A worthy opponent

ㅤ Yuri wasn't too thrilled about the idea of ​​working with the knights to protect Prince Ioder at sea. But the mission had come from the leader of the Union, so he couldn't simply refuse. Moreover, he wasn't the boss making the decisions… "Do you really think this is a good idea?" Yuri asked Ioder skeptically. "We tried a more… safer route," Ioder admitted. "Unfortunately, in this situation, the most difficult path is the only true one. So I gathered the best for my defense, regardless of whether they obey the laws of the Empire or the Union." Indeed, many experienced fighters had gathered. The Guild insisted on Yuri and Raven's participation; the Empire couldn't do without Flynn. The ship was steadily on course when the lookout sounded the alarm: a black flag appeared from the fog. "Everyone, prepare for battle!" Flynn commanded. But everyone already knew what to prepare for. A pirate attack was what they were counting on. They'd also heard about the hydra that had suddenly emerged from underwater, so they didn't give in to fear. They were in no rush to attack the sea monster, lest they scare off their main target. It was important to let the pirates board the ship, thereby dooming themselves, since no one would allow them to escape from the imperial ship. Although Ioder had assembled the best, the pirates were no slouch either. Especially the captain, whom Yuri had taken charge of: he found himself closest in the chaos of the battle. "Oh, this time the imperial army is much more organized," chuckled the captain, a beautiful young man with long blond hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. His face was far more feminine than Yuri's. Only out of solidarity did Yuri refrain from goading him about the "stern" captain's appearance. "Only because there are more people from the guilds here," Yuri jabbed in the other direction, smiling. The captain proved a worthy opponent, possessing considerable fencing skills. Yuri hadn't enjoyed a fight this much in a long time. The hydra's roar distracted the captain: Raven and a squad of mages had taken on the monster. Fear appeared in the captain's eyes. "Syldra, under the water!" he commanded, letting his anxiety show in his ringing voice. Hesitating proved fatal: Yuri kicked the captain into the cabin. Down the steep stairs… "Sorry, no time for ceremony," Yuri said menacingly, pointing the tip of his sword at him. The battle continued out of sight, but the captain was already losing ground: the damage from the fall was taking its toll. At one point, he almost missed a fatal blow aimed at his chest. It only tore his clothes and the bandages underneath, revealing… "A woman!?" Yuri hesitated. He had recovered faster than the captain from Sildra's wound, so Yuri deftly dodged the attack, catching his opponent by the wrist and twisting captain's arm, holding his sword to captain's throat to keep enemy from struggling. "Yuri, what are you doing!?" Flynn rushed over, seeing a very peculiar sight that made him blush, not knowing where to look: Yuri was pressed against a bare-breasted girl from behind. "I actually caught the elusive captain here," Yuri glared at Flynn. "Have you finished up there yet?" "Y-yes. If you cooperate," Flynn said, turning to the hostage, "captain Faris, it will count towards your and your crew's sentence." "So you've taken out all my guys?" Faris looked at him sternly, testing his resolve and deception. "Every single one," Flynn was unwavering. Except for the blush he felt at the sight of the partially naked girl. "Then bring me some bandages and clothes," Faris ordered, standing proudly despite her position. "Your men don't know you're a girl?" Yuri asked, surprised. "You think they'd let some girl take the helm?" "Well, it depends…" Yuri admitted, remembering Kaufman. She would definitely subjugate anyone and force them to work until they sweat, and still be grateful to her. "I have bandages in the first aid kit," Flynn began to carry out the order, not wanting the girl to continue to show off her small, but very neat, breasts. But soon he had to leave to report to Ioder, leaving Yuri alone with the captain. "What are you staring at?" Faris asked rudely, wrapping a bandage around her chest. "I only see your back," Yuri said dryly. "Even though you agreed to cooperate, that doesn't mean you can be left unsupervised. And I'm not Flynn—I won't turn away if you're hoping to take advantage of my embarrassment." "Heh, you're not bad, Yuri, huh?" Faris said almost thoughtfully. "Black clothes, long black hair. You're the dark star of the guild that saved the world from that scourge from the sky, aren't you? Well, then it wouldn't be so bad to lose," she consoled herself. "Would you like to try your hand at being a seasoned sea wolf? Someone like you could clearly handle any sea devil's schemes." "Thanks, I've already left enough traces on land to be considered a criminal at sea." "Well, you have time to change your mind before I get out." "Maybe you should change your way of living?" Yuri frowned. "I'm quite happy with my current life." Yuri wouldn't have minded facing Faris in a duel without any shadows. But such an opportunity wouldn't be coming his way anytime soon. And he really didn't want to hunt her down with the empire across the seas the next time they met… Soon, Faris was led to the other pirates in the prepared cells. Yuri watched the captain being led away with a rather thoughtful look, which didn't escape Raven's notice. "You're looking at him like you want to ask him out," he chuckled, smiling broadly, thinking he'd been kidding. However, without knowing it, he'd hit the nail on the head… "Maybe there's something I don't know about you, huh?" "Faris is a woman…" Flynn whispered modestly, blushing again from memory. "Huh?" Raven paused, his mind racing. He—he didn't recognize the girl? "Just guess, maybe Yuri is actually a girl too!?" Raven offered a daring, humorous suggestion. "My breast is exposed enough to show that I don't have breasts…" Yuri grumbled in response. He knew it was a joke, but he'd had to prove his gender too often. "Well, a flat-bottomed one happens. And she was so pretty!" Raven laughed, clapping Yuri on the back. "Well, good luck to you!" "She'll be in prison for who knows how long." "But she'll get out someday," Raven insisted. "I'm afraid Yuri will end up next to her behind bars first…" Flynn said casually. "See, you even have options!" Raven turned the situation back on the positive side. 'I just want to fight her again…' Yuri kept his thoughts to himself, knowing full well there was no point in arguing. ㅤ