The Pirate King's Daughter - Chapter 69

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Episode 69
I glanced toward the door.
The others had tactfully left to give Perian space for his apology, but they could have still heard us.
“I didn’t consider that keeping a secret to yourself alone could feel uncomfortable. That’s my mistake.”
Not telling the others that I was leaving would feel like a lie to them too.
“Why…?”
Perian seemed to have much more to say, but couldn’t find the words to continue.
Why? What was he asking the reason for?
“In any case, thank you for saying that. I’ll accept your apology. So you don’t need to worry about it anymore.”
“…So you’re coming to the Empire with us?”
Why was he jumping to that conclusion?
I was about to answer with a direct “no,” but I changed my mind to ease Perian’s burden.
“I’m still thinking about it.”
A small kind lie ought to be acceptable.
“So let’s forget about that conversation and get going.”
I had unconsciously reached out to take his hand like I did the others, but I stopped and turned away instead.
“We need to leave now if we want to arrive before sunset.”
“……”
As soon as I stepped outside, Perian followed with his usual gentle expression.
* * *
The sky turned orange, and night found its way to the sea.
And we finally reached the Coastal Area.
“Vasil!”
I waved enthusiastically at Vasil, who was sitting by a bonfire on the sand.
“Tatiana…!”
He leapt up and rushed toward me with tears in his eyes.
“Why did you take so long? I was worried. Was it a mistake to have you go through the jungle, did you run into any beasts, or perhaps the tribe people…hiigh—!”
Spotting the sturdy tribesmen who had followed behind me, Vasil jumped back in shock and hid behind me.
What kind of devil was this cowardly creature?
“It’s a relief you’re safe.”
Then Howard, the information broker who had helped us escape alongside Vasil, approached and spoke.
“That’s thanks to you. And who might these people be…?”
I glanced curiously at the unfamiliar faces standing behind Howard.
“I can’t operate the ship alone. These are employees I’ve worked with for a long time, so please don’t worry.”
“I see. It must have been difficult to wait. Thank you.”
Even as I greeted the employees, Vasil remained clinging to my shoulder until Dilshard peeled him away.
“Tatiana, you’ll want to shower first, right? I’ll treat your wounds right after.”
That’s when Perian approached and spoke.
The scratches from the brush had scabbed over, but my feet were in terrible condition.
I wanted to soak in hot water just as he suggested, but there was news I needed to share even more urgently.
“I’d like to talk with Vasil first, if you don’t mind. Vasil, is that alright with you?”
Vasil widened his eyes in confusion but nodded.
“Aso, would you come with us?”
Even now, seeing Aso as a middle-aged man still felt a bit strange to me.
“Of course.”
I easily dismissed the three who were trying to follow, and entered the Dining Hall with Vasil and Aso.
“Vasil, this is Aso, the chief of the Sehar Tribe. And he’s also a demon.”
“A demon…?”
Vasil examined Aso with eyes wide as a lantern.
“…It doesn’t seem that way.”
“Maybe he looks human to you?”
“Yes. I don’t feel the slightest demonic aura from him.”
Aso said the same thing—speaking as if he’d become human rather than simply a demon who’d lost his power.
“I’m a Hybrid—born between human and demon—but I am still a demon.”
I explained to Vasil everything that had happened so far.
To give him a choice.
“You said you wanted to live alongside humans, Vasil. Now, if you wish, you can experience time the way humans do.”
“……”
Behind his round glasses, Vasil’s pupils trembled violently.
“…What does it feel like?”
Vasil asked Aso.
“My body feels heavy. Wounds heal slowly, and I need to eat much more to maintain my strength.”
He’d been happy about growing old alongside his wife, but all he described were drawbacks.
“Time is flowing.”
Vasil murmured, his expression complex.
Demons age too, but surrounded by humans, it had felt as though his time alone had frozen.
“We’re not leaving today, so you still have time. Think it over carefully and decide.”
No matter how much he loved humans, he wouldn’t readily abandon demonic power.
It would mean losing the means to protect himself, and from a demon’s perspective, human lifespans would feel devastatingly short.
“No. I want to become human.”
After his brief deliberation, Vasil met my gaze with newfound resolve in his eyes.
“But not right now. I want to say goodbye to my family and friends first. You were heading to that eastern country you mentioned, weren’t you, Tatiana?”
“No.”
I hadn’t decided on a destination yet.
In other words, there was no way Vasil could find me after he’d said his farewells to his family.
“Let’s meet in Banu, a city in the Trai Kingdom on the Lidos Continent. I can’t promise when I’ll arrive, but I will come.”
It would be my last port of call before heading to the Empire—the city where I would part ways with the main cast.
The problem was that there was no way to contact him.
“But it’s a large city, so even if I go, I’m not sure I’ll be able to find you.”
“Please don’t worry about that. I’ll find you.”
Since he said so, there didn’t seem to be a problem.
“When are you planning to leave?”
“After I see you off, I’m going back to Rabet to say goodbye to the residents before I go.”
“I understand.”
I didn’t think Vasil would change his mind.
I was about to rise from my seat when he spoke again.
“The fact that you’re not going to that eastern country—that’s a secret from the others, isn’t it?”
“That’s right. Your perception really is keen.”
“A weak demon has to be perceptive to survive. But I think they’ll all be very disappointed. They all care for you deeply.”
“I suppose.”
We’d grown close enough that they’d feel regret and worry. But that was all.
“Either way, even if we were to return together, we wouldn’t see each other once we reach the Empire.”
Whether by choice or circumstance.
“You two should talk more—there must be much you’re both curious about. I’ll go now.”
I returned to my room, showered in hot water, and collapsed onto the bed I’d missed so much.
The familiar scent of the blankets made me feel as though I’d finally come home.
I fell asleep immediately and didn’t wake until the next morning.
“……”
Still half-asleep, I rubbed my eyes and swung my legs out of bed, noticing the Bandage wrapped around my feet.
“Did it while the weakling was asleep.”
Dilshard spoke from beside me.
“Who cares about that.”
He was just wearing his affectionate mask again.
I grumbled irritably, finished washing up, and headed outside.
“Tatiana.”
Aso approached with his tribesmen.
“We thought we should head back now.”
“Already?”
“My father isn’t well, so I can’t leave the tribe unattended for long.”
The patriarch can’t move, and the chief is absent—it made sense they’d be uneasy.
It wasn’t a good beginning, but saying goodbye now felt strange. I’d never see them again.
“Take care on your way back, and fare well.”
“…I’m sorry. And the kindness you and your companion showed to me, my child, and my family—I will never forget it.”
As Aso bowed deeply, all the tribesmen behind him followed suit in farewell.
“May you all be well.”
And so I said another goodbye, and then—
“I sincerely hope we may meet again someday.”
Vasil spoke with the resolute expression of someone embarking on an adventure.
“Yes. Thank you for helping. And thank you too, Howard.”
I set sail safely, blessed with farewells from Vasil and Howard.
The next destination was Saara Island.
Vasil had recommended it, and it appeared in the original work as well.
A city built in the desert, it was a place I’d passed through in the original without incident, and it was an excellent destination—not just tolerant of pirates but welcoming to them.
“Tatiana.”
I was resting in a hammock when I quickly shut my eyes at the sound of Perian’s voice.
His measured footsteps echoed against the wooden deck as he climbed the stairs.
“……”
I kept pretending to sleep as he stopped directly in front of my hammock, looking down at me.
And soon his shadow fell across my face.
“Are you asleep?”
His soft voice tickled my ear, and slender fingers brushed against my face.
Whisper—strands of hair swept across my cheek and tucked behind my ear.
“Heh.”
A faint laugh followed.
It seemed like he’d seen through my act, but I stubbornly kept my eyes closed.
“You really are childish sometimes.”
The Deck creaked as he apparently sat down on the floor.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————