The knight was entirely correct. I could acknowledge that. But acting like Leo meant doing the one thing I most wanted to avoid. There was absolutely no benefit to a search and rescue mission in these circumstances. First of all, Albatro wasn't an ally, and they weren't even on good terms with the empire. It was idiotic to conduct a rescue mission for such a nation while there could be a sea dragon nearby.
We didn't have time to waste. We'd already lost several days. If we started a search and rescue mission now, we'd end up reaching Rondine much later than scheduled. Even if Leo arrived ahead of me, it wouldn't matter. He was supposed to be me right now, and Prince Arnold was the good-for-nothing prince. It would look suspicious if he started conducting friendly negotiations with Rondine all on his own. Not to mention I was still worried about whether Leo could pull off being me without being found out, even with Elna around. I needed to get to Rondine straight away.
Besides, if we conducted a rescue mission and found lots of survivors, we'd have to make a stop by Albatro. That would be the worst part of all. Who knew if Albatro would let a prince of Adrasia go free after he'd learned the secret they'd been trying to hide?
If I were in their shoes, I'd keep me from leaving until the sea dragon issue was resolved. If that happened, Arn and Leo would have to stay switched for a long time. That wouldn't work at all.
"There's no chance of finding any survivors. Quickly, we must hurry out—"
"Look! There's someone holding onto a piece of wreckage! They're alive!"
I didn't immediately respond.
"How shall we proceed? Just abandon them?" the knight asked, despite knowing full well what my answer would be.
At this point, it was impossible to make any other choice. We had to help them. Why did problems keep popping up right in my path? Enough already! I cursed whatever god up there was doing this to me.
"Let down the ropes! We must rescue them immediately! Keep an eye out for other survivors!"
Even as I fired off those Leo-like orders, I felt black clouds of despair settling over me.
What I really wanted was to reveal that I was Arnold and get the hell out of there. It wasn't because I was afraid. Even if a sea dragon did show up, all we had to do was fight it off. But that would lead to a lot of extra trouble. No doubt the situation would end up impossibly chaotic with only me in charge. I had to prevent that from happening at all costs.
And yet thanks to goody-two-shoes Leo, it wasn't to be.
"We've rescued the survivor! He says there are many more still out at sea!"
I felt my senses growing feint when I heard the crew member's announcement. The more survivors there were, the longer we'd be delayed out here. We'd have to secure space for everyone aboard the ship, and on top of all that, we'd have to ration out food and water.
"Did they put a jinx on us or something?!"
"You must watch how you speak!"
"I can't help it! ...Good lord! This can't get any worse!"
"Compose yourself. By doing this, word of Prince Leonard's virtuousness will spread. Once people find out that he helped rescue so many people amid such danger, Rondine will applaud his efforts, and they'll be unlikely to do anything that might disrespect him."
"But Rondine and Albatro get along like cats and dogs. They've been fighting over control of the southern region for ages. You really think they're going to be happy we rescued their enemies?"
"Adrasia is a powerful nation that has no involvement in their conflict. All we have to do is act in a dignified manner. Now, if you've finished your tantrum, I suggest you prepare to take action."
Urged on by Elna's knight, I let out a long sigh and raised my head with determination. Then I looked back down and sighed once more.
Man, this really sucked. Was there any way to avoid this situation without tarnishing Leo's reputation?
No, there wasn't. Without a doubt, Leo would help rescue the survivors, and he would do it no matter what the cost.
If he'd been the type of person who could prioritize his own interests and personal gain, he would have become emperor without needing my help.
It was worth it to help him out, but at this particular moment, I resented his people-pleasing personality and his good reputation.
"Captain. We will rescue all the survivors."
"Are you out of your mind?! There could be a sea dragon out there! We won't stand a chance if it attacks. And before long, dead bodies will lure other monsters! We'll be in all kinds of danger."
"The storm has passed. The sea dragon must be satisfied now. Besides, normal monsters won't go anywhere near a powerful one, and we're talking about a sea dragon. I think we'll be fine for two or three days."
"But the sun's nearly set! It's dangerous to go searching for people in the dark! Using lights might draw the sea dragon!"
"Even so, we will continue our rescue efforts to the best of our ability. I want you to decide our course based on information about where the survivors are located. I'm sorry, Captain, but this is my order as ambassador. We will use every method at our disposal to rescue the survivors from Albatro. We will not abandon a single victim."
"...I see you truly are as softhearted toward those in need as the rumors say. As captain of this ship, I do not approve, but if those are your orders, then so be it. We shall continue with the search and rescue."
With an air of resignation, the captain acquiesced. I wanted to tell him I understood his discontent and agreed it was utter foolishness, but that wouldn't be Leo. If only the captain wouldn't look at me with such bitterness. It wasn't like I had any other choice, did I?
And that was how, on our way to Rondine, we somehow began the idiocy of a search and rescue mission in sea dragon-infested waters.
4
"Come on, guys... Hang in there... We'll pull through. I know it..." Julio shouted as he clung onto one of his warship's remaining skiffs. He'd repeated similar words so many times that his voice was growing hoarse. But still he continued because he believed it was his duty to do so. Surrounding him were dozens of crew members. Those who were injured were preferentially allowed to ride in the small boat, while the others clung to the sides or other wreckage.