Chapter 88: The Cruise Ship

Ion learned that Idea’s System Age was identical to Earth’s. It began preaching, “The System is a gift from the divine to save this world,” but later claimed, “The System is the divine,” cementing its status as a cult. When Giants established bases and demanded impossible tributes, System Age followers insisted on obeying, viewing Giants as divine emissaries.

Deand’s king had a mentor, Clardis, a high-ranking official who joined System Age. Driven by warped faith, Clardis dismantled the Solminium barrier and opened the capital’s gates, aiding the Giants’ invasion. Only the third prince, Biprio Fevel, survived, thanks to an aura-master mage and a knight.

Currently, Clardis ruled Deand, backed by System Age. Prince Fevel was pursued by cult assassins sent by Clardis, leading him to Dock 17.

In Hunter and Hero, System Age was Earth-exclusive, as Ideans worshipped only the deity Elida. Who created System Age in Idea? How does it exist here? Ion couldn’t unravel the mystery.

“Have you contacted the Illiand Empire?” Ion asked.

“We kept failing due to Clardis’s interference, but we recently got through. You’ve heard the Empire’s planning to retake our kingdom’s base? Clardis will send forces to stop them. We’ll use that chance to oust him,” Fevel said.

Unlike the robust northerners, Fevel was frail, as if the journey had worn him down. Yet his voice and gaze were resolute.

“They mentioned ‘paladins.’ What are those?” Ion asked.

Fevel, the mage, and the pink-haired knight looked puzzled, their expressions screaming, How do you not know this?—a reaction Ion had faced often in Idea.

The pink-haired knight answered, “Paladins serve the Holy Sovereign, devoted to Elida. System Age worships a new ‘System’ deity, making them enemies of the paladins. Just as we’re hunted by Clardis, System Age is hunted by the paladins.”

Ion hadn’t known Idea had a Holy Sovereign or paladins. Like a pope on Earth? A world with deities lacking a religious order would be odd.

“Why are you and the dragon at Dock 17?” the mage asked.

“We’re—” Ion began.

“We’re going to see the World Tree. But Dam Ion’s useless and hasn’t found a boat yet,” Sevi interjected.

The mage’s eyes lit up. “The central island, Elidivi Mountains? Take my ID and escort the prince there.”

“Master, you must come with us!” Fevel protested, grabbing the mage’s sleeve.

The mage gently but firmly pried Fevel’s hand off. “Prince, I’m injured. I can’t protect you and would burden Sir Fint. My healing aura will recover me in a day. Go to Deand without worrying about me. I’ll follow once I’m able.”

“Master…” Fevel’s eyes welled up.

“Sir Deian…” The pink-haired knight, Fint Havel, teared up too.

Ion vaguely recalled Deian, but Fevel and Fint appeared briefly in the novel’s later chapters: “Prince Fevel, Deand’s heir, announced his betrothal to his knight amid war. Some find love even in chaos. Jinseongha thought of those he cared for but dismissed it, saying, ‘They can love, but I can’t afford to now.’”

Ion had assumed Deand’s royal line was extinct, so Jinseongha wouldn’t muse about love. Yet here they were, alive, following the novel’s path in some ways.

The next day, Ion boarded a ship arranged by Fevel’s group—a luxurious cruise, likely chosen to blend into a crowd. It had a theater, pool, sports center, casino, and banquet hall. Sevi, thrilled, roamed everywhere—not as a human but as a silver-feathered, scarlet-beaked parrot, using polymorph magic since they had only one mercenary ID.

“Dam Ion, let’s hit the pool! Birds love baths. Hurry!” Sevi chirped.

You’re not a bird…

“I’m going to look around. Sevi, protect these two,” Ion said.

“Got it. Fevel, Fint, I’ll guard you. To the pool!” Sevi said.

Ion seized the chance, nodding to Fevel and Fint, who didn’t seem to mind, perhaps welcoming a date-like moment. Ion stepped onto the deck, feeling the breeze. The ship glided swiftly, waves crashing white against the horizon, blurring the line between lake and sea.

“Dam Ion, the water’s salty,” Baba said.

“It’s a lake, not a sea,” Ion corrected.

“Oh, my bad. Lake’s salty? Lakes are salty, right?” Baba asked.

Am I on Baba’s level? Ion shook off the thought, lifting Sanse’s pot to share the view. Baba flopped onto the pot. The crowd’s noise faded, and the clear sky and shimmering waves calmed Ion’s tangled thoughts.

Yawn.

Baba yawned under the warm sun. Ion, without thinking, poked a finger into Baba’s open mouth.

“…?” Baba froze, eyes rolling.

“…?” Ion froze, like a tagged player in hide-and-seek.

Amid cheerful laughter around them, they stayed locked in place. Ion finally snapped out, yanking his finger back. Baba blinked.

“Dam Ion,” Baba said.

“…Yeah?”

“Why’d you put your finger in my mouth?”

“…” Why did I? It just happened. Why did Jinseongha, laughing at Rupru’s cute yawn and poking her mouth, come to mind?

“Dam Ion,” Baba repeated.

“…”

“You put your finger in my mouth.”

“…”

“Am I cute?”

“No!” Ion shouted, drawing fleeting glances. Baba grinned, dangling its legs.

“Am I cute?”

“I said no. You’re not cute at all.”

“Jinseongha said Rupru’s yawn was cute, so he poked her mouth. You think I’m cute, right?” Baba teased.

“Shut up. Jinseongha might do that, but I don’t. And you’re not cute,” Ion snapped.

“I’m cute. You think so. Admit it,” Baba insisted.

“No! Only plants are cute!” Ion yelled, storming off the deck. Baba flew to perch on his head.

“Dam Ion shy? Your head’s hot. My butt’s toasty,” Baba said.

Ion’s ears reddened, speechless.

Three days after leaving Dock 17, halfway to the central island with a week to go, ancient beast attacks grew frequent deeper in the lake, restricting deck time. At sunset, crew ordered everyone inside. Ion headed to the pool.

“Sevi, time to go in. Look, other kids are going with their parents,” Ion said.

“I’m not a kid, Fevel. I’m grown,” Sevi huffed.

“Yes, very grown, so let’s go eat something tasty. How about sweet scones you like?” Fevel offered.

“Get them ready. I’ll eat after my swim,” Sevi said.

As expected, Fevel and Fint were flustered by parrot-Sevi splashing in the pool. “Sevi,” Ion called.

“Ugh,” Sevi flinched, extending their beak, knowing Ion wouldn’t indulge them.

“I wanna play more…” Sevi whined.

“Then play alone. Fevel, Fint, let’s go,” Ion said, turning.

“What? But…” Fevel and Fint hesitated.

Sevi instantly flew out, flapping to Ion. “Dam Ion, you’re so cold, like Master.”

Sevi circled a sleeping Baba, then pop—turned back into a silver-haired boy, reverting to human form when unnoticed, as permitted. Sevi tugged Ion’s robe.

“Hold my hand,” Sevi said.

“…” Ion shifted Sanse to one arm, offering his hand. Sevi’s small, warm, soft hand gripped his. Ion led them to their room, Fevel and Fint trailing.

“What if I tell the crew I’m a dragon? Then I can play all I want. I’m stronger than ancient beasts,” Sevi suggested.

“We need to stay low-key. If you reveal yourself, don’t acknowledge us,” Ion warned.

“How about a pool in our room? I’m small, so it’s easy,” Sevi said.

“If you’ll play as a parrot, I’ll make one,” Ion offered.

“Deal!” Sevi agreed.

That night, a small water bucket appeared in their triple room. Sevi, as a parrot, splashed tirelessly for hours, watched fondly by Fevel and Fint. The bucket was big enough for Baba, but Baba didn’t join. Ion studied ancient languages, with Baba occasionally chiming, “That’s wrong,” or “Dam Ion’s dumb.”

“…!” Mid-study, Ion sensed something odd and looked up. Baba shot up, eyes narrowing sharply.