Over the last few days, Altaïr had stopped his intense training and focused instead on rest and meditation, bringing his body back to peak condition.
After a brief but sufficient period of rest and recovery, the day of departure arrived.
Since most of their luggage and spare equipment had already been sent to the ship, Altaïr and the others did not need to carry large packs and could travel light.
Even so, they chose to wear full sets of armor and carry their preferred weapons on their backs.
This display of full battle readiness was not strictly necessary, but it served a purpose. For one thing, it was a matter of courtesy; more importantly, it was a show of force.
It put their strength on display.
For combatants like Hunters, such displays mattered.
In front of the gate to Isis's home, Master Amos walked over with a large bundle in one hand and held it out to Altaïr.
Just as Altaïr was about to take it, Master Amos pulled it back. Puzzled, Altaïr gave him a questioning look.
"These are the Arbiter Estrellian materials I've been keeping for you," Master Amos began. "I had originally planned to wait until you advanced to High Rank before returning them to you.
However, you'll be away for quite a while on this trip, and they may come in handy."
After saying that, Master Amos paused, studied Altaïr intently, and continued, "Remember what I told you: your own strength will always matter more than any equipment.
Don't rely too heavily on powerful gear and neglect to hone yourself."
"I understand, Master Amos."
Only then did Master Amos nod and hand the materials to Altaïr.
Seeing Altaïr receive them, Isis let a touch of petulance creep into her voice. "Grandpa Amos~, don't you have a farewell gift for me?"
Master Amos gave her an odd look. "These are materials Altaïr left with me. I'm merely returning them to him, so they hardly count as a gift. You didn't leave any materials with me, so what am I supposed to give you?"
Isis stamped her foot and stormed off in a huff.
Altaïr looked a little helpless. "You know she doesn't really want anything. Even a pat on the shoulder and a few words like 'Work hard' would've been enough."
At that, Master Amos gave a quiet laugh. "I'll pass. Otherwise, she'll be crying her eyes out later."
The words had barely left his mouth when Isis, who had run out the door, came rushing back. She wrapped Master Amos in a hug and, as if to get back at him, hoisted him up until his feet left the ground. Only then did she set him down and dash away again like a flash of lightning.
"With all that strength, why does she still act like a child?" Master Amos shook his head helplessly.
Altaïr straightened and gave a slight bow. "Take care of yourself, Master Amos."
Master Amos returned the slight bow. "Mm. Take good care of her for me."
After the formal farewell, Altaïr left the courtyard of Isis's home and stepped out onto the street.
Isis stood across the street, kicking small stones along the ground. When she saw Altaïr approaching, she craned her neck to look toward the gate to her yard.
When the familiar figure failed to appear, she pouted, looking faintly displeased.
"Master Amos asked me to look after you while we're away," Altaïr said with a smile as he slung his pack over his shoulder.
"I don't need anyone to look after me!"
Despite her defiant words, a smile crept onto Isis's face as well. The two walked down the street, met Nymera at the intersection, and headed for the harbor together.
—--
Dundorma Harbor was as bustling and lively as ever.
As arranged, they found the designated dock, where an enormous seagoing vessel more than fifty meters long lay moored.
On deck, sailors scurried about, making the final preparations and checks before departure.
"Hey~!" Near the gangplank, Francesca waved enthusiastically at them. "Over here! Hurry up!"
The three quickened their pace and soon reached Francesca.
Clipboard in hand, Francesca checked several boxes on the sheet to register their arrival.
Altaïr was certain she had ticked far more than three boxes, meaning she had also checked off Sajji, Clawdia, Hibiki, and even Mochi.
Pretty thorough, huh?
"Your luggage, spare equipment, materials, and everything else have already been moved into your respective cabins. Take the opportunity to go through them now and make sure nothing is missing.
Your cabin numbers are... Space aboard is limited, so you'll all be in double cabins.
The cabins aren't large, and Clawdia and the others won't be staying with you for now. There are quite a few Lynians in the expedition team, so the Felynes have a cabin of their own.
Anyway, you'll just have to make do for a while. Once we reach the island and establish the base, you'll each get a hut of your own." Francesca lowered the clipboard and planted her hands on her hips.
"This is already roomier than I expected," Altaïr replied with a smile.
He had little sailing experience, but he had read plenty of books on all sorts of subjects and knew that communal berths, or even hammocks, were standard aboard seagoing vessels.
Clawdia, however, was clearly displeased because she could not share a room with Isis.
"Oh, right. You brought back some Yian Kut-Ku hides earlier and asked me to have several leather coats made from them. They're finished and already in your cabins.
But it is winter now, so leather coats make sense in Dundorma. We're headed for Tidal Island in the South Sea, though. Why make leather coats to wear on a southern island where it is summer year-round? Whose idea was that?"
Isis and Nymera both turned to Altaïr.
"..."
After a brief silence, Altaïr gave a dry chuckle. "Anyway, let's board first and check our things in the cabins."
With that, he was the first to step onto the gangplank.
Isis pulled a face, and Nymera laughed softly as the group boarded with the Felynes and the Palamute.
They asked a crew member for directions and soon found the cabins. A wooden nameplate hung on each door, so there was no risk of confusing them.
"I'm sharing a room with Nymera. What about you, Altaïr?" Isis asked, tilting her head up as she stood before her cabin door.
Altaïr looked at the other name on the nameplate outside his cabin. "Morgan? I don't know that name. Probably another Hunter on the expedition."
Once inside, he quickly checked his luggage to make sure nothing was missing. Then his gaze fell on the mid-length leather coat folded on his bed, and he lapsed into silence once again.
"I'll set it aside for now and wear it when I have a chance. At least the materials aren't gathering dust in storage," he muttered to console himself, then hung the thick leather coat at the back of the wardrobe.
After tidying his luggage and bed, Altaïr's gaze drifted unconsciously to the other bunk in the cabin.
He certainly would not open someone else's luggage, but the materials protruding from the bag and the equipment chest clearly intended for storing armor confirmed that his cabinmate was also a Hunter.
This lifted his spirits. It would be good to have something in common with his cabinmate.
Judging by the state of the bed and luggage, his cabinmate had not arrived yet. Once he had finished organizing his own area, Altaïr stepped out of the cabin.
Nymera and the others were probably just about done too.
The two women had even taken a moment to remove their upper-body armor and try on the sleek new leather coats.
Sure enough, Lady Gael's advice had been sound. The mid-length coats looked stylish on both of them. With her height and the leather coat, Isis in particular cut an imposing figure, reminding Altaïr of Master Fabius, who also favored leather coats.
The silly grin on Isis's face rather spoiled the effect.
"All right, enough preening," Altaïr said helplessly as he watched Isis spin in place, the hem of her coat flaring cheerfully. "Take those off, put your armor back on, and let's go see the galley."
The vessel, converted from an oceangoing cargo ship, was sizable, but it was still only a ship. Once the living quarters and cargo holds were accounted for, little space remained for common areas.
Aside from the open deck, the galley on the second deck was the only other common area.
It could accommodate the entire expedition team if everyone squeezed in, so in addition to serving as a galley, it doubled as a common lounge, tavern, meeting room, and more.
For Hunters, gathering in the galley or tavern to meet up, find partners, and exchange information was practically second nature.
Their first instinct after organizing their cabins was to head to the galley and look around.
After stopping by the Felyne quarters to pick up Sajji and the others, the group arrived at the galley, where several Hunters were already waiting.
As luck would have it, they recognized the people who had arrived before them.
(Translated by yourtl.app)