Gift Fleet

Victor stood at the bow of the ship and spoke to Viscount Sonanda was preparing to leave. "Thank you for your help today, Commander Sonanda. Please give my regards to Count Black. I look forward to fighting alongside him next year."

After a period of conversation, Victor discovered that Viscount Sonanda did not value his noble status too much, but was more proud of him as the commander of the Coastal Defense Fleet. Victor naturally took the initiative to take care of his feelings.

Viscount Sonanda was very cooperative; he was indeed the kind of straightforward seaman who was completely disoriented when Victor called out to him.

"Haha, Viscount Victor, you're too kind. Lord Blake also has great respect for you. However, he has also said that his health may no longer allow him to fight on the battlefield. In that case, Yellen and I may be the ones fighting alongside you!"

When Sonanda spoke of Count Black's health, his expression darkened, and Victor stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder.

Viscount Sonanda quickly rallied his spirits. Count Black had been like a brother and father to him, having mentored Sonanda since his youth and helped him build the Eastern Coastal Defense Fleet from scratch. Sonanda had always followed Count Black.

It can be said that Viscount Sonanda has great respect for Count Black. He will carry out any order given by the Count without fail. The reason he provoked Victor this time is because Count Black has made Victor Brando's guardian and wanted to test Victor's abilities.

After all, although Sonanda was proficient in navigation and had a keen sense of naval combat, he was not very good at thinking and management. He usually relied on the deputy that Count Black assigned to him for the management of the fleet.

That's why Viscount Sonanda ultimately chose to arm wrestle with Victor in an attempt to gain control of the contest, only to be taught a harsh lesson in the end.

"Lord Victor, look at me, there's one more thing I almost forgot!"

Viscount Sonanda suddenly slapped his forehead and apologized to Victor.

Then he climbed up the mast by grabbing a rope along the ship's side and shouted to the Wavebreaker not far away, "Sodoma, come here quickly!"

As Sonanda's voice faded, the Wavebreaker quickly began to approach Victor's flagship.

Immediately afterwards, a figure swung across the cable and jumped from the Wavebreaker, mimicking the actions of Viscount Sonanda.

A young man dressed in the same Coastal Defense Fleet uniform appeared on the deck. He looked somewhat like Viscount Sonanda, and his dark skin suggested that he had spent many years making a living at sea.

However, Victor noticed that this young man was different from Viscount Sonanda. Although Viscount Sonanda had the style of a seaman, he at least maintained certain aristocratic characteristics, and was dressed neatly with leather boots on his feet.

But this young man simply unbuttoned his military uniform, leaving it open, and went barefoot.

It's already late October, and even though Sunset City is by the sea and the weather isn't too cold yet, it's still around 12 or 13 degrees Celsius. Even if the people in this world are strong and not so afraid of the cold or heat, they should still wear thicker clothes at this time.

Seeing his revealing attire, Victor was a little curious about his identity.

"Sodoma, you're not wearing shoes again!"

Seeing that Sodoma didn't react, Viscount Sonanda walked up to the young man, grabbed his head, bowed to Victor, and then introduced him to Victor.

"Viscount Victor, this is my eldest son, Sodoma. He was born on the ship and was like a sea Monkey from a young age. He loved the sea even more than I did. After he grew up, he stayed with me in the army. He fought pirates with me and fought against the harassing fleet of the East Sea Alliance. He is quite a veteran of naval warfare."

Viscount Sonanda sighed, and Victor seemed thoughtful after hearing Viscount Sonanda's introduction.

"Before I came here, Lord Black not only asked me to cooperate with your work, but also gave me a task."

Viscount Sonanda pointed to the Coastal Defense Fleet not far away, "I'm giving you 15 ships from this fleet. Although these ships are a bit old, being the first batch of ships in our Coastal Defense Fleet, I've been taking good care of them with my young men, and they're all still very capable."

"Viscount Victor, your fleet's transport capacity seems insufficient, even with the help of the Iron Birch Territory's ocean-going fleet. These ships should be able to assist you next year."

Sodoma tried to break free from Viscount Sonanda's grasp, but Viscount Sonanda released him and patted Sodoma on the shoulder.

"Please don't refuse. The sailors on the ship will also be handed over to you. Even if you don't lack ships, these sailors should be able to play a significant role. This young man will be in charge of commanding this fleet. Although he is young, he has some reputation in the fleet and will be able to help you control this fleet and the sailors."

Hearing this, Victor couldn't bring himself to refuse. Although the ship was a bit old, it was clearly well-maintained and would definitely work.

Most importantly, this group of real sailors, a naval force that has undergone formal training and has war experience, is invaluable. Victor can only thank Count Black for his heartfelt kindness.

"Commander Sonanda, I accept. Please be sure to give my regards to Count Black."

"That's good. If you don't accept it, that's fine too. I'll have Sodoma lead the fleet to follow you back to the Northlands."

Victor was sweating profusely; it was indeed something this Viscount Sonanda was capable of doing.

Viscount Sonanda nudged Sodoma, Sodoma reluctantly bowed to Victor and stammered, "Viscount Victor, I need to go and adjust the fleet. Please allow me to take my leave."

Sonanda's forehead creased with a tic-tac-toe expression, and he kicked him, saying, "You don't even need to use honorifics, kid. Show some respect to Lord Victor!"

Sodoma had no choice but to repeat himself, "Viscount Victor, I must take my leave now. Please allow me to return to command the fleet!"

"Okay, thank you for your hard work!"

Sodoma swung back to his ship on a rope.