The Book Of Flowers
Veskal Wants to Talk
-- The next day ---
Nothing special happened, other than us having to come to attend the second dance in Rose castle. Something that makes me not excited and wants to go home soon
Verdea was also able to read the room carefully, making sure that we went home early on the grounds of 'Tired'
Well, at least he wasn't completely lying. We were mentally tired from the sharp tongue of those people
Frank also had to teleport to Calendula, back to his house. Verdea also went with her grandfather, as we approached Marianne's grave with a bouquet of flowers and an incognito talisman in the form of bracelets in each hand
"Well... Finally back home..."
And time still marks the afternoon...
It seems like it is not yet a time of rest
"Basic. Every day you just learn, Veri" Veskal commented, seeing Verdea who is still busy reading my material even though she is lying down
"Tomorrow they'll all come. Even the others are getting ready right now, right?" Verdea retaliated
"And if I may tell you Verdea, all your guests will be entertained by this invitation later" Alf interjected
"really? Then good. Little need not worry"
Ayahandas. You only said half of your prophecy again right...?
Bad habits Father. Knowing how ambiguous his prophecy was, his way of speaking was also deliberately ambiguous
"By the way, have you spoken to Cyth and his friends, Veskal?"
I've realized since then that they haven't developed much. Only Cyth and Erin had been active as usual, while the others had always looked lethargic lately
Viewed from Veskal...
He forgot to talk to them...
"I'm trying to find an opportunity, okay? But they always put on a face like they don't want to be disturbed"
I've guessed...
"When do you think they'll stop putting on that face?"
Veskal gulped his saliva not daring to answer my question. He already knew that the answer was never, at least until they all agreed. And he is the one who must mediate to make them all agree
"Later then. Tell them to eat at the table first, and I'll sit down with them" Veskal gave an idea
Meanwhile in the corner of the room, Remina looks happy and wants to rejoice that one of the annoying people will not eat at the same time as her
"alright. But you already know what to do?"
...
...
...
This brat...
......................
-- A few hours later, at dinner time ---
"So, why did we eat first this time?" Yu asked Cyth
"Eitherway. Vainzel said he wanted to have a discussion with Verdea and the others. You know they like to be busy these days, right?" Cyth answered
Almost all of his friends did not show any reaction and just walked regularly to the dining room. Cyth can only sigh while glancing at Erin who both do not know what to do
"Mr Cyth. Please come in"
"Yes...! I told you not to call me sir, right? It doesn't seem e-
-- tis..."
"Yoho!"
Just now that the door was opened for them, Cyth was a little surprised by the presence of 3 people other than his crew members on the dining table
Veskal, Eleanor and Albert, sat there quietly without seeming disturbed by the presence of 9 people who had just arrived
"I think we're the only ones who'll eat first..." Lock said
"I happen to be very hungry. And also, Remina kicked me out because my stomach rang when next to her earlier" Veskal replied
"That little boy was indeed very regulating. Had he been interacting with someone other than us, I'm sure he would have been directly slapped by them when he behaved so presumptuously" Erin said
"Well, you're not wrong. But, he's impersonating someone, and you know who he is"
They all nodded, even the servants of Verdea as well
Who else if not me?
Veskal then invited them all to sit while the servants prepared their own meals
"What about your day? I've seen you guys moody for some reason?" Veskal started to make small talk
"Well, that's how it is..." Cyth answered briefly, glancing at his friends one by one. "We're worried about what's going to happen next, after all our dealings with Walter are done" he added
It also invited a sigh of complaint from all his friends
"I heard you're pirates, right? Then why not try sailing back?"
Eleanor and Veskal pat Albert on the face so he doesn't have to talk anymore
"No need to worry too much. The road will always be open to people in need" Eleanor diverts the conversation
"Rubber, right! Just as the entire kingdom had begun to improve now" Veskal followed
...
"What do you say try?" Erin asked, followed by a nod from Cyth
The two of them bowed down in their seats, realizing that they were only making everyone confused at the time
The situation also becomes awkward when all that is heard is the sound of knives and forks clashing with plates while splitting meat on top. They inevitably had to find a way out of that silence
...
...
"... I'll be honest with you directly. Actually was...
You intend to disband, don't you...?"
All the crew members of Black Hunt were immediately jolted with the direct words of Veskal
"Where did you hear that? We don't-!"
"No need to lie Cyth. Vainzel and Verdea have realized it sooner than you can expect" Veskal cut in
...
All their heads began to bow, with eyes that dared not lead to anyone and some even closed
The situation also made Eleanor and Albert stop eating, to make sure things improve first
One of them sighed, which turned out to be Yu. He rearranged his sitting position, while playing with the knife he held on the meat on his plate
"We're just... No longer have a purpose, Veskal" Erin said. "Walter is gone. The only reason why we can still survive this long is also to die with him. And all that was left was a sense of regret that we were unable to see this story from his side"
Yu nodded, as the others began to turn their faces away from Erin
"But, I never thought I'd feel this emptiness...!" Farlan exclaimed, stretching his body. "When I got into this crew, everything was fun. But now..."
"Now we don't feel the same anymore" Gaspal continued
...
"Really son. When Broke said he wanted to rest that day, I felt that he was stupid. I wanted to blaspheme him for daring to say something about the conditions under which he would cease to be a sailor and return to the mainland
"I honestly do too. Might as well... Living on land again is not bad" Lock followed
"... That's what they're thinking right now, Veskal. That's why I don't know what to do to convince them without forcing" Cyth ended, looking down. "A ship must sail. But, I think there's a time for the ship to be leaning in the harbor and it needs to be repaired. Even sometimes they are destroyed and declared unable to sail again" he added
...
...
"You're right. But...
That doesn't mean you can't have a new ship" Veskal said
Erin sighed listening to that. "Listen, Veskal. The captain has tried to use that advice, but all these people still cannot be convinced as you see them today" he said
"... It may not sound convincing. Like a new ship, we have to buy it at a high price. And if it has to be built by hand, the results may not be satisfactory or will take a very long time
But it gives you the same goal again. That is forming something new to keep strengthening and maintaining your relationship"
Everyone gasped to listen to Veskal's words, as long as he just casually bribed the meat into his mouth
"You'll probably save up together to buy that 'new ship. And if not in that way, you will definitely work together to form that 'new ship'
Is that parable good enough to give you an idea, Captain?" Veskal added
His smile was transmitted to Cyth and Erin, when they had found his idea
Their eyes went around everyone. That's where they both know that they all agree with Veskal
"But...? How do we do that? What do we need to do to maintain our relationship?" Cyth asked
"If that...
I don't know the answer yet..."
...
...
Cyth and Erin are lethargic when they realize they have to think about the next stage on their own
But...
"I have a proposal"
They all raised their heads, when they heard Eleanor begin to speak while cleaning her mouth with a handkerchief
Eleanor's smile began to be seen from behind her handkerchief, as she examined each member of the Black Hunt crew one by one
"It might be very good if you try to trade between countries in Vitario" he said
Veskal immediately got enlightenment from the meaning of Eleanor's words
"Yes...! That way, they would also work not far from the sea, just like usual!
Good idea, Mrs Eleanor!" Veskal exclaims
"Come, this is just a suggestion to help my partner. And also, I want to make a little profit by being your first customer"
Cyth chuckled in response to Eleanor, and once again looked thoughtful yet with sparkling eyes
He turned to the others to reassure them, but he immediately resigned when everyone looked listless
"Work hm...?"
"Sounds troublesome..."
"We'd better just steal from the nobles. Fortunately, there are more..."
Veskal and Cyth laughed awkwardly as they all looked unenthusiastic, even Erin
"But, at least you can renew and retain the Black Hunt name as well with that right?" Veskal.
"... Renewing?" Erin asked back
"You can do a more normal job using the same name. And also, if you are successful enough later, people will definitely come to offer themselves in the job right?
It means you will profit from all sides. You can earn money, your relationship will remain, and the name Black Hunt will continue to survive. You guys should try it!"
Erin gasped at Veskal's words, then began to get buried in his thoughts
...
"... Oh my God, you are right... This is worth a try...!
If we do not produce anything, nothing is too bad. And also-!"
"We can get sponsors from some kingdoms considering our current connections!" Erin and Vescal said together, then started to smile widely
Meanwhile, Cyth was busy scratching his head because of the behavior of the two people who ignored him. Everyone has also been seen starting to discuss with each other and try to convince themselves to try it together
In the midst of their discussion, Veskal just smiled while continuing to eat. He awaits what decision will be rounded by everyone in the matter
And whatever their choice, Veskal won't argue with it. The decision is in their hands
"All right! The point is, we've all agreed to give it a try!" Cyth also exclaimed
"Good if so. I'm sure others will also be happy to hear this, especially Vainzel"
"... Why would he be happy? We just make it hard..."
Veskal laughed a little listening to Cyth
"He never counted to his friend. You should have been aware of that"
Veskal continued eating, leaving Cyth, who only smiled awkwardly while scratching his head
"ah! How about we just set up our service in the city of Lotus? I heard that there's a small, empty building there, perfect for where we started!" Erin also called out
"Oh! Nice, nice! Then Orion also gave us a ship and-"
The discussion continued, among 9 people whose fire had started to flare again. The fire of the spirit to continue unceasingly into the future
Veskal, Albert and Eleanor simply enjoyed the sight, as they finished the meat on their plates. Not a single loud voice came out of them, in order not to disturb the comfort of the discussion of the 9 people who were in front of them
They are also satisfied with the decision that has been taken. All that remains is to spread the word to others
...
...
...
To be honest, sending Veskal was the right decision. Not only because of his understanding after studying the entire Black Hunt members, but because he could also feel his similarity to them
A person who lost his way as a child, forced by fate to do the dirty work that covered his hands with blood
And now, the boy is sitting there, helping others might even save them. He's found his purpose back, along with myself and Verdea
His eyes were always sparkling now, very opposite to his eyes that looked dark when he was just the first we met. People who were born to serve it, can now feel comfort in togetherness
...
It is not just Verdea that is growing. I mean, Veskal was already big enough when he was just met. But he is now more different in attitude than he was a few years ago
Hmphc... This has encouraged me to grow. He reminded me that I haven't done too much lately to stand out from the two friends
How the... If I start tomorrow? Maybe I should communicate a little with Welt to find out Miralius' condition now
And also, doing business with Cyth sounds pretty good. 'Black Hunt Trade Association', would be a pretty big name if they really meant it
I just smiled as I thought about it, slowly closing the door that I opened a little bit until no one could listen to it or be distracted
...
Ah yeah. If we talk about business...
Tomorrow might be a good day, considering the letter I've sent to the 3rd king of our allied kingdoms
