Chapter 43 [Volume 2]: Approaching Arrival

The blazing sun hung high in the sky.

Under the cloudless sky, the sea was an endless expanse of azure.
The sunlight seemed to have shattered in the waves, creating specks of light.
In the magnificent sea, a fleet was sailing majestically.
In the fleet of nine large sea ships, each had a conspicuous emblem—a scythe.
If any discerning person saw this emblem, they would surely steer clear.
Even the most vicious pirate gangs wouldn’t dare to provoke them.

Why?

Lavillia’s Scythe, the Reaper Over the Tide, the Blade Following the Waves—such names all referred to this fleet.
According to the leader, Miss Nadiesse, the fleet she brought was only a part of the one that patrolled the borders of the Holy Nation.
The full fleet was said to be able to contend with a regular army.

“If any blind fool wants to cross us, we’ll make sure they return in utter defeat!” Nadiesse had said.

It’s hard to imagine why a private force could contend with a national army.
When the fox lady said this, her nose was almost in the air, her ears twitching.
I feel that she was exaggerating, but I also admit that Nadiesse’s fleet does have some strength.

Speaking of which, they’re a merchant guild, right?

Are there merchant guilds with such a high level of armament?

Then isn’t the twenty-five percent discount I extorted a huge bargain!

The past few days of life at sea have been more boring than I imagined.
So, I would occasionally chat with Nadiesse to pass the time and ask some questions about this world.

Of course, my wording was always subtle and implicit.
I didn’t want the story of my death and reincarnation to spread.
So far, only Elvira knows.
I don’t plan on telling everyone I meet.
I don’t even know why I told Elvira in the first place…
Forget it, let’s not talk about her for now.

I gained a lot from my conversations with Nadiesse.
Although she kept talking about how powerful her fleet was and how the greatness of the Blade Witch was self-evident, I still managed to capture a lot of key information.

For example, the climate of this other world felt surprisingly familiar.
The same four seasons, the same twelve months a year.
Apart from the different holidays, there was basically no difference, except that each month here has a standard 30 days.

This year is the year 1150 of this world’s common calendar.
The season should be the transition from spring to summer, approaching the beginning of summer.

We have been sailing for more than two months.
According to Nadiesse, we should have arrived at our destination a week ago, which is the City of the Sea of Trees.
But because this trip was not smooth sailing, our schedule was naturally delayed a lot.

The seasonal monsoons and ocean currents were particularly fierce…
The strong winds and waves made me feel a little seasick.

In addition, I could clearly feel the rise in temperature and the change in the length of day and night.
The originally warm cabin room now felt stuffy and hot.
After a long time inside, a thin layer of sweat would form on my forehead, and the feeling of my hair sticking to my face and scalp was very uncomfortable.

So, most of the time, I would be on the deck, enjoying the sea breeze and playing with Little Nia.
I was quite happy and at ease.
And then, in the dead of night when there were few people, I would try to mobilize my abilities.

I have summarized my current situation into two points.

First, probably due to the excessive consumption, the little seed has been dormant for a while.
I can’t sense it, as if it doesn’t exist at all.
The thorns are still the same as before, with not much change.
The only improvement made me laugh and cry.

I can now control my ability with my own will, and I can activate it without having to cut myself.
But… I can only summon a beautiful little flower, like I’m playing with a magic trick.
It can only be used to amuse Little Nia.
It has almost no other use.

Then, because of the huge consumption in the small fishing village, my already weak body has become even worse.
It makes sense.
I died and then came back to life, and then used my newborn body to treat Elvira.
It’s thanks to the little seed that I didn’t faint on the spot.

I didn’t notice it before, but I only recently discovered while playing with Little Nia that my stamina has become much worse.
I can barely keep up with a child.
This weak body needs to be improved, not only for my physical and mental health, but also to… deal with Elvira.

I can’t help but get angry when I talk about her.
Ever since she woke up, I’ve kicked her out of the single room.
That was the third time, right?
Everyone knows the saying “a matter doesn’t exceed three times.”
Even if she didn’t do anything out of line, I wouldn’t forgive her easily.

So I sleep with Little Nia every day.
She can go wherever she wants, it has nothing to do with me.
When I woke up that time, my little heart was pounding.
I checked my body back and forth for any abnormalities, any pain, bleeding, or other symptoms.

As it turned out, my whole body was intact.
There were no traces of my lips being touched.
Elvira just rubbed against my collarbone, neck, and thighs…

Hmph, all thunder and no rain.
Look at this cowardly black dragon.
She talks a big game, but in reality, she didn’t do anything “proper.”
What a show-off.

“No, no… what am I thinking about?” I muttered to myself, standing by the ship’s railing at the edge of the deck.
I rubbed my forehead and looked at the sea with boredom.
When I saw a school of fish wagging their tails, a feeling of nausea welled up, and I quickly turned back.

At least, I don’t want to see a creature like a fish for the next few days, let alone taste them.

The moment I recovered, a feeling of drowsiness and fatigue immediately followed.
This was not the first time this had happened, and I was used to it.
I just knew that this was one of the manifestations of a weak body, and I needed to rest.

“Little Nia, sister is a little tired and wants to go back to the cabin to rest,” I called out to the little dumpling beside me, who was feeding the fish with great interest.
At the same time, I extended my hand to the little dumpling.
The latter let out a soft “mm” and then extended her small hand as well.

“Conia will go with sister.”

“Alright, such a good girl~”

I led the soft little hand and walked back to the cabin.
The distance was short, but I ran into many crew members.

“Good afternoon, Lord Thorn Witch. Are you going back to the cabin to rest?”

“Lord Thorn Witch, your strength is admirable, and your achievements are worthy of praise!”

“Lord Thorn-nim, I’m your fan!”

The crew members were more and more enthusiastic and excited when they saw me.
Some even said that they would write my deeds into lyrics and have a bard sing them for me.

This was all because when I was fighting the Grand Inquisitor at the port of Otas, they saw the giant flower bud that shot up into the sky from a distance.
The crew members believed that I had sacrificed myself to buy them time to escape.
Then Nadiesse widely publicized that I had killed Marolin—that woman in the white robe.
And so I became a star and a celebrity on the ship.

My ears were about to grow calluses from all the praise and admiration.
But it’s not that I hate the other-race crew members, it’s just that… I’m not used to being the center of attention.

After greeting a group of crew members with an awkward but polite smile, I walked back to my room without stopping.
On the way, I glanced at Elvira’s room, whose door had been closed for a long time.
I know she doesn’t like to be in crowded places, but won’t something happen if she stays cooped up in her room all the time?………

That’s none of my business!

Sleep is the priority now.

This is no time to pity a wicked dragon!

Casting aside all distracting thoughts, I went back to my room, hung my witch’s hat on the wall, and took off my shawl.
I jumped onto the bed and lay down in a starfish position.
I patted the empty space beside me and let Little Nia lie down too.
The little one skillfully lay down beside me, her small head snuggling close and gently rubbing against me.
I seem to be getting a little inseparable from this fragrant and soft little pillow.

Stroking the small, light blue head, I closed my eyes.
Drowsiness instantly enveloped my consciousness.
The threads of time around me gradually became chaotic.
I seemed to have fallen into a soft and warm whirlpool, with no direction and no worries, letting my consciousness wander.

We should be able to reach our destination in two or three days.
I hope that life on the other continent will be a bit more stable…