The Order

"Uwwaahhh~"

A deep yawn echoed through the dimly lit wooden corridor of the ship as a tall man with messy grayish-blue hair stretched lazily. His loose shirt hung off his left shoulder, and his right hand was casually tucked into his pants pocket. Despite his disheveled appearance, there was an unmistakable air of responsibility about him.

Stopping at the base of the circular wooden stairs leading to the main deck, his eyes drifted toward the dark corridor extending behind the stairs—the one leading to the Captain's office. The sleepy look in his eyes faded, replaced by a sharp, calculative focus. He stood there, staring into the shadows.

What is the Captain thinking?

The situation perplexed him. The Captain he knew wasn't someone who acted out of kindness, much less allowed strangers aboard. This was the man who had once refused to ferry Imperial knights. And now, a child?

The thought was absurd. He waved the troubling notion aside with a flick of his hand.

"Well, at least we finally have someone new to handle the chores. That fluffy brown-haired idiot is useless," he muttered, a sly grin spreading across his face as he thought of the newest addition to their crew. The boy had a temper and spirit he admired.

As he ascended the stairs, his thoughts lingered on the boy.

That kid... He's something else. He'd do well in battle. Maybe I should train him? I'll ask Captain later. Those dark navy hair and those sharp black eyes of his really match with the nob--

He froze mid-step. The physical description he'd just run through his mind sparked something – a realization that hit him like a bucket of ice water. His eyes widened.

HOLY FU-- 

Without another moment's hesitation, he turned and descended the stairs, his pace steady but purposeful as he headed toward the Captain's cabin. His face betrayed nothing, but his heart pounded as he tried to process his revelation.

Arriving at the navy-blue door, he stopped, inhaled deeply, and exhaled to calm himself. He raised his hand to knock.

"Come in," 

The Captain's cold, commanding voice came before he could knock. The tone carried an undercurrent of weariness, one the Vice-Captain immediately picked up on. With another deep breath, he pushed the door open.

The room was dimly lit, dominated by an ornate desk. Behind it sat the Captain, the man who had taught him everything. Dominus Vindex—a figure of unwavering authority. His golden eyes bore into Vice-Captain with their usual intensity. A quill rested in his right hand as he worked on a document.

"Speak," the Captain ordered, his voice sharp.

"Uh—oh. You're in one of those moods, aren't you?" He blurted out, his usual composure slipping, immediately regretting his informal tone.

"Manners!" The single word carried volumes of reproach.

"My apologies," He dipped into a slight bow. "We've been underway from Zenora Island for about an hour now. We'll enter The Great Meltana Ocean in roughly eight hours."

"Quite some time before we reach our lands, then."

"Yes... perhaps three or four years. It took us nearly seven years to reach Zenora."

"Hmm...Aiden, an ord—"

"Alex, sir. Just Alex." The interruption carried a sharp edge of barely contained anger.

The Captain's sigh seemed to fill the cabin. "Sigh... Alex, We've received an order from the Imperials."

At the mention of the Imperials, Alex stiffened. "The Imperials? What do they --- wait. What do you mean just arrived? How?"

"Through a Teleportation Rune," Dominus replied without looking up. The response only deepened Alex's confusion.

"A Teleportation Rune? What's that?"

Dominus finally looked up, his golden eyes narrowing. Alex quickly realized his mistake.

"Oh! Of course! The Teleportation Rune. I just… forgot. All these duties, you know? Hahaha." He forced a laugh, scratching the back of his head. Dominus's grim expression didn't waver, but he let the matter slide.

"The letter," Dominus said, sliding a document across the desk.

Alex stepped forward and picked it up. "You could've just told me what it says," he muttered, unfolding the letter. As his eyes scanned the contents, his expression darkened. His hands trembled slightly, gripping the edges of the parchment tighter.

"Bastards," he hissed. "They expect us to reach the Imperial Palace within a year? That's impossible! And why now? They've never cared before."

Dominus slid another letter toward him. "Read this."

Alex snatched it up, his frustration evident. As he read, his eyes widened further. "An Oracle? They're planning an Oracle? And they need you for it?" His voice faltered as he continue reading the letter. "Wait… This isn't from the Emperor!"

Dominus's gaze hardened. "Something is amiss. We need to reach our land faster."

"Yeah. They definitely planning something. But how, Captain? Reaching in a year is impossible."

Dominus's expression didn't change. "Gather everyone in the meeting room tomorrow morning. We'll make our decision then."

"Oh...Understood," Alex replied, turning to leave. But before he could step out, Dominus spoke again.

"You came here for something else, didn't you?"

Alex hesitated. "Ah… It's nothing. I—"

"It's about the boy," Dominus interrupted, his eyes piercing. "You've noticed, haven't you?"

Alex nodded. "Yes. I had my doubts, but now I'm certain."

Dominus leaned back, his gaze returning to the document before him. "Good."

As Alex turned to leave once more, he paused, glancing over his shoulder. "You didn't need my permission, Captain. If you've already decided to let the kid in, that's your call."

Dominus allowed a faint smile to grace his lips. "Hmmm."

*[THUD!]*

The door closed with a soft thud. Alex stood in the corridor for a moment, his earlier thoughts overshadowed by the weight of the Imperials' orders.

Still, as he made his way back toward the main deck, his usual cheerful demeanor returned, a grin spreading across his face as he prepared to fulfill his duties.