novelraw Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Ch.72 You’re surprisingly good at dancing once you get going, huh?
After retrieving the Trident of the Sea God, we finally arrived at the Freya.
Seeing the massive ship anchored near the barren icebergs and the tents spread around it stirred up fresh emotions.
Selena and I pulled the dog sled into the campsite, where several thickly bundled sailors were drinking and merrymaking.
I grabbed the first person passing by and asked where the captain was.
By chance, I ran into Carlos himself on my way to his tent.
“Oh? Perfect timing! Did your expedition yield anything worthwhile?”
I gave Carlos, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, a bright smile.
“Yeah. Went very well. How was your exploration?”
He beamed back at my question.
“We’ve nearly completed the Arctic map. Hehe… our work here is done, and we’re fully prepared to set sail.”
“Then let’s depart right away. I want to leave this place as soon as possible.”
Once aboard, we discussed our next destination with Carlos.
“We’re heading to Portland first. We’ll offload cargo there and then sail to Nook.”
I faintly recalled hearing earlier that we’d be going to Portland instead of returning directly to Nook, the port city we’d departed from.
“Then we’ll need to find another ship there.”
Now that I had the Trident of the Sea God, I wanted to recover the artifact from the sunken ship and return to the Old Continent as quickly as possible.
My plan was to lose the Hero Party—who were relentlessly chasing me—here in the New Continent and slip back to the Old Continent unnoticed.
Though… Cecilia was a bit of a shame to leave behind.
She was an absurdly overpowered character in the ‘King of the Dead’ DLC.
So much so that, if players didn’t interfere, the game had a balance-maintaining event trigger that would kill her off.
Of course, since I’d already exorcised the evil spirit from the convent, she wouldn’t actually die now.
“Hans, but where are we going exactly?”
Selena asked, studying the map.
I pointed to an island with my finger—the very island where Pipi had been sleeping.
“We’re going there.”
Selena looked at me with confusion.
“What’s on that island?”
“A sunken treasure ship. And not just any treasure ship—an incredibly valuable one…”
She tilted her head, clearly puzzled by my cryptic remark.
“A treasure ship? Why’s it there?”
Seeing her baffled expression at the sudden mention of a treasure ship, I decided to explain.
“Well, you see… I was carrying an enormous treasure from the Old Continent to the New Continent when my ship sank.”
“What… what? Seriously?! Hans, you’re always lying!”
Her icy glare made me feel wronged.
But it was true!
And that ship really did hold a massive hoard of gold coins—so calling it a treasure ship wasn’t wrong…
Though admittedly, the artifact was far more important than the gold.
It was about time the King of the Dead made his return. I needed to hurry.
According to the game’s story, the more power he regains, the more annoying he becomes to deal with.
But this time, I wasn’t sure who would become the King of the Dead…
Prince Ascal? Cardinal Davinus? Or maybe the adventurer Colt?
Personally, I’d prefer it if Colt became the King—it’d be the easiest to handle.
Cardinal Davinus would be the hardest.
Still, I had plenty of ways to deal with any of them.
Somehow, it’ll work out.
***
Meanwhile, the Hero Party was heading north in search of Hans.
As the moon rose and darkness enveloped the surroundings, they decided to pitch tents and camp for the night.
After a simple dinner, Scarlet and the others set up their tents and busied themselves with their own tasks.
Scarlet closed her eyes in meditation, while Leah gently stroked a fully grown green bird.
Cecilia read a book nearby, and Mia gazed at the moon outside the tent.
Unlike before, the atmosphere among them was unbearably tense.
They’d been laughing and chatting just a short while ago—but now?
Actually, it was more accurate to say they were all carefully watching each other.
At that moment—
“Ah?”
Leah’s brief exclamation caused Scarlet, deep in meditation, to slowly open her eyes.
“What is it?”
Leah didn’t answer.
She just stared blankly into space, clutching a compass in her hand—clearly sensing that something had gone wrong.
“Our master is moving.”
Hans, who had stayed nearly stationary in the north for almost a month, had just shifted slightly westward.
Considering the distance between them, Leah guessed he must’ve actually traveled quite far.
Frowning, she muttered under her breath,
“Why’s he moving all of a sudden?”
Given that Hans had remained in one place for so long, this sudden movement surely had a reason.
And then Cecilia fanned the flames with a quiet, hesitant whisper:
“Could… could it be another woman?”
Though softly spoken, Cecilia’s words sent shockwaves through the group.
Everyone froze instantly.
The atmosphere was already strained with the four of them subtly competing—if another rival appeared, they might all truly lose their minds.
And… Cecilia’s suspicion wasn’t entirely wrong.
Leah was the first to react to the tension Cecilia had created.
“Another woman?! You’re blaming another woman for this mess?!”
THUD!
Her short hair floated in the air from the sheer surge of magic—she was furious.
“I swear, I’ll grind her into powder! While we’re suffering like this, another woman?!”
Mia calmly soothed the volcano-red Leah with a steady voice.
“Calm down, Leah. Even if the Sage is known for his… appetites, it’s hardly sensible for him to be meeting another woman in this situation.”
It was a bit ironic coming from an elf known for flaying people alive, but she continued in a serene tone:
“And objectively speaking—where else would he find a woman better than us?”
It was undeniably arrogant—but honestly, all four of them were stunningly beautiful and exceptionally talented.
Still, hearing her say it so bluntly made her seem shameless.
“Huh? Why’s no one answering?”
Scarlet, Leah, and Cecilia all had their own pride in their looks—but openly admitting it felt embarrassing, so they just stood there, mouths agape.
‘Did she really just say that out loud?’
‘Is she insane?’
‘And she called me the one with flowers in my head?’
Seeing their stunned expressions, Mia mistakenly thought they agreed with her and pressed on:
“Anyway, unless he’s blind, he wouldn’t go for someone ordinary.”
She would soon learn just how wrong that assumption was.
***
Aboard the ship sailing south from the Arctic,
I cast a speed-enhancing spell on the vessel to hasten our journey.
With the wind filling the sails and swift currents aiding us, we smoothly passed through the whirlpool-infested waters.
Normally, we’d have to lift the ship and carry it across—but this time, I secretly used the Trident of the Sea God to dispel the whirlpool.
Since no one noticed the artifact’s power, I didn’t need to explain anything to Selena or Carlos.
At this pace, we’d likely reach Portland in a few days.
Knock knock.
“Who is it?”
Selena got up and opened the door—to reveal Carlos, beaming brightly.
“Hans-nim, Selena-nim—we’re holding a small party on deck tonight. Will you join us?”
Carlos seemed unusually cheerful—understandable, since he’d finally succeeded in his long-sought Arctic expedition.
Selena glanced at me questioningly, and I nodded readily.
“Let’s go have some fun.”
Stepping onto the deck, we saw lanterns hung everywhere, casting warm light over the dark sea.
Long tables were laden with delicious-looking food, and musicians played lively tunes.
“Wow… it’s so beautiful around you, Hans.”
The full moon, the music, the flickering lights—it all felt dreamlike.
“Really?”
“Come now, please take your seats!”
Carlos gestured, and we sat down.
“To us—the conquerors of the Arctic! We’ll go down in history! Sob… Thank you all for your hard work.”
Overcome with emotion, Carlos couldn’t hold back his tears.
“Haha! Captain, you’re a man—don’t cry!”
“Pffft—hahaha!”
The crew burst into laughter, making Carlos blush. He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and barked,
“Shut up, all of you! Everyone—cheers!”
“Cheers!”
“Cheers!”
Clink!
We enjoyed the meal amid beautiful melodies.
The meat was… a bit dry.
Honestly, it wasn’t particularly tasty—but somehow, the mood made it enjoyable.
As Selena and I passed wine back and forth, a tipsy warmth began to settle in—when the music changed.
A gentle waltz began to play, prompting the sailors to grumble:
“Why play a waltz when there aren’t even any women here?”
“Ugh!”
Carlos, slightly drunk, looked at Selena and then at me with a grin.
“But we have Miss Selena, don’t we? Hans-ssi, don’t be shy—ask her for a dance!”
Out of nowhere?
I had no reason I couldn’t dance.
In fact, I danced quite well—nobles were expected to master it, after all.
But Selena, embarrassed, kept her head bowed.
Of course she’d be flustered—being suddenly asked to dance in front of everyone would unsettle anyone.
Finding her shyness utterly endearing, I said in a playful tone,
“Miss Selena… would you honor me with a dance?”
“Ugh…”
She shot me a glare, her face crimson.
I rose gracefully, arched my back like a nobleman, and extended my hand.
“Wow! Hans-ssi—you’re a real man!”
“Whoo!”
“So cool!”
Encouraged by cheers and applause, Selena reluctantly placed her hand in mine.
“Hmph. So you’re confident in your dancing, huh?”
I smiled.
“Quite.”
I led her smoothly to the center of the deck with practiced steps.
“You’re surprisingly skilled. Who taught you?”
Her slightly flushed cheeks and half-lidded eyes made her question adorably shy.
“Who knows? Maybe I paid to become a noble so people wouldn’t call me a nouveau riche?”
As I spoke, I twirled her wrist upward—she spun naturally in response.
“But where did you learn? You’re better than I expected.”
Her movements were precise, perfectly timed—clearly not a beginner.
“I learned at the orphanage.”
…Do orphanages teach waltz these days?
I’ve never been to one, but that sounded a bit suspicious.
“Focus.”
She immediately called me out the moment my mind wandered.
With a mischievous smile, she added,
“Shall we speed up the tempo a little?”
“Suddenly?”
Surprised, I asked—but she nodded cheerfully.
Was she the type who thrived under pressure?
Before I could finish the thought, she quickened her steps—and I matched her pace.
The musicians followed suit, accelerating the rhythm.
“Oh! You two are both great dancers!”
“You could pass for nobles!”
Their comments didn’t matter.
What mattered was the radiant, joyful smile on her face—so breathtakingly beautiful.
We locked eyes—and without a word, burst into laughter at the same time.
“Hehe.”
“Pfft…”
Waltzes were rarely danced this fast.
Lost in the fun, we didn’t notice the music nearing its end.
Already over? That’s a shame.
I pulled her close, spun her elegantly—and held her as the final note faded.
Applause! Cheers!
Her red-rimmed eyes met mine as she stood in my arms.
Silence stretched between us…
Was this… the kiss moment?
As our faces drew closer—
“Miss Selena—you’re surprisingly good at dancing once you get going, huh?”
Someone’s voice shattered the moment.
Her face turned beet red, and she jerked out of my embrace.
Who the hell just said that?!
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