The fleet would soon be dispatched to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union. Hal and Ruby werenât at the Magnaâs domain, but at their mansion in the capital, Parnam.
â...Have I made myself clear, Hal? Ruby?â
âY-Yeah. I get it, I think...â
âI do, too. Somewhat.â
In the living room, Kaede, her belly swollen with child, was sitting across from her husband, Halbert; and his second wife, Ruby. She was teaching them about the history of the Archipelago Union, and points of note about that countryâs fleet. There was a pile of relevant books and maps on the table.
They were a part of the air force that would be boarding the island-carrier Hiryuu as it headed to the Nine-Headed Dragon Archipelago Union. Kaede was on maternity leave and couldnât join them, but she was at least going to drill into them the information theyâd need to minimize the risk to themselves.
âSigh... Anyway, you need to remember that the place youâre fighting is effectively the enemyâs backyard,â Kaede explained to the two, who didnât really seem to get it. âThe currents and terrain will be their ally. Theyâre experts at naval combat, too. Thereâs no telling what islands they may have troops lurking on, where they may be hiding ships, and how quickly they could close in. Itâs true, the Hiryuu overturns all established logic when it comes to battles at sea, but you still canât afford to underestimate the Archipelago Unionâs fleet.â
âSo, basically, donât let our guards down, right? I get it.â
âIâll stop Hal if he decides to do anything too crazy. Count on it.â
Kaede nodded with satisfaction as the two finally seemed to clue in. Meanwhile, she had a sneaking suspicion that just not letting their guards down wasnât going to help a lot on this mission. Thereâs just so much about all of this that feels off to me...
Being on maternity leave, Kaede didnât know the outline of the Kingdomâs operation. However, for someone as skilled as she, who had been the right hand of Ludwin, the National Defense Forceâs second-in-command, it was easy to sense something was unnatural about the way the military forces were acting.
Though Souma is more of a bureaucrat, depending on the situation, he can make decisions involving war, too, she contemplated. Heâs incredibly averse to conflict, but the Kingdomâs forces seem excessively bellicose this time. Itâs as if they have no intention of avoiding war. Thereâs something to it... Something big thatâs not been made public at work here... Thatâs what it feels like.
âWhatâs wrong, Kaede? You seem lost in thought.â
â...Oh. Itâs nothing, you know, Hal.â
However, she didnât tell Halbert and Ruby about her misgivings. They were no more than speculation, and if something was going on behind the scenes, and Halbertâs tongue slipped, it could jeopardize the plan. Iâll have to keep it to myself for now. Knowing His Majesty, itâs nothing to worry about.
While Kaede was thinking this, there was a knock at the door.
âYou can come in, you know,â Kaede responded.
âExcuse me,â Velza, the dark elf girl, said as she entered with the servants. They were carrying a tea tray.
âLord Hal, Lady Kaede, Lady Ruby, why donât you take a short break?â
âOh! Nice. I was just thinking we could use a rest.â
âAgreed. Iâve been thinking too much, and Iâm all tired out.â
âGood grief, you two...â
Kaede took a teacup with a wry smile at her husband and fellow wife.
âHere, Lady Kaede.â
âThank you, Velza,â Kaede said as Velza poured her a cup of tea.
Velza was staying in the dorms at the Royal Academy, but made frequent visits to the Magnasâ mansion. They adored her like a little sister, and she had been learning to cook from the servants. Halbert was about the only one who hadnât figured out that it was so she could serve him better when she became his wife one day.
Once everyone had relaxed a bit, Velza joined them at the table.
âI wonât be seeing you for a while, will I? Iâm sad.â
Halbert certainly minded hearing that from a girl he thought of like a little sister, and he gave her a pat on the head.
âIâll go distinguish myself and come back. Look after Kaede and the baby sheâs carrying while weâre away, will you, Velza?â
âLord Hal... Yes! Leave it to me!â
Velzaâs reply was brimming with energy. Kaede and Ruby smiled as they imagined a dogâs tail wagging furiously on her butt.
Kaede turned to Ruby and said, âRuby, you take care of Hal for me.â
âI give you my word. Iâll do it even if it kills me,â Ruby said, thumping her chest with one hand, but Kaede shook her head.
âNo, youâre not allowed to let it kill you. Come home safe. Iâm sure the baby will want to see you, too.â
Kaede placed a hand over her belly. Ruby was shocked for a moment, then nodded.
âYouâre right! I want to meet the baby, too!â
âHee hee, Iâll be waiting, you know. With this child.â
They smiled at each other. It was another harmonious day in the House of Magna.