Captain Eiichrio

Compared to the bright and hopeful bustle of the construction yard this morning, this part of the city felt like another world.

Here, the streets were narrow and dark, the roads were lined with refugees who had given up hope and the buildings sagged into one another as though exhausted.

"Here's the place."

Gris pointed Shiro and Geraltavin at a bar that looked like it was about to collapse.

"You sure about finding a captain here?"

"Yes. He and what remains of his crew were docked in Rhisush when it fell. They couldn't get to their ship in time and had no choice but to retreat or die land locked."

"Die land locked? You say it like it's a worse thing. There's a code or something among sailors to die on the waters?"

"It's viewed as more honorable among them. And for a ship to sink without her captain is the greatest failure a sailor can bear."

"So you think he'd be likely to captain a new ship?

"No. He's been drinking himself to death ever since."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

"Part of being a hero is inspiring others. Being a champion to the people. Normally Heroes recruit a party and fight off local monsters. Getting stronger as they train and fight off the Demon King forces."

"What good is telling me this now?!"

"Because this will be the first person you recruit."

Really!? The guy is bringing up the Isekai tropes now? Not only that but my first recruit is going to be a drunk old sailor rather than some cute girl!

"Eh yer be fine. In fact, Yer have a pretty good reputation."

"Good reputation? You mean the 'Forge Hero of Fire and Lightning'? Not to mention the collar on my neck."

Shiro flicked the collar on his neck.

"Funny thing actually, yer title has increased 'Forge Hero of Lightning, Wind and Fire' and that yer magic is so strong that yer wear thata collar to suppress yourself."

"What propaganda is this?! I was the talentless hero of Revorgress! Now you tell people my collar is actually self restraint?"

“No propaganda. Your accomplishments are earning you praise. However, since you have no official talent and every feat you accomplish is beyond understanding, people start to make their own explanations."

"Great...."

"Shall we go?"

The three of them enter the bar. It was crowded with refugees who looked as though they had forgotten what they were waiting for. They slouched over tables sticky with spilled liquor and drank in mid day silence. Whatever hope had filled the construction site this morning had not followed them here.

"There he is."

The captain sat alone at the far end of the bar, slumped over a table with a bottle clutched loosely in one hand. He was a massive man, with a broad back and thick forearms. His hair had faded to gray hanging messily in front of a scarred face that was missing an eye.

At one point, he might have been imposing. But now the guy looks empty. How am I supposed to be an inspiring hero?

"That's the captain, right?"

Gris nodded.

"Caption Eiichrio, the very same."

Alright here goes nothing

Shiro walked up to the table and took a seat across from the old man.

"Captain Eiichrio?"

"Who's asking?"

"Shiro..."

"Never heard of you."

What was I expected?

"Yeah that's on me. I'm the Forge Hero of Lightning and stuff. Ring a Bell?"

"Nah, now what do you want?"

"I was told you were a captain..."

"Was"

Eiichrio was quick to correct Shiro.

"Sure well I need a captain."

"Find someone else."

"We're land locked, you're the only captain there is. The only crew in all of Vermelionne."

"I don't care."

"Don't you want to be a captain again?"

"No."

"So what, you plan to drink your days away in here?"

"Yup. Now bug off."

That went as bad as expected. What do I even say to this guy?

Shiro looked at Gris and Geraltavin.

"Any advice?"

"Just be yer self!"

"That's not helpful. Gris?"

"You could impose the law and force...."

"No that's not going to work."

Eiichrio slammed his cup against the table, all the surrounding crew drew their eyes to Shiro. The atmosphere changed in an instant.

"Are y'all done?"

"No, I came here to recruit you."

"And I told you I'd be drinking my days away in here! You think I give a turtle shell shooting shit about some hero and their needs!"

"Yeah? And for how much longer? Haven't you heard? The Demon King army is coming. So where would you prefer to die? Here, or in an Airship?"

"Ship? Boy we're land locked!"

"Airship! Air! Like in the sky! Times are changing. Now if you and your crew want your bodies buried in the dirt under a demons foot with a drink in hand, then so be it. I'll go train some land lovers on how to sail. Men who've never set foot in a boot will be the first crew to sail the skies"

"Sail the skies? Yeah right?"

"I've already done it with a cart the size of a row boat. Now the first ship is being built."

"A diggy ain't no boat!"

"How much harder can it be?"

"You are an idiot boy! You know how hard it is to read the winds? Raise the sails? You did what, row a boat with a bunch of magic?"

"That row boat had nine mast worth of sails!"

"A row boat with nine mast worth of sails? And you are expecting me to believe that?"

"Didn't you hear the alarm bells for two days again? That was me, when I sailed over the city."

"Malarkey! Red belly trout!"

"Ask anyone."

Eiichrio exchanged a few looks with his crew.

"Aye, so you made a carriage fly. What's it to ya."

"What it's to me? Is that I need a crew for my ship."

"Crew for your ship? You ain't no Captain. No crew is going to listen to you."

"Well there isn't any captain in here? You said so yourself."

"Aye because they ain't. But theirs are a man or two who might be up to the task?"

"You know a guy who can handle a ship with about 30 mast worth of sails. One that flies through the sky?"

Eiichrio froze for a moment.

"...no.. he'd be better than you. That much I can promise."

"Alright. Training starts in three days, the first voyage is at the end of the week. Can you have a crew in time?"

"Aye!"

"Alright. Gris write down the location. I still can't read or write."

"Ai don't bother, give it to me first mate over there. I can't read or write either."

Shiro stood up and began walking out.

"I'll be pissing off the edge of the deck and onto this bar in a weeks time. Be a shame for any poor fool still in here."