162 Wanna Go On A Cruise?

I had a blast picking out clothes with the girls.

At my insistence, Odeta got herself a dress and some other new clothes including a rather cool looking leather jacket and long pants.

For Katsuki, she was quite hesitant in getting anything for herself since she felt that she would usually wear her maid uniform anyway and thus didn't need any. Even the casual clothes she was wearing today felt weird for her, especially since they were borrowed from another maid from the mansion.

I argued that she should at least have some casual clothes of her own for events like this where I require her to go incognito and she eventually gave in and accepted picking out some clothes for herself.

That was when Lisa decided that we 'weren't trying hard enough' before she took over and started picking out even more clothes for both Odeta and Katsuki to wear.

They were protesting against it vehemently at first but then Lisa whispered something to them and the three of them looked in my direction before Odeta and Katsuki gave in.

What did she even tell them?

Unfortunately, with the three of them occupied, it also meant that I was left with Emilia and I was feeling a little awkward, especially since she knew who I actually was.

I decided I would try to at least attempt some small talk with her.

"So… It's hard to imagine that we're actually standing inside a ship."

Emilia smiled at me, "Is this your first time on a ship, Young Mistress Nilm?"

I coughed, "Umm… Just Aster is fine… I don't really like to publicise my family that much… And yes, this is my first time on a ship."

Or rather, this was my first time on a ship in this World at least.

Emilia nodded, "In that case, could I call you Lady Aster?"

"Umm… I guess that's fine."

"Understood~ So does Lady Aster like what she sees so far?"

I nodded, "It's definitely the first time I've seen something like this. I never thought ships could be made this big too. How was it made?"

"Oh! Is Lady Aster interested in becoming our patron?"

"Eh? Patron?"

"That's right! You can choose to invest money in us and become one of our investors! We'll let you open up a stall on our ship and even offer you special prices on our goods! There are also various other benefits depending on the level of your contribution!"

Oh wow, they actually have such a system in place? I'm surprised.

"Is there a minimum amount to buy in?"

"To be able to open a store and receive a share in our overall profits, the minimum amount comes to a large silver coin."

Oh? So that means a thousand Creas, that's not too bad.

Wait, no… That still equates to a hundred thousand dollars in my old World! That's not cheap at all!!

My sense of money seems to have been affected quite a bit by Mother…

"Ah… I'll think about it," I answered a little lamely. "I'm interested in knowing how this ship was built though?"

Emilia giggled before leaning towards me in a conspiratory manner, "Do you really want to know?"

I nodded.

"In that case, if you join up with us, it would allow me to stop treating you as an outsider and even share with you secrets about this place!"

Wow, really? I mean I can live without knowing about this one, so there's not really an incentive for me to sign up with them.

Emilia then quickly added, "But since Lady Aster is a friend of Lisa's, I suppose I can just tell you about it."

Eh? Really? Hmm… I have a feeling she decided that on the spur of the moment because she realised I lost interest in it. Is that the sense of a merchant?

Emilia leaned towards me again, "The truth is… We don't actually know."

I blinked at her, "How do you not know how your own ship was built?"

"That's because we weren't the ones to build it actually. My family found this ship drifting out at sea before we claimed it for ourselves and repaired it back to seaworthiness. Some of us suspect that the Gods might have been the ones who made it in the past while a few others made guesses that the ship was some kind of secret weapon made with the wood from the former Tree of Life for some kind of war in the past."

"Eh? The former Tree of Life?"

"Oh, does Lady Aster not know about it? The current Tree of Death used to be known as the Tree of Life before a disaster turned it and its surroundings into what it is today. There are various theories on what happened ranging from magical experiments, a malicious group of mages destroying it and even to the will of the Gods, though none of them were confirmed so it's a mystery till this day."

Interesting… So that means the Arwan Territory also used to be filled with life as well.

Back to the ship though.

"So how long have you been sailing on this ship?"

"Oh, I think close to a decade or so? My parents built their business with this ship and I followed them when I was still a kitten. Then I took the captain position about five years ago when I turned thirteen."

Hold up…

My eyes widened at her, "You were made captain at thirteen?"

She gave me a smile that reminded me of a Cheshire cat, "Fufu~ I don't mean to brag but I was quite talented even amongst my peers~ So when my parents wanted to expand their business through land connections, I jumped at the opportunity to help them take over the ship~ The crew already accepted me by then anyway so there weren't any issues~"

That's really impressive and her stats certainly show that.

Wait, doesn't that mean she's only eighteen? Damn… Controlling an entire ship and running a business on her own, she really is impressive.

"So what can this ship do?" I asked, curious.

"Fufu~ I'm glad you asked! Aside from its impressive size, it also boasts the best sea defences money can buy! Top of the line Magic cannons and even enchanted armoured plates line the hull of the ship. Any pirates that see us would definitely run for it and sea monsters aren't a problem too! We once had a dragon try to attack us and we managed to repel it as well! We're the best transport ship for both cargo and passengers in the World!"

Right… I can see she's really proud of the ship. I guess I would be too if I was put in charge of something as impressive as this.

She wasn't even done yet as she leaned closer to me while her eyes sparkled, "Plus! The ship also boasts the largest transport capacity in the World! Sure we can't beat the Dragon couriers in terms of speed, but they won't be the ones transporting the carcass of a mature dragon would they? What's more, we have on board amenities suitable for nobles as well, it's practically a resort too so Lady Aster can come and experience it too! We'll make sure you are given the best treatment as a VVIP guest!"

I raised my hands, "Ummm… I'll think about it… Could you… Err… You know?"

Emilia blinked before stepping back from me, hiding her blush when she realised she was practically leaning against me.

"My apologies, I get excited when it's about my Floating Pussy."

Oh god please, the name! Really! Did her parents name it?! If they did, they have really bad naming sense!!

I decided to change the topic, "Say… Did all the shop owners here also pay a large silver coin to set up their shops here?"

"Oh not at all, they only need a monthly rent of at least two large bronze coins depending on the location on the ship. It's only when you want a share in the overall profits and to become a member of our patron club that would bump up the price to a large silver coin."

They even have an exclusive club… I have a feeling her parents might actually be Off-Worlders for that reason now…

"So how about it? We'll be in this port for about a month before we need to cast off again, Lady Aster can follow us as a passenger on a vacation~" She suggested.

"Umm… As much as I would like to, I'm still a student at Aerialla Academy so I can't."

"Eh? Not even for the holidays that are coming soon?"

Oh yeah, we have holidays at the end of each semester that would last for two months, mostly because some students would want to return back home and most of them have their homes away from the capital city and travel time is a bitch.

Because of that, there's only two semesters for a school year, each lasting for four months before a two month break.

The current semester would actually be ending in exactly a month's time, in fact.

"But would I return in time for classes to start?" I asked, actually feeling interested.

Emilia grinned, "Of course~ Our next destination would bring us to Edart Trade City before coming back here again, well within the time frame of your semester break!"

This is actually perfect! You know what? Let's do it!

Ah, but I guess I need to ask Mother first… I wonder if she'll agree?