Oh Sea, Your Emperor Has Returned

"Damn it, we have to pay 'taxes' here too?"

A strange fleet was docked on the outskirts of the Bering Sea, and the blond captain in the command room could not help but complain.

The reason it was described as strange was that these "vessels" all had enormous, flat twin wings, looking like a fusion of aircraft and warships. Wooden wings paired with metal hulls—the sight of such a crude blend of old and new looked awkward no matter how one looked at it.

Yet in truth, the wooden wings were the most expensive part!

The "Sacred Wood" imported from the Island Nation was the key that allowed these massive "Ground-Effect Aircraft" to operate for extended periods.

Ordinary metal wings

could not support such colossal things.

"What can we do? This is that 'Emperor's' territory now."

The middle-aged Tiger Rank officer responsible for protecting the fleet had a pipe clenched between his teeth, looking like an old-school Western European naval officer.

"Since we've entered his territory, we naturally have to follow the rules here—he's here."

Knock, knock, knock.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Gentlemen, six medium Ground-Effect Aircraft, 4,500 soldiers, and three hundred superhumans."

"According to the laws decreed by the 'Emperor,' you must pay a five million 'toll'—Island Nation currency only."

A middle-aged clerk in a suit and tie, with glasses and slicked-back hair, stepped into the command room and presented the crumpled "document" in his hand.

To captains and officers of the fleet, this kind of office drone was normally not even worth a second glance. After all, he was only an E-rank, or Weak Dog-rank, superhuman, while any captain who dared enter these waters was at least D-rank/Wolf Rank.

"Give this gentleman—"

The captain tilted his head, and a crewman immediately stepped forward and opened a