Chapter 167: To the East!(7)

Liam nodded and dashed through the window with the bedsheets, leaving Luke and Nash behind. Nash then fell silent and activated his invisibility; shortly after, the door burst open, revealing Valerie.

"Good day, Smiley!"

Luke returned her greeting with a friendly smile.

"Good morning to you, as well, Val."

Valerie smiled and looked around the room, then looked around with a shocked expression.

"Wow, Smiley! You did an excellent job cleaning this room!"

"Haha, yes, I did. It was, however, quite difficult to clean."

"But you did great in the end, so everything is fine!"

Luke secretly glared at Valerie. He wants to smack her head so badly, but he has to stop himself every time he is about to do so. Luke only sighed internally but flinched when a plate of cooked pork was suddenly placed in front of his nose. Luke then turned to look at Valerie, who was holding the plate.

"This is for you, Smiley!"

"For... Me?"

"Yup! You worked hard, and you deserve to be rewarded!"

Valerie pushed the plate towards Luke, and he accepted it. Luke then stared at the plate for a few moments. He's not sure why, but an awful thought occurred to him. Maybe it is because he just woke up. The horrible thought was too much for his mind to bear, so he spoke his thoughts aloud while staring directly at the cooked pork on the plate.

"Is this... Songbird?"

The entire room fell silent. After that, no one dared to say anything.

Luke then swallowed. Perhaps he should not have said that. Luke flinched when he heard someone inside his head laughing. It is the voice he hasn't heard for a long time, Joe.

• HAHAHAHA! That's ridiculous! Hahaha! My stomach—! BWAHAHAHA!

Luke frowned and pursed his lips. He then clenched his fists around the plate.

'What's so funny?'

Joe, on the other hand, continued to laugh without responding to Luke. Luke simply frowned and looked at Valerie, who was still standing motionless.

"Val I..."

Smiley, you're such a moron."

"Ha?"

Luke came to a halt in disbelief while looking at Valerie with shock. Valerie simply sighed and crossed her arms.

"How could I ever cook my adored Songbird? I adore that adorable piglet! Seriously, you should've known that by now!"

Luke smirked and laughed through his nose.

"Ha. Ha. Ha... Right, my mistake, I apologize."

'This is just my second day here, how should I know?'

Luke simply sighed and let Valerie grab his arm and drag him outside. The bright rays and glittering ocean could be seen in the distance once they were outside. It was so bright that Luke had to squint his eyes or he'd go blind.

• Hey, Dad! The ocean is looking fantastic right now!

Luke simply frowned and blinked his eyes several times. He sighed in relief after his eyes adjusted to the light. He then looked around at the scenery. As Nash said, it is indeed beautiful... Not until Paris' face appeared inches away from him.

"Hey, newcomer, are you having a leisure day or something?"

Luke paused his frowning and smiled at Paris.

"No, but I'm just enjoying the lovely morning scenery."

Paris scowled as he examined Luke's hand and noticed the cooked pork he was holding on a plate. While looking at this, Paris scoffed.

"It's only your second day here, but you're already eating expensive food, beggar boy."

Luke simply smiled in response to Paris' mocking smile.

"Valerie gifted this to me this morning."

Paris frowned immediately.

"Is that so? So why don't you go to work while munching on your 'gift'? Take this and go fishing. Do not stop until you catch a giant tuna, got it?"

Paris then reached out to the fishing rod on the side and gave it to Luke. Paris then grabbed both of Luke's shoulders and guided him to the edge of the ship and forcibly makes him sit there. Luke simply smiles as he lets Paris do whatever he wants.

"There. Catch a big tuna there."

"Sure."

"Tsk!"

Paris then walked angrily away from Luke, while Luke simply smiled and lowered the hook into the ocean. Luke just sighed as he sat quietly waiting for a fish.

'This is nonsense; how can you catch giant tuna in the middle of the ocean with a nearly rotten fishing rod?'

With those thoughts in mind, Luke kept on smiling as the other crew members of the ship kept looking at him with weird stares as if they are observing a meteor rock. And speaking of observing, Mira and the others are once again observing Luke in the distance. Mira then frowned and pointed to Luke.

"How come he's smiling so creepily?"

Erdene sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"Beats me, but I'm not going to lie, he looked even dumber than before."

"Ah, you are right about that."

Mira nodded in agreement, while Marina and Trent just stared at Luke, concerned. Meanwhile, Snow is recounting the events of yesterday to Klein, who has finally awakened. Klein just stood there frozen in place, trying to take in what he was hearing. Klein really wants to faint again, but he realized that at this rate, he might die before he could even meet his family, so he just nodded.

"I... I see now. Thank you for providing the information."

Snow gave a nod.

"You're very welcome."

Klein just stared at Snow for a few moments before looking at Luke who is fishing in the ship.

"So... What is he up to now?"

Snow was silent for a few moments as if she was thinking hard, but she soon shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm afraid I don't know either."

"Haha... Oh, I see."

Klein simply sighed and rubbed his neck with his hands. He then decided to sit quietly and watch Luke do strange things on the ship. He doesn't want to think about any more heart-attack-related information; he just wants to see his family.

Beep! Beep!

Klein flinched and looked down at Snow, who was taking something from the pocket of her coat. Snow then spoke.

"It's papa calling again."

Klein's brow furrowed.

"Papa? You have a papa?"

While connecting the device, Snow nodded to Klein.

"Yes, but more specifically, he is my godfather."

Exactly as Snow said that, the call connected and Lance's face appeared on the screen. Klein's eyes widened as he gazed at Lance's face on the screen.

'H-his highness?!'

Klein's mouth opened and his eyes widened to the point where they appeared to be about to fall out.

• Hello, Snow. Is he finished with his mission?

Snow shook her head.

"No, not yet."

Lance simply sighed.

• I see, what is he doing now?

"Uh..."

Snow scratched her brow and turned the device's screen toward the ship, where Luke could be seen fishing. Lance blinked several times and rubbed his eyes as he stared at the scene in front of him.

• Wait, is that Luke?

Snow gave a nod.

"That is, indeed, Dad."

Lance remained silent for a few moments, his gaze fixed on Luke, who was fishing with a stupid smile on his face in front of him.

• He... he looks even dumber now...

Mira and Erdene agreed with Lance's statement, while Mira and Tent simply sighed.

• Seriously, that guy can pull off any phony expression. He should try to make a living as an actor in a play or something.

Snow agreed with a nod.

"Dad is extremely gifted in all areas."

• Except for standing still.

"Pfft-!"

Erdene quickly covered Mira's mouth to keep her from laughing. Snow simply sighed and shook her head. Even if she wants to protest, she can't deny the truth.

"Why do I feel like someone is talking shit behind my back?"

Luke scratched his brow and slightly frowned when he sensed someone talking about him, but shrugged it off because it could be the pirate crews.

'I think it's about time to wrap up this stupid mission.'

As Luke reflected on this, he heard Nash speak in his head.

• Dad, she's approaching you!

'Perfect.'

Luke relaxed his body and tried to appear normal. Through the corner of his eye, he noticed Valerie sitting beside him. This is it; he just needs to talk to her and he'll be able to travel to the Eastern Continent soon. Luke then opened his mouth slowly to speak.

"It's a beautiful day today, isn't it? Val?"

"...Yeah."

"You know, looking at this deep and vast ocean makes me miss the land every now and then. I miss the soil, the grass, and the trees. These also made me wonder what that fella on land is up to while I'm gone."

Valerie turned to face Luke, her eyes wide with interest.

"Fella?"

"Yeah, my family."

"Odd, you've never mentioned having a family before."

"I was referring to my pet... Owl."

"...Owl?"

• Really dad?

Luke ignored Nash's judging tone and continued to smile while looking at the ocean.

"My pet owl, it is the only buddy I have with me while facing through tough times. I regret leaving him alone in our run-down shack, but I believe it is for the best. I mean, who would be sane enough to bring an owl on a boat trip?"

Valerie then looked at Luke's face in silence for a few seconds. He appears to be depressed and lonely as he gazes out at the endless horizon. His pet owl must have meant a lot to him for him to look like that. Valerie sighed and clenched her fists. Luke's expression reminds her of herself at times.

"You left your pet owl alone?"

"Yeah, I feel really bad. He must be lonely right now as he waits for me to return. I did promise him that when I returned, I would bring him a delicious big fish and we would eat it together."

"That owl is most likely dead by now."

"Now that is just harsh."

"But it's the truth because no one is going to feed him."

"... Oh my God."

Luke looked down and clenched the fishing pole in his hand as tightly as he could. Valerie flinched as she heard sobs escape his mouth.

"H-hey? Are you okay? Why are you crying? "

"Y-you said that my owl is good as dead now that no one is going to feed him."

"W-well, because that is the truth..."

"However, I'd like to believe that he's still alive."

Valerie fell silent and looked at Luke, who was still burying his face in his hands.

"Smiley, why would you prefer to believe he's still alive?

Luke smiled at Valerie as he raised his head.

"Because I know him... I've been with that owl for years, and I can tell you that he is one shrewd and cunning owl, and he would probably steal feeds from the poultry again to keep himself from starving while waiting for me."

"However, what if he didn't?"

"Impossible. That guy loves me and I love him, and I am confident that he will go to any length to wait for me. Because we are the only family we have."

Valerie looked at Luke silently for a moment before opening her mouth and speaking solemnly.

"You... You are talking about a person, not an owl, weren't you?"

Luke smiled as he slowly turned his head towards Valerie.

"Correct."

"... So you left someone behind?"

"Not on purpose. I went to the ocean to get food, but I got washed away."

"...Do you have any plans to return?"

"Of course I do, that guy must be worried sick for me. As I previously stated, that guy only has me, and I only have him. We could only rely on the two of us to survive in this world. He is also a member of my family; how could I not return? Valerie, how about you? Do you have anyone to whom you can return?"

Valerie was silent for a moment before sighing and looking solemnly out at the vast ocean.

"Yes, I do... My mother."

"I'm envious; I've never met my mother in my entire life."

"Why should you be envious? Mothers are commanding; they force you to do what they want so that you can be the ideal child for them. You have no liberty."

"Oh, your mother sounds very strict."

Valerie exhaled a sigh.

"She is, indeed. That is why I fled."

"Do you long for her?"

"..."

Valerie lowered her gaze. She appeared to be thinking very hard. Luke simply smiled and patted her on the back.

"Valerie, she reminds me of my rooster back home."

"Huh?"

Valerie looked at Luke, perplexed. Luke simply smiled broadly at her.

"She must be missing you terribly right now."

"That's complete nonsense-"

"She must have felt lonely as well. Don't you feel the same way?"

Valerie came to a complete halt. Is she feeling lonely? Valerie frowned, feeling a deep pit in her stomach. She then turned to face Luke, who was still speaking.

"A family's touch... is something that everyone craves when they've been away from them for an extended period of time. That is why they occasionally wander around looking for a new family to rely on. Isn't this why you became a pirate in the first place? Princess Valerie."

"What-"

Valerie turned her head towards Luke, but she stopped when he felt Luke's hand on top of her head. She then noticed Luke smiling at her, but this time it isn't the usual silly smile; it appears to be a genuine smile.

"Valerie, you might've found the pirates to be your family, but what about your mother?"

Valerie's eyes shook, but Luke just sighed and patted her head again.

"I am not requesting that you return to her; that is entirely up to you... But it can't hurt to pay her a visit and work things out between you, right?"

"I..."

"Now then, time to go."

Luke then stood up, and Valerie flinched, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Wait a minute, Smiley, where are you going?"

"Where? Hmmm... I am going to go and see my owl now."

"What? How-"

"Stop thinking about trivial things, princess. Just consider what I just said. So, I guess this is the part where we say our goodbyes."

Luke then stretched his arms and jumped from the ship, startling Valerie.

"Wait! Smiley!!"

Valerie then stood up and looked down at the water. Paris and the rest of the crew heard her yell and dashed towards her.

"Valerie! What the heck is going on?!"

Paris held Valerie's shoulders to force her to face him, and his eyes widened when he saw Valerie's shocked expression.

"Valerie? What's the problem? Why do you look so shocked?"

"Smiley..."

"What about him? And where is he?!"

"He... He's walking on water..."

"What?!"

Paris' jaw dropped as he stared at Valerie as if she were insane, but he quickly turned his gaze away when one of his crew members shouted.

"Captain! L-look! T-that fool is walking on water!"

Paris then immediately rushed towards the edge and looked at where his crewmate is pointing and saw a jaw-opening sight.

"Holy shit... He is indeed walking on water!"

"How?!"

Luke sighed and turned around to face the shocked look on the faces of the pirates. Luke simply smiled and waved at them.

"I'll leave now; it's been a pleasure working with you."

'Not at all.'

Luke then noticed Paris yelling and pointing at him.

"Y-you! How do you manage to walk on water?"

"Oh? You mean this? Err, let's just keep this as a mystery shall we?"

'I'm too tired to explain. And why should I tell you why in the first place?'

Luke can't possibly tell the pirates that he's using water power to walk on water. Explaining it will be confusing and too taxing for Luke.

"What?"

"Farewell!"

Luke immediately turned around and began walking away from the pirate crew, who was rendered speechless. It didn't take long for Luke to hear one of the crew members yelling.

"C-captain! There are numerous holes around the ship's hull! We must repair them or else we will sink!"

"What?! How is that even possible?"

Luke grinned as he walked away, listening to their panicked voices from the ship. Nash then began speaking to him in his mind.

• Don't worry, Dad; I only drilled fist-sized holes all around the ship! It will take some time for the ship to sink completely!

Luke gave a satisfied nod.

"Excellent work."

When he heard another shout from the ship, Luke's grin widened even more.

"C-captain! Our treasure chests had vanished!"

"WHAT?!"

While Luke was trying not to laugh out loud, he overheard Nash speaking.

• Dad, you stole all of their valuables on that ship. There is nothing left for them now.

The reason Luke took so long to complete the mission is not that the mission is difficult; rather, he is taking his time to explore every nook and cranny of the ship and steal everything valuable he finds inside. He can't bear the thought of not retaliating, especially after they just abused him and ordered him around to do chores for free.

"That is what they get for giving me a hard time."

• I kind of feel bad for them.

"Don't feel bad; they also stole the treasure we obtained from other people." We're just doing the right thing by causing bad guys to suffer and lose money so they can feel what their victims felt."

Nash then exclaimed in surprise.

• You are correct, Dad! You are so smart!

"Of course I am smart. I am an expert at these."

Luke could then hear Nash clapping in delight, which made him feel a little smug.

"At long last, you've completed your mission."

Luke came to a halt as he noticed an invisible barrier dissipate, revealing the people inside. Luke could then see Snow, Klein, Erdene, Mira, Marina, and Trent all staring at him. Snow then rushed towards Luke for a hug without a second thought. Luke simply sighed and patted her head before turning his gaze to Klein, who is staring at him with a strange look. Luke simply grinned.

"Let's go and see your wife and daughter now, Klein."