Chapter 212 Hagen's Vacation Island



[I am pleased to relay the news of our resounding triumph in the capture of Erle Island. Despite the challenges, our forces executed the operation flawlessly and manage to secure the island under our control.

I hereby express my intention to pursue the capture of a nearby island. Rest assured, we will proceed with caution and avoid any unnecessary risks.

Sincerely,

Admiral of the Second Fleet, Jareth.]

The letter was passed to his trusted subordinate to promptly send the letter to the capital and ensure its swift delivery and receipt by the intended recipients.

He leans back in his chair. The successful capture of Erle Island had bolstered his confidence. With the main objective successfully achieved, the admiral doesn't plan to let the second fleet waste their time doing nothing.

He turned his attention to the map spread before him. Two nearby islands caught his eye.

His gaze first fell upon the smaller of the two islands. It appeared to be a third of the size of Erle Island, making it a feasible target for his limited manpower.

The island held potential strategic value. Situated closer to the mainland in the south, it offered a distinct advantage in terms of defence. The island's close proximity meant that supply lines and reinforcements could be more easily maintained.

His attention soon shifted to the larger island. Despite the allure of the larger island, Jareth has no plan of capturing it since the manpower he has isn't enough to do so.

Not to mention, the island is inhabited by the House of Hagen, one of seven powerful families in blande. Known as the "overlord of agriculture," their dominion over the fertile lands was a significant source of their influence and wealth.

Having control over food gives them a lot of leverage in the decision-making process in Blande, more than any other family. This war, one way or another, is an attempt by another six families to break the monopoly they have over food. 

Admiral Jareth wasted no time in issuing the order for the fleet to prepare for their next mission. The command was swiftly relayed to his subordinate officers, who in turn began mobilizing the fleet. Sailors begin securing supplies, conducting inspections, and preparing the ships for the forthcoming voyage.

"Sir, we are running low on ammunition." report his officer.

"How long will our current ammunition supplies sustain us?" he inquired, his voice tinged with concern.

The officer, after a brief moment of contemplation, responded, "Sir, based on our current usage rates and reserves, we estimate that our ammunition supplies will last for approximately three more days of sustained combat."

His brow furrowed further upon hearing the officer's response. "That's lower than I thought," he muttered. The fleet seems to be using more ammunition than necessary. And it'll take some time before the supplies arrived.

With a nod, he replied, "Order the crews to reduce the usage of cannons to a minimum. They have to emphasize accuracy and precision. We must conserve our ammunition for critical moments as every shot count."

Before long, the fleet departed from the port, leaving a portion of manpower to control the island on his behalf. The sails billowed with the wind, propelling the vessels forward. Onboard, the sailors were busy adjusting the rigging, hoisting the sails, and ensuring the ships were in optimal condition for the voyage ahead. 

With favourable winds propelling them, the voyage was remarkably swift. The ships effortlessly sliced through the open waters, covering the distance in just a matter of approximately six hours.

As the fleet approached the smaller island, the coastline came into view. The island's pristine beaches and lush greenery beckoned, offering a sanctuary from the vast expanse of the sea.

The ships gracefully navigated the waters, expertly guided by the experienced helmsman. Once the ships get closer, smaller boats were deployed to ferry the soldiers ashore.

As the landing parties set foot on the island, they were baffled by the lack of any significant defences on the island. Nevertheless, it worked to their advantage, allowing them to swiftly gain control and assert their presence.

"Is this island uninhabited?" asked Jareth as he set foot on the island. His eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of life. The absence of people puzzled him. Turning to his subordinates, he issued a command to spread out and thoroughly search the island. 

The landing parties fanned out, meticulously combing through the island's nooks and crannies. They scoured the dense vegetation and inspected every corner of the island. 

After hours of searching, a discovery was made. In a secluded corner of the island, tucked away amidst towering trees was a single massive house made of sturdy wood.

Curiosity piqued, Admiral Jareth and his subordinates cautiously approached the house. The structure exuded an air of elegance and grandeur, blending perfectly with the island's natural surroundings.

As they neared, they could make out the faint sounds of activity and voices emanating from within.

Entering the house, they found themselves in a spacious hall adorned with intricate carvings and tapestries. The few people there seemed shocked by their arrival. Their expressions were a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

Seeking clarity, Jareth posed the question, "Who are you?"

A sudden appearance of unknown soldiers causes the people in the hall to exchange nervous glances. A man, dressed in the attire of a butler, stepped forward.

His voice trembled slightly as he replied, "We are the caretakers of this estate, entrusted by the House of Hagen to maintain and preserve this property."

"House of Hagen? Jareth's brows furrowed in confusion. "Why would such a prestigious family have a mansion here?"

The butler cleared his throat before responding. "The Head of Hagen, Lord Hugo, had commissioned this villa as a retreat for his family. It provides them with a serene and private environment to enjoy their leisure time."

Admiral Jareth absorbed this information, "Is that so? Well, I had a piece of news to tell you. From today onwards, this island belongs to the Kingdom of Ryntum."

The butler's eyes widened in surprise and concern. "S-Sir, I must inform you that the House of Hagen has held possession of this island for generations."

Jareth's expression remained stoic, "Are you forget that we're currently at war?"

The butler stumbled over his words, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Forgive me, sir. We are well aware of the conflict. But, we didn't have direct involvement in this war."

Jareth's stern gaze bore into the butler. "No place in is truly safe or exempt from the war. Not Ryntum, not Barlia, and not Blande either. You wage this war and expect to be safe from it? How laughable."