After leaving the royal capital, Velin took out the Star Moon Floating Airship and, once everyone had boarded, headed for Duopas County in Kason Province.
According to Babula, while drinking with Krell, he had inadvertently let slip the name Flower of the Ring Sea.
Afterward, through his family's intelligence network, he learned that there were five places within the kingdom called Flower of the Ring Sea.
Two were lakes, both located in border regions.
One was an island near the coast of Sedon Province.
The remaining two were manors. One lay near the Provincial Capital of Kurze Province and belonged to an earl; the other was in Duopas County, Kason Province, and belonged to Isolde, Krell's former subordinate.
More than two months ago, someone had moved into that vacant manor, which happened to coincide with the time Krell left the royal capital with his wife, Italia.
By all accounts, Krell was very likely at the small manor called Flower Manor of the Ring Sea in Duopas County, Kason Province.
On the deck, Velin looked up at the night sky and murmured, "That guy was actually so stubborn. Why didn't I notice before?"
Xuemiyya wrapped her arms around Velin from behind and softly said, "Perhaps that's precisely why you became friends with him."
"You're right. Maybe that's exactly why I considered him my closest friend." Velin held Xuemiyya's hands around his waist and slowly said, "Once we cure his wife this time, he'll have to work for me for the rest of his life."
At that, Velin turned around, pulled Xuemiyya into his arms, and smiled. "What do you think? How about paying him ten Gold Coins a month as commander of the Floating Fleet?"
"That's too much." Following Velin's train of thought, Xuemiyya said, "How about making him pay to