When the Silence Breaks

Carrying cargo only on the way there and returning empty is practically unheard of unless something exceptional happens. Labor costs, equipment wear. Above all, it wastes time.

You have to make at least some profit.

In that regard, when Azu and the others stopped by Spartia last time and bought gemstones on the way back, that was an excellent decision.

You can't make money hauling air. Even if the margins are thin, loading something cuts costs and earns you a bit more.

I believe that's a shared understanding among merchants.

So I went to negotiate whether I could rent some of the galleon's space, now empty after unloading all the wheat.

The captain had apparently been thinking about the return cargo too and readily agreed.

Normally when they came to Iselia they would also load dried seafood and such, but with the current risk of food shortage, that wasn't an option.

And while they could load iron ore, without a buyer lined up, the captain would have to pay upfront to purchase it, which meant he couldn't buy enough.

He still had to pay his crew's wages too.

If a buyer were already arranged, things would be different, but this was short notice.

So I figured he would want someone to pay freight charges to rent the space, and I was exactly right.

"For that amount, you can use up to this much space."

"Thanks, you're a lifesaver."

I shook hands with the captain and left the dock.

As for the iron ore itself, Crown Prince Kelves arranged it.

Since the land routes were blocked, they couldn't sell what they had, and apparently the stockpile had grown, making this a good opportunity to clear inventory.

In the end, I wound up spending quite a bit of money in Iselia.

I had a feeling the money received from the duke had simply moved locations.

If all this had been calculated in advance, that would be impressive.

The scary part was that it was actually plausible.

Preparations for the ship were nearly complete. Departure day was approaching.

"We're being watched. Both this house and all of you."

Finn said that while stabbing her fork into a seaweed salad.

She had apparently been setting up devices and traps the entire time we'd been in the house.

When I told her to put everything back afterward, she said it could be undone quickly.

"Well, if it were just me that'd be one thing, but with Alexia here too, we won't fall behind. Azu and Elza are here too."

"Am I just an afterthought?"

"I think you're worrying too much…"

"You're too naive. Listen, those people work for money. Even if they're friendly now, attacking the next moment is completely normal for them."

Saying that, Finn shoveled paella into her mouth.

I understood what she wanted to say. She was saying we'd get our throats cut if we let our guard down.

"I kind of want to try fighting them though."

"If it were just you that'd be one thing, but with two liabilities here, it's better if it doesn't come to that."

"Well, that's true. I can't fight at full strength while worrying about protecting people behind me."

"Don't say scary things. Getting out without trouble is the best outcome."

"I apologize for being useless…"

Orleans took it seriously and bowed her head.

"But if we're just being watched and that's all, isn't it fine? We're leaving soon, right?"

I nodded at Azu's words.

The iron ore I'd bought had been loaded onto the ship, and the sea was calm.

Barring any incidents, we were scheduled to depart tomorrow at noon.

"Well, I appreciate you looking out for us. I wouldn't notice things like that."

Sharp-sensed people like Azu or Alexia might notice, but being told we were under surveillance meant nothing to me.

"If an ordinary merchant could tell, that'd make them third-rate at best."

We finished dinner with such conversation.

This was a nice place.

Though noisy during the day, nights were quiet and peaceful.

The only sound was the waves, making the hectic days feel like they belonged to another world.

…?

As I went for a walk with Azu, I sensed something off.

Something felt different from yesterday.

"What's wrong?"

"Hey, Azu."

"Yes?"

"I'm sensing something off. Doesn't the scenery look different from yesterday?"

"Let me see…"

When I mentioned what I was feeling, Azu began checking our surroundings.

Something felt different. A subtle difference.

"Now that you mention it, aren't those lights over there a bit closer?"

"Lights?"

When I looked where she indicated, the lights from the encampment of the besieging lords' army did seem closer.

They should have been more distant and smaller.

"Maybe they're tightening the siege. Good thing we're leaving tomorrow."

"Yes. If they attacked, we'd have nowhere to run."

We cut the walk short and returned to the house, where Finn was already in her combat outfit and fully prepared.

Alexia and Elza had their weapons in hand too.

Orleans stood still with her hood pulled up.

"What happened?"

Sensing something was off, I asked Alexia.

"The surveillance is gone. Both Finn and I are saying so, so there's no mistake."

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Not necessarily. If they lifted surveillance because we're leaving tomorrow, that's fine. But if something else became a higher priority than us…"

Finn stopped there.

She drew her twin crystal swords from their sheaths and gripped one in each hand.

"It means enemies have arrived."

A clattering sound rang out.

It was the clappers Finn had set up outside.

The atmosphere seemed to shift instantly.

Azu had also drawn her sword and stood beside me, ready for anything.