Hudson returned to the kingdom with his troops, feeling slightly unaccustomed to it. This was the first time in his life he had returned without a triumphant homecoming.
"Pass down the order: the Expeditionary Corps is to disband on the spot, and each unit is to return to its own territory.
"Our mission is complete. It is also time for the investigation team to disband.
"Duke Affierro, please return to the Royal Capital and report to His Majesty. Everyone else may make their own arrangements!"
Such a hasty dissolution of both the army and the investigation team left everyone deeply uncomfortable.
Under normal procedures, those orders should have been issued personally by the king after they reached the Royal Capital.
However, after taking one look at Hudson's expression, everyone tacitly chose to remain silent.
Forget it. This was a contest between big shots. Little fish like them were better off staying out of it.
With a dragon's roar, Hudson departed, leaving the others staring at one another.
Clearly, he was using practical action to express his dissatisfaction with the royal family.
No one found it strange. He had stepped in to clean up the mess for the sake of the greater situation.
But Hudson was, after all, a member of the noble faction. He could not simply make no response regarding Duke Thous's death.
Disbanding the troops ahead of time was not merely a way to show the royal family his displeasure. It was also meant for the kingdom's many nobles to see.
Hudson flew all the way back to his territory. Before he even had time to catch his breath, he received news that the Ghost Ship had been attacked.
Fortunately, he had been cautious enough to leave the Ghost Ship in the Misty Sea. Otherwise, it would have