As the massive battleship approached, Lily piloted a small boat, quickly carrying Sage away from the harbor.
Colonel Mouse was here, but his ship wasn't, seemingly to prevent any unforeseen incidents, the battleship was not docked at the harbor.
Now that an unexpected event occurred, the battleship could directly sail in and launch a bombardment.
"Hey, this has nothing to do with you, why are you going out to sea?" Sage asked curiously.
This princess, after the king died, she should be the next queen. What's she doing setting out to sea at this time?
Lily pressed her lips together and said, "I killed a navy colonel, and I'll also be hunted... Plus, I can't let you bear this disaster alone!"
Her tone was exceptionally firm, facing Sage, "The mess started because of me; I can't let you bear the bounty alone. If there's going to be a bounty, I'm willing to set sail with you! I know sailing techniques and can read sea maps; I'm a navigator, so I look forward to your guidance in the future!"
Sage was taken aback for a moment, "Navigator?"
...
The weather at sea is unpredictable and ever-changing. Without the ability to observe the weather and master wind direction, it's easy to capsize in these seas.
Crackle!
Beneath the storm clouds seen were thunder and heavy rain, but beyond these tempestuous seas, a small boat floated quietly on the water's surface.
After leaving the bombardment, they stopped here. Sage tugged at his mouth, facing Lily, who seemed never to have been to the sea, and was now curiously gazing at the water:
"You really are a navigator..."
A princess who was raised inside the royal palace and had never seen much of the world could find the correct wind direction and predict which sea areas would have heavy rain by observing clouds, avoiding it proactively when setting sail.
Indeed she understands sailing...
Upon hearing this, Lily lifted her head proudly, "I've read many books on sailing techniques, and I've dreamed of becoming a navigator since I was a child..."
Just then she suddenly paused, her pupils floating away, a fleeting image inexplicably crossed her mind.
...
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
The very young Lily sat on a strong arm, after being asked the question, she stared out at the vast blue sea outside the window, giggling.
"Going to sea? That's great... But to go to sea, you need knowledge. Start learning now, and Lily will certainly become an outstanding navigator."
Who was the owner of that arm?
Forget it, can't remember clearly.
...
Lily shook her head, tossing aside those chaotic thoughts, and continued, "Anyway, I may not have practical experience, but my theoretical knowledge is very rich, I can certainly become a great navigator, ensuring your course. Besides..."
She stood up, causing the small wooden boat to shake violently, drawing a gorgeous rapier from her waist, "I'm also a swordsman, capable of basic self-defense, so I won't hold you back!"
Sage watched Lily with an irrepressible smile tugging at his lips and curiously said, "You seem really excited..."
"Not, not at all excited."
Lily, being stared at by Sage, suddenly blushed and sat down solemnly, gripping the oar, taking a deep breath, setting her expression seriously as if she was very earnest.
"I'm just a little interested in venturing out to sea," she said casually.
Her eyes were practically shining, oh, young girl...
But it's also understandable, for a princess raised in the royal palace, who knows no one, she naturally yearns for the outside world.
The citizens of Oyekot Kingdom could consider themselves relieved, though they wouldn't get literal gold from the sky, they at least gained a means to resist, thus resolving her knot in the heart.
Moreover, this woman, even setting aside killing a colonel, even if she hadn't, with her unrecognized identity, even if she forcibly inherited the throne, she'd only be a puppet for those nobles, so she better set sail.
Studying sailing techniques and swordsmanship since a young age...
If she truly wanted to be kept like a canary, where did her swordsmanship come from?
Sage knew, elite naval officers were developed in all aspects, including body techniques and swordsmanship. It was likely Ennio taught her the swordsmanship...
Damned dead father, did he plan even for this?!
Sage sat cross-legged on the boat, resting his elbow on his knee, palm supporting his chin, and said, "I do indeed lack a navigator..."
Those who know sailing knowledge are rare resources at sea, no matter how little they know, people would always keep them on board.
Otherwise, if he relied on himself, he'd turn into a muggle once at sea, only able to tell direction by the sun's position, no better than a blind man.
Sage's words made Lily's pupils light up.
But before she could speak, Sage waved his hand, "However, some things need to be said early. If you don't agree, it's better for us to separate sooner rather than later."
"Firstly, I'm not here to play house with the ocean on some great adventure. I'm here to become a pirate, being a pirate is a career for me, and I'm very professional. I'll do whatever a pirate does, do you have a problem with that?"
Having made such a big scene in Oyekot Kingdom, not having a bounty would be odd—after all, the bounty hunter's career was a bust; the next career could only be piracy.
As for what a pirate has to do...
"I have no problem!" Lily firmly declared.
This surprised Sage for a moment, "No, I mean pirates do what I'll do, looting and pillaging, I'll do all of it."
"Yes, that's what pirates are!"
Lily stared into Sage's eyes, "I've made up my mind!"
Sage asked curiously, "Why?"
"Because you've said it...you have no interest in poor people." Lily said somberly.
Sage paused, looking at Lily for a long time, and then laughed silently, "Indeed..."
He took the metal flask tied to his belt, took a swig of alcohol, and then tossed it to the golden-haired, big-wave girl in front of him.
"Then, nice to meet you; Norton Sage, your captain."
Lily took the flask without hesitation, gulping a mouthful, even though the spicy taste turned her face red, she persisted in swallowing it. She wiped her mouth seriously, "Bienta Lily, your navigator!"
On the right, were stormy clouds blocking the sky.
On the left, was calm seas under perfectly clear skies.
On the little boat in the middle, the two shared a smile, announcing to the vast sea a pirate crew of only two had formed!
"Now, here's my plan!"
Sage eagerly said, "First, we need to recruit a large bunch, accumulate initial capital through looting, find a territory to settle down, and through time and accumulation, fulfill my great dream of becoming a wealthy landlord—any problem with that?"
"There is!"
Lily raised her hand, saying, "Before achieving your 'great' dream, shouldn't we find a ship to use for looting and navigating?"
A canoe obviously couldn't be used for looting; even setting aside cannonballs, a big wave could capsize it.
"Additionally..."
Gurgle—
Lily's stomach growled, making her lower her head in embarrassment, but she quickly raised it again.
Perhaps due to the boldness of joining a pirate crew for the first time, or maybe the casualness brought on by gulping Sage's shared drink, Lily cast aside the upbringing and etiquette of a royal family member, admitting earnestly,
"I'm hungry."
The canoe couldn't just not be used for looting and navigating, but it didn't even have food...