Chương 56: The Sovereign's Journey Continues

They lay in the quiet dark, the explosive energy of their reunion spent. Meredith was cradled in his arms, her body warm and safe as she recovered.

"Gal," she murmured.

"Hm?"

"Stay with me tonight." He grumbled playfully.

"But I still have a date with the ghosts." She chuckled, her energy returning.

"Are they really that big of a problem?"

"Hnh…" Galan thought of it for a while.

"Guess not. But it's a way for me to gain the Japanese people's trust and start improving the country."

"I still don't understand why you'd come all the way here to help these country bumpkins," she sighed.

"Why did we travel the world to help random bumpkins that weren't even on the map?" he grinned.

"I was following your orders," she said, closing her eyes.

"Besides, these people don't need help. They get along just fine."

"On the surface, sure. But the pains of this land go deep… and I'm the exact surgeon they need to cut those stubborn growths out."

"Right… oh ya, Bloodsucker," she grumbled.

"Can't you just... you know..."

"Subjugate them?" he smirked.

"Guessing that's a no, then."

"Well, I could," he admitted.

"Amaterasu was even desperate enough to help me cover it up if I agreed. Though, I only suggested it as a joke." Meredith's tone turned mischievous.

"Is she also the reason you're here?"

"Look, we're just acquaintances." Meredith turned to him.

"Really?" she asked, drawing the word out.

"Ugh. If we had a thing going on, the results would have taken over the country by now." She relaxed against him again.

"Yeah. That makes sense. But can't your investigation wait until tomorrow?"

"I'd rather get this done fast. Who knows who'll get killed next?" He took her hands.

"But I promise I'll sleep with you here tomorrow." The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"I'll hold you to that," she said, her voice sincere. A few minutes later, Pheidon's voice crackled through the voice expansion boxes in Japanese.

"Ladies and gentlemen. We are about to land near Moons' Valley village. Please brace yourselves."

"Well," Galan said with a sense of finality, "that's my cue." Meredith hesitated, then nodded.

"Alright." As the ship descended, Galan dressed. Meanwhile, Meredith sat on the edge of the bed.

"Gal," she said, her voice serious.

"Can I ask to do something for you?"

"Since when do you need permission?" he smiled.

"Look, I know I'm nothing like Theara," she said, her eyes pleading, "but I wish to enact her role for you in this land." Galan's own smile softened. He hugged her close.

"You're already doing a good job of that. I'm proud of you." A single tear escaped her eye.

"Thank you." The ship landed softly. He let her go.

"Make sure to keep everyone in check while I'm away," he said, his voice sharpening with command.

"I will," she smiled. They walked to the deck hand in hand. The pier was empty, but the shoreline was a sea of jumping, cheering villagers.

"They seem excited," Galan noted in Greek. Nearby, Ran was keeled over the railing, looking miserable. Pan was gently rubbing her shoulder.

"Oh, you're back," Pan said to Galan.

"Are you leaving now?"

"Did you do it?" Galan teased.

"Ugh, I was busy with the tour, Gal."

"Then you can still do that on the way back," Galan said, approaching Ran.

"Think you're up for it?" Ran looked back, her face pale.

"I'll... try to give Pan a good night. I just... need a moment." She leaned over the railing again. Galan snapped his fingers. A flicker of his mindcast settled her nausea.

"I... I feel better," she said, surprised. She bowed low.

"Thank you very much, Dear God!" Galan knelt beside her.

"Hmph. Y'know... Meredith's first skysickness was just as bad as yours when she was completely dru—" A stone-crushing grip on his shoulder stopped him.

"—What I mean to say is," he continued smoothly, "this is normal. Ask for support in the future."

"I will," Ran nodded. He walked over to Kaoru, who was jumping towards the people on the shoreline.

"Exciting, huh?"

"It feels amazing!" she beamed.

"Glad you're happy. How come you weren't bothered by the ship's movement?"

"Oh, I was in the bathroom when it landed." Galan snapped his fingers.

"Right. Now you don't have to worry about that for the return trip." Kaoru bowed.

"Thank you so much, Lord Oda!" Galan nodded back before turning to the cheering crowd.

"Hmm..."

"Don't get any weird ideas, Bloodsucker," Meredith warned.

"Don't you miss it when the ship was lively?" he grinned.

"Those were different times," she sighed.

"I doubt any of them are in peril."

"But it would make them happy," he countered.

"We didn't build the Deliverer just to deliver our own dreams after all." Meredith gazed at the jumping villagers, a flicker of her old, reckless self in her eyes.

"Fine. But they better be able to get home on their own."

"I'll make sure of that." He leaped onto the railing.

"Right. I'll be going now." He turned to Kaoru.

"Help Meredith with the passengers while Ran is... pleasing Pan, alright?"

"Of course!" With a thumbs-up, Galan donned his cloak and leaped off the ship, using his gravitycast to float gently down to the pier. He snapped his fingers, and the grand staircase materialized, connecting the ship to the dock. Back on the ship, Kaoru turned to Meredith, bewildered.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Meredith... why did he decide to jump?" Meredith crossed her arms, watching him go.

"Why wouldn't he decide to jump?" she asked hypothetically.

"I'll tell you about him later. For now, just prepare yourself for the crowd."

"Y-yes."