Henry: "…Bastante Province."
The words left his mouth firmly.
Jack: "Bastante Province?" His brow rose behind his shades.
Emilia: "Wait." She narrowed her eyes at Henry. "I think I know who you mean. But why would he be there?"
Henry: "Because… he got punished to do social work there."
Emilia: "Tch… seems I really missed a lot."
Jack: "Alright then. Fine. But how do we even get to Bastante Province?"
Henry gave him a blank stare, as if waiting for the answer.
Jack: "What? Did I miss something?"
Lenny leaned in, grinning.
Lenny: "We're on a boat. Bastante's a bay area."
Jack's mouth opened slightly. Then shut up. He leaned back against the mast with a sigh.
Jack: "You two really think we can just sail into Bastante? None of us even knows how to drive one."
Emilia raised her hand casually.
Emilia: "Sometimes, I had to steer when we robbed freighters."
Her words fell like a stone.
Jack: "…Well, there's our captain. Bravo, Boss."
His smirk was sharp, aimed at Henry—but Emilia flinched violently at the word, like a static shock had jolted her spine. Her hand trembled before she forced it still.
Lenny: "Wait—you robbed freighters?"
Emilia: "Not my proudest achievement." She avoided his eyes, sipping her coffee instead.
Northernmost point of the Great Empire. A land where history itself was torn apart and stitched together.
Long ago, Bastante was Mitsunaga Province, part of the Kagetsu Kingdom. But the Great Imperial War over a century ago changed everything.
To end the bloodshed, the Kagetsu Kingdom surrendered Mitsunaga Province to the Empire. The Mitsunaga family fled across the river, establishing their new domain on Kagetsu soil. The Bastante family immigrated in, planting their banner where Mitsunaga once ruled.
The Tsukikawa River became the border. Just twenty minutes by boat separated the two worlds. Bastante became a place of hybrid traditions—Imperial steel, Kagetsu spirit.
In time, the divide softened. A Bastante son wed a Mitsunaga daughter. Two families, two histories—woven into one fragile peace.
At Sea…
The ocean was ink-black beneath the moonlight. The ship creaked with every wave.
Henry: "Are we there yet?" His face was pale. He leaned over the railing—and retched violently into the water.
Emilia: "We're hugging the coast. We'll reach Bastante between two-thirty and four tomorrow. For now, get some rest."
Henry: "O-okay… big sis…" His voice cracked before another wave of vomit spilled overboard.
Below deck, the sleeping quarters were dim, lit only by a swaying lantern. Four bunk beds lined the walls—eight spaces in total.
Lenny stretched out on the top bunk, blanket pulled to his chin. Jack reclined lazily below him.
Lenny: "So what do you think of Emilia?"
Jack's head jerked slightly.
Jack: "What do you mean—like if I like her?"
Lenny: "No, I mean… She's cool. Strong. But she hides something softer inside."
Jack exhaled slowly.
Jack: "…Ah. That's what you meant. Next time, phrase it better."
Lenny: "Why? Do you like her?"
Jack's face went crimson.
Jack: "No, I don't. Shut up."
Lenny: "Heh. I can't see your face, but I bet it's red as hell right now."
Jack: "You don't know what you're talking about."
Lenny: "Anyway… Who do you think Henry's friend is? You think he's strong?"
Jack shifted, staring at the ceiling.
Jack: "I don't know, Lenny. And honestly? I don't care. I've got no expectations this time… But I'll trust Henry. For now."
Lenny: "I just hope he's alright."
He rolled over, blanket pulled tight.
Lenny: "Sleep well, big bro."
Jack: "Yeah. You too."
The door creaked open. Henry stumbled in, cheeks swollen, skin pale as death.
Jack burst out laughing.
Jack: "Whoa—what the hell happened to you?"
Henry: "I've only been on a boat once in my life. Guess… I get seasick now."
Lenny clutched his stomach, howling with laughter. Even Jack's stoic front cracked, his chuckle echoing in the cramped room.
Henry groaned, collapsing into his bunk.
Above deck, Emilia remained awake in the captain's cabin. She stared out at the endless dark waves, autopilot humming softly—an old feature the Boss had installed.
She whispered to herself, her voice trembling in the silence.
Emilia: "I wonder how Mom is doing. She probably called me a thousand times… but without a phone, I can't answer her. Maybe… maybe when this is over, I'll ask Henry if we should visit her."
Her eyes grew heavy. She drifted asleep, hand still resting on the ship's wheel.
Later…
The first rays of sun painted the ocean gold. Emilia was already awake, sipping hot coffee at the upper deck table.
Jack appeared, hair messy, rubbing his eyes.
Emilia: "Morning, sleepyhead. Want some coffee?"
Jack: "Morning. … Wait, you have coffee?"
Emilia: "Who do you think I am? Of course I have coffee."
Jack: "I mean—you are a criminal. Fog Princess."
Emilia's eyes glinted. She smirked.
Emilia: "And you're one to talk… Storm Dragon."
Jack froze. For a moment, his calm mask cracked.
She leaned back, sipping from her cup with a sly smile.
Emilia: "What, surprised? You thought you were the only one who does her research?"
Jack's cool voice returned, though quieter.
Jack: "Mind keeping it a secret?"
Emilia: "Don't worry. I'm good at keeping secrets."
She lifted her cup again, steam curling between them like fog—like a promise unspoken.