Michael watched silently.
Around him, murmurs rose.
"…They're staying?"
"Why haven't they departed like the others?"
"Are they remaining stationed here?"
Renn folded his arms slightly, his gaze thoughtful.
"…It's probably because of distance," he said after a moment.
Michael glanced at him briefly.
Renn continued, voice low but audible to those near him.
"The Black Serpent Empire is extremely far from here. It would take far longer for their ship to return compared to neighboring kingdoms."
He tilted his head faintly.
"It makes logistical sense for them to remain stationed until the expedition concludes."
Renn was not the only one who thought so.
It was reasonable.
Practical.
Strategic even.
And yet…
Despite that logic, many people still felt uncomfortable.
The presence of an imperial war vessel looming over the expedition site was not something that could be ignored easily.
It was like sitting beside a sleeping beast.
Not hostile.
