abcnovels
Chapter 508
Chapter 508
Chapter 508
Chapter 508: The Navy Admiral
Duke Pastore was marching towards the capital with a large number of soldiers. In response to this, the Duchy's Navy held a meeting with the Admiral and the main captains.
"This is clearly a rebellion, isn't it?"
"The Prince has reportedly fled with Prince Arnold..."
"Shouldn't we be protecting His Majesty?"
"The Duke and His Majesty are real brothers. They wouldn't do anything foolish."
"His Majesty stayed behind...? At any rate, we'd like to avoid turning the capital into a battlefield."
The captains exchanged their varied opinions. Listening silently to their discussions was the Navy Admiral, Volta, who coughed to draw everyone's attention to him.
"...I understand each of your opinions."
Volta was a bald man turning fifty this year. He had been standing on the deck of his ship, fighting for the Duchy. However, he was appointed Admiral because he had not achieved notable military successes.
There are factions within the navy. Volta ended up on top as a result of a compromise when these factions were checking each other. His role was to serve as Admiral for a few years and then hand over his position to a promising successor. In other words, he was a stand-in Admiral.
Duke Pastore promised Volta a long term in the Admiral's position. Initially, Volta leaned more towards the Kingdom than the Empire. This was because during the Sea Dragon incident, Volta was away on duty and had not directly witnessed the event - he had only heard about it.
On the other hand, he had participated in the battle to support the Kingdom. Kingdom soldiers desperately resisting despite being surrounded by the Empire. Kingdom soldiers expressing gratitude for the supplies delivered by Volta and his men. These scenes were still seared into his memory. He had pushed his ship to the limit for their sake. For Volta, this was everything. The idea of siding with the Empire, who were their enemies at the time, was unthinkable.
"The navy is, after all, a military force to prepare against foreign enemies. If we show that we are moving to protect the capital here, the capital will become a battlefield. In order to avoid that, we, the navy, will remain neutral."
"---I can't agree with that."
One captain raised objections to Volta's policy. The man, a little older than Volta, was wearing the captain-specific uniform neatly. Everyone held this dignified man, with a mustache, in high esteem. The man's name was Mest. He was the captain who had stopped 'Leo', disguised by Arnold, from entering the port.
"Is neutrality the problem, Captain Mest?"
"Perhaps you did not witness it, Admiral... but our nation, on the brink of ruin by the sea dragon, was saved by the Empire. The prince and princess who suffered from the sea dragon, and many of our comrades were rescued by the imperial prince. The Empire was the one who facilitated our alliance with Rondine, and when we confronted the sea dragon, it was the Empire that lent us the power of the holy sword. It can be said that the Duchy as it is now exists thanks to the Empire."
"So, we should align with the Empire?"
"There are ample reasons to make that judgment. The Kingdom sacrificed the Saintess. Despite having the opportunity to send their troops into our country, the Empire chose to resolve the situation through the holy sword. It's proof that they have no intention of invading us. We've received many supplies from them too. It's child's play to see who is more trustworthy. It's an outrage to bring out the military because you don't agree with that decision."
"But, Captain Mest. You should remember. We fought alongside the Kingdom. I still remember the faces of the Kingdom soldiers we delivered supplies to."
"Indeed, our country and the Kingdom are comrades-in-arms. But, we were the ones who helped, and the Kingdom was the one being helped. When our country was on the brink of annihilation, it was the Empire that came to our aid. If you say that the faces of the Kingdom soldiers are burnt into your eyes, the image of the Empire's ship raising a white flag for our comrades is burnt into my eyes. The princess implored the adventurers for the sake of the people, and the prince exposed himself to the sea dragon for the sake of the people. I believe that fact alone is sufficient, don't you?"
Many of the captains nodded at Mest's words.
The Kingdom was a former comrade.
But, they faced the greatest crisis with the Empire.
The Empire was also a comrade.
From the perspective of captains like Mest who had this sense, Duke Pastore, who demanded an alliance with the Kingdom backed by their military power, appeared to be high-handed.
Volta fell silent at the unexpected defiance.
During this, one of the subordinates entered the room.
"I, I'm sorry!"
"What is it?"
"Th, there's a message for the Admiral and the captains!"
The soldier who had been threatened by Al delivered his message.
The soldier hadn't spoken of the message to Admiral Volta after Al and Julio had escaped.
He was afraid that if he told Volta, he would be told to keep silent.
But, the message was for the Admiral and the captains.
If it hadn't been delivered, he would be killed.
There was no other option for the soldier but to speak here.
"What did you say?"
"Th, the message is from Prince Arnold! If the Kingdom is a comrade, what is my brother to you? That's the message!"
"I see! Step back!"
Volta tried to have the soldier step back immediately.
But Mest did not allow it.
"Hold on. Why did you receive the message?"
"Well, that's..."
"Tell the truth. Prince Arnold is a terrifying person. If you don't convey it accurately, you could be retaliated against, right?"
"Ac, actually... when the Prince and the Duke came to visit the Admiral... I was instructed to buy some time, so I held them back. When Prince Arnold noticed this, he... he gave me a message as he left... he said he'd kill me if I didn't deliver it..."
The soldier began to tremble with fear.
Mest ordered another soldier to help the trembling soldier step back.
Then he slowly turned his gaze towards Volta.
"What's the meaning of this... can you explain, Admiral?"
"...They just misunderstood."
"We just have to say we're neutral, right? Why the delay?"
"I didn't delay them. I just wanted time to think!"
"Do you think such a lie would work? You say we're neutral, but you're connected with the Duke..."
"We should join forces with the Kingdom for our country! Why can't you understand that!"
Volta revealed his irritation.
Mest stared back at Volta with a cool gaze.
Then,
"I suggest you think carefully about Prince Arnold's message. If the Kingdom is a comrade, then so are Prince Leonhard and Prince Arnold, in other words, the Empire."
"We have been at odds with the Empire!"
"We were also in conflict with Rondine. Friends and enemies change according to the situation. Even serving as the Admiral, you don't understand this... you took independent action, so you should bear the responsibility."
"What did you say...?"
"Do you think I don't know that Prince Arnold thoroughly oppressed the nobility as the Prime Minister of the subordinate country? If I were you, I couldn't do something like buying time against such a prince. If you point that out, I'm sorry but I will point to you first."
After saying this, Mest left the room as if to indicate that the conversation was over.
One by one, the other captains also left the room.
The remaining Volta, feeling an indescribable fear, waited for the arrival of Duke Pastore.
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