Gabred Port.
The third largest military port on the West Coast of the Phaletis Kingdom, it faces the boundless Black Sea and has been one of the most important bridgeheads since the Age of Navigation began two hundred years ago.
Besides the Kingdom's Third Fleet garrison, it's also an important commercial hub, bustling with a large population.
Due to the lucrative income from maritime trade, it has even covered a significant portion of the Third Fleet's military expenses. The place is crucial for the Kingdom in terms of geographical and economic military influence.
In the afternoon.
Captain Shelley was leading his team on a routine duty at the port's watchtower. Although the sun was bright and the sea was calm, Captain Shelley's mood was far from matching the fine weather.
"Oh my Goddess Judie!"
It was a perfect day for fishing, yet he had to be on duty. He longed for a sunny, splendid afternoon, fishing at sea with Judie. How wonderful it would be!
While daydreaming, he absentmindedly surveyed the distant sea with his binoculars.
The blue sea, the white clouds, the unchanging scenery, and a... merchant ship.
No anomalies.
"Wait, what's that? There's another ship behind... black... a black sail!!! It's pirates!"
Captain Shelley, who came from a noble background and had barely been on a battleship, was stunned and nearly jumped up in shock.
"Clang, clang, clang..."
The continuous alarms echoed on the sea, causing chaos in the port. For the first time since its establishment, the port of Gabred resonated with the alert of a pirate attack.
...
The day after the battle with the Blood Anchor ended, arriving half a day later than scheduled, when the Yellow Crane and Blood Anchor approached the port.
Captain Joseph never thought he'd receive such a "grand" welcome one day!
Escorted by two Level 3 battleships with 64 cannons each, the Yellow Crane and Blood Anchor slowly docked. Goddess, those were two Level 3 battleships!
If they hadn't signaled their identity in advance, the navy on board might have been skeptical, and the whole ship might have sunk in a joyous tragedy.
The merchant ship had just stabilized.
The captain, wasting no time, dashed down the Yellow Crane to meet with the approaching navy officers to clarify the rookie captain's false alarm.
Soon after, the bodies of pirates were carried down from the Blood Anchor, and the heroic deeds of the Yellow Crane spread like the wind throughout the port, causing a tremendous sensation in Gabred.
Even when navy warships patrol the routes, it's mostly about driving pirates away, with only rare instances of using several ships to encircle and sink them with superior firepower.
Entirely annihilating pirates in a boarding battle and capturing their pirate ship intact was extremely rare.
Pirate ships may lack other capabilities, but they're top-notch in speed. When encountering navy patrols or upon realizing danger, they turn and flee, making it hard for the navy to pursue them for route safety.
However fortunate it was, for a merchant ship to counterattack and capture a pirate ship was enough for the captain to boast his entire life.
If attending an elite gathering, many noblewomen might offer him a private meeting opportunity, intrigued to hear his heroic tales. A romantic encounter could result from a good conversation.
While Captain Joseph and the Yellow Crane crew enjoyed the enthusiastic cheers of the Gabred people, Aiven quietly disembarked with his share of the loot—gold coins valued at two hundred Golden Lions from various countries.
Not wanting to stand out before joining the navy, to avoid future colleagues harboring ill thoughts, Aiven found it hard to keep such a sensational event under wraps.
In a raging storm, one's talents will eventually reveal themselves. His name was quietly whispered among some fleet leaders, sparking interest.
Regarding the loot, laws in various countries allowed individuals to keep all gains from fighting pirates at sea, no need to turn them over to the state.
Thus, Aiven still looked forward to the subsequent sale of the Blood Anchor, a swift sloop, and any potential pirate bounties yet unknown.
As for whether Captain Joseph might embezzle that part of the Golden Lions, Aiven wasn't worried; this world was extraordinary, and the individual-organization relationship wasn't of absolute weakness and strength.
Perhaps in Captain Joseph's eyes, Aiven was the stronger one.
After disembarking, Aiven did not wander but went straight to his goal.
While inquiring about the recruitment office's location at the dock, Aiven was enthusiastically guided by local residents who not only provided directions but also explained the entire recruitment process.
Thanking the friendly local, Aiven walked past more than a dozen streets of various sizes, finally arriving at a slightly worn courtyard with peeling walls.
After repeatedly confirming the tarnished brass nameplate indeed read "Kingdom Navy Third Fleet Recruitment Office," it dawned on him why the guide said it was hard to find.
Aiven wondered internally if the navy career was really that poor.
"Excuse me..."
Turning around, a slightly dark-skinned, half-a-head taller than Aiven, sturdy as a tower man smiled shyly:
"Um, I wanted to ask, is this the navy recruitment office?"
"Uh... I haven't gone inside yet, but the nameplate says it is here. Are you also here to enlist?" Aiven felt a slight affinity for this honest-looking guy and said with a smile.
"Yes, yes, I'm Gary Fafman, I came to join the navy, nice to meet you! Nice to meet you!"
"Aiven Galliot, nice to meet you!"
The sturdy man wiped his hands vigorously on his clothes before gripping Aiven's extended right hand and giving it a hearty shake.
Releasing his grip, he suddenly remembered something, looked at Aiven with a panicked expression: "Sorry, sorry, I got excited and forgot, is your hand okay?"
Aiven opened his clean, fair right hand, unharmed, with a notification popping up in the Data Visualization.
Name: Gary Fafman
Gender: Male
Identity: Reserve Navy
Attributes: Constitution 0.7
Strength 0.65
Agility Unknown
Intelligence Unknown
Skills: Unknown
These constitution and strength data were nearly on par with an apprentice who had been undergoing several years of orthodox knight training.
Aiven understood; another guy with innate divine strength, even more extraordinary than his first opponent, Black Bear Billy.
Seeing how he couldn't control his strength, Aiven knew, this guy's power was definitely innate, unlike him who had attained his current level through systematic training and practice, not facing uncontrollable issues.
Or else he wouldn't worry about hurting others when shaking hands.
"I really should get out more." Aiven silently mused.
In just a few days since leaving the small town of Leopold, he had encountered so many powerful individuals. The upcoming days surely promised to be exciting!
"My hand is fine, don't worry, I have quite some strength too. But you do need to be careful, you could easily fracture someone else's hand,"
Smiling casually at Gary, Aiven found it odd how such a big, burly man could blush. Quite amusing indeed.
"I'll... I'll be careful." Rubbing the back of his head, evidently unsure, he made a sheepish promise.
"Come on, since we're at the entrance, let's go in and have a look!" Aiven stepped into the small courtyard first, following the path along the worn garden wall.
In a serious posture on a wooden chair, facing him was a major with a stern face, and he quickly wrote down something on a document presented between them.
"Age?"
"Fifteen."
Raising his head to glance at him, without saying anything, he indicated for Aiven to write his name on the document.
"Bring out your documents please!"
Sensing Aiven's hesitation, the major looked up and smiled, saying, "Aren't you nobles aware of how less common you all are, trying so hard to pose as commoners and not relying on family to make a career for yourself?
Thanking the enthusiastic bystander, Aiven shouldered his bag and walked through a dozen or so large and small streets, reaching a somewhat tattered courtyard with peeling walls.
Looking at the rusty brass nameplate repeatedly to confirm it read "Kingdom Navy Third Fleet Recruitment Office", he finally understood why the local guide said it was hard to find.
Aiven wondered internally, could it be so hard to make a living in the navy?
The stout man rubbed his hands vigorously on his clothes, grasped Aiven's outstretched right hand, and shook it hard.
His dark complexion turned a shade of red, a curious sight for such a large man.
"I really should get out more." Aiven mused silently.
"""