Sea of Golden Sand: Chapter 1
On the planet Philos far, far in the very distant future, there is a noble princess. She has a god-given pure and flawless heart, which guarantees the planet Philos will continue to exist for ten thousand generations, and its people will live forever and never age. All the glory of the planet comes from the princess’s heart. This heart has brought her immeasurable respect and admiration, and everyone wishes their princess eternal peace and health.
To protect this heart, the princess also paid a small price, which is that she cannot even take half a step out of the palace where she resides. The planet Philos described in books has rushing rivers and broad, deep oceans, but the furthest place she has been is the little garden behind the palace.
So, the princess’s greatest wish is to be able to leave the palace, to see the world outside with her own eyes…
—<<Deepspace Legends - Sea of Golden Sand (Prologue)>>
MC: Thanks to this maid uniform of Natasha’s, I’m disguised like this, and definitely won’t attract attention from anyone.
Not long after the little boat pushes off, from behind comes the footsteps of a troop of guards.
Guard: On the water, over there—
MC: It can’t be, I’ve been discovered this quickly!
Several small arrows with strings attached are shot towards her, a few of them deeply embedded into the aft of the boat, guiding the little boat and pulling it towards the shore.
The boat shakes to the left and to the right. The more I panic, the more unsteady my feet become, and with a splash, I fall into the lake.
MC: … Oh no!
Seaweed tangles around my ankles, pulling me towards the depths of the lake. It looks like I’m about to be buried at the bottom of the lake, but a burst of power suddenly embraces me.
My continuously sinking body steadies. Under the influence of that burst of power, the currents around me become gentle. A voice clearly sounds from beside me—
??: Go dismiss them, don’t tell them there’s anyone else here.
??: Nod if you understand.
The feeling of choking on water is horrid. I quickly nod my head desperately, and then my body lightens and is lifted up onto the surface of the water.
MC: How dangerous, cough cough… I almost died…
Guard: Is that Natasha? What are you doing in the lake this late at night?
MC: That… while rowing during the day, lost her bracelet. I came to help her search for it.
Guard: Searching for it in such deep water? The princess intentionally sent you away as a distraction, and must be taking the opportunity to escape again.
Guard: All right, hurry up and return to watch her, make sure she doesn’t run around. Lately, there have been infiltrators sneaking into the royal city again. Outside, there have already been nobles who’ve come to harm.
After the guards leave, I drag myself back on shore.
Another person also surfaces from the water, comes on land, and walks towards me.
MC: Are you the person who saved me just now? Thank you. However, how did you come to appear underwater?
He just gives me an indifferent glance and then seats himself, lowers his head, and tears off the clothing on his left shoulder.
On his shoulder is a wound currently bleeding freely.
MC: This is… because of the arrows earlier?
??: Don’t touch.
MC: It’s lost so much blood and been soaked in water; it’ll definitely get infected.
??: If you really want to help, then don’t tell anyone you saw me tonight.
MC: It’s lost so much blood and been soaked in water; it’ll definitely get infected.
??: If you really want to help, then don’t tell anyone you saw me tonight.
After he uses the torn-off clothing to roughly bandage his wound, he then stands to leave.
MC: Wait!
My 99th escape attempt has also failed. I’m really quite dissatisfied.
MC: I can help you keep it secret, but you also have to help me do something.
He stops walking.
??: And if I don’t agree?
MC: The guards haven’t gone far. If I give a shout, they’ll definitely come back.
??: I’m afraid before that, you already wouldn’t even have a chance to open your mouth.
MC: No, no! I’m not thinking of threatening you!
That person finally turns around. His gaze is indifferent, as if he wants to see what kind of request I can put forth.
MC: My meaning is, since you can sneak into the palace, you must have a way out?
I stand on tiptoe and get close to his ear, whispering.
MC: Could you please also take me with you.
Many, many years have passed on the humble planet of Philos. And on this land lives a noble princess. Her heart, pure and flawless, is blessed by the gods. It protects Philos forevermore, granting immortality to its denizens. The source of Philos’ glory is the Princess’s heart, and it earned her endless love and respect. Everyone wishes the best for Her Highness.
To protect her heart, the Princess made a small sacrifice. She can never leave her palace. Books describe Philos with winding rivers and seas, yet to the Princess, “outside” is a small garden.
The Princess’s dearest wish is to leave the palace and see the world with her own eyes…
—Legends From Deepspace: Sea of Golden Sands Prologue
MC: With Miss Natasha’s maid uniform, no one will recognize me.
MC: My ninety-ninth escape attempt. Good luck, me!
Not long after the boat set sail, a group of guards rushes in from behind.
Guard: The water. Over there!
MC: I can’t believe it. They found me already!
Arrows with several strings attached to their shafts fly. Several pierce the boat and drag it to land.
The boat tosses and turns. I lose my balance and fall into the lake with a splash.
MC: …No!
Seaweed wraps around my ankles, pulling me into the depths of the lake. Yet despite being consumed by impending dread, power soon surges forth. It embraces me.
My sinking body relaxes. With strength around me, the water is almost comforting. A voice, firm and clear, speaks to me.
??: Order them to leave. Say nothing of there being another person.
??: Nod if you understand.
Drowning is a terrible thing. I nod, and my body rises to the surface.
MC: That was close… Cough, cough… I almost died…
Guard: Miss Natasha? What brings you to the lake at this hour?
MC: Ah… Her Highness lost her bracelet this morning. I’m retrieving it.
Guard: The water is very deep. Her Highness must be using this as a distraction.
Guard: Check on Her Highness and ensure the doors are locked. The enemy has infiltrated the city. Nobles have already been killed.
After the guards leave, I drag myself to land.
Someone else surfaces from the water and approaches.
MC: Are you my savior? Thank you. Yet why were you underwater?
He glances at me, then sits down. He lowers his head and tears a piece of his shirt from his left shoulder.
The wound on his shoulder is still bleeding.
MC: Is… it because of the arrows earlier?
??: Do not touch me.
MC: You’ve lost a lot of blood and were in the water. It’ll get infected.
??: If you’re begging for aid, keep our meeting a secret.
He uses the torn cloth to bandage his wound. He stands up to leave.
MC: Wait!
It’s upsetting my ninety-ninth escape attempt failed.
MC: I’ll keep my mouth shut, but you should help me.
He stops in his tracks.
??: And if I refuse?
MC: I just need to scream for the guards. They’ll come running.
??: You won’t even be able to utter a sound.
MC: I’m not trying to threaten you!
He turns around. His face is expressionless, as if waiting for my request.
MC: What I mean to say… Since you entered the palace, you must know of an escape route!
I lean in close and whisper into his ear.
MC: Won’t you take me with you?
在距离今天很久很久以后的菲罗斯星上，有一位尊贵的公主，她拥有一颗神明赐予的纯粹无瑕的心，保佑着菲罗斯星万世长存，人们永生不老。星球所有的荣光都是来自于公主的心，这颗心为她带来了数不清的尊敬与爱重，所有人都祝福他们的公主永远平安健康。
为了保护这颗心，公主也付出了一点小小的代价，那就是不能离开居住的宫殿半步。书里描绘的菲罗斯星有奔腾的河流和宽广深邃的大海，可她去过的最远的地方就只是宫殿后的小花园
所以，公主最大的心愿就是能离开王宫，去亲眼看看外面的世界……
——《深空传说·金沙之海(序)》
玩家：多亏有娜莎的这套侍女服，都伪装成这样了，一定不会引人注意的。
玩家：第99次出逃计划，祝我成功!
小船划出去没多久，背后就传来一队侍卫的脚步声。
侍卫：水面上，在那里——
玩家：不是吧，这么快就被发现了!
数支系着绳索的小箭射来，有几支深深扎进船尾，引着小船往岸边拖去。
船身左右晃荡，我越着急脚下就越不稳，扑通一声跌进了湖里。
玩家：……不好!
水藻缠住我的脚踝，将我朝湖水深处扯去。眼看就要葬身湖底，一股力量突然将我拥住。
不断下沉的身体稳了下来，在那股力量的包围下，周身的水流变得温和，一个声音从身旁清晰地传来——
??：去把他们支开，不要说这里还有别人。
??：听懂了就点头。
呛水的感觉实在要命，我赶紧拼命点头，然后身体一轻被托上了水面。
玩家：好险，咳咳……差一点就死了……
侍卫：是娜莎吗?这么晚了你在湖里干嘛?
玩家：那个……白天划船时公主殿下的手镯丢了，我来帮她找。
侍卫：在这么深的水里找?公主是故意把你支开，又想趁机逃走吧。
侍卫：好了，快点回去看着她，让她别再乱跑，最近又有潜行者混进王城，外面已经有贵族遇害了。
侍卫们离开后，我狼狈地爬上岸。
有另一个人也从水下浮出，上岸向我走来。
玩家：刚才救我的人就是你吗?谢谢。不过，你怎么会出现在水下呢?
他只是淡淡看了我一眼就自顾自坐下，低下头，撕开自己左肩处的衣服。
肩胛处有一道伤口，正有鲜血涌出。
玩家：这是……因为刚才的箭?
??：别碰。
玩家：流了这么多血，又泡了水，一定会感染的。
??：真想帮忙，就不要对任何人说今晚见过我。
他用撕下来的衣服把伤口草草包好后，便起身离开。
玩家：等等!
第99次出逃也失败了，我实在心有不甘。
玩家：我可以帮你保守秘密，但你也要帮我做一件事。
他停下脚步。
??：如果我不答应呢?
玩家：侍卫们还没走远，我要是喊一声，他们一定会回来的。
??：恐怕在那之前，你已经没机会开口了。
玩家：不不！我不是想威胁你!
那人终于转回身，眼神淡淡的，仿佛想看我能提出怎样的要求。
玩家：我的意思是，既然你能混进王宫，就一定有出去的法子吧?
我垫脚凑到他耳边，压低声音。
玩家：能不能，顺路带上我一起。
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