Chapter 1-23 : The Girl Is Looking For Hints At The Port Town (part 1)
「Phew. We’re finally here. I kinda missed land while I was on the ship.」(Yoyo)
「Fufu. Me too.」(Elle)
The ship arrived at the harbor earlier than scheduled.
It’s been three days since the last time Elle and Yoyo set foot on land.
「Elleー!」(Charlotte)
While Elle was taking a deep breath, smelling the fresh air of the shore, she heard someone calling her name.
She turned her face and saw a familiar blond girl coming her way.
「Charlotte!」(Elle)
「Elle! Oh, thank god!」(Charlotte)
Charlotte ran toward Elle and hugged her.
「I was worried about you! I’m glad you’re okay!」(Charlotte)
「Wh, what’s wrong?」(Elle)
「We promised to buy bread together, remember? I came to your cabin this morning, but you were not there.」(Charlotte)
「Aa…」(Elle)
A lot happened last night. She completely forgot about the promise.
「The ship was shaking intensely last night. My father told me to stay in the cabin, so I didn’t know what happened, but a ship crew told me that we almost hit an iceberg.」(Charlotte)
The fact that Charlotte and her father didn’t know what Elle did last night shows that the captain keeps his promise.
「So, where were you this morning?」(Charlotte)
「Ah… that’s… A, actually, I hit my head against the wall when the ship was shaking last night, so… I went to the sickbay to check…」(Elle)
「Wh, what!? Did you get injured?」(Charlotte)
「No, no. I’m fine. It’s not a big deal, really.」(Elle)
「I see…」(Charlotte)
Seeing Charlotte’s worried face, Elle felt a bit guilty for lying to her. She couldn’t tell her that she was staying in the luxury cabin provided by the captain.
「H-How about you? I hope you didn’t hurt yourself.」(Elle)
「I almost fell a few times, but I’m fine. In any case, I’m so glad you’re safe.」(Charlotte)
「Un. I’m glad you’re okay too.」(Elle)
「I was a bit afraid but I was with my family. You were all by yourself, right? Didn’t you feel scared?」(Charlotte)
「Not at all. I have Yoyo with me.」(Elle)
「Nyaa~」(Yoyo)
Yoyo made a cat-like voice while standing next to Elle’s feet.
「Oh, right. I almost forgot about you. Thank you for protecting her.」(Charlotte)
Saying that, Charlotte crouched down and stroked Yoyo’s head.
「Elle, you’re going to the royal capital, right? Why don’t you come with me and my family? My father went to rent a carriage for us.」(Charlotte)
「Umm… No. I think I’m good.」(Elle)
「Are you sure?」(Charlotte)
「Yeah. I kinda want to stroll around this town for a little bit.」(Elle)
「I see… That’s too bad. I wanted to introduce you to my family.」(Charlotte)
「I’m sorry…」(Elle)
「No, it’s alright. But… We will see each other again in the royal capital, right?」(Charlotte)
「Umm… I guess.」(Elle)
Elle wasn’t sure if she would stay in the royal capital for long.
Her goal was to look for her father. If he wasn’t in the royal capital, she would go looking for him somewhere else.
「My family has a townhouse in the royal capital. We will stay there during the social event. It’s on Chamois Street, the house number 3. It has a green roof and red brick walls. Just say you’re my friend and they will take you to my room.」(Charlotte)
「Friend…」(Elle)
「Yup. We’re friends!」(Charlotte)
The word ‘friend’ coming from Charlotte resonated deeply in Elle’s heart.
「Remember. You can always rely on me if you have any trouble.」(Charlotte)
「I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Charlotte.」(Elle)
「Please visit me when you have time. I’ll be waiting for you.」(Charlotte)
「Alright.」(Elle)
「Promise me.」(Charlotte)
「I promise.」(Elle)
Elle grabbed Charlotte’s hands and made a promise with her.
She broke her promise once. She swore to herself not to disappoint her friend for the second time.
「When the time comes, let’s go buy bread together. This time for sure.」(Elle)
「Yeah! My father knows the best bakery in the royal capital. We will go there!」(Charlotte)
「I’m looking forward to it!」(Elle)
「Great! Well then, I’m going back to my family. Be careful on your way.」(Charlotte)
「You too. See you, Charlotte.」(Elle)
「Un! See you later, Elle!」(Charlotte)
Charlotte did a graceful curtsy bow at Elle and waved her hand as she walked away.
Elle waved back at her and saw her off.
「Elle, you sure about that?」(Yoyo)
「Hm?」(Elle)
「We can get to the royal capital much faster if we go by carriage with her, you know?」(Yoyo)
「Yeah, but…」(Elle)
「You didn’t want to go with her and her family because it would remind you of your father. Am I right?」(Yoyo)
「Uhh… Seems like I can’t hide anything from you… But, I’m not lying when I said I wanted to stroll around this port town.」(Elle)
「I see.」(Yoyo)
「O~iー Little Ladyー!」(receptionist)
When Elle was about to turn around, she heard someone calling her again.
This time it was the young receptionist who helped her last night.
「Ah, hello there.」(Elle)
「How are you feeling? Are you good?」(receptionist)
「Yeah, I feel great. Don’t worry.」(Elle)
「I’m glad you’re uninjured. You scared me when you suddenly jumped over the railguard last night. I thought you wanted to commit suicide, you know?」(receptionist)
「Ugh, I’m sorry about that…」(Elle)
「No, it’s okay. I was surprised when you landed on the first floor uninjured and then summoned such a huge tornado right away. You’re truly an outstanding little witch! Anyway, I want to thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I and hundreds of other people on the ship would have died, freezing at the bottom of the sea by now. You saved our lives.」(receptionist)
「Y, you’re exaggerating.」(Elle)
「No, no. I’m serious. Thank you, Little Lady. You have my deepest gratitude.」(receptionist)
The guy took off his hat and bowed deeply to Elle.
Seeing his sincerity, Elle replied to him with a smile.
「You’re welcome.」(Elle)
「By the way, as my lifesaver, I want to tell you something. Would you listen to my story?」(receptionist)
「Why not? It’s not that I’m in a hurry.」(Elle)
「Thank you. I’m working as a receptionist for the ship right now, but I have dreamed of becoming a navigator officer since I was young. I gave up on my dream because I didn’t have enough money to continue my studies. However, the near-death experience last night made me realize how short this life was. It made me want to try chasing my dream once again. I’m going to find some part-time jobs and work harder to make more money so that I can continue my studies and eventually get the qualification to become a navigator.」(receptionist)
「I see. I’m rooting for you!」(Elle)
「Thank you. I’ll do my best. I don’t have money or anything worth giving you, but if there’s anything you want to ask, I will be willing to help.」(receptionist)
「Then, umm… Do you know a man named Hugo?」(Elle)
「Hugo?」(receptionist)
「He’s my father. I’m looking for him. He went to the royal capital two years ago and never came back. You’re a receptionist so you might know him.」(Elle)
「Hmm, if he went to the royal capital, then he probably boarded this ship, but… I’m sorry, I hadn’t worked on the ship at that time. I don’t know that person, but I can ask around for you.」(receptionist)
「I see. Please do.」(Elle)
「Anything for you, Little Lady. Well then, I still have work to do. I wish you a safe journey.」(receptionist)
「Thank you.」(Elle)
「Until we meet again.」(receptionist)
The young receptionist smiled at Elle and turned around, heading back to the ship.
「First, Charlotte, and then the captain, the officer, and that guy. You sure made a lot of friends on that ship.」(Yoyo)
「You’re right. Well then, shall we go now?」(Elle)
「Right behind you. Lead the way~」(Yoyo)
Elle turned around and started walking toward the center of the port town.
The journey to find her father on the main island had finally begun.
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