Chapter 151

Gibraltar.

Situated between the Atalante Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, it was originally a territory of Esban above it. However, due to the outcome of the war years ago, it is now effectively under the control of the Brittania Empire. This place, serving as a gateway between the two seas, holds significant military and commercial value.

And now…

In the massive spire located at the center of Gibraltar, a woman was fiercely swinging a spear.

With her hair tied in twin braids and blue eyes, along with a sprinkle of freckles on her face—

“Haaaah!”

—whoosh!

The spear cut through the air with a sharp sound.

The intense energy at its tip shimmered like a red lightning bolt.

Even though she was merely slicing through the air, the power and dynamism emanating from her were palpable.

From above to below, from left to right, thrusting forward and slicing through the sides, the spear danced in the trajectory of lightning.

And yet…

The flow of her seamless movements resembled that of a dance, creating an enchanting spectacle.

Then…

—crack!

The spear stopped, piercing exactly into the scarecrow in front of her.

Immediately after finishing her training session, she extracted the spear from the scarecrow and exhaled a heavy sigh.

“Hu…”

Beads of thick sweat glistened on her forehead, and her top was half soaked in perspiration.

Having trained for hours since before dawn, she was now half-exhausted.

If it had only been swinging a spear, it wouldn’t have taken such a toll.

It was the energy she had concentrated, maintaining that power without rest while wielding her spear, which left her feeling significant fatigue after her training.

At that moment…

—knock knock knock

“!”

A knock came from behind her.

Grabbing her spear, she immediately turned her head toward the sound’s source, a door behind her.

“Come in.”

—creak

As soon as permission was granted, a soldier entered the training area…

He honored her with a salute, speaking with urgency etched across his expression.

“Your Excellency! A letter for General Anne Rodney has arrived.”

“A letter? No… if it’s just a letter, I could’ve received it in my office after the schedule. Why bring it here, especially during training time?”

She reacted with visible displeasure.

General Rodney.

The soldier flinched for a moment before urging with a sense of urgency.

“I-It’s a letter from His Majesty the King! I thought you needed to see it immediately, so I brought it here!”

“What? His Majesty… the King?”

“Yes, indeed. It bears the official royal seal. I can’t say for sure, but it seems to hold great importance.”

“Hmm… I see.”

Rodney expressed surprise at the unexpected name.

Observing her leave the training ground, the soldier inwardly sighed in relief.

It seemed that the disruption during her training wouldn’t lead to any unnecessary commotion after all.

Leaving the soldier behind, General Anne Rodney strode towards her office.

With an unusual rhythm in her steps through the corridor, a growing feeling of anticipation was blooming inside her.

After all, no matter how strategically important this location was, it was undeniably a distant frontier from the Empire.

In a place where she had to fend for herself even when problems arose, receiving a letter directly from the King sparked excitement in her.

Hoping that perhaps her struggles were finally acknowledged, she entered the office.

In her line of sight was a single letter lying on the desk.

With a vivid imperial seal stamped in red wax.

With her heart racing, Rodney picked it up and rushed to read the contents.

Curiosity brewed within her about what words might lie inside.

Yet…

“…huh?”

The contents written were about…

Before the ‘war,’

An order for the immediate execution of all smugglers and black market users in this area.

With that utterly absurd directive, Rodney couldn’t help but mutter in a daze.

“What the… is this…”

“What do you mean, what? It’s the will of His Majesty, the King of Brittania.”

“!”

At that moment.

A voice suddenly echoed right behind her.

With a lively yet oddly chilling tone, Rodney froze in place.

‘…When… when did she get here?’

She hadn’t sensed anyone else in the room until just now.

Not even the presence of another person.

Rodney, a Grade 10 Grand Warrior, hadn’t picked up on it at all.

However.

In that instance, the icy sensation on her shoulder told her that this was no mere figment of imagination but undeniable reality.

A chill ran down her spine.

“Fufu…”

And toward her, that person chuckled lightly.

“Have you been well, my beloved sister?”

“Gulp…”

Slowly, Rodney turned her head to face the source of the voice.

There stood the very person she had been anticipating.

A woman with long golden hair and golden eyes.

At that moment, locking eyes with her radiant smile, Rodney instinctively bowed her head.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Grand Marshal.”

“Fufu~ what’s with the formalities? Between us, there’s no need for that. We’re sisters, after all.”

The thought, ‘she must be my half-sister…’ almost slipped from her lips, yet Rodney couldn’t bring herself to say it.

After gently patting Rodney’s head, the woman gracefully made her way around to sit on the sofa before her.

General Horai Nelson.

The Grand Marshal of the Brittania Empire, and to Rodney, a source of discomfort in many ways.

With a relaxed smile, she looked at Rodney and said, “I’m glad. It seems the situation here has improved quite a bit since I last saw you. My sister must be doing a wonderful job of governing!”

“Not really… It seems a bit better on the surface, but it’s probably just an illusion. There have been so many issues lately, so the actual situation is rather poor.”

It wasn’t empty words; indeed, Gibraltar’s situation had rapidly deteriorated recently.

Following the dismal failure of the anti-Pirate King operation, merchant activities had heavily contracted, and the commotion from the Kingdom of Frantz had nearly crippled their trade with them.

Economically, things were escalating to a point of severe risk.

With their biggest trading partner spiraling down, hardly anyone was willing to make substantial investments in commerce.

As a result, not only had regular trade declined, but even black market dealings saw a drop-off.

In this dire situation, Rodney looked once more at the letter in her hand, bracing herself as she spoke.

“By the way… what exactly is this? Is this truly His Majesty’s intention?”

“Can’t you see it? It’s stamped with the royal seal. Of course, it contains the will of the Assembly and His Majesty.”

“…Grr…”

With a cheerful smile, Nelson confirmed her suspicions.

Rodney’s frown deepened in response.

And then Nelson’s reply was…

“I can’t do this. No… I won’t.”

“Hmm…”

Rodney expressed her refusal to the King’s letter.

Nelson simply smiled back at her, his gaze sharp.

As Rodney felt an intensity growing within her, the emotions welling up were…

Horror.

And then.

“Hack!”

In an instant, an inexplicable dread washed over her.

Feeling as though a chokehold had wrapped around her neck, she collapsed onto the ground in extreme pain.

“I’m sorry, but honestly, as your sister, I want to respect your wishes… but I simply cannot. It’s the command of none other than His Majesty the King of Brittania.”

“Th-that’s a lie… I-I had no intention at all… ugh…!”

“But don’t worry too much. That’s why I’m here personally.”

With those words, Rodney absorbed the scenes of Gibraltar that lay beyond the window.

Countless ships docked at the pier, loaded with goods.

Smiling coldly, she spoke, “Alright then… shall we begin the cleanup of the criminals? Starting with the big ones…”