"Stop chasing me! I just borrowed your hat!"
"You bastard! What you did was clearly stealing!"
"Huff... huff... Gentlemen! Please wait a moment... the statement isn't finished yet!"
On the quiet street, two discordant figures sprinted wildly, while Inquisition staff chased after them.
"I'm telling you... I'm your savior, after all!"
Vane ran backwards, looking back.
"Besides, I went to see you as soon as I got back. It's just a tattered hat, is it really necessary to make such a fuss..."
"It's not a problem with the hat at all!"
Alfonso, in pursuit, had a ferocious expression on his face.
"It's a boat! My boat!"
"Why is the entire layout different after I entered the cabin?! What did you do to her?!"
"I thought it was something serious... You're not happy about the renovation?"
Vane looked surprised.
"Just get more familiar with it, you're the one with the Forte (minotaur), don't act like I'm some kind of bully to your wife!"
[Forte: One of many races, Prototype Armor on the bovine animal.]
The air fell silent for a moment, then a roar that shook the very fabric of the room echoed.
"I'll kill you!!"
The two increased their speed again, leaving the staff helplessly swallowing the billowing dust.
Soon after, in the deserted tavern...
The two men, who had previously been shouting threats of violence, were now enjoying their wine, completely disregarding whether the shop owner agreed.
"Glug... Glug... Ha--"
Alfonso put down the bottle and let out a satisfied burp.
"I never thought I'd be able to drink rum again after all these years."
"Nothing special, maybe this wine is as old as you."
Vane examined the label on the bottle; it was already blurred and illegible.
"Iberia rum production has long ceased, and even if sugarcane could grow on the coast now, it would probably be salty."
"The rum that sailors drank has become a collector's item? I should have stocked up on more bottles back then... Wait a minute!"
Alfonso had been drinking heavily, paused and counted the bottles on the table.
"If that's the case... then these wines must be very expensive!?"
"You're only just realizing it?"
Vane grinned mischievously, stepped aside, and showed the numbers on the shelf.
"A genuine antique, can Captain Alfonso afford it?"
"Hmph... Don't underestimate a captain's savings."
As if he didn't want to be looked down upon, Alfonso opened another bottle of wine.
"Even if I don't receive a salary for 50 years, my savings will be enough to buy the entire store."
"Are your savings still intact?"
Vane squinted and pointed to the display case hanging on the wall.
The frame contains various currencies, all remnants of what was once Iberia.
But unsurprisingly, every piece of currency had the numbers facing out.
Alfonso fell silent.
Clearly, the fact that the currency is displayed here makes it an antique.
"Your money has already been refunded, so congratulations."
Vane took a gold coin and flicked it at Alfonso.
You're already broke!
The gold coin struck the wine bottle with a crisp sound.
Alfonso stopped drinking and simply watched his reflection in the glass.
The face, so different from what he remembered, made him realize clearly—
Too much time has passed.
Over time, the ubiquitous liquor has become a delicacy.
Over time, even popular coins become antiques.
So long that... the kingdom fell.
Clang--
"Try this, a new era of wine."
Looking at the brand-new product he had never seen before, Alfonso scoffed:
"Is this small volume meant for a child?"
"Please have some sympathy for the poor boss. It's not easy for him to get supplies, especially since the borders are closed."
Hearing more bad news, Alfonso could no longer maintain his smile.
He grabbed the liquor and poured it down his throat; it didn't seem like he was drinking, but rather like he was venting.
Watching this scene quietly, every time Alfonso finished a bottle, Vane would hand him another one.
Finally--
"Hiccup~ Stop handing it to me!"
Alfonso swept aside the empty bottles on the table and glared at Vane.
"What kind of lousy wine is this? Why can't I get drunk?!"
"The alcohol itself isn't the problem; the main issue is the changes in your body structure."
Saying astonishing things in a calm tone, Vane pulled out his chair.
"Don't worry, I've already ruled out any potential impact, including on the crew."
Alfonso didn't respond, and picked up the bottle to drink again.
Glug. Glug. Glug.
He downed the entire bottle of rum, his Adam's apple bobbing without pausing.
Bang--!
The bottle smashed on the table, making the empty bottles next to it clang loudly.
He lowered his head and forced out a sound from his throat:
"... Thanks."
Vane didn't respond, Alfonso didn't need to.
Thanks.
Those two words are too understated.
It's too light to support anything.
What else could he say?
His crew survived, and his fleet returned, but none of that mattered to him.
Vane led the entire fleet back, but that was supposed to be his responsibility.
But he failed to do so.
Alfonso closed his eyes, Vane didn't speak, but simply picked up the gold coin on the table and twirled it between his fingers.
"You should be thanking someone else."
Golden light danced at his fingertips, Vane said casually:
"That person is someone you know."
"... I've already said that."
Alfonso's voice was muffled; he had already seen David and been mercilessly beaten up by that guy.
He dared not resist, nor did he have the face to resist...
"Alright, stop looking so gloomy. I brought you out here to help you relax."
This is not a lie; this is indeed Vane's purpose.
After all, he had been fighting Seaborn for 50 years, plus the stimulation of returning home and the hidden dangers of body modification.
Vane decided to observe for a while longer.
Fortunately, aside from some depression, he seems to be fine.
Seeing the other person's still somewhat gloomy expression, Vane said with disdain:
"Alright, you're wasting your rare good looks."
Vane gestured with his fingers to indicate the other person's face.
"Although he's a bit unkempt, if he shaves off his beard and hair, he could easily have a second spring in his life."
Alfonso didn't respond, picked up the bottle, tilted his head back, and chugged it down.
"I told you you can't get drunk."
Vane snatched the bottle away, saying helplessly:
"Is it so hard to smile at someone who's been your benefactor?"
Silence.
"... I can't laugh."
Alfonso leaned back, the wooden chair creaking dangerously as it supported his tall frame.
He stared at the halo of light above his head, and unconsciously squinted, having grown accustomed to the darkness.
"My crew, my country, the king I serve..."
Everything disappeared.
The chair bounced back sharply, Alfonso up straight, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Vane.
Even now, I still have some doubts... that you might be a phantom created by those monsters.
Vane raised an eyebrow, while Alfonso stared intently at him, as if trying to see right through him.
"I thought I would kill my crew members one by one until I killed the last monster, and then sink with my ship."
"But then you suddenly appeared, bringing us back to this land in that way."
He leaned forward, his tall frame casting a large shadow that enveloped Vane.
"I'm very grateful to you, really."
There was another long silence, so long that Vane thought he wouldn't speak again.
"But what do you really want?"
Alfonso's voice was as deep as an anchor.
Those who spend their lives dealing with the sea understand one thing best:
Risk and reward are commensurate.
To find the legendary treasure, one must face the raging waves of the sea.
But now, an immense treasure has been presented to him.
The entire fleet...
Everything was returned intact.
So what's the cost?
What is the cost?
Looking at his serious, almost tragic face, Vane suddenly felt like laughing.
"Can't I do it if I want to?"
Alfonso silent; clearly, this answer was insufficient.
Vane sighed, spread his arms, and rolled his eyes.
"Someone was just saying their kingdom had been destroyed... and now they're worried about this country that has nothing to do with them?"
Alfonso's serious expression froze for a moment, Vane watched this scene with satisfaction.
"That's why you old guys who are always thinking about exchanging favors are the most annoying."
"Saving you was just a side effect of completing the mission; as for the fleet... it's just something I'm adding to my collection."
"If this answer still doesn't satisfy you, just take it as the old king appearing in a dream and asking me to help you."
"King..."
As if touched upon some hidden memory, Alfonso's gaze fell on the gold coin in Vane's hand.
The reverse side of the gold coin should have featured the king's portrait, but it was worn so badly that his features were completely illegible.
Alfonso tightened his grip, while Vane picked up the coin and examined it closely.
"It's clear you respect your king, but the royal Iberia is dead; now the Inquisition is in power."
Alfonso raised his eyes.
"Are they the new kings...?"
"No, Iberia no longer has a king."
Vane pushed the coin in front of Alfonso. Alfonso was stunned.
The blurry human figure was not formed naturally; it is covered with deliberate scraping, clearly man-made.
"A ruler who fails to fulfill his promise to protect the people deserves their contempt."
Vane whispered the Iberia's opinion of the old king, Alfonso clutched the gold coin in his palm.
"My king... what were his last words?"
He didn't use a will, and Vane didn't bother to correct him.
"Ah, this plot is a bit off track, let me think,"
After a few seconds of silence, Vane cleared his throat.
Iberia will not fail.
Iberia will surely win.
[Iberia, immortal!]
Hearing the deliberately slowed-down declaration, Alfonso finally laughed, though with a bitter taste.
"That's really a declaration that suits his personality..."
Vane didn't reply, but just looked at Alfonso, at the once spirited captain.
"Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"
Alfonso remained silent for a long time.
So long that the light outside the window shifted an inch further.
"My king... has he ever retreated?"
"Well..."
Vane drawled out his words as he responded under Alfonso's tense gaze.
"That guy was surprisingly tough; he led everyone and Seaborn to explode."
"Yeah..."
Alfonso closed his eyes and relaxed completely.
"What's with that look on your face, like you're about to die?"
Vane imitated the other person, relaxing his body.
"Cheer up, you'll be busy all the time in the future."
"There's no need..."
Alfonso's voice was very relaxed.
My mission is over.
He did not disappoint the king's expectations, nor did he fail that flag.
He and his crew held out until the rescue.
No one betrayed Iberia.
Only...
"You don't need to return that hat to me."
Alfonso's voice softened, as if he had transformed from a burly man who had torn Seaborn apart into a kind old man.
"Hmm, you're not going to be the captain anymore?"
"No..."
Alfonso gave a faint smile.
"My Iberia is dead."
After a long silence, Vane asked in surprise:
What nonsense are you spouting?
Vane pointed towards the shore.
There, the golden hull of the Stultifera Navis gleamed in the sunlight, like a flag that would never fall.
"Isn't your Iberia right there?"
Alfonso's relaxed body suddenly froze, and his eyes widened.
"Thinking about retirement at such a young age?"
Vane's voice carried a hint of mockery.
"You're not going to say something like, 'I'm a remnant of the old era, and there's no ship in the new era that can carry me,' are you?"
The remnants of the old era.
Alfonso a little dazed.
He lowered his head and looked at the gold coin whose portrait had been ground off.
The remnants...
If he is a remnant, then what is Iberia now?
He raised his head and looked out the window again.
Towering buildings, constantly roaring factories, vast harbors... all the past glories are gone.
If it were in the past...
These buildings nowadays are all being called "slums"!
But this is Iberia now...
You're telling me this is Iberia!?
Bang--!
With a single punch, the sturdy wooden table crumbled into dust.
"Are you kidding me?!"
Alfonso's roar made the bottles on the wine cabinet vibrate.
The remnants?
The remnants!!
If he is a remnant, what is Iberia like now?
If he was a remnant, what were those docked fleets for?
If he's a remnant... then what about those comrades who died at his hands!?
Alfonso was breathing heavily when Vane walked through the ruins and patted him on the shoulder.
"Calm down, Captain, your voyage is over."
"This is a new era; there are no monsters here that you need to kill."
My voyage...
It's over?
Alfonso's breathing gradually calmed down.
But beneath that calm, something was churning.
I'm not reconciled.
I'm not reconciled.
I'm not reconciled!
"No..."
"My voyage--"
Alfonso raised his head, his eyes burning with a desperate madness.
"This is just the beginning!"
He turned to face Vane.
"I'm willing to contribute my strength, as long as it makes Iberia great again... You can have anything you want!"
"Um, are you misunderstanding something?"
Vane touched his chin in confusion.
He was just there to collect some things he'd forgotten and maybe get some psychological counseling.
Now it seems... the effect was too strong?
"Misunderstanding... Isn't this exactly why you came to find me!"
Alfonso let out a sneer, as if mocking Vane's hypocrisy.
"Ah... just so you know, I promised someone I wouldn't destroy this country."
This time, it was Alfonso silent.
Why did the topic veer towards the destruction of Iberia?
"Hmph, stop trying to change the subject."
Alfonso quickly regained his composure.
"Now that you've brought the entire fleet back and publicized it so ostentatiously, isn't your purpose quite obvious?"
He straightened up and scrutinized Vane.
"You called me the Left Protector before, right...? I also know a bit about the culture of Yan."
"You... want to become the king of Iberia."
You fucking know nothing about Yan culture.
Vane's face darkened; he really wanted to just blurt it out.
Unaware of Vane's expression, Alfonso had already begun his analysis.
"Although you are Vampire, you have the merit of bringing back an entire fleet, and with the fleet's support—there is a high probability of success."
"The Inquisition... I may not be able to persuade those guys, but if it's the former National Defense Force, I can help you."
He continued to add details, becoming more and more serious and making it sound more and more convincing.
As he listened, Vane unconsciously reached for his philtrum.
He glanced around at his surroundings, a deep sense of doubt settling in his mind. This wasn't a beer hall...
Do regular taverns also have special buffs?
The intense gaze felt like it could burn through his body. Vane looked at Alfonso, who was still waiting for his reply.
"Hmm... why don't you try it first?"
Vane felt the other person was being a bit too impulsive.
"If you can truly persuade the Inquisition, I might grant your wish."
"... good."
Captain Alfonso accepted the challenge, but Vane didn't think he could succeed.
Are you kidding me? How could those Inquisitor possibly agree to such an absurd proposal?
If it succeeds...
I married the third captain on the spot!
After tossing a few more pieces of Pure Gold behind the bar, Vane led Alfonso away.
Most of the crowd has now gone to the harbor to watch the fleet.
It's uncertain whether the shop owner will be satisfied with the payment when he returns.
Forget it, let Dario worry about it.
Vane quickly put those thoughts aside; at worst, he'd just pay a few more pieces of Pure Gold.
As for the other party possibly being more interested in those antiques...
Hey? I happen to know someone who owns an antique shop.
With lighter steps, Vane had already put the unpleasantness of encountering evil things behind him.
"Left Protector, can you walk a little faster?"
Their statements haven't been taken yet; the Inquisitor must be getting impatient.
"Sir! Alfonso has been taken away by Vane!"
"Okay, I understand."
She calmly responded, even the sighs of the past were gone.
Dario stuffed the neatly arranged letter into the envelope, turned around, and his expression became serious.
"Give it to the messenger, and have three colleagues escort it."
"Ah? Yes!"
His subordinates were momentarily stunned, somewhat confused by Dario's calm response to the previous intelligence.
Noticing his subordinate's confusion, Dario rubbed his temples.
"From now on, there's no need to report anything concerning Vane Wayne unless it involves casualties."
"Any?"
"Any."
The subordinate's face immediately contorted; as a member of the Inquisition, he clearly could not condone such cover-up.
"Sir, please forgive my bluntness..."
"Alfonso was rescued by Vane."
"Ah?"
"Aegir's distinguished guests also came because of him."
"Wait! I haven't digested it yet..."
"He brought back the entire fleet as well."
"..."
Looking at his silent subordinates, Dario finally couldn't help but sigh.
Do you understand now?
"I completely understand..."
He nodded numbly, and his subordinate glanced at the letter in his hand.
"What is this letter?"
Transporting a letter together by three colleagues is no small matter in a short-staffed Inquisition.
"You don't need to know its contents, you only need to know its destination."
"Understood! So its destination is..."
"Perdoni, the place where the Saints reside."