Astral Gale

The Captain of Astral Gale, Perry didn't dare to delay anything when he heard the Crown Prince demanding for the ship to set sail. He quickly controlled the system to reel in the anchor and turned the sailing wheel to enter the Virellian Sea. 

Back at the port, Curtis watched the Astral Gale turning toward the Virellian Sea.

"What should we do? The Crown Prince really set the sail without our presence." One of the Crimson Guard members with one Crimson Shield medal said in a panic. It could be said that this was a total disaster, granted that the crown prince was alone on the ship.

"What is there to panic about?" In response, Curtis didn't react in panic. 

"Lady Mirelle is beside the Crown Prince." He calmly explained. Soon, his eyes narrowed slightly as he commanded the guard to ready another ship. 

'Teacher will probably strangle me if he knew I agree with the Crown Prince's plan.' Curtis exhaled softly. The scolding in public, followed by Leonard departing without his guards was all an act devised by Leonard. 

Despite feeling it was quite risky, he had no authority to stop Leonard whatsoever. 

"Hopefully, it all goes well," Curtis murmured and embarked on another ship. 

By the time the Crimson Guards left the Western Port, the other people who were expelled earlier soon returned to the port and resumed their duty. 

"Can you believe what just happened?" 

"Those guards eradicated us as if we're some sort of criminals, but were then reprimanded heavily afterward by that youngster."

"Who was that youngster though?"

While some of the workers gossiped among themselves and addressed Leonard as a "youngster", someone who was more educated shouted furiously. 

"Keep your mouth shut!" They glared at the two people who continuously used the word, youngster. 

"That refined man is the Crown Prince of Aldros. If you seek death, then scram far away. Don't implicate us!" He warned sternly. 

Almost immediately, the people's faces turned pale, especially the one who addressed the crown prince as a youngster. Their bodies tensed up and sweat began pouring down from their forehead. 

They hurriedly scanned around their surroundings, only to be slightly relieved when there were no authorities present. 

Nevertheless, their emotion was still in a wreck as they feared for their life. 

"Let's just hope for the best and get back to work. I still have a family of four to feed."

"Agreed, we never intended for any malice toward the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince is magnanimous." 

While the group promptly returned to work for income, out at the Virellian Sea, the Astral Gale was traveling at around 30 knots. 

Traveling at such a speed, Leonard laid his back on a reclining beach chair above the ship's deck, enjoying the sea breeze and the cool wind. 

Standing on guard by the side was Mirelle, who failed to comprehend his action. 

'Weren't you angry earlier? How did you suddenly become so carefree and relaxed?' She tilted her head and was rather confused. In one instance, he was authoritative and solemn, but in the next instance, he turned into a typical noble child who had nothing to worry about.

"Are you not worried about your safety to be out in the open?" Mirelle raised her concern. "The sea is just as dangerous as on land." 

She thought Leonard was being careless and not putting his guard up just because they were now out at sea. 

However, she knew better than anyone that the sea was a grand funeral that no one would be able to attend. It was a perfect burial site that ensured someone would never resurface in the world.

"Whether I'm an enclosed area or an open area, do you think it would change the outcome?" Contrary to her concern, Leonard suddenly raised his own question. 

His eyes stared at the beautiful blue and clear sky. "Similar to how we had just experienced a tragic event, the sky remained unaffected. The sky is like the lord over us, always acting as it pleases. Whether it wants to be beautiful or stormy, nobody could do anything about it." 

"Yes, that is correct. But may I add, the sky isn't human." Mirelle responded. "Humans have emotions, but the sky doesn't. Many are out to get you because you are a thorn in their interests." 

"Oh, so you know that many hoped for my death huh." He chuckled in amusement. 

Indeed, he was mainly known as incompetent, so for the enemies outside of the Aldros Empire, he was the perfect candidate to be Crown Prince. But for those inside of Aldros Empire, he was the most unqualified one.

The situation was truly comical and ironic. 

The enemies outside of Aldros Empire wished for his prosperity, but the people of Aldros Empire who should have been his greatest allies, all hoped for his downfall.

"Who doesn't know about your current worth?" Mirelle rolled her eyes and revealed, "The black market has already received multiple commissions from different unknown sources that sought your death. I've also confirmed that people from the Assassin Syndicate accepted the job." 

"Assassin Syndicate?" It took Leonard a few moments before he recalled the term from the old Leonard's memories. 

They were an organization similar to the Umbra Vex, mysterious and elusive. However, unlike the Umbra Vex who were causing chaos without care for any return of profit, the Assassin Syndicate operated on money. 

As long as the customer offered enough money, and the Assassins within the organization found it acceptable, they would take the job. Once a job was taken, it would be extremely rare for the Assassins to give up halfway.

Their success rate so far was above 90%, which made the organization a feared yet widely used among those in power who wished to eliminate their competitors.

"Although I don't have much information, it was said that the Assassins who took on the job were Platinum rank," Mirelle said with a solemn expression.

"Is that so?" Leonard flashed a mysterious smile, his eyes darting to the crewmates on the ship. 

"Then I wondered if the Platinum rank is skillful enough to disguise as a crewmate and infiltrate the ship."