The New World [Magi Fanfic]

Trying to Forget

"What? You want to buy that island?" Barbarossa asked as he turned his chair to face the trio.

"Yes. Please allow me to purchase it." Sinbad asked, holding Lucy's hand secretly.

"Really? Wouldn't you rather return to your company to discuss things...?" Barbarossa asked.

"There's no need. We would come to the same decision." Sinbad said with a grin, his hand shaking slightly as he held onto his partner's.

"I've made the preliminary calculations, and even if we make allowances for repaying the money we'd owe, the business that such a move would create would still net is an enormous profit." Ja'far confirmed, reading a large paper.

"This is a huge opportunity for us. I have no objections." Lucy spoke up as she read the sheet over Ja'far's shoulder.

"...I see. If that's the case. Then I accept. But, Sinbad... What happened to you? You look terrible." Barbarossa said as he looked over Sinbad's ragged appearance. His golden eyes lost their shine, dark bags were nestled under them, though his hair and clothes were neat, courtesy of Lucy. Sinbad smiled.

"Do I?" He asked, feigning innocence. Barbarossa sighed and gripped the paper on the desk before him

"The truth is.... Last night, I received a report that you and a woman have been spotted in mid-air above the island." Barbarossa said. Ja'far turned to Sinbad.

"Sin! Did you do something like that?!" Ja'far yelled angrily.

"I don't mind. I was just worried. After all, that place... still hasn't been cleaned up." Barbarossa said as he took in Sinbad's new facial expression. Said man's eyes widened just a tad and his mouth was drawn into a thin line. Lucy drew her brows together and a frown formed on her face.

"Sinbad. Did you see something there?" Barbarossa questioned, as if he knew the answer already.

".....No..... There wasn't anything to see." Sinbad replied shakily.

--

"Sin, are you really alright? You're not yourself today. You really saw something yesterday, didn't--" Ja'far asked, finally breaking the silence. Sinbad cut him off.

"Ja'far. I'm fine. I'm just a little tired. Please take Lucy and head back to the inn without me. I'll finish up the last of my business here and then follow suit." Sinbad said, ignoring the nervous expression on Lucy's face. Ja'far sighed and grabbed Lucy's hand gingerly.

"......I understand." Ja'far said, walking himself and the blonde away.

"Sin... just what are you going to do now..?" Lucy whispered to herself as she was led away.

-

Sinbad watched as the walked away. Once they left his vision he slumped against the wall and held his mouth.

'...This is fine.' Sinbad thought as he vomited on the floow.

'Because with this, we'll finally be able to make our dream a reality... I'll do whatever I have to make that happen. I'm am sorry Lucy. This is my sin. This is the path I chose for myself. I'll keep pushing forward, no matter how soiled my hands become. This is my destiny.' Sinbad thought with determination as he glared at the wall, ignoring the panging guilt in his chest when he thought of his lover.

--

After that, Sindria Trading Company finalized their alliance with the Parthevian Empire and began necessary preparations to gain their independence as a special administrative district of Parthevia.

----

Everyone from the company stood on the new island, amazed. Soon Sinbad stood beside Barbarossa as they looked were the military building used to be.

"....How is it? We disposed of everything just as you wished." Barbarossa said with his arms crossed over his chest.

"....Thank you. Now we can create our own country here." Sinbad said with his lifeless eyes gazing down at the island.

---

Naturally, Sindria Trading Company became a very busy place. In order to ensure the support of their allies, representatives paid a visit to each other their countries. As mere merchants, learning how to create a country from the ground up was no easy task. But they put all their efforts towards accomplishing it. As the head of the company, Sinbad worked especially hard. It was easy to see his fatigue. But that didn't halt his progress. It was like... He was trying to forget something.

----

"Sin, you're working too hard." Lucy said with a concerned tone as she, Ja'far and Mystras stood in his office.

"She's right! You're going to make yourself sick if you keep this up!" Mystras exclaimed in worry.

"No, I'm fine. How would it look if the head of the company wasn't working hard? We're trying to build our own country. Of course it's a lot of work. In fact, the closer we get to founding our own kingdom, the more excited I get. Besides, we're all tired, aren't we?" Sinbad said, gesturing to the bags under everybody's eyes.

"....Well, Ja'far looks like he hasn't slept in three days. I haven't slept either.." Mystras sighed.

"Mystras! Th...That's... Lucy almost looks worse than Sinbad!" Ja'far yelled, pointing a finger at the blonde. Her brown eyes were in the midst of losing their shine and her face was a bit paler than usual.

"See? We're all in the same boat. You guys should get some rest." Sinbad said, playfully waving them out.

"Okay.. Please don't overdo it though.." Mystras said as he and Ja'far walked out of the office.

"I won't!" Sinbad grinned at the two. His smile fell as soon as they left the room. Lucy looked at him with a frown.

"Why won't you tell me what happened? It's obviously eating away at you. If you die from exhaustion, this will all be for nothing." Lucy grumbled as she sat in one of the chairs across from his desk.

"Not now, please..." Sinbad sighed as he put down his quill and looked over at his lover.

"Sin... Please, just rest, even for just an hour." Lucy pleaded as she watched him lace his fingers together.

"Lucy. I can't--" Sinbad said before he looked past the blonde and at the door.

"....Come in. You're there aren't you, Serendine?" Sinbad called out. Lucy raised her brows as she turned to the door.