The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

Death Wish (Part 2)

Everyone in the ships knew they were finally out of the crossing when the bright azure sky replaced the grey, murky environment they were subject to for seven hours. At the horizon, the seas stretched as far as their eyes could see, and there were a few small ripples on the surface of the water, brought about by the gentle Cherwoods breeze blowing from the south.

"..."

The crews and their passenger, however, couldn't enjoy the scenery. About fifteen minutes before they came out of the Cherwoods portal, everyone not needed on the ship bridges was ordered below the decks. Gun ports closed, and the people assigned to chant magic barrier spells activated it.

"..."

But, what greeted them was complete silence. The captain of 'Hagena' sent a man to his ship's crow's nest to look for any silhouette on the horizon.

"Galleys sighted 40 degrees to the east! Distance, about 65 leagues," the crewman called out. "They are flying the flag of Her Holiness the Elf Saint!" (1)

Gerard, who stood beside the captain of Hagena at the bridge, muttered, "That is the naval fleet of the Saint's Tree. Let's try to approach them."

The captain nodded and set course for the direction the man at the crow's nest told them. For good measure, they had him go down to the relative safety of the boarded-up bridge. As the Hagena and Duke of Shent steamed to the elvish fleet, all of them could feel the air of tension. No one was sure of what could happen next.

After all, no one among their group wants to fight anyone, until they are forced to do so...

Then, the flotilla arrived at the Tenedrim lagoon, where they were immediately surrounded by the galleys. On its decks were the elvish soldiers, showing their bows and arrows, in an attempt to intimidate the Chersean ships.

"Hagena and Duke of Shent!" the elvish commander called out from his flagship, identified by the flag of the Saint's Tree. "We see no identification on your vessels, of whose Chersean kingdom you belong. We implore you, as the representatives of Her Holiness the Elf Saint, to turn back to your realm. Cherwoods is closed for anyone at the moment, and we wish to spare your lives."

The Lady Margaret Jeanne of Malvette, who was also with Gerard and the captain of Hagena at the bridge, tried to talk to the elf commander. However, Gerard quickly stopped her.

"Milady, please allow me to speak for our group," he whispered, even though the elves were of considerable distance from their spot. "As you are the ambassador of the Kingdom of Cherwind to Cherwoods, a diplomatic incident may ensue once my comrades learned that you are helping us...I mean, me. Please stand back."

"A-Alright," the former admiral agreed.

Gerard then stood from his hiding place and came out of the bridge, to the bow of Hagena. "Greetings, my brothers and sisters!"

"Whoa! An elf!" someone among the soldiers in the galley decks cried out.

"Who are you, brother?" the commander of the elvish fleet asked.

"You must be the captain of the Life Guards' naval fleet, Lord Ninier of Dorian," Gerard replied. "Milord, you may have forgotten me, but I am Gerard of Yusave, a fellow Life Guards in service of Her Holiness the Elf Saint!"

"Oh? So you're a member of the Life Guards too!"

"Yes, milord. Currently, I'm on an errand; I request safe passage from you, to allow us to dock at the Saint's Tree."

"What for?" the Lord Ninier raised an eyebrow. "There's no instruction from the Saint's Tree to allow exceptions, even if they are members of the Life Guards."