That very afternoon, Henwell leaves the inn and resumes his journey back.

  He tells Mishasa she can stay at the inn for a few more days.

  While she’s staying there, no one dares to come after her.

  The next day, Mishasa heads to the town’s treasury and withdraws ten thousand gold coins.

  She returns to the inn with the money and calls the crew representatives to settle their wages.

  Though ten thousand gold isn’t enough to clear all the back pay, seeing the money reassures the men.

  The crew realizes their boss still has ways to bring in funds, not like the rumors ciming she’s on the brink of bankruptcy.

  No one wants to lose their job; living costs in the Western Regions are too high.

  Sometimes, losing a job can bankrupt a family, forcing them to move to outlying vilges just to survive.

  Meanwhile, tensions run high within the shipping alliance.

  After Wopeko’s body is found, everyone initially suspects someone is trying to monopolize the business by secretly eliminating rivals.

  But when Mishasa shows up at the treasury with the card and stays at a Federation-backed inn, they realize an outsider has stepped in.

  Despite their efforts to gather intel, the innkeeper remains tight-lipped.

  Officials cooperating with the alliance come back with grim faces, immediately shutting down the secret communication channels with the alliance.

  The alliance members now understand the newcomer must have a significant identity, which terrifies them even more.

  Their greatest fear is being abandoned by higher-ups.

  So, they spend a hefty sum to contact the Minister of Shipping in Guardian City.

  He reassures them not to worry. Yes, someone new has entered the scene, but they’re just opening a new channel, not here to wipe them out.

  As the controller of the Federation’s South Regions, the Groias Empire takes Henwell—a newly minted Padin—very seriously for coming here alone.

  Subsequent investigations reveal Henwell’s aim is simply to open a trade route and make some money for himself.

  The Empire respects this young Grand Knight.

  They don’t care much about these small profits but want to build ties with Henwell.

  They’re indifferent to his noble lord status but see value in courting a Padin of the Church.

  They won’t confront Henwell directly nor block his efforts to control the civilian fleets.

  But that doesn’t mean Henwell’s pns will go smoothly.

  Though the high-ranking official in the Shipping Department doesn’t say it outright, his words clearly convey his stance.

  If the alliance manages to cut off Henwell’s pn, the Empire would be more than happy to see it happen.

  From the Empire’s perspective, if Henwell’s pn fails, he’ll inevitably have to rely on their influence.

  That would mean Henwell comes crawling to them, tying their fates together.

  And it wouldn’t be the Empire lowering itself to court him, no rules would be broken on either side.

  Henwell understands all this perfectly, which is why he carefully chooses his colborators instead of picking just anyone from the alliance.

  From the start, Henwell never hides his intentions too much. In someone else’s territory, no matter how secretive you try to be, you’ll get noticed.

  So rather than sneaking around, this open approach works better.

  Henwell even anticipates the alliance’s exclusion efforts, tacitly or even encouraged by the Shipping Department.

  For Henwell, this only brings advantages—no downsides.

  First, Mishasa will realize she can’t get far without Henwell’s protection.

  Second, Henwell’s people can use this conflict as a natural way to make contact with the Empire.

  Contrary to what the Empire expects, Henwell is actually eager to engage with them, he just needs a reason.

  And it can’t be a formal meeting; a small, seemingly insignificant business link is best.

  That way, Henwell gains insight into the Empire’s workings while keeping a safe distance.

  Last but most important: Henwell reveals the true purpose behind controlling the fleet.

  He doesn’t care about the money here, but he cares about the resources and intelligence.

  Henwell wants an information channel, a trade route, a foothold to extend his reach into the Federation’s southern regions.

  With the tacit approval of the Shipping Department, the alliance members immediately grow bolder.

  Mishasa, caught in the middle, feels the pressure right away.

  Especially on the fourth day after Henwell leaves, when she’s forced to leave the inn and the inn refuses to renew her stay.

  At noon, as she steps out, she notices several alliance members already lurking nearby.

  But it’s broad daylight, and no one dares to make a move.

  Mishasa hesitates, unsure of where to go.

  She considers her fleet, there are quite a few crew members, but they’re not full-time fighters.

  Besides, she doesn’t know how many of her own people have already betrayed her.

  Aimlessly wandering, she pins all her hopes on Henwell.

  Night falls quickly, and Mishasa knows the final moment is near.

  She refuses to die like this.

  So she stops in front of the local security office.

  Around eight in the evening, the security office starts closing its doors.

  Mishasa knows this means they’re about to act.

  In desperation, she strides forward and knocks down the closing security personnel with a few punches and kicks.

  Amid the stunned onlookers, she raises her hands and says, “I attacked security personnel, I should be arrested!”

  The chief officer scowls, surprised this woman still has tricks up her sleeve.

  People can die, but not inside his security office.

  Contrary to Mishasa’s expectations, the chief officer rallies his men, subdues her, and throws her out before smming the doors shut.

  Mishasa gets up from the ground and watches as more people slowly gather around.

  She realizes she’s reached her st moment.

  After a while, the officers inside hear sounds of fighting outside.

  At first, the chief officer marvels at Mishasa’s ferocity, she’s tough enough to take many down with her tonight.

  But gradually, he senses something’s wrong; there are too many screams.

  And all the screams are men’s.

  Could Mishasa really be that formidable?

  After a while, the fighting outside abruptly stops, repced by an eerie silence.

  Sensing something’s amiss, the chief officer arms his men fully and orders the doors opened.

  What they see shocks them.

  Under the harsh light, dozens of bodies lie scattered at the security office’s entrance.

  And Mishasa is nowhere to be found.

  After a long silence, the chief officer waves his hand, “Clear the area!”

  Meanwhile, Mishasa, still shaken, faces several knights cd in full armor.

  The lead knight speaks, “Miss Mishasa, right? I’m Hubert. We’re here to help you deal with your troubles. Also, we brought three hundred thousand gold coins. If that’s not enough, we can arrange more funds!”