Chapter 542: Hammock
The butler is nowhere to be found! I quietly stand in the corner of the room, facing the wall. Even though the captain’s cabin has windows, it feels oddly dim.
Faramia, with her unchanging expression, is staring intently. That’s unusual.
“Note really struggles with the topic of the King’s Branch, doesn’t he?”
“Please refrain from discussing branches in my absence. I prefer topics like meals, young lady, commerce, assassination, and peaceful matters.”
Peaceful matters didn’t seem to be the only thing mixed in there!?
I divert my gaze from the butler, who answers without looking at me, and decide to leave him be.
“—Could you show Lord Haulon the actual Mail Wheat?”
Soleil, who also seems to have chosen to ignore the situation, wears a captivating smile.
“Ah.”
Captain Cat slaps his tail against the table, stands up, and a burly crew member approaches.
Without any run-up, Captain Cat leaps onto the crew member’s shoulder. A cat on a shoulder… isn’t that more of a parrot’s job? It feels like a parrot would be the one to eavesdrop on secret conversations. But I guess it makes sense since Captain Cat is a cat himself.
“Right. We’ll be exchanging it for the ordinary wheat that Es has stockpiled, but I need to see it myself.”
Haulon stands up.
The plan is to exchange the wheat from Karn’s Country for the ordinary wheat that Es has been hoarding. The negotiations have already been completed through Naruadeid, with Soleil and Captain Cat handling the other party. It’s known that going through Naruadeid allows for a higher price for the goods.
This time, it’s not just a negotiation with one country. Given the drought, ordinary wheat is scarce, and it seems they’ve decided to negotiate with several countries to avoid depleting the supply.
So, they chose Es, which is geographically close to Karn’s Country. After transporting the Mail Wheat on Captain Cat’s ship, the wheat can be moved by riverboat without the hassle of transferring it. Captain Cat’s return ship probably won’t come back empty, loaded with something else.
Putting that aside, why is there no agitation over the assassination matter? Also, Haulon has seen the actual Mail Wheat through mail, right? Is he pretending he hasn’t? Everyone seems to know that the Great Sage can use Teleportation.
Oh, if it becomes clear that it’s easy to do, will people start asking to transport just the Green Stones? The safety level would skyrocket just by not carrying Magic Stones through the strait.
For the Mail, it doesn’t necessarily have to be Magic Stones, but I guess people think Magic Stones are better than ordinary gems based on their values. If it’s green, it doesn’t even have to be a gem, let alone a Magic Stone.
—Could this information be a problem too? I should consult Retze when I get back.
Oh, the ship just rocked. The place we’re docked isn’t too wavy, but it sways a bit when other ships come in. It’s been swaying lightly, but it’s regular enough that it doesn’t bother me.
People who get seasick probably can’t handle this sway, but I’m fine. Soleil and Faramia are fine, the butler is fine, but Haulon isn’t. I know he’s getting some assistance from Ittan Momen.
Inside the gently swaying ship, I follow Captain Cat, who’s perched on the shoulder of the large crew member, back to the ship’s hold.
Looking again, I notice the crew member has leather shoulder pads. Could it be so Captain Cat can dig in his claws without worry? Like what falconers wrap around their arms? When the ship rocks in a storm, they’d have to brace themselves.
“Oh, by the way, don’t you have hammocks here?”
What do they do when it sways while they’re sleeping?
“We do. They’re just not hung up during the day because they’re in the way. That curled-up thing over there is one.”
Captain Cat gestures with a quick nod of his chin.
“Canvas?”
I thought so, but is it a canvas hammock? It’s rolled up and tied like a carpet, standing upright.
“In case of emergency, it can also serve as a shield. While it won’t stop cannonballs, it can block flying wooden debris.”
Captain Cat explains.
I see, so that’s why they’re not all gathered in one spot but spread out along the sides of the ship?
“For sick passengers, we hang a small bed wrapped halfway in cloth, but this canvas hammock is wide enough that if you lie down, you’ll feel wrapped up. For the crew, it’s a narrow but important private space.”
Is it like a banana omelet? Or maybe like the wrapping of a certain coffee candy? I’d like to see how they hang it.
“Wow. Is the captain’s bed okay to use normally?”
What if he rolls off when it sways?
“When I use it, my friend gives it a little lift.”
Captain Cat grins—probably.
A flying bed.
“It’s nice that the hold gets airflow. Other ships tend to trap smells and moisture.”
Soleil says cheerfully.
Soleil is particular about the storage conditions that affect the state of the goods. When I had a spider’s web for pest control in the air holes of my tower, he nearly fainted while shouting that it was getting direct sunlight.
When I moved it inward, the thick stone wall provided shade, so it was safe… or so it seemed, but at least he stopped collapsing.
Exploring the ship is fun. Captain Cat’s ship has a bit of a goat smell, but it’s not musty, and I don’t see any rats. I doubt I’d take my time exploring on any other ship.
After all that, we wrapped up by checking the actual Mail Wheat.
“Want to come see the Island?”
I don’t want to show it yet, but I’ll invite them anyway.
““I might have an episode.””
“That’s why, Retze—everyone wants to see it together.”
“So, I’d appreciate it if you could wait until we’re a bit more accustomed to the presence of Ex-Staff.”
Haulon and the butler respond in agreement at the same time, their words matching. I think Haulon relies too much on Retze.
Isn’t the Great Sage someone everyone seeks advice from? Hang in there, Great Sage.
“It’s purely amazing! I want to live there! But it’s a troublesome island for those who can’t just end it there…”
Soleil, with a bright smile, mutters after freezing for a moment.
“Is it really that incredible…?”
Captain Cat seems intrigued!