Chapter 114
The afternoon passed peacefully.
The ship continued cutting steadily through the endless sea as gentle waves rocked the wooden hull beneath everyone's feet.
Near the bow, Princess Flora sat beneath the shade of the main mast, reading one of the old journals Vendetta had lent her.
Not far away, Esabell was helping one of the cooks peel vegetables, happily humming to herself.
Everything felt...
Normal.
For the first time in many days.
Then—
Rapid footsteps echoed across the deck.
"Commander!"
A young Justice Worshipper hurried toward Guinevere, breathing heavily.
"We have a problem!"
Every nearby conversation immediately stopped.
Guinevere looked up.
"What happened?"
"The lower hull."
The young man pointed toward the stairs leading below deck.
"Water is leaking inside."
Marco's expression immediately hardened.
"A leak?"
"How bad?"
"It isn't flooding yet..."
"But the crack is growing."
Before anyone else could react—
Guinevere was already moving.
"Marco."
"Chris."
"Vendetta."
"With me."
The four immediately followed her toward the lower deck while several sailors hurried after them carrying ropes, lanterns, buckets, and repair tools.
---
The lower deck was already filled with activity.
Water seeped steadily through a long crack near the starboard side of the hull.
Several sailors knelt beside it, pressing thick cloth against the opening while others rushed back and forth with buckets.
Splash.
Splash.
The leaking wasn't severe...
But it was growing worse.
Guinevere immediately surveyed the situation.
"How long ago?"
"Only a few minutes ago, Commander."
"Any structural damage?"
"Just the outer boards."
She nodded once.
"Good."
Her voice remained calm.
"There is no reason to panic."
She pointed toward several soldiers.
"You."
"Help remove the water."
"Everyone else begin reinforcing the damaged section."
"If we work quickly, this won't become dangerous."
The sailors immediately saluted.
"Yes, Commander!"
Chris rolled up his sleeves.
"Finally."
"Something I actually know how to fix."
Marco chuckled.
"I thought you'd say that."
The two grabbed several wooden planks while nearby sailors began preparing nails and heavy hammers.
Before anyone could begin...
A calm voice interrupted them.
"...That won't be necessary."
Everyone turned.
Vendetta slowly stepped forward.
Guinevere looked at her.
"You have another idea?"
Vendetta simply nodded.
"A temporary solution."
She walked toward the damaged hull before kneeling beside the crack.
Without another word...
She removed one glove.
Her fingertips rested lightly against the damp wood.
The lower deck became completely silent.
A faint blue light slowly appeared beneath her hand.
Soft.
Gentle.
Almost like moonlight reflected upon water.
Thin lines of light spread across the cracked boards.
One after another.
The glowing patterns expanded until they completely surrounded the damaged section.
Then—
A translucent blue barrier formed over the crack.
The leaking water stopped instantly.
Not a single drop slipped through.
The entire lower deck fell silent.
Chris blinked.
"...Seriously?"
He cautiously reached out and touched the barrier.
His fingers met something smooth.
Solid.
Almost like glass.
Marco stared in surprise.
"...Barrier magic?"
Vendetta slowly stood.
"It will hold."
"But only temporarily."
"The wood should still be repaired properly."
Guinevere examined the glowing shield carefully.
"...How long will it last?"
"A full day."
"Long enough."
She looked toward the sailors.
"You may repair it without worrying about the ship taking on more water."
Relief immediately spread across the room.
Several sailors visibly relaxed.
One older sailor scratched the back of his head before laughing.
"That would've saved me a lot of panic twenty years ago."
A few others laughed with him.
Even Marco smiled.
" Seeing your abilities firsthand is something else entirely."
Vendetta calmly slid her glove back onto her hand.
"Our abilities exist to preserve life."
"Not to replace human effort."
Marco nodded thoughtfully.
"...That's a good way of looking at it."
Chris folded his arms while staring at the glowing barrier.
"...I still think that's unfair."
Marco looked at him.
"What is?"
Chris pointed dramatically.
"We've been carrying hammers."
"They're carrying magic."
Marco burst into laughter.
"I suppose you have a point."
One of the nearby sailors couldn't hold back a grin.
"Don't worry."
"We still need someone to swing the hammer."
Chris puffed out his chest proudly.
"See?"
"I'm essential."
Marco patted him on the shoulder.
"Keep telling yourself that."
"...You're impossible."
Laughter echoed throughout the lower deck.
Only moments earlier...
Everyone had been worried the ship might begin sinking.
Now...
The atmosphere had become surprisingly relaxed.
Even Guinevere allowed herself the faintest smile.
"Enough talking."
She folded her arms.
"The barrier has bought us time."
"Let's make proper use of it."
Immediately—
The sailors returned to work with renewed energy.
Hammers struck wood.
Fresh planks were measured into place.
Ropes tightened.
The crisis had already passed.
Or at least...
It felt that way.
The sound of hammers gradually filled the lower deck.
With Vendetta's barrier sealing the damaged hull, the repairs progressed far more smoothly than anyone had expected.
Sailors moved with renewed confidence, replacing cracked planks and reinforcing the weakened section while the rhythmic pounding of wood echoed through the ship.
Guinevere quietly watched for another minute before giving a small nod.
"The repairs are under control."
She turned toward Marco.
"Remain here until they're finished."
Marco nodded immediately.
"Understood."
Then she looked at Chris and Vendetta.
"Let's head back."
The three made their way toward the staircase leading to the upper deck.
The staircase was narrow enough that only one person could climb comfortably at a time.
Guinevere went first.
Vendetta followed behind her.
Chris brought up the rear, lazily stretching his arms as he climbed.
"...Well," he muttered to himself, "that turned out easier than I expected."
At that exact moment—
One of the sailors hurried down the stairs carrying a bundle of repair timber.
"Excuse me!"
Chris instinctively stepped aside.
Unfortunately...
There wasn't much room.
His shoulder brushed against the railing.
His footing slipped.
"...Whoa—!"
He stumbled forward.
Right toward Guinevere.
Before he could fall—
A firm hand caught his wrist.
Chris froze.
Guinevere had turned just in time.
One hand gripped the railing.
The other held his arm securely, preventing him from crashing into her.
"...Careful," she said calmly.
For a moment...
Neither of them moved.
They were standing much closer than either of them realized.
Chris blinked.
His brain immediately betrayed him.
...Too close.
Way too close.
Without warning...
His thoughts drifted back to the kiss from the previous night.
His face instantly grew warm.
No.
Don't think about that.
Not now.
Why am I thinking about it now?!
Guinevere, completely composed as always, released his wrist once she was certain he had regained his balance.
"Can you stand?"
Chris answered far too quickly.
"Y-Yes!"
"...Good."
She turned and continued climbing as though nothing unusual had happened.
Chris remained rooted to the spot for several seconds.
What is wrong with me...?
I've fought monsters.
I've nearly died more times than I can count.
So why...
Why is talking to her suddenly harder than fighting demons?
He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"...This doesn't make any sense."
Behind him—
Marco finally reached the stairs after making sure the repairs were progressing properly.
He stopped halfway up.
Chris was still standing there.
"...Planning to live on the staircase?"
Chris nearly jumped.
"...Huh?"
Marco looked from Chris...
To Guinevere's disappearing figure...
Then back again.
A knowing smile slowly spread across his face.
"I see."
Chris immediately frowned.
"...See what?"
"Oh, nothing."
Marco continued climbing.
"I just happened to witness someone forgetting how stairs work."
"I slipped."
"Mhm."
"There was a sailor."
"Mhm."
"He was carrying wood."
"Mhm."
Chris narrowed his eyes.
"...Why do I feel like you don't believe me?"
Marco smiled innocently.
"I believe every word."
Chris stared at him.
"...You're making fun of me."
"I would never."
"You absolutely are."
Marco laughed.
"I didn't even say anything."
"Your face said enough."
Chris sighed dramatically.
"...You're the worst."
"I've been called worse."
By the time they stepped onto the deck...
Vendetta had already walked away, leaving the two behind.
Guinevere stood near the railing, speaking quietly with one of the sailors about the repair schedule.
Her expression remained calm and professional.
There wasn't the slightest hint of embarrassment on her face.
Chris secretly glanced toward her.
How is she acting so normal...?
Did that kiss really not affect her at all?
Or...
Is she just better at hiding it?
He quickly shook his head.
Stop thinking about it!
Marco noticed everything.
Every glance.
Every awkward silence.
Every panicked attempt to look somewhere else.
He couldn't resist.
"So..."
Chris groaned before Marco even finished.
"...Don't."
"When are you planning to speak to her?"
"I said don't."
"You can't avoid her forever."
"I'm not avoiding her."
Marco simply raised an eyebrow.
Chris confidently nodded.
"I'm strategically... giving her space."
Marco burst into laughter.
"Strategically?"
"Exactly."
"You've been walking in the opposite direction every time she appears."
"...Coincidence."
"You nearly hid behind a barrel this morning."
"...That barrel looked suspicious."
Marco laughed so hard he nearly had to grab the railing.
"You are unbelievable."
Chris folded his arms with as much dignity as he could manage.
"I'm simply exercising caution."
"Oh?"
"Yes."
Marco leaned a little closer.
"Caution against what?"
Chris opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
After several long seconds...
He sighed.
"...I don't know."
Marco's smile softened slightly.
"I thought so."
Chris looked toward the sea.
"...She's exactly the kind of woman I admire."
Marco blinked.
Chris scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Strong."
"Responsible."
"Respected."
"...Beautiful."
He immediately coughed.
"I-I mean—"
Marco's grin returned instantly.
"Oh?"
Chris covered his face.
"...Forget I said that."
"I don't think I will."
Chris let out a defeated groan.
"...I hate talking to you."
Marco laughed once more, clapping him on the shoulder.
"And yet... somehow, it's always entertaining."
From across the deck, Guinevere glanced in their direction for only a brief moment.
She saw Marco laughing.
She saw Chris looking as though he wished the sea would swallow him whole.
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Just for an instant.
Then she calmly returned to discussing the repairs with the sailors.
No one noticed.
Except perhaps...
Vendetta, who quietly observed everything from afar without saying a single word.
...CHAPTER 114ENDS...
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