Chapter 83
While Clael and Reina were enjoying their private beach.
A man stood at the bow of a ship, glaring intently at the sea ahead.
"Wait for me, Reina! I'm coming to rescue you soon...!"
Standing at the front of the ship with a serious expression was one of the capture targets... Eric, the crown prince.
Eric happened to hear that Clael and Reina were pulled overboard by a monster while fishing.
According to local sailors, anything that falls into the sea in nearby waters tends to drift to a small island called 'Seabird Island'.
Eric had chartered a ship with his companions and was heading toward 'Seabird Island'.
"Is Reina really on that island?"
"We have no choice but to believe so."
Vincent and Will, who were also on the ship, said.
Both of them were worried about the missing pair and had come along.
"Reina, I hope she's okay... I really hope she's safe."
Of course, Luy was also on board.
Though Luy had been taken to the hospital yesterday after eating a poisonous mushroom... he had fully recovered.
"Reina is the Saint. There's no way she would die so easily. She must be safe."
Eric declared with conviction.
They all knew that Reina was under the protection of the Holy Spirits.
That's exactly why they believed she was safe and took the initiative to go rescue her.
"I see it... That's the island!"
Eric, standing at the bow, pointed ahead.
Countless seabirds circled around the small island. It was their destination.
If Reina had drifted after falling into the sea, that had to be the place.
"Just a little more... Wait for me, Reina!"
Eric clenched his fist and urged the ship forward to rescue Reina.
However... an unexpected situation occurred.
"What the...!? The ship is being pushed back!?"
Suddenly, the current changed.
Strong waves pushed the ship back, sending it farther and farther out to sea.
"Hey, what's going on!? The island is right in front of us!"
"T-The waves are too strong—we can't get any closer! What's happening!?"
The helmsman shouted.
He said it was impossible. That something like this shouldn't be happening.
"Damn it... What's going on...!"
Eric leaned over the ship and peered into the sea.
Just moments ago, the waters had been calm.
"Huh...?"
And then... Eric froze.
The sea was surprisingly calm. Everywhere except around their ship.
Only the area around Eric's ship had strong waves pushing them back.
"A bear?"
And then... there it was. A bear. Or more precisely, a muscular macho angel with a bear's head.
The angel had somehow latched onto the ship and was doing flutter kicks to create waves, pushing the ship backward.
"A-A-A-A-An angel...!?"
Eric cried out in shock at the angel, whose appearance was more fitting for a monster.
"An angel... Reina's guardian!? Why is the angel who's supposed to protect Reina interfering with her rescue!?"
It made no sense.
This ship was heading to the island to rescue Reina, so why were they being stopped?
"Hey now, if it's gonna get in our way, we should just beat it down! Want me to take care of it!?"
Vincent rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.
He wore a combative grin and showed no fear, even though the opponent was an angel.
"Behind you, senpai!"
But Will shouted.
As Vincent turned around saying "Huh?"... the next moment, someone put him in a chokehold.
"Ponpokorin"
Silently descending from the sky onto the ship and locking Vincent's neck was an angel with a raccoon's head.
Caught off guard and held in a chokehold, Vincent flailed his legs in resistance... but soon went limp and passed out.
"Ponpokorin"
"...Are you telling us to turn back?"
"Ponpokorin"
The raccoon-headed angel silently—or rather, in an unrecognizable voice—pointed toward the rear of the ship.
Through gestures, it was telling them to return. If they resisted, it would likely use force.
"...Reina is safe, right?"
"Ponpokorin"
"...Got it."
Seeing the raccoon-headed angel nod, Eric twisted his face in frustration.
(Reina... What are you doing right now?)
The fact that they were being blocked from entering the island... meant something was definitely happening there.
If they were going so far as to use angels, it must be something serious.
(Maybe... maybe she's doing this to keep us away from danger... Maybe she's facing a powerful enemy on that island...)
"Reina... Please, be safe..."
Eric murmured like a prayer, retreating as the angel pushed the ship back.