Inside the Eastern Imperial ship next to the Western Imperial ship in the Simmons Harbor, Momochi (the one who spoke the kingdom’s language best among the ninjas stationed in the kingdom), had sneaked into the Western Empire’s ship and was now reporting back to Prince Tasuku and Joshua.
“That’s...what they said.”
“It’s so horrible...”
Prince Tasuku grimaced and Joshua fell deep into thought.
“They’ll be doing it tonight. It’s much sooner than we expected.” The sun was already beginning to set, and it was only a matter of time before nightfall. Even if they told everyone to evacuate right then, it wouldn’t be enough time. There were tens of thousands of people living in the capital, and it was likely that nobody would even believe them if they said the Western Empire was going to bombard them with cannons. After all, nobody could even fathom that a country would attack another country.
“Shall we restrain them?” After hearing the report from Momochi in the Eastern Imperial language, the leader of the ninjas, Hattori Hanzo, asked Prince Tasuku for his orders.
“Do you think you can?” The prince briefly considered whether it was acceptable for the Eastern Empire to meddle in the kingdom and the Western Empire’s affairs, but in this situation, it really was no question.
“Yes. There’s the saint...? And then four mages. Each ship has fifty sailors. There are about thirty people who seem to be military personnel on each ship. If Momochi’s reports are accurate, then I believe it’s possible.”
There were fewer people than one might expect from a ship of its size. Far fewer than one would need to attack the kingdom, which was the second largest country after the Western Empire.
“They must be awfully confident in the destructive force of their cannons...” Tasuku decided he wouldn’t let a single cannon fire on the capital. He turned to Joshua and spoke. “Lakkuru!”
“I see. So your ninjas are going to restrain the Western Imperials... Is it possible to capture the mages alive? That’ll be a relief. In that case, can you bring the four mages to our ship?” All it took was a single lakkuru for Joshua to understand the gist of even the most complicated topics. Sunklothian really was convenient.
“It will be no problem. Oh! Can we use your secret weapon, Joshua?” Momochi pointed at the box the Rothschild Company had given to the Eastern Empire.
“Ah, right. That should do much better than any old rope.”
The box was filled with the Stewart family’s special-made Emma silk threads (spun with Violet’s webbing).
“It’s lighter, so it’s...easier to move.” If they had to bring ropes with them, it would have slowed them down, and if they used ropes they found on the spot, there was no way to know how strong they were. It would just be more cause for concern. The threads made from the silk of the silkworms Emma had lovingly cared for was just as light as any thread, yet tougher than any rope around.
“We’ll return soon.”
“We’ll be back.”
Hattori and Momochi disappeared with a fwsssh, and all the other ninjas in hiding left with them.
“Ninjas certainly are convenient...”
“You can’t have any. Make do with Hugh.”
“I suppose I’ll have to.”
Prince Tasuku shut down Joshua’s line of thinking immediately.
The very first war between humans in the history of the world was potentially about to break out. The Western Empire had thoroughly prepared an attack against the utterly unaware kingdom. In this world, a country’s national power was decided by how many mages it had, and the only thing standing before the Western Empire’s overwhelming firepower was Joshua and some very excited ninjas.
The Western Empire’s cannons were already aimed and ready to fire at the capital. Now, it was a question of whether they could disable the cannons and capture the mages. The future of the kingdom and peace in the capital were all riding on the merchant Joshua Rothschild’s ability to handle it.
✦ ✦ ✦
Meanwhile, in the forest of the Skyte region...
“Sis!” William grabbed his sister’s hand and shook his head. She’d already stripped him of his top and wiped all the monster blood off of him. He was clean enough that he was sure to come to his senses once he was awake.
“I’m just being extra cautious! Just in case!”
“There’s no need for that.”
“William, we’re trying to treat the king of this kingdom. We can never be too careful!”
“Get your hand away from the king’s belt, sis.”
“Aw, why?!”
“The king’s pants are made of extremely high-quality leather. All the blood splatter on it is dry. There’s no chance it could have soaked through.”
“B-But what if...!”
“What if nothing! Now get your hand away from his belt!”
“Tch...”
The future of William’s sister as a noblewoman and peace in the king’s pants were all riding on William’s ability to handle her.
✦ ✦ ✦
Meanwhile, at the Stewart family’s capital manor.
“It sure is quiet.”
“It certainly is.”
Martha was slowly sipping on black tea across from Evan, the gatekeeper.
“Yet even with how quiet and peaceful it is, you still seem so on edge, Martha,” Evan noted quizzically.
“It’s best to always prepare for the worst as a servant of the Stewart household, Evan.”
“Huh?”
“This quiet is just the calm before the storm. It won’t last forever.”
“What? No, that can’t be...”
“I’m calling it now. There’s already some kind of chaos stirring beneath the surface. We just haven’t seen the ripples yet.”
“Then why are you out here drinking tea?”
“Because I’ve given up.” Martha sighed and looked up to the sky. Something was going to happen, one way or another. There was no such thing as a peaceful life for Martha.
✦ ✦ ✦
Meanwhile, in the Stewart family’s yard.
“Myaaaaah,” (I’m boooored.) Guan said while stretching.
“Mnyah...” (I miss my pillow, Leonard...) Zhang said while rolling over and yawning.
While the family was gone, the three cats left behind were lazing about.
“Myah!” Liu’s eyes began to shine.
“Mrowr?!” When they saw that, Guan and Zhang both lifted their heads. When Liu’s eyes shone like that, it meant she was seeing the future.
“Mrowr?” (What did you see?) asked Guan.
“Mrooowr?” (Anything interesting gonna happen?) Zhang asked.
“Mrowr mrowr... Mrowr!”
Both Guan’s and Zhang’s ears perked up at Liu’s response. The kitties all looked up to the sky in good spirits.
Liu translation: “We’re having canned food for dinner tonight!”
Guan and Zhang translation: “Yippeeeee!”
The Rothschild Company had safely delivered the canned food from the Eastern Empire to the Stewart household.
Since a great number of servants were on paid vacation, including the cooks, the live-in servants (Martha and Evan) would be giving them a feast of wet food that night. Because it didn’t need any preparation, it was an easy dinner to provide. Whatever future Liu saw was guaranteed...and notably she couldn’t choose what she would predict.