It'll be hard for them to blame the Tadashi Kingdom for naval action if these "pirates" are really the Holy Kingdom's navy in disguise.
Think about it. They all get sunk by ONE SHIP that is crewed by cat people that is also OFFICIALLY a smuggler's ship.
Of course, author-san could also not think too hard on it and just run with it without thinking that it would look really badly if the Holy Kingdom's Navy is devastated by just ONE SMUGGLER'S SHIP.