The Imperial Blockade
"Duke Seto's idea sounds good. There's a limit to how much we can just watch. But since we don't know where these slippery bastards might bolt to, don't provoke them too much."
"Understood, Your Majesty. We're fully aware of that and will implement our policies accordingly."
"We'll leave this matter to Duke Seto."
Grip.
At the emperor's decision, Duke Abiel clenched her fist at an angle where it was hard to see.
"Your Majesty is most gracious. And sire, there's one more crucial matter."
"What is it?"
"No matter what it takes, we must secure the contents of the discussions between those two nations at the summit."
"Hm, yes, we certainly need to know that."
Simon nodded at Duke Seto's words.
"Chief of Staff."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Maemold Sikaite, the general with a scar crossing his face, responded to the emperor's call.
"Instruct the Reconnaissance Command to gather the relevant information. It's time for them to prove their worth."
"Yes, sir! I'll emphasize it personally."
As Maemold bowed his head, Duke Abiel spoke up.
"Additionally, with winter ending soon, the enemy will start moving. We need to monitor their activities."
"I'm already receiving daily morning briefings on that and keeping a close eye."
"I hope your attention yields results."
The gazes of the chief of staff and Duke Abiel clashed in midair.
"I'll pass that along."
A cold-voiced reply.
And the emperor, who read the mood better than anyone, had to step in as mediator once again today.
"Just do your best in your respective positions. As for the repercussions of sanctioning the Osiris Kingdom..."
The discussion centered on the Osiris Kingdom.
And the sanctions plan—what would later be called the worst decision—was hastily decided and proclaimed across the entire empire.
"Reserve two seats on tomorrow afternoon's ship to the Osiris Kingdom."
"I'm sorry, sir, but all ships to the Osiris Kingdom have been suspended since yesterday."
"What...?"
When he tried to book passage, an unexpected response came from the clerk.
"If it's due to bad weather, then any other date."
"No, it's not that. His Majesty issued an edict. It's posted on the bulletin board—please check it."
Following the clerk's words, he stepped out of line and headed to the bulletin board.
We are deeply disappointed by the recent hostile actions of the Osiris Kingdom, which we believed to be our eternal ally.
...
Therefore, We hereby prohibit all entry and departure, except for official government purposes, until the Osiris Kingdom returns to the ally we once knew.
'Insane.'
It was a complete shutdown of the borderlines.
And indefinitely, no less.
"Sh— no, Uncle! This is bad!"
The moment he confirmed the edict, he rushed out to Eden, who was waiting outside the ticket office.
"What is it, nephew?"
Major Eden, smirking as if he were enjoying the role-play.
No matter how he looked at it, the man was purely having fun right now.
"His Majesty has blocked all ships entering the Osiris Kingdom. What do we do?"
"Hm...?"
The relaxed smirk vanished, his expression hardening instantly.
"What do you mean?"
"See for yourself."
Not quite believing it, he dragged Eden to the bulletin board and made him read the edict.
His reaction upon confirming the content was:
"This is quite a problem."
"What now?"
His head started to ache from this unforeseen situation.
'Damn it, we can't join the delegation like this.'
He'd thought the operation was a success, but he never imagined it would snag here.
"We'll find a way. What choice do we have?"
Unlike him, whose heart was racing, Eden showed no sign of agitation.
"Let's get out of here first. Too many people."
As he said, the ticket office was swarming now that word had spread about the cutoff to the Osiris Kingdom.
'If even a 1% chance someone recognizes us, we're done for.'
That was the biggest and riskiest variable in this operation.
"Where to?"
"I was wandering this morning and spotted a delicious dessert shop right nearby. Let's head there."
'More food?'
It had been five days since arriving in Hasmont Castle.
He'd claimed they were dessert hotspots, but they'd already hit over ten shops.
'They were good, sure.'
As a trade hub, the city boasted flavors from everywhere, with excellent variety and quality.
But still.
'If he'd hustled more instead of snacking, we could've wrapped up days ago and crossed to Osiris by now.'
He couldn't help the frustration bubbling inside.
"Don't worry too much, nephew. There's always a way."
Was he reading his mind? Eden flashed a relaxed smile, trying to reassure him.
'Sigh, guess I have to trust him.'
With a sigh, he followed Eden to a café overlooking the docks and took a seat.
"Great view, isn't it?"
"Yes, befitting the empire's third-richest city."
For the record, that wasn't from training camp—it was basic knowledge.
'Our trading company did a lot of business here too.'
Though they'd naturally been kicked out now.
"Especially that pier over there—it's huge. Could dock three warships like the Elthos."
Eden pointed at the pier with large vessels moored as he spoke.
'This guy's still mapping it out in his head.'
He knew that much.
The reason Eden hit all these cafés wasn't just desserts.
"If you force it, you could squeeze in four."
"Possible if the helm's skilled."
Eden pulled a sheet of paper from his pocket as he replied.
"Cafés we haven't hit yet. Go check them out. Bring takeout from the two best ones."
"By myself...?"
He'd never sent him out alone before, so the order was bewildering.
"Problem?"
"No, sir."
No point arguing—it wouldn't change anything. He took the paper and scanned the list.
'One, two, three... five. Why so many?'
Nine cafés, all scattered in different directions.
"All today?"
"Tomorrow's got its own schedule, nephew."
"Hoo, got it. I'll head out now to make time."
They weren't open 24 hours, so no time to waste.
'And wandering at night creeps me out.'
The difference from daytime was just the sky's light, but night made him feel like the Reconnaissance Command would snatch him up any second.
"See you back at the inn, nephew."
"Yes, Uncle."
Playing along with Eden's silly role-play, he left the café and boarded a carriage.
"It's been a while. Captain Eden... no, Major now."
A white-haired old man greeted Eden as he entered the sealed room.
"Indeed. Didn't expect you here. Two years?"
"About that."
"You had dark hair back then. Can't have aged that much in two years—dye job?"
"I'm getting on too. Gotta match the hair to the age."
"Still as vague as ever."
"I'll take that as a compliment. So, what brings you to our Besinia this time?"
Besinia.
The continent's largest underworld organization—and where Eden was seeking help now.
"You know why. Get me and one other back to the empire. Two people."
"Hm, to the empire? Borders are nasty these days. Tough request."
"Don't haggle when you have the routes secured. You think I don't know?"
The old man's lips curled at Eden's words.
"Tsk tsk, hard to do business with you, Major Eden. Fine, straight price then."
"Whatever you want, I'll see what I can do. As always, nothing on the imperial family."
"I know. And this time, gold. Five thousand per head for two—ten thousand gold."
Eden's eyes twitched at the unexpected demand.
"Cash? That's new."
"Tsk tsk, running an organization takes money above all."
"Suits me fine. Ten thousand gold, paid upon return to the empire."
Ten thousand gold seemed steep—and it was.
But for Besinia's reliable service, it was a bargain.
"One more thing."
"As expected."
"Tsk tsk, don't look so sour. It's really nothing."
"Spit it out—no dragging."
Eden cut him off sharply, knowing long talks meant trouble.
"Tsk tsk, we'd like to invite Captain Palan who's with you to join Besinia. Cooperate a bit?"
"Palan? First time for recruitment in a deal."
"Refuse, and just double the fee."
"Thug move?"
"Think of it as high valuation of Captain Palan."
Eden shook his head at the unyielding stance.
"Fine, accepted. But I won't force or sugarcoat it. His choice."
"Of course. Just stand by quietly."
"That much."
For an extra ten thousand, it was a steal.
"First deal where I feel like I'm winning."
"Tsk tsk, flustering to hear that from picky Major Eden. Anyway, when for departure?"
"ASAP. Right now works."
He had no time—needed to relay intel and finalize plans.
"Daylight's tricky. Dawn today? We'll pick you up at your inn at 2 a.m."
"Do that."
With schedule set, Eden stood.
"Any progress on what I asked?"
Right before leaving, he turned and asked curtly.
"Regrettably, nothing solid yet."
"I see."
"We're working on it—please wait."
Eden paused, thinking, then opened the door.
"See you at the time."