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The staggeringly large number of corpses. The wave that was so high and wide that it blocked out the sky. The sea fog so thick that it was impossible to see anything further than an inch away from your face.

Advancing ahead of the wave, the sea fog had covered up the whole world. The wave that had washed up behind the fog then swallowed everything left into its depths. The divine revelation had ended there. After that, Eugene had tried several more times to call for another divine revelation, but Agaroth’s ring hadn’t shown him anything else.

According to Gondor and the theologians, there used to be a holy site of Agaroth at the very end of the Southern Seas, close to the ‘Distant Seas.’ A very long time ago, there was once land there, but due to a supernatural phenomenon whose exact origins were unknown, the land had been transformed into a sea.

In other words, that meant Agorath’s holy site was somewhere on the seabed — deep below the sea.

And the Solgalta Sea also happened to be located at the very end of the Southern Seas.

Iris was digging up the seabed and searching for something buried there.

Eugene couldn’t imagine that this was just a coincidence.

“Something buried below the sea?” Carmen asked.

Eugene wasn’t in a position to take control of the conversation, but before Eugene had even given her a signal, Carmen had spoken up to pursue the topic.

“What on earth could be hidden below the sea?” she continued with the questions.

“Now that’s the question, isn’t it,” Ivic said with a chuckle as he sat up straight in his seat. “She’s definitely looking for something, but even the Empress herself doesn’t seem to know what exactly that something is.”

Carmen frowned, “She doesn’t even know herself?”

“The Empress might be lying, but from what I’ve managed to find out, that seems to be the case,” Ivic confirmed.

“Where exactly are you getting your information?” Carmen demanded with narrowed eyes.

Eugene agreed with Carmen’s choice of question. In terms of peculiar behavior, Carmen might be comparable to Melkith, but — no, was he being too harsh on Carmen?

[You were indeed being too harsh, Hamel,] Tempest suddenly chimed in from inside Eugene’s head.

This prideful Spirit King of the Wind was usually so reticent that Eugene sometimes got confused whether he was still there or not, but whenever Eugene thought about Melkith, Tempest would immediately make his presence known, just like clockwork. Take right now, for example.

Tempest continued, [Carmen Lionheart might be eccentric, but she’s not a lunatic.]

Eugene also shared Tempest’s opinion.

First of all, Carmen had never meditated in the nude at the lakeside. Secondly, during serious conversations like this one, Carmen could set aside the character concept she was obsessed with and lived by. Just look at her now; since entering this room, Carmen Lionheart hadn’t taken out her lighter even once.

“It’s from my men, of course,” Ivic stated confidently.

“Ivic, you do realize that those words put all sorts of thoughts into my mind,” Carmen warned coldly, the air in the room changing as she spoke.

Carmen put the pocket watch — the Heaven Genocide — hanging from her belt onto the table and kept her hands on it. Through this gesture, Carmen was laying her potentially hostile intentions out in the open.

“Unlike what you may be thinking, big sis, I’ve never cooperated with the Empress. I’m not that brazen,” Ivic immediately denied without avoiding Carmen’s gaze. “My men snuck in when the Empress first began rallying the pirates and mustering up her own forces. I was just making preparations for the future.

“According to common sense, a pirate — no, my mistake… it’s not like the Empress could be considered a mere pirate from the very beginning. In any case, after she, the Rakshasa Princess, came all the way out to sea to become a pirate and started building up a force under her command, once you use common sense to think about it, you would realize that Shimuin would eventually be left with no choice but to subjugate such a force.”

Ivic was a mercenary. Whether in the past or the future, the way mercenaries made money was still the same.

They had to go out and fight on the battlefield.

Ivic sighed mournfully, “Big sis, you and I have known each other for quite a while now. Maybe it’s because of that, but I felt extremely saddened when you suspected me just now. Do you really see me as a bastard without any guts who would secretly join hands with the demonfolk, big sis?”

Carmen scoffed, “Mercenaries always chase after money, don’t they?”

“Hahaha! If they’re just third-rate mercenaries, then yes, but I am the first-class among the first-class. I can earn money wherever I go, and it’s not like I don’t have some funds saved up… so by now, what’s the point of earning even more money?” Ivic let out a loud laugh before continuing to speak, “What the first-class mercenaries pursue are trust, contracts, and honor.

“Ultimately, I think the Pirate Empress, Iris, is just a loser, don’t you? Three hundred years ago, she was defeated and forced to flee by the Great Vermouth and his companions, and in the modern day, she was defeated and forced to flee by the Queen of the Night Demons. Well, you have to admit that she is strong, but all that still means she’s not a client worth signing a contract with. There’s nothing to be gained from following her.”

“How impressive, Ivic,” Carmen complimented with a smile.

The cold air in the room changed back to normal. Carmen let go of her pocket watch and then spread her arms wide.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Loud applause rang out three times.

“I’ve never doubted you; I was testing you,” Carmen stated calmly.

“Hm… if you say so,” Ivic said with a shrug. “As expected of my big sis.”

Ivic accepted Carmen’s claim without any arguments. Then, before Carmen could say anything else, Ivic quickly continued speaking.

“In any case, I planted my subordinates in her forces in the belief that the subjugation of the Pirate Empress would surely take place someday. I’ve placed them in a position that isn’t too close but where they can still listen to the Empress’ orders directly. Having some distance is better because if they get too close, they’ll just earn even more suspicion.”

In the first place, ‘humans’ could not become Iris’ most trusted subordinates. From three hundred years ago until now, the only ones Iris had ever truly opened up to and kept by her side were her fellow dark elves.

There were currently thousands of pirates under Iris’ command. However, the dark elves numbered only a hundred at the very most. No matter how keen the ears of the dark elves were, it was impossible for them to listen to and control the tongues of thousands of pirates.

Ivic got back to the point, “The Solgalta islands aren’t a place fit for humans to live. You can still catch some fish like in the other seas, but how can people live on fish alone?”

Whether disposing of their stolen goods or replenishing necessary materials, Iris needed her pirates to regularly sail to other seas. Ivic’s men were hiding among the pirates who had taken on such a role. They periodically sent letters to Ivic to inform him about the Empress’ current situation.

The latest report that Ivic had received was from two days ago. It explained that the reason the Empress had kidnapped the dwarves of Hammer Island was to find something buried below the sea.

However, it looked like even the Empress herself didn’t know what this ‘something’ was, and the pirates who served her wouldn’t dare to question her about it.

Ivic continued, “At first, I thought her goal was the ships that have sunk to the bottom of the Solgalta Sea. As you’re probably already aware, big sis, there are rumors that a dragon’s lair lies hidden within that sea. I don’t know whether or not that is true, but it is a fact that dozens of attempts have been made to find the dragon’s treasure, only for their ships to be lost at sea.”

The treasure lost within those sunken ships should add up to quite a considerable sum. In truth, wearing the diving suits that they had made while under Iris’ constant harassment, the dwarves had managed to reach the seabed and retrieve the contents of numerous sunken vessels.

Ivic shook his head, “But the Empress’ goal doesn’t lie in the sunken ships. That crazy dark elf isn’t interested in the seafloor; she’s digging for something below that. At first, she only had the dwarves doing it, but starting two days back, she had a lot more diving suits made, and now she’s making her pirates do the work as well.”

“Just what on earth could she be trying to do?” Carmen questioned with a frown.

“She probably doesn’t know the answer to that question herself yet,” Ivic said with a shrug.

“From making the Solgalta Sea her base to kidnapping the dwarves… that means everything that the Empress has done is connected,” Carmen muttered as she rubbed her chin.

“Perhaps the Empress really has just gone mad,” Ivic joked. “This might just be idle chatter, but apparently… the reason the Empress started digging up the seafloor might be due to a dream?”

“A dream?” Carmen repeated.

“That’s right, a dream. I don’t know what kind of dream the Empress received, but the dream has apparently guided her to something that is buried below the sea. Although that might all just be made-up nonsense,” Ivic muttered as he started absently rummaging through his pockets.

In a gesture that seemed habitual, Ivic pulled out a pack of cigarettes, only to realize what he had done and put the packet back into his pocket after clearing his throat.

Ivic changed the subject, “How does this whole situation look to you, big sis? There’s more than a few suspicious points, right?”

“That is indeed the case,” Carmen agreed. After a pause, she continued, “I don’t want to suspect Sir Ortus, but there is a need to be cautious. After all, it is hard to judge what exactly the Empress is up to in Solgalta.”

“Unfortunately, now that I’ve also gone out to sea, we won’t be able to receive any more reports from my spies,” Ivic said regretfully.

“What exactly do you want?” Carmen asked as she placed her cigar back between her lips, uncaring that Ivic had just finished putting his own pack of cigarettes away. “You should have a clear purpose for informing me, no, informing the Lionhearts of all this.”

“With how many people there are in this fleet, who do you think will ultimately be able to take the head of the Empress?” Ivic asked with a grin.

In contrast to his sunburnt skin, Ivic’s teeth were so clean and white they practically glowed.

“Princess Scalia?” Ivic scoffed. “Haha, I’m sure that’s what the royal family are hoping for. Princess Scalia isn’t a contender for the throne, so it won’t be a problem even if she does succeed, as her achievements can be claimed purely by the royal family. However, there’s no way that a delicate flower like her, who was appointed to the position of the Princess Knight, will be able to take the Empress’ head. Her own aide would be more likely to decapitate the Empress than Princess Scalia.”

Ivic was referring to Ortus’ son, Dior Hyman. He may have been assigned to serve as Princess Scalia’s aide, but Dior’s skills were unquestionably superior. He didn’t appear to stand out on the surface, but that was because Dior was apt at hiding his skills. In reality, Dior had been able to detect Eugene’s gaze even from a great distance away.

“As for Prince Jafar, who has followed along out of greed, he’s an even more unlikely suspect,” Ivic sneered. “For him to have boarded the ship while relying on his swordsmanship that can also be described as having trained to the hobbyist-level, indeed, he truly must be desperate. That, and he also won’t be able to seriously contend for the kingship if he can’t take the Empress’ head. Or perhaps, hm…. My apologies if this offends you, Ciel, but the prince might have some dirty ideas in mind for you.”

“Ahaha. Do you really think Prince Jafar will try to assault me during our voyage?” Ciel asked with a hearty laugh. “Unless he’s crazy, how dare he do something like that?”

“Assault would be going too far, but… he might still try to flirt with you during the voyage,” Ivic warned.

“Let’s just cut it off,” Carmen muttered dangerously.

“I’ll skewer it,” Dezra spat out.

‘I’ll beat him to death,’ Eugene also thought to himself.

Ivic got back to the main point, “Well… those two definitely stand no chance. In my view, only three people might be able to take the Empress’ head. Big sis Carmen, Lord Ortus, and me, of course.”

“It would be difficult to solo her,” Carmen pointed out.

“That’s for sure,” Ivic agreed. “I’m also not arrogant enough to think that I would be able to slay the Empress in a one-on-one. However, isn’t that just how it goes? The important thing is who gets the final blow. Who will ‘personally’ behead the Empress? The only ones who could make a move at that moment are the three of us.”

Carmen raised an eyebrow, “You’re not asking me to step aside and just let you have the honors, are you?”

Ivic chuckled, “Haha…. If you were willing to do so, I’d be grateful, but even I think that would be too big of a request to make of you. Big sis, I’m not asking for anything too heavy. I just want the two of us to work together.”

“So that’s the case,” Carmen suddenly said, lowering the cigar once more. “Ivic, you’re worried that Sir Ortus might be aiming for your neck.”

Eugene also shared the same thought. Today was his first meeting with Ivic, but his attitude of caution towards Ortus had been very consistent.

‘As expected of a mercenary,’ Eugene secretly nodded.

—First-class mercenaries pursue trust, contracts, and honor.

Those were some good words. When your skills were exceptional, and you had more than you needed to survive, your eyes were bound to turn towards abstract things such as those. However, in the end, the mercenary profession at its core was an act of selling your body and killing other people.

In Eugene’s eyes, Ivic Slad might not be a good person, but he was definitely a good mercenary. Even though he killed others to fill his stomach, Ivic didn’t chafe at the restraints of peacetime, and he knew how to cover his own back.

“If I were Lord Ortus, I would stab myself in the back sometime during this subjugation expedition,” Ivic admitted with a grin. “Because that way, things would be nice and easy for him. As the ‘Second-Ranked’[1], I am able to challenge Lord Ortus’ orders at any time, and in some ways, my standing in Shimuin is even better than that of Lord Ortus. Under such circumstances, what if I were to take the Empress’ head as well? Ahaha, wouldn’t it be possible that a mercenary brat like me might just end up sitting in a seat next to this country’s Grand Duke?”

“Does that stroke your ambition?” Carmen questioned.

Ivic shook his head, “No, I’m not really interested in a grandiose position like the Grand Duke’s. However, I don’t trust that Lord Ortus will just be able to see through my true feelings on this matter on his own, and I’m also doubtful that I’ll be able to properly convey my intentions to him during this voyage.”

“I understand what you’re driving at, Ivic,” Carmen said as she slowly reached out one hand. “I’m not sure whether Lord Ortus really does want to kill you or if he truly is colluding with the Empress. I can’t be sure of anything yet. However, I don’t want to see any of us, who have gathered together for the purpose of subjugating the Empress, go for each other’s throats.”

“Big sis…,” Ivic uttered gratefully.

“Make sure not to leave my sight during the battle, Ivic,” Carmen declared firmly, even as she gave a shiver of self-satisfaction at her prideful words. “As long as you stay within my eyesight, I’ll ensure you don’t die.”

Ivic was silent for a few moments, unsure of how he should respond to her promise.

Ivic regularly used three weapons: a sword, a spear, and a bow. Among these three, the one that Ivic used the most was the bow.

On the other hand, Carmen usually ran into the melee while swinging her fists. While it was common for Carmen to be able to stay within Ivic’s field of view on the battlefield, it was rare for Ivic to stay within Carmen\'s field of view….

“As expected of you, big sis,” Ivic said, cleanly giving up on his previous, complicated line of thought.

Returning her smile, Ivic clasped Carmen’s hand. With this, Ivic could rest assured.

Was that son of a bitch Ortus really colluding with Iris? Even Ivic wasn’t too sure. But it was true that, until just a few months ago, Ortus had been making a fortune by receiving kickbacks from Iris. That was why he was suspicious of Ortus.

Would that son of a bitch, Ortus, really try to kill him? Ivic didn’t know that either. However, the battlefield was a place where all sorts of shit was doomed to occur. Among all of the things that could happen, people deliberating killing someone on the same side as they were on was a fairly common thing.

‘However, big sis definitely isn’t that kind of person,’ Ivic thought in relief.

Carmen was someone who was absolutely trustworthy when it came to matters like this. Satisfied, Ivic let go of Carmen’s hand.

As Ivic got up, he turned to face Eugene, “Now then… it was Miss Yuri, correct?”

Eugene, who had been deep in thought, felt a chill running down his spine when he heard himself being called Miss Yuri.

Ivic began, “Could I interest you in a meal to—”

“Get—”

—lost.

Eugene’s lips trembled as he held back the urge to finish saying those words.

Barely managing to swallow the reply he had been about to make, Eugene gritted out a different response, “I’m afraid not.”

Eugene had done a good job holding himself back.

There were more than a few times when Eugene had wanted to intervene in the conversation. However, Eugene still held back every time. He had also been left with a lot to think about from this.

After making sure that Ivic had returned to his own ship once he left the room, Eugene let out a deep sigh and sat down on the sofa.

“What a world,” Eugene lamented.

Kristina silently approached him and draped the Cloak of Darkness around Eugene. Sienna, who had also walked over, released the spell that had been cast on him.

Poppop poppoppop.

This was the sound of Eugene’s compressed muscles returning to their original appearance. Eugene let out a deep breath of relief as he changed his clothes beneath the protection of the cloak.

“It seems my request was a bit excessive,” Ciel mumbled while noticing Eugene’s distress.

“No, don’t worry about it,” Eugene reassured her even as he kept taking deep breaths.

By dressing him up as a woman, they had definitely managed to completely deceive anyone who might have been paying attention to their movements.

Especially after learning that Ortus, the commander of this expedition, had some suspicious aspects, having boarded the ship while perfectly disguising Eugene’s identity had turned out to be a huge advantage.

‘I really can’t understand Iris’ motivations,’ Eugene thought while idly playing with his hair, which had been returned to its original length.

There was no way for him to know what that dark elf might be truly searching for.

And a dream? Really? Was it really just idle chatter, or was Iris truly looking for something that she had seen in her dreams?

‘Finding the dragon’s lair to use its treasure to fund her military… that’s the easy explanation,’ Eugene continued thinking.

Could it be that Iris was also searching for Agaroth’s holy site? If so, why? How could she have found out about it?

Eugene pondered these questions in silence.

It was still only a few hours after their departure.

They would have to stay at sea for about a month longer.

During that time, Iris would continue to dig up the seabed. Eugene didn’t know what Iris was looking for, but this meant that they were giving Iris some time to look for it.

Modern ships were built to be very fast. With magic added on top of that, they could be even quicker. Even so, it would still take a month.

If they wanted to sail even faster? There was indeed a method to do so.

However, there were still suspicions regarding Ortus to deal with.

Eugene silently closed his eyes before finally saying, “Let’s infiltrate the Laversia in three days.”

1. This refers to his rank as the second of Shimuin’s Twelve Finest. ☜