"Who are you? You think you can search this ship just because you want to? You've got some nerve."
As Raymond Butler hesitated, a richly dressed boy of fifteen or sixteen emerged from the cabin with an arm around each of two heavily made-up women.
The boy was handsome, but his face was sickly pale, his body gaunt, and his eyes sunken. One look told you he had worn himself out chasing pleasure.
"Prince Murray."
Raymond hurriedly turned and bowed to the boy. Then he gestured toward Momonga. "This is Vice Admiral Momonga of Marine Headquarters."
"Momonga? Hmph. And here I wondered who it was. What, you want to search a ship belonging to the Goa Royal House? Fine. If you've got the nerve, start with me."
Prince Murray gave a disdainful snort and looked down his nose at Momonga.
Momonga ground his teeth, but there was nothing he could do. However much he disliked the Goa Royal House, he could not lay a hand on Prince Murray. Royal status alone placed the prince far above a Headquarters Vice Admiral.
"I'm only taking a quick look."
Momonga waved the roster in his hand, suppressed his anger, and tried to keep his tone mild.
"Vice Admiral!"
Hina, dressed in a red suit, boarded the Passenger Ship. Prince Murray's eyes lit up at once. He could hardly look away from her confident bearing and brisk stride.
He quickly waved Raymond over. "Go on, gather everyone aboard on deck. Let Vice Admiral Momonga have a good look. I want to have a proper talk with this beautiful Marine officer."
Hina saw Murray approaching with no good intentions. She wanted nothing more than to kick him into the sea, but she held herself back. She even walked over with a deliberate smile.
"Prince Murray,