Full Ahead! Coco 69

Page 167

Like I said, Pete Lordman.
You are to be executed...
Chapter 69: Restraint

Page 168

You have nowhere to run.
Are you prepared?

Page 169

On my mark!

Captain...!

Aim at Pete Lordman!

?

Hee!

?

!

Page 170

Huh!?

Hee!

Whoa!
Hee!

Page 171

Freed!

Tch!

Yah!

After him! He's getting away!!
Impossible! There's no way our horses can catch up to a thoroughbred like that!

...

Page 172

Head west, Freed! To the western bay!!

Page 173

Inogasweeda...
The Red Skulls...
Captain Spard...
They need to know about the changelings!
...Captain!!

Page 174

Pant
Pant
Pant

The ship...
Is gone...

Where's...
The Sweet Madonna?
Rustle
Rustle

Captain!

Page 175

!?
Drop your weapons!

So this is where you landed.

...

No, Freed.
We can't do anything in this situation.

Page 176

Neigh
No, Freed!

Neigh
Neigh
Where's your ship!?
Gahgahgah
Gasu
Gohgohgoh
Where are you hiding your ship!?
Answer!

Pant
Pant
Pant

...Chancellor.
...So this was the place.
Pant
Pant
Pant

Page 177

Last night I received a report that a ship was docked here and I sent troops to investigate.
But when they got here, there was no trace of any ship or person.

Perhaps your friends betrayed you?
What...?

Or perhaps you weren't cut out for the pirate life and they just dumped you off at home...
Out of pity, of course.

...No.
They wouldn't...

At any rate, I'll cancle your execution.
Out of pity.
Take him back to the castle.

Page 178

So you were able to capture Pete Lordman...
It was your majesty's orders to bring him back alive.
Yes... For the sake of reassuring the princess.

But the princess' behavior... She aided a pirate's escape. This is quite a problem.
Are you saying that we should punish the princess!?

I can turn a blind eye to it... But many of the troops tonight are demanding that the princess share the same punishment as Lordman.

I-I won't hear of this, Chancellor!

I'll take care of the troops this time. But this is not something we can take lightly.
I understand. Surely there must be some way I can repay you.

I need no reward. We both care very deeply for the princess...
I only wish for your approval to take her hand in marriage.

T-That's... for the princess to decide...
This has nothing to do with what the princess wants.

Page 179

Sign this...
As the absolute ruler of this kingdom, anything you decree is law.
And that includes my marriage to the princess...

That's...
Or would you rather the princess be executed alongside Lordman?

Now sign...
If I get the king's signature here...
The throne is guaranteed to me when the doddering old fool... "retires"...

Princess... Please eat something...
I brought you some brandy for your nerves.

...Pete... Why did you become a pirate...?
Do you want to ask him yourself?

Page 180

I can't...
They locked the doors to the dungeon...

Whether he's a criminal or a pirate, he's still the man that you once loved...
No, you still love him, don't you?

No need to say a thing. This might be your last chance to ever see him.
Ching
This is your last chance to talk to him, to find out what you need to know...

Are you okay?
You don't look so good.

Princess...!
Clink

Page 181

Tell me...
Why did you become a pirate?

...
It was around the time we became engaged...
I had everything I had ever wanted. And then my parents' accident happened. It was then that I began to reflect on myself for the very first time.

How could someone like me, who was sheltered my whole life by my parents, become the king of this nation...?

I'm a bit learned in fencing...
But I know nothing. Nothing of people... Nothing of the world...

You could tour the nation once you become king...
I'll learn nothing if I tour the world as king!

Will the people reveal their true selves to their king!?
Will I be able to get close to them with that kind of distance between us!?

...

Page 182

Young lord... Have you heard of the pirates of the Sweet Madonna?
Or maybe you've heard of their other name, The Crazy Stoneheads?
Even though their crew is small, their name is up there with the best of'em.

I overheard at the bar today that they're planning on setting out on a grand journey westward tomorrow.

A pirate ship... is the best vantage point to see the world.
If you're serious, young lord.

As long as I can touch you...

Page 183

I had no idea... That that's what you were thinking...
...I'm so happy.

I don't care if we're engaged...
Or married...

As long as you're with me...

That is all I need...

Page 185

Whisper
Whisper
Whisper