Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 41: Dodging Responsibilities and Poor Captain Steiner!

Alex wakes up feeling slightly nervous, yet ready. Armed with powerful equipment, a stock of healing items, and his newly-acquired gold-quality swordsmanship skill, he feels as prepared as possible for whatever the day may bring.

Captain Steiner may not be the most effective leader, but he at least makes an effort by gathering the Knights of Pluto in their cramped dressing room to issue special orders for the big event. As the knights clumsily assemble and don their armor, they attempt to line up in a 3x3 formation. The whole affair looks more like a group of kids fumbling through their first dance class than a proper knightly formation.

Alex cringes at the sight and even shoves a few of the knights into their correct positions. "Good call on avoiding this dirty, crowded dressing room and keeping my gear in my own room," he thinks, grateful for his high luck stat that seems to have afforded him this small luxury.

Steiner, already looking weary, sighs and gets straight to business: "As you all know, today we celebrate the sixteenth birthday of Princess Garnet Til Alexandros XVII. Tonight, we will ensure nothing disrupts the special performance by the Tantalus Theater Troupe on their famous airship, the M.S. Prima Vista!"

He proceeds to assign each knight their role, pairing them up with their usual partners. When he finally reaches Alex, he pauses, mumbling to himself, "Now, where can I place you? Perhaps guarding the Queen and Princess... assisting the guests..."

Alex interrupts, "Captain, I would like to investigate the Tantalus Troupe and their airship."

Steiner stares at him, clearly puzzled. "Huh? And why would we do that?"

Alex looks around the room, his gaze landing on Steiner and the rest of the knights as he challenges, "Do any of you know a single thing about the Prima Vista? Its weight? Guest capacity? It's practically a giant air fortress. This ship can carry 300 guests easily! Add in the performers, crew, and staff, and we're talking about 400 people aboard! Doesn't it seem like a huge security risk allowing a foreign airship to land directly within the castle grounds, especially with all the nobles, not to mention the Princess and the Queen? Just one of those 'actors' could hold a grudge or, worse, smuggle something dangerous aboard... or even an assassin."

"Assassin?!" Steiner practically explodes, his face reddening. "Who would ever want to harm our Queen and Princess?"

Alex briefly regrets the ominous tone he took, but he presses on, shifting his approach. "Captain, where is this theater troupe based? Where was the airship even built?"

Steiner rubs his chin and mutters, "A big ship like that... wouldn't it be Lindblum? Ah, of course! Lindblum!"

Alex nods at Steiner's sudden realization. "Exactly, Captain. Sure, the war ended years ago, but not everyone in Lindblum feels as warmly toward us as you'd hope."

Steiner's expression turns grave. "I see your point," he says, looking at Alex with a hint of admiration. "It's clear you've done your research, and your thoroughness does me proud as Captain of the Knights of Pluto! Very well, I'm assigning you to inspect the airship and make sure no threats lurk on board."