第９６０堀：来訪者 (Part2)

Shera says this while swimming leisurely.

"Yeah. Like Big Brother and Shera said, a ship that small would be crushed just by bumping into an aircraft carrier, and there are so few people on board. What on earth did they come here for?"

『For now, continue the surveillance. If they keep heading toward Aurelia Port, we’ll head out on the aircraft carrier and have a talk with them.』

"Understood."

With that, Hiiro and the others continued their surveillance, but...

"The ship. It’s too slow."

"Well, it is a sailing ship, after all."

"Hiiro. Bored."

"I know, but..."

Still, there was no helping the boredom. The ship’s speed was shockingly slow. Because of that, Hiiro, who was scouting with a drone, couldn't help but feel restless.

"And they haven't even noticed Shera's subordinates surrounding them. Negligent."

"Well, we are trying our best not to be noticed, you know?"

"Still, they’re failures as soldiers. If Big Brother were the enemy, they’d already be at the bottom of the sea."

"That’s true. Anyway, at this rate, there’s no doubt they’re heading for Aurelia Port."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Considering the ocean currents, this course is the route to Aurelia Port."

"Heh. Then, I'll report to Big Brother."

I immediately told Big Brother that the Hein fleet was heading toward Aurelia Port...

『Got it. I’m sending out the aircraft carrier. Hiiro, you and the others keep up the surveillance. Have they taken out any weapons?』

"Nope. No sign of that right now."

『...I really don't get it. It’s a merchant ship, so are they here to do business? But as far as I've heard from Princess Parfil and the residents of Aurelia Port, there’s no record of any trade with the Hein folks.』

『It’s no use thinking about it. Regardless, I’m moving the aircraft carrier Lilishe to the entrance of the port. It’ll be a hassle if they manage to slip inside. Hiiro, keep watching as Yuki said. If they don't stop at the port entrance, at worst, sink the ship. I’ll give the order if it comes to that.』

"Yeah. Got it."

『I hope it doesn't come to that. Still, as Dressa says, we want to avoid having Aurelia Port attacked while it’s still recovering. We’ll do what we have to do. Hiiro, be prepared.』

"Leave it to me, Big Brother."

I won't let anyone hurt the folks at Aurelia Port. They’re finally happy that they can go fishing and get back to their usual work.

"By the way, are Princess Parfil and Show with you?"

『Princess Parfil is with me. Show is a famous figure in the Zurable Empire, and to the old imperial faction, he’d be a hated target. He declined to come himself, saying there’s a possibility the talks could break down.』

"Hmm. So, I wonder if the Princess will be okay?"

『Who knows? In a way, making her reach a decision here might be for the best. If she wants to go to the old imperial faction, so be it. Whether she stays here or decides to submit to the Zurable Empire, either way, the trouble will disappear.』

『Yuki, you’re ruthless.』

『It’s fine. It was the same with Dressa, wasn't it? She could have been bought by Mauve and just let herself rot, but she didn't.』

"Mm. Big Sister Dressa was fierce and worked hard."

She said she would never forgive the Ex Kingdom or Noble.

『...That was then. But Princess Parfil is still half-hearted, isn't she? She still has people she calls retainers, and it hasn't been long since she lost her homeland. She’ll probably choose to defect, right?』

『Like I said before, that’s fine too. It might be annoying for the Zurable Empire, but it won't be much of a problem for the governance of Aurelia Port. To the port town, she was just dead weight to begin with.』

...Just as Big Brother said, many people think Aurelia Port suffered because the Princess fled here. That’s why I don't think the port would ever turn against us for her sake, which is what the Zurable Empire is worried about.

"It’s all very complicated, isn't it?"

"Mm. But what Hiiro and the others do won't change. We protect everyone in Aurelia Port. That’s all."

"Understood."

And so, Hiiro and the others prepared themselves to act at a moment's notice.

A mysterious fleet is approaching.

The flag belongs to the Hein Empire.

What is their true intention?

And please note, this is not a legendary one-liner gag, so stay alert!