15 - Provisional Governor
Having abandoned the idea of an early seizure of the Nagumo family's docks,
Grandfather Bilbert and Uncle Robert returned to Halzy Port City.
Uncle Robert was over the moon about the performance of the anti-magic paint.
Meanwhile, Grandfather Bilbert assigned an important mission to me, Vil.
Unified Calendar 589, February 4th.
This was the day Grandfather and Uncle returned to Halzy Port City.
I went out to greet them, accompanied by Knight Rosen.
The warship they were aboard had already docked.
As soon as Uncle, who was commanding from the gangway, spotted me on the quay,
he came thundering down the gangway and rushed over to me.
He grabbed me and shook my shoulders wildly as he ranted on.
"Vil, that anti-magic paint stuff is amazing, ain't it?!"
"Yeah, Uncle."
"Even ships that dove right into Halzy's fleet only took light damage—barely a scratch!"
"Don't push it too hard, Uncle. Depending on the magic's power and distance, even that stuff can't keep things completely unscratched..."
"Gahaha! I know, I know, but I'm just thrilled you developed it, Vil!"
A white-haired gentleman in his prime approached gracefully from behind the boisterously joyful Uncle.
"Lord Robert, Lord Victor might get hurt in a place that's not even a battlefield."
"Oh, I just got carried away."
"Admiral Ozawa, good work out there."
"Yes, sir. Lord Victor achieved splendid results as well."
"Admiral Ozawa was impressed by that anti-magic paint's power too."
"Indeed. I actually heard your explanation during the development phase at the public corporation, Lord Victor, but its real-world effects exceeded all expectations."
"What, you knew about it from the development stage, Admiral?"
"I got a bit of advice from Admiral Ozawa."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, I was skeptical at first, but you turned it into something magnificent. The navy doesn't know how to thank you enough—I know how much effort you put into the development."
"In that case, does the admiral have any lovely beauties in his family?"
"Oh? What's this?"
"Uncle..."
"Vil might look all prim and proper, but he's quite the womanizer, Admiral."
"As expected of Lord Victor. A man with pirate blood in his veins has to be like that. Ha ha ha! Delightful, Lord Robert."
"Even the admiral's gotta cut me some slack..."
"Gahaha! Admiral, you know that Knight Rosen over there?"
"Yes, the renowned master of the long sword, and daughter of the warrior Langley, was she not?"
"That's right. But this Knight Rosen here's Vil's woman too—head over heels for him, from what I hear."
"Uncle, enough already."
Knight Rosen's face flushed beet red with embarrassment.
Admiral Ozawa stepped in to smooth things over.
"Lady Knight Rosen, there's no need for shame. I have some acquaintance with your father, the warrior Langley. I well remember how he worried about his daughter's future. For that daughter to become head of her knightly house and earn Lord Victor's favor—it's a huge weight off a father's shoulders. The epitome of filial piety."
"Admiral Ozawa, really? Even my father...?"
"Yes. You might think he raised you harshly, but he was always agonizing over what was best for you. Even that demon of a hundred battlefields, Langley the unflinching, was just a father at heart—or so I thought."
"Admiral Ozawa... I had no idea. Thank you."
Knight Rosen was deeply moved, her eyes glistening with tears.
Then a staff officer cut in.
"Lord Robert, a word if I may."
"Yeah, be right there. Catch you later, Vil."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Uncle sure knows how to liven things up."
"Ha ha ha. The navy benefits greatly from Lord Robert's temperament."
"I see."
"Bold and unyielding—essential qualities for a sailor."
"Makes sense. Say, Admiral, I've got a question for you."
"If I can be of service."
"After this real combat experience, I realized something. What if we used the skies?"
"The skies?"
"Yeah. Take the initial landing battle, for example. Long-range attack magic packs a punch, but accuracy suffers. And capturing the Halzy escape fleet only worked because the fleet staff's thorough prior intel gathering panned out."
"Yes."
"In a landing op, if we sent flying troops from the warships ahead to bomb enemy positions with magic, we could soften them up thoroughly—without exposing the ships to excess risk, and ensuring safe debarkation for the landing force. For fleet spotting, we're relying on visual confirmation and predictions from prior intel, but flying troops could scout enemy fleets in real time."
"I see. Like utilizing legendary flight magic?"
"Well, nothing specific in mind."
"Lord Victor, your instincts are spot on, if I may say."
"Good. So I wasn't off base."
"Shall I consult Grand Magus Gigelf at the public corporation?"
"Nah, haven't breathed a word to that old coot yet. Planning to when I get back."
"Please do. I'll have the staff look into aerial utilization possibilities."
"No, it's not like we have anything concrete..."
"No, no—Lord Victor, we've witnessed the public corporation's prowess firsthand this time. With your wisdom and their R&D, who knows what we could achieve."
"High praise—thanks."
"I'd spare no effort to assist where I can. Swing by my estate sometime; I've got some fine granddaughters."
"Admiral Ozawa!"
Knight Rosen jumped in without missing a beat.
"Oh ho, angering Lady Knight Rosen is more than I can handle. Ha ha ha!"
I entered the Western-style mansion at the port the navy had commandeered.
Grandfather was apparently convening here to discuss next steps.
Entering the grand hall inside, Grandfather stood waiting at the center.
Uncle, Knight Everton, Admiral Ozawa, and various staff officers and officials were assembled.
"Vil, you've come."
"Grandfather, well fought."
"Aye, and you did well holding down Halzy Port City in our absence."
"Thank you."
"Now, Vil—your proposal proved most insightful."
"As expected, the handling of the merchant-owned docks and the governance policy here are inseparable, demanding swift resolution."
These were Uncle Robert's words.
"Thus, with Norden's movements afoot, I wish to confer with Alf. We'll depart for here by day's end."
"Today?"
"Aye. I'll leave Rob behind and appoint thee provisional governor, Vil."
"Me? Provisional governor?"
"Even provisional, governing this place is too much for me. You're better suited, Vil."
"Besides, Vil—that Nagumo matriarch's merchant ship is due to enter Halzy Port soon."
"Neither I nor your father could handle a slippery one like her."
"Vil, thou wished to hear her out, didst thou not?"
"Yes. If she's abandoned the Halzy faction, we need to know her vision for the archipelago's future. Without factoring in relations with House Togo as a prerequisite, it means nothing."
The officials murmured in admiration.
"Well said. Rob, thou shalt work from the shadows."
"Yes, Father."
"Grandfather, could you leave a few fast boats behind?"
"Why?"
"Talks with her and the other Halzy merchants might require consulting Father on key decisions. That is..."
"Vil, no need. I trust thee."
"Grandfather."
"All who remain, mark this well! I trust Vil shan't make decisions harmful to House Togo. Gather all information for him!"
"Yes, sir!!"
"Vil, I see thou hast thy own plans for the archipelago's governance, unspoken though they be. Am I wrong?"
"...Grandfather, you see through me."
"As I thought. Thou holdst thy tongue only because 'tis so outlandish?"
"Yes. At this stage, it'd be hard to gain everyone's understanding."
"Very well. Proceed as thou seest fit. I'll speak to Alf. Truth be told, Vil, I'm eager to see what mischief thou'lt unleash."
"Grandfather."
"Rob."
"Yes, Father."
"Look after Vil. And on that matter—if thou and Emily approve, I shan't object. I'll tell Alf too."
"Understood, Father."
"Vil, the rest is thine."
"Yes, sir!"
I replied, but honestly, I thought I'd gotten myself into quite the mess.
That evening, Grandfather set sail for the capital, Crystal Bay City, with the main fleet minus a few fast cruisers.
And that night, just as I poured a thick load into Linda Rosen—Knight Rosen's—smoldering depths, an urgent report arrived.
The merchant ship carrying the Nagumo matriarch had dropped anchor in Halzy Bay off Halzy Port City.
Vil, appointed provisional governor by Grandfather Bilbert.
And awaiting him in that role—a momentous encounter.
The continent's history turns another page lol