Hope emerged when the sea calmed down, and the ship stabilized. Berinon walked unsteadily to meet Eric and report the situation.

“Looks like we got a miracle. The storm will pass soon,” said Berinon, panting. However, before he had time to rest, there was a loud crash from the ship’s hull.

“Oh no,” said Berinon. The captain rushed out of the room to check the situation. Apparently, the crunch is not at all over. The storm had brought them crashing rock and caused a serious leak. Water rushed into the ship, sinking it with a considerable speed.

Berinon ordered his crew to remove the water from the ship. However, these efforts have no significance. The flow of water that went in was much higher. Within minutes, the ship was half submerged.

On the ship, there was a rescue boat with a maximum capacity of six people. Berinon then asked Ramos, Eric, Gladys, and Anna to go up there. Including himself, there was only one room left for another person.

Meanwhile, Peter was keeping Borin’s unconscious body while holding onto the sinking ship.

Before jumping onto the lifeboat, Eric wave his hand as he asked Peter to join, leaving Borin who was still unconscious.

“But I can’t leave him alone,” said Peter, looking confused.

“Hurry, we don’t have time!” Berinon said.

“Just leave him!” said Ramos as he jumped to save his life.

Peter looked at Borin and turned to Eric. “I think I will just stay with him.”

Since Peter didn’t want to leave his friend, Eric had no choice. He jumped and the rescue boat left. Meanwhile, Peter stayed with Borin, hoping that his friend will regain his consciousness before everything was too late.

The ship has now completely sunk, along with the few remaining crew members. From inside the lifeboat, Eric could only watch his squire gasping for air and sinking in the waves while holding onto a floating piece of wood.

Eric glanced the other way with his jaw clenched. His hands squeezed the plank blade of the lifeboat while his heart wrenched. He felt disappointed in himself, who failed to take care of his friend’s son. But he had no choice, as it was his duty to protect the Fernier family.

In that downcast situation, Anna suddenly said to Gladys, “Sorry Miss, but I will go help them.”

“What do you mean? Don’t be stupid! You will drown!” said Gladys, scolding her maid.

“Sorry, I can’t serve you anymore.” Anna nodded politely, and with no warning, she jumped into the sea, swimming toward Peter and Borin.

Gladys and the others could only stare at Anna in silence, stunned by her recklessness.

A moment later, Berinon said while pointing to the east, “We have to go in that direction. According to rumors, there is a remote island isolated because of the abundance of coral in the surrounding waters. Only small ships can pass through it.”

With the remaining strength, they rowed in the direction Berinon pointed.

Moments later, the sun began to emerge, ending the longest and most terrible night of Peter’s life. A tinge of orange rose to color the eastern side of the horizon as if giving new hope to the world.

Peter was lucky enough to have a slab of the broken hull nearby. It was quite large—almost the size of a raft. He was holding it while leaning Borin’s body against it. As time passed, he felt his consciousness decline due to exhaustion. From his blurred vision, he saw Anna swimming toward him.

The girl held on to the board, then gave a pinch of plants similar to seaweed. “Here, eat it to increase your stamina.”

Peter couldn’t help but stare at Anna, who was so determined to help him. Without thinking, he obeyed and swallowed the slimy grass. It tastes salty and cold when swallowed.

A miracle happened soon after the seaweed passed through Peter’s throat. He felt his stamina gradually recover. Anna then put the ‘medicine’ into Borin’s mouth by squeezing it first so that the liquid could be swallowed immediately.

“What’s this food? It’s amazing. I feel so good now.” Peter asked in amazement.

“Just a normal seaweed,” said Anna.

“I don’t know that seaweed had such amazing properties,” said Peter. He still couldn’t believe what he had just heard.

“It is not just an ordinary seaweed. I have cast a spell on it.”

“W-what do you mean?” Peterasked since he was unsure of what he had just heard. His brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed.

“Yes, I’m a mage,” said Anna with a straight expression, as if nothing was strange. “You didn’t know that mages really existed?”

“I-I know, but they shouldn’t be in Portos anymore. Not after that.” Peter remembered the events of his father’s ‘betrayal’ that Eric told him. After that, all mages were hunted down and those caught would be burned alive.

“I’m not from Portos. I’m just a slave who was sold as a servant,” said Anna, looking off into the distance.

“Then where did you come from?”

For a moment, no words escaped from the savior’s tiny lips. Only silence and the sound of wind were present in Peter’s hearing. Anna’s face turned somber. It seemed that remembering her origins only brings out the deepest pain.

“I’m sorry…” Peter felt bad for making Anna bring back such an unpleasant memory.

“It’s okay…” said Anna.

Then there was silence for a moment.

“Please keep this a secret of mine.”

Peter just nodded.

The rising sun warmed Peter’s body. Just a little thing that actually helped a lot. Although not in ideal conditions, the boy felt grateful. At least he was saved and had time to know Anna—the girl who had been hiding behind a curious corner on one side of his brain.

A moment later, Borin came to his consciousness and spit out seawater from his mouth.

Peter helped his flailing friend find a more stable grip.

“Finally, you woke up! You’re such a pain when fainting.” The boy smiled at Borin, who immediately hugged him tightly.

“Thank you,” said Borin full of emotion.

“Thank her.” Peter then looked at Anna. “If she didn’t help, we both will surely die.”

“T-thank you very much.” Borin swam up to Anna and shook—or squeezed—her hand. “What have you given us? I feel very well.” Borin looked surprised. “You are very good at medication.”

“It’s a secret…” said Anna with a smile. She then winked at Peter to make sure he wasn’t leaking what she had said.

Peter complied and immediately changed the subject. “We have to swim there.” He pointed in the direction where Berinon rowed his boat. Together, they swung their legs to move while continuing to hold the plank.

***

Meanwhile, Ramos took turns rowing with Eric and Berinon. All of them were already tired. The water supply had been running out. Because of the hot weather, their throats now feel burning.

Just when it seemed like there was no more hope, Gladys shouted cheerfully. “Look! there’s land over there!” The shade of trees was now visible behind the fog. It got clearer as they approached nearer.

“Thank God, we’re safe,” said Berinon with a smile. He then helped Ramos row with enthusiasm.

Arriving on land, they tied the boat to a tree and fell on the sand. Berinon knelt down to kiss the ground as an expression of gratitude. Coconut fruit became their first meal that afternoon. The water was so refreshing, and the flesh was very soft.

After resting for a while, they built a tent as a shelter. Eric and Berinon went into the forest to find branches, while Ramos and Gladys gathered tendrils to tie them up. Before evening, the simple tent was finished. They attach wide leaves at the top as a roof covering.

“At least we have coverings tonight.” Berinon lay down and rest his body.

“But how long are we going to stay here?” asked Gladys, squeaking. In her entire life as a noble princess, never once imagined that she would sleep on the ground and under the roof of leaves.

“I hope it won’t be long. Tomorrow, Berinon and I will prepare supplies. We will go to the nearest village on Notre Island to seek help.” Eric tried to calm the princess.

“So, you’re going to leave us both here?” asked Ramos, seeking affirmation.

“Yes, that seems to be the case. Traveling across the Tangal sea in a small boat is much more dangerous than surviving here. I discovered earlier that there was a spring and various kinds of fruit in the forest. You can also catch fish on the beach to survive,” said Eric, making Ramos could no longer refute. He was also horrified to encounter a storm on a small boat.

“Plus, traveling with four people means more supplies. That will increase the weight of the boat while reducing the chances of survival,” said Berinon. He then patted Ramos on the shoulder. “Be an adult and protect your sister.”

The young master could only be silent. He didn’t know how to survive alone with his sister on a strange island. But it seemed he had no other choice.

Meanwhile, Gladys just sat curled up, hugging her own knees. Her tears rolled down her cheeks. She was so afraid of having to survive in the wilderness.

“Try to take care of each other,” said Eric to both of them.

It was getting dark. Berinon rubbed dry wood on the straw to make a fire. They burn fish and eat voraciously. Although the night sky was exquisite with stars, Gladys couldn’t enjoy it at all. Her heart shriveled with fear.

Meanwhile, Peter, Borin, and Anna were still battling the waves while trying to find land. Time was running out because Anna’s magical seaweed had run out. There was no longer a chance to complain about the wrinkled skin or feet and hands that were blistered from scratching against the rocks.

“I can’t take this anymore…” Borin sighed breathlessly. Since their ship sank, it has been a day and a night the three of them continue to be adrift on the high seas.

“Hold on….” Peter tried to encourage his friend, though he also was almost out of breath. Anna’s condition was slightly better. Because of her magical abilities, she has above-average endurance.

“Look at that!” said Peter a moment later. Seen in the distance, silhouettes of trees lined up. Dawn was breaking through the mist that had previously blocked their view.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Peter and Borin felt their spirits rise again. They also seemed to get new strength and swim faster.

“We have arrived!” Borin and Peter immediately collapsed when they landed on the sandy beach. Anna sat stretched out beside them. They remained motionless for some time to catch their breath and recover their stamina.

It was quiet. Peter could hear his own heartbeat against the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. Borin closed his eyes as he inhaled as much fresh air as he could. He had been struggling all night just to breathe. It was so difficult when the waves constantly beat him up.

Half an hour later, Anna stood up and look around. “Hey, look at that lifeboat.”

“Then they must not be far from here,” Borin concluded.

“Let’s just go. I don’t want to be a servant anymore,” said Peter as he rose to his feet.

Borin, who agreed with his best friend, immediately followed. The three of them walked into the bushes in the forest while looking around. Besides looking for food, they were worried that they would meet Ramos and have to be back as a servant.

Moments later, Borin suddenly put his index finger to his lips and signaled his friends to get down. Peter and Anna followed Borin’s instructions while whispering, “What’s wrong?”

“They’re there.” Borin pointed in a direction. Over there, Ramos and Gladys were sitting near their shelter. Peter couldn’t hear what they were saying. He could only see the worried look on their faces.

“Where are Eric and Berinon?” asked Peter, while Anna and Borin answered by shrugging their shoulders.

“Let’s just go there!” Peter made his proposal to make a shelter farther away. The three then walked away from Ramos and Gladys.

On the way, Anna saw many banana trees that had borne fruit. They picked some of them, then ate greedily until there was no more space in their stomachs.

“Let’s set up a shelter near here.” Peter saw there were quite a few fruit crops in the area. Borin and Anna nodded in agreement.

Peter and Borin then gathered and arranged logs to form a triangle, while Anna expressed her wish to deliver a bunch of bananas to Gladys. After all, she felt sorry for the young lady.

Before releasing Anna’s departure, Peter advised that his position should not be known by Ramos. He still wanted to enjoy his freedom with Borin, instead of going back to being a servant.

Anna agreed to Peter’s request and walked away.

By then it was noon, but Peter and Borin had not managed to build a tent for them to take shelter. “This is so difficult,” Peter complained while wiping his sweat. The weather was hot.

“I can’t do it, either,” replied Borin.

When they were about to give up, Eric’s voice startled Peter. “Looks like you guys survived. That’s great.”

Peter turned around and find Eric standing not far. “Yes. We’re quite lucky.” Not wanting to divulge Anna’s secret, Peter didn’t mention any detail about the miracle.

“Ramos and Gladys are sheltering there.” Eric passed on information, which he himself knew would be useless.

“Yes, I know. We’re better off here,” said Peter while continuing his futile attempt to pitch the tent.

“Hold this! Let me do it.” Eric put three rabbits he caught on the ground, then helped Peter build a shelter. “Tomorrow, Berinon and I will go to Notre island to seek help. It’s better for you guys to stay here.”

“Actually, I’d be more comfortable if you two stayed with Ramos and Gladys. But, well… I can’t force you. I understand how your relationship is.”

“Relax, we can take care of ourselves.” Peter tried to calm Eric, who had just finished setting up the tent.

“Here, take one.” The knight gave one of his catches to Borin and then left.

Not long after, Anna returned with some tubers that she found along the way. That afternoon, they ate roasted tubers and rabbit. Full stomachs and tired bodies made the three of them quickly fall asleep.

Meanwhile, Gladys looked confused because she found a bunch of bananas lying in front of her tent.

The next morning, Eric and Berinon, who had already prepared water and food, departed from the island with a lifeboat. They rowed west to the nearest shore on the island of Notre.

After the departure of both, Ramos, Gladys, Peter, Borin, and Anna must survive in the middle of a remote island. As long as possible while waiting for help, which was unknown when it will arrive.