Arm Wrestling

Soon the formation of the Coastal Defense Fleet began to change, with the Wavebreaker and 14 ships approaching Victor's fleet in a separate formation, sailing on the port side.

The other ships of the Coastal Defense Fleet gradually moved away, with only one ship still attached to Victor's flagship on its starboard side, presumably there to pick up Viscount Sonanda.

This time, Victor carefully observed the entire fleet's formation. All the soldiers operated with great discipline and were well-trained. Their actions of raising the sails and lowering the oars were uniform and synchronized. From any perspective, they were absolutely elite.

Victor also felt that this gift was too heavy. Just then, Viscount Sonanda continued, "These sailors were selected from the entire Coastal Defense Fleet. They are all young, but have served for at least three years, and most of them are unmarried."

Lord Black specifically instructed me that if needed, his family would be sent to the Two Rivers Territory or the Golden Sunflower Territory next year, depending on your arrangements, but it would be best if accommodation could be prepared for them.

Once these fine young men settle down and get married in your territory, the morale of the army will quickly stabilize.

"Count Excellency is truly... incredibly thoughtful!"

Having come this far, Victor felt he had once again done a great favor. It seemed that Count Black was still not entirely at ease with him and hoped to increase his investment to keep him in check.

Then Victor suddenly thought of something, "Commander Sonanda, the Coastal Defense Fleet also has the very important task of defending the coastline. Is it alright to hand over these ships to me directly? Especially since even the Wavebreaker is being handed over to me. Isn't she the flagship of the Coastal Defense Fleet?"

Viscount Sonanda laughed heartily, "Hahaha, Lord Victor, please rest assured, since Lord Black decided to cooperate with Count Colt, the Grand Duke's restrictions on us no longer exist."

The Sunset City shipyard now has a new Wavebreaker ready for delivery. It's bigger and more beautiful than the current Wavebreaker, so you don't need to worry!

When Viscount Sonanda spoke of the New Wavebreaker, his expression was one of great satisfaction, which proved that he was very pleased with the Wavebreaker, making Victor curious about what the New Wavebreaker actually looked like.

"Lord Victor, it's finally time for me to say goodbye. I was so happy to see you today, and I look forward to fighting alongside you next year!"

After saying that, Viscount Sonanda stepped onto the starboard side of the ship. The ship on the starboard side threw out a cable, Viscount Sonanda used the ship's side as leverage to jump into the air, grabbing the cable with one hand and waving to Victor with the other.

"Hahaha, Lord Victor, see you next year!"

Victor was still a little worried, but Viscount Sonanda landed easily on the deck of the ship, giving Victor a graceful landing.

The ship quickly adjusted its sails and used the wind to move away from Victor and his men. Victor could only watch as Viscount Sonanda sailed away.

Soon, the remaining ships of the Coastal Defense Fleet followed the ship carrying Viscount Sonanda and moved away from Victor's fleet. Victor stood on the deck and watched the fleet disappear on the horizon.

Victor sighed. "I really owe you a favor this time, Count Black. I will definitely protect Brando!"

Seeing that Victor had finally left the ship's railing, Blox quickly stepped forward and said, "Sir, you've been standing here for too long. It's almost night. You should go back to your cabin and rest!"

"Alright, I'll head back first. Captain Brox, the rest is up to you. You can discuss the rest of the itinerary with Mr. Sodoma."

Suddenly Victor paused, touched his chin with his left hand, and said, "Captain Brox, could you please send a signal to the Wavebreaker to invite Mr. Sodoma aboard for a chat?"

"Yes, Lord Victor, I'll make the contact right away. You should go back to your cabin and rest for a bit!"

Victor returned to the cabin, lit an oil lamp, picked up a book, and read for a while by its light.

A knock came from outside the cabin door. "My lord, it's Blox. Mr. Sodoma has arrived."

Victor closed the book and called out to the door, "Come in."

The hatch was opened, Blox led Sodoma in. Strangely, Victor noticed that Sodoma's gaze towards him had changed. It was no longer the indifferent look she had given him at the beginning, but rather one that held a hint of suspicion and admiration.

This change left Victor somewhat puzzled. He guessed that Blox had said something to Sodoma, but Victor didn't dwell on it. He simply asked Sodoma to sit down, and Blox left the cabin and closed the door.

"Mr. Sodoma, how should I address you?"

"Just call me Sodoma, I'm not some kind of 'sir'!" Sodoma's reply was a little sarcastic, but it also confirmed some things for Victor.

"Lord Victor, there's something I'd like to confirm with you?"

"Oh, you can ask as much as you want, as long as it doesn't involve any secrets, I can answer everything I know."

Sodoma then cautiously asked, "Did you really beat Sonanda? In an arm-wrestling match!"

Victor thought Sodoma was going to ask something, but this was the question that made him chuckle, "It wasn't exactly an arm wrestling match, just a handshake contest, and I had a slight advantage."

After hearing this, Sodoma's expression changed, from being half-believing and half-doubting to being surprised and somewhat unconvinced.

"Sir, would you like to arm wrestle with me?"

"Oh, you don't believe me?"

Sodoma quickly shook his head. "No, it's just... Sonanda is indeed the best arm wrestler in the Coastal Defense Fleet. I've never met anyone stronger than him. I've always wanted to defeat him, but I've never succeeded!"

After saying that, Sodoma placed his right hand on the table, ready to arm wrestle, and looked at Victor with eager anticipation.

Victor shook his head, but also raised his right hand, braced his elbow on the table, and grasped Sodoma's right hand directly.

The two began to exert force simultaneously, and the table groaned under the struggle of their arms. Under Victor's gaze, Sodoma's bronze biceps bulged like iron balls.

His neck was bulging with bluish-purple veins, and his left hand was digging into the splinter on the edge of the table, leaving three white marks on the oak tabletop from his fingernails, but Victor's forearm muscles did not even bulge noticeably.

Sodoma suddenly exerted force, pressing Victor's wrist down three inches. As sweat dripped from the tip of his nose onto their clasped fists, Victor's index finger knuckle slightly lifted.

Immediately afterwards, Victor's thumb silently sank into the tendon between the thumb and index finger, and Sodoma's entire arm began to tremble uncontrollably.

With a "bang," Sodoma's right hand was slammed onto the table by Victor then released his grip.

Sodoma quickly covered his right wrist with his left hand, trying to control it and stop it from trembling.

He looked at Victor, Victor forehead was completely dry, and who maintained a calm and composed expression.

After a short while, perhaps as the numbness subsided, Sodoma pulled his still-twitching right hand back under the table and said to Victor, "My lord, you are amazing. As expected, Sonanda could never be your match."

Sodoma's tone was excited, as if he was very pleased, yet also somewhat disappointed.