Chance Encounter on the Return Journey

Victor sat in the cabin processing official documents. During this period, in order to prepare for the withdrawal of the main force and the handover of defenses to the Iron Birch Family's private army, a lot of work had been postponed.

Now that they were sailing on the Blackwater River, Victor had some free time to handle some work, leaving him no moment to rest. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"What's up?"

"My lord, our men have spotted a large fleet ahead on the river. They will be meeting our fleet in about half an hour!"

Moreover, that fleet happened to be flying the Iron Birch Family's flag, and you requested that we report to you immediately upon seeing it!

Upon hearing this, Victor stood up abruptly, pushed open the door, and walked out. The messenger outside was startled by the lord's sudden appearance.

Has our pilot ship already made contact?

The messenger nodded quickly, "Yes, our pilot boats have already set off to ensure the convoy can meet smoothly in the river without interfering with each other."

"Are there any other Clippers? Where is Blox? Take me to that fleet!"

Soon the messenger was summoned by Captain Blox. When Blox saw Victor already standing by the ship directing the sailors to lower the small boats, he quickly stepped forward to stop him. "Sir, you must not do this. It is the dry season on the Blackwater River, and the waterway is very narrow."

When our two fleets meet, the distance between us will be too close, and there will easily be swells. These small boats won't be able to hold up and will capsize. If you fall into the water, I'll be killed by my old captain!"

After saying this, Blox kicked and punched the sailors, making them pull the small boat back.

Victor frowned. He knew Blox was doing this for his safety, but right now he really needed to go to that fleet to see someone!

By this time, he could already see the Iron Birch Fleet in the distance. He had finally encountered it, and he couldn't let it pass by without meeting it!

Fortunately, Blox continued, "You told me before to keep an eye on the Iron Birch fleet, and I've remembered that. We have a small galley and auxiliary vessels following behind us; it's definitely fast and stable. I'll call them over right now, and you can take that ship, sir!"

Victor soon boarded the galley and left his ship, heading towards the Iron Birch fleet.

Sure enough, the ship was very fast. With the wind at its back, the oars could accelerate it further. In just a few minutes, it arrived at the fleet and quickly reached the flagship.

This flagship is clearly a merchant and cargo ship from the Iron Birch Family's ocean-going fleet, but it is smaller in tonnage and has a lower draft, allowing it to sail on the Blackwater River. Even so, it is still a behemoth compared to the Victor galley, with a difference in height of at least five or six meters between the hull and the ship.

Just as Victor was about to send someone to call out, a rope ladder was dropped from the flagship and floated alongside the ship.

Seeing this, Victor swiftly leaped from the oarsman, grabbed the rope ladder, and climbed up.

He had just climbed onto the boat and hadn't even gotten a firm footing when he heard a loud laugh, "Victor, it has to be you! You're really good at climbing, even faster than the other sailors on the ship!"

Upon seeing the man, Victor immediately said, "Father-in-law, it's been a long time! You look as healthy as ever, that's wonderful!"

The visitor was none other than Victor's father-in-law, Benjamin Viscount Benjamin Pear —no, it should be Count Benjamin Kingpear.