“Wh-What is this…? Why is there a ship in a place like this!?”
Yuma blinked, staring at the ship on the trailer.
“All the ships in the harbor were destroyed by Monsters. I moved this one into the warehouse to keep it safe,” Jacob said proudly, arms crossed. Rui spoke to him.
“But why did you pull the ship ashore and protect it, Jacob-san? Shouldn’t evacuation be the priority…?”
Jacob scoffed. “If all the ships are gone, we won’t be able to get from Germany to England. Then who will defeat the Blue King? The fledgling Seekers in England can’t do it alone. Only Germany’s Schutzengel can defeat the Blue King. I’ve been protecting this ship, believing that…”
Rui and Yuma exchanged glances at Jacob’s bitter expression. They knew the Schutzengel was once called a hero. Jacob must have believed they would change the situation.
“Jacob-san, I’m sorry to say, but the Schutzengel is no more. But we’re planning to go to England and defeat the Monsters. Please, let us use this ship!”
Rui pleaded with Jacob, and Yuma added, “Please!” Jacob frowned, looking back and forth between Rui and Yuma.
“You two seem like skilled Seekers. You can use this ship! Go to England and defeat the Monsters!”
“Thank you!”
Rui and Yuma thanked him in unison. They were sharing their joy with Felix and Werner when Jacob cleared his throat.
“However! There’s one condition: I’m coming with you!”
“Eh!?”
Rui and Yuma’s voices overlapped again. Go with them? To England? Yuma doubted his ears.
“W-Wait a minute, Jacob-san. You know how dangerous England is, right? It’s not a place for ordinary people to go.”
He would normally oppose taking Felix and Werner, but he had promised to let them steer the ship, so he couldn’t help it. But taking any more civilians would only be a burden.
“Nonsense! I said you could use the ship, but I didn’t say I’d do it. I’ll just drop you off and come back. I’m just transporting you, so you’ll have to manage from there!”
“Eh…”
Yuma grimaced. It was true that once they got to England, the ship would be abandoned. After that, it would likely be destroyed by Monsters. He thought he had no choice but to take Felix and Werner to England, but this old man was planning to come back here!? Yuma was surprised and impressed by his audacity.
“I-It’s hard enough just to get there, but coming back would be even harder…”
Jacob retorted to Yuma’s words, “Shut up!”
“I know this area of the sea well. I can choose the safest route possible. Coming back is nothing!”
“B-But…”
“If you don’t like it, I won’t lend you the ship! Get out of here.”
Jacob waved his hand dismissively and turned his back. Yuma and the others exchanged confused glances. They knew it was dangerous, but there was no choice now.
“Understood. We accept the condition. Please take us.”
Jacob turned around at Yuma’s words, his face breaking into a happy grin. “Then let’s set sail immediately!” Finn opened the warehouse shutter, letting sunlight into the dimly lit space. Jacob released the trailer’s brake, grabbed the handle, and tried to move it.
“What are you looking at! Help me, you guys!”
Yuma and the others quickly rushed over and pulled the fishing boat on the trailer together. Once they were outside the warehouse, they connected the trailer’s wire to a large forklift that was parked there. Jacob got into the lift and sat in the driver’s seat. With practiced skill, he gripped the steering wheel, stepped on the accelerator, and started the engine. The towed fishing boat moved along the road, heading towards the pier.
“I’m counting on you if any Monsters appear. I’m going to start preparing for departure.”
“O-Okay.”
Yuma, who was running alongside, replied. Rui and Yuma were on the lookout, but fortunately, no Monsters appeared. When they reached the pier, they disconnected the wire connecting the lift and the trailer. Jacob skillfully operated the forklift, moving the forks to lift the fishing boat off the trailer. Yuma, who was curious about how they would launch the boat, watched Jacob’s actions closely. The large forklift carried the boat to the edge of the pier and then moved the forks to lower the fishing boat into the sea.
“Hee, so that’s how they do it… I’ve never seen that before.”
Yuma was impressed. He thought the forklift was unusually large, but that was to be expected if it was used to launch ships. Finn jumped onto the fishing boat that was floating on the water and started the engine. Jacob, who had climbed down from the lift’s driver’s seat with a grunt, turned to Yuma and the others.
“Hey, hey, there’s no time to dawdle! We need to get out of here before the sea Monsters come. Get on board quickly!”
“Y-Yes!”
Yuma was the first to jump aboard. Then came Rui, Felix, and Werner, and finally Jacob, who was about to jump on. Everyone lent a hand, and they managed to get him on board safely.
“Alright, leave the rest to me!”
Jacob puffed out his chest and headed for the helm. He sat down heavily in the chair and grabbed the rudder.
“U-Um… you’re really sure you can handle the steering, right?”
Rui asked hesitantly. Jacob shook his head with a “good grief” expression.
“How many years do you think I’ve been a fisherman! I’ve been holding the rudder since before you were born! No need to worry!”
Jacob laughed heartily with confidence. Yuma and Rui looked troubled, but they couldn’t complain since the fishing boat belonged to Jacob. Rui turned to look at Felix.
“Felix-san, Werner-san. Jacob-san will be steering the ship. We’ll be taking a dangerous route, so shouldn’t you two go back?”
It would be dangerous to return by truck from here, but going by ship would be much more dangerous. Rui thought so and urged the two of them…
“Come on, don’t say that. We’ve come this far. Let us see you safely to England.”
Rui hesitated at Felix’s answer. Looking at Werner’s face, he was smiling as if it were obvious. Rui smiled wryly, thinking it would be difficult to persuade them.
“Are you done talking? We’re leaving.”
Jacob, who was holding the rudder, raised an eyebrow and looked at Rui and the others behind him. Rui talked to Yuma and decided on an answer.
“We’re all going. Jacob-san, please take care of the steering!”
“Then let’s depart!”
With Jacob’s voice, the ship left the shore and headed into the North Sea towards England.