Chapter 51

“General Elise von Derland has come to uphold the King’s command.”

“Understood. I shall do just that.”

The young female general, adorned with a light yet captivating voice, appeared rather casual at first glance. However, considering who she was addressing, I couldn’t take her demeanor at face value.

The identity of this smiling woman.

She was the Grand Marshal of the Brittania Empire, one of the two people who could dare to give orders alongside the King.

At her words, a pirate with purple hair.

General Elise von Derland knelt obediently with a light smile, and ‘that’ beside her mirrored her action.

“It is the King’s command. Lady Elise of the White Shark shall proceed to the Island of Sicilia to carry out her mission.”

As she spoke, the Grand Marshal handed over a scroll stamped with the royal seal.

Taking it and confirming its contents, Elise’s smile began to harden cautiously.

“Hunting the Pirate King… Such a grand endeavor, indeed.”

“Yes, an operation mobilizing both the Kingdom of Frantz and the Blue Shark.”

“Oh…”

Elise expressed her interest at those words.

The Grand Marshal continued with a smile directed at her.

“What do you think? If all goes well, we might catch the Pirate King. You wouldn’t be thinking of declining, would you?”

The Grand Marshal spoke of capturing the King of the Sea as if it were a child’s outing. Elise shot back with a cold smile.

“Declining? Given your stance, I believe refusing is out of the question, wouldn’t you say?”

“Hehe. That’s true. After all, you have sworn your loyalty to the Brittania Empire. It would be troublesome if you tried to wash your hands of the Empire’s protection after receiving it.”

“Of course. Besides… This can certainly be seen as an opportunity. A perfect chance to repay the humiliation of the past.”

Elise spoke in a calm voice. Yet, in a fleeting moment, an irresistible desire flickered in her eyes.

One feeling that had consistently dwelled in her heart.

Witnessing the stirred Elise, a quiet smile graced the Grand Marshal’s lips.

“Then I shall prepare immediately. According to the letter, we must arrive at Sicilia within two weeks.”

“Yes, I shall await good news.”

With those words, Elise and her subordinate pirates rose from their seats.

And following her, ‘that’ also began to move.

Clad in black attire, with short black hair and dark eyes.

Watching ‘that’ leave without even casting a glance her way, the Grand Marshal felt a twinge of disappointment.

‘Not even a nod… How sad it is to be ignored by someone I’ve fought alongside.’

*

“Then, Commander Pierre. I leave this to you.”

“Leave it to me, Duke Ocleang. I will surely bring back the head of that filthy Pirate King!”

Before me, the commanding officer, Commander Pierre, knelt. Observing him, a proud smile spread across Duke Ocleang’s face.

“I shall trust only you. Ensure you defeat the Pirate King and bring back his treasure and slaves. Especially… that one I specifically mentioned.”

“Of course, Duke. I will repay your grace for entrusting me with such a major task.”

Bowing deeply once more, Commander Pierre rose from his kneel.

At that moment…

“You’ve got to be kidding me! Were you not told to wait!”

“I won’t say it again. Step aside now if you value your life.”

From the back entrance came a loud commotion.

And then…

BANG!

With a noise akin to a kick, the door swung open violently.

As a figure entered the room, Duke Ocleang spoke with an air of calm, as if he anticipated this very moment.

“General Rafael, what kind of rudeness is this? Is it befitting of a Marquess to create such chaos like those wretched beings?”

“Do you truly not understand what you’ve done, Duke Ocleang? What on earth were you thinking to change the Navy Commander without so much as consulting me!”

“Without consultation! I have acted with the King’s consent at every turn! You, no matter your military authority, dare to defy the King’s will?”

“This matter is entirely different! Did you think I wouldn’t notice? You are using this person to hijack the operation I’ve been planning against the Pirate King!”

With those words, General Rafael glanced at Commander Pierre, who was quietly assessing the situation.

Originally the Admiral commanding the Navy at Cala Port, and now freshly appointed as the Navy Commander of the Kingdom of Frantz.

He was aware of whose man he was.

Hadn’t he received Duke Ocleang’s assistance since entering the office?

The fact that he had suddenly been given command — to be precise, the overall responsibility for the expedition against the Pirate King — was transparent enough.

“How dare you call it hijacking! Isn’t everything for the King’s will? Stop causing unnecessary uproar; if you’re displeased, go take it up with the King!”

Of course, such a protest against someone who held power over the kingdom’s military meant nothing to Duke Ocleang.

“…You’ll pay dearly for this… I will not let this matter rest.”

With those words, General Rafael exited the room.

The cold figure of a man holding the country’s military authority.

Watching Rafael’s retreating back, Duke Ocleang merely scoffed at his powerless departure.

‘Hmph… What can that brat do against me? With this, all the plunder from the Pirate King will be mine, including Ambasha!’

With such expectations of filling his desires, Duke Ocleang settled his ample body onto his chair and raised a glass cheerfully.

At that moment, unaware of Rafael’s slight smile as he left the room…

And completely oblivious to what turning the military authority of a kingdom into an enemy truly meant…

*

On the Island of Sicilia, located at the center of the Mediterranean Sea.

A multitude of warships steadily gathered.

Fifteen ships from Benessa, along with five from the Blue Shark pirate crew sent by the Brittania Empire.

And… a considerably larger fleet from the Kingdom of Frantz, totaling fourteen warships.

Though most of Frantz’s warships were of light class and strategically weaker against the remaining forces, considering Frantz’s historically weak navy, it was the maximum force they could muster.

Frankly, for Achroiel, who had not had high expectations, it was both surprising and welcoming.

Especially when combined with the incoming “White Shark” forces, it totaled forty ships…

A massive power capable of blocking an entire nation’s coastline was converging in one place, prompting a deep smile to spread across Achroiel’s lips.

“Good… This is beyond what I expected.”

Here in the Mediterranean, the number of pirate ships roaming was barely thirty.

With this level of military strength, they had secured at least the minimal conditions for achieving their objective.

However…

“But… It is still questionable whether this force can lead to victory.”

While the scale might seem advantageous, the Pirate King and his subordinates possessed intimidating combat abilities.

Even the five top-ranking subordinates beneath him posed a significant threat.

More importantly, if the Pirate King truly intended to unleash devastation, it could very well be their forces that faced annihilation.

“Furthermore, it’s doubtful if those gathered from all around will heed my words properly…”

Although alliances had been sought, Achroiel knew better.

The Kingdom of Frantz had its own interests as did the pirates; they had their reasons for coming to join this battle.

Achroiel himself aimed primarily at rescuing Elkana and Ambasha, which meant they shared the same indecisiveness.

“Then… shall I probe a little? To see what they’re truly thinking here…”

*

Stella Bethleem, Stella in excelsis

Miraculum amoris mediae noctis signum

A beautiful voice resonating on the deck.

While the pirates were enjoying an unexpected treat to their ears, as if to reveal the essence of heavenly music.

Lumen de coelo luminosum Intret corda nostra

Stella felicitatis, Stella admirationis

The voice celebrated by many.

Expressing the mercy bestowed by the divine…

The most beautiful prayer a human can offer.

However…

Stella felicitatis, Stella admirationis

Vides omnia post

Imple amore aetatis hominis

O lux o lux sancta

O lux divina

While she raised her voice in song, within her heart…

In Auriel’s heart,

No longer existed the feelings of joy and ecstasy of the past.

“It’s insufficient… this is… no longer…”