Pirate Warnings and the Princess Gambit
“But because you lot were running wild, I had to deal with this crap. Wouldn't that piss you off? Or would it not?”
“O-Of course it would piss you off, sir.”
“There aren't even any ships passing through here anyway, so did you really have to pull this stunt and bother me?”
“N-No, sir!”
Was it the glimmer of survival?
The man shook his head vigorously, nodding along with Eden's words.
“If you're gonna pirate, do it past Hasmon Castle where I can't see you. Got it? Spread the word to your organization too.”
“I'll make damn sure no one pirates around here.”
“You'd better. There are plenty of people who'd love to hear the Molrang Pirates remnants are still kicking around.”
“Eek!”
The man shuddered at Eden's threat.
“You'll catch a cold like that. Get up here.”
“Th-Thank you, sir!”
The man clambered aboard the fishing boat, gripping the side with both hands. He was visibly terrified.
“So... can I head back now?”
“Take your dead with you. Whether you use them as fish food is up to you.”
“Y-Yes, sir! Give me just a moment—I'll handle it right away.”
With that, the man dumped all the bodies of his comrades who'd died in the fight with Eden into the sea.
'I figured he'd at least take them. What a mess.'
Pirates lived up to their reputation.
“All done?”
“Yes, thank you for your consideration.”
“If you know that, then do it right. Not just me—this guy hates hassle too. Right, Lieutenant?”
Eden suddenly turned to me.
'Lieutenant? What's this new setup?'
Working with him was always a pain.
“That's right. Why the hell do I have to go through all this trouble disguising as a fisherman?”
My acting skills, honed to perfection for surviving Sadis, were flawless. Fooling a mere pirate was child's play.
“We'll make sure this never happens again.”
“Like I said, if you're pirating, go past Hasmon Castle. No navy patrols there right now, so it should be pretty lucrative.”
“R-Really?”
“Why would I lie to you? I've even given you intel, so let's never cross paths again.”
“Understood! Thank you so much!”
The man's eyes sparkled brighter than ever.
'And he thinks he'll quit pirating for life like that?'
I'd bet my life he'd pirate until his dying breath, hooked on the thrill of plunder.
“Get lost. I need to head back for a beer soon.”
“Yes, sir! Thank you for always protecting the seas!”
After thanking us for beating the crap out of his crew, he hopped onto his fishing boat and sailed off leisurely.
“What a nauseating encounter. Captain.”
As soon as they were out of sight, Eden revealed his true feelings.
“Agreed. But why let him go alive?”
I had a rough idea of his plan.
'Shift their turf to draw the navy's eyes away from here.'
Easy to guess if you knew the landing operation plans.
“You know why, right?”
“Yeah, to divert attention. But with the Imperial Navy's numbers, I'm not sure this'll cut it.”
It was like those goblins in the Gork Mountains.
'They're not goblins—do they really think a side incident will empty the watchtowers?'
Unless it was a massive bloodbath, no way.
But Eden's thinking was different.
“Normally, yeah. But reports say the enemy navy's not in great shape right now.”
“Really?”
The Aditz Empire's navy, called the strongest, having issues? Hard to buy.
“Word is a bunch of their Eltros are tied up at the Osiris Kingdom.”
“Some defect?”
What else would strand them there?
“An Eltro that's been around over twenty years? No defects. It's just posturing.”
“Huh? Why posture against them?”
They were eternal allies, weren't they?
'One of the Emperor's wives is even from Osiris—they're that tight.'
Hard to believe they'd be flexing on each other.
“Marital spat or something?”
“Your mind really...”
Eden shook his head at me.
'He doesn't know how dangerous couple fights can be.'
They could end the world, not just wars.
“So what's the reason?”
“The magic artifacts you wrecked so spectacularly. Osiris knows monsters come from the sea, right?”
“Basic knowledge.”
If dragons lived in the Gork Mountains, krakens ruled the deeps.
'The scary part? Plenty of kraken sightings.'
What a terrifying world.
“Imagine how threatening a monster-control artifact feels to them. Drop it in the ocean, and it's gone forever.”
“Uh...?”
'Shit, yeah—lose it at sea, and it's game over.'
Sure, deep water might neutralize it, but they'd find a way.
“The king's furious, apparently. Demanded something, but Aditz refused.”
“No kidding.”
“So Osiris tied up all their Eltros needing repairs and checks. Get it?”
His explanation was so thorough, no way I couldn't.
'He's being unusually nice today.'
Someone might think it was my birthday.
“Yeah, that could work to divert eyes.”
“Exactly. Label them Molrang remnants, and rumors alone will scare the locals. They were infamous back in the day.”
“Never thought that far. Impressive, sir.”
This one genuinely surprised me.
'The guy's exceptional.'
Depth and speed of thought—AI levels.
“Gotta know this much to survive in Intelligence.”
“I'm not up to it, so I'll step back.”
“Brat. Steer the boat.”
“Yes, sir.”
No further contacts until we reached the projected landing zone.
“We're here.”
After a heart-pounding voyage, the fishing boat bumped against the beach.
“Good work, sir.”
“The real work starts now—too early for thanks. Get off.”
Shaking my head at his realism, I stepped ashore and scanned the area.
'Just a beach.'
Notable only for its size—big enough for a resort.
“Just like the intel. Perfect. This'll do.”
Eden checked it off in his notebook.
“How do you even know about a place like this?”
“Enemy terrain intel is basic of the basics. How else do you fight a war?”
“Fair, but I didn't expect you'd map out backwaters like this.”
No satellites, so all human recon.
“Interested? There's a department for it—I can hook you up. They say it's fun travel intel.”
“Pass.”
Touring enemy turf? The west sounded way better.
“What about the boat?”
“Leave it—bandits'll strip it clean. No worries.”
“Scary world.”
“Post-war security's in the toilet. Can't be helped.”
Not just Aditz's problem.
'Even our trading company’s dealing with bandit headaches.'
Bandit numbers nearly doubled in a year. Escort costs were killing them.
“This engine's pricey, though. Just leaving it?”
High-end magic engine, mismatched for a fishing boat. Bandits would suspect.
“We'll take that. It's our ticket into the castle.”
“Huh?”
News to me.
“Outsiders need a reason to enter. Selling engines works.”
“Makes sense.”
One issue, though.
“Where's the horse? That thing's heavy.”
“Village three klicks from here. Carry it till then.”
“Me... carry that...?”
Not just mana stones—packed with parts. Heavier than a rice sack.
“Want me to take one?”
So shameless, yet irrefutable.
In the end, we detached the engine and hauled it by hand along the path.
'Damn it, what a workout.'
Couldn't help picturing Aisa Lieutenant chilling with the stabilized company.
* * *
“Your Majesty, Osiris has accepted the dialogue request.”
“Just as Intelligence confirmed—their relations are strained.”
“Seems so.”
Summit with Osiris Kingdom.
Last one was so long ago, you'd need history books.
“Set the date ASAP.”
“Yes, they suggested a midpoint, so we offered to send our delegation.”
The Emperor nodded at Rosen's report.
“Good.”
Not just talk—they needed to go to Osiris.
“Their reaction?”
“Surprised, but they won't refuse. No reason to.”
Offering to come themselves was a concession. Refusing would be odd.
“Time to form the delegation.”
“Yes. Belburn Duke or Rinton Marquis would be ideal leads—diplomacy experts.”
“Hm.”
Both seasoned nobles, perfect for the role.
But the Emperor wanted more.
“Minister, I aim to bring Osiris fully into the Empire's fold this time.”
Osiris's naval power was unmatched on the continent.
“I'd love that, but you can't fill up on the first bite.”
“Still, show sincerity. Speaking of—Osiris's princess is around the Crown Prince's age, right?”
“That far?”
The Empire's surest bond: marriage.
Rosen gaped in shock.