"I knew His Majesty the King would come. This is the champagne I hid away back then. This year happens to be its peak drinking period, perfect for celebrating this ship's launch.
To have built a ship like this, my life is complete."
Looking at the imposing ironclad warship, the shipyard manager's eyes were filled with joy.
Though it was the King's vessel and someone else had provided the blueprints, once this warship set sail, his name would be mentioned one way or another.
For a shipwright, nothing was more exciting than watching a ship he had built set sail.
"When I asked you for some before, didn't you say you had none left? Looks like I get to benefit from His Majesty Oran's favor."
"What are you thinking? Everyone knows His Majesty the King doesn't drink. I'm saving it to celebrate by myself tonight."
"Don't be so stingy. It's only one bottle."
"You said the same thing when you drank all my other bottles! I won't fall for it again!"
Brand ultimately failed to persuade him, but he was already prepared to bring a gift and visit his home. That was what he had done the previous times too.
For two old friends who had known each other for decades, this sort of thing was nothing unusual.
"Alright, enough nonsense. Clean this place up first. His Majesty the King will be here soon."
After bickering for a while, Brand and the others began tidying the area, putting away cables and other things piled on the ground. The place looked much neater afterward.
They had only just finished cleaning up when Oran and Kate arrived.
"Brand, did you leave without bringing your Den Den Mushi this time?"
"I shouldn't have... I really did forget it. No wonder it was a