The Romance Fantasy Novel MC is Only Into Me

Beautiful scenery, lively islands and sea cities, delicious seafood all year round, a geopolitical location far removed from the continental wars except for a few pirates causing trouble, and so on.

There were many reasons why Ransell deliberately chose the archipelago for his vacations, even though it meant traveling a long way.
Now that he thought about it, perhaps it was because this was the only land his sister hadn’t touched.
Yes.

A map untouched by the game director’s hand.
How could such a thing exist?
‘Aren’t these all free assets? Should we just take them and use them?’

‘Surely that’s better than whatever my sister made?’
‘Everything looks good—can we put it all in? The more, the better.’
‘……Maybe not?’

‘Don’t you know the saying “More is better”?’
‘……?’
It was a map packed with every sea background asset available.
“A supposedly quiet island, but what are all those ships?”

“Well, there could be quiet islands with lots of ships, right?”
“Over there, people are riding whales.”
“Cool! Fantasy!”

“That’s obviously paragliding.”
“Is it not allowed?”
“This city isn’t on land but floats on the sea?”

“Wow! Fantasy!”
Looking back, that chaotic combination of free assets formed the peculiar characteristics of this extraordinary environment.
Seventeen islands and cities scattered across the sea, countless merchant and fishing ships passing through, making it always vibrant. In the game, it was mainly used as a ‘summer vacation’ spot.

“Have we met somewhere before?”
“No. First time.”
“Hmm.”

For some reason, Marigold was there, wearing navy insignia, gazing quietly at Ransell.
=============
— Imperial Year 816, July 21. Weather: Very clear.
— Event triggered! ‘Found a Knight.’
※ Found the knight ‘Ransell Dante’ drifting on shipwreck debris. You found a noble! This is a tremendous feat! Morality, dignity, charm UP!!

“I heard about a ship running aground nearby, but you were the only one rescued. You almost died. You’re lucky to have met me.”
“I was already unlucky on the stranded ship……”
“You can’t be that pessimistic. Surviving is always good. Always think positively. That’s my advice as a Navy member in my 4th year.”
“Fourth year?”

Really?
“You have more experience than you look.”
“Heh.”

Marigold, now fifteen, was already in her fourth year in the navy? That meant she chose the naval path at the tender age of eleven.
Considering she had been a count’s daughter just a year ago, this was an incredibly fast progression.
She had shaken off the sensibilities of a noble lady in just one year and chosen a harsh profession.

“You joined early. You still look young.”
“…Actually, when I first arrived on the island with nothing, I realized there wasn’t much for me to do. But I heard there was no age limit in the navy, so I joined right away.”
“I see.”

At first, new navy recruits were only given tasks like cleaning the deck, scraping barnacles, and raising whales.
Because these simple but labor-intensive jobs needed many hands, even children were accepted as long as they didn’t get in the way. They’d have gladly taken a cat’s help if they could.
“I’ll take you down to the island where our headquarters is. You can meet the guard leader there and discuss with him.”

Marigold’s rank, indicated by her insignia, was Private First Class. She had just moved beyond miscellaneous tasks and stepped into practical duty as a navy member.
Her face showed a peculiar confidence, as if she’d recently been promoted.
“…But I might be late returning, so hold on tight. If I get scolded this time, it’s deck cleaning for a week with no exceptions…”

“Do you get scolded often?”
“Th-That’s not true.”
Marigold averted her gaze, sweating nervously.
“Be careful not to fall. Ruby is really fast.”

“Ruby?”
“Yes.”
Raising the reins, Marigold called out.

“Ruby!”
A whale poked its head out of the water. Its body was connected to the small patrol boat that Ransell and Marigold were aboard.
Though it looked unusual, it was basically a kind of carriage. Where horses would be used on land, here whales took their place.

“We need to go a little fast, so hurry up.”
—Screech!
Ruby the whale emitted a high-pitched sound from its mouth and sprayed water from its back.

Swoosh—!
It tore through the calm sea like a torpedo.
“Let’s go!”

Only then did the surrounding scenery come into Ransell’s view: the vast sea, the deep blue sky, giant clouds visible far off the horizon, and Marigold… Marigold?
‘Why is Marigold really here?’
Why had she come to the archipelago?

Ransell’s question was quickly forgotten as the first island of the archipelago appeared in the distance.
 
“Why are you so late!”
“I- I’m sorry! I was rescuing a castaway……”

“Oh really? I already heard reports that you ran off during patrol and were taking a nap!”
“Eek! Sorry! Guard Leader! I didn’t think I’d get caught!”
“You didn’t think you’d get caught?”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to say that……”
“Deck cleaning for a week. That’s all!”
“Y-Yes……”

Marigold’s face drooped, sulking.
“Now that a junior has come in, no slacking off. Tsk tsk.”
The guard leader clicked his tongue briefly, then approached Ransell.

He handed back to him the badge proving he was a member of the Dante family.
“My apologies for doubting you, Sir Ransell. When a land-dweller soaked in seawater claims to be a noble, it’s hard to believe. Please understand.”
“Don’t worry about it. I wouldn’t believe myself if I saw me in this state.”

“Thank you for understanding. But what brings someone from the mainland all the way here?”
“Does a trip always need a reason?”
“A trip… do you have a guard with you?”

His worried gaze was genuine. Ransell really looked like a pauper, wearing torn and tattered clothes with no trace of nobility.
“You must have enough money… hmm?”
Only then did Ransell realize his pockets were empty.

‘Damn.’
Nothing.
He had come with a generous 19 gold coins last time.

But after the shipwreck, he lost everything. He didn’t even have money for lodging tonight.
Nor even the fare to return to the mainland. He was trapped on the island penniless.
‘No choice.’

He didn’t want to use this method.
Ransell looked at the guard leader.
“I want to meet Baron Coral, the Navy Guard Commander. Will you pass the message?”

“…Please wait a moment. Merry, assist Sir Ransell well. He’s a noble, so don’t treat him roughly.”
“Yes, s-sir!”
“Voice.”

“Yessir!”
Marigold was a complete bundle of nerves.
“Sorry for not recognizing you, noble sir……”

Marigold, thoroughly deflated, handed him a water flask.
“Here, at least have a sip……”
“Is this water?”

“A fruit drink… {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} but! Please keep it a secret! I get scolded if I carry anything other than water.”
“….”
No wonder it smelled sweet.

Ransell immediately poured the contents into his mouth. He was already thirsty and hungry from drifting for a long time.
Gulp gulp.
“Ah, ah, if you leave just one sip…… ahhhhh.”

Gulp.
“Whee!”
Marigold watched in frustration as the fruit drink disappeared down Ransell’s throat.

“Good drink.”
“…I’m glad you liked it……”
A twitch passed over her smile. He could see tears welling up.

The navy paid poorly despite providing food, drink, and lodging.
Marigold had likely picked fruit around here and lovingly made that rare treat.
‘Come to think of it, Marigold is, for now, my lifesaver. She saved me when I was stranded.’

Hmm.
“Uuuh.”
Marigold’s sad eyes stared at the empty flask.

Had he been too stingy?
He’d pay her back later, anyway.
“Sir Ransell, the captain is calling for you.”

.
.
.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Pleasure. Call me Baron Coral.”

A middle-aged man in a navy cap shook his hand.
Muscular and burly, constantly fiddling with his sharply pointed mustache, he was Navy Guard Commander Baron Coral.
‘Here I go finding this guy again. My vacation’s screwed from the start.’

In times of indulgence, emergencies inevitably arose.
Like losing everything gambling, leaving lodging money behind and getting robbed, or simply being penniless because of wasteful spending.
Whenever that happened, Ransell sought Baron Coral. Not as easy as borrowing money from Baron Evil Shen, but—

“I heard you’re in trouble because you have no money. A noble kid can’t be without money! That ruins your dignity! That just can’t happen.”
“……”
“I’ll handle any difficulties you have here for a while. A big room, food, clothes, even servants. So—”

Baron Coral rummaged and pulled something out.
“Here, take this.”
Along with a gold coin, there was a familiar item. This was the third time Ransell had received it.

‘Damn, again!’
A navy officer’s seal made of gold.
More precisely, a ‘Senior Officer’s Seal.’ Among the five ranks, it represented the third.

Knights who joined the navy started at this rank.
In other words—
“Lately, the archipelago is swarming nonstop with ships, merchants, mercenaries, and pirates. We work all night, yet there’s no end to it.”

“Yes, sir.”
“But knights only want to live on land and have no interest in the navy. How can things improve like this?”
“I appreciate your hard work and sympathize, but why tell me this?”

“Think about it! The empire’s seas have become lawless zones. Can the empire be safe if we only defend the land?”
The land was important.
The initial wars were fought on land.

True naval battles had happened only once or twice in the dozens of loops Ransell remembered.
But Baron Coral, ignorant of that, thumped his chest, lamenting.
“How can this be acceptable! As a member of the Dante family, who harbors chivalry deep inside, think about it! We cannot just stand by and watch this!”

He quickly wiped the saliva flying like rain with his handkerchief.
“…Personally, I find it regrettable, but I’m more suited for land…”
“Thank you.”

“Huh?”
“Thanks for understanding. Now, take this!”
Baron Coral practically forced a gold coin and the officer’s seal into Ransell’s hand. He even shook his hand firmly, as if making sure Ransell wouldn’t put them down again. The man was determined never to let a knight who’d come on his own feet go free.

“Sir Ransell, congratulations on your enlistment!”
The guard commander’s tanned skin bulged with muscle.
Any ordinary person would be overwhelmed by his presence.

“…Baron Coral, I’m just here for travel—”
“Congratulations on your enlistment!”
“…Travel…”

“Congratulations!”
That day, Ransell became a temporary officer.
Normally, he would have refused somehow. He might even have run away.

In the past, he would have pretended to accept the officer role but found a way to escape quickly.
A navy officer was far from a suitable role for someone on vacation.
But this time, the reason he accepted was—

“Mary! Where have you been?”
“Yes, Sergeant! I was just picking clams!”
“Did you think being honest would get you away with neglecting duty? Get here now! Aren’t you going to clean?”

“I-I’m coming now!”
For some reason, it was because Marigold had become a navy member in the archipelago.
‘Right. I’ll just loaf around enough to get these 10 years for free.’

Especially since she was here.
That was how lightly Ransell thought about it.