Published: July 4, 2025
Under the blue sky, Ryo and Abel set up an ice table and chairs on the main deck and began reading the documents brought by Inspector Li Wu.
There was a lot of information they were unaware of, both good news and bad news.
First, the good news.
The Chououchi Empire reportedly has one hundred thousand phantom beings, most of which are 'hollow.'
'Hollow' means just that—they are merely present without any substance.
Other phantom beings can manipulate them, but they have no will and cannot move by themselves.
They are merely puppets.
They are referred to as 'vessels' by other phantom beings.
In fact, they can disappear with just a light tap.
It seems that the 'phantom' in phantom beings comes from this.
However, they can use sorcery.
As a result, they are often used like mobile artillery.
Now, onto the bad news.
One part of the Chououchi Empire is quite far north.
There are years when the temperature in January can drop to minus thirty degrees... very far north.
Currently, it is not that cold, but the location is still quite distant.
And of course, the darwei ship has never navigated those waters.
Captain Ra Woo intends to acquire maps and, if possible, navigational charts in the Payu Nation along the way.
For now, Ryo has conveyed all the content from the letter written by Prince Lyun to Captain Ra Woo.
It seems that before this, Captain Ra Woo had already made some guesses based on what he heard from Inspector Li Wu.
Ryo also handed over the formal order from Prince Lyun regarding the Tenth Fleet to Captain Ra Woo.
Even without that, it seems they would have cooperated... but with this order, it is said that the ship's crew will definitely not face punishment.
Operating a 'public ship,' a national asset, is quite rigid in terms of flexibility.
There were several other astonishing pieces of information, but...
"Ah, there is information regarding the phantom king."
"The Phantom King's residence? Is it like Prince Lyun's Princely Residence?"
As Ryo and Abel skimmed through the information related to the phantom king, they came across such a term.
"It seems the phantom king is not just someone among the common phantom beings, but rather someone whose existence is recognized by the imperial government within the Chououchi Empire."
"There’s a 'residence' specifically for him. However, according to this document... it suggests that power is somewhat divided, doesn't it?"
"Huh?"
Abel handed the completed document to Ryo.
Having been buried in documents as a king for three years, Abel's reading speed is quite impressive.
Ryo considers himself to be fast as well, but he cannot match Abel.
"...Indeed. Moreover, it seems the phantom king holds more power than the Chououchi emperor?"
"Since he can manipulate phantom beings… is the emperor a puppet too…?"
"Oh, but look, this document details their respective objectives."
"The Chououchi emperor wants to move south and dominate darwei. That’s understandable. But what about the phantom king's objective…?"
"To pass through the 'corridor' and reach the Central Nations? Huh? Why would he want to go to the Central Nations?"
The phantom king's goal was stated as reaching the Central Nations, leaving both Abel and Ryo confused.
Why the Central Nations?
"It states that the darwei emperor is needed to open the 'corridor' to the Central Nations…?"
"What does that mean?"
It’s probably a treasure trove of information that could be deemed as jewels.
However, it’s too fragmented for them to understand...
"In situations like this, it’s crucial to prioritize properly to avoid project failure!"
"Pro… what?"
"First and foremost, the rescue of his majesty the emperor."
"That is indeed the top priority."
"And everything else will be dealt with as it comes."
"...It can't be helped."
Both Ryo and Abel accepted this compromise.
Ryo, too, would like to defeat the phantom king and release Duke Helb from the ice if possible, but it has to take a backseat to the primary objective.
Just then, Captain Ra Woo arrived.
He seemed to be explaining the schedule...