Pretending to be Leo, I asked the captain about our current location. The storm had finally calmed down, but we had been separated from Leo's ship and had lost a significant amount of time. It was already beginning to get dark.
The storm had been so severe that it could have capsized our ship, but this was an imperial envoy ship, and the crew were seasoned sailors trained by the imperial navy. We managed to survive somehow.
"Probably in the waters of the Albatross Principality. We didn't capsize, but we were carried quite far. Actually, it might be more accurate to say we were pulled rather than carried. That storm was clearly abnormal."
"Then, it's probably related to a monster, right?"
"Yes, I'm sure of it. I've been a sailor since my grandfather's time, and that storm was exactly like the sea dragon storm I've heard about."
"Sea dragon storm... what's that?"
"Exactly what it sounds like, a storm caused by a sea dragon. It's said to pull ships towards it. Even if you survive the storm, you'll find a sea dragon at the end of the pull. It's a story that makes sailors shudder. After all, sea dragons are the top monsters of the sea. Seeing one means death."
Hmm, the storm I heard about and the one we just experienced have the same characteristics.
Does this mean there's a sea dragon in these waters?
If so, it's a big problem.
Dragons, in general, alternate between active and dormant periods. The dormant period is overwhelmingly longer. There are reports of dragons sleeping for a hundred years.
They sleep for a long time and are active for a short time. That's the nature of dragons, and sea dragons are no different.
We need to check the records, but it seems a sea dragon that was in its dormant period in this area has entered its active period. The problem is that the Albatross Principality is heavily involved in maritime trade. Although it maintains a distance from the empire, it still trades widely with other countries. If a sea dragon appears in these waters, the damage will be significant.
The Albatross Principality must have been conducting a secret investigation because of this. From the looks of it, they seem to have seriously provoked the dragon.
The cause of the storm was probably Eva and the others.
That storm. They're probably dead by now. Poor them.
"I see... then we shouldn't stay here any longer. I'm worried about my brother. Set a course for Rondine immediately."
"Hey! Look at that!!"
Just as I was about to give the order, one of the crew members shouted.
I had a bad feeling and looked over to see, as expected, debris from a ship floating by.
"A ship from the principality..."
"Probably. It was likely caught in the storm like we were."
"Sad..."
As I was about to leave it at that, a middle-aged knight whispered to me.
"Your Highness... Prince Leonardo will definitely order a search for survivors..."
"There's no time for that. There might be a sea dragon here. We need to leave as quickly as possible..."
"I understand, but you need to act like Prince Leonardo. If it's discovered that the imperial ambassador, even if he's a twin, has been replaced, it will be a huge problem..."
"I know, but the crew is already shaken by the storm. They won't notice my discomfort..."
"Because they are shaken, you need to act like Prince Leonardo. If the switch is discovered here, the panic will spread. We probably won't be able to keep it a secret, and we don't know what Rondine will say..."
The middle-aged knight had a point.
Yes, he's right. But acting like Leo means doing what I least want to do.
There's no benefit to a rescue operation here. The Albatross Principality isn't an ally or a close friend. It's foolish to conduct a rescue operation in waters where a sea dragon might be present for the sake of a country like that.
We don't have time to spare. We've already lost days. If we conduct a rescue operation, our arrival in Rondine will be significantly delayed. Even if Leo gets there first, it won't matter. After all, he's currently Arnold, and Arnold is an incompetent prince. If he starts negotiations with Rondine on his own, he'll be suspected.
I want to get to Rondine as quickly as possible. Even with Erna by my side, I'm worried about whether Leo can keep up the act without being discovered.
If we rescue survivors, we'll have to stop at the Albatross Principality. That's the most troublesome part. Will the Albatross Principality release an imperial prince who knows their secrets?
I would definitely keep him until the problem was resolved. If that happens, Leo and I will have to maintain the switch for a long time.
It's no good.
"The chances of survivors are probably slim, but we need to leave this place quickly."
"Look! Someone is clinging to a piece of debris! They're alive!!"
"..."
"What will you do? Abandon them?"
The middle-aged knight asked a question I already knew the answer to.
At this point, there's no choice. We have to rescue them.
Why do problems keep piling up in front of me! Ah, if there's a god, I'll curse them!
"Lower the rope! Rescue them immediately! Keep a lookout and search for other survivors!"
While giving orders that sounded like Leo, a dark cloud of despair loomed over my heart.
I wanted to reveal myself as Arnold and run away right now. It's not because I'm scared. If a sea dragon comes, I'll fight.
But if I do that, it will become very complicated. It will definitely lead to a chaotic situation that I can't handle alone. I must avoid that.
But the kind-hearted Leonardo won't allow it.
"We've rescued a survivor! According to them, there are still more survivors!"
The crew member's report made me feel like I was about to lose consciousness.
The more survivors there are, the longer we'll have to stay in these waters, and we'll need to secure space for them. We'll also need to recalculate food and water supplies.
"Is the Albatross Principality a harbinger of disaster...!"
"Watch your words...!"
"How can I not say it...! Ah, this is the worst...!"
"Endure it. This will spread the high moral character of Prince Leonardo. If Rondine learns that he rescued people in a dangerous situation, they will praise him, not criticize him."
"Rondine and the Albatross Principality are bitter rivals. They've been competing for dominance in the south for a long time. Will they praise him for rescuing people from a rival country...?"
"Our empire is not involved in the southern conflict, and we are a great nation. We should act with dignity. If you understand, please resolve yourself."
Encouraged by the middle-aged knight, I sighed deeply, steeled myself, and then sighed again.
Ah, I don't want to do this. Is there a way to get through this without damaging Leo's reputation?
No, there isn't. Leo would definitely rescue them, even at the cost of everything.
If he were the kind of person who considers the benefits first, he would already be the emperor.
He's a good person to help, but right now, his kindness and good reputation are frustrating.
"Captain, we will rescue the survivors."
"Are you out of your mind!? There might be a sea dragon here! If we're attacked during the rescue, we'll be in big trouble, and monsters will swarm the bodies! Even monsters other than sea dragons are a threat!"
"The storm has passed. The sea dragon is probably satisfied. Besides, normal monsters don't approach areas where powerful monsters are present. It's a sea dragon. I think we'll be fine for a couple of days."
"But the sun is setting! Rescue operations in the dark are dangerous! Using light might attract the sea dragon!"
"Still, we will continue the rescue operation as much as possible. I want to set our course based on the information from the survivors. I apologize, Captain, but this is an order as the ambassador. We will use every means at our disposal to rescue the survivors of the Albatross Principality. We won't leave anyone behind."
"...I've heard rumors about you. You are truly a kind person. As the captain of this ship, I can't approve, but if it's an order from you, I have no choice. Let's rescue them."
The captain gave in, looking resigned.
I understand how he feels. I agree with you. This is a foolish act.
But this is Leo.
What can I do? I don't want you to look at me with such a resentful gaze.
And so, we began the foolish task of rescuing survivors in the middle of our journey to Rondine, in waters where a sea dragon might be present.
Well, here we start the rescue operation, which Al really doesn't want to do!
Leo would decide immediately, but since it's Al, it will be a grumbling rescue, I think. (laughs)
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