To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

The ship’s tilt had become even more severe, making it difficult for passengers to stand upright. Objects on the deck began falling into the sea. Some people came out of their rooms and were horrified at the sight on the deck, while others went into their rooms thinking it would be safer inside. Some people resigned themselves to their approaching death and offered their final prayers.

Although no one knew exactly what was happening, there was one thing everyone on this ship was certain of.

This ship will sink.

“Aaaah! Save me!”

People screamed as they sensed their impending death. Amidst this, Liv could only look around with blank eyes while being supported by Hayden.

“Hayden, what should we…”

“Master, is there anything you can do?”

Ancient magic is another form of divine power. Liv couldn’t intervene in this matter. She couldn’t calm these waves, but if she used divine power, she might be able to protect the ship to some extent.

To Liv’s eyes, the sea looked terribly frightening. She tried to concentrate her mind to use her power while deliberately averting her gaze from that sight, but…

“It will be difficult.”

“Pardon?”

“I have too little divine power left. I haven’t received any divine power since coming to the Merna Empire…”

The divine power was already running low. It seemed difficult to protect the entire ship with that power.

Hayden was silent for a moment, then spoke with a determined expression.

“You can survive, right, Master?”

“Yes, I won’t die.”

“Then that’s enough.”

Hayden nodded with a relieved face.

“Even if everyone here dies, if you can survive and reach the Holy Hilysid Empire, that’s enough. It’s a pity I won’t see you become Emperor… but I’m really willing to give my life for you.”

“That can’t happen.”

Liv shook her head with a coldly hardened face.

“You must not die.”

Liv didn’t want to see any more deaths of those around her. She promised herself that she wouldn’t let that happen.

Liv looked at the sea with a pale face. An unknown world where she couldn’t know what lay beneath. The sea had always been an object of fear for her. It was even scarier today with huge waves and whirlpools.

“Water is coming in!”

At that moment, someone shouted as if screaming. The ship was now completely tilted. As the ship gradually sank, water was filling up inside. A huge whirlpool had formed around the ship.

Seeing this, Liv put on a determined expression. Yes, if she didn’t do anything here, everyone would die.

Liv walked towards the ship’s railing with Hayden’s help. The sea was roaring as if it could easily swallow Liv. However…

“Hayden.”

“Yes, Master.”

“You must live.”

“Master…”

“And no matter what happens, I will return to the Holy Hilysid Empire, so don’t worry.”

“What?”

“Then I’ll see you soon.”

Leaving those words behind, Liv climbed onto the deck. And before Hayden could grab her, she threw herself towards the sea.

Liv’s body fell endlessly. At some point, cold water enveloped her. She couldn’t breathe, and couldn’t see ahead. Even her body defied her will.

Liv slightly opened her eyes and felt her body falling into a pitch-black space with no end in sight. An enormous fear washed over her, but Liv closed her eyes and surrendered her body to the water.

Falling endlessly.

Downwards.

Further down.

To the depths.

Sinking.

‘Ah.’

At some point, Liv felt the seawater enveloping her was comforting. When she gently opened her eyes, numerous masses were shimmering in the seawater. They began to swirl around Liv’s body. And then…

“Gasp!”

When she came to her senses, Liv’s head was above water. She looked around. The still-sinking ship, and… a dazzlingly bright sea. That sea was no longer frightening. A full power began to shine within Liv. It was an enormous power that she could barely handle.

All the gods Liv knew. Hundreds, thousands of gods. No, perhaps tens of thousands of gods began to transmit power to Liv. It felt like her body might burst at any moment, unable to withstand this power. She felt nauseous, but it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. Liv glimpsed a world that humans couldn’t possibly reach. She realized the truth of this world. She became aware of the principles of all things.

When she threw herself into the sea she feared most, Liv had now become close to a small god.

And after a moment, when the power finally naturally assimilated into Liv’s body, she began to right the tilted ship back to its original position. And she pushed it towards the Merna Empire. As she used strong power towards the ship, as a reaction, Liv’s body was pushed in the opposite direction.

But it was okay. Liv was no longer afraid of this sea.

When she felt the ship had reached the port, Liv stopped using her power. And she surrendered her body to the sea.

Liv didn’t know the sea routes, so she couldn’t know where to go from here. She could return to the Merna Empire, but perhaps this sea might guide Liv to the Holy Hilysid Empire.

Therefore, instead of making the decision herself, Liv decided to leave the judgment to the sea.

“Take me where I’m most needed.”

Then the seawater swallowed Liv, and she closed her eyes.

* * *

Splash, splash…

Feeling the water strongly hitting her body, Liv slowly opened her eyes. She felt a rough sensation on her cheek. When she finally came to her senses and raised her body, Liv was lying on some sandy ground.

‘Where is this?’

Reeds growing here and there, and land covered with sand. This is…

‘A riverbank?’

There was an unfamiliar smell in the air. It didn’t seem like a place Liv knew. Come to think of it, the weather was humid and hot.

Liv sensed that she had come to a completely different place. When she raised her head and looked around, she saw people murmuring while looking at her. They had black skin, jet-black hair, and thick double eyelids. They were people with appearances Liv had never seen before. Liv staggered towards them and spoke in Garcian.

“Where is this?”

At those words, they began to murmur even more. Then, one of them came forward and answered in clumsy Garcian pronunciation.

“This is the Kingdom of Ashur, the Tila River.”

Ah. Liv closed her eyes.

She had arrived on a completely different continent.

11. Destined to be Emperor

Like most countries that interact with the Holy Hilysid Empire, the Holy Hilysid Empire itself was located on the continent of Ein. The countries here had each grown their influence while dominating the world, so some speculated that the Ein continent might be the most civilized place in this world.

On the other hand, the Kingdom of Ashur was located in the north of the Night Continent. Among the countries of the Night Continent, it was the closest to the Ein Continent.

The Kingdom of Ashur had once developed an amazing civilization ahead of other countries. The reason why the Kingdom of Ashur could surpass other countries early on despite most of its territory being desert was because the Tila River flowed through the country. Although now that’s just past glory. Liv had now arrived in such a place.

‘How did I come all the way here?’

Of course, since the Tila River was connected to the sea where Liv had been, it wasn’t entirely impossible, but still, this was a country so far away that it would take several days by ship to reach.

Liv recalled the wish she had made just before coming here. She had certainly asked to be sent where she was needed. Then is the Kingdom of Ashur where Liv is needed now? What business could she have in this place where she had no connections?

Feeling she needed to grasp the situation immediately, Liv raised her head and looked at the people whispering while surrounding her. They were whispering with Liv in the middle, but Liv couldn’t understand their words at all as she didn’t know the Ashurian language.

Instead, Liv turned her eyes towards the man who had told her this was the Kingdom of Ashur. The man who made eye contact with Liv opened his mouth with a trembling voice.

“Where… did you come from?”

“The Holy Hilysid Empire.”

Liv examined the man’s attire. He was dressed more richly compared to others, and he could speak Garcian. Then…

“Are you a merchant?”

“H-How did you know?”

“Just, it seemed likely.”

Liv shrugged and then shook off the sand stuck to the hem of her skirt. As the sun blazed above Liv’s head, she had to frown. The sunlight in the Kingdom of Ashur was too strong. Her stimulated skin began to tingle and redden.

‘What should I do now?’