Steel, Guns, and the Industrial Party in Another World

TL: Etude

The Fortune was a cargo ship belonging to Todd Shipping, a brand new two-masted sailing ship with a ‘plump’ hull featuring two decks. It traveled back and forth between Port Fran and Port West. Apart from carrying cargo, it usually transported some passengers. Compared to the rudimentary facilities on the Hope and Southern, the accommodations on the Fortune were relatively better. Besides the captain’s quarters, there were several small compartments designated for passengers to rest — a luxury not afforded to ordinary sailors, who still slept in hammocks in the ship’s hold and had to rest in shifts.

In such a prime location, commoners couldn’t afford these compartments. They had to squeeze into the dark, damp, and indescribably smelly lower hold, a space completely below the waterline, almost comparable to the conditions of a modern-day smuggling ship.

“What a dreadful journey!” Leah, hand on her chest and the other on the ship’s rail, had a pale complexion. She had just thrown up again, having eaten a little in the morning, only to find her stomach empty now.

Eileen gently patted her back, her face full of sympathy, “Ah, I’m sorry for making you suffer like this.”

After setting sail on the Fortune, the first day was fine, but on the second day, her attendant Leah started to get seasick. Fortunately, under the strict orders of the Administration Council, every merchant ship was required to have a doctor on board. Under the doctor’s care, Leah’s seasickness was alleviated, but it was still intermittent.

Eileen apologized, “I’m sorry for making you go through so much trouble.”

Leah frowned, “What are you saying, Miss?”

Since leaving Alda, her speech had gradually returned to the stern and formal tone she used when serving as a princess’s guard in the palace.

“Serving one’s lord is a knight’s basic duty, and facing adversity is a necessary part of a knight’s journey—ugh!”

Leah couldn’t finish her sentence as she covered her mouth.

“Really, you should preach less!” Eileen continued to pat her back gently.

“A loyal subordinate indeed!” a voice of admiration came from the deck.

Eileen recognized it as another passenger on the Fortune — the merchant Velos.

Speaking of Velos, he claimed to be from Port West and had been doing business in Lakeheart Town since last year. This trip was also to return to his hometown to handle business affairs.

However, Eileen and Leah always felt that Velos and his men seemed to be lingering around them, intentionally or unintentionally.

Were they being paranoid? After all, the ship was so small, it was normal to bump into each other frequently. Throughout the journey, they didn’t notice any other unusual behavior from them.

Even if Velos had ulterior motives, the two women were not afraid. The captain, first mate, and others of the Fortune were aware of Eileen’s identity — a subordinate of Count Grayman and a senior official of the Administration Council. Following Mayor Theodore’s instructions, they paid extra attention to their safety. Upon arriving at Port West, they would even arrange an escort to the city hall — though they were unaware of Eileen’s actual purpose there.

A portly, middle-aged man dressed as a merchant approached. Eileen turned to thank Velos, “Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Velos. Are you here to enjoy the view again?”

“Ha ha, yes. Enjoying the vast ocean on the ship is a rare experience for us who live inland. Speaking of which, it’s rare to see a female knight. Since your attendant is a knight, you must be a noble, right?”

Eileen slightly frowned, barely noticeable, and nodded in acknowledgment, “I suppose I am a noble.”

“Suppose? Ha ha, I didn’t expect someone of your high status to be so humble,” Velos said familiarly.

As they spoke, Eileen saw someone approaching from behind Velos.

“Captain.”

“Ah, Miss Dias, I see you’re here.”

The captain of the Fortune waved towards them, and all three, including Velos, nodded in greeting.

Approaching them, the captain gently removed his hat. He appeared very cautious in front of Eileen, having been worried ever since Mr. Todd, his boss, informed him that a famous female official from the Administration Council would be traveling south on his ship. He feared any mishap during the journey would be hard to explain.

Throughout the voyage, he was careful and cautious, and by the grace of the Lord of Light, apart from Leah’s seasickness, nothing else untoward happened.

“How is Miss Leah feeling now?”

“Thanks to your concern, it’s not as bad as before.”

“That’s good. A few more trips by sea and you’ll get used to it.”

The captain glanced at Velos standing nearby, internally criticizing, ‘Why is this guy pestering Miss Dias again? Is he the proverbial frog lusting after a swan?’

“I came specifically to inform you ladies that we are about to reach Port West. Stand on the deck for a while longer, and you’ll see the port on the horizon.”

“Really? That’s great!”

Eileen and Leah exchanged glances, both seeing the excitement in each other’s eyes. They were finally about to set foot on their long-missed homeland. Although they were initially excited about their first sea voyage, the continuous days at sea had become tedious, not to mention Leah’s seasickness.

“Look! There’s Port West!”

A sailor’s shout came from the front.

“We’re home!” The two women embraced each other happily and then hurried excitedly towards the bow.

Velos watched their departing figures, a hint of a smile on his face.

As the Fortune gradually approached the harbor, the captain, shading his eyes with his hand, looked into the harbor and muttered, “Strange, there’s no incoming or outgoing traffic. While Port West is not very bustling, this quietness is unusual.”

A sense of unease slowly rose in the captain’s heart. His years at sea had honed his caution. He couldn’t help but recall the pirates that had roamed Northwest Bay two years ago.

“Could there be pirates lurking in the harbor? But the pirates in these waters have been gone for a long time.”

Eventually, the captain decided to err on the side of caution and loudly ordered, “Stop approaching the port!”

His subordinates, though puzzled, quickly relayed his command.

Soon, the first mate, second mate, and other important crew members gathered around the captain, who explained his concerns.

The crew’s reactions were mixed, some advocating for continuing to the port, others for turning north.

“What’s happening? We’re about to dock, why aren’t we moving forward?”

Eileen felt something was amiss and noticed the strange atmosphere.

“I’ll go ask them.”

Leah said and walked towards the captain and his group, with Eileen quickly following.

“Ladies, something seems off about Port West, I suspect pirates…”

“Pirates? Haven’t the pirates off the kingdom’s west coast been eliminated? At least we haven’t heard any news of pirates in the royal domains’ coastal areas for a long time.”

“We’re also hesitating…”

While they were discussing, a sailor shouted, “Captain, a boat is coming out of Port West, heading towards us.”

Everyone looked towards Port West, seeing a small rowboat slowly approaching them.