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Chapter 46
“How long can an ordinary ship stay submerged?”
“Maximum twenty minutes, depth up to four meters.”
“And if we shut down all other functions and only keep protection magic and refraction magic active?”
“The maximum depth stays the same, but the time can increase by around five minutes.”
Reto’s strategy was simple.
“Once you get my signal, submerge. While submerged, maintain only the protective and refraction spells. Then, on the next signal, go full knots straight upward.”
But behind that simplicity lay the best strategy he could devise, taking into account the pirates’ current situation and the unique characteristics of the southern coast.
The southern seas in summer were unusually clear.
And today, being bright and sunny, visibility was even better.
Which also meant the sunlight was stronger.
“A perfect condition for refraction magic.”
Refraction magic was one of the many achievements developed a hundred years ago by the Archmage of Advelo.
Using the properties of light to conceal the caster, this spell completely repelled a foreign invasion that same year and secured victory.
Even now, it remained one of the most vital technologies in the military industry.
Adlavor still thrived under the shadow of that eccentric mage from a century ago.
“…Ah! Aaaaagh!”
Only belatedly realizing his finger had been severed, Shika Rius let out a scream and collapsed.
But Reto didn’t give him even a moment.
The white ceremonial gloves meant to guide a bride clasped around his throat, lifting him into the air as if to pierce through his windpipe—then slammed him down onto the deck.
Meanwhile, special forces operatives surged up from beneath the sea, each taking their assigned role to retake the fishing boat.
“Wh—where did they come from?!”
“Below! They burst up from underwater!”
“Don’t panic! With that heavy metal on, they can’t fight agil—”
Blood sprayed from the sailor’s mouth before he could finish raising morale.
Unlike his shouted claim, Noah moved with sharp agility even on the rocking boat, displaying his full skill.
Snatching up a sword from a fallen pirate, Noah whirled around.
“Ugh!”
He slashed deep into the wrist of a pirate aiming a gun at his back, then kicked him square in the jaw.
The pirate flew, crashing all the way to where the hostages were tied.
With the power behind Noah’s kick, aided by his personal combat suit, the impact was staggering.
“Tsk, bug.”
Bang!
Ami, untying the hostages’ ropes, fired her revolver into a pirate’s thigh.
As the pirate collapsed clutching his leg, Celine seized him and tossed him aside—straight onto the growing pile of subdued pirates.
“Are you alright?”
“We’re with the navy. You’re safe now.”
“You’re not hurt anywhere, are you?”
Only then did the hostages, who had trusted the pirates, finally breathe sighs of relief.
Even the captain, who had been trampled by Shika Rius, slowly steadied himself with the help of minor healing magic.
“We’ve captured the stragglers hiding inside the ship.”
“The pirates’ vessel has also been secured.”
The sailors who had gone inside emerged carrying unconscious pirates in each hand like trophies.
“…You see that?”
Reto, watching it all with satisfaction, turned his gaze back.
Shika Rius, gripped by the throat in Reto’s massive hand and lifted into the air, gasped and choked in sheer agony.
“Khk…! Ugh…!”
Like a child taking his first ballet lesson, he stood on tiptoe, flailing in a clumsy dance.
Each time his feet brushed the deck, a teasing gulp of air filled his lungs, just enough to teach him the terror of suffocating.
His eyes rolled back toward the bright sky, halfway gone already.
His arms, once clawing desperately at Reto’s grip, now hung limp.
“What should I do with you?”
Reto’s arm showed no sign of tiring, even while holding up a grown man.
If anything, his bulging muscles threatened to burst the ceremonial uniform.
“You mustn’t kill him.”
Colonel Ice spoke, a smear of blood on his cheek—none of it his own.
“We must track down their base and press him for the rest of their crimes.”
“That’s what makes this so infuriating.”
Because of this bastard, he and Noah’s wedding had been ruined.
He wanted nothing more than to rip off every limb himself and throw them into the sea. Even that might not cool his rage.
Maybe I should just say he resisted too much and left me no choice.
Hadn’t permission already been given to kill?
“…”
But Reto forced down his fury and chose his professional ethics.
As a naval officer, he was bound to uphold the law.
Lethal force during suppression was meant only as a last resort when capture was impossible. If he killed purely out of anger, he’d be no better than the pirates.
Besides… there’s something else at stake.
With a click of his tongue, Reto begrudgingly let go of the idea.
“Admiral.”
Noah, who had silently watched, spoke.
“Your orders.”
Reto nodded.
“The operation was a success. Prepare to withdraw.”
And so the pirate suppression came to an end.
The special unit dragged the captured pirates and their ship back to headquarters.
The cars left along the coastal road had been returned to the base parking lot.
The pirates were jailed, the hostages taken elsewhere for debriefing, and the special unit filed their reports.
“They’ve brought your vehicle to the lot, sir.”
“Ah, I hate anyone else driving my baby.”
“It was driven by young Laxo Benedicto, who stood in as groomsman today.”
“…Alright, I’ll let it slide this once.”
Warrant Officer Feast then asked what name to give this operation.
“Operation name?”
Without much thought, Reto spoke the first word that came to mind.
“Clippers?”
“I believe the Commander will be pleased with that name.”
“Call it provisional, then.”
“Yes, sir.”
And thus, today’s pirate suppression operation would forever be remembered in history as Operation Clippers.
“Everyone finished their reports?”
“Some have, others are nearly done.”
Feast predicted the rest would be wrapped up soon.
Nodding, Reto said he’d step out for a bit.
He headed to the break room.
“You’re here.”
Laxo closed the old magazine he’d been reading and turned off the radio that had been filling the silence.
“I moved your car.”
“The church people?”
“Some took keepsakes home, the rest went to the town hall for the reception.”
The last he saw, the five little children who had acted as flower boys and girls were dancing and singing, wiggling their hips with glee.
“The adults loved it. Your sister-in-law was taking endless photos.”
“My sister-in-law is adorable.”
“You say that without even looking?”
“She’s the cutest in the whole world.”
“….”
Out of comebacks, Laxo got straight to the point.
“The knight we arrested in the capital.”
“Fsed Relli?”
“Shika Rius was the distributor for the drugs that gang produced.”
“…Ugh. Grandma’s going to tear me apart for that later.”
If they’d captured him properly during the previous operation, today’s disaster could have been avoided.
No excuse—just his mistake.
“…Figures.”
But then, other odd details came to mind.
“Their clothes were expensive. Their weapons were clean, not rusted. Manufacturing dates were recent, too.”
Even the pirates’ health was better than expected.
He’d assumed they would’ve starved after hiding out on the island post-raid, but there were no signs of scurvy—clearly they’d been eating fruit regularly.
“Guess they were making a good profit from drug trafficking.”
“And when their paymaster got caught, they had to act fast.”
“….”
“You’re realizing it too, aren’t you?”
Laxo’s tone grew serious.
“All the incidents inside and outside the military in recent months are starting to connect.”
“How far can you trace it?”
“If it’s sealed under military confidential, it’ll take time.”
“A week?”
“Don’t count on it.”
Which meant—somewhat possible.
After their discreet exchange, the two friends left the break room.
“The reception must be ending soon…”
Reto looked out the window, unable to hide his regret.
The sun was already sinking westward.
His heart was heavy.
It was the wedding he had longed for. He had prepared earnestly, wanting to show everyone his union with Noah.
But it had been ruined.
Noah didn’t even seem to care much.
She had shrugged off her dress without hesitation, donning her naval uniform instead. He felt as though he was the only one clinging so desperately to their marriage.
How foolish.
Reto shook off his negative thoughts.
At least, they had been wed under blessing.
Only a few months ago, he’d nearly lost Noah entirely, abandoned beyond return. Compared to that, these worries were a luxury.
“Hey.”
Laxo called to him.
“You still have your dress uniform?”
“It’s on the Commander’s coat rack. Why?”
“Put it on.”
“…Why?”
“You’ll see.”
Though suspicious, Reto felt oddly compelled to obey, as if enchanted. He changed into his uniform, unable to shake the feeling he must.
And when he stepped outside—
“Welcome.”
He thought he’d gone back in time by hours.
Before him stood Noah, once more in her beautiful bridal gown from the church. Smiling shyly, she held out her hand.
Reto could only take it.
“We have to finish the wedding we left incomplete.”
Arm in arm, they walked together like any loving couple.
A timely breeze pushed gently against their backs.
The procession began.
Only then did Reto notice their surroundings.
The base’s front garden had been decorated into an outdoor wedding venue.
“I was sad that the wedding ended like that,” Noah whispered, her face flushed beneath the veil—not from makeup.
“So I got a little greedy and arranged this.”
“When did you…?”
Reto felt tears prick his eyes.
“You really…”
Noah leaned against his arm, speaking sweetly.
“This is the military, remember.”
There are no impossibilities.
For a pair in love, nothing was too much. The guests, drained from hurried preparations, no longer mattered.
