Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. When did war start to put so much emphasis on information warfare?
No matter how many weapons you have, they’re useless if they’re not on the battlefield. And if you can match them well against the right opponent, it has the same effect as preparing several times the actual forces—that’s only natural.
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“—Are you telling me to betray the Galleon Alliance?”
“Hahaha, absolutely not. There’s no way we would incite actions against the alliance charter.”
Some very timely conversation reached my ears.
On my way back from the mermaids’ village, I used spatial magic’s clairvoyance and distant ear to investigate discord within the alliance. That’s when I stumbled upon such a conversation.
Of course, I chose the most suspicious spot on the map, so it was predictable in a way.
Through my clairvoyance, I watched a nervous-looking, rather insignificant gentleman talking with a greedy-looking noble.
The noble on the other side is the King of the Garboz Kingdom, the second most powerful in the Galleon Alliance, and apparently aiming for the leadership.
“King of Garboz, we have always believed that a country should be ruled by a king.”
“Meaning you want Galleon City to regain its former status before it was democratized by the hero? Pusan Galleon?”
I see, Mr. Pusan, the nervous gentleman, is a descendant of the former royal family of Galleon.
By the way, it seems he’s also a henchman of the pirate known as the Skeletal Duke.
The detailed map info is still a cheat.
“Regain our status… We’re merely returning to where we belong. And under the strong king, His Majesty of Garboz, the alliance shall develop beyond its current state.”
How can I say this? It’s the kind of empty argument you’d expect from a fallen noble.
“I understand your proposal.”
“Then! You will become our backing, won’t you?”
While Mr. Pusan beamed with joy, the King of Garboz’s expression was completely cold.
“I know nothing of that. Heitz, traitor to the alliance. Capture him and send him to the Galleon City council.”
“Is just the head sufficient?”
“That would waste salt. Have him beheaded over there.”
“P-please wait, King of Garboz! We offer you the leadership—”
Ignoring the persistent Mr. Pusan, the king ordered the guards to take him away.
“I wasted time on a fool who couldn’t even play the clown—report.”
“Yes, my lord. The spy we planted with the Skeletal Duke has already fallen into their hands.”
The head page reported, and the king snorted unhappily.
“However, the spy carried a blessed pigeon, which has brought back information.”
“Oh? As expected from a magical artifact crafted by the tower of the sage.”
—Oh, that’s an exciting term.
If I recall, the tower of the sage is another name for the city with the great temple of God Karion.
It’s a place I’m looking forward to visiting soon.
“So, what’s the content?”
“Yes, the Skeletal Duke is a puppet of the demon race, and their true aim is to invade Galleon City and attack the Galleon central temple to seize the Golden Helm Wheel.”
“Hmph, the demon race aiming for the ‘Divine Ship’…”
The Golden Helm Wheel mentioned in their conversation is in my storage, so it can’t be stolen.
“You mentioned a puppet of the demon race just now? Could it be the ‘light of freedom’ group?”
“No, they’re apparently not followers of the Demon King.”
“Hmm, then can we assume those guys won’t stir up trouble this time?”
The king of Garboz asked, and the head page slowly shook his head before speaking.
“We haven’t fully grasped the situation yet, but it’s highly likely that mercenaries among the escort fleet have been infiltrated.”
“So, combined with the pirate invasion, there might be a rebellion in the escort fleet…”
“Regrettably so.”
That might be quite bad.
Two-thirds of the Galleon Alliance’s naval forces are mercenaries in the escort fleet.
—Well, knowing this in advance makes it manageable.
“Our country will observe quietly.”