The kitchen of the Indus ship shone like a pure sanctuary.
The refrigerator overflowed with premium beef, rich cheese, fresh vegetables, and fruits—an abundance unthinkable for a ship of war.
Jessica chopped vegetables with practiced hands.
Her blade's dance resembled the clash of swords on a battlefield.
"Wow, Jessica! You're so good!"
Lamia's praise echoed like a spring breeze swaying flowers.
Jessica smiled.
"I'm a mafia, so being able to handle a knife is only natural, isn't it?"
At her joking words, the two laughed together.
The kitchen was filled with the warmth of bonds, like a paradise where the fires of war were forgotten.
Then Endi appeared.
"Endi, you shouldn't be walking around! I told you to stay in bed!"
"No, I'm already fully recovered, so I'm fine!"
"You're a nuisance, so get out."
Jessica's cold words were like icy arrows.
But Endi didn't falter and asked,
"No, I just wanted to ask you something. Lamia, why can you heal wounds? And also, that 'Gifted' person Darmine mentioned…?"
Lamia set down her knife and became serious.
Her eyes were like a lake reflecting the stars of the past.
"Five years ago, during the middle of the war, I saw a soldier with a terrible leg wound. There was no one around to help… I didn't know what to do. I thought I had to stop the bleeding somehow, so I pressed my hands against the wound, and suddenly my hands began to shine… and the wound began to heal under the light. I was shocked."
"I see! When you healed me earlier, your hands were glowing too! You're amazing, Lamia!"
Endi's eyes shone like a boy gazing up at the starry sky.
Lamia continued.
"After that, the army soon took me into protection and invited me to the royal palace. The king himself came to me and said, 'Never speak of this power to anyone. We will protect you with the honor of the nation.' I was stunned. As for what the admiral meant by 'Gifted,' I don't know either."
Jessica added,
"I've heard there are ten people in the world like Lamia, who possess mysterious powers. 'Gifted' is the name given to those ten people."
Endi gasped.
"Mysterious powers… Now that you mention it, that guy Azbal in Mildonia looked like he was controlling trees! Is he also one of them?"
"Yes. He was the supreme commander of the Doal army, and during the Fifth World War he committed countless atrocities. They say he manipulated trees to carry out mass slaughter… that's why he was called the Reaper. But I heard he died in the war, so I was truly shocked to learn he was alive."
Jessica's words were like a book unraveling a dark history.
Endi nodded.
"I see… thanks for telling me! Sorry to interrupt!"
With the fog in his heart cleared, Endi left the kitchen.
His back looked like that of a young lion carrying a new resolve.
Meanwhile, Darmine, irritated by Jessica's men watching over him, nonetheless obediently steered the Indus ship toward the Nakatam Kingdom.
His heart was like a lone boat tossed by a storm.
"Everyone, dinner is ready!"
Lamia's cheerful voice rang out, and the hungry crew gathered in the captain's cabin.
On the table, fragrant beef curry was lined up.
"Hey, you bastards! This is my room! Don't come in!"
Darmine's angry shout was like a puppy yapping in a safe zone.
Endi's eyes sparkled.
"Looks so good!! Let's eat already!!"
"Wait, don't eat yet."
Lamia went out to the deck.
Darmine muttered complaints as he tried to get his share.
"Tch, you used up all the meat. That meat was expensive, you know?"
Then Jessica grabbed his arm.
"Lamia said not yet, didn't she?"
Four subordinates stood up, surrounding Darmine menacingly.
"Do what you're told, bastard!"
Darmine clicked his tongue and slammed his spoon down.
He looked like a cornered stray dog.
On the deck, Cain was gazing up at the blue sky.
Lamia ran over to him.
"Cain, the curry's getting cold!"
"I don't want it. I'm not hungry."
Right after, Cain's stomach growled.
Blushing, he was stared at by Lamia with a teasing smile.
"Hurry and come. Everyone's waiting for you."
"I'll eat later. You go ahead first. There's no point in everyone eating together, right?"
"Food tastes good because everyone eats it together. Since we're all on the same ship, even if we can't be friends, at least let's eat together."
Lamia's smile was like sunlight shining on the sea's surface.
Unusually, the stubborn Cain gave in.
"…Fine."
When he entered the captain's cabin, everyone was waiting.
Endi urged him.
"Cain, hurry up and sit down!"
"Alright then, let's eat!"
At Lamia's cue, the meal began.
Cain, Jessica, and Lamia ate with elegance.
In contrast, the other six devoured their food greedily.
Laughter and warmth filled the captain's cabin.
Cain whispered in his heart:
This kind of thing… isn't so bad after all.
The thought was like a quiet wave brushing against the shore of his heart.