Under a clear blue sky, sunlight fell on the deck, and the sea surface shimmered with sparkling light.
The wind and waves were not strong, and the ship smoothly cut through the azure sea, leaving a long white trail of spray from its bow.
The sailors leaned against the ship's side in twos and threes, singing songs; their rough tunes carried far on the sea breeze.
Occasionally, someone would catch a few fish from the sea, set up a fire on the spot, and roast them. The oil dripped onto the charcoal and sizzled, filling the entire deck with a fragrant aroma.
This sea voyage from Zant Port to Winn Harbor on the Demon Continent lasted three months, making it a long voyage.
It may seem like a long time to humans, but for many long-lived species in this world, a few months is but a fleeting moment.
The ship is a large cruise ship, a four-story sailboat, with over a hundred people on board.
Besides passengers, there were sailors, captains, and adventurers responsible for escorting the ship—a mixed bag.
Although this route is relatively safe, it is still a sea voyage, and encountering dangerous monsters on the open sea is always an inevitable occurrence.
The adventurers who accepted the escort mission became the guards for this voyage.
This transoceanic merchant ship has four decks. The bottom deck is filled with cargo, the next two decks are cabins for sailors and ordinary passengers, the main deck is open-air, and the upper deck at the stern is reserved for high-priced passengers.
Luo Ge stood by the deck railing, squinting slightly. The sea breeze blew a small tuft of bangs across his forehead. "Hmm... Nanahoshi... Look! The weather's really nice today."
Have you seen the Titanic? This is the sea... the taste of freedom!
Compared to Luo Ge's blissful expression, Nanahoshi Stars, whose physique was slightly weaker, looked much worse.
She was not only vomiting and having diarrhea, but also seasick. She was lying on the side of the ship, her face was sallow and her lips were white.
He looked like he was on his deathbed at any moment.
Seeing that she couldn't hold on any longer, Luo Ge had no choice but to help her back to her room and take good care of her.
It's called a room, but it's actually just a series of small cubicles separated by wooden boards.
There wasn't even a bed inside; there was only a thin layer of straw mat.
Because the cubicles were filled with luggage, the space was even smaller, barely enough for one person to turn around.
The cubicle was too small, so Luo Ge couldn't squeeze in with Nanahoshi.
However, they lived in two adjacent cubicles, not far apart, so they could look after each other.
"Good night!"
The two did not eat the food on the ship, but ate some dry rations they had brought with them, and then discussed the rest of the journey.
They said goodnight to each other and returned to their respective cubicles to rest.
Nanahoshi Shizuka originally thought the journey would be a very romantic experience, but she never expected it to be not only tiring but also so exhausting.
Especially when she thought back on her unlucky experiences over the past few days, she was almost driven to the brink of neurasthenia.
At least I can finally get a good night's sleep tonight, right?
Although it's a bit noisy around during the day, it should quiet down at night, right?
However, Nanahoshi soon couldn't hold back any longer.
She heard strange noises again, this time coming from the upper deck.
???
No, why is there still this sound here?
Nanahoshi, unable to hold back any longer, revealed a face full of despair, as if she were instantly wearing a mask of pain.
She pulled the blanket over her head and curled up into a ball.
The next day.
Good morning, Nanahoshi.
Luo Ge pushed open the door to the cubicle and found that Nanahoshi ' condition was getting worse and worse; she had dark circles under her eyes and her complexion was even paler than yesterday.
Really? Is it possible?
"It's alright, don't worry about me, I can hold on..." Nanahoshi said weakly, her voice barely audible.
"Sigh, I just can't do anything with you. You're already like this, but you still have to be stubborn."
Luo Ge sighed and covered his forehead in exasperation. "Leave it to me."
Without saying a word, that very night, Luo Ge took the Elegant Dragon Sword and went upstairs to the second floor.
That's the upper deck at the stern, reserved for high-priced passengers—simply put, VIP rooms.
When he arrived on the second floor, he didn't even need to ask anyone; Luo Ge found the place simply by hearing their voices.
Listening to the sounds coming from inside.
Knock, knock, knock. With a heavy heart, Luo Ge finally knocked on the door.
Not long after, the door was pushed open a crack, and a head with spiral twin tails peeked out.
When he saw the person peeking out from inside, Luo Ge immediately revealed an expression that said, "I knew it."
It was that Long-Ear Race girl who had flirted with him at the inn before.
Her name seems to be Elinalise.
Elinalise clearly didn't recognize Luo Ge, and instead peeked out, stammering, "... Little... little brother, um... um, do you want to come in and play too?"
"???"
Luo Ge's lips twitched.
His handsome face instantly darkened as he barely suppressed the urge to rush in and beat the other person up.
"Hey kid outside, don't be shy."
Why don't you come and join us?
Inside the cubicle, a rough male voice came from behind Elinalise, and judging from the noise, there seemed to be more than one man.
Luo Ge's lips twitched twice.
This woman is really something else!
This cubicle is so small. Although it's for VIP guests, which are much larger than regular cubicles, how did she manage to squeeze so many men into it?
He suppressed the urge to punch her and politely said, "Miss Elinalise, could you please keep your voice down? You're disturbing my friend."
"Oh, sorry sir..."
Elinalise blushed and apologized, her tone tinged with embarrassment. She apologized verbally, but showed no sign of stopping.
"Hey, speaking of which... Miss Elinalise, don't you recognize me so quickly?" Luo Ge tilted his head, finally unable to contain himself any longer.
Only then, after being reminded, did Elinalise take a closer look at Luo Ge.
She squinted for two seconds, then her pupils suddenly contracted. "Huh?! You're that, that what? Seven... Seven??"
With a loud crash.
Without the slightest hesitation, Elinalise closed the door.
Luo Ge was turned away; he was caught in a dilemma—whether he pushed the door open or not.
He was at a loss for what to do in this situation.
After all, you can't just draw your sword and kill someone just because they like doing that kind of thing, can you?
What's more, this was the very woman who had sponsored him.
He couldn't possibly repay kindness with enmity after receiving so much money from them.
"Sigh, Nanahoshi, you'll have to make do for now." Luo Ge prepared to go back and think of other solutions.
After returning, Luo Ge briefly explained the situation to Nanahoshi, telling him that he had already warned the other Nanahoshi.
Nanahoshi was also very grateful for this. Although his face was still very pale, at least there was a hint of relief in his eyes.
That night, perhaps Elinalise heard it, because the strange noises from upstairs did not come out.
Although it happens every few days, most of the time nothing's wrong.
After sailing at sea for more than half a month, Nanahoshi had almost overcome his seasickness. Although he would still feel nauseous occasionally, it was no longer a big problem.
The ship continued sailing towards the Demon Continent, day after day.
Life on the sea is monotonous yet peaceful, with the occasional dolphin leaping out of the water in the distance, drawing a silver arc in the sunlight.
Because he had to take care of Nanahoshi, who was prone to seasickness, Luo Ge rarely went to wander around other parts of the deck.
Although the three-month voyage has only just begun and the Demon Continent is still far beyond the horizon, at least they are getting closer step by step.