Chapter 126 – "Isolationist"

The ship calmly cut through the deep blue waters, the soft lapping of the waves against its hull creating a gentle rhythm. The sky was clear, dotted with a few cottony clouds drifting slowly eastward. A light sea breeze blew, carrying with it a salty, familiar, and almost reassuring scent. I stepped out of my cabin, adjusting my coat against the wind. On the main deck, a soldier saw me approaching and straightened quickly to salute.

"Your Majesty," he said respectfully.

I gave him a slight nod.

"Are we close to the island?"

He shook his head slightly.

"Not yet, Sire. We still have a few kilometers to go. We should see the coast of Sakuraggio within two hours at our current pace."

I took a deep breath. The journey was long, but every minute brought us closer to this island shrouded in mystery.

Suddenly, a silhouette leapt nimbly to the top of one of the ship's masts. It was Nilyna, who, like a sentry, scanned the horizon with a spyglass. Her outfit, suited for the maritime environment, fluttered in the wind, giving her the appearance of a sea warrior.

"Do you see anything?" I asked, raising my voice.

"No, Majesty," she replied, smoothly descending from her perch. "I was looking for any clues—maybe an unusual shape on the water's surface. But nothing. Just emptiness and silence."

I nodded, thoughtful. The rumors about a sea creature haunting the waters around Sakuraggio worried me more and more. Time was running out. There were only five days left before the royal engagement in Amiria, at Regalia Castle. I couldn't afford to stay away too long, but ignoring a potential threat would be even more reckless.

I turned to Nilyna, thinking about the conversation I'd had with Kaylen before our departure.

"I spoke with Kaylen… He thinks the Imnisfir Archipelago might be involved. What do you think?" I asked her.

She froze for a moment, her expression turning more serious.

"Majesty, I'm just as puzzled. To my knowledge, the Imnisfir Archipelago is made up of nine small islands. They're inhabited by various marine races, mostly Atlanteans and other amphibian peoples. They're often called, in common tongue, 'the people of the sea.'"

I listened attentively, each word adding another piece to the complex puzzle.

"They live in harmony with their environment but are known for their strict isolationist policy. A few decades ago, dragons tried to establish contact with them, even attempted to colonize some of their islands… to no avail. Even Pryzor the Conqueror, in his quest for unification, gave up trying to subdue them, deeming their territory impregnable and their will unshakable."

I then recalled something Kaylen had said.

"Jonady, our merchant ships will never set foot on their soil. They reject all foreign goods. Even diplomatic treaties don't cross their maritime borders."

He had spoken of a complete shutdown. A policy of a "sealed sea." No entry, no exit.

"Their policy… reminds me a lot of the edo period of Japan a countries from my home world," I murmured.

As my thoughts drifted toward the past, a familiar voice pulled me from my reverie. Sylena had joined us, a smile on her face. She seemed energized, even excited.

"Maybe we'll see some Atlanteans," she said, clinging to my arm. "Big brother Kodort told me he met some during one of his expeditions to the southern seas."

I looked at her, curious.

"And what did he say about them?"

"That they were respectful, united, with a rich culture founded on honor and solidarity. Their technology is said to be very advanced, but they never show it. Kodort said their way of fighting was fluid, almost like a dance—as if they were speaking to the sea."

Her words intrigued me even more. There was something deeply fascinating about this. A people cut off from the world, seeking neither war nor trade… but perhaps living today in fear of something we don't yet understand.

I took a moment to observe our fleet. We were about 300 people spread across seven ships. The formation was tight and disciplined. Each vessel was equipped according to my instructions: fluorescent vests in case of disaster, safety harnesses, emergency rations, and weapons suitable for sea combat.

The captain of the lead ship, a gray-haired veteran named Halnor, joined me on the deck.

"Sire, the winds are in our favor. If all goes well, we should reach Sakuraggio's shores before nightfall."

"Perfect, Captain. Make sure all men are ready for any eventuality. I want a full inspection of the holds and all safety equipment."

He nodded and departed without delay.

On the horizon, a thin mist was forming—signaling the approach of unknown lands. The island was now only a few hours away. A heavy silence settled over the ship. Everyone knew we were nearing a place no one had managed to reach in weeks.

I went down to the strategy room, where a large map was spread across the table.

The Imnisfir Islands marked in black, formed a crescent anda little further away isolates the island of Sakuraggio.

I placed my finger on the island.

"What are you hiding from us, Sakuraggio?"