Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 123

The Empire’s Turmoil (10) – Gorber’s Sea

“Rufa, you’re here! I missed you!”

Zackhart-sama welcomed us, or rather, Rufa, with a big smile.

Why did he act as if he hadn’t met Rufa for years? Didn’t he ditch his work to come to see Rufa off when we went to pick up Tsetsie?

Actually, like Tsetsie, Rufa wasn’t allowed to go to Gorber’s sea but considering Zackhart-sama’s feeling, we brought Rufa along with us to Gedland.

Seeing Prince Zeland look envious of Rufa that could come with us to Gedland was a bit sad, but well, we had no other choice.

“Zackhart-sama, thank you for helping me before. This is my husband, Prince Tsetsedra.”

Seeing the perfect moment when the doting grandpa has calmed down a bit, Luluria started her introduction.

Zackhart-sama’s expression turned serious and nodded, “I’ve heard about you two.”

Though this time our business wasn’t with Zackhart-sama, but with the Navy’s commander, Northbell-sama.

I got a message that Northbell-sama would be a little late because of his preparation so we went to Zackhart-sama’s place to kill time.

Luluria had heard the full story of Rufa’s adoption from Rufa herself and she thought fondly about the relationship between Rufa and Zackhart-sama.

In fact, in the letter she gave to me for Rufa when Luluria was leaving for the Empire, she wrote, If you’re on a rope’s end, then take this letter and go to Fezaris. If you show this letter to Fezaris’s government, they will take care of you.

Rufa sure was loved by many people.

On the other hand, although I don’t know if Tsetsie knew about Rufa’s situation, he was still actively talking to Zackhart-sama. The two of them were talking about how Zackhart-sama was bigger than General Gafor.

“I know about General Gafor. Unfortunately, I have never fought him before.”

“If the two of you fight, I reckon the surrounding soldiers will get blown away.”

Although Zackhart-sama frowned at Tsetsie’s reply, he didn’t deny it either.

After spending some time conversing, finally, Northbell-sama has arrived.

“Oh, sorry for making you wait. Missy, it’s been a while. Aren’t you glad that this time we’re going together on the same ship? It’s a shame I didn’t get to sink your ship, though.”

“My, Northbell-sama, it has been a while. I didn’t come here with a warship this time so you don’t need to be afraid.”

Hahaha, hohoho

That was how the two exchanged conversations.

Poor Tsetsie, looked so surprised by the two extremely disturbing conversations. That was how they were, though

“We’re leaving before dawn tomorrow, so don’t oversleep or I’ll leave you behind! If the wind is good, we’re going to reach the destination in two days. I plan to not do anything unnecessary and return here as soon as possible.”

After Northbell-sama announced the schedule for tomorrow, we went to rest early in preparation for tomorrow.

***

“Oi, do you want a ship?”

Sometime after we set sail, as I was gazing out to the sea alone, Northbell-sama came to me.

But a ship? And what with that carefree tone as if asking if I want a drink? In the first place I think I didn’t need a ship.

“Why are you asking that so suddenly?”

“The truth is after your words before I did some research and found out something.”

“Research? About what?”

“The scurvy. Did you forget?”

(T/N: In the earlier chapter, Roa met Northbell and told him that canned food is the key to curing scurvy.)

I didn’t forget. I told him that the canned food would cure scurvy.

“Well, I remembered. But aren’t you jumping to a conclusion too soon? I mean, scurvy is a disease that sailors who go out to sea for a long time get, right?”

“Right. But I got curious and investigated the lives of sailors who were staying on the land. I found that sailors who also got scurvy while they were staying on the land are people who also didn’t eat much food or vegetables.”

“How many people did you investigate?”

“I don’t remember the exact number but probably around 200 or 300 people?”

…This guy, despite how he acted, was pretty thorough.

“I told you that if you’re right I’ll do whatever you want.”

Ah, right he did. But wasn’t that just a spur-of-the-moment stuff he said to Lapilia-sama?

“I don’t think a simple apology will be enough so I want to give you a ship.”

“I don’t want a ship since I can’t even operate it, I guess?”

“Huh?”

“Hm?”

After we both tilted our heads in confusion, Northbell-sama said, “Ah, I see.” while clapping his hands.

“I didn’t explain it well. I’m not saying I will give you a ship to sail. I was just asking if you want to be a ship’s owner.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Well, for example, if you want to go somewhere that needs a ship, you don’t need to make prior arrangements. You can just tell me and I’ll prioritize giving you the ship you need. Of course, I still need to load some supplies. In addition, as long as you told me in advance, if you need to buy something from the southern continent I’ll get it for you while I was escorting other ships to the southern continent. It’s not a merchant ship so it can’t carry much though. When you’re not using it I’ll just use it as part of my fleet so you don’t need to do anything.”

That seemed to be very convenient. Currently, I don’t have anything I need but if I don’t have to do anything then I’ll take the offer without hesitation.

Just as I had acquired a ship, we finally arrived at Gorber’s territory.

“There it is.”

In the distance, there was an island with a small port. Seeing how small that port made me once again understand just how big Gedland was. 

We let down the anchor a small distance away from the port and raised the signal flag. Lastly, we sent out a small boat carrying an imperial envoy.

Not long after, two small boats, beside the boat with the imperial envoy, approached us.

One of the boats has a young man with his hands tied behind his back. He must be Philemas, the 2nd Imperial Prince. He didn’t seem to have any retainers with him. Maybe they were all killed in Gorber, or maybe the Empire’s side decided that there was no need to also return Philemas’s retainers. Considering The Empire’s position, I think the former was more likely. Well, even if those retainers returned to the Empire they would all be killed the same. The only important person that needed to be executed openly was the mastermind, after all.

I wonder what’s with the other ship? Some guards from Gorber?

The three boats came closer to our ship, and the passengers were pulled up.

Philemas was roughly thrown into our ship blindfolded and gagged. Other than some grunt, he was completely limp.

Tsetsie and the others looked at him with some pity, but they didn’t try to release his restraints. Later, I bet that Philemas would be eating alone in his room under heavy surveillance, so the two brothers would have no interaction. Tsetsie would probably just make some effort to make sure Philemas didn’t try to kill himself while bringing him back to the Empire.

So far, so good. The problem came when I realized who was the person on the second boat.

The moment Wickharlt saw him, his gaze sharpened.

The man looked at us then said, “I am Frankurlt Drew. Relying on my relative, Florencia, I hope to seek asylum in your country.”