I Won’t Let the Execution Battalion Die, ~Even If the Empire Falls, We Want to Survive~ - Chapter 28: A Dangerous Woman ①

When we headed to the harbor, a figure who seemed to be Admiral Telzen was boarding a ship under cover of darkness.

Though not a fleet battleship. It was a small fast boat. It had sails, but could also be rowed during calm winds. No cannons were mounted—it was used for minor communications and transport.

The distance to the Admiral was about a hundred meters. With guns from my previous life, this would be an easy sniping distance, but with muskets it was out of range. It probably wouldn’t hit, and even if it did, causing fatal injury was questionable.

On the other hand, getting any closer would alert them.

“If only we could hear their voices, but why are they only quiet at times like this?”

“Because they’re being discreet. If soldiers protecting Admiral Telzen’s person couldn’t manage that much, it would be hopeless.”

“Right.”

That old man would probably kill subordinates who couldn’t pay attention to details.

Two fast boats. If one had trouble, they could transfer to the other. For night navigation, this caution was truly fitting for an admiral. Even in bay waters that were like his own backyard, he never underestimated the sea.

I consulted my superior.

“We have an escape boat prepared nearby—should we use it?”

“Let’s do that. But just the two of us rowing won’t be able to catch up.”

I took out a map of Zelan Bay from my pocket. One from the Army Survey Bureau.

“Admiral Telzen’s destinations are limited. He has to return for tomorrow night’s business meeting, so somewhere within a round trip’s distance overnight. Those small fast boats aren’t suited for open ocean navigation, so it’ll be around Zelan Bay. Which means…”

I pointed to islands on the map, and Captain Yugi peered at it.

“There are two islands. What’s this mark?”

“Actually, on the Navy’s map, there’s a third island here.”

Captain Yugi looked up at me.

“What do you mean?”

“Probably an island they want to keep secret from the Army. Even viewing the third island from land, it would go unnoticed because it overlaps with the shadows of other islands. And all these islands are uninhabited and off shipping routes.”

If there were islands, you could hide ships and supplies there, and perform ship inspections and repairs. You could build structures and station artillery units.

An island was an unsinkable giant warship, a base on the ocean.

“The third island is an almost perfect arc. Probably only the crater portion of an undersea volcano is exposed. There’s one gap on the north side of the arc, forming a cove hidden by the island’s shadow. Ideal as a pirate stronghold.”

Captain Yugi nodded with understanding.

“I see. It has strategic value so its existence is concealed. That means there’s a high possibility Admiral Telzen is using this as a hideout?”

“Since they’re going to the trouble of concealing it, probably so.”

The act of hiding itself indicates something was there. Of course, there were cases of “planning to use it for something eventually but nothing’s there yet,” so it remained a gamble.

I folded the map and looked at the pitch-black Zelan Bay.

“It’s a big gamble, but we can’t get Second Lieutenant Crimine back without going. There’s no guarantee she’ll be safe until tomorrow.”

Captain Yugi thought deeply, then spoke as company commander.

“We might be taking unnecessary risks, you know?”

But even so, I didn’t change my mind.

“There’s no such thing as ‘unnecessary’ risk taken for a comrade-in-arms. However foolish it might look, I believe we should demonstrate through action the spirit of never abandoning comrades.”

“Understood. Then let’s do what we can. However, mission completion has top priority. Be prepared for that.”

“Yes, Company Commander.”

When I nodded, Captain Yugi squeezed my hand tightly.

“I’m proud that you’re my subordinate.”

“Eh? A-ah, thank you.”

Somehow embarrassing.

Now, let’s get Crimine back.

****

Dear Mother, elder sister, and younger brothers back home. Oh, and I suppose I’ll include Father too since it can’t be helped.

I was currently aboard a ship as a slave.

As a child of a family that became quasi-nobles through money alone, I was deeply ashamed.

But it couldn’t be helped. This was part of the mission too.

I sighed inwardly while enjoying the sensation of the cool sea breeze.

Tonight there was a half moon, but with clouds too, making it hazy. Still, I could see the ocean somewhat. Black as ink. A little scary.

When I took a sea voyage before, it was on a trading ship owned by my paternal grandfather. Everyone was a servant then, so they were kind to me.

When I tried to climb the mast, I got spanked according to ship regulations… I was about seven?

Still, I wonder why being punished was so fun?

“Hey, woman. Don’t get too close to the ship’s edge. Get in the cabin.”

Ordered by Admiral Telzen, I quietly bowed my head.

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

If I felt like it, I could be a perfect lady. Though it wouldn’t be fun.

Since it was a small ship, the cabin was like a storage room. No bed, not even chairs, so I sat on a bundle of ropes.

Admiral Telzen was looking at the diagram by candlelight while opening the fan Lieutenant Fonkt had given him.

Still, I wonder where he got that shell diagram? Lieutenant Fonkt was full of mysterious things—such an enigmatic senior.

But he was so kind, and occasionally strict, which made my heart flutter… ah, I want to be spanked. That time I was suspended was the best. I absolutely want to do it again.

“You’re quite calm.”

Since Admiral Telzen spoke to me and I hadn’t been listening to anything, I quietly bowed my head.

“Yes.”

Ah, I want to go home soon. Won’t Company Commander burst through the ship’s bottom yelling “HYAAAH!” or something? I think she could beat up all these guys.

Admiral Telzen was still looking at me.

“If this shell diagram is fake, you’ll be the target for test firing. Tomorrow night, I’ll throw your corpse in front of that young punk.”

That’s… very exciting! Too bad I won’t be able to see it myself.

The Admiral snorted.

“Not fazed at all. Then the diagram must be real.”

“Yes.”

I don’t know if it’s real, but since it’s Lieutenant Fonkt’s work, it’s probably fine. At least, if I were shaking here, it wouldn’t amount to anything.

Just then, a voice came from outside.

“Admiral! We’re approaching the inlet’s reefs! What about the signal to the gun battery?”

“‘No pursuers following me, but watch the sea.'”

“Got it! Hey, send ‘No pursuers following me, but watch the sea!'”

We seemed to be approaching our destination. But I couldn’t see anything locked in the cabin. Since struggling wouldn’t help, I imagined my own corpse while thinking about Lieutenant Fonkt’s reaction.

Would he be sad if I died? If I could remain as a small scratch in Lieutenant Fonkt’s heart, dying wouldn’t be so bad.

Lieutenant Fonkt would probably easily get through this level of crisis, but if he kept worrying afterward, “If only I could have rescued Second Lieutenant Crimine then”?

Ah, that makes my heart flutter. Very nice…

“Are you possibly not calm but simply absent-minded?”

Since Admiral Telzen was looking at me suspiciously, I smiled softly.

“Yes.”

“Don’t affirm that. Strange woman.”

Admiral Telzen made a sour face.

“You’re that Wong fellow’s lover, aren’t you?”

Eh?

“Yes.”

Oops, I reflexively answered immediately. My mouth was honest.

Then Admiral Telzen nodded with satisfaction.

“As I thought. When I said to hand you over, that guy panicked for a moment. A man who didn’t panic even with a gun pointed at him.”

Hehe, of course, of course. After all, I was loved by Lieutenant Fonkt. Probably.

Admiral Telzen roughly pushed the fan shut.

“According to my subordinates’ reports, you two seemed oddly close even when he was living it up at the bars. So you really are that man’s weak point.”

“Yes.”

“You’ve been saying nothing but ‘yes’ this whole time…”

Admiral Telzen looked somewhat exasperated, but since everyone reacts this way on first meeting, it’s nothing surprising. Lieutenant Fonkt was just an exception.

Admiral Telzen sighed lightly and said:

“As long as that man brings me profit, I won’t kill you. Though I have no intention of returning you either. I’ll keep you as a hostage.”

“Yes” would be wrong here, right? I silently lowered my eyes and put on a sad expression.

This person will be assassinated, and I’ll return to being Lieutenant Fonkt’s subordinate again.

It’s okay, it should be okay…