I Became My Healer Elf Character-Chapter 94: All Aboard
The day of the departure, Hikari stood with her crew in front of a massive ship. They'd left the kids and a certain pink-haired goddess back at the inn. The ship in front of them might as well have been a massive inn itself.
It was similar in size to a certain unsinkable ship that Hikari remembered. However, it did not appear to be made of the same type of metal. It wasn't made of metal at all. It appeared to be made of some type of polished marble, and the elf was amazed that they even erected such a ship and surprised it would float.
Mellania found them at the docks and waved them over. "You really did show up! They're checking the people who're boarding right now. It may take up to 30 minutes for them to board everyone."
The elf shrugged. "That's actually quite fast. I'm amazed they can filter people out so quickly."
"Not many would be willing to try to sneak into the ship in the first place. There is only one entrance, unless you consider climbing up the side."
"I see. And how are they going to separate everyone on board? Where will you go?"
"Everyone will get briefed together," Mellania said. "At least, that's what will happen first, before the team break down. The lord will want to greet all of us." The scholar woman pointed up towards the tall lookout tower on board. "You see that way up there?"
"Yes, what about it?"
"I'm just wondering if we'll be able to climb up there on this journey. Imagine viewing the ocean from so high."
The elf nodded and took in the rest of the marble ship. She realized that this ship did not have a magic weave like other ships. Instead, it was more closer to what one would call a golem. The very top layer where people stayed on the deck was composed of wood, and it was only really the outer shell that was made of the marbling.
Hikari decided to perform an inspection on the thing, confirming her theory.
Name: Hydragoon
Age: 234
Race: Great Living Golem
Level: 250
Title: [Queen of Exploration] – This golem was forged using life mana and the signature Imperial Marbling. It's served as one of the Empire's crowning achievements for over two centuries, bringing forth some of the greatest feats of exploration in the modern era.
Hikari stopped reading from there, knowing that the stats would not be something particularly astounding. Still, for something of this world it was relatively high level.
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The line dwindled until it got to Mellania. "Thanks for sticking with me and chatting. We should have plenty to share once we're on board."
"You're a great conversationalist, so I will seek you out whenever possible. I'll likely be protecting your group anyway."
"Oh right," the girl said before looking back to the guard in front of her. "I'm Mellania Faedragon, and I'm with the scholar's branch of this exploration team."
The sailor raised his eyebrow. "I knew they said someone of that lineage was coming, but it's still a surprise. This voyage has many prominent people. Let me just confirm it." The man found the name on his clipboard and nodded. "Now, if you can give me some form of ID please?"
Mellania pulled out a card much different to Hikari's. This one bore a striking dragon emblem on the top right hand corner, and it was pearly white, much like the coating of the ship in front of them.
The man scanned the device with his tablet and nodded. "I've confirmed it. Go right ahead."
Mellania filed in, and Hikari stood before him next.
"Hikari. No other names, and I'm with the Adventurers Guild."
Once again, the man found her name from the list and nodded. "They told me an elf would be joining, but I didn't expect her to be an adventurer. Can you please provide me with a form of ID and for your friends here, too."
Hikari looked towards the angel in worry, but the girl shook her head and produced a card. The elf wondered what the girl did to obtain one. However, upon closer inspection, it was merely a copy of the others people used.
The elf produced her card, showing it to the sailor.
He took it and scanned it, his eyes widening. "I've never even heard of an 8th tier adventurer in modern times. How old are you, miss?" Noticing the look on Hikari's face, the man quickly corrected himself. "Forgive me," he said with a bow, "you and your friends are free to go on board. I'm sure the lord will want to speak to each of you personally."
Hikari nodded and boarded the ship, gladdened by the fact her comrades didn't need to show their IDs. She was also not even sure what kind of identifications that Ayase had in the first place, but knowing the witch, she'd definitely tried many of the professions due to her gamer's spirit.
Either way, they walked into the long hallway that was the first floor of the ship. Rather, it was likely a middle floor, but all of the floors below were for sporting cargo. This was the first floor of bunking for the crew members. Signs hung down along the ornate hallway. They pointed the way for all of the passengers.
There was a staircase with a sign hanging next to it that simply said 'deck'.
All of the people boarding were ushered towards that staircase and began the climb towards the top of the ship. Once more, Hikari found her impressed with all of the designs on the interior.
The stairs were made of a smooth wood and were carpeted. They were wide enough on this staircase to accompany at least 5 people walking side by side. The wooden railing, provided a nice grip as it jutted from the walls on either side, and the occasional painting could be seen on the way up, providing nice landscape views.
By the time they reached the deck, a gorgeous morning view greeted the elf. The sun rose above the ocean, and the warmth spread through Hikari. She could sense that the golem ship was also somehow happy with this development. Her sails rocked back and forth, despite there being little wind.
The wooden deck spread all the way to the bow, the port, starboard, and the captain's wheel. The wheel at the rear of the ship stood as the highest monument, outside the masts and tower. It was a nice wooden veneer, and the handles provided a beautiful white grip.
Standing there gripping the handles was a man Hikari expected to look older. The emperor's older brother sat in his very own wooden wheelchair, yet his face looked not a day older than 25. He still had the handsomeness of rugged men, while bearing a resemblance to younger men with his baby face. There were no scars to paint the picture, and if not for the legs, he'd have been a perfect specimen with his fiery red hair and eyes of the same.
The man pulled the handles, using them to will himself into a standing position. Since his legs didn't work in the slightest, this was an effort of entirely upper body strength, showing that his large arm muscles weren't for nothing.
He cleared his throat and observed the large crowd below him. "Greetings scholars, explorers, hunters, and adventurers. My name is Lord Artoor Vuldragon II. Thanks everyone for joining me for this year's silk hunt. I've been told there are many outstanding individuals among you."
Lord Vuldragon seemed to look intentionally towards Hikari as he said so but continued nonetheless. "I've lorded over this city since the time of my christening ceremony, and as many know, I'm not the type to stand on ceremony, so I'll give you over to your teams in a second."
The lord pointed towards the top of the tower where an outlook stood. "Our watcher for this voyage will make sure to keep everyone safe, and we've gathered some of the best adventurers this land has to offer. Remember that under my watch, nothing will happen to any of you. And should something happen, I'm willing to give my head to my younger brother. Such is my promise. Now, without further rambling, I will divide you into your given sections."
"First, the explorers will take to the starboard wing, and you'll be led by Sailor Milhawk."
He pointed next to the port side of the ship. "Next, the scholars of the college will be briefed over there by Professor Elfdragon."
"All other groups with the exception of adventurers will join on the ship's bow. The adventurers will conjoin around me, and I will personally give your briefing." He paused, looking over the crowd, and making sure that everyone understood the message. "Thank you all for coming once again and safe travels to all of you."
With those final words spoken, he released the white handles, falling back into his wheelchair.
