Inspection Trip Beyond The Mainland

World Calendar 1913.

Another year had turned. While many welcomed a fresh start, the wars raging across both the Old Continent and the New only grew broader and fiercer.

With the death toll already in the millions, this unprecedented vortex of war had shocked and terrified people everywhere.

Amid this, the Polia Kingdom greeted the New Year much as in peacetime and went about daily life. People were grateful all over again that they had stayed out of the war. Naturally, they held deep respect and praise for King Ian, who had declared neutrality in advance.

One thing did stir up gossip inside the kingdom: Princess Adrina of the Magnia Empire had not returned home but continued to reside in the royal palace. What stunned people even more was that she publicly declared her feelings for the king.

The news thrilled many. In his fourth year on the throne, the king had not taken any woman. Rumors and wild speculation had been rife; at last there was something to sweep those aside.

Many even assumed Princess Adrina had already spent the night with the king. At the year-end ball, the two had disappeared together, and the princess had never returned to the ballroom, so people judged it likely.

Ian said nothing. He neither confirmed nor denied it, keeping his response deliberately ambiguous. Meanwhile, Princess Adrina continued to visit the palace every day.

January 15.

Half a month of the new year had flown by. Princess Adrina came to Ian’s study daily; the two faced one another over tea. She set down her cup and spoke.

“Everyone thinks I keep trying to woo Your Majesty.”

“That is exactly what has given me headaches these past few days.”

“Without that, I have no reason to remain here.”

“I am not sure this is wise.”

Ian sighed inwardly. When he had first heard the idea, he had been taken aback. For a princess to claim she was smitten with him just to justify staying in the palace—he could only worry it would damage her dignity.

She said she did not mind, but because of it his mother and younger sister kept asking when he would marry—more insistently than before. It was exasperating.

“If this continues, won’t it trouble you later?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re fine, that is a relief.”

“More importantly, when can we go?”

“The preparations are finished. I am thinking of how to give you room to slip away for a time.”

“As I said before—what if I pretend to be so taken with Your Majesty that I stay in your chambers for days?”

“No. That would be far too harsh on you.”

She proposed they pretended to be lovers who spent the night together so she could “remain in his room.” That would do her no good in the long run. Even now the talk was bad enough; to brand it a physical affair would be far more damaging.

“I will not saddle you with a label for life. What about this instead?”

“What is your plan?”

“I will personally go to the Marin Archipelago, officially as an inspection tour. You simply ‘accompany’ me—and then slip away in secret en route to search the ancient ruins.”

“Truly? Is that all right?”

Her surprise told him what she feared. This was his fourth regnal year; what if the capital faltered while he was away?

‘In the early days, perhaps. But not now.’

Back then it would have been risky, but his power was now firmly rooted in the capital. Even in his absence, things would run smoothly for quite a while. Rebellion? With Viscount Rubingseuton, head of the secret police, and Count Dimentis, commander of the Capital Defense Command, no one would dare.

Even the regular Police Bureau effectively served as his personal network. The slightest sign of unrest would trigger sweeping purges that very day. As for the military, many of “his people” were embedded at every level.

Over the past years he had built a deeply interlaced cellular structure. Admirals not conditioned by Mental Manipulation would have no idea that a conditioned handler stood beside them.

‘If anything, a rebellion would be convenient—one last chance to burn out the embers.’

It would be the perfect pretext to finish off remaining malcontents. But Princess Adrina knew none of this, hence her worry.

“Of course it is all right.”

“Even so, I fear you are pushing yourself.”

“It is no strain. When I depart, you will ‘fall ill from the sea voyage’ and remain in your cabin—then move separately to search those ruins.”

“You did not need to do this much for me.”

“I had wanted to make an inspection trip anyway. Before I became king, I commanded at sea.”

“I know. You fought the Doicheun Empire at sea—and joined the Kraken hunt. I visited the Kraken Museum recently; it was amazing.”

“In any case, with that past, I have been chafing at staying in the palace. This is a good chance.”

Hearing that, she could not argue further. She also felt reassured—she had chosen well. If she had tried to act alone, she might still be stuck; even if she moved in secret, the Magnian court would likely have found out.

“Then when do we depart?”

“In a week.”

“A week. Understood.”

She felt relief at that timeline. Jedic’s agents were likely already moving in secret; they might even have found the island by now. Secrecy would limit their speed, though.

‘Please let them not have found it yet…’

That day, Ian suddenly announced he would inspect the Marin Archipelago. The chancellor and ministers leapt to their feet. The king was leaving the capital—so early in his reign! They opposed it in chorus.

But Ian wielded absolute royal authority and pushed it through. The ministers had no choice but to comply. Preparations for the inspection had to be rushed—there was only a week.

It was a very tight schedule, especially to assemble an escort fleet. There was, however, a shortcut: the 10th Fleet was stationed at a nearby naval base within the capital region.

Since October of the previous year, ships had been selected for the fleet. Though the 10th Fleet was formally established only in November, it had nearly three months of preparation; composition was complete, and it had already conducted several sea exercises.

They were about to head out for long-range maneuvers anyway; they could simply set course for the Marin Archipelago. Even so, the 10th Fleet urgently needed fuel and supplies.

Priority shipments began pouring into its base: ammunition and stores by rail to the nearest city, then by truck to the base.

In just three days, they topped up fuel, ammunition, and provisions. Because the king was moving, support came first.

The 10th Fleet steamed to Plea and berthed at the capital naval base; within half a day they stood ready to sail at any moment.

January 22.

Crowds filled the capital’s naval base. The king’s sudden inspection naturally set the Polia Kingdom abuzz. It would be his first time leaving the mainland since ascending the throne.

Many were worried. Despite the stability since the coronation, some embers of rebellion might remain. Yet in most hearts, Ian had become the unquestioned king; a change of monarch was unthinkable. They watched with anxious hope.

Reporters thronged the base—by invitation. Ian meant to show that even if he left the mainland, the country would run as normal.

Princess Adrina stood at his side. Her platinum hair and beauty made a picture with the king; reporters snapped away.

She insisted on accompanying him, saying she could not bear to be apart. People took this as proof she was truly smitten.

The reporters asked questions in turn, strictly by order—anyone shouting out would be expelled. Armed Royal Guards glared; no one dared break ranks.

“There is much curiosity about Your Majesty’s sudden inspection trip. Would you care to comment?”

“I have attended to the mainland long enough. Now I intend to visit the Marin Archipelago—also my realm—and seek places with potential for development.”

Pens flew over notebooks. The next reporter, chosen by turn, hesitated and then asked:

“Since Princess Adrina of Magnia is accompanying you, may we report that you are formally a couple?”

Ears pricked all around. This was what people wanted to know. Ian reflected that nothing drew attention like romance, and gave another deliberately vague answer.

“I will answer that another time.”

“Ah—well, but—”

He tried to press on, but Ian’s secretary, Mardin, cut him off and called the next reporter. Foiled, the man grimaced and stepped back. The next question avoided the princess.

“You said you will evaluate the value of the Marin Archipelago. Is it truly so valuable?”

“There is no place without value. Even if we cannot see it at once, there is always something that can raise it.”

At present, the archipelago was known as a resort and for rich fisheries. Beyond that, little—no significant industry, no obvious mineral wealth.

‘But as maritime territory, it is immensely valuable.’

The islands spanned a wide area, covering much of the southern ocean. Holding them meant claiming a vast maritime domain in the future. For that reason he could consider giving up the New World colonies, but not the archipelago.

“That will be all for questions.”

Hands shot up, but Mardin blocked them, and the Guards formed a wall. The interview ended. Ian looked up at the ship he would board.

‘Armin-class carrier, Hull No. 1—Jude Rora.’

He would sail on the carrier assigned to the 10th Fleet. Twenty carrier fighters were already embarked.

‘Perfect.’

He had wanted to see carrier operations firsthand; now, with the inspection trip, he could. In several ways, this voyage would matter to him.

Princess Adrina, at his side, looked and spoke.

“So this is the famous aircraft carrier?”

“It is.”

“Letting airplanes fly off a ship at sea—how unusual.”

“Think of it as an airfield on the ocean.”

“Have you heard what people call you?”

“A nickname? What is it?”

“A crank—at least when it comes to ships. They say you love building odd ones.”

“Hahaha. Is that the consensus?”

“Crank” sounded good to Ian’s ears; it meant people still failed to grasp a carrier’s value. Being first was an advantage. If they kept operating carriers and building up technique and know-how, Polia could stay ahead in carrier warfare.

‘Though once the empires grasp the value, they have the capacity to catch up fast.’

Such was their strength. All Polia could do was push hard enough to stay a step ahead. Meanwhile, people around them misread the scene and kept snapping photos—faces close together in quiet conversation looked like a rosy romance.

Ian and Princess Adrina went up the gangway. The 10th Fleet, fully prepared, sounded its horn and eased out to sea.

Thus began Ian’s inspection beyond the mainland.