“It’s an honor to serve Your Majesty!”
As Judas and Eliya approached the ship, an elderly soldier standing in front gave a sharp salute.
The surrounding soldiers followed suit, saluting energetically.
“Loyalty to His Majesty, the Emperor!”
Judas inwardly respected them, even in this hot weather, for donning their uniforms.
‘But who are they?’
It’s shocking how indifferent they are towards national affairs as a royal envoy.
He should reflect on this, but he didn’t particularly feel like it.
After all, being concerned with domestic matters would surely be just a nuisance.
“I am Gabriel, the captain of the Hosea ship!”
The ship was named Hosea.
The old man in front was the ship’s captain.
Eliya casually added to Judas, “He’s the supreme commander of the Demon Realm invasion naval operation.”
It’s not every day that someone of that rank becomes a captain.
But since Eliya and Judas were to board, a person of such importance definitely took the helm.
Judas gave him a light nod.
“Looking forward to this voyage.”
“Yes! I will serve with all my soul!”
No need to go that far….
It was a rather burdensome loyalty, but Judas only muttered it to himself.
He and Eliya had risen to a position that deserved such loyalty.
Eliya briefly spoke.
“Let’s hear the details after we board.”
“Yes, understood!”
Judas, along with Eliya, climbed aboard the ship, protected by countless soldiers.
The size felt enormous once atop, resembling a huge building floating on water.
‘Like an apartment or something.’
Perhaps it was his first-time boating experience that made it even more fascinating.
Watching Judas gawking around, Eliya couldn’t help but chuckle.
Then she asked Gabriel, “How long until we set sail?”
“About ten minutes.”
“Can we take a quick look around the deck until then?”
Eliya wanted Judas to have some time to freely explore.
They could do it later, but it’s always best to enjoy such moments right away.
“Yes, understood!”
While soldiers waited, Judas and Eliya wandered around the deck.
They didn’t go inside the ship but reveled in the sights outside.
“Wow…”
Judas expressed blandly.
The sea, a deep blue stretching endlessly.
Above it, the sky expanded like a parallel horizon.
Just looking at it brought a refreshing feeling to his heart.
It was akin to the vast prairie he often enjoyed.
The grass swaying like a meadow.
But it was different.
The prairie was land, and he knew where it ended.
When he ran, he quickly crossed into the next area.
In this sea, the end was utterly unfathomable.
Moreover, beneath was another deep sea.
A sense of awe for the mysteries of nature blossomed within him.
“It’s vast…”
Eliya murmured beside him, equally mesmerized by seeing the ocean for the first time.
Judas looked at Eliya.
The way she hugged her arms tightly around herself while gazing at the sea.
A gentle smile graced her face.
The sea breeze brushed her hair.
Caught gazing at her flowing hair, their eyes met.
She smiled sweetly.
Judas, responding with a smile, unintentionally bowed his head to her.
He gently pulled her waist and lightly kissed her.
As she pulled away, blushing, she said, “I’m glad I’ve never seen the sea until now.”
“Hmm? Glad?”
“Thanks to that, I can see the sea with you for the first time.”
“….”
Having never seen the sea, she was now able to share that first moment with him.
It was a deeply striking statement.
Was there such emotion and lingering feeling in simply seeing the sea for the first time?
How different it would have been if Eliya had witnessed it alone.
Who knows? It would be hard for Judas to make a rash claim.
One thing was clear; at that moment of seeing the sea for the first time, he was grateful to share it with Eliya.
Life felt incredibly meaningful, adding significance to the small, happy times they shared.
Finally, he replied, “…True.”
The two sat silently for a moment, shoulder to shoulder, simply staring at the blue sea.
They wandered around the deck, even approaching the bow.
The long mast stretched out like a horn at the front of the ship.
Below it, a bow figurehead.
An eagle, gilded in gold.
“Why an eagle?”
Eliya answered Judas’s innocent curiosity.
“It’s a type of sea eagle that hunts fish. They wanted to embody the spirit and power of a bird that flies freely over the sea.”
“Ooo…. You know everything.”
Eliya’s shoulders lifted at the compliment.
It was strange.
No matter how much others admired her, it didn’t stir her, but Judas’s small praise made her buoyant.
“Hmm, well, it’s just this much.”
Seeing her try to act aloof, Judas chuckled.
‘It’s clear as day. When did she become so transparent?’
They were due to set sail soon, so they returned to Captain Gabriel.
He was waiting before the steering wheel.
Eliya said, “We’ve finished our tour. Let’s hear the guiding details.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The Hosea ship is a supply vessel heading to the Beelzebub Peninsula, protruding west from the central Demon Realm. The peninsula currently houses a base centered around a harbor, and operations are being established to support the united human forces advancing from the south.”
The source of the operation for the Demon Realm invasion by sea came from Eliya, and Gabriel concretely shaped it.
He was the one recommended by Gallahaid, pondering over the naval supreme commander.
Gabriel was Gallahaid’s comrade.
Eliya listened, checking if what she had previously been briefed in meetings was consistent.
Everything lined up perfectly.
Including the anticipated outcomes of this supply mission.
“Sounds good.”
After hearing the report, Eliya stated calmly.
It was time to depart.
The supply ship set sail with a horn blaring, and Eliya and Judas inspected the ship’s interior.
From the cabins to the cargo holds filled with supplies, everything was perfect—no faults at all—probably because the Emperor and royal envoy had personally come to check.
“We need to maintain this condition moving forward.”
Upon Eliya’s calm instruction, Gabriel saluted.
The last place they were shown was the room where Judas and Eliya would stay during the voyage.
A bedroom prepared just for the two of them, which would later be separated and removed.
After all, no one else could use a space touched by the Emperor.
Opening the large door revealed a cozy space.
Featuring a luxurious table and chairs, it served as a kind of dining area.
For just Judas and Eliya.
Passing through the dining area led to a comparatively small door, which led to the bedroom.
“It may seem insignificant compared to the palace, but I prepared it with utmost sincerity.”
“It’s not bad. How long until we arrive?”
“If there are no drastic weather changes, it will take three days.”
“Okay, I see.”
As Gabriel was about to leave, Eliya suddenly looked at Judas.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Hmm? How do you know? Ah, it’s almost lunchtime.”
“Can we get a meal ready?”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
Gabriel quickly went out with the crew to bring in food.
As soon as the door closed, Eliya jumped into Judas’s arms.
Then she calmly said, “Kiss me.”
Judas couldn’t help but laugh.
“Wow, you wanted a kiss.”
“Mmhm.”
“How have you held back all this time?”
“I was holding your arm.”
That’s why she had been fidgeting since a while ago.
Amused by her nonchalant reply, Judas kissed her.
One kiss wasn’t enough, so they bumped lips multiple times, even kissing her cheek.
Only then did Eliya seem satisfied, pulling him into her embrace and rubbing against him.
“Feels nice.”
“You’re trying to kill me with cuteness.”
“…I’m not.”
Eliya, embarrassed, changed the subject.
“Let’s sit and wait.”
Judas sat first, and Eliya casually settled onto his lap.
“My mom said she wanted to see the sea too.”
“Did she? She could have come along.”
“She said she was scared of being on a ship.”
“Hmm.”
That could be understandable.
Perhaps Maria was being considerate, wanting to leave time for just him and Eliya.
Eliya probably knew, but Maria still watched over Eliya.
It would be an overwhelming feeling, unable to shake off her guilt.
No matter how much Eliya claimed to forgive her, she would never forgive herself, surely.
“Maybe next time we can bring my mother to the sea without boarding.”
“Mmhm. Sounds good.”
While waiting for their meal, the two cuddled and chatted lightly.
“Oh! Richard is getting married soon.”
Somehow, Judas had gotten comfortable enough to speak casually with Richard and several guards of the palace.
“Really? That’s later than expected. Isn’t the timing a bit awkward?”
Currently, the royal guard is dispatched to oversee the Demon Realm invasion, mainly to watch and protect.
They’re Eliya’s eyes.
They would continue until the war concluded, so it was indeed an unsuitable time for a wedding.
“They say the seniors are aware…. But it can’t be helped.”
“Why?”
“Beninita sister-in-law is having a baby….”
“…Ah.”
She got pregnant before the wedding.
“That’s not an uncommon thing, I guess.”
“Yeah… that’s true.”
A baby….
Eliya pondered that word internally as she stroked her belly.
What would it feel like?
Carrying a child of the person you love.
She was curious but felt it was still too soon.
She wanted to savor their world of just the two of them a little longer.
“Apparently, she said she’d be grateful if you could come.”
“Do you want to go?”
“Yeah. I want to go.”
“Then let’s go together.”
“Why do you accept so readily? Is your schedule okay?”
“Yeah, I can manage my time. It’s important to you, so it’s fine.”
Judas often found it fascinating how Eliya could be so kind and gentler.
Even now.
Seeing her completely different from the past, living while aiming at others.
He was genuinely glad and thankful that she had changed so much.
He kissed her head.
“Thank you.”
“Then kiss.”
After moving Eliya slightly to the side, he kissed her deeply.
The heat from their close bodies slowly escalated.
Their lips stayed connected for a long time, naturally opening to exchange breaths.
The atmosphere urged for deeper contact.
Just when he was about to flick his tongue out….
-Knock, knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door.
-Your Majesty. The meal is ready.
Eliya jumped up, fanning her face.
She checked her outfit unnecessarily.
Judas also glanced at his attire and nodded.
Only then did Eliya clear her throat and say, “You may come in.”
Seeing her suddenly composed and solemn made Judas swallow a laugh.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
