hand and slashed away the arrows raining down around him as he ordered them to stop Kyle and the others. But Bohn and the other crew members of the Flame Lion were too hard-pressed to spare anyone for that.

"Damn..."

Sweat trickling down his brow, Bohn looked around. Realizing that a reversal was impossible, he glared at me.

"If I kill you, the rest will take care of itself!"

Bohn formed a large ball of flame in his left hand and hurled it at me.