Published: July 5, 2025
Bant is a port town, but its harbor is not as vast as that of Boago.
As a result, the allied fleet is anchored offshore.
The emperor's main camp in Bant is set up at the daimyo's official residence.
The expeditionary force is stationed around the daimyo's residence.
They were never letting their guard down.
In front of the daimyo's bedroom, Commander of the Forbidden Army Tin was keeping watch without sleep.
Of course, even during the day, he was moving on horseback right next to Emperor Tsuin's carriage… in simple terms, he wasn’t sleeping at all.
However, that was something Tin himself had desired.
To eliminate his sleepiness, he obtained something necessary.
It was something called Kakō Fruit, which has awakening effects.
Of course, it’s not illegal.
Unlike synthetic drugs from some worlds, it ultimately decomposes and is completely excreted from the body without any dependency.
However, it is expensive.
It can only be harvested in Southern Darwei, and the quantity is limited.
When there’s a job that absolutely must be done, and failing to complete it would mean losing his job… this is the last resort bureaucrats in the central government rely on.
One piece keeps a person awake for twelve hours.
To be precise, due to micro-sleep cycles lasting a few seconds or even milliseconds, the damage to the body is less compared to staying awake continuously.
Of course, compared to proper sleep, fatigue accumulates…
Tin had obtained forty pieces of Kakō Fruit.
Southern Darwei is known as the production area for Kakō Fruit.
He directly negotiated with Earl Barrow.
Needless to say, Earl Barrow is Fu Ten, who had returned recently.
Upon hearing the request, Fu Ten quickly procured them from his territory.
Grateful, Tin promised that he would definitely pay for them when he returned to the imperial capital.
But Fu Ten shook his head.
“No payment is necessary. Focus on your duty.”
With that, he returned to his work.
Fu Ten understood.
Emperor Tsuin’s life might be at risk.
To prevent that, he was determined to protect it at all costs… Commander of the Forbidden Army Tin shared that intent.
He had failed once.
Therefore, this time, he had to succeed.
Fu Ten understood that feeling all too well.
Because he had experienced it himself.
He could never forget the incident with the crown prince that could not be protected.
That’s why he wanted Tin to succeed.
Commander of the Forbidden Army Tin took the Kakō Fruit at eight in the evening.
By eight the following morning, sleepiness should not have struck him.
It shouldn't have, but…
“Is this sleepiness? Unthinkable.”
If it had been a Kakō Fruit obtained from someone other than Fu Ten, he might have doubted its authenticity.
However, with Fu Ten, that was impossible.
Five years ago, before the assassination of the crown prince, Earl Barrow Fu Ten had fulfilled many roles in the imperial palace.
His honesty, seriousness, and high problem-solving skills were trusted by both the crown prince and the emperor.
So he knew.
Fu Ten could be trusted.
Then, the reason for feeling sleepy must lie elsewhere.
Tin quietly peeked into the garden from the hallway.
There should have been soldiers on patrol, but…
“Are they all sleeping?”
He muttered, unable to believe the sight before him.
But indeed, it was happening right in front of his eyes.
Naturally, no one could be so fatigued as to be sleeping, nor could they be negligent in their patrols…
If that were the case…
They must have been forcibly put to sleep by some artificial means.
One possible reason was that something had been mixed into their dinner?
“No, I didn’t eat anything.”
That’s right; Tin only drank water from the canteen he always carried.
He had only consumed water and Kakō Fruit.
Yet, it was strange that he too was feeling sleepy.
“Could it be a scent that induces drowsiness?”
But there didn’t seem to be anything like that.
He couldn’t sense any smell.
“I know it’s not advisable, but I have no choice.”
With that thought, Tin took another Kakō Fruit.