第１６７８堀：海の世界は厳しいんです (Part1)
Chapter 1678: The Sea is a Harsh Mistress
Side: Yayui
"Huh? You expect us to be taught how to handle a ship by a slip of a girl like this?"
"Are you mocking us?"
"…Tch."
The men casting these words my way are significantly more muscular—or perhaps just bulkier—than Mauve and his companions. They reek of fish from head to toe, which is a bit much, but then again, this is a fishing port, so I suppose it’s to be expected.
Curse, who guided me here, doesn't seem particularly bothered by their hostility and begins his introduction.
"Now then, these three are the ones who will be providing fishing instruction and working at the newly constructed Weed Port fishing docks. And everyone, this is Yayui-dono, who will be teaching you how to operate the newly built vessels. She is an attendant to Yuki-sama, so I expect you to show her the proper respect."
He offers a stern warning, but the three men clearly haven't shed their skepticism.
"Curse-sama. We mean no disrespect, but she is small, and she doesn't look like she has an ounce of strength in her."
"He’s right. I don't see how she could row a boat out to the open sea, let alone have the strength to fish or deal with monsters."
"Yeah. Look, was it Yayui? You’re just going to get yourself killed. The sea isn't a playground. Yuki-sama, was it? Surely you don't want to lose your subordinates. You should find someone else."
Their tone is rough, but I can tell it stems from genuine concern. Perhaps they think that by being abrasive, they can drive me away, thinking it’s better to be disliked than to see someone die. I wouldn't want to work in a place where I’m hated, either.
Still, their assessment is entirely wide of the mark.
"I hear your concerns, and I appreciate the sentiment. But neither Yayui nor I are as weak as you think. Mauve and his men can vouch for that."
Yuki-sama shows no sign of irritation at their words. Instead, he calmly explains—with Mauve-sama’s help—that I am far from a liability.
"Yeah, these two have strength on par with us."
"Uh... Mauve-danna. Is that for real?"
"I’ve got no reason to lie to you. Besides, these aren't the kind of ships you row with brute force. They’re new, and Yayui is the one who knows how to operate them."
"New? Special?"
"Uh..."
Yeah, they aren't following the conversation at all. Well, the technology of Weed hasn't really permeated Aurelia Port yet. It’s not out of discrimination; Yuki-sama prefers to preserve the culture of other towns. It’s not that he forbids the use of convenient tools like electric appliances, but he believes it’s wrong to force them upon others.
Above all, it hasn't even been a year since Aurelia Port came under Weed’s protection. Furthermore, this was essentially the last territory of the Gusdo Kingdom, ruled by Princess—no, Queen Palfil. Yuki-sama is wary that pushing too hard might cause a backlash. Of course, he gets along well with Queen Palfil, and since we owe them for the initial protection they provided, the relationship between our nations isn't bad at all. Even so, business is business.
Anyway, the relationship between Aurelia Port and Weed is fine, but right now, I need to explain things to these three fishermen.
"Yayui. It’s hard to explain this with words alone. Bring out a ship."
"Understood."
I walk over to an empty corner of the fishing port and pull a ship from my Item Box. I have to be careful—if I don't practice, the ship could snap under its own weight. I’ve learned to either make it float or submerge it halfway into the water before manifesting it. I prefer the floating method.
By the way, Yuki-sama owns the ships, but since I’m the one teaching this time, he’s entrusted me with five prototypes. It’s also for the purpose of gathering data, such as test runs. Mostly, it’s Narjia-san and her team... they always have to check if there’s a self-destruct button hidden somewhere. Oh, I should probably mention the self-destruct button to these three later. Dying because a ship blows itself up wouldn't be a laughing matter.
While I was lost in thought, the three men stared at the ship that had appeared, their skepticism replaced by shock.
"Wh-whoa. I wouldn't call it a merchant ship, but it’s huge."
"Yeah, how many men would it take to row this? Wait, where are the sails?"
"And there are all sorts of tools on board I don't recognize. What are those?"
They circle the ship, voicing their questions one by one. It certainly doesn't look like a vessel meant for a few individuals. Without sails and packed with strange equipment, it looks more like a merchant vessel or a warship. The boats here in Aurelia are simple wooden crafts. To them, this is truly an unknown technology.
"Sorry to interrupt your surprise, but try holding this."
Yuki-sama pulls out an iron rod for the three men, who are currently mesmerized by the ship. It has a grip, but it’s a training weight—far heavier than it looks. A normal person wouldn't be able to lift it.
"Huh? Why? Whatever, fine."
They tilt their heads at Yuki-sama’s request, but try to lift it with one hand anyway...
"Hm? Wait a second."
Surprised, they try to get a better grip with both hands... but they can't even lift the handle. That’s how heavy it is.
"Wh-what is this!? It’s incredibly heavy!"
"Huh? What are you talking about, it’s just an iron rod. Let me see that."
One by one, they all try to lift it, and all of them fail.
"Wait, can't you use physical enhancement through magic?"
"Use that? We save that for when monsters appear..."
I see. They’re holding back on using magical enhancement so they can save it for monster encounters. Since sea monsters are particularly troublesome, they’re conserving their energy.
Even after they apply their enhancement, they struggle.
"It’s... heavy. I can’t even swing this with both hands. It’s heavier than it looks. Is this a cursed item?"
It seems they can't even swing a weapon of that caliber properly with both hands.
"Please, let me have it."
"Oh, hey—"
I reach out, ignoring his protest, and pluck the training weapon from his hand with a single motion.
*Muu.* It really is heavy.
And yet, people like Kirika-sama can swing this with both hands at speeds the eye can’t even track.