Return to the Mainland

Watching the bewildered captain depart, Freyr couldn't help but think maliciously... What a sight it would be when dozens of warships someday fly the "McDonald's" banner!

After a few more days of sailing, the two ships finally arrived at Walker Port, a port city on the eastern coast of Lire Province in the southern part of the Empire. This was a typical coastal port town, with a natural crescent-shaped bay providing an excellent haven. The docks were filled with numerous ships of all sizes, from various merchant vessels to privately armed trading ships. Sailors disembarked looking for fun, clerks, tax officials, and laborers bustled about, carrying and moving goods...

Of course, the port also boasted many taverns and garishly dressed prostitutes eager to empty the pockets of sailors who had been at sea for months!

After the ships docked, Freyr and his companions finally set foot on land! After so many days at sea, Freyr felt slightly unsteady when he first stepped onto solid ground.

Fortunately, he was alive and back. And...

Freyr smiled, discreetly touching his head.

He wore a stylish hat and had changed into a navy officer's uniform without epaulettes. He now looked like a young, handsome naval officer... though perhaps too young and slender.

Walker Port was a civilian port, not a naval base. There was no navy garrison here; the closest was a local defense camp with a regiment of a thousand infantry.

This bustling port city generated a significant amount of tax revenue for the Empire each year, along with substantial profits from maritime trade.

As Freyr walked out of the port, he immediately felt the city's bustling energy!

It was different from the Empire's majestic and aristocratic atmosphere and the peaceful, harmonious cities of the Russell Plain.

Here... the first impression was... crowded!

The streets were packed with all sorts of people: drunken sailors, seamen, portly merchants, and tax officials on horseback.

Various shops lined the streets.

Developed maritime trade brought goods from all over the world to Walker Port! You could find and buy anything unusual here!

Freyr even saw a Wizard Guild outpost in this port city!!

Under the protection of a squad of navy soldiers, Freyr had no time to wander. He went directly to an inn—the entire inn had been booked by the navy.

So, what's next?

Freyr patiently waited.

Two days later, Knight Andrew and Calista arrived, having rushed over upon receiving the Wizard Guild's magical message.

Knight Andrew had lost a lot of weight, looking extremely haggard and deeply remorseful. Calista was pale, still recovering from her injuries, and the constant travel had taken its toll on her.

They brought with them a whole regiment of Russell family private light cavalry, a thousand men in total!

They also brought bad news.

Because of Freyr's incident, the Russell family was thrust into a tense conflict with the Wizard Guild! In such a situation, even if they didn't want to antagonize the Wizard Guild, the Russell family had to stand their ground for the sake of their honor and reputation!

This put Edward in a very awkward position.

And in his eyes, it was all caused by this son!

Knight Andrew brought not only a troop of cavalry to protect Freyr but also a stern rebuke from the Earl, along with an order:

Freyr must return to the Russell Plains castle immediately and is to be grounded for one year as punishment.

Additionally, his allowance for the year was cut off... no more three coins a month!

Freyr was also ordered not to interfere with any of the family's estate businesses!

During his confinement, Freyr was not to leave the manor surrounding the castle! He was also to obey the old butler at the castle.

If Freyr caused any more trouble for the family... then he would face even harsher punishment!

But Freyr didn't care!

He had long anticipated his father's anger.

Grounded for a year? Well, Freyr planned to stay at the castle for the next year anyway...

He needed time to digest... Samael's gift! Ha!

He needed a lot of time to study!

As for the allowance... three gold coins a month? Freyr couldn't care less!

"I am grounded and not allowed to interfere with family businesses... is that all? Nothing else? So if I do other things or send someone else to do things, it's not within the restricted scope, right?"

Andrew shook his head: "This... should not be restricted."

"That's good."

Freyr smiled contentedly: "Oh, Calista, are you better now? That's great. I have something I've been thinking about for a long time, and I think only you can handle it."

Then Freyr dismissed everyone and called in Naya.

"Naya, this is your partner," Freyr smiled. "You won't back out, will you?"

Naya was a bit helpless: "Alright, kid, I do owe you my life! But remember, this is a one-time deal! I'll help you with this task, just this once!"

The task Freyr asked of Naya was simple... this master of both magic and martial arts would take Freyr's "Black Pearl" out to sea!

The mission: to eliminate all pirates they could find!!

Freyr's idea was simple: since he couldn't do business, lacked capital, had no experience in maritime trade... and now even had no allowance. Where would he find money for magical experiments... and his McDonald's fleet?

After much thought, only one word came to mind!

Rob!

Rob the Imperial Navy? Freyr wouldn't dare.