Deep within the royal palace of the Zephir Kingdom.
In the spacious grass field of the rear garden, the maid Xixi sat curled beneath an apple tree, resting her chin in her hands as her dreamy eyes followed Arthur running across the courtyard.
A blissful smile hung on her delicate face, as though she were wrapped in an invisible warmth.
Ten years ago, she had already noticed the quiet and reserved prince.
But the difference in their status was too great.
All she could do was bury those feelings deep in her heart, never daring to approach him.
It wasn't until Arthur was gravely wounded on the battlefield that she was assigned to care for him.
That was the first time she had truly stepped into his world.
And now—
She had become Arthur's personal maid.
This sudden happiness often made her feel as though she were dreaming, yet it filled her heart with joy.
Her thoughts were simple, almost transparent.
She didn't understand why she always found herself secretly watching Arthur.
Nor did she know why her heart filled with happiness whenever she saw him.
She only knew one thing—
Being able to stay by His Highness's side was the greatest happiness she could imagine.
"Hehe…"
For some reason, she suddenly giggled softly to herself.
"What are you smiling foolishly about again?"
A slightly helpless voice sounded beside her.
Xixi jolted in surprise and looked up.
Arthur had somehow stopped running and was now standing right in front of her.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel while looking at her with a strange expression.
"Ah… Y-Your Highness, I… I…"
Xixi sprang up like a startled deer.
Her head lowered, cheeks flushed crimson as her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her clothes.
She couldn't even form a complete sentence.
"…"
Arthur couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
He had long discovered something about this little maid.
She was obedient, considerate, and very cute—
But she had one flaw.
She fell into lovestruck dazes far too easily.
After all, Arthur wasn't dense.
With the way Xixi treated him, even a fool could see what she felt.
"Alright…"
He gently rubbed her head and smiled.
"Go prepare something for me to eat. I'm a bit hungry."
"Yes! Your Majesty!"
The little maid nodded quickly, her face still red as she hurried away in a fluster.
Watching her leave, Arthur stroked his own face thoughtfully and muttered:
"Is my face really that attractive?"
"Now that I'm the king of a nation, I probably should have a few beauties around anyway."
"Hm… the Empress of Amazon Lily seems quite to my taste. If I ever get the chance, I should go take a look…"
Then Arthur's expression suddenly became serious.
Without turning around, he asked calmly:
"What is it?"
As soon as the words fell—
A figure flashed forward like lightning.
An ANBU member appeared and knelt on one knee.
"Your Majesty, approximately three nautical miles to the southeast, a Marine warship has been spotted. Judging from its course, its destination is very likely Zephir Kingdom."
"Oh? They finally arrived."
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
There was no trace of surprise on his face, as if he had expected it all along.
After all—
He had wiped out an entire Marine force not long ago.
If the Marines showed no reaction, that would be truly strange.
"What's the scale?" he asked.
"Only one warship," the ANBU replied.
"Fewer than eight hundred Marines onboard."
"Oh?"
Arthur was briefly surprised.
Then a playful smile appeared on his lips.
"One warship. Less than eight hundred soldiers…"
"It seems the Marines aren't planning to solve this with force."
After thinking for a moment, Arthur gave his order.
"Give them a little demonstration of our strength."
"Then have the person in charge of the Marines come to the palace to see me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The ANBU member vanished instantly.
Arthur smiled faintly.
"Let's see what the Marines are really planning…"
Then he turned and walked toward the bathroom.
Meanwhile—
On the vast open sea, a Marine warship cut through the waves.
The sails flapped violently in the wind, bearing the enormous Marine insignia—a symbol that made most pirates think twice before approaching.
On the deck stood nearly eight hundred Marines, fully armed.
Their backs were straight as spears.
Even as the warship rocked with the waves, they remained steady as mountains.
Nearby, a large sunshade shielded a portion of the deck from the scorching sun.
Beneath it reclined Vice Admiral Sambidi of Marine Headquarters.
He lounged lazily on a chair, a cigarette between his lips as he exhaled smoke leisurely.
There was not the slightest trace of tension on his face.
"Report!"
"Target island—Mora Island—spotted two nautical miles ahead!"
The lookout shouted from the mast while holding binoculars.
"Oh? Already here?"
Sambidi slowly opened his half-closed eyes.
He stood up from the lounge chair and walked toward the bow, staring at the faint silhouette of the island on the horizon.
Then he yawned.
"Dorton!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Sambidi?"
His aide quickly stepped forward.
"This ship is moving too slowly. Tell them to speed up."
"Yes, sir!"
Dorton hurried toward the cabin to relay the order.
Just as he entered the cabin—
A woman stepped out.
Her figure was graceful and elegant.
"Rear Admiral Momousagi!"
Dorton quickly greeted her.
"Mm."
Momousagi nodded with a gentle smile.
That brief smile was so stunning that Dorton froze for a moment.
But he quickly snapped out of it.
Sneaking one more glance at her elegant back, he shook his head and hurried away.
He knew very well—
A woman with such beauty, strength, and status lived in an entirely different world from his own.
Meanwhile—
Sambidi noticed her.
"Hmm? Momousagi?"
A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.
He walked back and sat on the lounge chair again.
"Since we left, you've been staying inside the cabin the whole time. I almost forgot that Vice Admiral Tsuru assigned you to accompany me."
"Want a drink?"
He lifted a glass of iced juice from the table beside him.
"Thank you, but no."
Momousagi smiled politely and declined.
Then her gaze fell on Sambidi's relaxed posture.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Vice Admiral Sambidi… don't you think you're being a little too relaxed?"
"Our mission is to recruit Zephir Arthur into the Marines."
"But if he refuses…"
"Then military action may become unavoidable."
She paused before continuing.
"According to Vice Admiral Tsuru's intelligence…"
"Not only is Arthur personally extremely powerful…"
"He also commands a mysterious and formidable force…"
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