Published: July 5, 2025
CHAPTER TEXT:
Night two of the five-night consecutive posting.
"Are you telling me... the Sujay Kingdom has destroyed Bol?"
Given that Bol has perished and its land is now claimed by the Sujay Kingdom, it seems reasonable for Abel to think so.
"No, that’s not the case."
However, Commander Mebeli shakes his head.
"Abel, it was destroyed by a ghost ship. The two from Ruri must have..."
"Isn't that a bit too much?"
"I don't want to believe it either, but... since they failed to collect the skeletons at that time, they must have attacked the island directly."
"Is that so?"
"Let's negotiate directly with the two from Ruri and ask them to release the people of Bol."
Ryo said with a determined expression.
After hearing the conversation between the two, Commander Mebeli shook his head once again.
"Bol was destroyed by a volcanic eruption, sinking overnight."
"Unexpectedly, it was the Atlantis Route."
"A natural disaster. There’s nothing people can do about it."
Ryo and Abel were astonished.
"The capital was destroyed, losing royalty, government, and the core of the economy. So, our island... which is called Lulu Island, held a vote among all residents, and it was decided to come under the umbrella of the Sujay Kingdom."
"So, that’s why it’s the Sujay Kingdom Northern Navy."
Abel nodded at Commander Mebeli's explanation.
However, someone was tugging at Abel's sleeve from the side.
Of course, it was Ryo.
"Hey, Abel."
In a voice even softer than before, Ryo leaned close to Abel's ear and spoke.
"Something feels off."
"Huh?"
"Normally, when a capital is destroyed, it’s not common for them to want to come under another country’s umbrella."
"Is that so?"
"Don't people usually think about rebuilding their own country?"
"Ah... now that you mention it, that might be the case."
After Ryo pointed it out, Abel realized that it might be unnatural.
Certainly, when faced with such a situation, they might think about rebuilding their own nation instead of quickly submitting to another country...
Moreover, the Sujay Kingdom should be quite far from here.
This place is likely closer to the Southern continent than to the Archipelago Sea Region where the Sujay Kingdom is located.
Would such an island really want to come under the distant Sujay Kingdom?
"Please don’t take offense at my question, but... didn’t the people of Lulu Island think about rebuilding the perished Bol?"
Abel decided to ask directly.
Ryo, who had been listening from behind, widened his eyes in shock, as if to say, "What a question!"... but he ignored it.
"They did not."
But Commander Mebeli stated clearly.
"Lulu Island was originally occupied by Bol thirty years ago."
"Ah..."
If they were occupied, they probably wouldn’t have good feelings toward Bol.
"There were people who wanted to regain independence and remain only on their island. However, they feared being occupied again by a country like Bol. The people of Lulu Island are certainly not weak, but... the war with Bol and the subsequent occupation left them with unpleasant memories."
"I see."
"There were also those who wanted to fall under the umbrella of a country on the continent... but the Duchy of Atinjo, a strong country in the Southern continent, is experiencing internal strife due to the Grand Duke's death."
"Ah..."
Both Abel and Ryo inadvertently voiced their agreement.
After all, they had just recently been present at that scene.
"The Gegish-Lou Federation, which is under the grand duchy’s control, is also becoming unstable again. Thus, the people of Lulu decided to come under the umbrella of the strong Sujay Kingdom, which is rapidly gaining power with the ascension of the new queen."
"I see."
Abel nodded at Commander Mebeli's explanation.
Behind Abel, Ryo was nodding repeatedly.
"The people of Lulu have good judgment," and "With Queen Iliriaja, there’s no doubt," he muttered while crossing his arms, trying to appear dignified.
Ignoring Ryo, Abel continued speaking.
"I’ve understood a lot, thank you."
However, Commander Mebeli began to ponder.
"What’s wrong?"