Ivan's time was always regular. During his leisure time, when he wasn't in an operation or preparing for one, he would invest time in checking his functions.
Proper calorie intake for essential activities. (Munching on a nutrition bar.)
Maintaining essential sleep time for optimizing sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. (Three hours, extending up to 35 minutes depending on condition.)
Basic physical training to maintain muscle mass. (Completing all routines takes 5 hours and 25 minutes.)
Repetitive sensory deprivation training to check the nervous system's condition. (Generally doing this all the time.)
When organizing the timetable as meticulously as possible, all these activities could be completed in about half a day.
The remaining time was spent repeating the above or modifying and supplementing future guidelines.
"I'm bored just watching you."
Edelplat Coenwulf's assessment was cold.
"Yon, look. Isn't it a nice day?"
"Hmm."
It was true. The weather had become significantly milder since they left Tilles airspace and flew over the northeastern Elven Sea.
"The sky is clear and the sea is blue! How beautiful the sea is this time of year. Look at the horizon. What do you see?"
"The horizon."
Ivan turned his head and resumed tending to his weapons. Carefully oiling them, wiping away any rust until they were clean, then reassembling, checking functionality, and managing ammunition.
In that scene heavy with the smell of heavy oil, Edel let out a deep sigh.
"Look at those children over there. So fresh and green. Isn't that how one should enjoy life?"
Following Edel's gesture, Ivan saw Oswald and Evelyn bickering. To be precise, Evelyn was bickering alone while Oswald was responding with reluctance.
Evelyn was Oswald's former fiancée. The important part is "former." Evelyn Rustfitz, the daughter of the Privy Council Chairman, had unilaterally broken off her engagement with Oswald.
The name of the content Oswald had transmigrated into was [The Genius Magician Obsessed Over by the Villain Lady].
Judging by his grades in the magic department, he didn't seem to be a genius. But what Oswald had gained as his [Transmigration Benefit] was clear.
Being an elf from a high-ranking Privy Council family.
And having a connection with the Privy Council Chairman.
This was an abstract concept that couldn't be expressed numerically, but it was definitely a real benefit. As a high noble of the strongest nation in the United Alliance, he could certainly contact the center of the council.
Therefore, Ivan shook his head at Edel's words.
"I needed to meet with the Privy Council Chairman on this Kalion trip."
"No way."
"Yes way. I told Oswald to arrange a meeting with the Rustfitz family."
"Have you lost your human heart...?"
Edel stared blankly at Ivan before clutching her forehead.
After catching her breath for a moment, she soon got up from her seat.
Yes, they say he defeated the Seven Dragon Generals.
Well, it seems there are indeed some "parts" he has lost.
"Pick up your sword, Yon."
"Suddenly?"
"Why not? Isn't it basic for a warrior to hone their skills through martial arts practice? I feel like I'm getting rusty after resting too long, so you'll have to help me."
Warriors are those who convey their mental state through martial arts. For her, who had grasped his mental state by crossing swords with Ivan, it was only natural.
Therefore, even if there are things lost due to a wounded heart, it doesn't matter.
She'll just shove them back in.
"What, are you afraid?"
"Ha."
Ivan quietly nodded. Not bad. He needed to stretch his body and clear his mind anyway.
This operation had too many variables. While it wasn't something to worry about per se, it would be difficult to say there were no concerning aspects.
There was no solution other than holing up in the bow and checking his weapons right now. The lack of information about Kalion's internal affairs was not something he could resolve at the moment.
It would be better to warm up his body instead.
Besides, fighting with Edel was helpful. There was always something to learn. After all, she was the strongest elven swordsman and the sword master of the Hero.
He also needed to organize the insights he had recently gained.
"It would be good for rehabilitation training."
"That's right."
Facing Edel's fierce smile, Ivan took up his sword and headed to the deck.
When Elfihera came to the deck, she found Ivan, who looked like semi-dried seaweed, and Edel, who looked refreshed.
"Eck."
Ivan was sprawled in a corner of the deck, soaked in sweat and then dried by the wind. As Elfihera hurriedly approached, Edel shook her head with a smile.
"He's processing things now, so wait."
"Lord Coenwulf...? What is this...?"
"Warriors communicate through swords. We had an intense conversation."
Edel chuckled. After a moment, Ivan slowly regained his posture and stood up.
"Your recovery is quick. As quick as your growth."
"Thank you for the lesson."
"Hmm."
Edel scrutinized Ivan for a long time with her hawk-like eyes. She brought her finger to the corner of her lips and licked it slightly.
Her golden, raptor-like eyes quickly scanned Ivan's sweat-soaked nape.
"???"
With a shiver, Ivan took a couple of steps back.
Why did he sense killing intent...?
"Indeed. Despite growing quickly, you're still young..."
"What are you saying?"
"Nothing. Just talking to myself. Well, your physical condition isn't very good. Is it from injuries sustained during the last expedition?"
"It's healing. Should recover in a couple of months."
"How about visiting the Alchemy School?"
Edel spoke while looking at Elfihera. At her words, the tips of Elfihera's ears twitched happily.
"I was just thinking about that! Do you need something too, Lord Coenwulf?"
"Mainly substances that help with physical recovery. And you?"
"Monk... um. Primate longevity elixir. I heard it helps humans too."
"Ah."
Edel quietly nodded. Well, they're both the same kind.
Sometimes nobles keep small monkeys as pets. Since monkeys are animals with extremely short lifespans, such elixirs are quite popular.
They are somewhat effective for humans too. Though the effect isn't very dramatic compared to the price. Just a few years at most. And there are individual differences.
"It's good timing anyway. There's an Alchemy School logistics dock at our midway stopover! Let's dock briefly to replenish supplies?"
"Alchemy School?"
"One of the 5 major schools! Their stock has risen tremendously recently! They say they raked in money after the war ended..."
"Well, there are many quality herbs and minerals in the demon realm."
Elfihera nodded at Edelplat's answer.
It was rare for her to explain something Ivan didn't know. Elfihera spoke with her chest puffed out.
"It's called the Ashhold Magic Alchemy Guild. They're a corporation that occupies an entire island... Baron Ashcliff and Baron Chesterhold established the company 500 years ago!"
"I see."
"They're both members of the Privy Council! Didn't you say you had business with the Privy Council?"
"I did."
But are they people you can just meet because you want to? It's like trying to meet a corporate chairman in modern terms, and they're elves on top of that.
To Ivan's doubt, Elfihera laughed annoyingly. Her ears twitched excitedly.
"Who am I? The legitimate daughter of the Grikenkos family! Except for Her Majesty the Queen, there's no one in this country I can't meet without an appointment!"
"Hmm."
Considering Beolgrin's reputation...
Ivan nodded without much thought. While he was at it, it would be nice to get some healing potion raw materials at a cheaper price.
"I'm sorry, but the chairman is currently absent."
"Eck."
"To begin with, you shouldn't dock at the pier without a docking permit, Miss Grikenkos."
"No, no, wait a minute."
They were blocked right at the entrance.
Ivan quietly understood. Well, they are elves after all.
Elderly elves are creatures as old as the nation's history. It means each one prides themselves on the authority of kings and nobles.
The business that occupies this huge island has been operating for 500 years. From a human perspective, that would be considered well-established, but in this case, the founding chairman is still running the company.
How should I put it in Earth terms? It's like a company founded during the Japanese invasion of Korea in the 16th century is still being run by its original chairman in modern times.
For such beings, especially successful elves, it can't be helped. Their interactions aren't in the realm of socializing; even individuals are in the realm of diplomacy.
"And pet—. 'Foreigners' are only permitted entry after completing quarantine inspection. Miss Grikenkos, please sign the entry permit—."
"Ah, stop! Stop! Forget it! I'll complain directly to the Privy Council about this!"
"As you wish."
Elfihera blushed and waved her hand. The elves near the immigration office were whispering, covering their noses or mouths with fans.
Ignoring the hateful gazes directed at him, Ivan slowly looked around.
'This is impressive.'
Clean, wide roads and continuous movement of logistics from the dock. Huge cargo ships and various products.
A massive factory spewing steam could be seen in the distance, and a castle several times larger than the factory stood like the island's backdrop.
All this is owned by a single company.
Ivan nodded in admiration.
"Not inferior to Earth."
"Indeed."
Oswald exhaled with a tired face. To think that a party including three elves, and members of high-ranking families at that, would be blocked right from the dock.
Meanwhile, Ivan was lost in thought as he looked around at the crowd.
The party includes the daughter of the Privy Council Chairman, the daughter of the Hero Party, and the Great Warrior of the Privy Council. No matter how arrogant elves are, they're still elves. They can't treat such lofty nobles this way.
And the troops near the dock were concerning. Armed elves were moving here and there. On top of that, he could sense magic aimed at Elfihera, who was causing a commotion.
The situation was so tense that he could even detect killing intent. As if someone had stirred things up.
"There must have been a reason why we couldn't plant spies in Krasilov. Perhaps we should visit the diplomatic mission first..."
"We'd be sent back to our country right after."
"...Then what should we do?"
"Do what needs to be done."
Ivan turned around expressionlessly and headed toward the ship.
What needs to be done? Oswald followed him with a confused face.
"What's that?"
"The work of the Annihilation Squad."
After all, no matter how strict a mere company is, it can't be more formidable than the lair of the Seven Dragon Generals.
He needed to confirm what had happened here and meet with the high-ranking elven businessmen who were current Privy Council members.
From the moment he heard that Alexandr was involved, it was clear that Kalion was also included in the "next episode." If something had happened internally, it needed to be checked.
And, by nature, the Annihilation Squad was quite curious.
-Grind.
"Your Majesty. Your hand is getting damaged."
"No!! My stomach is upset!!"
If Ivan decided to disappear, the only person in this country who could track him was Enrique. And Enrique had refused the royal command.
She couldn't be forced to follow royal orders. After all, Enrique wasn't in a position to receive orders from the state.
Therefore, when the extensive tracking attempts by the Counterintelligence Command failed after more than ten days, Elizabeta's thumbnails had become very short.
"Dmitri!"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Pavel's "illegal entry routes" all proved futile. One might think that there wouldn't be any illegal entry routes unknown even to the Krasilov rebels, but the opponent was Ivan.
He was the commander of the Counterintelligence Command and had personally handled the Pritzenkaya counterintelligence network. Such a man wouldn't be unaware of information vulnerabilities.
Therefore, it was safe to assume he had already moved to Kalion.
"Go to Kalion! Take my personal seal with you. Enter as a diplomat and find Vanka!"
"I will bring him back immediately."
"No."
Elizabeta closed her eyes tightly, groaned for a while, and then spoke in a small voice, almost moaning.
"Help him."
"...Pardon...?"
"Once he's already entered, things have already started happening...! What difference would it make to bring him back now? Help him... It's fine if he captures my brother, and if there's anything else he wants to do, help him with whatever it is. And, at least, absolutely..."
Come back alive.
Safely.
Elizabeta said this with a prayerful heart and then bowed her head deeply.
She groaned and moaned for a long time before finally raising her head.
"Please come back in one piece this time. Please."