11-08: The Treasure

Hot and humid, the land they made it to was large and flat, surprisingly unsettled.

"This is the island. Now then, father, where have you hid your treasure?" Rena spoke to herself, "looking" at an old map that hasn't fallen apart yet.

Without saying another word, she had started to walk in a random direction. The crew seemed to not care that their blind captain was somehow following a map.

"Rena..."

"Yes dear?"

"How are you following that map?"

"Didn't I tell you a while ago how I was able to see?"

"I... don't remember."

Rena chuckled then took a deep breath. "I can't see in the basic way. Many of my senses have adapted for that. But, occasionally, I can see. Not in the same way as you can. Everything is still... dark. But, everything is outlined, details are easily spotted. But there's no color. For example, if I decided to see, I could see you, every single strand of hair on your head, but not the color of your eyes. Though, it is taxing to use. It hurts, pain where I shouldn't have any. So, I use it sparingly."

"Interesting. I wonder if we could research that, allow you to see permanently..."

"I won't stop you." Rena said before going silent.

For a bunch of rowdy pirates, they were all quiet. Like they expected something, or maybe they felt like saying something wouldn't be proper. The group just continued walking and walking and walking. Finally, as the sun was right above them, they took a break.

Even during this break, everyone stayed quiet as they ate their rations and drank their water.

"Why is everyone being so quiet?" Veronica asked one of the pirates.

"For luck. See, every time we were rowdy during these hunts, we always ended up with terrible luck. Storms, militaries. Last time, the treasure we we're looking for was already taken."

"That's an odd charm."

"Wanna hear something even weirder? Every time we stayed quiet, we had riches beyond your wildest imaginations."

"That is indeed weird."

An odd case of luck, but if that was their custom, then Veronica should play along. And thus, they crew continued forth.

Caves, ravines, waterfalls, absolutely beautiful scenery that no one seemed to care for. Not one person took in the sights. Everyone was focused on the treasure.

"Here? Hm... Let's dig here. This seems to be the right spot. Holler if you find anything." Rena ordered, look at the surroundings, double checking that it was the right location, then holding her head in pain.

"Rena, come here." Veronica told the pirate captain, sitting down and patting her lap.

Rena seemed so comfortable in Veronica's lap, even taking a deep breath, relaxing. Veronica even stroked the Captain's hair, soothing the woman.

"Thank you, hun. Though, it is a bit odd, using a young lass like you as a lap pillow."

"I don't mind. I actually only started to recently do this for some of the other girls."

"Aw... And here I was thinking I was special." Rena joked with a slight giggle.

The two rested for a couple hours, relaxing in the shade, and receiving passing comments on looking like a couple of love birds.

"Captain! I have something here! A chest! It's rather small though..."

The two got up from their spot and went over to the chest. It was very small, like something you would put a handful of jewelry in. Rena stared at it quizzically before taking out a key.

When the box was opened, she had disappointment written all over her face. Veronica looked over into the box and saw... a single piece of parchment?

Rena put the box down after taking out the parchment and read it carefully.

Meanwhile, everyone stood attentively, quiet, and suspenseful. Though, everyone grew more and more worried as Rena's face went from disappointment to anger.

"Really, Father!? That was your treasure!? What a waster of time and resources! Friendship, bah! Hundreds of years for that. I wasted hundreds of years, thousands of men and women, millions of coin, for friendship? Argh! Fuck!"

"Uh... c-captain?" A nervous pirate asked the captain, scratching her head.

"What!?"

"There's more. Come look at this."

The nervous pirate girl led Rena over towards a nearby cave. In the cave was a large, ancient door made of stone. Symbols familiar to Veronica, ancient Hakano writing. Sadly, Veronica wasn't able to translate it.

However, the door was easily pushed open, and inside...

Jewels, gold in its purest form, ancient weapons and armor still somehow in pristine condition. This was some kind of vault the Hakano used, but why was it hidden in such a location? And unlocked? And how has no one found this?

"This... this is more like it." Rena grinned from ear to ear. "Take everything you can! Empty this place!"

Everyone cheered for all the goods and treasures they were able to collect.

"For a moment, I thought we'd go back empty handed." Veronica said, wiping the sweat from her brow.

"And so did I. Seems like that silent luck really works." Rena replied. "Come, let's go and get you back home."

"Alright. Maybe you can live there as well. Or, well, at least use it a home to come back to when you want to."

"If the Queen Consort is telling me I can live there, then who am I to say no~?"