Chapter 143: Tenth Day
Work continued without delay.
Riley, Prime Minister Fox’s trusted right-hand man, handled both government business and the covert task Fox had left behind. Even with the prime minister absent, he kept the administration moving while quietly obstructing repairs to the Lunoa Kingdom’s two battleships.
“What’s the status of this matter? It appears to have stalled.”
“I’ll confirm it immediately, sir.”
“Good. I’ll leave it to you.”
Riley was capable enough to manage ordinary state affairs and political maneuvering at the same time. That was why Fox trusted him.
“…What’s this?”
While reviewing the growing stack of documents, Riley found an authorization for a military exercise in the White Sea. It had been issued by order of the emperor and approved through military channels without passing through the Cabinet.
“A military exercise in the White Sea…?”
The White Sea lay between the Orline Empire and the Rosha Empire. An exercise there couldn’t be treated as a routine matter.
Riley reviewed the previous week’s work himself every seven days. That habit had now exposed something the government had never been told about.
“Could it be…? No.”
He stood at once.
“Everyone, suspend your current work. I need the military exercise approved two days ago investigated immediately.”
“But naval exercises are under military jurisdiction. Do we have grounds to intervene?”
Riley frowned, then nodded.
“Ordinarily, no. I’ll confirm it personally. Ryuse, come with me.”
“What are we checking?”
“The two battleships in dry dock. I want to see their condition myself.”
“They couldn’t have completed the repairs this quickly.”
“They shouldn’t have been able to.”
If the Lunoa ships were ready to sail during an exercise near Rosha territory, an “accident” could become the pretext for war.
“Riley, sir!”
A messenger came running toward him before he reached the docks.
“What happened?”
“The Orline Imperial Navy has attacked a Rosha Empire port!”
“…What did you say?”
The documents slipped from Riley’s hands.
It was only the tenth day since the two battleships of the Lunoa Kingdom had entered Orline’s harbor.