Chapter 89
Gatt had slipped into the Flame Lion to secure the letter from the Kingdom of Hameil. Had he been caught in the flames and delayed in escaping...
I gritted my teeth, and Al punched the ship's rail with his fist. Ray lowered his head as well. But as we stood there dejected, a goofy voice rang in our ears.
"Heeey, somebody! Help meee!"
The voice came from the port bow. Al and I exchanged glances and looked out at the sea stretching to port. We'd checked only moments ago, but no one was floating in it. There was only the Flame Lion, sinking beneath the waves.
"Hey, over here! Down below, down here!"
I peered directly beneath the ship, following the voice's instructions. Gatt was clinging to the Silverwing's anchor.
"Gatt! What are you doing down there?!"
"Al! Help me! I can't afford to fall into the sea!"
Gatt shouted back at Al while clinging to the anchor.
A rope was lowered at once, and Gatt was hauled aboard.
"Whew, I'm saved!"
After climbing the rope, Gatt landed hard on the deck. Paula-san rushed over and hugged him.
"Paula?"
"You idiot! Why were you in a place like that?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"
With her face buried in Gatt's chest, Paula-san scolded him, sniffling as she spoke.
"...Sorry."
Gatt gently stroked Paula-san's head with his left hand.
As we watched their exchange with warm smiles, Gatt suddenly slipped his right hand between his chest and his clothes. When he withdrew it, a letter was wedged between his fingers.
"Romelia-sama, is this the letter from the Kingdom of Hameil?"
Gatt held out the letter. Its wax seal bore the design of a great eagle with its wings spread wide. It was the crest of the Kingdom of Hameil.
"Gatt, you found it?"
I accepted the letter and checked its contents. The reason Gatt had clung to the anchor instead of jumping into the sea was to keep the letter from getting wet.
After checking the contents, I nodded at Gatt. This was proof that the Kingdom of Hameil had ordered my abduction.
"Being able to read sure is convenient."
Gatt scratched beneath his nose with his right hand. Now we had all the evidence we needed.
"Well, as you heard, Bohn-san."
I turned my gaze toward Bohn. Bound with rope, he grimaced.
"W-what does a letter like that matter? What can you do with a single letter?"
"Indeed, a single letter cannot shake a nation."
I nodded, agreeing with the words Bohn had spat out.
Strictly speaking, it was only a letter. Even if we accused the Kingdom of Hameil based on it, they might simply claim that pirates had forged it and feign ignorance.
"Even if this letter were made public, the Kingdom of Hameil would not suffer much. But you are different, aren't you?"
I gave Bohn a broad smile. An even more anguished expression appeared on his face.
If the letter became public, the Kingdom of Hameil would cut all ties with the Vaal Islands to bury the truth.
Until now, the Vaal Islands had been free to do as they pleased under Hameil's protection. But they would lose that backing.
Captain Maurice, who had been listening to us, grinned.
"Well, well, Bohn. That's a tough spot you're in. I'll tell you, falling from grace is a painful thing."
At Captain Maurice's words, Bohn clenched his teeth.
"By the way, Bohn-san, I invited you to join us, but that offer is still on the table, you know?"
I waved the letter in front of Bohn.
"I won't make this letter public. In return..."
"I got it! I won't attack ships from your country! Is that good enough?!"
"Well done."
I laughed and nodded at Bohn, who shouted with venom.
Not only had our negotiations with Melka Island gone well, but I had also gained leverage over the Vaal Islands. It had been a truly worthwhile endeavor.
"Well then, let's head home, shall we?"
My voice echoed through the sky above the Mebium Inland Sea.