Jaina's Little Scheme

Proudmoore Keep.

The lights in the command room were bright and clear, and a large marine sandbox stood in the spacious hall.

This was the strategic topographic map of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas and the surrounding waters, where the model warships floating on the water represented the naval fleets of Kul Tiras.

There were three colors of battle flags fluttering on the model warships: red battle flags represented the Ashvane Family's Third Fleet; battle flags with a light blue eagle emblem represented House Vikress's Fourth Fleet; and green anchor battle flags represented the Proudmoore family's First Fleet.

The three major fleets now each performed their own duties, jointly responsible for the coastal defense of Kul Tiras and the protection of shipping routes.

Admiral Daelin pressed both hands against the edge of the sandbox, gazing at a rather small island at the very bottom of Tiragarde Sound.

This was the birthplace of Kul Tiras pirates, and also the paradise for criminals throughout the Eastern Kingdoms.

Countless wanted criminals came to Freehold, where they could receive protection from the Pirate Council and join pirate raiding organizations to commit crimes to their heart's content on the boundless sea.

Every year, the Pirate Council gathered a large number of criminals from various places to expand its military strength, which was the real reason why the pirates could not be completely wiped out.

Kul Tiras had failed to defeat the pirates of Freehold after three pirate annihilation campaigns. Three years later, the pirates of Freehold had run rampant once again.

"Tap, tap." A crisp knock sounded.

"Come in." Daelin raised his eyes toward the door and said in a deep voice.

Jaina gently pushed the door open, and seeing only her father in the command room, she ran smilingly to Admiral Daelin's side, grabbed her father's right arm, and said, "Father, guess where I went yesterday?"

"Morris Town." Daelin stroked Jaina's forehead and smiled.

Jaina's fair little face turned red, and she puffed out her cheeks and pouted, saying, "Father, you're spying on me."

"I really didn't do that, but you are my daughter; how could I not know your little schemes?" Daelin sighed softly, looking at Jaina, who was jumping around and had a chubby, round face just yesterday, but had today grown into a poised and graceful young woman.

Most importantly, Jaina already had someone she fancied. As a father, Daelin inevitably felt a little bit of bitterness in his heart, but amidst the sorrow, he was also very happy. His daughter had finally grown up.

Daelin hadn't initially opposed this marriage; after all, Rowan was Lord Aldrius's eldest son and also the son of his most trusted brother.

During the Second War, if the Second Fleet hadn't fought with all its might to block the orcs from landing at Southshore and cover the First Fleet's retreat, I'm afraid Daelin would have ended up like his eldest son, burned to ashes on Tidefall Island.

He had assumed that Rowan would be just like Lord Aldrius, not only able to manage Norwington Estate in an orderly fashion, but also capable of becoming a powerful commander.

However, Daelin truly hadn't expected that this little brat Rowan would run over to test-fire the broadside cannons while observing the First Fleet's flagship.

If it were simply firing cannons, that would be one thing, but this little brat completely disregarded operational safety protocols, and as a result, while the cannon firing succeeded, the person was gone.

If Jaina hadn't come back this time to tell Daelin that Rowan had regained his sanity, Daelin would have thought Rowan had already been arranged by Aldrius to spend the rest of his life carefree in the manor.

Having her little scheme guessed, Jaina simply stopped hiding or evading it and took a model warship out of her small magic pouch.

The model warship looked very exquisite, but there were no sails on it; instead, an extra round iron bucket was present.

However, it was worth noting that a purple battle flag bearing a sharp sword emblem fluttered on the warship-that was the battle flag of the Norwington Estate Second Fleet.

Jaina estimated the location of Morris Town in Tiragarde Sound, and then she carefully placed the warship into the marine sandbox.

"This is?" Daelin stroked his stubble and asked in confusion.

Jaina said with a bit of small pride, "This is the current Second Fleet-Rowan's fleet."

Hearing this, Daelin was a bit bewildered, and he chuckled through his suppressed amusement, "Can a warship that can't go to sea be considered a fleet?"

Although Daelin's smile came from the heart and carried no malicious intent, his facial features were resolute and stern, so no matter what he said, it never looked like he was joking.

This time, when he smiled and said Rowan's fleet couldn't go to sea, it sounded just like he was mocking Rowan.

Jaina looked at her father's expression, furrowed her brow slightly, gave a light hum, and said, "Father, who said Rowan's fleet can't go to sea? Just yesterday, his very first warship without wind runes or Tidesages' blessings sailed right out of the Morris Shipyard. And its speed can reach thirteen knots."

A warship without wind runes and Tidesages' blessings? Daelin instantly grew interested, and he asked in astonishment, "How did the kid get the ship out of the port, and how on earth is the speed so fast?"

"He built a mechanical device called a steam engine; as long as this machine heats up hot water, it can use steam to propel the warship forward," Jaina explained.

A strange light flickered in Daelin's deep eyes as he nodded and feigned calmness, saying, "Well, it's just so-so. As the only son of the Norwington Family, he ought to solve troubles for the family. Since he managed to get the warship moving, it shows he still has some ability."

"Is it just 'some ability'? Rowan also told me that he's going to rebuild the Second Fleet," Jaina said happily.

Seeing Jaina as happy as an ignorant little girl over Rowan's tiny bit of progress, Daelin immediately put on a straight face and said, "Talk about that after he rebuilds the Second Fleet. Also, Jaina, before he becomes a true captain of the Second Fleet, you'd better not cause trouble for me. You must remember that you're a young lady, and you can't let yourself be taken advantage of."

Jaina blushed and nodded, pinching the hem of her dress as she thought, What kind of random nonsense is my father talking about? "Understood, Father."

"By the way, you came to the fortress command room to find me just to place a ship for the Second Fleet?" After all, she was a daughter he had watched grow up since childhood; her father could see through her thoughts with a single glance.

Jaina could pretend not to care and say dismissively, "It's just a tiny matter. I want Father to give me two warships."

"No!" Daelin immediately rejected Jaina's request.

He rejected her straight away, without even asking why? Jaina stood frozen in place, changing her expression in the blink of an eye.

"Father, Rowan is going to exact revenge on those pirates who snatched the iron smelting blast furnace. I'm worried about him, so I want to go help him," Jaina pleaded.

Daelin took a deep breath, raised his hand as if to spank Jaina's bottom.

"The iron smelting blast furnace!" Daelin deliberately emphasized the pronunciation of every single word, and he said sternly, "So that magical aid agreement was fake. No wonder I was wondering why Dalaran only wanted the iron smelting blast furnace and not the matching workers and materials."

Knowing she had let slip a secret, Jaina stuck out her tongue and acted cute, saying, "Father, I didn't mean to lie to you."

"You are not allowed to step out of the house for three days!" Daelin rebuked Jaina.

"Then Rowan..."

Daelin was exasperated by his sweet daughter, and he raised his voice to scold, "Take care of yourself first!"