Chapter 304: Common Knowledge of the Sea in This World

Immediately after hearing the story from Arrow, I decided to return home. I had to go back to Seatoh Village first. I had no choice, as I wouldn’t be able to go see the ship otherwise.

“Van… You definitely have to come back when your business is done, okay?”

I nodded with a smile to Murcia, who was reluctant to part ways, and waved my hand energetically.

“Yes! I’ll come again!”

“H-Hahaha… I’m glad you look like you’re having fun.”

Murcia said that while laughing in a troubled manner. Thank you, Brother.

Thus, we wrapped up the remodeling of Fortress City Murcia much earlier than planned and moved to Seatoh Village.

“We really should be heading to the Royal Capital in a hurry, though.”

Panamera said that in an obligatory tone, but she didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping me at all. Rather, she was even preparing for the journey to go see the ship together.

On the other hand, immediately upon returning, I gathered Esparda, Dee, and Talga to hold a meeting.

“We discovered the Kingdom of Yelenetta‘s hidden treasure. Normally, we should head to the Royal Capital to report to His Majesty, but…”

When Esparda heard the circumstances and muttered with a grim face, Dee laughed and shook his head left and right.

“Normally, it would have taken another month or more. It shouldn’t be a problem to take a slight detour before heading to the Royal Capital.”

At Dee‘s words, Esparda remained silent, and Talga spoke up.

“…A ship capable of crossing between continents. If that is true, it is a situation that could change future warfare. Wouldn’t His Majesty also desire for Lord Van to verify it directly?”

When Talga said that, Dee nodded deeply.

“Hmm, indeed! I shall agree with Sir Talga‘s opinion!”

When Dee showed his agreement, Esparda, who had been contemplating silently, also raised his head.

“…Indeed. A threat from the sea. Regarding this, if we investigate it in advance and report it together with the rest to His Majesty, there might be no problem.”

Having said that, Esparda immediately stood up and checked the map of the continent installed in the meeting room.

“Lord Van. According to the story earlier, the ship appeared on the coastline near Tribute, a city in the eastern part of the Kingdom of Scuderia. I cannot confirm it on this map, but I have heard that the Central Continent has a shape that is longer from north to south compared to this Grant Continent. If so, perhaps it was not the Solstice Empire that sent a ship toward the Kingdom of Scuderia, which holds territory from the central to the northern parts of the continent.”

“Eh? Wasn’t the Central Continent mostly ruled by the Solstice Empire?”

I threw a simple question at Esparda‘s words. Nodding at that, Esparda pointed beyond the map. It was right in the middle of the ocean.

“To begin with, there is no benefit for the Empire to risk sending a ship. they have shown behavior of manipulating things from behind the scenes by selling weapons to the Kingdom of Yelenetta. Considering that, it would be better for them to move a large army through the northern part of the continent rather than risking crossing the sea to invade here. In that case, the possibility arises that the ship seen crossing the ocean belongs to a different country.”

Saying that, Esparda drew a large circle beyond the edge of the map.

“…Since the Empire rules most of the continent, you mean they would need to cross the sea to go to other lands. True, it would be difficult to traverse through a mighty nation to head to another continent.”

Esparda‘s prediction is that there is a country or organization that chose to cross the sea, knowing the risks, to escape the Empire’s rule. However, I wonder about that.

“…I feel like the Empire acts more to gain profit without taking the trouble of occupying and managing countries. Like a merchant who is good at making money? So, if you become a vassal state, you might be made to work or buy various things, but it doesn’t seem like they would apply enough pressure to force people to abandon their country and flee.”

When I stated my own thoughts, Talga looked at me with wide eyes. Dee raised the corners of his mouth even higher. And Esparda, rarely for him, opened his eyes slightly wide in surprise.

“……I see. That is the very core of the Solstice Empire‘s nature. That thought of yours is very interesting, Lord Van. Then, what do you think regarding the ship?”

Asked by Esparda, I unconsciously smiled.

“Of course, I don’t know if it’s the Empire or another country, but I want to believe that a ship has been developed that can safely cross the sea with a high probability. Because that’s more interesting.”

When I said that, Esparda narrowed his eyes and looked up.

“…It sounds like the ships of the gods that appear in myths. However, if such a ship was indeed built, it would be an invention that changes the world. Regarding this, although I am very humble about it, I am also interested.”

Muttering that, Esparda stared at Tribute on the map.

“If it is possible, may I also accompany you to see this ship that crossed the ocean?”