Sea Monster Stew Chapter 37

The sound of the wind in the deep pre-dawn was exceptionally still. 

 

A small lamp swayed quietly, softly illuminating the bedroom. 

 

The sea-scented wind seeped through the window cracks along with the faint moonlight.

Kisa sat on the edge of the bed and gazed at Biche’s face for a long time. She was in a peaceful sleep, breathing shallow breaths.

He carefully brushed her hair back with his fingertips. 

 

A sparkling locket necklace was revealed amongst her golden locks.

The round locket swayed gently with her breathing. 

 

Kisa took it in his hand and quietly observed the Helio Imperial crest engraved on it.

“Mmm…”

Just then, Biche curled up as if uncomfortable and tugged at the necklace. Kisa readily let go.

She habitually clutched the locket and muttered in a small, sleep-laden voice.

“Mother… Father…”

Seeing her curled up like a child, calling for her family, his heart ached with a sharp, tingling pain.

Behind Biche’s peaceful, deeply asleep face lay hidden a profound longing, a sense of loss, and a desperate wish to return home.

Captain Hawk’s cold voice suddenly came to mind. 

 

The cruel order to either return Biche to her place or deal with her himself. The forked path, where both ends led only to ruin, began to carve up his heart.

For the first time in his life, Kisa wanted to resist an order from Hawk.

 

‘…I don’t want to lose you to anyone.’

 

He knew well that his own messy desires were the ones chaining her here. Biche missed her family and homeland.

She was never meant to live in a filthy pirate den like this. 

 

If he didn’t send her away, the warm vitality and bright light would eventually disappear from Biche’s eyes.

 

He rose from his seat and slowly approached the balcony window. 

 

The moonlight cast a white glow over the island he ruled.

The dark blue sea was faintly visible between the tall buildings. 

 

For a moment, he imagined a ship heading towards the Helio Empire, then he lowered his gaze to his own two hands.

These hands bore the marks of countless bloodshed and plunder. 

 

Such dirty pirate hands should not hold a noble lady, nor keep her imprisoned forever.

 

‘If you truly cannot kill that young lady with your own hands, then at the very least, put her back where she belongs.’

 

Hawk’s order echoed in his ears again. 

 

Kisa stared at the dark blue sea, then turned his body, his resolve firm.

Returning to the bed, he took Biche’s hand; even in her sleep, she gripped his fingers tightly. 

 

Steeling his heart within that warm grasp, he whispered in a faint voice,

“…I’ll return you to your family.”

He kissed her smooth forehead as he whispered. 

 

Biche smiled faintly and squeezed his finger, but he slowly let her hand go.

The dawn light was approaching outside the window. 

 

He gazed at her face, tinged with the blue light, then quietly turned away.

His hands showed no hesitation as he found and put on his robe, but his movements were extremely careful as he lifted Biche’s small body.

Kisa wrapped the deeply sleeping girl in a thick silk duvet and lifted her effortlessly. 

 

Then he moved towards the balcony window.

Flicking his fingers briefly, a giant bird flapped its wings and appeared before the balcony railing. 

 

He lightly vaulted over the railing and landed on the bird’s broad back.

The hollowed-out bird skin was soft and cushiony. 

 

Kneeling on one knee atop it, he gave an order.

“Move quietly to the south beach of the main island.”

The bird slowly nodded and turned towards the sea. 

 

Amidst the strong wind, Kisa held Biche steady, without a single sway.

He was no longer afraid. He was no longer confused.

He had already prepared to send her off on a new path. And he would not exist on that path.

 

 

* * * 

 

 

The pre-dawn air seeped deep into his skin. 

 

With every exhale, the scent of the sea brushed the tip of his nose.

 

The south beach of the Karabas main island felt darker and more desolate than anywhere else. 

 

It was a strange place where the sound of crashing waves intersected with the silence of the night sea.

Holding the sleeping Biche in his arms, Kisa looked down at the dark beach. 

 

He was relieved to see not a soul, not even a single ant.

“Go down closer to the beach.”

The giant bird, hearing his command, slowly lowered its altitude. 

 

Holding Biche firmly so she wouldn’t be blown away by the strong wind, he scanned the sea, which had suddenly drawn close.

After Biche’s escape attempt failed, Captain Hawk had provisionally closed the pier at Mint Beach. 

 

Everyone knew Vice-Captain Hildert’s influence was behind this sudden measure.

The ships that had been secretly visiting Karabas via Mint Beach had found new locations. 

 

One of them was this sparsely populated south beach.

“…You’re insane.”

Kisa muttered a curse as soon as he spotted the massive ship anchored before the high cliff.

“Are you out of your mind, wanting to die?”

Contrary to his disapproving tone, a sense of relief filled his heart, which had been clenched with tension. 

 

If it was that guy’s ship, he could entrust Biche to it.

He silently snapped his fingers, summoning the giant skin into the air. 

 

After entering the wide-open back, he picked up the soundly sleeping Biche again.

The giant skin seemed quite heavy; the giant bird, which had been flapping its wings quietly until now, let out a pained cry. 

 

Ignoring the bird’s complaint, Kisa pointed towards the ship with its black sails unfurled.

“Take us down to that ship.”

The bird nodded and began descending towards the broad deck. 

 

Holding Biche, Kisa lightly jumped down onto the quiet deck. 

 

The bird flapped its wings as it soared back into the air.

“Wait nearby. I’ll be right back.”

Leaving the nodding bird behind, he strode across the wide deck. 

 

The fact that not a single guard was posted on the deck spoke volumes about the ship owner’s confidence.

“What a madman, you are.”

Kisa snorted softly and went down the wooden stairs near the bridge. Descending below deck, a wide passageway, spacious enough for a giant to pass through, appeared.

He walked with familiarity. 

 

A large wooden door awaited him. 

 

Opening the door quietly revealed a sickbay with white beds lined up in a row.

A skinny woman was sitting at a wooden desk by the window. She was reading a book by lamplight, mumbling to herself.

Kisa deliberately cleared his throat and knocked on the door. 

 

The woman belatedly raised her head, her face looking rumpled.

“Huh? Who’s there at this hour… Admiral Kisa?!”

“Camilla.”

He carefully laid Biche down on a nearby bed and met the woman’s eyes.

“Where’s Orca?”

“Ah, she said she had business and went ashore on the main island…”

“Your boss is as reckless as ever, I see. Snooping around Karabas again when Captain Hawk is on high alert for stowaways.”

 

“O-Orca isn’t my boss…!”

Camilla stammered, putting on the thick glasses she had tossed on the desk.

“W-wait, that’s not the important thing! Why are you here? What if someone sees you?”

“Where is this ship’s next destination?”

“Oh my, look at this pirate. Answer my question first!”

“I asked you where the next destination is.”

Camilla shot him a look of utter exasperation at his repeated question.

“We’re scheduled to head for the Helio Empire… But why do you want to know?”

“Good. Take this woman to the Helio Empire.”

“Eh? Who is this young lady…?”

“Ask her for the details when she wakes up.”

He cut Camilla off and carefully covered Biche with the blanket. 

 

He wanted to softly caress her cheeks, which had grown cold from the wind during the journey.

But he didn’t want to touch her carelessly with the rough hands of the giant skin.

“D-don’t be ridiculous!”

Camilla grabbed the lamp and scurried over to the bedside.

“Why should I listen to you, a pirate? This is absolutely laughable…”

“You owe me a debt, don’t you?”

“I do not!”

“Who was it that saved you when you were being chased by slave traders and brought you to the resistance ship?”

The defiant look on Camilla’s face instantly soured. 

 

She glanced at the terrifying face of the giant skin Kisa was hiding in and muttered.

“It was the merciful Live-Skinner Kisa… Sir…”

 

“Then, shut up and do as you’re told.”

“This is so funny. Acting all high and mighty now, when you only helped because I reminded you of your dead sister…”

Kisa ignored Camilla’s grumbling and turned his head.

Just then, Biche, who had been breathing lightly in her sleep, slowly opened her eyelids. 

 

She looked around the dark sickbay with sleep-dazed eyes for a moment. Her eyes widened dramatically when she spotted Camilla and Kisa.

“…K-Kisa?”

Biche clutched the blanket and hurriedly sat up.

“What? Why are you…”

She looked around, her voice trembling with fear.

“Where is this… What are you doing?! Where’s Muir?!”

“W-w-what? Don’t tell me it’s a kidnapping? Are you going to dump a kidnapped woman on me? You shameless pirate scum!”

Camilla shrieked and waved the lamp around wildly. 

 

The swaying lamplight cast shifting, chaotic shadows across Biche’s face.