Chapter 32: A Decision that cannot be made


    Your Highness. We have too many people with unstable conditions here. The things we can do here are very limited.


    The old ship physician reported.


    We somehow managed to get to the capital of Albatro but many of the survivors who have been adrift at sea for a long time started toe down with illnesses. In the first ce, some of them were injured before they were thrown into the sea and their conditions have worsened.


    I can use healing magic on them but I can only heal their injuries. Illnesses and other internal abnormalities are beyond my specialty.


    Understood. Please keep them alive.


    Of course I will do our best but..I can not guarantee it.


    I understand..sorry that I have to burden you with this.


    No, this is nothingpared to what you have to bear, Your Highness.


    The ship physician says so and leaves the room.


    Looking at him, I loudly clicked my tongue.


    Seeing that, Marc smiles at me.


    Something like this couldnt be helped. Theres nothing we can do but leave it to them.


    Dont just wrap it over with it cant be helped. I said it didnt I. I will not let anyone whos alive now to die.


    But.we have our own limitations. It would be impossible to save every one of them.


    It would be impossible if you give up but if you dont we can still do something about it. Most things in this world were made to work. Compared to the poption of the world this is just a few lives. If they cant be saved then this world is unreasonable. Moreover, we have already paid the price for it as well.


    I remember the treasure I had thrown away.


    Ah, what a waste. I could do so much with that.


    It was absolutely wasteful. I told Marc not to have any regret throwing them away but I myself still have a lingering attachment to it.


    Are the survivors worth it? No, theyre not. Helping them has offered no benefit toward the Empire and it is not worth it for Leo either because if it brings no benefit to the Empire, no one would appreciate his work.


    Even so, I still helped them. I helped them all the while taking those losses. I bought their lives with arge amount of treasure. If thats the case then their lives are mine. Like I would just let them die without doing anything.


    Its almost time. Im going up to the deck.


    Yes, its about time we get caught on their defensive line.


    The moment Marc said that a voice reached us.


    There are noises mixed in that voice, the characteristic of a voice that was amplified by a magic tool.


    The approaching imperial ship. State your purpose. We have not been informed of your arrival. Repeat. State your purpose. Our country has not been informed of your arrival.


    They are the naval fleet that protects their capital.


    They have no information on any oning imperial ship so they probably want to find out as much as they can.


    The fact that they didnt immediately open fire, was as expected of the Albatro navy. Its really helpful that they are so well-trained.


    I got up on the deck and picked up the voice amplifier device.


    My name is Leonard Lakes Adler, the eighth prince of the Empire. On my way to Rondine, I found your countrys ships that were involved in maritime idents. We rescued about 80 survivors, your prince and princess included. Id like to get permission to enter the port.


    The warships which were a little distance away were visibly getting restless.


    They know that the three warships they sent out have not returned and they know that Eva and Julio were on board those ships.


    Meanwhile, we keep moving towards the port.


    The sooner we get there, the sooner the survivors can get professional treatment.


    We understand the purpose of your ship. For safety, we want to confirm that there are really survivors on board. Please halt your ship.


    Understood. We also have a few survivors that are severely ill. They need immediate treatment. I want to transfer them to your ship so that they can get professional help at the port immediately.


    We want to do that but by our rule, no one onboard your ship can enter the port without permission. We would like you to wait for His Majesty the Kings approval.


    What are they taking their time for!


    I unintentionally re at the approaching ship.


    This is not the time to be cautious of a spy.


    Julio and Eva are also here. They should just confirm the identity of the crew members here!


    Wheres the Princess and the Prince?


    They have not opened their eyes yet


    Tsk!


    If either of them is awake, theres a way that we can get permission to enter the port without waiting for the King. But if they are still unconscious then theres no way around it.


    Should I just wait for the permission here just like this?


    How long does it take for them to arrive at the port from their castle? How long until the King passes down his decision? And will we be able to get the sicks to the port in time?


    Even though this is a race against time, theplicated procedures are in our way.


    This is already their problem. It doesnt matter what we do at this point. We already brought them all the way here so all the responsibility here lies with them.


    Its not like that..! It was their responsibility from the beginning! I already stick my head out for these people so I will take care of them until the end!


    I tell that to Marc while tightly gripping the voice receiver.


    If we forcibly proceed here, the Albatro navy will have no choice but to attack us.


    Do I have to wait for them after all?


    Please grant my request. There are those who will die if they dont receive immediate treatment. They managed to survive the hellish sea. Only you can save their lives. Please get them to the port first without waiting for permission.


    .I cant thank you enough that you are willing to go so far for my countrymen. However, rules are rules. No ship can enter the port without permission, even if that ship has our royalties on board, we still have to wait for His Majestys decision.


    Whos the captain of your ship.?


    I am. Your Highness.


    ..Captain. I have sacrificed many things in order to save their lives. I risked my peoples lives to save them. No, we are still risking ourselves even now. Theres only one reason I did that. I dont want them to die. Someone who spent their life in the sea like you should understand how terrifying being adrift in the sea is. Please make a wise decision.


    Hearing my words, the captains response was dyed.


    Their ship is steadily approaching us but they are probably hesitating over this.


    Then.


    ..Your Highness. Two of my sons were on board the ships that set sail a few days ago. I sincerely hope that they are still alive. ButI am a soldier. No matter what happens, I cant go against the protocol. Please forgive me.


    That damn blockhead!


    Your Highness. This is it. We are already.


    Snapped, I threw away the receiver.


    When Marc tried to admonish me, the physician screamed out.


    Your Highness! Their condition!


    It has worsened.


    The moment I realized that I immediately made a decision.


    Captain! Enter the port!


    Yes!? What are you saying, Your Highness!? We still havent received their permission yet, right!?


    I know that. But if we cant give these people specialized treatment soon their conditions will turn to the worst.


    Pl, please wait a minute! Even if we do this the Principality wont be grateful toward us you know!? Its their rule and this is their country! We have to do as they say!


    If you follow their rules people will die.


    The Princess and the Prince wont! They are just sailors with no political value! You are willing to ignore their warning and enter the port without permission!? We cantin if we get sunk you know!?


    As long as we have the Princess and the Prince with us they will not sink us. Right now, I am going to save the lives of those in front of me with everything I can do. I wont change my order. Enter the port.


    Hearing my decision, everyone went silent.


    Only one person, only Marc faces me and raises his voice.


    You are going too far! Prince Leonard wouldnt do something like this.! No, Prince Leonard wouldnt be able to do something so forcefully like this.!


    Yeah, thats true. So what..?


    Then why.


    This is a good opportunity. Im going to impress a lot of people in Leos ce. Leonard Lakes Adler is the man who wont back down on his decision. Hes not simply some naive guy. Even if thats the decision that Leo couldnt make himself, that reputation will change how people view him.


    If you do something like that Prince Leonard will be forced to make a much more difficult decision someday.!


    Its alright. Hes my little brother. Theres nothing I can do that he cant.


    I dered and pressure him with my eyes.


    I face the silent captain who is standing behind Marc.


    The captain had aplicated look on his face.


    Did you understand..? Your Highness. Certainly, they might open fire at us but everything will be over once we enter the port. We will not be able to escape.


    I know.


    You will be in the worst position among us! If we proceed with this, you will surely be arrested for illegal entry you know!? We should just ask for food and water then head to Rondine instead! Theres no need for Your Highness to risk yourselves over a few lives arent you!?


    Even if they are only a few lives to us, they are still someone precious to their family. Ive decided. Once I save them I will never abandon them. If we abandon them here, all the risk our crew took will be meaningless.


    .Your Highness is fighting for the throne, right? If your opponent uses this against you, you will be further away from the throne arent you?


    I will think about it at that time. Please follow my order, Captain. This is your ship. The crew entrusted their lives with you. Dont make me do such a rude thing like taking the helm from you.


    The captain thinks for a short while.


    Then he suddenlyughed and showed me a refreshing smile.


    I have thought of you as some naive prince. But.it doesnt seem like you are just that. I havee to like you a little you know. ALL HANDS! PREPARE TO ENTER THE PORT! WE ARE GOING IN!


    The crewplies with the captains decision.


    With the sail unfolded, I call out to the principality ship as we start moving.


    Wait a minute! Your Highness! What are you doing!?


    We are entering the port. We have no more time to discuss this.


    We cant allow you to do that! If you are going to illegally enter the port, even if His and Her Highnesses are on board, we will sink your ship!


    Dering so, the Principalitys ship turned its bow and faced its side toward us.


    They are aiming their magic canons at our ship. At the same time, sirens rang throughout the harbor, signaling an emergency.


    Warships areing at us from the port one after another.


    Meanwhile, the captain presented a proposal while he was steering the helm.


    Your Highness! I have a n!


    What is it?


    We will raise the white g.


    The moment the crew heard that they all looked surprised. However, the captain alone looks like he is enjoying himself.


    I smile at the proposal. To think that a navy like him would propose that.


    You do know that our Imperial Navy has never raised a white g right?


    Of course. We will be the first memorable vessel to do that.


    Certainly, they wont shoot at a ship bearing a white g but, is this really necessary?


    If that many ships came out then there must be a lot of those blockhead captains with them too. Lets be cautious and prepare some excuses for them. As a captain myself, I know full well how bitter they are about this.


    I see.then hand me the white g. I will do what I can.


    Then, as the crew gave me their consent, I raised the white g.


    The Principalitys ships were taken by surprise.


    The Empire is a country with great power. Albeit a single ship, the fact that an imperial ship raised a white g to the Principality is a big incident.


    To give them the final blow, I raised the volume of the voice amplifier to the maximum and addressed the people in the harbor behind them.


    To everyone in the harbor. I am Leonard Lakes Adler, the eighth prince of the Empire. Currently, my ship carries the survivors of the Principalitys ships that were in an ident. Due to the deterioration of some of the survivors condition, we will now enter the port illegally. However, my ship has no intention to harm you. If there are any doctors around the port, I want your cooperation. For others, I want you to prepare hot drinks and food if you can. They have been through hell. Please give me a hand. Andto all the captains of the Principality Navy. Right now, the lives of your brother in arms are in your hands. We look forward to your wise decision, captains of the Principality Navy.


    Hearing my voice, the harbor grew noisy.


    At the same time, the ships trying to block our path stops moving.


    Then, while slowly sailing past the several Principalitys ships, we entered the port of their capital.


    PRIORITIZE TRANSPORTING THE INJURED! HURRY!


    After hearing my instructions, the crew carried out the injured.


    Many people gathered at the port to help them.


    It is only natural. the people here are their families after all.


    HURRY! WE NEED A WELL EQUIPPED PLACE!


    I have everything at my clinic! This way!


    Hot drinks here! We got food too!


    As the survivors left the ship, they found themselves surrounded by hot meals. We gave them food onboard but the warm food they eat onnd would be able to also warm their hearts.


    Everyone was eating while crying.


    Wepleted the first stage but..we are now a war prisoner arent we.


    Yeah. we did raise the white g after all.


    While hearing the sound of multiple horseshoes hitting the ground from a distance away, I look up at the sky.


    An ambassador plenipotentiary bing a prisoner of war is unprecedented. However, it depends on us whether this will turn out ugly or not.


    Lets go. We need to tell the King about the Sea Dragon. They are probably hoping for the same thing as well.


    Saying so, I pulled Marc along and set my first step in the Principality of Albatro.