Chapter 162: Alliance with the Imperial Army
“Excuse me. Are you Shu and Rio?”
I was practicing Sniping Magic along the coastline, away from the harbor, when a voice called out to us.
“Yes, that’s us.”
The speaker was a woman with short green hair, dressed in a uniform that resembled military attire. It looked familiar, perhaps similar to what I had seen at the entrance of the town before.
“I am Wendy Valdaros, a company commander in the Imperial Army.”
“I see.”
So it really is the Imperial Army. But what does a company commander want with us? I wasn’t quite sure what rank a company commander held, but I figured they must be someone of importance.
“Actually, I have come to request your participation in the Sea Emperor Turtle subjugation operation, on the recommendation of S Rank Adventurer Linford.”
The Sea Emperor Turtle subjugation operation, huh… I wasn’t keen on being disturbed, but what should I do? Participating in the operation might give us insight into its movements, but I was also wary of any strange restrictions they might impose.
“Ha ha, please don’t be so cautious. The truth is, the military simply wants to keep track of the movements of capable individuals. If we can cooperate, that would be ideal.”
She spread her arms wide and offered a wry smile. Given Linford’s recommendation, this might not be a bad opportunity after all.
“Hmm…”
“At the very least, I would appreciate it if you would hear me out.”
It seemed Wendy was trying to find some common ground with us, appearing more humble than I expected.
“Well, if it’s just to talk, I suppose I can listen.”
“Thank you.”
Wendy’s expression brightened at my words, and I couldn’t help but imagine she was being sent on an errand.
The Sea Emperor Turtle was drawing closer to the town. It felt like a small islet was floating just off the coast, but it was undoubtedly the turtle itself. By the way, the previous operation we participated in, organized by the Guild to repel the Sea Emperor Turtle, had ended in failure. It was later revealed that we couldn’t change its course. If things continued as they were, it would likely land within a few days.
Wendy led us along the coastline. Since this was a request through the Guild, we stopped by the Adventurer’s Guild along the way. After crossing the cape, we entered a military facility that was off-limits to the public.
In the harbor, large ships were docked. They were significantly larger than the fishing vessels I had seen before. Beyond a massive warehouse, there were docks where more ships were moored, all equipped with what looked like cannons, unmistakably military vessels.
“Are we going to attack the turtle with those ships?” I asked.
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
There appeared to be more than ten military ships. If each could hold a hundred people, that would mean a force of around a thousand. The harbor beyond the cape was larger than I had anticipated, and it seemed that many more people were gathering than the group I had seen before at the town’s entrance.
As we approached a particularly sturdy-looking building behind the warehouse, we were stopped by a soldier at the entrance, who informed us that our tamed monster could not enter.
“It will be kept at the military stables.”
“Understood. Nil, be good and stay here.”
“Woof…”
Nil’s ears and tail drooped, but there was no helping it. After leaving Nil behind, we entered the building. We climbed the stairs and reached the far end of the second floor, where Wendy knocked on a door.
“Wendy here. I’ve brought the two of them.”
“Come in.”
Upon entering the room, we found a white-haired man with a neatly groomed beard and another man with red hair streaked with white sitting on a sofa.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“…You’re quite young.”
Wendy straightened her posture and saluted, receiving scrutinizing gazes from the two men before her.
“Hmm… I am Wolfram Vogel, the commander of the Second Division.”
“I am Dogesha Lagroi, the army commander. So you are the adventurers Linford spoke of…”
“We are C Rank Adventurers Shuu and Rio.”
I kept my introduction brief, not knowing what Linford had said about us. However, I recognized Dogesha Lagroi’s name; he was the father of the client who had issued the request to capture Ivan and Phonia. I had burst out laughing the first time I heard his name, so it stuck in my memory. I never expected to meet him here. It seemed he was unaware that we were the ones handling his son’s request, as he showed no particular reaction upon seeing us.
“To get straight to the point, we will commence our attack on the Sea Emperor Turtle in two days.”
As I endured their uncomfortable stares, Wolfram spoke up. Dogesha followed suit with his own words.
“The operation to subjugate the Sea Emperor Turtle will be handled by the military, so do not act recklessly.”
Hmm? What does that mean? I glanced at Wendy, who wore a slightly troubled expression. I had sensed it the moment we entered the room; there was no atmosphere of cooperation here.
“Fifty years ago, we were completely powerless against it, but we have certainly grown since then. We have developed many new weapons. We will show you what we can do.”
Wolfram delivered a powerful speech, and Dogesha nodded in agreement. In essence, they were saying they would take revenge and not to interfere. However, I was somewhat intrigued by the military’s weaponry. I had seen a Magic Gun before, but it hadn’t seemed particularly powerful.
—Until the military attacks, we will remain quiet.
Just as I was about to voice my thoughts, the commotion outside the room intensified. Without knocking, the door swung open, and a man rushed in, his face pale.
“Th-There’s a problem! The Sea Emperor Turtle is moving!”