Dinner in the Captain's Cabin

Because Grandpa Leo, with his rich experience, judged that after obtaining the Garratt Family's iron ore through legal means, the remaining members of the Garratt Family would lose their value and wouldn't even catch the enemy's eye.

Moreover, even within the Tulip Alliance, the nobles of the Iliya Kingdom wouldn't have the power to conduct a large-scale search for him in Faletis, a kingdom that was subtly the strongest in the alliance.

Therefore, after Evan and Old Butler Leo settled in the small city of Leopold in Faletis, they didn't change their names, except for dealing with some matters related to their former noble status.

The five years of peaceful life, from the age of ten to fifteen, proved that the name Evan Garratt had indeed brought him no trouble.

Perhaps sensing that his current state could be easily misunderstood, Gell stared into Evan's black eyes, his expression a mix of reminiscence and emotion.

"No one has probably ever told you, but you resemble your mother more as you've grown up!"

Without his name and crest, even if Gell had met Evan on the street, he wouldn't have made any connection. After all, there were many people with the same name, and many who looked alike. But at this moment, the more he looked, the more Evan resembled his dear friend's wife, with so many traces of the couple on Evan's face.

"What did you say?"

Seeing Evan's slight daze and lack of reaction, Gell, who was never good at expressing emotions, stopped wasting words.

"Draw your sword!"

A flash of white light erupted in the bedroom. Gell suddenly drew his sword, his tall and sturdy body moving as lightly as a small boat gliding across the water, his long sword aimed directly at Evan's left shoulder.

[Sword Style: Drifting Skiff]

With swordsmanship instincts ingrained in his bones, Evan's body automatically slid backward even while his mind was elsewhere.

[Sword Style: Drifting Skiff]

The same move, devoid of any fiery intensity, like a small boat drifting with the current, lightly dodged the attack. As he retreated to the door, he leaped gracefully into the air, swapping positions with Gell, yet the distance between them remained unchanged.

Gell smiled. After this sword strike, the last trace of uncertainty in his heart quietly vanished.

Names could be the same, appearances could be similar, even noble crests could be forged, but this White Sail Swordsmanship, ingrained in his bones and mastered to perfection, was the strongest proof.

He was the son of his old friend Forman, and his nephew, Evan Garratt!

Conversely, Evan's expression was one of surprise. The familiar sword move stirred memories buried deep in his heart.

"You are..."

Five years could bring almost cosmetic-level changes to a growing boy, but for an adult like Gell, the changes were minimal.

Even the distance between two countries couldn't deter a naval captain. As a friend of Evan's father, Forman Garratt, Gell visited the Garratt family's estate at least once a year.

In fact, Evan had met Gell more than once. The last time was five years ago, at Forman's funeral, shortly before the night of fire and blood.

So, even though Evan was very young and Gell never stayed long, Evan still had some impression of this uncle who always brought him gifts.

Although his impression of the gifts was far more profound than his impression of the man himself, what more could be expected of Evan, who had not awakened his past life memories and was a true child back then?

Under Gell's expectant gaze, Evan finally connected the inexplicable sense of familiarity and slowly uttered the words he longed to hear: "Un..cle.. Gell!"

"Slam!" Gell clapped his hands in excitement, almost jumping with joy.

"Wait a moment, tell me, are Katie's starfish-shaped black spots on her left buttock or her right?"

Evan's mind was a bit chaotic, and he couldn't quite grasp the situation. He had carefully chosen the path of joining the military, coincidentally joining the closest Third Fleet. After basic training, personnel were assigned, and he happened to be assigned to the warship of his father's old friend?

Caught in the mysterious web of fate, Evan subconsciously wanted to struggle a bit more.

Unexpectedly, Gell lunged towards him, embracing him tightly with his strong arms and patting his shoulder forcefully, saying with a chuckle, "Katie is a pure black filly, your eighth birthday present. Those black starfish-shaped spots might even be on her cute little forehead."

"Welcome home, little Evan!"

As the two sat facing each other at the dining table in the captain's cabin, with various delicacies that Gell had specifically instructed the sailors to pack from shore gradually filling the table, Evan's head was still spinning.

The last time he had dined in the captain's cabin was with Captain Joseph on the Yellow Swan. However, this time, Evan was far from as carefree and detached as he had been then. Perhaps it was due to the sudden turn of events, perhaps due to the superior-subordinate relationship, or more likely, because of the abrupt change in their relationship.

Not accustomed to his Uncle Gell's enthusiasm, Evan felt he needed some time to adjust. He somewhat impolitely tugged at his collar and downed the glass of sweet wine in front of him.

However, having never drunk alcoholic beverages in this life, he couldn't help but cough a couple of times.

"Cough... cough..."

Gell's mood was excellent, having unexpectedly and smoothly found his friend's son. Perhaps only the day he received the news of his son's birth at sea could compare. Now, looking at Evan with affection, he found him increasingly likable and paid no mind to his minor faux pas.

"By the way, little Evan, I received news that bandits had broken through and occupied Black Rock Town. I was delayed by a mission for some days.

By the time I arrived, the administrator from Earl Wright's family, who had taken over the town, said they had confirmed all of you were dead and had collected your bodies. What exactly happened? And where are Anita and Butler Leo?"

Pouring Evan another glass of wine, Gell was very concerned about what had transpired back then.

"Oh, is that what they said to the outside world?" A cold smile flickered across Evan's young face.

When the bandits attacked the town that night, Grandpa Leo was besieged by two formal knights of the same rank. Even though he managed to escape with Evan in the end, he suffered irreversible severe injuries.

It was obvious to anyone with a brain that ordinary bandits wouldn't have knight-level powerhouses, and two of them at that?

Now, it seemed Earl Wright, who profited greatly from Black Rock Town's iron ore, was highly suspect. If he hadn't forged the remains of his siblings, it might have been an unknowing third party. But now, it seemed highly likely he was the mastermind behind it all, and he wasn't even trying to hide it!

The so-called bandit raid was nothing more than a staged farce!

There was no need to hide these matters from his deductions. Evan told Gell everything, bit by bit, about how he got separated from his sister Anita, how they settled in Leopold, and how Grandpa Leo soon passed away from his severe injuries.

What Evan didn't know was that the old butler actually knew Gell was serving in the Faletis Navy. Forman's correspondence with Gell was basically handled by Leo. However, having lost his Eldest Daughter and experiencing such a sudden upheaval, he dared not trust anyone.

After all, not many people knew about the rich iron ore, and not many people could remain unmoved by millions of Gold Lions. Even Forman's closest friends couldn't be entirely ruled out as potential betrayers.

At that time, the two of them weren't exactly cornered, and Leo preferred to be cautious rather than live with regret.

But unlike the cautious old butler, Evan possessed Data Vision, which could observe breathing, heartbeats, subtle eye movements, and emotional changes, making it far more effective than a lie detector. Coupled with the portrait of his father, Forman, hanging on the wall right beside him, Evan was absolutely certain that Uncle Gell was trustworthy.

After all, even the most wicked villains, unless born psychopathic, couldn't possibly keep a portrait of their victim hanging in front of them all day.

"I'm truly sorry, child!" Although Evan spoke lightly, Gell could imagine the crisis and danger of the situation at the time.

As for why Butler Leo, who knew his address and fleet, hadn't come to find him directly, as if by some unspoken agreement, Gell didn't press for details. Whether it was to avoid implicating himself or due to caution during hardship, it was all in the past now, and none of it mattered anymore.

"I will find a way to search for Anita. Anita is a true little genius. The last time I saw her, she was already close to the peak of an Apprentice Knight. She'll be fine."

"Yes, she'll definitely be fine."

Neither the big man nor the small man was particularly talkative, and the atmosphere became quiet for a moment.

Creak... creak...

Only the faint sound of cutlery lightly scraping against the plates could be heard.

"Here, let's have a drink!" Gell was never good at comforting people. Having been stationed at sea for years, he barely had time with his own son, let alone knowing how to interact with a junior like Evan. This was the only way he knew how.

Evan smiled and raised his glass, clinking it against Gell's.

So much time had passed. Evan no longer dwelled on the past; looking forward was the only way to find hope. His enemies were out there, and Evan wasn't foolish enough to throw himself against them.

But he firmly believed that Anita was somewhere in the world, waiting for their reunion.

His naval career had already gotten off to a good start. Now, all he had to do was get stronger! Continuously stronger!

Finishing the wine in his cup, Gell looked at Evan and hesitated, "Evan, what are your plans for the future?"

"What? On my first day as a formal naval officer reporting for duty, is the Captain already trying to kick me off the ship?" After their shared reminiscence, the uncle and nephew had become quite familiar, and Evan made a small joke.

"Hahaha, you rascal! Just like Forman, you're both incredibly bold. Daring to speak to your captain like this on your first day as a recruit!"

Clearly, this way of speaking made Gell more at ease. Besides being the son of his old friend, he also admired Evan himself. Unlike the rigid Army Knights and musketeers, a naval officer needed this kind of audacious courage and the quick wit to adapt to circumstances.

"Aren't you going to be an explorer anymore?" Gell teased.

Every Garratt was a brave explorer; this saying was even written into their family motto, and Gell knew it well.

"I'll be a good naval officer first!" Evan said with a light chuckle.