The Sailor of the Lost Fleet, Hans von Zettour

"Urgh… where…"

"Guten morgen." (Good morning)

"Ahhh!"

"Spricht du Englisch?" (Do you speak English?)

When he found me, I can't remember anything. My head was just cloudy, and my memories are jumbled. I don't know who I was until shortly after.

"My name is Amanogawa Sora. My men found you out at the sea, drifting amongst the remains of a shipwreck along with your fellow sailors. Although I don't wish to sound disrespectful, I do believe that its fortunate that you survived that event unlike the rest."

"…"

"It's fortunate that you can understand and speak English. From the embroidery of your uniform and the markings of your remaining belongings, I feared that I had to dust off my German that I've been losing touch of for a while.

"If… If I won't be too disrespectful, mister…"

"Yes?"

"Can I… have some food?"

I was a stranger in a strange land. I arrived and am stuck in a place that I never knew before in my life. Yet as my memories slowly came back in my head, my body was first to feel a sense of discomfort, prompting me to ask the mysterious man for food.

"T-this is…"

"Bratwurst and Sauerkraut. I thought it would be too much to have you eat something out of your usual diet. Besides, you have gone through a life-or-death situation. I believe comfort food should help you regain your strength and morale."

"I see…"

"Mm. Itadakimasu…"

"Huh? S-sir?"

"I was speaking in my language. I was thanking for the food."

As he snapped a pair of sticks into two and started to eat his supper, I stared at the plate of familiar sausages and fermented cabbage in front of me and looked back to him again.

"Sir?"

"What is it?"

"Where am I actually?"

Before answering, he showed me a smile and spoke as if he is pleased with something.

"You're in Japan. The land that I rule over."

"R-Rule?!"

"Yes. I am the Shogun of this land… it's something like a ruling regent under a symbolic monarch. So technically, I am the ruler of this country."

When I learned that he is some kind of a king, I started to fear that I have fallen under the hold of an enemy nation and my arrival marked their awareness of our voyage that may end up harming Britannia and Prussia.

"I-I am-"

"Vice-captain Hans von Zettour of the Britain-Prussia Allied Imperial fleet."

"H-how…?"

"I said that I have a hard time speaking and understanding it… but not that I cannot do it."

As he said those words, he slid a small metal tag that has my name and rank. It was something we were provided ahead of our voyage as a proof of our identity.

"So, Mr. Zettour…"

"?"

"I want you to stare into this flame."

In one quick motion, he took out a metallic cylinder from his pocket and out of it came a small bluish flame.

"URGH! AHHH!!!"

"Remember, remember… the memories buried under."

"AGH! GRAAAHHH!!!"

"Who are you, who trod this land anew?"

"KUUUUHHH! AHHHH!"

As soon as I saw that blue flame, my entire head felt so excruciatingly painful as if it was being split apart. I fell from my seat and on the floor, wriggled while holding my head.

"Tell me, Hans… Who are you and why are you here?"

At that moment, I remembered everything ever since we left the Port of York in England.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Captain Krebs… The entire continent awaits your expedition's discoveries and stories."

"Rest assured that the people of Britannia and Prussia will be the benefactors of your work, Captain."

All of this started three years ago in the Port of York, England. Entire cities-worth of people all watched from the shoreline and bay walk, looking at the three ships which we will be using for our expedition.

"Another thing, we expect them to heed the agreement regarding the cessation of privateer forces in the New World continent, but still, I wish to remind you to look out for Portuguese and Castilian ships along the way. Though the Magna Carta of the Seas has been agreed upon already, we can do nothing if they somehow attack you out there."

"In those cases, we allow you to recruit the help of our Dutch allies. Though their force in the West is miniscule, their fleet is well-known to be greatly armed and infamous enough that pirates and buccaneers actively swerves away from them."

"I understand, Duke Wellerman and Lady Sofia."

"Come on, friend… Don't be too formal. This is the last time we will be meeting before you go to your expedition."

"Yes, Captain. My husband can hardly sleep last night thinking about how he will say his farewells to you."

"S-Sofie…"

"Ehehe!"

My father, Captain Krebs von Zettour, was sent by the combined imperial court of Britannia and Prussia in this expedition. We are the crew from Prussia, sent forth by Kaiser Karl von Reibnitz the III along with our ship "Thundersoother". Here, we are rendezvousing with the crews of ships "Spirit of Yore" and "Dragonslayer" from Britannia who will be our escort ships in the journey.

"And how about you, young Hans?"

"D-Duchess?"

"This is your first open sea voyage, yes? I believe you are feeling nervous right now."

"…Yes, my lady. I feel uneasy since this would be my first time to voyage out of the northern sea. My father- I mean, Captain Krebs did teach me what I will be doing during our time in Corsica where I led a voyage from Italia to Syria… but I am aware that the attitude of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic are very different."

"…"

"Kid. I want you to take that sullen expression on your face away and show me a face worthy of a true imperial sailor."

"D-Duke…"

"Come on, lad! Raise your chin and show me you mean business!"

As the duke told me to stop looking so nervous, I instinctively stood straight and raised my face to show a vigorous expression that made the duke, duchess and even father to smile a little.

"There. Much better and more respectable-looking."

"Captain!"

From the deck of our ship, the first mate shouted and signaled with his hands that everyone in the crew and the supplies has already been accounted for.

"Well then… it seems like this is a farewell, my friend."

"Yes… it is."

My father and Duke Wellerman embraced each other tightly, exchanging words of farewell.

"Hans, come here."

"…"

"There, there… I will miss you greatly, my good boy."

"Thank you very much, Lady Sofia… for everything."

I too, was given an embrace by Duchess Sofia. Given my father and Duke Wellerman's friendship, Lady Sofia was my godmother and also the mother-figure I grew up with.

"Mm. Stay well and hopefully, let's see each other in India once your own voyage gets there."

"A-ahh-"

Lady Sofia bent down a little to reach my ear and whispered some words that made me blush a little.

"We will go to India with Catherine. Maybe in there, no one will disturb you two lovebirds."

"D-Duchess-!"

"Alright. Go on and board your ship. Keep what I just said in mind. Maybe it will help you out in staying alive during your journey."

Along with my father, I boarded our ship as our men raised the anchors and spread the sails to leave the port.

"God bless your journey!"

"Do not listen to the songs of mermaids, son!"

"Return to us safely!"

The people of England all cheered and gave us their well wishes as we slowly moved away from the port and into the cold, indigo waters of the Atlantic ocean.

"Son."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Come on. Take the helm and study with your hands. Show me that your practice voyage in Italy wasn't a fluke."

"Y-Yes, Captain!"

My father handed me the steering helm of the ship as he sat behind me, watching my every move that dictated the route of our three-ship fleet.

"B-Bearing, navigator?"

"200 degrees south, sir! We have to pass and follow the equator in order to arrive at the Caribbean where we can restock!"

"U-Understood! Keep me updated with our bearing and position at the sea."

"Yes, sir!"

"…"

I did as how I was taught. I constantly asked the navigator about our direction and position in the sea and in only two months, we arrived at the island of Havanna in the Caribbean region.

"Señor Zettour?"

"I am."

"Let me invite you then to my master's abode. Leave your men to my attendants, I am sure they will be greatly pleased with our accommodations after they have been away in the sea for a great while.

"F-Father…"

"Leave them be, son. They have earned this night of bliss after a couple of months out in the sea."

"Y-yes."

I can only obey my father's words after I saw our men being lured into the whorehouses of the local Spanish governor's town by scantily clothed women as I, my father and the two English ship captains entered the manor of the Spaniard.

"Hm, hm… Respetare la peticion de los monarchas ingleses."

"My master says that he will respect the English monarch's request."

"…Pero el barco prusiano no pasara."

"…But the Prussian ship will not pass."

"What?!"

"Hans! Sit down, lad!"

"…Yes, captain."

I shot up from my seat after hearing that we, the Prussian ship and crew, will not be allowed to pass through by the Spanish governor.

"Deseo saber el motive de esta decision, gobernador." (I wish to know the reason for this decision, governor)

"Hahaha! No actues tan inocente, capitan." (Don't act so innocent, captain.)

"Que quieres decir?" (What do you mean?)

"Los ingleses y los españoles han firmado la carta magna…" (The English and Spanish has signed the Magna Carta).

"…"

"Pero la corona prusiana no lo firmado." (but the Prussian crown has not signed it.)

At that moment, my father looked at the two English captains and even they were caught off-guard with the news.

"Aunque si rindes tributo te lo permitire." (Although if you pay tribute, I will allow it.)

"…Cuanto seria el tributo?" (How much will be the tribute?)

"Serian 70 libras inglesas de oro y 20 libras inglesas de plata." (It would be 70 english pound of gold and 20 english pounds of silver.)

"…"

"Cual es su decision, señor?" (what is your decision, señor?)

Although I can only understand several parts of their conversation in Spanish, I was aware of how ludicrous this Spaniard was asking for a tribute to let us through his sea routes.

"Hans…"

"Yes, father?"

"Get all the gold and silver in our ship. Even the ones in my personal chest… and bring it here."

"B-but father, those were gifts given to us by the Kaiser himself!"

"Just get it, child! Stop yapping already!"

"…Understood."

Against my own will, I returned to our ship and one by one, took out every gold and silver in the casket that was given by the Kaiser himself for us.

"Esto seria suficiente?" (Would these suffice?)

"Aunque la plata es muy poca… lo aceptare." (Although the silver is too little… I will accept it.)

"Muy bien. Podemos pasar ahora?" (Alright then, can we pass through now?)

"Puedes pasar ahora, capitan." (You may pass now, captain.)

"Alright… Hans, tell the men to restock tomorrow and let's leave before the week ends."

"Understood, father."

After we left the manor of the Spanish governor, my father suddenly turned around to the two English captains and took one of them by the collar.

"Urgh!"

"Hey, hey!"

"You crooks! How dare you collude with that bastard!"

"Father!"

He held him against the wall, frustration and anger seething on his face as the English sailor can do nothing but hold his ground and the other ship captain holding my father by the shoulder.

"You have to understand, Captain Krebs… The Castilians still hold a grudge during the last war."

"What?"

"What he said earlier was a lie… Prussia is among the members of the Magna Carta. But being far away from Europe, this is his way to assert his power over this land."

"Kuh!"

"If you wish for us to renumerate the tribute you gave to him, we will gladly do so… but please, we are in an expedition and we can't be held up in here for too long."

After being reasoned out, my father let go of the man and walked away by himself back to the inn.

"Hey lad… Hans, right?"

"Y-yes, sir."

"I'm sorry that we cannot do anything earlier."

"…It's alright. I understand the situation and how we can't be too hasty and prideful in this place."

"…"

"I'll talk to my father and see how everything else will go."

About a week later, we left Havanna and went to the Portuguese colonies of the southern New World continent. There, we traded our information and gunpowder for sugar and crates upon crates of lime fruits and pineapples as a remedy against scurvy as taught widely by the English navy.

"Eat these fruits with your rations, lads. If you don't want to be locked in the sick brig, better eat these fruits and its juices."

"What in the world is this?"

"I don't know. The English sailors seem to like it very much so I'm not complaining."

"Hans? Hans!"

"Y-Yes, captain!"

"Come on, go give this to the sister and the two children."

"Aye, captain!"

Also, during our stop over at an island in the Strait of Frederico, the English captain of Spirit of Yore asked us to shelter the nun they are travelling with after one of their rum-drunk sailors was seen drunkenly attempting to sneak to the woman's room before being caught by the first mate and beaten by his bunkmates as punishment.

Seemingly, it was a sign of trust for us who Prussians who avoided alcohol before and after 5 days of leaving land. The nun and her two orphans lived with us and are sometimes seen conversing with our men whenever they are out of their usual duties.

"Vice-captain Zettour, yes?"

"Yes, sister. That is my name."

"Wow. I didn't expect you to be so young."

"Ahaha! I usually do get that from others."

I was relieved by my father from my duties after we crossed the Strait and spent most of my time dealing with the daily functions of the ship such as preparing the meals during the morning and afternoon, keeping pests away from our supplies and rotating the shifts of the men who would sleep during the night and work in the morning and vice-versa.

"That's a beautiful locket."

"Oh! Umm…"

"Oh, sorry… Did I intrude with something?"

"N-no… It's just that… I didn't want anyone to see it."

"Oh! I see… don't worry, I will keep it a secret."

"…Actually, Sister."

"Yes?"

"Can I… talk to you about it?"

Before we made a stop over to Melanesia island, I talked to Sister Camilla about something that bothered me during our trip.

"Hmm… If you're going to say it like that…"

"Is it… unlawful?"

"…I cannot say it properly myself."

When she looked at the locket, Sister Camilla saw the face of a maiden named Catherine Wellerman, the child of Duke Wellerman and Duchess Sofia. I talked to her about something that connects me to her.

"I do know that King James himself blessed the engagement of Lady Catherine to one of the Portuguese princes, but because of the succession crisis and the last remaining prince being considered missing after his ship sunk during a storm in the Atlantic, she is being ordered to stay in House Wellerman for now until Portugal finds a new groom, yes?"

"That's right, sister."

"Hmm… Even if I am an English myself, I will only say this out of my duty as a churchwoman."

"…"

Sister Camilla pointed at my chest and told me her advice.

"If even Lady Sofia and Duke Wellerman approves on it, I see nothing wrong in wanting to be with her."

"Y-yes… but because the King wanted to make her a political tool, it would be outrageous if she is set free."

"…Alright, I understand."

"W-What?"

"Once we arrive to India, I will personally pen a letter to the royal court about this."

"But… how?"

Instead of answering me fully, Sister Camilla simply winked and told me to rest easy.

"Don't worry too much about it. Although I may look like a simple nun, I have my own ways to reach those in high seats."

We finally arrived in Melanesia where the local natives welcomed our arrival… in one way or another.

"To think that they will really trade food for a few ship nails… these people really are savages."

"Yep! Even the married women would invite you to their homes for a few nails."

"Aren't you bothered with doing it with savages?"

"Pffttt! A hole is a hole, mate!"

While I have a personal principle against hiring prostitutes and do speak out about it to my men as being distasteful for me, I do not really stop them from doing those things whenever we make our landing on these islands.

They are all sailors away from their homelands and beloved. They have their own needs of the flesh and nerves to calm down.

"Anchors aweigh!"

"Anchors aweigh!"

We only stopped at these islands for a week before we continued on to our voyage across the largest ocean and longest sea route mapped by the Portuguese and Dutch sailors.

"This is it! Captain!"

"Yes, navigator?"

"This is the latitude point mentioned in the Imperial academy's instructions. It says that we have to swerve away from the recorded sea route!"

"Alright! Lead the course, navigator!"

At some point of the journey, we passed by a point that is no longer recorded by the Frederico voyage, meaning that anything past this point has never yet mapped by someone.

In short, we might be sailing to the edge of the world and completely not know it at all.

"Keep your eyes out on the sea, lads! I don't want us stumbling to Poseidon's gates and meeting the Kraken! We're entering the Grand Line!"

"Aye, aye! Captain!"

So far, our three ships has survived the voyage and lost only four men to sickness and food poisoning. Everything seemed well and good until a day after we passed the Grand Line that has never been sailed at before…

"Hold!!!"

*Byuk!*

"Hold you fire, men!!!"

"Aye, sir!"

Or at least, that was what we were made to believe by the people we expected to help us.

"Blast it! Why should it be them?!"

"Another four ships on our fleet's aft, sir!"

"Scheiße!" (Shit!)

Turns out, the Dutch has long passed this point and kept it out of the other countries' knowledge in Europe. Normally, this would be hard as naval ships are known in every country and not seeing it over an extended period of time would raise suspicion on other countries.

"What on earth is that flag they're flying?!"

"Dutch… Dutch East India company!"

How they got around it was by sailing around Africa, carrying shipbuilders and sailors and probably building their own fleet at a country past India.

"Sir! The English's Dragonslayer has been hit!"

"What?! Let me-"

*Ka-Kyik! BYAAAAA!!!*

"Brace! All hands, brace!!!"

One of the Dutch ships managed to hit one of the English ships on its gunpowder room and before we can even assess it, it exploded into a pillar of flames and shockwaves that rocked the sea enough for us two remaining ships to make our retreat up north.

"Damn it…Damn it!!!"

"My friend… this is none of our fault."

"I know that, damn it! But Jonathan… he shouldn't… He shouldn't have died in that way!"

"…"

We managed to find a small islet where we stopped by the gather wood and repair our ships that was battered by the fight earlier. There, my father and the captain of the Spirit of Yore grieved about the lost in our force and discussed how things should go now.

"We know nothing of this sea… I believe the Dutch would be civil enough to treat us aptly if we surrender."

"Are you man, German?! Do you think we should just give up without a fight?!"

"You should ask that to yourself! You already lost a ship and its entire crew and you're the one calling me mad?!!"

"Kh!"

My father argued with the crew of the Spirit of Yore after he suggested that we should just give up to the Dutch. Stating that we will be surrendering to civilized powers and not savages.

"…The Captain is right. We should just state our demands and give up to the Dutch."

"B-But captain! This will stain His Majesty's-"

"What will the King's honor do here so far away from Europe, you bullocks?! Will His Majesty's name and title help us?!"

"B-but…"

"Captain Zettour has thought of this properly. Instead of putting up a futile fight like the Dragonslayer did, let's just give in and at least save ourselves from death."

After repairing our ships, our couple of ships decided to sail back to the south to meet with the Dutch while flying a white flag. Hopefully, they will be civil enough to hear us.

"Hold! Hold the mast!"

"Brace yourselves! Another tidal wave!"

But as we travelled south, a storm plagued our route. It battered our ships with strong, howling winds and waves taller than church towers.

"Sister? Are you and the orphans, alright?"

"Yes. How are things going up in there, Hans?"

"We're going to be alright. The waves are tossing us away from the Spirit of Yore, but we will be able to leave this storm soon."

"Alright. Take care up there, Hans."

I went down to the lower decks to check on Sister Camilla and the children and after reassuring them of our safety, I went back where Father and the men are desperately holding onto the mast that might be ripped apart anytime now.

"Thunderstorm!"

"Swerve away, Captain!"

The sailors all held onto the ropes, their skin being torn by the tough knit rope and their feet sunk into the bloodstained wood just to not slip.

"Hans! Help me!"

"Aye, sir!"

I ran up to the helm to help my father turn the wheel around as we battled against the waves, seeking the nearest spot of sunlight away from the storm.

"Son! Hold onto it! This ship of ours cannot sink this far away from land!"

"Y-yes, sir!"

"Hold! Hold that rope as hard as you hold a whore's neck, my men!"

"Aye, aye! Captain!"

However, even if we did struggle so hard, there are simply things that we cannot control in this world.

*Ka-crash!*

In an instant, the main mast of our ship was hit by a thunderbolt and was split in half.

"Oh no… Oh no!!!"

"God help us!"

"A-a-a-ahhh…"

"Get out of the way, Hans!"

And as the halved mast fell down in opposite directions, its weight also split the ship apart which was possible since those was what was shot by the Dutch last night.

*Glurgh! Blargh!*

After my father threw me away and I fell to the sea, I saw our ship rapidly sinking and immediately swam to it to find the people I needed to save first and foremost.

"Sister… Sister!!!"

I managed to reach the room where they are located and saw the three of them unconscious after hitting their heads during the impact of the lightning strike.

"Got to… save all of you…"

One by one, I took them out as quickly as possible and just after I took out the girl that has blonde hair, that half of the ship sank down to the depths of the sea.

"Urgh! Darn…"

"Hey! Hey! Any survivors out there?!"

"I'm here! We're here!!!"

Even if they are nearly out of the storm, the Spirit of Yore made a detour back to save us and I shouted towards them to gather their attention.

"Here! Take this boat!"

"Alright! Please tow us out!"

I loaded the unconscious woman and children to the boat they brought down and was about to reach for the rope that will tow us out of the place when cannon fire rang out and the deck of the ship was filled with splinters and the cries of men.

"They're back! The Dutchmen are back!"

"Arm yourselves!"

"Darn it!"

After I heard that the Dutch fleet has returned and has opened fire on the ship, dread and hopelessness filled me.

"Lad! Hans!"

"S-Sir?!"

"Save them! Save those three! Get the hell out of here and save yourselves!"

"W-What? But captain! That will be-"

"This is an order! Save yourselves and get out of here! Move your asses!"

After being given that order by the captain of the English ship, I grit my teeth and grabbed an oar to row out of the place with what little strength that remains on my body.

"I will save them… I will save them!!!"

There was just that one order left in my mind as I did not care for the excruciating pain in my arms as I rowed out boat out of the place.

"I will…!"

I just… wanted to survive. All of us. I wanted all of us in this boat to live.

"…SAVE THEM!!!"

After the sunshine shone on my shoulders, I finally returned to sanity to see that we are in the middle of the sea with waters that are so calm it barely made any waves.

"Ahhh…"

"…"

"…"

"I see… we are safe."

I was exhausted both in mind and body… I can barely feel my arms and I felt lightheaded with a fever from being drenched in water for so long.

"Gotta... save them..."

But like a doll with only one purpose left in his life, I continued to row the boat to wherever direction its stern side pointed out.

And after that, everything became dark and cold … perhaps I reached my limit and fell into the sea.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Back in the present, he and I are talking while he served me some tea.

"I see… That is a long and painful journey indeed, young man."

"…"

"That expression… are you perhaps worried about that nun and the children."

"Yes… If I fell from the boat, it would mean that they are still stuck on the boat… If then, that would mean-"

"Worry not, lad. They are safe."

"H-huh?!"

"They are currently living at another ruler's province right now. I heard the nun even started the construction of a chapel where she and the kids can live in."

"Then please allow me to-"

"Go there? No."

My eyes went wide after he cut me off and told me that he will not allow me to leave this place.

"At least… not yet for now."

"What do you mean, sir…?"

"…Although I did say that I am the regent of this land, this land is still under a state of civil war. Going to that other ruler's province will be dangerous for you… especially with your foreign appearance and mannerisms."

"Ow!"

After he mentioned mannerisms, he hit my leg that was outstretched on the floor unlike his' that was neatly tucked under each opposing leg's knees.

"For now though, while I am yet to contact and properly talk to that other ruler, I will offer you a place to rest and an occupation."

"A work?"

"Yes. You're a man of the sea. Perhaps you can help out in my own force, could you?"

"B-but… I am-"

"A subject of the Kaiser and vice-captain of his fleet? Don't worry. I won't be asking you to pledge your loyalty to me or give you citizenship in my land. Just call this one as… yes, a foreign employment contract."

He spoke about making me an instruction officer in his navy and not needing me to pledge an oath to go under his rule. Basically, I am being made into a mercenary instructor.

"What do you say? Once we make solid contact with that land, I will certainly let you meet her. I am a man of my word and my promises, I keep close to myself."

"…Well then, sir."

I stood up and raised a salute to him as he faced me as well like a dignified gentleman.

"I accept your deal."

"Good."

And who could've known that only three years later, he will really keep his word.

"Welcome to the Shogunate Officer Legion, Officer Hans von Zettour."