Chapter 13: Sindria
The most of the men in Balbadd as well as the royal army are rebuilding the buildings as Vulpi and Morgiana passing the soup for the rest of the citizens.
"Careful now, it's hot." Morgiana tells the boy as she gives a bowl to him.
"Thank you!" He says and runs off.
"Here you go." Vulpi says as she gives the bowl to the man.
"Thanks."
Once that is done, Morgiana and Vulpi are walking back to the palace.
"Good job, Vulpi-san." Morgiana says as Vulpi stretches her arms.
"Yeah." Vulpi says and stops walking as her hears twitches.
"What is the matter?"
"Something is moving on the water…" Vulpi mutters and looks at the ocean. "Ships…? And a lot of them too… Let's check out the pier!"
"Right!" Morgiana replies and they rush towards the pier to see what is going on. Once they get there, they see Aladdin with Sinbad holding Alibaba who is unconscious.
"Aladdin! Alibaba-san! Sinbad-san!" Vulpi shouts.
"Vulpi-nee! Mor-san!" Aladdin calls out and they reach them.
"What is going on?" Vulpi asks.
"A huge armada from the Kou Empire came in order to take advantage of the rebellion and take control over Balbadd." Ja'far explains.
"What!" Morgiana says.
"Aladdin, Morgiana, Vulpi, I want you to go to Sindria with Alibaba." Sinbad tells them.
"What about you?" Vulpi asks.
"I will go to Kou Empire. I would use my position as the head of the Seven Seas Alliance and take responsibility for the negotiations for Balbadd's future."
"But–!"
"Let's go, Vulpi-nee, Mor-san." Aladdin says. "Uncle Sinbad said that it's for Alibaba-kun's and Balbadd's sake."
"…I understand." Vulpi says.
~A few days later~
Alibaba wakes up in the cabin and goes outside to see an island.
"That's not Balbadd." Alibaba says.
"That's Sindria." Ja'far says and Alibaba turns around to see Masrur, Ja'far, Alibaba, Morgiana, and Vulpi. "We gave you medicine to keep you asleep for the duration of the voyage. As per Sin's instructions, of course. King Sinbad is currently headed to Kou Empire. He said he would use his position as the head of the Seven Seas Alliance and take responsibility for the negotiations."
"What rights does he have to do that?" Alibaba questions.
"None whatsoever. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't have a duty to save both you and Balbadd."
Alibaba doesn't say anything as his legs collapses.
"Dammit… Dammit!" Alibaba curses as he bangs his fists to the floor.
"Alibaba-san…" Morgiana mutters and Alibaba touches his flute as Vulpi looks at him.
~Several months later~
Aladdin, Vulpi, and Alibaba are in Sindria Castle as Morgiana is in the forest with Masrur for training. Just then they hear gongs ringing throughout the island, signing that Sinbad has returned. Later Ja'far picks them up, telling that Sinbad want to talk to them about Balbadd.
"I'll start with the conclusion. The Kou Empire will place Balbadd under its rule, but they will recognize Balbadd's rights as a republic." Sinbad says.
"Then…" Alibaba begins.
"Yes. The rights of Balbadd's people are guaranteed. They will not forced into slavery. However, Balbadd's extraterritorial rights, right to set tariffs, etcetera, will not be dealt with so leniently. I did all I could as the King of the Seven Seas. That I promise you."
"…Thank you very much." Alibaba says.
"Oh? I get to hear a thank you?"
"I gave the matter a lot of thought while you were gone. But I could never come up with a plan better than what you did. Therefore, I thank you."
"So, what did you plan to do now, Alibaba-kun?"
"I think it would be great if I could quietly support Balbadd from the outside."
"Quietly, huh. Unfortunately, that might prove rather difficult. The Organization has their eyes on you."
"The Organization?" Alibaba asks.
"Yeah. I believe I told you about the abnormalities of the world once before. Wars occur more frequently, and poverty and discrimination are getting worse. Those things are not all happening purely by coincidence. They've been contrived to happen by a certain organization. We call them Al-Thamen, but they do not take on a single mane for themselves."
"Al-Thamen…" Aladdin trails off.
"Then what happened in Balbadd…" Alibaba begins.
"Yes. The man who threw Balbadd's economic into chaos, the man who controlled the black djinn, and the ones who pull Judar's strings are all part of Al-Thamen."
"Then what happened to my village…" Vulpi thought.
"And they have members all around the world doing the same things as we speak. We have been fighting Al-Thamen since before I established Sindria. Alibaba-kun, if there is anger within you, please lend it to us. We could use your power in the fight against Al-Thamen. If you agree, we'll help you attain the power you need to fight."
"What do you mean?" Alibaba asks.
"I think you're aware, but both your Djinn Equip and Aladdin's magic are still incomplete. Also, Vulpi only can summon Spirits.
"Yeah." Aladdin and Alibaba says as they and Vulpi nod.
"There's a powerful magician and a skilled swordsman here in this palace. I was thinking of asking them to be your teachers."
"There's a magician here?" Aladdin asks.
"Yes, an excellent water mage. It's a bit strange to have a mage teach a Magi, as Magi stand at the apex of all magic users, But I think she will be able to teach you what you wish to learn."
Just then, the doors suddenly open as a soldier comes in.
"My king! A southern sea creature has been sighted off the eastern shore."
"Perfect. I will show you the power of those I would have you call teacher. Then it's up to you guys. Think hard and make your own choices. Assemble the Eight Generals!"
~A little later~
Aladdin, Alibaba, and Vulpi are standing outside with Morgiana as they see a sea serpent shooting water from its mouth.
"Wh-what is that thing?"
"Yeah!"
"It's been a while!"
"I hope they'll start soon."
"The hunt's about to start!"
"Hunt?" Alibaba says and they hear sounds of gongs as they see flags coming out on the cliff.
"They're here!"
Sinbad along with eight people comes out as the Sindria citizens begins to get excited.
"It's our king!"
"And his Eight Generals!"
"Yamaraiha! Sharrkan! I'll leave today's prey to you!" Sinbad orders.
"As you wish, my King!" The two-named people, Yamaraiha and Sharrkan replies.
"I won't lose." Sharrkan tells Yamaraiha.
"I wonder about that." Yamaraiha says as she flies off with her stick and the sea serpant shoots water at her. "No good." She then creates a barrier around her as the water wraps around the barrier. Then she lifts her fingers as the water turns into streams and shoot towards the serpent, tying around its body as the serpent flails around. As Yamaraiha about to finish it, Sharrkan jumps on her stick and leaps upward.
"Here we go! Household Vessel: Foraz Saiqa!" Sharrkan exclaims and his sword starts to glow. He then cuts the serpent's head off and lands on the ground before turning around. "Next up, opening the stomach! Removing the innards! Deboning the creature!" He shouts as he gets the parts out and he then slices around the body, causing it to be cut and falls. Then the citizens quickly bring a huge cloth as the meat from the serpent falls onto it as the bones, head, tail, and the innards to in the middle of the circle. "Disassembly complete!"
"He plated it?!" Alibaba shouts in surprise as Sharrkan sheathes his sword.
"Share it nicely now!" Sharrkan shouts and the citizens cheer as Yamaraiha floats down and gets off her staff.
"And there you have it. She'll be your magic instructor. Aladdin, Vulpi." Sinbad says and Aladdin begins to have a smug look on his face.
"My name is Yamaraiha. I'm not sure if someone like me will be able to assist you, but please feel free to asks me anything!" She says and Aladdin walks to her and leap towards her chest.
"Oh miss!" Aladdin says as he fondles them.
"N-n-no sto–!" She exclaims and the orb on her staff glows red as heat magic surround her causing Aladdin to get overheated. "Cut it out, pipsqueak!"
Aladdin rolls away back to Alibaba as he rolls back and forth to get rid of the heat.
"A-are you okay– Hot!" Alibaba exclaims.
'It's not that bad. It's just some steam." Yamaraiha says
"Eh?"
"I'm completely soaked." Aladdin says.
"I was so nervous about meeting a Magi, but look at you, you're just a perverted kid! If you do that again, I'll make all the liquid in your body turn to steam."
"I'm sorry for Aladdin's behavior!" Vulpi apologizes as she bows repeatedly.
"Miss, you're not as nice as you look, are you?" Aladdin asks and Vulpi grabs his head.
"You too, Aladdin!" Vulpi says as he pushes his head down in a bow.
"Give it up, give it up!" Sharrkan says as he walks to them. "That woman's a weakling, but she likes to act tough. Even among magicians, she's one of the trickiest!"
"What did you say?" Yamaraiha says and both of them glares at each other.
"This here is Sharrkan. He'll teach you the sword, Alibaba-kun." Sinbad says and Sharrkan looks at Alibaba as Alibaba stands up in front of him.
"So you wanna learn the art of the sword?" Sharrkan asks.
"Yes!" Alibaba answers.
"Since you know how great the sword is, I can tell you have a great future ahead of you. Uh, whatchamababa-kun?"
"It's Alibaba." He corrects Sharrkan.
"Right, Alibaba-kun."
"If you keep talking to him, you'll catch his swordsman's stupidity." Yamaraiha says and Sharrkan turns towards her.
"What did you say?"
"Wanna fight?"
Then both of their auras' rises as they glare at each other.
"Please save your competition for next time, both of you. Tonight's a Maharagan!"
~Night~
"Thanks be to King Sinbad and the blessing of the Southern Seas!"
"Cheers!"
"So this is a Maharagan!" Alibaba says.
"It's such a grand festival." Aladdin says.
"Yeah!" Vulpi agrees.
"Supposedly southern sea creatures once brought nothing but trouble, but by turning their hand into a show and entertaining the people, they're no considered a tourist must-see! He's amazing, to have turned this distant island out on the seas into such an amazing country in just one generation."
"Yeah, festivals are great, aren't they? The girls dressed up all specially!" Aladdin says and a girl approaches Alibaba and gives a flower necklace to him.
"T-thank you." Alibaba says as the girl puts it around Alibaba's neck. "Oh right, Aladdin, Vulpi! Where's Morgiana?"
"I don't know…"
"I haven't seen her at all." Vulpi replies.
Then the girl pulls Alibaba's arm, getting his attention.
"What are you saying, Alibaba-san?" The girl asks as she takes off the mask revealing Morgiana. "I've been in front of you this whole time."
"Wow Mor-san, you look great!" Aladdin complements.
"Yeah! You look really pretty." Vulpi adds.
"Really?" Morgiana asks.
"Y-yeah! You look great! You're so gorgeous, I couldn't tell it was you!" Alibaba says and Morgiana turns around to hide her blushing.
"Hey you guys, let's go eat!" Aladdin says.
"You're right, Aladdin." Vulpi says and they start to go to where Sinbad is. Once they reach there, they see some of the women surround Sinbad as he laughs.
"There you are, Alibaba-kun! I've been waiting for you guys. I wanted to introduce the Eight Generals to you." Sinbad says and he dismisses the women and calls for his Eight Generals. "You already know Ja'far. He usually attends to matter of state, but he's also a master of a rather special type of assassination, and could be a practice partner for you in your training."
"If you wish." Ja'far says.
"Masrur wield a large sword, but he's not the best for teaching swordsmanship. He's been a swordsman since he was young age but he's sort of abandoned that now so his skills are rusty."
"I apologize." Masrur says.
"Dad, can I drink alcohol?"
"No. Did you call, master?" The four of them turns around and sees a giant man looking down on them.
"That's Himahoho, one of the Imachak warriors of the unexplored lands by the North Pole. His body might look abnormally large, but all of his people actually look like that. Don't worry."
"Nice to meet you." Hinahoho greets as he pets Alibaba's head.
"This is Drakon. He was once a soldier of Partevia's armies. He looks like a dragon now, but he was once an ordinary human. He's an honorable man. He also has a beautiful wife."
As Sinbad explains Aladdin approaches Drakon's wife before Alibaba pulls Aladdin's braided hair.
"Another man wife is off-limits!" Alibaba tells him.
"What? Got a problem with that?" Yamaraiha questions.
"Your head is big enough already! The hat on top is just overkill! It's an eyesore!" Sharrkan says.
"The woman is Yamaraiha of Magnostadt. The man is Sharrkan of Heliohapt."
"You two always at like a married couple!" A little girl says.
"That's Pisti, also of Partevia."
"Hi!" Pisti greets.
"And finally, that's Spartos of Sasan."
The armored man, Spartos bows and the four also bows at him.
"They are all either members of a royal families of my allied countries that I had to give refuge to, or people who cannot remain in their county for one reason or another. They're similar to you in that sense, Alibaba-kun. I have one more thing I must tell you. During the negotiations with the Kou Empire, I undertook one of their requests. Specifically, one of their princes is coming to study in Sindria. It's a complicated situation, so please observe him first."
"Yes." Alibaba replies.
"Oh, King Sin, did you also manage to settle matters with Princess Kougyoku?" Ja'far asks.
"Whatever could you be talking about?" Sinbad asks.
"Hah?"
"The Ditz of the Seven Seas." Masrur says.
"No way… You didn't make a move on her, did you?"
"I went there for diplomatic reasons! Of course, I didn't make a move on her."
"You still have no desire to take a wife, my King?" Drakon asks.
"You should, Sinbad. Kids are great! You should have a lot!" Hinahoho says.
"What are you guys talking about? Even without kids, I already have a huge family. All of my people are my family." Sinbad says and walks towards the edge and raises his cup, causing the citizens to cheer.
"May King Sinbad and Sindria be blessed!"
"Cheers!"
"It's strange. This is such a small island…" Morgiana trails off.
"But it's such a big country!" Aladdin says.
"You're right." Alibaba agrees.
"Yeah." Vulpi says.
~A little later~
The four of them are watching the dancers dance on the stage and then Alibaba grabs his arm.
"Is something the matter?" Morgiana asks catching Aladdin's, Vulpi's, and Alibaba's attentions.
"Nope. But there was something I've been wondering about." Alibaba says.
"Yes?"
"You've sort of had to come with us all this way. You don't mind staying with us? I think you can sail to the Dark Continent from here."
"You can."
"Then why aren't you?"
"I've also heard a bit about Al-Thamen. I have not forgotten my debts to the three of you. But now, in addition to that, I also want to fight for the people who are being oppressed. I want to fight alongside the two of you." Morgiana says and then kneels in front of the three. "Please, allow ne to accompany you."
"No, please… that…"
"…No?"
"That's what you really want to do now, right Mor-san?" Aladdin asks.
"Yes."
"Then do it! Don't worry about getting permission! You're free to do as you choose!"
Alibaba and Morgiana looks at Aladdin as Vulpi smiles.
"That's right! No need to hold yourself back!" Vulpi says.
"Just do what you want to do! Keep following your path." Alibaba says.
Morgiana widens her eyes slightly and stands up.
"They're allowed me to… No, they've said I can do as I wish, without needing their permission. That means I'm free to use this power alongside them." Morgiana thought and looks at her hands before closing them. "For as long as I would like! What is this feeling? What should I do?"
"I feel much better knowing that Mor-san is going to be with us!" Aladdin says.
"Yeah, it's like having the power of a hundred people on our side! Alibaba agrees.
"Alibaba-san, that's kind of rude if you said that in front of Morgiana." Vulpi tells him.
"That's the way, girlie!"
Aladdin, Vulpi, and Alibaba turn their heads to the stage and sees Morgiana dancing beautifully as the three walks closer to the stage.
"I wonder what that dance is called." Aladdin says.
"Dunno, but… You look beautiful, Morgiana!" Alibaba shouts and turns to Aladdin and Vulpi. "Hey, Aladdin, Vulpi. I never want what happened to Kassim to happen to anyone else ever again. I want to fight to prevent that from happening again!"
"Do you?" Aladdin asks.
"Yeah."
"I understand. I'll fight Al-Thamen with you."
"Don't forget about me, you two. I'll also fight Al-Thamen." Vulpi says and fireworks fly up as they spread out.
~The next day~
Sinbad is in his room as he grabs a cylinder glass case from the shelf and Vulpi come into the room.
"Did you call me, Sinbad-san?" Vulpi asks.
"Yeah. Did you remember the item I told you about?" Sinbad asks.
"Yes."
Sinbad walks towards her and gives Vulpi the cylinder before she looks at the case and widens her eyes.
"Sinbad-san, this is…!"
"That's right. Your father gave this to me in order to give it to you." Sinbad says and Vulpi looks back at the case as a big blue egg inside the container as it sits on the pillow-like blanket.