“This…”

Major Ren had done all the mental preparation he could before meeting him, and yet Kain’s words still left his head spinning.

He’d imagined the young master losing himself to rage, or being so overcome with grief he couldn’t hold himself together. But he’d never once imagined the other man would refuse to return to the military.

First, the Orlan Empire’s most powerful fleet, the First Fleet, had been wiped out. Then the naval commander most trusted and supported by the military and the Empire’s upper ranks had refused to return. What did this mean? What kind of uproar would it cause?

Major Ren didn’t even dare think about it. With a pained look, he tried to persuade him. “Young Master, what Robert did was certainly underhanded, but he isn’t a prophet. How could he have known the fleet would run into a disaster like that…”

The Robert Major Ren referred to was one of the Orlan Empire’s three governors. He was violent and cruel by nature, and had a taste for killing. He’d even personally burned more than a thousand Federation prisoners to death. To appease the Punora Federation’s anger, the Orlan Empire had suffered enormous public backlash and economic losses.

Because of that, the governor had once been hauled before a military tribunal. But thanks to his distant kinship with His Majesty the Emperor and the outstanding military service he’d rendered in the past, he not only escaped responsibility—he wasn’t even given the slightest punishment.

For someone whose reputation was utterly rotten, neither the Empire’s enemies nor its own people had any fondness for him. Even his closest subordinates felt nothing but fear and awe toward him, never the slightest respect.

That’s why Major Ren called him by his name instead of addressing him as Governor Robert.

Realizing that his father’s old subordinate had misunderstood him, Kain shook his head.

Although Robert had pushed through the plan to hunt down the Mermaid against all opposition, the disaster at sea had struck like a sudden change in the weather. It clearly wasn’t something he could have predicted or plotted. So even though Kain had never thought much of the governor to begin with, he wouldn’t force the blame onto him.

“I’m not dissatisfied with the governor or the Empire. I just have some things to take care of for now. That’s all you need to know—and report.” Kain didn’t explain further. He simply said it in a tone that brooked no refusal.

“So that’s what it is. Young Master, couldn’t you have said all that at once? You nearly scared the life out of this old man.”

Major Ren let out a heavy breath of relief. No one would believe that the young master of House Howard would betray his country. He’d only been worried that Kain might hold a grudge—that he might resent the Empire’s upper ranks, or even His Majesty the Emperor, for forcing Robert’s order through.

“Oh, right. Even if you don’t need me to escort you back inland, you must have come here for something else, right?”

Now that they’d gone over what had happened, and he knew the young master was safe and hadn’t sunk into grief and despair, Major Ren finally stopped fretting and returned to his usual languid self.

“Yes. I need some supplies: fresh water, food, funds, and a ship.”

Kain picked up the quill lying beside him and briskly wrote down what he needed on the sheet of parchment Major Ren lazily handed him.

Major Ren took the parchment and read through the list. His brows knitted, and a troubled look came over his face.

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?” Kain asked calmly.

“Young Master, to be honest, the supplies aren’t a problem at all. Even if you wanted to take all three hundred of my men, I wouldn’t bat an eye. But a ship…”

Major Ren set the parchment back on the table and said awkwardly, “You won’t find a single warship on Fran Island that meets your requirements.”

As a veteran who had served the Howard Family for years, Major Ren knew Governor Naren’s temperament inside out. And he knew the young master just as well—Kain was practically a younger version of Naren.

So when Kain said he needed a ship, he usually meant a fine warship built to Imperial military specifications, with at least three masts.

For an admiral, requesting a warship as an escort was perfectly reasonable. The real problem was that Fran Island was remote and had never seen a battle. Not a single Imperial warship was stationed there, so naturally, they couldn’t meet the young officer’s demands.

“I don’t need a warship. Just a two-masted civilian vessel. It doesn’t even need to be armed.”

Remembering how attached that pirate captain was to his shabby, rundown merchant ship, Kain’s lips curled up slightly.

Good grief. The young master had actually smiled.

Major Ren’s eyelid twitched uncontrollably. He was utterly taken aback by this unusual sight. Ever since the fire that had burned the entire estate to the ground, no one had seen him smile—not even while watching the stage play His Majesty had bestowed upon him. He’d always worn that same icy expression.

“What, you can’t find even a ship like that?”

Kain saw Major Ren staring at him as if he’d seen a ghost. The smile vanished from his lips, and his expression darkened.

“A ship like that? We have plenty. I’ll get someone to tow one to the docks for you right away.” Major Ren gave an awkward smile. “Anything else?”

“Now that you mention it, I just remembered. A merchant caravan came to Fran Island with me. They have a cargo of Pali specialty wheat liquor, which they originally planned to sell to Viscount Percy. I was going to buy it myself, but then I remembered how fond you are of this liquid gold brewed from wheat.”

Kain glanced at the golden liquor beside them. The bottle had just been opened, and Major Ren hadn’t finished drinking it yet. His words clearly carried another meaning.

Major Ren’s somewhat cloudy eyes had lit up the moment Kain said “Pali.” By the time Kain finished, he was quick to say, “Please don’t, Young Master. The governor doesn’t like wheat liquor. If you want to show your respect, you might prepare some fine wine instead. As for this batch, how about letting me have it?”

“Since you put it that way, then…”

Kain pretended to mull it over, then reminded him, “Fine, you can have it. But don’t drive the price down too much. The merchant ship’s captain did save my life, after all.”

“You can count on me.”

With Major Ren’s promise, Kain secretly breathed a sigh of relief. That settled everything.

Just as he was about to get up and take his leave, he noticed the excitement on Major Ren’s face had vanished, replaced by a hesitant look—as if he wasn’t sure whether he should say something.

“Just say it. There’s no need for that with me.” Kain naturally gave him an opening.

When Kain was a child, he’d secretly done all sorts of outrageous things behind his parents’ backs. His uncle had always covered for him when those wild escapades caused trouble. In truth, they were much closer than most people imagined.

Major Ren sighed. “I know saying this won’t change your mind, but I still have to tell you. Governor Federo will arrive on Fran Island in three days, accompanied by a number of distinguished guests. It should be a very important and lively ball.”

“I think—no, what I mean is, it would be best if you went to see the governor and made an appearance in front of those distinguished guests.”