Flevance was spiraling toward absolute chaos.
After a rendezvous with Captain Jonathan and Captain Ryudo—and seizing two pirate ships along the way to act as temporary transports—our fleet of five vessels docked in the neighboring Kingdom of Marmassy, home to Navy Branch 165. I, of course, confiscated the pirate flags immediately.
When I spoke with the local branch commander, the news was grim: the Federation Council had already formally decided on a total border blockade. This border would be sealed tight within days.
I moved instantly. I placed Captain Ryudo in charge of the 2nd through 4th Companies, tasking them with roaming the Flevance countryside alongside a dozen pirate doctors we'd "recruited." Captain Jonathan took the 5th Company to guard the ships and prepare the seized pirate vessels to receive refugees.
As for me, I led the 1st Company and five pirate doctors toward the capital of Flevance. My official mission was the protection of the King, so I had to at least go through the motions of picking him up.
Before that, I secured an audience with the King of Marmassy to see if the blockade could be forestalled. After explaining that "Amber Lead Syndrome" was a non-contagious chemical poisoning and not a plague, we reached a tense agreement:
The borders would be closed, but passage would be granted to anyone accompanied by the Navy.
The settlement, treatment, or asylum of Flevance citizens in Marmassy was strictly forbidden, but transit to the coast was permitted.
We had a grace period of exactly three days.
The King of Marmassy sat on his throne, looking utterly drained. "The Federation Council decided on the blockade," he sighed. "If I don't enforce it, my own kingdom will be ostracized... even if it isn't a plague."
With the transit permits secured, I intended to snatch up the King of Flevance, toss him onto a ship, and regroup with Ryudo.
But when I reached the Royal Palace through the frantic streets, I was greeted by a sight that made my blood boil.
"Ho-ho-ho! Finally, you arrive. Making me wait... even if you are the famous 'Seagull Marine Corps,' it seems you are but commoners at heart."
The speaker was a stout little man dripping with gaudy gold jewelry, his belly bulging over his belt.
"And what a crude face he has," added a tall woman beside him. She was technically handsome but radiated an aura of sharp, haughty arrogance. My Robin is a thousand times more beautiful than this, I thought.
"...Am I correct in assuming you two are the Royal Family of Flevance?" I asked, suppressing the urge to snap.
"Indeed! I am the King of this land, Akdooi Flevance! You took your time, but I shall forgive you since you've come to fetch me. Be grateful!"
I wanted to fire back a dozen retorts, but I held my tongue. Getting into a spat with a king would only complicate things later.
"And I am Queen Gametsui Flevance," she said. "You should feel honored to escort us."
I briefly contemplated abandoning the mission right then and there. Instead, I forced a thin, professional smile.
"I am Rear Admiral Krieg of the Navy Headquarters. I have orders to escort you to Mary Geoise. However, Your Majesty... you seem remarkably composed for a man whose country is facing such a catastrophe."
"Ho? You do not recognize my face?" the King replied. "Ah, I see. You must be from some backwater village."
"It can't be helped, dear," the Queen added. "Barbarians lack the education to know their betters."
They were naturally gifted at rubbing people the wrong way. To get them out of my sight as fast as possible, I motioned toward a carriage I'd requisitioned in the city.
"Hmph. I will not ride in such a pathetic thing," the King scoffed. "My own carriages and luggage are prepared. Now, move! Escort us out!"
He led me to the palace's backyard. There stood a magnificent carriage encrusted with gold and gems, followed by dozens of other equally ornate wagons.
"Your Majesty... surely you don't expect us to transport all of this? Is the cargo essential?"
"Ho-ho! Of course it is! Now stop talking and start loading!"
Like hell I will! I shouted internally. I took a breath. "Moving this much cargo could take two or three days. Are you sure you want to wait that long?"
"Hmm. Well, I am a generous man. I shall allow it. Oh, that reminds me... I must make a call."
The King pulled out a Den Den Mushi. "Yes, it is I. I am leaving the country now. As promised... the rest is yours to do with as you please."
"Your Majesty, what was that?" I asked, narrowed eyes.
"That? Oh, I have no more use for this country. I simply sold the rights to it to the neighboring nations."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
"What the hell have you done?!" I roared, finally losing my cool. "The moment you leave, the neighboring armies will swarm in to claim their 'property'! It'll be a massacre!"
"Wh-What is this sudden outburst?!" the King stammered, stepping back. "This country is my possession! What I do with my own property is no concern of yours!"
I realized then that I would never understand the logic of these people. The "three-day grace period" I had secured was now effectively worthless.
"We are leaving this island by tomorrow morning at the latest," I growled. "Forget about taking all these carriages."
"Wh-What are you saying?! You just said it would take two or three days to load!"
"I DIDN'T SAY I'D DO IT!!" I barked. "Get in the carriage! Now! Because of your 'extra' business, we have no time left! We'll pick through the luggage and bring what we can later. That's final!!"
I had snapped. Let them complain to Sengoku later; I'd argue it was an emergency. Startled by the sheer volume of my voice, the royal couple scurried into the most luxurious carriage, clutching jewelry-encrusted bags they'd grabbed from another wagon.
I assigned a small squad to escort the royals to the ship immediately. Then, I turned to the remaining mountain of wagons.
Might as well see if there's anything useful for the refugees, I thought, opening the door of the nearest carriage.
It was filled to the ceiling with gold bars.
I closed the door in silence. I opened the next one. It was packed with black suitcases. I clicked one open: stacks of high-denomination bills.
I closed that door, too. Are all dozens of these carriages filled with this?
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