Deep out at sea, two ships sailed side by side.
One of them flew the flag of the United Navy.
"Routine inspection. Please cooperate."
A naval officer in a United Navy uniform called out to the other ship.
Looking at the menacing cannons on the warship, already primed to fire, the captain of the other vessel, a mere passenger ship, wisely chose to cooperate.
Soon, the naval personnel had secured all the vital points aboard the passenger ship.
"Have all the passengers come up on deck, including the sailors and other crew. Anyone who stays in the cabins without good reason will bear the consequences."
The naval officer gave the passenger ship's captain his instructions.
"Sir, sir, this is a passenger ship crossing the Storm Sea. There are many guests aboard we can't afford to offend. Could you perhaps...?"
The captain discreetly slipped a bulging pouch into the officer's hand.
The naval officer weighed it in his hand, estimating that it held around ten coins.
Judging by the weight, they were definitely gold coins.
"Gold coins. Quite generous of you."
The naval officer gave the captain an inscrutable look as he spoke.
"You navy men work so hard patrolling the sea routes and keeping us safe. It's only right, only right."
The captain spoke somewhat fawningly.
"Then it looks like there's quite a lot wrong aboard your ship!"
The next instant, the naval officer's expression changed. He threw the pouch back at the captain and spoke coldly.
"Sir, you..."
Seeing the naval officer's expression change in an instant, the captain was dumbfounded. He was just about to speak when something suddenly occurred to him, leaving him speechless.
He had run into the United Navy's Young Faction. The captain looked as though his parents had died.
These days, everyone who made