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Chapter 18
Up until now, the training with the Special Fleet had been varied.
Diving from a height of 10 meters, swimming while carrying a full combat pack, swimming 2 km using only breaststroke, doing endless calisthenics under the blazing sun.
And countless other exercises.
“These are the basic trainings one must complete if they want to operate a personal vessel.”
Using that excuse, Colonel Ice made the knights participate in every single drill.
Of course, the Royal Knight Order had also gone through intense training.
But the training with the Special Fleet was of an entirely different level, because the very purpose behind it was different.
“Ugh…!”
A young knight gagged at the memory of what they had been through.
“They’re doing this on purpose! They’re deliberately making us suffer with these kinds of drills!”
“But still…”
The same knight who had been gagging a moment ago mumbled hesitantly.
“…those guys, they manage to do all of it.”
What made it so frustrating was that the Special Fleet soldiers completed all the training that felt more like torture.
Not just completed—it was at an intensity far beyond what the knights could keep up with, leaving no room for complaint.
Some of them even trained with heavy weights strapped to their arms and legs.
“…This can’t go on.”
At last, Sir Ferrata, who had been silent, forced open his parched lips.
“First, let’s change locations.”
This was not a conversation they could afford to have in the navy’s dining hall, where people came and went constantly.
So they sneaked into a secluded supply room.
Even amidst the deadly training over the past week, they had managed to find this rarely visited spot.
The supply room they entered was messy, cluttered with disorganized equipment.
The knights squeezed themselves into the cramped space.
“Phew…”
With a weary sigh, the discussion began.
“…We move in two days.”
Sir Ferrata declared.
“We can’t keep letting these navy bastards jerk us around like this. This is their territory. Of course no predator can bare its fangs when facing an unfamiliar sea.”
In other words, it wasn’t that they were weaker than the Special Fleet.
It was more like a psychological self-consolation. Ferrata himself knew it, and so did the other knights.
But no one pointed it out.
Their pride had already taken too many blows.
And now, to protect what little pride remained, they needed to carry out their original mission.
“Yesterday, Sir Delrat told me…”
At that, the knights’ expressions grew tense.
“…a ship will arrive at midnight on the third day.”
“The Imperial dogs themselves are coming?”
“General Quartermaster Flanchi is said to be coming.”
As Ferrata spoke, he suddenly reached inside his sock.
From near his ankle, bound tightly with elastic, he pulled out two items.
One was a slip of paper covered with a cipher.
The other, a black, square-shaped card.
“This is the key to the armory where the personal vessels are stored.”
He had received it from General Flanchi himself, through Sir Delrat, during a drinking party with navy admirals a few days ago.
“The cipher says a small boat will be waiting near the swimming grounds.”
“So we’ll have to move at night.”
“Yes. From the consulate where we’re staying…”
As Ferrata laid out the plan, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
“…Is something the matter?”
“Do you really think this will work?”
The young knight who had been unusually hesitant all along finally let his unease spill out.
“This is the navy headquarters. It’s home to the Empire’s most advanced technology. This is…”
“Sir Relly.”
Ferrata heaved a long, exasperated sigh.
The young knight stiffened and straightened his posture at his name being called. But the fear and hesitation on his face did not vanish.
“…Yes, it’s not exactly honorable.”
Ferrata admitted plainly.
No—calling it dishonorable was almost too mild. What they were plotting was treason: stealing weapons from a foreign nation.
“But it’s a path we chose ourselves.”
“Sir Ferrata…”
“You joined because you needed the money, didn’t you?”
“….”
Relly’s face went pale. He lowered his head and bit his lip until it bled.
“Don’t worry.”
Ferrata placed a hand on Relly’s trembling shoulder, speaking softly.
“We’ll never be caught.”
“….”
“So instead of whining like a child, think about the medicine you’ll buy for your grandparents.”
Blood welled on Relly’s bitten lips.
“You’re all the same.”
The other knights, who had been just as fearful, nodded silently.
Having finished what was encouragement laced with threat, Ferrata and the knights left the supply room.
“…Two days, then.”
As the knights departed, a sound came from deep within the supply room.
“Well, that was a cliché threat.”
From behind shelves overflowing with boxes—contents long forgotten—Leto peered at the door with a lazy smile.
“Gentlemen.”
Static crackled from the radio in his hand.
“The hunting date is set.”
The device answered back.
[Commencing the drive hunt.]
“Would you like to see the personal vessels today?”
Sir Ferrata froze. He had been bracing himself for yet another hellish drill, ready to curse out loud if so.
“…What did you say?”
Colonel Ice repeated calmly.
“I asked if you would like to see the personal vessels.”
“….”
“You’ve trained diligently this past week. Operating them may still be too difficult, but just seeing them should be fine. Of course, we need the Admiral’s permission first.”
Ice asked again with a mild smile.
“Ah, well…”
Ferrata’s hesitation meant nothing. He was simply struggling to contain the joy that nearly erupted from him.
An opportunity to approach the personal vessels—at this exact timing!
‘Heaven favors us!’
They couldn’t afford to miss such a chance.
“I’m very much looking forward to it. It would be the highest honor.”
“Haha, honor? That’s a bit much.”
Ice laughed heartily, saying Ferrata’s flattery was over the top.
“They’re just heavy weapons that are more trouble than they’re worth to maintain.”
“Don’t say that. Aren’t they the very machines that led the counteroffensive at Adlabore seven years ago?”
“The true hero of that was the Admiral himself.”
“….”
Realizing he had misspoken, Ferrata quickly shut his mouth.
But Ice continued on unfazed.
“Isn’t it amazing? Seven years ago, the Admiral was still just a cadet about to graduate.”
“So young?”
Ferrata was genuinely surprised.
He had of course heard countless tales of Admiral Oceanus’ exploits—whether he wanted to or not.
But hearing it from someone who had been there, the feat felt all the more extraordinary.
“I fought there too. That boy saved my life more than once.”
“So that’s how your bond was forged.”
“I was lucky enough to survive, unlike many others…”
Ice trailed off with an awkward smile.
Ferrata wisely held his tongue this time.
‘Understandable.’
The Imperial invasion seven years ago had dealt heavy blows to the kingdom as well.
The counteroffensive, though remembered as a brilliant victory, had left deep scars.
Most of the losses had been borne by the navy and the southern regions.
“Well, look who it is!”
Walking down the corridor, Noah spotted a man greeting him warmly.
He stopped at once and saluted.
“Captain Noah Velo, reporting to General Quartermaster Flanchi.”
“I’m not even your direct superior. No need for all that formality.”
Flanchi laughed heartily.
Noah lowered his hand and bowed politely again.
“It’s been a while, sir.”
“You’re still as impressive as ever, Captain Velo. I hear you played a big role in the recent pirate suppression?”
“My meager abilities were exaggerated.”
“They say too much modesty is arrogance.”
Still, Flanchi was clearly pleased by Noah’s respectful demeanor.
Noah, for his part, observed Flanchi carefully, though without rudeness.
There was none of the harshness or coldness typical of military men in his appearance.
His kindly eyes curved warmly even when he wasn’t smiling, making him approachable.
But his body was built sturdily, as expected of a soldier—though his fondness for drink showed in a slight belly.
“Still, it’s a shame.”
That remark made Noah tilt his head. Flanchi teased him for pretending not to know.
“Your promotion.”
“Ah…”
“I thought you’d surely be promoted to Major this time.”
Speaking with genuine regret, Flanchi made Noah bow lightly.
“My skills are still lacking. On this matter at least, please don’t scold me for humility.”
“Ha! Listen to him.”
Flanchi burst out laughing.
“But even so…”
Glancing around, he lowered his voice.
“I thought Admiral Oceanus valued you highly…”
“….”
“Just talking to myself. Forget I said anything.”
His genial smile made Noah simply nod in silence.
“But still, it’s a pity. No one at Headquarters was promoted this time, was there?”
“Instead, there’s been plenty of good news elsewhere, hasn’t there?”
“Ha! If only my subordinates spoke as pleasantly as you.”
With that brief compliment, Flanchi tapped Noah’s arm good-naturedly and excused himself.
Noah saluted as he left.
Then he resumed walking. His steps quickened, carrying a hint of impatience.
“Ami.”
The moment he entered his office, he called out.
“Ah, Lieutenant Chitia is out at the moment.”
Private Honess, who was left alone sorting paperwork, leapt to his feet.
“Do you know where she went?”
“The Admiral summoned her.”
“The Admiral?”
Noah’s eyes narrowed.
“He said he was showing the knights around the facilities.”
“….”
“Captain, are you alright?”
“Honess.”
“Private Honess Mera.”
He answered reflexively with his full rank and name. Noah then asked him another question.
“Have there been any orders for assembly that I wasn’t informed of?”
“None, sir.”
“Really?”
At that, Noah sank into his seat.
“….”
But his blue eyes flashed with stormy intensity, fixing on Honess, who was now sweating nervously.
‘Love, or whatever…’
Noah muttered inwardly with a crooked smile.
‘…First, I’ll have to kill him.’
Yes—this was going to require stripping off rank and settling things with fists.
