Chapter 343

(343)

A few days ago, an event took place in Nibelungen.

I made a certain proposal to Jeilliris, and upon hearing it, she raised her droopy eyebrows.

“Are you asking me to pretend to be you and stay near the Governor Province while you cross the sea and fight the merfolk?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty.”

At this bizarre and unusual request, Marcus and Lady Trentia exchanged troubled glances.

“Sir, is this really alright?”

“I’m not sure either, Duke.”

They seemed worried about Jeilliris potentially flying into a rage and smashing my head into the ground at any moment.

However, I was well aware that she enjoyed various hobbies while dressed in her gown – flying through the night skies, savoring fine wines, and training devoted knights.

And before my return, she would often don a robe to infiltrate enemy lines, discard it dramatically, and cause massive explosions while facing shocked adversaries.

Just as dragons of old would transform into human form to wander the world, the Divine Emperor with draconic blood revitalizes his spirit by occasionally stepping into others’ shoes, if only for a brief time.

Thus, I was confident she wouldn’t obliterate me, and my confidence was rewarded.

Jeilliris offered a crooked smile.

“I’m curious what tricks you have up your sleeve this time, though I don’t actually want to know. I’ve withdrawn from worldly affairs to watch only for great threats and minor secrets, but your mysterious adventures always provide just the right amount of entertainment.”

“I’m honored.”

“I’ll do as you wish. Shall I spend my days drinking and consorting with women?”

Her question came with a playful tone, so I replied with a smile.

“It’s hard to deny the former, but I’m innocent regarding the latter. I’ve slaughtered countless kin and bastards, their numbers reaching the hundreds. How could I possibly avoid cultivating virtue below the waist?”

* * *

For Jeilliris to masquerade as me, we needed a few preparations.

Even though we’re twins, I tower even among well-built men, with a muscular physique honed through combat.

While using magical clay to alter her body and makeup to change her appearance weren’t bad ideas, fortunately we had a simpler solution.

“This is a mutating potion and an enlarging potion created by Duke Sorelazie. Using the beak of an underwater octopus guardian, its effects should last two weeks.”

By adding a strand of the person’s hair and ingesting it, one can transform into their likeness.

Though this only changes the face, to match my physique she had to use the enlarging potion and personally employ blood magic. Even then, she couldn’t perfectly replicate me.

However, with her being a much more powerful mage and swordswoman than me, exuding an inhuman aura was extraordinarily easy for her.

“It’s a bit uncomfortable.”

“I apologize.”

She had attained the level of Sword Master, possessing a perfect body.

Even slight changes in height or build could be bothersome.

Still, I needed two of me.

I had to deal with both the former Grand Admiral trying to break the thousand-year oath and Carlion using her to become a Lord.

Though I could have headed straight to Nibelungen without stopping at End-of-the-Line Port and aimed for the merfolk’s shrine.

No matter how high the waves or strong the winds, they couldn’t possibly catch someone flying through the skies or override Jeilliris’ magic.

But then Schub Ardelra would likely retreat deep underwater, leaving me only with Carlion.

It occurred to me that together we might even try boiling the ocean, though without knowing the exact location in shallow waters, it would be impossible.

Besides, I had no intention of killing Schub Ardelra.

As the princess who controls both merfolk and the Undersea People, and having brought great wealth to the empire for a thousand years, why would I kill her?

Even if she joined us unwillingly, she fulfilled her duties and deserved her reward.

…Of course, the royals Carlion is hiding are also an issue.

When the Capital Incident happened, I realized deeply what dangers royal souls can cause.

Even half-creatures without navels can be monstrous, but what about royals high in the succession order?

Should they embrace corruption to overthrow Jeilliris?

The Great Lords like Cariosa and Signain surely manage their own people well.

But Carlion, as merely a Governor, must maintain relatively horizontal relationships with the fugitive royals.

One unstable artifact isn’t good, but two used for personal ambition?

A responsible adult would restrain themselves.

Moreover, “End-of-the-Line Port” isn’t even his to wager with.

A Governor risking the destruction of an imperial city to control the Mer-King?

That’s high treason right there.

Though the history changed so much this time, I’m not sure how things will go, but in the previous timeline, his gamble failed.

Back then, I wasn’t aware of the situation and simply swung my sword around, but now, having gathered information from battles with merfolk and the Undersea People, I understand everything.

He couldn’t subjugate Schub Ardelra, who became insane without being fully freed or bound.

The merfolk and Undersea People served the sleeping king and mad princess for decades, destroying southern coastal cities, eventually turning their swords to us under Justianus’ persuasion.

I couldn’t sit idly by and let that happen.

There’s no risk of high treason.

End-of-the-Line Port is far from the Capital.

Schub Ardelra and Carlion didn’t even come to the Capital during their oaths of loyalty.

Few people have seen me personally, so why would they suspect treason?

The inspection official was sent in my name, and Jeilliris’ visit here was decided only semi-spontaneously, so no one would question the Emperor’s absence.

Though there’s a possibility rumors of Jeilliris’ disappearance from the Capital could spread, by the time they reach here several months would have passed.

Everything will be settled by then.

* * *

“This is complicated. Though I shouldn’t say it, it seems the Emperor’s presence might be more of a hinderance.”

“In the beginning, I thought of having you pretend to be me. You’re also tall, aren’t you?”

“Simple dyeing, makeup, a few drops of eye color-changing potion, and shoe inserts would be enough.”

“Still, with Your Majesty here, I feel reassured. Should something unexpected come from hidden things in the city or the Grand Admiral going berserk, the worst-case scenario won’t occur. Even a victory with only injuries can be achieved.”

The Lady Knight and I slipped out of Nibelungen under robes, running to the port where we’ve been riding the night sea for two hours using a magical tool stolen from Tartti.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

While we could run as fast as horses, the sea was vast.

With nothing visible through the seawater, it had become tiresomely monotonous.

I had explained my whole plan and thoughts in great detail, excluding the reincarnation part.

“Should’ve instructed Admiral Tartti to meet at a closer island.”

Lady Trentia muttered suspiciously.

It’s natural for the honorable knight to distrust a former pirate.

“Could we have missed the island, or perhaps was he deceiving us?”

I checked the compass and sea chart from my breast pocket, confirming we were on the right course, and shook my head.

“If he did, his girlfriend’s head would go flying.”

After another ten minutes or so,

In the distance, seven ships, each around 60 meters long, came into view.

“Finally!”

We could recognize them even in the dark due to lanterns hung on the masts.

All seven ships were painted in Eastern Continent style red, bearing flags of white background with red letters and black background with red letters.

The banners of a man who was once Eastern nobility, became an Eastern Sea pirate, and finally Eastern Sea’s Admiral.

“It’s been a while, Your Majesty.”

As we stepped onto the deck, the Eastern-styled armor-clad Admiral deeply bowed.

He looked much healthier than the last time we met, with a slightly tanned, manly handsome face accompanying a hearty voice.

“So, it’s been a while. How’s your Admiral-ing been treating you?”

He smiled sheepishly.

“The work itself hasn’t changed much. There are many pirates in the Southeastern sea. We fight them, return the goods to their rightful owners, and either use the ships ourselves or rent them out.”

“Did you find any comradeship?”

“Plenty of ethnic hatred, yes.”

“Good to hear you’re utilizing your expertise to achieve great accomplishments.”

He had an anticipating look.

“Considering your achievements, I thought you might be willing to return Sayah Yan…”

I clicked my tongue and handed him the sea chart.

“Stop spouting nonsense and let’s set sail. Every day of delay makes everything in vain.”

Tartti nodded, his face briefly hardening.

“This sea is filthy. When circling the southern bay, two of our nine ships sank. One fell to the merfolk, the other to submerged rocks. Thankfully, we managed to rescue most of our warriors…”

“Fortunately.”

It’s precisely because of this that I need a force like this.

Had I borrowed Cariosa’s ship and lost two ships with several sailors dying, how could I face her?

* * *

Following the Admiral and his men, they displayed remarkable sailing skills worthy of their experience navigating from the Eastern Continent to the empire’s southern seas.

“Let’s go!”

They managed to catch up with Carlion’s ships despite being hours behind.

We kept a distance where we wouldn’t be spotted immediately, chasing him for three days.

The wild waves and fierce winds battered us, and ultimately two ships sank, but thanks to Eisen’s god, the warriors, holding their sailor comrades under their arms, made it to intact ships.

“Here’s the island!”

After traveling for another day, the storm and winds ceased miraculously as we arrived at a peaceful island.

On the beach stood the ship Carlion arrived on, with soldiers still standing guard.

“Eastern pirates?”

“Hmm? Really?”

“What should we do with them?”

Our presence, with five ships, clearly unnerved them.

I asked Tartti.

“Normally, what would you do upon encountering such ships?”

He hesitated briefly.

“We’d either kill or capture the crew as galley slaves, taking the ship and cargo.”

It seems he still held onto shame properly, so he might live long.

I smirked while pointing at the ship.

“Do just that.”

“!”

He showed an outstanding skillset just like old times.

“Cough!”

“Ambush!”

“Raise… Ahhh!”

Flying the white flag as a decoy, they quickly boarded the enemy ship and efficiently cut through their throats in an impressive display.

Despite the men on board possessing considerable skills, not a single one of the Eastern warriors fell.

Following the footprints on the beach, we ventured inland.

We found a backwards-flowing stream and a cave filled with powerful Undersea People.

Tartti showed a slightly worried expression as I gave him a knowing look.

That’s exactly why I brought Tartti and so many warriors.

“Tartti.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Clear the path. That’s an order.”

“!”

It was a command to risk his life.

The Eastern warriors alternated between looking at me and Tartti.

“Lord.”

Some even glared at me with suspicion.

I narrowed my eyes, and he shuddered, soon shaking with feelings of humiliation and anger.

After a moment’s hesitation, Tartti spoke.

“My Lord, I know I’m a criminal.”

“Yes, you seem to understand well.”

I had a pretty good idea what was coming next.

A plea about his subordinates’ lives, his family’s revival, or ultimately a desperate request for mercy.

After all, self-preservation instincts come first.

“If I die during the fight following Your Majesty’s order, please return Sayah Yan to my clan.”

However, his words utterly defied my expectations.

“I’ve left a final letter behind, so they shouldn’t seek revenge after reading it.”

I felt as if I had been suddenly struck from behind.

A calm smile graced his usually cheerful face.

I, conversely, responded with a wry smile.

“Indeed.”

Welcome to this kind of betrayal any time.

I could feel something stirring within my chest.

“I’ll do it.”

Tartti nodded, putting on his demon-faced antler helmet.

“Chesto!”

Swish!

He wrapped green mana blades around his long sword and charged forward, followed by dozens of Eastern warriors.