Book 1: Chapter 2.1

Book 1: Chapter 2.1

The morning had already passed.

The boat had departed at exactly eight oclock. Leaving behind the city of San Teresa, Matoba traveled across the surface of the ocean for around an hour.

At this latitude, the sun should have been high up by now. However, a thick layer of clouds veiled the sky, blocking out the sunlight that attempted to escape through its surface. The ocean that lay below the horizon was a dismal gray, while the sky above was a dirty pink.

Matoba rode on the Golden Heart, a small, high-speed boat that belonged to the Coast Guard. A .50 caliber machine gun was installed on its bow. According to the crewmen, the boat could easily travel at over 50 knots if they needed it to.

On the tail of the boat stood the flag of the Kariana self-governing colony under the United Nations, waving through the air beside the star-spangled banner of the United States.

Though the Kariana self-governing colony, along with the city of San Teresa, was not typically considered to be part of any country, it was technically under the rule of the United States. The reason why Matoba had to read his captured suspects their Miranda rights was because he was required to do so under US law. Moreover, the majority of the people that worked in San Teresa law enforcement were American citizens. Though there were plenty of people like Matoba who came from other countries such as Japan, there wasnt a single Semanian that worked with the Coast Guard or the city police.

We will shortly arrive at our destination, announced one of the crewmen.

Matoba got up to his feet, clutching the railing to stabilize himself. He tried his hardest to keep his balance as the boat swayed heavily from side to side.

The Golden Heart slowed its pace down to a crawl. Though the latitude of their location wasnt too far off from Okinawa or Taiwan, the surface of the ocean was freezing cold. Here, the sun did not shine. A thick fog filled the air around them. The horizon that they had been gazing at just ten minutes ago had been completely obscured, and Matoba could only see a hundred meters in front of him.

These strange transformations would always occur whenever one approached the Mirage Gate.

The Mirage Gate was the mysterious space that linked this world with the one that lay on the other side.

However, the gate did not have any sort of defined shape or appearance. And there wasnt only one of them, either. Ten years ago, there were more than fifty different dimensional gates that were scattered throughout the ocean around Kariana Island. Almost like regions of air pressure on a weather map, they were constantly springing up and disappearing at random intervals. They did not follow a defined pattern, meaning that it was impossible to predict where the next gate would appear.

The Mirage Gate was the only exception to this rule. Located on the surface of the ocean 45 miles southwest of San Teresa, this gate was in a state of constant stability. As a result, the permanent gate, known as the second Silk Road, was the only cross-dimensional trade route to be officially recognized.

The sound of the engine died down, and the boat came to a halt.

Silence filled the misty air around them. The gentle sound of the oceans waves could be heard as the Golden Heart floated alone in the water. The footsteps of the Coast Guard crewmen rang out loudly against the silence.

The captain walked over to Matoba, who stayed leaning against the railing.

You seasick?

Eh, Im alright

Im impressed. Usually when we take land-dwelling officers on our boats, they give out within minutes.

I fought in the war.

Ohh

I was in the army, though. But a lot of my missions were in the wetlands, so Ive ridden on my fair share of boats.

The captain looked at him intently.

Which must mean that youve been to the other side?

I have. I was with the so-called Peace Keeping Force. But whenever we crossed, I was crammed into a transport plane like a sardine. So this is my first time seeing the gate with my own eyes.

Several leather suitcases were lowered onto the deck using ropes and pulleys. That must have been their luggage.

Matoba wondered when the long-awaited nobleman would appear. As Matoba stayed staring up at the ship, the tiny attendant walked straight past him.

The bell rang once again. The Semanian sailor yelled something unintelligible, and the ladder was lifted off of the deck.

?

The nobleman hadnt come down yet. What were they doing?

Matoba and the crewmen watched quizzically as the ladder was pulled back up.

Hey.

The attendant was speaking to him. In perfect English.

No, they werent an attendant. In fact, they werent even male.

My name is Exedilika, the balsh (apprentice knight) of the Milvao. Do you Dorini not have any manners, not welcoming your guest?

It was a girl. She appeared to be in her early teens.

Her skin was pure whiteso white that it was difficult to believe that there was blood flowing through her body. Her golden blond hair was so smooth that it seemed almost synthetic. The fine tunic that she wore was covered in elaborately embroidered patterns, and there was not a single speck of dust on her overcoat and tights. A thin sword hung at her waist, still sheathed. Her large eyes were slanted slightly upwards, resembling those of some cold yet majestic feline. Her beautiful lips formed a pout, showing no hint of amiability.

Standing in the gray, misty air of the ocean, her very presence felt unreal.

Alien.

Matoba had encountered many, many Semanians over the past few years, but he had never met anyone who felt as otherworldly as her. If anything, her existence seemed closer to the fairy that he had seen shining inside of that glass bottle.

So she was the noble that Roth had been talking about? It wasnt some old geezer that he had to escort?

Matoba's mouth hung open in shock as he stared at her. The girl glared back. For some reason, he was reminded of his cat, who would always look at him like that when she was hungry.

Do you not understand English?

No I do.

The girl let out a sigh of what appeared to be relief. She puffed up her chest and spoke in a pompous manner.

Then why didnt you respond to me? Who do you think you are, just completely ignoring me like that?

I didnt notice you.

Hmph. I see

She unsheathed the sword that hung at her waist. The sound of cutting air filled Matobas ears as the sharp tip of the blade passed right before his nose. He staggered back in astonishment as the girl stood upright, waving the sword from left to right. Holding the sword diagonally in front of her chest, she spoke in a clear voice.

My name is Tilarna Balsh Mirvor Lata-Imsedarya Ye Teberena Devor-Nerano Seya Nel Exedilika In the English language of you Dorini, it translates to firstborn daughter of Seya of the Exedilika family, descendant of Archduke Devor, apprentice of the glorious Knights of Mirvor. Understood? Now, whats your name?