Volume 2 Chapter 16

Volume 2 Chapter 16: After Action Report and Recovery

The next day after the incident, early in the morning.

While it was still dark outside, Lilac already was at one of the largest hospitals in the City of Water.

In front of her was Wilhelm, who was trying to sit up on the bed.

Looking at his face, he has a good complexion and his physical conditions seem to be restored. After witnessing that—

「——So, what happened?」

Lilac asked Wilhelm.

After the incident, she received a brief report, but most of the information was known only by Wilhelm, the captain, so she was waiting for this moment.

…As a leader of the Marine Guild and as one of those governing the City of Water, she had to investigate the shipwreck…

This matter had to be investigated thoughtfully. Because if this was an attack from another country, another city, or individual, it had to be dealt with immediately.

With that in mind, she asked, slightly nervous.

Then, Wilhelm shook his head. And while dropping his shoulders.

「This time we had an accident due to a magical engine going amok. It seems that inside of the engine, a part that wasn’t visible accumulated wear. And looks like we overloaded the engine.」

To the words that slowly came out, Lilac furrowed her eyebrows.

「What a way to agitate someone. So it really was just an accident.」

「Yes, sorry about that. Recently, the tide is strange. So I went out to investigate it along with a test for a new magic engine, and then the bilge went boom! Even though it was a sturdy ship, it was wrecked in just one explosion.」

「It was so bad?」

「Yeah, another, even smaller impact, and it would’ve completely crumbled. If carrier-niisan came just a little bit later we would’ve sunk along with the ship.」

「How pathetic」, mumbled Wilhelm, scratching his head.

「Focusing only on the objective forgetting to pay attention to your own tools. I’m intending to increase the number of checking points in the future. I will improve the weak part, strengthening it. I recalled all of the problematic parts from this accident and finished the report, so we will review it with our entire guild.」

Phew, He breathed a tired sigh.

「And… The new magic engine I tested this time was quite good, so I guess we can only add improvements upon improvements. So many things to do that it almost gives me anxiety.」

Hearing such fainthearted words Lilac narrowed her eyes.

To think he, the head of shipbuilding guild got so timid. Looks like this incident was quite a shock to him. Yet—

「Did wounds and the accident get to your heart? And that is it with your spirit?」

That’s why Lilac said that, trying to rouse him.

And them, a bitter laugh comes from Wilhelm.

「Yes, you have a point. But well, everyone survived thanks to that lad, the carrier, which stops me from getting too depressed. I was planning to take the conversation in a good direction from here. So… My next objective is to go and bow my head down to my lifesaver.」

「Yeah. Axel-san is in the middle of his travel, they are still planning to stay in this city for a while, but the sooner you do it the better.」

He was saying that they are traveling freely, so there is no saying when they will leave the city. When told so, Wilhelm once again turned his gaze downwards.

And—

「Say… Lilac. You seem to know that lad, but who the hell is he?」

He moved his lips and quietly asked, but then shook his head.

「Ask him yourself. It’s his private business, not something I should be babbling about on every corner.」

I heard about him from Marion, but if possible it would be better to hear from the person in question himself. This way it would sound more convincing and believable. With those thoughts I replied and Wilhelm returned a nod.

「…True enough. Since he isn’t so far away, I shall ask him personally. Since he is a comrade of a hero, I shouldn’t be surprised if he was a legendary class…」

「I’ll say this just in case, but don’t do anything rude. He is my guest.」

「You don’t have to tell me. It’s not about me alone. He saved the lives of my dear members of the shipbuilding guild. I absolutely won’t do anything rude, and won’t allow any disrespect towards him.」

As Wilhelm was saying that, vigor was filling his eyes. Apparently, he was able to shake off his melancholy.

「I see. Well, in any case, Axel-san is staying at my inn, so come when you become able to walk.」

「Yeah, with the treatment this evening I’m completely recovered. I’ll walk to him on my own two feet, that got saved by him.」

「Haha, if that’s how it is then I guess I don’t have to worry… Well then, until the sun rises, let’s hear your report, not only on the current crush but about the flow of the tides.」

「Yes, I wasn’t able to investigate much into that though——」

And so, two guild heads of the City of Water continued their conversation in the hospital. The time at the hospital would pass without notice.