The war was over, and with the help of tugboats, the three captured ships were slowly moving into the port. These three Carolingian ships, one 80-gun ship and two 60-gun ships, became the biggest spoils of this battle.
The Royal Navy was very busy cleaning up the wreckage and salvaging the bodies. Compared with the horrific wreckage on the sea, these three ships were very eye-catching. The Carolingian-style ships entered the port amid the cheers of the Royal Navy soldiers. There was nothing more exciting than capturing three Carolingian ships.
Mackenzie had reported the situation of the three ships to Rudolf.
The hull of the third ship was the most seriously damaged. This 60-gun ship had been hit by many guns from the Royal Navy, and finally the explosion caused by the spark damaged some of its internal structures. It can still be used after repair, but according to Mackenzie, this ship will have some problems in the future.
The second ship was an 80-gun ship, and the damage was relatively minor. The main problem was that it had been in the water for too long. It took Cooper a long time to drag the ship out of the seabed, and the steam turbine needed a lot of effort to repair. The chimney of this ship was higher than the other two. When the ship sank, the chimney was knocked crooked, but the others were fine.
The first ship captured by Rudolf was in the best condition and the easiest to repair.
After the three ships docked, Rudolf and his men came to the deck of the 80-gun ship and carefully inspected the ship. This ship represents the highest level of machinery for alchemists at present and is the main ship of the Carolingian Navy.
Not only did Rudolf and his men come to the ship, but the engineers of the Royal Navy also couldn't wait to check the steam turbine. They believed that the steam turbine was the most important part of a ship.
These steam engines were made of alchemical metals, and engineers would also use alchemical power to repair them when they were repaired. Looking at the excited appearance of more than a dozen engineers, it seemed that the prospects were very optimistic.
Rudolf followed the engineer to the engine room for a brief look and then returned to the deck. He felt safer in a place where he could see the sky and the sea, and the closed engine room made him feel depressed.
Soon, some high-ranking officials of the Royal Navy also boarded the largest trophy. Kedrick mixed in with the officers, and judging from his position, he was not the most senior among the visitors.
"Hello, Mr. Rudolph, I am the Chief of Staff of the Royal Navy's Golden Anchor Fleet, Rear Admiral Alberto."
Rear Admiral is already a very senior officer, two levels higher than Colonel Guyton whom Rudolph had met. Above the colonel is the brigadier general, and above the brigadier general is the major general.
"Hello, Major General Alberto."
Rudolph knew that they were here to negotiate terms, and silently waited for the major general to speak first.
"Mr. Rudolf, I know that Master Kedrick promised that the Earl's Castle would exchange a captured ship for your action last night. I have to say that this is a bold and smart decision.
If we captured ships, it would be very difficult to give them to you. Ships are very important military equipment. But you captured three ships yourself. Your underwater combat power is very strong. Your participation in the war has relieved a large part of our pressure."
The tone was very respectful, but disgust was written on his face. Major General Alberto tacitly did not point out Rudolf's identity. The identity of a wizard is not glorious, and cooperating with wizards is not a good thing. Only nobles like Viscount Paulus who have been dealing with the gray world for many years can be very relaxed in negotiating deals with wizards.
"It's a bit dangerous, but the result is good."
Rudolf really wanted to find someone to ask about the Ancient Sea Wizard Association. The major general in front of him was not a good person to talk to. He only had ships and the navy in his eyes. Viscount Paulus was a better person to ask. He must know more than this major general. Unfortunately, Viscount Paulus had not returned to Kodor Port yet.
"Promises are more important than anything else for nobles. Master Kedrick made a promise to you on behalf of the Earl's Castle, and this promise will definitely be fulfilled. But..."
This "but" means that the situation has changed. Alberto stared at Rudolph's eyes. He did not see any panic in Rudolph's eyes, which made him a little disappointed:
"But, I have carefully asked Master Kedrick. He promised a captured ship, but did not promise which ship it was."
Rudolph glanced at Kedrick and found that Kedrick's face was blue and purple.
Last night, Kedrick told Rudolph that there was no need to be overly wary of knights. He would definitely let the Earl's Castle fulfill its promise. Now Kedrick finally knows that Rudolph's caution is justified.
At this moment, Kedrick's dignity was trampled on. Someone took advantage of his promise and took advantage of the loopholes in the promise. This is tantamount to a naked slap in the face for the nobles. Major General Alberto would not care about the face of an earl's fourth son. Compared with the Royal Navy, someone's face is not worth mentioning.
Rudolf was standing on the 80-gun ship at this time. This was his attitude. He wanted the largest ship, but the Royal Navy didn't want to give it to him.
"Major General Alberto, the situation was urgent at that time. You were surrounded by the navy of the Alchemy Alliance. Although it is a bit offensive to say this, you were at a disadvantage at that time.
Master Kedrick is a noble nobleman. He moved me with his sincerity. I couldn't bear to be picky in that situation. I didn't have time to confirm the specific content of the promise, and I launched an attack on the Alchemy Alliance's ships without hesitation."
Kedrick, who had just been covered in dust, finally looked better. He regained some of his face. Being praised for being noble and sincere is always the proudest thing for a noble.
Alberto's expression remained unchanged: "In addition to being noble and sincere, Master Kedrick has another extraordinary quality, and that is decisiveness. The command center is impressed that Master Kedrick asked you to help at that critical moment. You are worthy of being a descendant of the Golden Anchor Family."
Following Rudolph's words, Alberto also praised Kedrick a few words. Praise was praise, but there was no concession.
Rudolf continued,
"Major General Alberto, only dirty alchemists would haggle over every penny. They mix cheaper lead and tin into copper coins. They even want to completely abolish metal currency and easily plunder other people's wealth with unlimited printed paper money.
I think the Count's Castle of Golden Anchor will definitely show its generosity.
The danger I encountered in the battle is worth an 80-gun ship. You also saw that I encountered the enemy's Pisces wizard in the sea, which is the home of the Pisces wizard. I almost died in the sea.
After that, dozens of rockets were aimed at me. I also shed blood for the Count's Castle, didn't I?"
Alberto looked at the difficult wizard in front of him. The wizard's words made Alberto unable to fight back.
However, these words were not that important. Even if he used force or broke his promise, Alberto would not give up this ship.
The 80-gun ship was the main naval warship of the Carolingian Kingdom Navy. There were many new alchemist arrays and many weapon secrets here. It was impossible to give up. An 80-gun ship is much more valuable than a 60-gun ship. Moreover, the Royal Navy suffered heavy losses and urgently needed to replenish its forces, so this ship could not be abandoned.
Rudolf saw the coldness in Alberto's eyes. Such a senior officer would never give in for the sake of core interests.
Seeing that the atmosphere was almost tense, Rudolf suddenly changed his tone and said, "However...if the Royal Navy wants this 80-gun ship, they must say that Master Kedrick neglected his promise. I cherish my friendship with Master Kedrick and am willing to make concessions for the sake of this friendship."
Albertu suddenly raised his eyebrows. This wizard was so smart that if he asked for more, Albertu would use force. There was no moral pressure to attack a wizard.
"It's completely okay for me to give in, but I need some small compensation. I wonder if Major General Albertu can agree to it?"
"Tell it out. If it does not violate Master Kedrick's promise and can satisfy both parties, it would be the best."
Rudolf's face showed no reluctance after giving in. He said slowly:
"I can take the 60-gun ship next to it, but there is a condition. When I go to the South Continent, I hope you can dispatch a level 4 knight to go with me and escort me to the South Continent."
Dealing with cunning wizards is really troublesome. Albertu was in trouble again.
There are indeed more than a dozen level 4 knights in the Golden Anchor Fleet, and each of them is so precious. In this tense war, it is impossible to let such a level 4 knight leave the battlefield.
But think about it again, this condition is not very harsh. It takes about 40 days to go to the South Continent for a round trip. A level 4 knight made a trip and got an 80-gun ship in return. This deal is not a loss.
Bargaining over a high price, paying back on the ground. Rudolf had never thought of getting this 80-gun ship at the beginning. The help this ship provided to Rudolf at sea was far less practical than that provided by a level 4 knight. A level 4 knight can burst out the combat power of a level 5 apostle. Anyone who uses it knows it.
This is Rudolf's core appeal. Even though Alberto looked ugly, Rudolf did not give in.
If the news about the wizard association is true, then this wizard association with Pisces wizards as the core is a huge threat to Rudolf, and it is difficult for him to fight against such an organization with his own strength.
In order to convince Alberto, Rudolf also did some calculations for him:
"You are in urgent need of ships now. In the naval battle last night, you lost more than 20 ships, and only more than 10 ships are left, which is more than the level 4 knights. A short escort of a level 4 knight can be exchanged for an 80-gun ship and a 60-gun ship. What a profitable business. Use a temporarily wealthy level 4 knight to send me a trip. You will not suffer any loss, and you can also fulfill Master Kedrick's promise."
Everyone on the deck fell into silence. The knocking sound of the steam turbine in the engine room reached the deck, mixed with the shouts of the alchemist engineer. All this made the people of the Royal Navy itch in their hearts. The temptation of this ship was too great.
Alberto glanced at Master Kedrick. The Golden Anchor Fleet was named after the family emblem of Count Pallu, and half of the ships in the fleet belonged to the Castle of Count Golden Anchor. This fleet is also the fleet of the Royal Navy. In such a major event, it is impossible to fully consider the face of the fourth son of an earl.
Keldrick noticed Albertu's gaze, and he spoke at the right time, giving the suggestion he had been thinking about for a long time:
"Major General Albertu, I know your difficulties. A Level 4 knight is at least a lieutenant colonel or even a colonel in the Restoration Army. Let me provide a new idea. Why don't we go to see the butler Mr. Winler.
The Earl of Golden Anchor Castle has a huge manor in the southern continent, the Dock Manor, which is rich in wine.
We can try to talk to the butler Mr. Winler and send a patrol butler to patrol the manor in the southern continent, which just meets Mr. Rudolf's needs.
The patrol butler of the Earl's Castle is at least a retired Level 4 knight, which can not only meet Mr. Rudolf's needs, but also will not embarrass the Royal Navy, and will not affect the Royal Navy's combat effectiveness."
The Earl is the owner of the castle, and the butler is the controller of the castle.
The butlers of the Earl of Golden Anchor Castle are divided into the castle butler, the patrol butler, and the manor butler. When the Earl is away, the butler Mr. Winler has the same power as the Earl. The itinerant steward inspected the huge estates on behalf of the Earl, while the manor steward was the actual person in charge of the estates in various places.
The itinerant steward's plan seemed to be a win-win solution, but Alberto fell into a new hesitation.
If this plan was implemented, it would mean that the Earl's Castle would bear the cost for the Royal Navy and improve the Royal Navy's combat effectiveness. The Royal Navy would also have to make concessions for the Earl's Castle in other places.
Rudolph was not wrong. Kedrick was indeed an ambitious person, because his next words made Rudolph a little surprised.
Kedrick continued,
"Commodore Alberto, I have long wanted to join the Royal Navy and offer my loyalty to His Majesty the King.
We suffered heavy losses after the fierce battle. If I can serve His Majesty the King on this 80-gun ship, I am confident that I will become a qualified Royal Navy sailor. If my father sees me becoming a Royal Navy sailor when he returns, he will be very pleased.
For this reason, I am willing to persuade Steward Winler, and he will agree to this."
Use a promise to persuade a Level 4 wizard to make a move, and use a manor inspection by the itinerant steward in exchange for the appointment of Rear Admiral Alberto. As for becoming a sailor, just listen. Kedrick will join the Royal Navy and start at least as a captain. Even because of Kedrick's outstanding contribution, he may directly become a major.
From beginning to end, Kedrick did nothing, but let everyone get what they wanted. Even Rudolph felt that he should thank Kedrick.
Is this the art of nobility? Rudolph felt that he was not as thoughtful as the young Kedrick.
Just when Alberto made up his mind and was ready to make the final decision, another group of people boarded the 80 ships.
Rudolf looked at the people who came and found that it was an officer and his entourage. Looking at his shoulder straps, he was actually a brigadier general.
"Brigadier General Caleb!"
Except for Alberto, the officers on the deck saluted Brigadier General Caleb. Brigadier
General Caleb, Kedrick's eldest brother, the eldest son of the Earl, and the first heir to the Earl's title, was walking towards him step by step.
An officer quickly came behind Caleb and whispered to Caleb everything that had just happened.
Caleb looked at Kedrick with surprise. His brother had grown up a lot and even knew how to plan for himself. It was a pleasant surprise.
Kedrick's face looked grim at this moment. He could get the help from the Earl's Castle, and Caleb could do the same, and it would even be easier. All of Kedrick's plans may fail.