Wind Direction

The next morning, there was no wind at sea, and the ship's speed dropped sharply.

Victor stood on the deck talking to Blox, and he looked somewhat worried.

"The wind direction at sea has changed. Will this affect our upcoming itinerary?"

"Sir, please don't worry. With me here, there will definitely be no problem. It's just that you might feel a little uncomfortable afterward."

"What's the meaning?"

Blox scratched his head, about to explain to Victor, when a voice came from behind him.

"Sir, a small boat has arrived over from the Wavebreaker."

A Royal Guard reported to Victor.

Victor and Blox walked to the ship's side and saw a small boat rowing towards them in the direction of the Wavebreaker.

Upon closer inspection, Victor realized that the people rowing the boat were Sodoma and three sailors.

As the small boat drew closer, Blox ordered the sailors to throw down the mooring rope. Sodoma climbed directly onto the boat by clinging to the rope, while the other three sailors on the small boat secured it with the rope.

After boarding the ship, Sodoma went straight to Victor. "Sir, the wind direction is a bit off. I expect strong winds tomorrow."

Upon hearing Sodoma's words, Victor understood why Blox had said those things.

Victor looked at Blox, and Blox nodded in agreement.

"This happens every year around this time in the sea off Suffolk County: the wind suddenly drops to almost nothing, and the next day it turns into a storm. At that time, the whole sea is like a pot of boiling soup."

Sodoma looked at Blox with some curiosity, not expecting that this person would know so much about the weather along the Suffolk County.

Blox bowed to Sodoma: "Mr. Sodoma, my name is Blox. I am also from Sunset City. I have been making a living around here for a long time. I only joined the fleet of the Golden Sunflower Territory last year."

Sodoma nodded and reached out to shake hands with Blox.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Blox, but I don't really recognize you. I don't know which merchant guild or fleet you used to work for."

Upon hearing this, Blox immediately tensed up. Seeing this, Victor quickly patted him on the shoulder and said to Sodoma, "Captain Brox, you probably didn't see each other very often because you used to work for some smugglers."

Sodoma understood. "Is it that private port in the south? We haven't actually managed that place. The Count told us to let him off the hook."

Blox blushed. He had bragged about this to Victor before, but he only learned the reason from Viscount Sonanda yesterday.

"Alright, Sodoma and Blox, since you say there's a strong wind, I'll believe you. But are you sure we don't need to find somewhere to take shelter from the wind?"

Sodoma patted his chest and said, "My lord, rest assured, my men are all very experienced sea warriors who know the temperament of this sea inside and out. I dare not say about the open sea, but in the coastal waters, even if we encounter a situation during a strong wind, we can find a safe anchorage without any problems."

Blox nodded in agreement with Sodoma.

Since both of them said so, Victor naturally chose to believe them; they were the real experts.

After the three discussed the fleet's organization and formation, Sodoma left again to return to the ship and make arrangements.

The entire fleet consisted of 29 ships. Sodoma and Blox shuffled all the ships and arranged them in order to ensure that their men and ships could support each other.

For the remainder of the voyage, Victor handed over all the work to the two men and returned to his cabin to prepare some tasks.

In Silver Maple City, Grand Duke Mora and Count Lagos finally received Count Black's report, which Count Black had delayed for three days before reporting the disbandment of the punitive expedition to Silver Maple City.

Upon receiving this news, the Count Lagos hurried to the Maple Leaf Palace to report to Grand Duke Mora.

"Damn it, that old man is utterly useless. He lost such a huge advantage and even lost two viscounts. And he still has the nerve to report to me!"

Mora paced back and forth in the hall. Count Lagos and Viscount Borey, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, exchanged glances, neither of them wanting to persuade the enraged Grand Duke at this moment.

After a while, perhaps Mora was tired, he returned to his seat and asked Count Lagos, "What do we do next? We can't just leave these rebels alone. Aren't we going to attack Colt next year?"

Count Lagos said, "In fact, Count Black also said that he will launch another punitive expedition next year, so why not let him continue to be in charge!"

Mora glanced at her grandfather. "Won't there be any problems next year? What if the Rebellion in the Northlands spreads to the Eastern Region? I can't trust that old man!"

At this moment, Viscount Borey stepped forward and reported to Mora, "Your Majesty, why not hand it over to the Fifth Legion? The Fifth Legion and the punitive force led by Count Black should be enough."

"The Fifth Legion? I remember Kimberley is marching towards Sextus County with the remaining two regiments and the army headquarters. They are responsible for retaking White Earth City, which was captured. Can they spare some troops to support the east?"

"Your Majesty, the original plan for next year was to wait in comfort and block Colt's group of rebels from heading south in Blackwater City and Carn City. After losing White Earth City, Sextus County had no natural defenses left."

Given that the previous three regiments had already been severely damaged, even if they were replenished by winter, the Fifth Legion's fighting strength would be insufficient to retake White Earth City. It would be better to have them simply abandon Sextus County and head south into the Eastern Region.

On the one hand, there are very few rebels in the Golden Sunflower Territory, and even if they face the weakened Fifth Legion, they are no match for them.

On the other hand, the Fifth Legion could also keep the His Grace the Grand Duke the punitive expeditionary force led by Count Black, preventing them from shirking their duties.

After listening to Viscount Borey's explanation, Mora also found it very reasonable, but the decision to give up Sextus County was a difficult one for him to make.

At this moment, the Count Lagos stepped forward. "Lord Borre is right. How about this, let the independent nobles in the Eastern Region near Sextus County be stationed in Sextus County for defense. This way, we can not abandon Sextus County, but also transfer the Fifth Legion south."

After listening, Mora stood up and walked around a few times. "Okay, let's do it this way!"