So... recap:
When people get isekaied, they're usually these OP chosen ones with stats for days, a quest to defeat the demon king, and a harem of every variety of chick depending on the day to spend their time with.
What do I have going for me? Well, I nearly drowned, got hauled aboard, spent a good amount of time rowing a boat, talked nerd stuff with the scary girl boss of the ship, and, oh yeah, turns out that I might be in the body of a prince!
Yeah definitely not the most exciting tale one wants to tell, but somehow that's the short straw I drew.
"W-Y-yes of course! Thank- Uh... you have my thanks." Don't break character, dumbass! "Forgive me. Until now, I thought my situation hopeless."
Sole shakes his head. "There is nothing to forgive your majesty." Holy shit... I'm a king or maybe emperor! "Even amidst all the chaos, we have been tracking the wretch's whereabouts." A chuckle eases the tension. "Just so happens, by chance, I happen to find you plucked aboard this ship."
Slumping to the ground makes me realize how tired I truly am. I mean, gingerly allowing me to sink down to the ground is a nice thought, but personal space would be nice!
I swear from this angle I can see every pore and bead of sweat on this dude's face. Funny how I'm focusing on that.
Well, better late than never to be less weird and shift my priorities to more urgent matters.
Fucking hell, why can't it be one of these situations where I would have dialogue options, fuck have a convo wheel pop up so I can use psychic omniscient powers to choose what I can say. Man, that would be a cool starting power, just having conversation wheels pop up whenever I need them. Talking to people would be much less of a chore.
Instead, I have to rewind my thoughts back to when I would use such a pop up, what was available to say, how it was structured, all that jazz.
Might as well start off with the spoonfed lore line.
"Forgive me, but I don't believe I know your name."
Don't break character. Don't break character!
"Oh yes! Forgive me, I got ahead of myself." One nervous chuckle later. "I'd be Minstrus, one of many Stewards of your realm before taking up arms in your name."
So something like a lord then?
"Against our dreaded host, no less?"
Minstrus shakes her head. "And more, I fear. But once the Marshal clots the Vein, there will be one less danger for us."
"The- the Marshal?"
The sense of pride in his expression comes as a relief. "Indeed. Athairnor has been a dogged sort, even on the brine, but the Maelstrom would scuttle half of his fleet to ensure the void takes her."
Half of his fleet? Here's hoping the Maelstrom Marshal has enough ships for a feat like that. Though with a title like that, I'm not sure if that's supposed to scare the crew shitless or bad news for his own team.
"Forgive me for my impudence, sire, but while you were in her clutches, did she unveil anything? Anything of value that I can relay?"
Great, put on the spotlight and limited time to respond. One of my greatest weaknesses. This is the part where the gears go into overdrive, overheat and give out leaving me looking like a complete idiot. Besides, I doubt there's anything that can help. I'm still amazed I held down a conversation with someone as long as I did with all things anime related.
Aside from that, Athairnor offered nothing but smoke and mirrors. Bragging about her being a bunch of outcasts, ominously stating that I am a 'guest' aboard her ship, and that we're inbound to-
"She said something about embarking to a sanctuary." Right. Can't believe I almost let that slip. "One of a few places to hide out, but nothing specific." It doesn't really sound all that helpful on the way out. That can leave one feeling that sense of just wishing you can shut up instead of saying something unhelpful or already potentially obvious.
It's enough to drop eye contact hoping by not looking at her disappointed face will makes things smoother.
"So the scum are still a threat." Never thought someone's growl would make me feel relieved.
A threat to what though? That's what I almost let loose until my tongue gets bit at the last second. One slip up like that, and she'll likely get suspicious.
Definitely not something a king wants to look like to his own subject.
"Do we plan to snuff out their meagre flame?" That sounds like the less suspect question. Shame it just has to sound so cringe.
The grimace on the Minstrus' face hints otherwise. "That would require more than a flotilla. But to this would be to place you in..." His focused gaze turns back to me, softening somewhat. "Sorry, sire. I fear my thoughts have deviated from my original purpose for a moment. Right now, my job is to secrete you off this ship."
Wait, no! Back up! What would you place me in? Danger?
Quickly realizing that my med withdrawal might be making me a little paranoid on the little things, maybe I might try some aversion therapy: Ask Minstrus a question, and REALLY hope he has good news for.
"I trust you secured our path to salvation?" I swear how long do I have to keep up acting like a wannabe Shakespearian? I never thought I reach the moment in my life when I wish I still did my theatre major, but here it is.
Luckily that proud smirk of his assures me that I'm not overdoing it. Yet. "Trust me sire, if a host of rebel vermin can smuggle aboard this vessel, I'm sure an unsuspecting duo can slip away."
So, that's a no. Great.
"Alright... we'll need to plan our escape. What do you need me to do?"
Minstrus blinks. "Beg pardon, sir?"
"Something w- Is something the matter? You will need me aid if we both wish to escape, right?"
"Yes, although I just- forgive me, I never anticipate one of your blood to throw yourself into the fray so readily."
Well keep talking like that and I'll definitely have second thoughts, dude!
"I also never anticipated to be within the belly of the beast, yet here we are. If we wish to make a grand escape, then I place myself in your hands. So once again, tell me what you need me to do, and I'll see it through."
I'm quickly realizing that I am likely walking into an unintentional trap. Her rejuvenated smile knows I can talk the talk. Walking the walk? That might be another story. Minstrus might ask me to do some near impossible task, like sneak into some 'Authorized Personal Only' section of the ship, or stealing something that I don't even know what.
Maybe I should have been less gung ho about my choice of words.
Or, judging by that scheming smug smile stretching across her cheeks, maybe I don't have to do anything.
"Paintings are worth more than a thousand words, sire. Once we return to the oars, all will become clear."
Normally, I would agree, but showing not telling in this sort of situation usually means that someone has a trick up their sleeve. Maybe Minstrus picked up that I'm not the royal top dog and he's just playing me. Or maybe I am a loser trapped in a king's body and he plans on bumping up the ranks by sucking me off.
I don't know what's worse. But maybe, just maybe, if I can play along with him before flipping the script at the right moment, whenever that is. I'll do what I should have done the moment I got wound up in this twisted wonderland: Take my chances with the sharks and the rain!
"Let's do it!"
That's when the realization hit me: Are we just going to walk out of this room, no incident, no questions asked? Really? It's that easy? No, it looks as if we'll just have to wait this one out, hopefully when-
Turns out the heated voices from outside, and getting ominously louder, assured me that we probably don't have to wait long at all.
And the door stretching open with Athairnor accompanied by Eulynde and Gilanthros just confirms everything.
"Come now!" Yeah that's directed at me.
"Lady Athairnor!" Eulynde sounds skeptical. "He cannot-"
"He can and will!" Wow, way to shut her down, Boss lady. "Come! Do not delay."
Don't worry she hasn't forgotten about Minstrus. "You seem to be in much better spirits. Perhaps you can remedy that tragedy littering the deck!"
Ouch. Sorry dude.
Though something tells me that I am not going to like what Athairnor has in store for me.
Hopefully it doesn't involve being Eulynde's idiotic assistant.