"Four people per tent... two thousand total, good. Tent assignments complete, good. Simple tables and benches for meals and conversation, good."
"The Marines report that the kitchen and basic water supply channel have been completed."
"Got it. I'll have Daz double-check everything later, just to be safe."
"Where's the deputy governor?"
"He's with Robin and the naval engineers, finishing up the food storage warehouse. They're inspecting the pest control measures to keep out rats and insects."
Looks like we'll manage to get everything ready in time.
In the end, two squads were really the bare minimum, cutting it dangerously close, so I petitioned Kuzan and managed to get two more squads added.
Thanks to Daz and Mihawk helping with everything from cutting to processing wood and stone, we've managed to get the facilities more or less ready.
...Maybe our pirate crew is better at construction than fighting.
"Amis, what's Mihawk doing?"
"He thinks it's wasteful to throw away the wood ash, so he's filling barrels with it along with a few soldiers. Apparently, he wants to take some back and try spreading it on the fields where crops didn't grow well."
"Hmm, maybe we should assign someone else to handle that."
We're used to it by now.
Lately, there's been a soldier permanently assigned to keep up with his odd jobs.
Well, I suppose I'm the one who assigned him.
Thanks to that, when it comes to construction or land clearing, Mihawk's squad (temporary) is incredibly reliable.
I thought we'd only need the bare minimum of tables and such around here, but those guys managed to put together a decent number in just three days.
"Alright, Amis, gather some people and clear the path—"
"Captain Kuro, you're here?"
Lately, with more setup and management work than combat, I've been making Amis handle secretarial tasks while managing the reinforcement unit's arrival, when a man's voice calls out.
"Colonel Bigle."
"Ah, I heard you were setting up the camp for the reinforcements, so I came to take a look. We might need to use it ourselves."
One of the colonels in charge of operations centered around Mogwa. He's the most responsive of the field commanders and has always been cooperative, even when many saw us as mere pirates. That's why I tend to rely on him for various tasks.
"Ha ha! My men were surprised. Pirates like you building toilets for us Marines?"
"...I think that's exactly where we should be focusing our efforts, but neither the Marines nor my own men seem to understand that."
"...Forcing us to demolish the adjacent room every time we capture a ship just to expand the toilet is a bit much, even for me, Captain."
"See? That's exactly what I mean."
Though it's probably effective.
A small toilet is hard to clean, and if it's not cleaned, it gets really nasty after a while.
You should invest money and effort into places related to hygiene and where people are likely to feel uncomfortable.
"Ha ha ha! I once had the opportunity to board your ship, and it was indeed comfortable."
"Is the colonel taking a break? I thought you've been at sea for quite some time."
"As always, you're well informed. Yes, I was ordered to take a short rest. But..."
Hmm?
"The morale of the troops isn't dropping... They're saying they want to work, they want to do something."
"I believe rest is the most important duty for soldiers."
"I agree. But no matter what I say, they won't back down."
"Well, as far as I recall, your subordinates, starting with Private First Class Lucima, are mostly loyal and level-headed soldiers."
"Hmm, this is the first time something like this has happened."
Let me see, three days ago, Colonel Bigle set sail to prepare for the reception.
During that time, there was one major battle against a large fleet of fifteen pirate ships. We engaged them as they fled, repelling the enemy with reinforcements.
Since it was close to our base, we urgently dispatched Hancock's unit and Daz's ship, which were nearby, and managed to minimize casualties while recovering the supplies and people that were about to be captured...
Ah no, because we reclaimed them.
"The soldiers must have been mentally exhausted beyond their physical fatigue. Perhaps they came into contact with the rescued allied citizens?"
"Yes, we protected them on our naval ships until they were transferred to the rescue vessels."
"...They were about to be captured and taken away. Some must have lost loved ones, had their homes ransacked, or been forced to watch their homes burn. Others may have been subjected to direct violence... Whether it was gratitude or curses for the delay, your men likely came into contact with the raw emotions of those people."
That was all I could think of, so I asked him. The colonel frowned slightly, as if understanding, and muttered, "That could be it..."
"I hadn't received any reports from my subordinates, so I hadn't given it much thought..."
"Indeed, there was no situation that required a report. But that doesn't mean the soldiers who were exposed to it weren't affected..."
"I suppose not."
The young colonel, still in his thirties, sighed and looked out over the tent city.
"Captain Kuro, do you have any ideas? It's hard to watch my men working so desperately with such haunted looks on their faces..."
Yeah, that's why I'm a pirate... No, it's too late for that now.
"...For now, let's just have them move around a bit to ease the burden. This camp is almost complete, but the road to the port is still untouched."
"Road construction?"
"Yes. Well, we don't have much time, so it's just a matter of leveling the ground enough to allow carts to pass smoothly."
"Hmm."
It's hard labor, but digging and filling is simple work that can be done in a short period, giving the mind a rest.
With Daz, we can quickly till the hard ground, and we can also ask the naval engineers for help.
"And then... Amis."
"Yes."
"Where is the most peaceful evacuation site other than here right now?"
There are too many people here.
Reinforcements from headquarters will be arriving soon.
"...Yes, that's right."
The Imperial Guard is sending two officers each to various locations to assist the junior officers who have little experience dealing with the public.
Of course, reports are sent here in writing, but Captain Amis knows more about the situation than the officers themselves.
"Perhaps the neighboring country of Canaan? The pair of Miaxis and Cazary are currently assisting Colonel Barsenji. The pair who were in charge before them, Chris and the others, reported that things have been calm since the initial chaos caused by supply shortages..."
Alright, that's not bad.
The report also mentioned that reconstruction of residential areas has begun, and Colonel Barsenji, whose background was once in medicine, expressed in a recent letter his desire to prioritize not only crowd control but also hygiene and health.
It's regrettable that I haven't seen the situation firsthand, but conditions are undoubtedly improving significantly.
"How about requesting that the superior officer currently in charge of field operations assign the unit to assist with reconstruction efforts in Canaan once their rest period ends?"
"What? Are you suggesting we expose the troops to the civilians?"
"Yes. While physical fatigue can be addressed, mental fatigue can only be alleviated by removing its cause. Given the current calm in Canaan, I believe your troops' temperament would not clash with the locals."
"If they were hurt by the words of the people, then perhaps the people's words can heal them."
"On the contrary, even those who are overly driven by a sense of duty might come to realize that there is something worth protecting as soldiers..."
"I see."
The colonel adjusted his military cap and gave me and Amis a flawless salute, as if to say, "This is how a Marine should be."
"I'm glad I consulted with you. I'll submit a report immediately."
So Amis and I returned the salute.
Not the naval style of this world where you show the back of your hand, but the "Black Cat" style, where you extend your arm at a 45-degree angle outward and lightly touch your forehead with your outstretched hand.
"It was an honor to be of assistance, Colonel."
The one in charge of that area was Major General Habanes, wasn't it?
I should talk to Kuzan first and lay the groundwork.
If that goes smoothly, I should also write a letter to Colonel Barsenji and Miaxis just in case.
If I explain our situation, they should be able to handle things well since they know the area.
***
"So, we've secured more food than expected. It won't be enough to cover the entire disaster area, but it should last for a while."
"That's a relief, Bege."
"Yeah, you really saved us, Capone Bege. This means we won't have to burden the refugees any further."
"It's only temporary, so don't let your guard down, Aokiji."
After finishing the arrangements for the campsite and other matters, I ran around among the officers to handle the colonel's issues and confirm the current situation. Just as I was finishing up, Bege returned with a large amount of supplies.
"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."
"As I mentioned earlier via telegram... I'm sorry, but we were caught off guard with the medical supplies. However, as Kuro suggested, we managed to secure as many antibiotics and painkillers as possible."
"That's sufficient. No one will complain about such results. Even the Marines in charge of loading must be relieved."
"Exactly. I can't say it openly, but as a Marine, I want to thank you."
"...I never thought I'd be thanked by a Marine commander. Heh heh heh, Kuro, being with you is full of surprises."
"Right?"
"Well, it's full of surprises for me too! Hahahaha!"
I can't laugh... I really can't laugh.
If things had gone as planned, I should be checking harvest estimates right now and making arrangements for the harvest festival to comfort the people and the royal family.
"We took a bold move and released all our food supplies upfront, but we managed to recover them somehow."
"Yeah. I stopped by Mopchi on the way here and handed over the additional supplies to Hancock's crew."
"How are you holding up? We've been exchanging letters and telegrams."
"Yeah. Every day is spent crushing pirates and improving the ports and towns."
Ah, yeah. That's good to hear.
She's also serving as the princess's bodyguard in case of emergency, but she's really starting to look the part as a commander.
Maybe we should try forming a unit with her as the temporary leader.
"As for supplies, we have some alcohol, tea leaves, and tobacco. We've also restocked firewood and lumber combined with what the girls made in Mopti, and loaded as much soap as we could. The next ship will have roughly the same cargo."
Good, good. Soap will be a real lifesaver in the shelters where hygiene is a concern.
The fuel and lumber supplies are good news too.
"Harvesting has begun in some areas, so we might be able to hold out until government aid arrives. ...What do you think?"
The tasks I assigned to Bege are mainly twofold.
Collecting supplies through back channels, with the Navy handling payment, and transporting them.
And above all... intelligence.
"You're right. This isn't just the work of ordinary pirates. I didn't expect that either."
The room next to the conference room in Mogwa Castle.
It's mainly used as a serving room during long meetings. There, Bege cut the end of his cigar, put it in his mouth, and lit it.
"The slave trade isn't increasing as much as we thought."
"You mean the manhunt?"
"Yeah."
He took a few puffs of the strong-smelling smoke and exhaled slowly.
"No, the trade itself has increased ridiculously. We've confirmed that a large number of slaves have been sent to Sabaody Archipelago through brokers from the West Blue. But considering the number of people who were taken, it's clearly not enough."
"...Still in this sea?"
"No, that's not it. If they took them, it's because they have some use for them, but the supplies they took aren't enough to make use of them. If they're going to sell them, they'd have to do it before they waste away and lose their value."
"What about trade within the country...?"
"It's not zero, but it's not a significant amount. Ah, that's already been settled. If we had proof that those people were abducted from member nations, it would be different..."
Both Kuzan and I couldn't help but sigh.
Such evidence is unlikely to surface, and even if it did, it would have been burned.
The only possibility would be to capture a broker and interrogate them, but that would ruin Bege's reputation, and they've probably already taken precautions.
Who the hell created this shitty slave culture and system?
"Let's switch gears. There's not much trade in the West Blue. But they're probably being sold off or transported somewhere. In that case, there's effectively only one place left."
"Hmm..."
But...
Wait, maybe those tacky sunglasses aren't related after all?
They should still be around.
He's never been there, and he doesn't have any connections to the New World.
Besides, how did they manage to gather over a thousand people?
If they're dealing with the Celestial Dragons, they could just use a broker...
"Their goal is definitely to create instability."
"Yeah."
"Sengoku also said it's almost certainly true."
Yeah, if we have the endorsement of a strategist, there shouldn't be a problem.
"Regardless of how they brought them in, let's assume they did. Where would they sell them?"
"...The Celestial Dragons, or a country that suddenly needs labor or is trying to imitate the Celestial Dragons..."
"Or pirates."
Yeah, probably something like that.
Pirates.
...Pirates.
...
Pirates!
"Kuzan, Bege, let's say mid-tier pirates with territory in the New World suddenly acquire a large number of slaves. What do you think they'd do?"
"What do you mean... well..."
"If they're good-looking, there might be other uses for them, but mostly they'd be laborers: farm work, mining, or other jobs if they have skills."
"Yeah, of course the pirates who acquire slaves will grow in power. But how long will that last?"
Kuzan and Bege tilt their heads in unison.
"How long..."
"If you must know, until the slaves die out. You wouldn't do that, but most people would just use them until they're worn out."
Yeah, that's right.
I'm sure that's how it'll go.
"And as the slaves fall, productivity will decrease. If it decreases, the pirates will naturally have to replenish their ranks to survive."
"That's obvious..."
Kuzan cuts him off.
Did you notice?
"Pirates who have rapidly expanded their forces through slave labor will continue to grow for a year or two, but after that, they'll unknowingly be led by their own expanded forces to further plunder. Is that what you mean?"
He nods in response to Kuzan's question.
Damn it, I focused too much on the West Blue. I took it for granted!
"If left unchecked, the bloated pirate forces will rampage in the New World within a few years. But as long as the pirate alliance remains intact, the Navy will have no choice but to divert a significant portion of its forces."
"Moreover, even if the pirate alliance is defeated, if the West Blue becomes a war zone, the Navy will have no choice but to ignore this area."
This is a checkmate move targeting both the West Blue and the New World... no, it's a double checkmate.
I understand how you feel, I can feel your pain, but hang in there, Admiral Aokiji!
If you fall now, what will happen to the peace of the West Blue and the newly reorganized Navy?
...
Probably, it'll start with Sengoku dying from overwork.
"Kuzan, I need you to investigate the New World for the Navy. Can you do it?"
"...You said there were no troops left to move, but I'll try to talk to Sengoku."
"Please. Bege, I need you to investigate the flow of money. We can't handle the flow of people in the West Blue alone. But..."
"I see. If they sold slaves, there must be someone paying for them. Got it, I'll look into it."
"...You answered so quickly. Is your mafia reputation okay?"
"Don't worry. This matter is disrupting the territory of the entire family. Any organization would provide information to destroy them."
Alright, then there's no problem.
I'm sorry for asking so much of you, but please keep pushing forward.
"The enemy is far more organized than we imagined. Their plan is clever and bold, and we don't even know where to start."
But the one who drew this picture, someone so sinister and devious, who would go to such lengths to destroy the world order... I can only think of that old fool who dyed his hair pink... No, seriously, who is it?
Someone with connections in the New World, someone who can somehow link the West Blue and the New World... someone with power rivaling the Four Emperors, or at least someone connected to such a powerhouse... Who the hell is this guy?
No, but if there's someone who drew this picture, it's not just a random act, it's a plan. And if it's a plan, there must be a flaw.
"But we know the enemy's goal. To ignite a great war in this era. If that's the case, we can predict their next move."
Kuzan, whose face looks like his head and his stomach are in pain, looks at me.
...No, don't look at me like that... I'll help you out until this is settled.
Otherwise, our territory will be in danger.
"So it's the day the government's transport fleet arrives, huh?"
"If they're going to do it, that day or the days around it would have the biggest impact. I'm sure of it."
What we do then.
If we can read that, we can strike back.
If we can read it... but.
(Sengoku, please send someone as sharp-witted as Tsuru over here right now...)
Then my stomach and Kuzan's would settle a bit more. Is that impossible? I see.
Help me... Help me, Clemens...
No, I think I can kind of read what the enemy is planning, but...
***
10 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://patreon.com/Well_being