Volume 4 Chapter 10 Hatred
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
In the days leading up to departure, I had a lot of time to think about why we were going.
The highest officer in the Schweilitz Kingdom Navy is the King. One step below him is the Vice Admiral, a position held in name by Marquis Sabaski, the Lord of Kure. But if you look at how the ships are named, the real power belongs to the Fourth Sage, who is called the Advisor.
By the way, the top office for managing people and money is also held by the head of the Naval Academy. That explains why he always seemed so busy.
Since the navy is very young, the shipyards have a big influence on how it works. Even now, new cruisers and transport ships are being built.
The Navy sent a new order to one of those cruisers being built. The official mission was to rescue Professor Rosa. The real mission was to kill her.
Somewhere between the Royal Capital and Kure, in the Duke’s main city, the Amazoness (a tribe of warrior women) kidnapped her. There are rumors she went with them willingly after they talked her into it, but nothing is sure.
According to prisoners who were questioned, the Amazoness kidnapped her because they are afraid of the new technology of the Black Ships (new warships) made by Schweilitz. The Amazoness are a sea people who worship the Dragon God. They have real control over the Lemurian Sea (a sea like the Indian Ocean), where they trade, but also sometimes act as pirates or sea mercenaries.
If these Black Ships came into their area, they would lose their control of the sea. So they kidnapped Rosa to build warships that could match ours.
Maybe the Amazoness are desperate; while kidnapping Rosa, they started a fight with the Empire of Charle, who were their old friends. News has come that they have sailed from the Grimaldi Principality (a small country), a country on the inland sea (like the Mediterranean).
For Schweilitz, letting Rosa’s smart ideas get to other countries is not just a loss. It means other nations could build strong navies, which could block trade or even cause terrible damage in war.
That is why, even though the mission was called a “rescue” of Rosa, the ship was told to kill her. Maybe the leaders thought her brilliant inventions and her too-advanced ideas were too dangerous.
But if that is true, am I not even more dangerous? I made the first designs for the Black Ships, and this time I even created dynamite. I have brought in many technologies from my old life, starting with the fixed-wing drone.
Why am I not killed? Especially when I already have a death sentence? It is not because I am less smart than her. It is because I have children. I have made them in many places.
In contrast, she is half-Dwarf and half-human, and cannot have children. Because of this, people think she has nothing tying her to this country.
In this time, family ties are very important. Even I, with a death sentence, forced to give the country I built to my son, and squeezed for payments, did not run to another country because I had my family here. There is a rule that just running away from battle brings ruin to your family and village—like in the Haritz Rebellion (a past rebellion), where families got the death penalty and girl children were sold as slaves.
Rosa cannot have children. She cannot have her own family. If she was even a little unhappy with Schweilitz, she could just leave with only herself. Many countries would welcome her.
We cannot let that happen. If she is going to another country, we should kill her instead. I think that is the thinking behind the order to kill her.
But to me, she was originally a cute? student of mine. Also, I still feel guilty about the Battle of the Fifty-Three Stations, where I ordered her, when she was still a child, to kill General Geklan. The truth is, I want to save her somehow.
To do that, I have to be on that ship, but I was not sure if I would get orders to go on board.
The crew was chosen, and the boarding orders came on April 28th, two days before we left. (In this world, a month is 28 days.) Two days before that, I got a short but strong letter from the servants of the Eastern Palace where Tina lives, telling me to “return to the Eastern Palace immediately.”
But orders from the King are much more important than words from a simple servant of the Eastern Palace. So I decided not to go back to the Royal Capital right away, and instead waited for the announcement on the 28th.
* * *
Whether I was going on the ship or back to the Eastern Palace, I had to pack my things. If I could, I wanted to see Louise one more time. While I was pushing the grumbling Kenze and Pamela to get ready, the Fourth Sage came the day before the announcement, bringing a teacher from the Old Master’s village (a village of old martial arts masters).
”So, you’ve basically decided to ignore the talk from the Eastern Palace, have you?” the Fourth Sage asked.
Could it be?
”The talk of the arranged marriage is off, then?” I asked.
”That will not happen,” the Fourth Sage replied.
He said it quite flatly. The only thing that was “off” was the order to return to the Eastern Palace at once.
”There is no way His Majesty would allow the arranged marriage to be called off,” he added.
That is what he said.
Still, I asked him again: what business brought the Fourth Sage himself all the way to this small, uncomfortable lodging?
”I need you to board the ‘Izumo’ and go to the strait city of Suez,” the Fourth Sage commanded.
Damn it. Even if the marriage is not off, he is still sending me to Suez.
”The first thing I want you to do is make sure Rosa’s body is dead,” the Fourth Sage said.
It was the first time I had heard the Fourth Sage speak so coldly. The order was the job I feared the most.
”Make sure the body is dead?” I repeated. I do not want her to be killed if possible. She is still only sixteen, the same age as this body.
”So I do not have to kill her myself?” I asked.
”Surely, even I would not ask that of you,” the Fourth Sage said.
Indeed, he knows I am the type who would fake her death and help her escape.
”And then I will take Kenze into our custody,” the Fourth Sage continued.
The Fourth Sage’s gaze turned to Kenze, and this was something I had feared.
The Amazoness kidnapped Rosa on their own, not because Charle or the Turkic Empire asked. So of course the Amazoness will be watched carefully. Also, Kenze has been with me, learning military secrets, and she used to be in a spy group. While I am away, the Old Master’s village is the best place to keep an eye on her.
”Every one of the two fabric shops we have in this country, except the Duke’s place, has had the Amazoness disappear. They left everyone except the local workers, and cleared out. Even Kauhar-san, Kenze’s old boss, and that child Zaboo she was taking care of,” the Fourth Sage explained.
Anger showed on Kenze’s face. Zaboo is Kenze’s child. During the Haritz Rebellion, she was still swimming in a jar. She is the child who came out of the jar on the ship on the Danube River when we were going to Rus. Her anger is probably at the Amazoness, and she probably will not attack the Fourth Sage, but showing such strong emotion is not good.
”Calm down,” I told her.
”I… understand,” Kenze replied.
Kenze also realized she could not hide her feelings about her children. If she thinks calmly, her child Zaboo must be with Kauhar. If Kauhar and the others had been caught by Schweilitz’s authorities, the Fourth Sage would know.
”So about taking Kenze into custody…” I prompted.
”I just want her to stay quietly in the Old Master’s village,” the Fourth Sage said.
As I expected; that is why the teacher came.
”Understood. Let’s go,” Kenze agreed.
She was surprisingly obedient. Personally, I would have felt very safe having Kenze with me when going to an unknown place.
”Make sure… you come to get me,” Kenze said.
Heh, so she has started saying things like that. I thought back to the time I accidentally bought her at an auction, and my face softened.
”What is… so funny?” Kenze asked.
When I told her the truth, she turned away, huffing, “Hmph, not amusing at all.”
Kenze has treated me well until now. But with Rosa’s kidnapping, people in the country might hate the Amazoness more. It is better for her to live in the Old Master’s village than where the public can see her. She understands that too.
”Instructor, she may not be perfect, but I leave her in your care,” I said.
When I said that and grabbed Kenze’s head to make her bow, she hissed, “I’ll kill you.”
By the way, Pamela will come on the ship because she can use Mana (magic energy) for healing.
”Pamela, you are going to have him… all to yourself again,” Kenze grumbled.
I think Kenze means that I was with Pamela for a long time when I founded the Fee Grand Principality.
”Kenze, this guy… was flirting with women everywhere back then (when founding the Grand Principality). You know how many he got pregnant,” Pamela said.
That’s harsh. That’s really how she puts it. But the Fourth Sage made an even more problematic statement.
”Is that so? I had forgotten that Larry-kun had such a bad habit with women,” the Fourth Sage mused.
”Is that… true, Al?” Kenze asked.
Why is Kenze interested in that?
”Katarina, a beautiful woman who used to be his subordinate, has also been assigned to the ship. I hope you do not cause any problems,” the Fourth Sage warned.
”Do not you know? He already… has problems with that woman,” Kenze retorted.
”It is a famous story. He actually did the ‘naughty thing’ at work, where everyone could hear,” Pamela added.
I see, so Katarina is coming too.
”Larry-kun, I would like you to show some restraint at work,” the Fourth Sage urged.
As expected, he says that.
”The second goal is: once we go into the Inland Sea (a sea like the Mediterranean), I expect pirates and warships to appear. I want you to destroy them all,” the Fourth Sage ordered.
”All of them?” I asked.
While I waited for his answer, I went over the Izumo’s structure in my mind.
The organization of the “Izumo” is divided into four parts: Navigation, Engineering, Torpedo, and Maintenance. Navigation handles steering and is split into Bridge Team and Deck Team. The Bridge Team plans the course and tells the Deck Team and Engineering what to do. They also find the ship’s position by looking at the sun and stars. The Deck Team mainly works the sails to move without using the engine (coal) and takes care of the ship’s body. Engineering supplies coal and water to the boilers and takes care of the turbines and generators. Maintenance has a Material Team that checks food, water, and coal supplies and gives advice; a Catering Team that cooks; and a Sanitation Team that treats injuries and illnesses. I am the head of the Torpedo Division. The Torpedo Division has a fixed-wing drone Team, an Artillery Team, and an Explosives Team. The leader of the fixed-wing drone Team is Katarina. She has five female Mages working under her. Even though it is called artillery, I had many ideas but not enough time to equip them. So we have six female Mages who use cartridge-style Coilguns (magnetic weapons). I am also the leader of the Explosives Team, but I have no helpers. My job is to record how many Coilgun cartridges and dynamite we have left every day. It is what you call boring tasks.
”By any chance… are his helpers all female Mages?” Kenze asked.
”There is no way this guy will not cause trouble in a place like that. You chose the wrong people,” Pamela muttered.
My slave really does say whatever she wants.
”I see, so Larry-kun is as loose with women as the rumors say,” the Fourth Sage remarked.
Do not call me loose. I sound like a degenerate.
”What rumors? Who said that?” I asked.
When I asked back, a little angry, he mentioned a professor at the Magic Academy, a noble of the Grand Principality, and Major Sonya. The names were too real.
”Should I have sent Larry-kun to the Eastern Palace instead?” the Fourth Sage asked.
What nonsense. Even if you tell me “no,” I am going.
”So I just need to sink all the pirates and warships that appear, right?” I confirmed.
I brought the conversation back.
”Yes. I want you to sink them so thoroughly that they will not be able to touch our country’s ships in the future,” the Fourth Sage replied.
”But if we do not have supplies, we cannot come back,” I argued. By my calculations, we can only use the engine for at most two weeks. After that, we have to rely on wind. We only have fifty fixed-wing drone units for suicide attacks loaded with dynamite.
”Also, if we keep sinking them with dynamite, the pirates in the Inland Sea are linked to Turku, are they not? Will they not stop the import of materials for nitroglycerin?” I asked.
”On that point, it is fine. We have a plan to bring in sulfuric acid from the Celt Kingdom. And for nitric acid—well, saltpeter—have you ever heard of the ‘old method’ in your previous life, Larry-kun?” the Fourth Sage asked.
When I said I studied science so I did not learn much history, he told me you can get saltpeter from under the floorboards of old houses using urine. Also, a way was found on the coast of the Fee Grand Principality where they burn seaweed to make it. It takes a lot of effort to make concentrated nitric acid, but it is possible. He also said they heard that concentrated sulfuric acid can be taken from the volcanic islands of our friend country, the Celt Kingdom, and they are now checking the real substance.
”It is becoming possible to make it at a lab level, so well, I think it is fine,” the Fourth Sage said.
I feel like it is not good enough unless you have actually made it. Maybe this is the difference in thinking between the professors and the technical engineers.
”But even if dynamite can be made, how will you bring it during this trip? By land? And if we are going to fight, I think we will need more coal,” I questioned. If the enemy is a small, fast ship, we will have to use the engine to move.
”Has Larry-kun not seen it? The cruiser ‘Tsukushi’ is being changed into a supply ship that can handle the open ocean,” the Fourth Sage replied.
The other day, when I went to help make nozzles for the Craft Engine (a type of engine) of the new supply ship, I saw the cruiser “Tsukushi” in the dry dock next to it, but I did not know it was being changed, not just fixed. But I wonder if it will be ready in time. For now, it seems best not to take the talk of sinking every pirate ship too literally.
* * *
With all that happening, every night until we left, Kenze wanted me, and during the day, Katarina, who became my helper, would come saying “I have a consultation,” and try to seduce me—well, I managed to say no about half the time.
May 2nd. The new cruiser “Izumo” left Kure, with a big crowd of people seeing it off.
—
Summary:
The protagonist is ordered to board the Izumo for a mission to the Inland Sea, which secretly involves the assassination of his former student, Rosa. Amidst domestic political pressures regarding his family and potential arranged marriages, he must also reconcile the relocation of his subordinate Kenze to the Old Master’s village. The mission also brings him back into contact with another former subordinate, Katarina, as the ship departs Kure.
—
Trivia:
The protagonist created the Black Ships and dynamite in this world.
Kenze’s child Zaboo was swimming in a jar during the Haritz Rebellion.
Saltpeter can be obtained from old houses using urine, according to the Fourth Sage.
The cruiser Tsukushi is being refitted into a supply ship for the open ocean.
A month in this world consists of 28 days.
Notes:
• Fourth Sage – The Fourth Sage of Schweilitz is an enigmatic, cool-headed, elderly high-ranking official and advisor who believes diplomacy relies on military might. Aloof yet manipulative, they oversee the protagonist’s life, facilitate status changes, and issue cold, lethal bureaucratic orders while controlling Larry’s housing and insisting on his crucial role in the New Continent mission.
• Schweilitz – The kingdom to which the protagonist is forced to return boasts towering academy spires and a full military arsenal—Royal Army troops and elite officers. Its ruler holds a captive the protagonist fears will be executed.
• Marquis – An elderly nobleman with a volatile temper that quickly flares into a violent duel when insulted. Despite his pride, he serves as a vital informant and contact for the protagonist, leveraging his deep knowledge of military trials and character backgrounds to assist them.
• Sabaski – A family name associated with the Dean of the Simple-type faculty, held by a Marquis and nominal Vice Admiral who serves as the Lord of Kure, detailing their high-status identity and key institutional and regional relationships.
• Fourth – An enigmatic and cunning figure also known as the Fourth Sage. This mysterious entity actively seeks advice from Larry while simultaneously insisting on Larry’s crucial participation in the upcoming New Continent mission.
• Saba – A surname belonging to Nikaure.
• Sage – An elderly instructor and mentor who acts as a schemer behind the scenes. He is responsible for recommending Larry for various academic and safety-related positions.
• Mar – A battle‑hardened veteran, clad in worn armor, uses door panels as shields and captures enemy crossbows; Larry’s comrade who teases him about his sister‑in‑law’s pampering, known as Martin to his companion Edmond.
• Rosa – A 14-year-old, square-built Sabaski shipyard professor of noble half-Dwarf descent, this cynical genius has immense mana and psychopathic tendencies. A wealthy Kure-region associate and drone pilot, she profited from the protagonist’s blueprints and designed Bohemian glass propulsion. She was then kidnapped by the Amazoness, deemed dangerous by the state, and targeted for assassination.
• Principal – The mother of Line and the administrative head of the institution. She exercises authoritative control over research assignments and seeks to trade Larry for Ilse Klein due to interpersonal conflicts in her laboratories. The mother of Sabrina and Rhein who intervenes during Rhein’s violent corridor assault to break up the confrontation.
• Haritz – A fortified town famed for iron-clad guard Golems and a past rebellion whose lingering forces targeted the Cain estate. Nearby, a Marquis hid his grandson—a figure who participated in a duel trial against the protagonist before being surrendered to authorities.
• Geklan – A renowned enemy general and mercenary commander who relied on feigned retreats, only to be defeated and killed by Rosa during the Fifty-Three Station Defense Battle.
• Al – Alberto (Al), a massive red‑haired man recently wed to Mary, lives near the Dish Basin. He’s a companion of Hans, helping intimidate and rally elders as a villager and leader.
• Tina – The 12-year-old Second Princess of Schweilitz is a wild-red-haired, sharp-eyed Eastern Palace resident and heir to the throne. Cheerful yet arrogantly masking a need for approval, she acts as a proxy in the Celt Kingdom. At the Academy, she seeks a suitor and tries to dominate the protagonist in a potential marriage setup, while scorning her alternate-protagonist fiancé as a pervert.
• Louise – A tall, rugged Jutland-born former Mage Lieutenant of the 101st Golem Battalion, she now serves as a school principal and shipbuilding manager. Sporting short red hair and a guard-like build, she pilots a Type 95 Golem. Despite a past miscarriage, she is the mother of the protagonist’s son and is currently pregnant with his child. Their complex connection remains a subject of local rumor.
• Master – An old master who serves as a mentor to the protagonist. He maintains a calm and pragmatic demeanor.
• Pamela – A female associate who monitors Larry’s interactions with other women. A slave acting as a Medical Mage with a Corporal’s uniform. She is bold, playful, and enjoys teasing Larry about his appearance and financial status.
• Kenze – A dark-skinned Amazoness with short hair, a niqab, and slave attire. This stoic, non-mage former major offender and Takshurgan agent is Larry’s loyal guard, commander, and close companion who teases his bald head. Entrusted to the Fourth Sage before the voyage, she rejects slave treatment, using blinding speed to shield her daughter Zaboo and allies Pamela, Marie, Thomas, and Teressa.
• Pam – An escort to the protagonist who is observant and loyal.
• His Majesty – The King of the realm possesses an expressionless, Noh mask-like face, rarely showing emotion except for brief amusement during trials. He holds absolute authority over the kingdom, presiding over high-level deliberations, giving the final word on legal transitions like duels, and maintaining supreme command over all military missions and strategic troop deployments.
• Kauhar – An operative for the Turkic Empire intelligence agency and Kenze’s former superior, this woman led a group of Amazonesses while posing as a fabric shop owner. She has since vanished, along with the Amazoness fabric shops.
• Zaboo – Delivered from a jar during the Haritz Rebellion and now missing, Kenze’s newborn daughter was named after his homeland’s strongest figure. Prior to her disappearance, the infant constantly accompanied Kenze and was cared for at a Capital fabric shop by his former superior officer, who shared a close bond with the creature and looked after her alongside her companion.
• Ange – Angelica Novakova, the three-month-old eldest daughter of Larry, Henrietta, and Marie, is a young infant living in Marie’s associated gate town. Born during the Haritz Rebellion, she uniquely possesses the outward appearance of a toddler and already displays signs of early development.
• Rus – A neighboring power deeply involved in regional politics and mediation, best known for annexing the Kingdom of Larland.
• Mana – A non-commissioned officer and liaison who previously had their mana drained by Larry.
• Fee – Larry Fee Getys is a 15-year-old reincarnated youth and titular Duke. Pragmatic and telepathic, this sharp-eyed young man leads the Getys household and rules Strock Village alongside Hans, Iffens, Teressa, and their maid Nico. While building a new nation, he enjoys prime whale meat and maintains crucial connections to Adolf and various underground networks.
• Larry – Sammy I (Larry-sama) is a 16-year-old bald, dark-haired Grand Duke and Second Lieutenant who reincarnated from an engineering professor. Leading a naval vessel, this serious yet easily flustered officer uses past-life tech, mana, and telepathy to design ships and dynamite. Frequently underestimated due to his youth, he maintains heavy influence through four wives, kids, and sudden unexpected fame.
• Katarina – A 30-year-old female Assistant Professor, former Academy Chief Researcher, and drone expert with an erotic physique and explosion-triggered instability. Expelled after being used by Pauman, this former intimate subordinate of the protagonist now serves as Earnest’s attendant and squadron commander on the ship. Assisting in operations, she recently decided to marry her established partner, Larry.
• Major – A commanding military officer with a sadistic inclination toward interrogation. She orchestrates the sessions and utilizes Telepathy to coordinate with her subordinates.
• Sonya – Sonya is a petite, sharp-eared elf orphan and former Schuberitz Major who commanded a Magic Armored Golems Division. Feared as a youthful, serious, and sadistically strategic pilot with a difficult personality, she faced the protagonist in a duel trial. She handles Larry’s combat via telepathic mana, guards Maria, trains Louise, and is tied to rumors about the protagonist’s behavior.
• Celt – In his twenties, this former tenant farmer and 303rd Unit militia leader is now a pragmatic, calculating Deputy Commander of the Town Guards—equivalent to a sergeant or officer—overseeing Strock Village’s fortifications. Dressed in simple work clothes, he quietly admires Teressa-san’s skill and serves as the village’s trusted gossip source, having earned his land with reward money. Once a sandal-maker and translator of Bours’s jargon, he maintains a careful working relationship with Larry while balancing political interests, embodying calm kindness beneath his disciplined exterior.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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