Invitation

Totti witnessed the entire verbal exchange between Van Dyke and Sonanda, but he didn't understand many things, such as why Van Dyke was so disheartened upon seeing this man and believed that defeat on land was inevitable.

Totti looked at the man, who looked to be in his early twenties. He was handsome, agile, and had a bronze complexion. He was clearly a skilled seaman and had an air of nobility about him.

While Sonanda and Van Dyke were talking, the commander of the Northlands Fleet standing there expressionless, seemingly indifferent, yet he showed great respect for Viscount Sonanda, which Totti found strange.

He wanted to ask a question, but his wet clothes reminded him that he didn't dare to speak.

Then Viscount Sonanda spoke again, "Van Dyke, you and I are old friends. I know your abilities. Come and help the Count and me."

The shackles on the Coastal Defense Fleet are about to be broken, and there will certainly be opportunities for us to make great strides in the future.

Back then, the Count proposed a counterattack plan, which involved strengthening the fleet and expanding it to over 150 ships with a total strength of 20,000 men.

Then, lead this revenge fleet to invade the territory of the East Sea Alliance, and let them taste the bitterness of being invaded. I remember you were very supportive of that, weren't you?

Unfortunately, the plan was ultimately abandoned because the Grand Duke at the time did not allow it.

Meanwhile, the Coastal Defense Fleet was also dismantled, and you were recruited into Viscount Red Hemp's family fleet.

But that's all in the past. Van Dyke, I'd like to invite you again. This time, we can fight side by side and let those bastards from the East Sea Alliance taste what it's like to be invaded.

Moreover, this time, we will not fight alone; we will receive stronger support, and our future revenge fleet will no longer be what the Count planned.

The fleet could reach 200 or even 300 ships, with a strength of 30,000 to 40,000 men. With your abilities, you could lead a squadron of a size no less than the current Coastal Defense Fleet.

You know, I once spoke with Viscount Golden Sunflower, and he said something like, "If the enemy can go, so can I."

Come on, old buddy, join us!

After speaking, Sonanda looked earnestly at Van Dyke, waiting for his reply.

Sonanda's words struck a chord deep within Van Dyke. How could he forget his ideals from back then? Leading a fleet to attack the East Sea Alliance was his long-cherished dream.

Van Dyke's breathing became increasingly rapid. Van Dyke a long while, Van Dyke finally shook his head and refused Sonanda's invitation. Sonanda knew that his old comrade had made up his mind, so he stopped trying to persuade him, sighed, and left with Sodoma.

Before leaving, Sonanda told Elfie to treat Van Dyke and the others well and not to treat them as ordinary prisoners, showing that Sonanda still cared about his comrades-in-arms.

Van Dyke, Totti, and the First Mate were then locked in the cabin, no longer bound by ropes, and given some clean clothes.

After Totti and the First Mate entered the room, they quickly took off their soaking wet clothes and changed into clean ones. Totti was so cold that he even took off his underwear and put on his coat directly. At this moment, he didn't care about any aristocratic manners.

After tidying up, Totti found a clean spot to sit down. He was very curious about what Van Dyke had just said to Viscount Sonanda and wanted to ask him about it.

But Van Dyke completely ignored him and sat with his back to the wall in the corner, which made Totti anxious and scratching his head, as he had a lot of questions to ask.

At this moment, the First Mate spoke up, "Young master, feel free to ask me any questions. I've been with the captain for many years."

Totti was overjoyed to hear this, but he looked at Van Dyke with some concern. The First Mate smiled inwardly and said, "Young master, don't worry. If the captain doesn't want me to say it, I definitely won't. The fact that he didn't object means I can say it."

Totti was delighted and asked directly, "Who was that commander of the Northlands Fleet just now?"

"Why did Captain Van Dyke assume we'd lose the land battle just because he saw him?!"

After asking the question, Totti looked at Van Dyke sitting in the corner, as if worried that he might suddenly speak up to stop him, but Van Dyke did not move at all, as if he were asleep.

The First Mate said, "Although I haven't met him many times, I have a deep impression of him. He should be Sodoma, the eldest son of Viscount Sonanda. However, he is an illegitimate child and has no right to inherit the viscount's surname."

But he was very capable. He had been adventuring at sea with Viscount Sonanda since he was very young. He was said to be very good at naval warfare and had a high reputation in the Great Oak Territory fleet. He was regarded as a future commander.

I never expected him to join the Northern Frontier Allied Army, but he seems to be highly valued and has already become the fleet commander. He really is a tiger father and a dog son.

As for why the captain became dejected and hopeless upon seeing him...

The First Mate paused here, glanced in Van Dyke's direction, and seeing that Van Dyke did not stop him, continued, "I suspect that the captain may not have expected that Viscount Sonanda's son would be with the Northern barbarians. This means that the cooperation between Great Oak Territory and the Northern barbarians started much earlier and went much deeper than we thought. There may also be a similar situation on the land battlefield."

Young master, think about it. When two armies are evenly matched in battle, if one side suddenly has an army defect, wouldn't that side be in great danger? In severe cases, it might even collapse.

I suspect that the captain lost hope because of this assumption.

After all, if the troops of Great Oak Territory suddenly defected, I don't think the Duchy Army and the Eastern Coalition of Nobles would be able to react in time.

It's important to understand that Great Oak Territory has many subordinates and allies in the Eastern Region. If something goes wrong, it won't just be the Great Oak Territory's army that defectes.

Upon hearing this, Totti also felt that the First Mate's guess made a lot of sense, and he continued to ask, "Then why did Captain Van Dyke refuse Viscount Sonanda's invitation? I think it's a very good plan, after all, they were comrades-in-arms before and shared common ideals!"

The First Mate was stunned upon hearing this, thinking to himself, "Young master, you are the heir to the Red Hemp Territory, how can you still have the idea of driving your own people out?"

Just as First Mate first mate was racking his brains to find the right words, Van Dyke suddenly spoke up, "Back then, I was the one who betrayed my ideals and left the Coastal Defense Fleet first. Now that we've been defeated, I want to go back. Isn't that making me a fickle and treacherous person?"

At that time, the viscount of Red Hemp Territory, who was your grandfather, participated in the dismantling of the Coastal Defense Fleet and obtained a small fleet. In order to make better use of this fleet, he hired me at a high salary to command it.

Later, I settled down and got married in the territory. Over the years, I have come to regard Red Hemp Territory as my home. My wife and children are there, and I certainly can't leave.

Besides, the two viscounts have treated me very well over the years, never shortchanging me in terms of money or goods. How could I abandon my territory at this time?

There was another reason, which Van Dyke dared not say: Earl Count Black was the kind of person who couldn't tolerate any wrongdoing. His history of betrayal was a stain on his Count Black, and he didn't want to appear in front of the Count if he wanted to settle scores later.

Totti's question was thus resolved, but he soon fell into internal conflict again.

Totti believes that the first First Mate's speculation about the defeat in the land battle is highly likely, and he is now very worried about the safety of his father, who leads a private army.

The First Mate quickly noticed Totti's restlessness and knew that Totti was worried about the Viscount.

The First Mate spoke up, "Young master, you don't really need to worry. After all, the Viscount has an army under his command. If something really goes wrong, he'll have a chance to escape."

Even if they are defeated and captured, I doubt they will harm the Viscount.

The First Mate regretted his words as soon as he finished speaking, and Totti became even more restless, standing up and pacing around the cabin, the floorboards creaking under his feet.

Van Dyke was annoyed by the voice, stood up and shoved Totti to the ground. "Your grandfather and your father are not like me. They think things through calmly no matter what happens. Besides, nothing has happened yet. It's all just speculation. What are you afraid of!"

Totti was stunned by Van Dijk's sudden move. It took him a while to react before he silently sat up and bowed to Van Dyke: "Captain Van Dyke, thank you for your advice. I won't do it again."