Your Majesty, Wonders are Harmful to the Country!

The morning sun was not yet scorching, and the sea breeze carried a faint salty stench as it blew onto the shore.

Although the soldiers before them had fought through an entire night, there was not a trace of fatigue on their faces.

For the Idar navy, this was their first time setting foot on land beyond Idar's territory. Thus, not only were the lower ranked soldiers filled with excitement, but even Admiral Mal Cullen could not contain his emotions.

There is a first time for everything...

And this was the Idar Navy's most precious first!

Crates of gold coins were being carried out from Kelvin's castle by Idar's soldiers. Though they were heavy, the soldiers' hearts were filled with joy.

Most of these spoils of war would be sent to Idar's treasury and later used at Earl's discretion. However, the soldiers had no objections, let alone complaints.

After all, the instructors had long explained to them that the Earl was a diligent and ambitious leader. When gold and spoils were handed over to him, they were always used where Idar needed them most.

The Earl, alongside his officials, would determine the most appropriate way to allocate these resources. Regardless of how they were used, the ones who benefited were always the people of Idar, including the soldiers themselves!

Looking at the broader picture, recent initiatives like pesticides, the renovation of Idar City, and the collection of waste had greatly improved the lives of their families and friends.

On a more immediate level, it was thanks to the Earl's support that Idar's soldiers had access to brand new three-masted warships and large quantities of magic crystal bombs. Without such support, they wouldn't have had such fine equipment.

If not for the Earl's dedication, this battle would not have been won so easily. The casualties alone would have been at least three times higher!

Moreover, Idar's military pay was among the most generous in the Empire, so why would any soldier have second thoughts?

While Admiral Mal Cullen was busy tallying the spoils of war, an Idar soldier approached him.

"Sir, a man claiming to be a Basel noble wishes to see you."

"A noble?" Mal Cullen was momentarily stunned.

"He claims to be a Basel noble and was imprisoned in Kelvin's dungeon."

Beneath Kelvin's castle, there was a dungeon.

Unlike the sweltering heat above ground, the underground dungeon was cold and damp, even in the height of summer.

Perhaps because it was built deep underground, the stone walls were perpetually moist, adding a chilling gloom to the air.

The dungeon was dimly lit, and dried bloodstains covered the floor, making the entire space feel claustrophobic and oppressive.

Valli Harlin's once luxurious noble robes were now tattered and filthy, with mud and bloodstains covering his face and body. He wrapped himself in a damp straw mat, curling up in the furthest corner of the cell, shivering.

On the wall beside him, fourteen tally marks were carved with a stone indicating he had been in the dungeon for fourteen days.

Life in the dungeon was devoid of sunlight, leaving him to measure time solely by the number of meals delivered by the pirates.

"Achoo!"

Valli Harlin rubbed his swollen nose and sneezed.

He was the son of Viscount Harlin from the Basel Kingdom. Following his father's orders, he had set sail with his guards to the Odin Empire to purchase highland horses from the Frozen Plains.

But unexpectedly, pirates attacked on the way.

This wasn't supposed to happen...

Although pirate groups like the Coral Island Pirates were active along Basel's coastline, they primarily targeted commoners.

As a noble, as long as one offered a sum of gold, pirates would usually allow safe passage.

However, to Valli Harlin's shock, these pirates broke their usual code—even after accepting his bribe, they still captured him!

At first, he felt utterly wronged.

These goddamned pirates had no honor!

Yet, unlike some ignorant nobles, Valli Harlin quickly figured out the real reason behind his capture from the pirates' conversations.

It was all about the inheritance of his father's viscountcy.

With Viscount Harlin growing older, Valli, as his father's most beloved youngest son, had become a thorn in the side of his two elder brothers.

In the Basel Kingdom, noble titles were not strictly inherited by the eldest son. A father could pass his title to any son he favored.

Thus, the reason for his capture was obvious his dear brothers had bribed the pirates!

Most likely, they hadn't paid enough, or perhaps Kelvin wanted to extort a higher ransom.

Either way, Valli Harlin was still alive for now.

Then, last night...

Though imprisoned, he could hear the distant booming explosions and the chaotic sounds of battle.

And eventually...

After an unknown amount of time, a squad of fully armed "soldiers" finally appeared before him!

After inquiring, Valli Harlin learned that these soldiers belonged to the Idar Navy of the Norman Empire.

Despite being from the Norman Empire, he felt no hostility toward them.

After all, he had no time to care why Norman soldiers were in Basel's waters.

More importantly, compared to dealing with pirates, negotiating with nobles from Norman was far safer.

At the very least, these Idar soldiers had no reason to conspire with his brothers!

"Admiral Mal Cullen, I wish to travel to Idar and personally express my gratitude to Earl Idar for saving my life."

As soon as they met, Valli Harlin stated his request bluntly.

His straightforwardness caught Mal Cullen off guard.

He had initially planned to justify Idar's presence in Basel's waters under the banner of the Holy Army, but this noble didn't seem to care at all.

Before Mal Cullen could even ask, Valli Harlin continued,

"I am Valli Harlin, son of Viscount Harlin of the Basel Kingdom. I have urgent matters to discuss with your Earl."

In truth, this so called urgent matter was nothing but an excuse.

For Valli Harlin, the most important thing was to get off Coral Island.

As for returning home?

He wouldn't dare.

Though Viscount Harlin favored him, his brothers' schemes were unknown.

For now, they believed him to be dead and it was best to keep it that way.

Seeing no reason to refuse, Mal Cullen agreed and arranged a private cabin for Valli Harlin aboard the three-masted warship.

After a thorough plundering of Coral Island, the Idar fleet set sail the following morning.

Standing on the deck, Valli Harlin curiously examined the warship.

Now properly groomed, he once again look like a part of a noble lineage.

A thin scar ran across his youthful face a wound from resisting the pirates. Instead of ruining his appearance, it gave him an air of resilience.

If that blade had been just a little closer, he would be dead.

Though well-traveled as a noble, the sight of Idar's warship filled him with newfound curiosity.

After all...

No man could resist the allure of a three-masted warship!

As the ship surged forward, the cold sea breeze washed over the deck, dispersing the morning warmth.

Gazing at the distant Coral Island, Valli Harlin clenched the railing.

"Basel... I will return one day."

And as for my dear brothers...