New Retainer

Victor felt a little embarrassed by Sodoma's words and was about to say something apologetic.

Sodoma continued, "You are a few years younger than me, yet you have already achieved amazing results on the battlefield and are good at managing your territory, which is much better than my father."

My father devoted himself entirely to the navy, and his later wife also died young from illness, leaving behind only a younger brother. There was practically no one to manage affairs in the territory; if it weren't for Lord Black's help, Hawthorn Territory would have long been in dire financial straits.

"Actually, Sodoma, your grandfather is no longer alive, and the Hawthorn family is a vassal of the Great Oak Territory. Count Black could easily intervene and allow you to take his surname, thereby inheriting Lord Sonanda's title."

Sodoma shook his head after hearing Victor's words.

"Lord Victor, my stepmother is very good to me. She is a good person, and I love my younger brother very much. He is almost twenty years younger than me and is only eight years old this year. He is still a little kid. I hope he can inherit the Hawthorn Territory."

My childhood dream was to become an independent nobleman through my own efforts and to defeat all the enemies at sea.

Although my father's achievements were inseparable from his efforts and the Count's help, they also involved my blood and sweat.

Sodoma's attitude was very firm, which made Victor admire him even more. At this moment Sodoma said to Victor very seriously.

"Actually, the orders my father initially gave me were only to help you command the troops sent to you, and later to help you control the Coastal Defense Fleet of Great Oak Territory as Brando's guardian."

After all, if the Civil War succeeds, I should be able to achieve enough merit to be promoted to baron.

However, I made one condition to my father: I myself would leave the Coastal Defense Fleet and join your ranks, becoming your retainer.

Victor was curious when he heard Sodoma's words. "Why did you do this? Even if you join my ranks, you won't get much credit after the Civil War is won. After all, the Coastal Defense Fleet is unlikely to be able to fight on land. At most, it will help you gain some merit, but it won't have much impact on your promotion to baron."

Sodoma stood up and patted the wall of the cabin. "My lord, after the victory in the Civil War, you should at least become Count, but you will never be satisfied with that."

When you visited Sunset City twice before, there were also fleets of the Golden Sunflower Family traveling to and from the Northlands. I noticed that the Golden Sunflower Family's ships were getting newer and bigger, and even their styles were different.

"Yes, their ships are quite different from those of the Iron Birch Family. You must have built your own shipyard, and not only have the ability to build them, but also the ability to design them. That's really impressive."

"That's right. I have two shipyards in my Northlands territory, and all the new ships in my fleet are built in my own shipyards."

Sodoma touched the wall and smelled the wood. "I guessed it was like that. This ship is the same. It's so new. It seems to have been at sea for less than half a year. It's a really good ship."

Her speed should be faster than the Wavebreaker, and even faster than the new Wavebreaker that is about to be delivered. I noticed that her bow is strange, thinner and narrower than that of a normal ship.

Although I don't know exactly why, I understand that this design allows the boat to run faster. There are many other unique aspects to your boat's design that I don't fully understand, but there must be a reason for it.

Victor applauded Sodoma's keen observation skills, noting that so far, apart from the master craftsmen at the territory's shipyard, no one had discovered the advantages of the galleon-like ship he had designed and built.

After all, the other ships in the fleet were all old ships, and this ship could not usually sail at full speed, so no one knew its advantages. Whether it was speed or carrying capacity, it was superior to the mainstream seagoing ships at present.

"Sodoma, you are indeed very capable. You were able to notice these things. Perhaps this is the intuition of a seasoned navy officer!"

"Lord Victor, I know you will not stop here easily. I can see the ambition in your eyes, and you have the ability and wisdom to support this ambition. Even your personal martial prowess is extraordinary."

Before meeting you, I truly couldn't imagine that someone like you could exist in this world. So please allow me to join your ranks and dedicate my strength to you.

Sodoma knelt down on one knee before Victor. Victor looked at Sodoma, and his eyes no longer held the previous confusion, but only a firm will.

Victor stood up, walked to Sodoma, drew his sword, and pressed it against Sodom's right shoulder.

Sodoma's bronze neck bulged with veins, and his shoulder blades, struggling against the immense pressure, emitted a teeth-grinding grinding sound.

Victor's wrist suddenly pressed down three millimeters, and the blade of Sodoma lightly patted his shoulder. "Sodoma, you must become the most outstanding naval commander, you must conquer this sea for me, can you do it?"

Sodoma looked at Victor with unwavering determination. "My lord," she said, "I will do everything in my power to ensure the Golden Sunflower banner flies high on the seas."

"Very good! Sodoma, welcome to the team. May the day come soon when we can sail the seas together."

Victor sheathed his sword and reached out to help Sodoma up.

Sodoma rubbed his sore shoulder and said, "My lord, your strength is really too great. I almost thought my shoulder was going to break."

"I'm sorry, Sodoma, consider this my first test for you!"

"My lord, I am a sea warrior. Dexterity and wisdom are more important than strength. But since you say so, then I should have passed the first test!"

Victor shrugged. "Not bad, but for your future improvement, I can only say you still need to practice."

"By the way, Sodoma, I've been wanting to ask you this before: won't the transfer of so many ships and troops from Count Black affect the strength of the Coastal Defense Fleet?"

Sodoma suddenly smiled, "I didn't expect you to ask this question, my lord. I should have helped my father keep it from you, but I am now your retainer!"

Didn't my father already say that the new Wavebreaker would be delivered soon?

But Sunset City has more than one shipyard. Count Black owns two shipyards, capable of building ten 300-ton ships simultaneously.

You mean to say?

"Just as you thought, Great Oak Territory has broken free from the Duchy's shipbuilding restrictions and has naturally begun to build new ships. My father is also taking advantage of this opportunity to give you the old ships so that he can purchase new ships for the Coastal Defense Fleet."

At the same time, the new ships are much better than the old ones. Not only are they more seaworthy and larger, but the number of crew members required to operate them is also reduced by 30%. However, the Coastal Defense Fleet cannot increase the number of ships any further, as the excess sailors may have to be discharged.

Rather than letting these elite troops languish among the common people and be given away to the merchant fleet, I suggested that we give them to you. Therefore, Count Black and my father have entrusted these surplus sailors to you as well.

After listening to Sodoma's words, Victor finally understood that accepting the transfer of the fleet was a win-win situation for both territories.

"Count Black is truly remarkable, but even so, I am still grateful for his help. These ships and crew have been a great help to me!"

Sodoma nodded after listening. Lord Victor was indeed very outstanding, and his demeanor far surpassed that of ordinary nobles.

"My lord, it's getting late. I need to return to the Wavebreaker to command the fleet. You should get some rest too!"

"Yes, Sodoma, be careful!"