When I was working as a civil servant, I was found out to be a muscle-brained knight by the princess knight and got sent to the front lines - Episode 158

Episode 158

After enjoying a day of sightseeing in the port city of Zelinia, Jez and the others gathered at the dock the following day, waiting to board the Queen Amentis III. Zelinia was a bustling trade hub, but it also offered stunning views of the Volodia Mountains from the shores of Lake Rubiana, making it a renowned resort destination. The pier area was noisy with cargo unloading, trade activities, and ship maintenance. But just beyond this zone lay a peaceful area filled with luxurious vacation homes, making Zelinia an enjoyable place to visit.

Jez and the group spent their day exploring Zelinia. Erin guided them through a historical museum, followed by lunch at a famous restaurant. In the afternoon, they wandered through the natural parks around the lake and visited famous landmarks in the city. That night, they stayed at the Saylor family’s villa. Jez briefly greeted Erin’s father, William Saylor, but William was busy preparing for the cruise the next day. After embracing Erin, he quickly returned to his office.

Dinner that evening was hosted by Erin’s mother, Katarina Saylor, with the group of friends present. Surprisingly, Victor Alchemis displayed impeccable table manners, presenting himself like the heir of a noble family. It was almost deceptive, considering how out of character it seemed. But after all, he was from a marquis family—a rank just below the dukes and royals—so such manners were expected. Still, it was hard for Jez and the others to reconcile Victor’s personality with his prestigious background.

Meanwhile, Katarina Saylor showed a keen interest in Jez throughout the meal. She bombarded him with questions with an eager expression. By the end of the meal, Katarina seemed satisfied and nodded approvingly with a smile.

“Jez, take good care of Erin, won’t you?”

Katarina said with a warm smile.

“Mother, stop it! What are you saying?” 

Erin blurted out, flustered by her mother’s sudden comment.

Seizing the opportunity, Jez responded with a smile, 

“Of course, Mother. You can count on me.”

Erin realized that she was being teased by both her mother and Jez and sighed in exasperation. But she couldn’t hide the slight blush that crept up her cheeks. Seraphina and Miriam noticed this and smirked knowingly.

Meanwhile, Victor had been engaged in a deep conversation with the Saylor family’s chef, fascinated by the new kinds of seafood and seasonings used in the evening’s meal. Miriam and the others mused that if Victor could channel his enthusiasm into cooking, the world would likely thrive in peace and prosperity.

The next day, Jez and the group arrived at the pier’s waiting area, ready to board the Queen Amentis III. William and Katarina Saylor would also be on the cruise, but they would act separately. Jez and his friends were escorted by the Saylor family’s servants.

The Queen Amentis III gleamed in the sunlight as it docked at the pier, its massive white hull shining. Standing 250 meters long, the ship was an imposing sight. Jez couldn’t help but utter a “Wow” as he gazed up at it from the pier. Erin heard his reaction and smiled with pride.

Though Jez had known about the luxury cruise ship from pictures and videos, seeing it in person was an entirely different experience. He now found himself genuinely excited for the upcoming cruise.

The boarding began, and since Jez and his friends were guests of the Saylor family, they were accommodated in first-class cabins. Jez and Victor shared a room, while Erin, Miriam, and Seraphina shared another. The Saylors, being the hosts, stayed in the top-tier suites.

To add a note, luxury cruise ships are often microcosms of capitalist society, where money and status determine the level of comfort one experiences. In more direct terms, the more one pays, the better the facilities they receive. This disparity was often much greater than one might expect before boarding.

While the Tashman Kingdom was an absolute monarchy, its markets functioned largely under capitalist principles. Though not a completely free market—some industries were restricted or monopolized—the kingdom’s openness, especially for a militaristic state, was notable. This was likely due to its significant role in trade. Thus, the different classes of cabins on the ship reflected this dynamic in a variety of meaningful ways.

The boarding proceeded in order of class. The pier was already packed with passengers and their well-wishers. But as boarding for the Queen Amentis III began, priority was given to those in the highest-class cabins. The first to board were the royalty and members of the ducal families invited on this cruise, followed by Earl Saylor, a few wealthy merchants, and foreign ambassadors.

Next, boarding for first-class cabins began, and Jez and his group made their way onto the ship. Inside, the ship was nothing short of luxurious. The boarding deck was adorned with furnishings that rivaled those of a high-end hotel. Though in true ship fashion, all of the furniture was securely anchored to prevent movement. Handrails were installed throughout the ship, reminding everyone they were aboard a vessel. Though the Queen Amentis III mainly traveled along the calm waters of the Saral River, it was equipped to sail the open seas. It explained the robust facilities.

After boarding, Jez and his group headed to their cabin. The lavish accommodations elevated their spirits even more.

・　・　・

A short while later, the ship finally set sail from the port city of Zelinia. Jez and the others went out onto the deck, waving to the crowd seeing them off. In response, the band on the pier began playing farewell music, while the Queen Amentis III let out a series of loud, majestic whistles. 

After spending some time on the deck enjoying the view, they returned inside the ship to explore. The ship was filled with various amenities—multiple dining rooms, a dance hall, a theater, a game room, and even a pool. As they roamed around like excited children, the time for the first day’s welcome party quickly approached.

Since they had packed proper attire for the event, Jez and Victor returned to their cabin to change. They opted for more casual suits for the evening, leaving their formal tailcoats for the third day of the cruise. Jez donned a navy three-piece suit, while Victor wore a deep brown one. Jez couldn’t help but wonder why Victor always looked like he was reluctantly being dressed whenever he wore a suit.

After about twenty minutes of waiting at the rendezvous point for the ladies, Jez and Victor started to grow slightly impatient. Just as they were feeling the time drag, the women finally arrived.

“Huh?” 

Victor, who rarely showed much interest in anything—especially women—couldn’t help but react with surprise when he saw them. All three of them looked stunning.

Miriam wore a light yellow dress, perfect for the summer. Seraphina looked radiant in a pure white gown, fitting her saintly image. Erin, on the other hand, wore a deep blue dress that evoked the colors of the sea. Miriam struck a confident pose, Seraphina maintained her usual fearless demeanor, and Erin bashfully showed off her dress to Jez and Victor.

“…Don’t just stare in silence. It’s embarrassing,” 

Erin said timidly after noticing Jez’s stunned expression.

“Ah, sorry… You all look amazing. Erin, you look beautiful,” 

Jez finally responded, snapping out of his awe.

“Wh-what? You always know how to catch me off guard like that, Jez… but thank you. I appreciate it,” 

Erin replied, a bit flustered but clearly pleased. She twirled around gracefully in her blue dress, flashing a shy but happy smile in response to Jez’s compliment.