After walking for about three hours, Daniel reached the port city of Tentarbachem in Vellanos.

    As he entered the city, he saw merchants selling food and goods at street stalls nestled between the relatively low buildings.

    The weather was pleasant—whether because of favorable conditions that day or because Vellanos’ climate was less affected by winter, he wasn’t sure.

    "Not bad. This passes the test," Daniel mused with a faint smile, assessing the weather of the country where he intended to spend the foreseeable future.

    "Maybe I’ll open a bakery here once I succeed in creating a new identity. No, wait. This is a port city, so it’s risky—Imperial citizens might frequent the area. I’d better move inland..."

    While mentally planning his new life, Daniel’s expression suddenly darkened.

    "The problem is money," he thought grimly.

    Washing his identity clean—an essential first step—required a significant amount of money.

    As Daniel knew, acquiring a new identity was far more complicated than simply forging an ID.

    He would need to obtain a social security number from the government, get passport documents issued, open a bank account, and register a residence. Only then could he fully assume a new identity.@@@@

    Naturally, such a complex process required a hefty sum.

    He would need funds to bribe government officials, lobby politicians, and pay brokers who handled these tasks.

    "So how should I make money...?"

    Taking up part-time work? That would be difficult.

    Even in this era, jobs typically required an ID.

    And even if he found work that didn’t check IDs, the pay would likely be poor, with a high risk of getting involved in trouble.

    "Any place that doesn’t check IDs is bound to be shady," Daniel thought as he stroked his chin and continued walking.

    "Hey! What did I say wrong? I’m telling you, that bastard is a scammer!"

    "Sir, making a scene about losing money won’t make anyone believe you. I warned you before, didn’t I? If you cause trouble in my establishment again, I’ll throw you out."

    Hearing the commotion from a distance, Daniel raised his head.

    Near a tavern entrance, a woman with jet-black hair, dressed in fine casual clothing, was arguing with what appeared to be the tavern owner.

    Though she was on the shorter side for a woman, the commanding presence she exuded was enough to overwhelm most men.

    "Causing trouble? I’m trying to throw out the scammer from your place! Or is this about money? If it’s about money, I’ll pay you as much as you want, just deal with that bastard—"

    "Ma’am! If you bring proof that the man is a scammer, I’ll understand. But throwing a fit just because you lost at gambling? What do you expect me to do?"

    The tavern owner’s logical rebuttal left the woman at a loss, stammering awkwardly.

    Looking down at her with disdain, the tavern owner grabbed the door handle.

    "I don’t enjoy treating customers this way, but please step outside, cool off, and come back when you’ve calmed down."

    With that, he slammed the door shut.

    Selvia''s cold gaze turned to the CIA Director.

    "Are you saying it wasn’t the work of the Allied Nations?"

    "N-no, Your Highness. That is not what I meant. I am merely suggesting that the submarine may have departed from a port outside the Allied Nations'' territory, making it unwise to hastily label this as an ‘Allied Nations terrorist attack.’"

    The CIA Director, sweating under Selvia''s icy scrutiny, lowered his head.

    Unable to bear the awkwardness, the Minister of Defense interjected.

    "Your Highness, the CIA Director is not wrong. It would be prudent to refrain from acting prematurely until the incident has been fully investigated. Directing our anger at the Allied Nations can wait until we uncover the truth."

    Selvia’s piercing gaze shifted to the Defense Minister.

    "Uncover the truth?"

    "Yes, Your Highness. As you know, the attack on the diplomatic vessel occurred in Vellanos’ territorial waters. This strongly suggests that one of Vellanos’ naval commanders might have cooperated with an unknown terrorist group. Identifying that individual should be our priority. Additionally..."

    The Defense Minister paused briefly, lowering his head.

    "The Navy’s strategic division has suggested that Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner may have survived the incident."

    After a brief silence, Selvia quickly asked, "Is that true?"

    "It is unlikely, but possible. Considering the flow of the currents at the time, if Lieutenant Colonel Steiner was on the deck rather than inside a cabin, positioned far enough from the torpedo’s explosion, and managed to enter the water before the ship fully sank..."

    The Defense Minister straightened his posture.

    "There is a chance—however slim—that he could have washed ashore on one of the nearby coasts in Vellanos. Again, the probability is low, but it cannot be dismissed entirely."

    The Defense Minister’s statement caused murmurs to ripple through the room.

    Most officials dismissed the idea as implausible, but to Selvia, even the faintest glimmer of hope was enough to hold onto.

    Clutching the armrest of her chair tightly, Selvia issued a firm command.

    "Immediately assemble a fleet to head to Vellanos. We will launch a large-scale search operation."

    A heavy silence fell over the hall.

    Everyone present understood the gravity of Selvia’s words.

    The Defense Minister eventually broke the silence, speaking hesitantly.

    "Your Highness, while your order is reasonable, deploying a fleet to another nation’s territorial waters will likely provoke resistance from Vellanos. Additionally, a military-led search operation will require their consent. Sending a negotiation team first might—"

    He stopped mid-sentence, feeling Selvia’s sharp gaze pierce him like a blade.

    Silencing him, Selvia spoke decisively.

    "What is needed now is not negotiation, but a message. Inform them immediately."

    Rising abruptly from her seat, Selvia cast her fiery, determined gaze over the bowed heads of her ministers.

    "If Vellanos refuses to open its territorial waters to the Empire’s fleet for this investigation..."

    Her voice was cold and filled with restrained fury as she narrowed her eyes with an unwavering resolve.

    "Then Vellanos will be treated no differently than the terrorists themselves."