Chapter 24: Dinner in the Captain's Cabin

Because the experienced Grandpa Leo judged that once the Galliot family legally obtained the iron mine, the remaining members of the Galliot family would lose their value for use and were essentially invisible in the eyes of the enemy.

Moreover, even as part of the Tulip Alliance, the nobles of the Ilya Kingdom did not have the power to conduct a large-scale search for them within Phaletis, the kingdom subtly recognized as the strongest in the alliance.

Therefore, when Aiven and the old steward Leo settled in the small city of Leopold in Phaletis, aside from dealing with certain things tied to their noble identity, they did not change their names.

From the age of ten to fifteen, those five years of stable life proved that the name Aiven Galliot indeed did not bring any trouble to him.

Perhaps sensing that his demeanor could lead to misunderstandings, Gel gazed into Aiven's black eyes, as though in reminiscence or lamentation:

"Has anyone ever told you that you look more like your mother as you grow up?"

If it weren't for the name and family crest, even if Gel saw Aiven outside, he wouldn't associate him with anything, as there are plenty of people with the same name and many who look similar. But at this moment, the more he looked, the more alike they seemed, and on Aiven's face, Gel found numerous traces of his friend's couple.

"What did you say?"

Seeing Aiven's slightly stunned expression, completely not registering what was said, Gel, who was not good at expressing emotions, didn't waste more words.

"Watch the sword!"

A flash of white light erupted in the bedroom as Gel suddenly drew his sword, his tall and robust body moving as gracefully as a small boat skimming across the water, with his longsword aiming straight for Aiven's left shoulder.

[Sword Style: Floating Boat]

Deeply ingrained swordsmanship instinctively caused Aiven to slide backward when his mind was elsewhere.

[Sword Style: Floating Boat]

The same technique flowed without any fireworks, like a small boat drifting along the waves, effortlessly dodging the strike. As he retreated to the doorway, he gracefully leapt and changed positions with Gel, maintaining the distance between them unchanged.

Gel smiled subtly, and with this stroke, the last bit of uncertainty in his heart quietly disappeared.

Names can be identical, appearances can be similar, even noble crests can be forged, but the profoundly ingrained Master-level White Sail Swordsmanship was the strongest proof.

He was indeed the son of his old friend Ferman, his nephew, Aiven Galliot!

In contrast, Aiven looked surprised, the familiar sword techniques stirring deep-set memories in his heart.

"You are..."

Five years is enough for the appearance of a growing youth to change almost to the point of being unrecognizable, but for adults like Gel, the change was not significant.

Even the distance between two countries could not be a barrier for a Navy Captain. As a friend of Aiven's father, Ferman Galliot, Gel would visit the Galliot family's manor at least once a year.

In reality, Aiven had met Gel more than once. The last time was five years ago at Ferman's funeral, just before the night of blood and fire.

Thus, even though Aiven was still very young and Gel didn't stay long each time, Aiven had some impression of this Uncle Gel who always brought him gifts.

Though the impression of the gifts was far deeper than of the person himself, what could one expect from Aiven, who hadn't awakened his past life's memories and was still just a child then?

Under Gel's expectant gaze, Aiven finally connected the inexplicable familiarity, slowly uttering the words he longed to hear: "Uncle Gel!"

"Snap!" Gel clapped his hands in excitement, almost jumping up with joy.

"Wait a minute, tell me, is the black star-shaped spot on Katie on the left or right buttock?"

Aiven, now a bit confused, struggled with the situation, having carefully chosen a path of enlisting and joining the Third Fleet closest to home. After completing recruit training, he was assigned to the warship of his father's old acquaintance?

Entrapped by the mysterious web of fate, Aiven instinctively wanted to struggle a little more.

Unexpectedly, Gel directly lunged at him, hugging him tightly, patting his shoulder forcefully, and said with amusement, "Katie is a pure black little mare, your eighth birthday gift, and maybe the black star-shaped spot was on her cute little forehead after all."

"Welcome home, little Aiven!"

...

As the two sat face-to-face at the dining table in the captain's cabin, gradually filled with various delicacies Gel had specially ordered the sailor to bring ashore, Aiven's head was still a bit dizzy.

The last time he dined in the captain's cabin was on the Yellow Crane with Captain Joseph, but this time Aiven was far from being as carefree and detached as the last.

Perhaps it was due to the sudden changes, perhaps the hierarchical relationship between the two, or perhaps the abrupt change in their relationship.

Not quite used to the enthusiasm of this Uncle Gel, Aiven felt he needed time to adapt. Somewhat against social etiquette, he tugged at his collar and downed the sweet wine before him in one gulp.

But because I've never had an alcoholic drink in my life, I couldn't help but cough a couple of times.

"Cough... cough..."

Unexpectedly, things had gone smoothly in finding his friend's child, putting Uncle Gel in an excellent mood. Perhaps only the time he received news of his son's birth at sea could compare. Now, out of affection for the child, he couldn't help but like Aiven, paying no mind to his small rudeness.

"By the way, young Aiven, I received news that bandits attacked and occupied Black Stone Town. Because of my duties, I was delayed for some days.

When I arrived, the steward of Earl Wright's house, who had taken over the town, said he'd confirmed that you all perished and had even collected your bodies. What's really going on, where are Anita and Steward Leo?"

Pouring Aiven another glass of wine, Gel was deeply concerned about what really happened back then.

"Oh, is that what they said to the outside world?" Aiven's youthful face showed a hint of a cold smile.

That night, when bandits attacked the town, Grandpa Leo was beset by two knights of the same level. Even though he fled with Aiven in the end, he suffered irreversible injuries.

Think about it... how could there be knights among ordinary bandits? And two at that?

Looking at it now, Earl Wright, who reaped the significant benefits of Black Stone Town's iron mine, is highly suspect. If he hadn't fabricated their corpses, there could have been a third party unaware of the conspiracy, but now it appears highly probable he's the mastermind and completely unashamed!

What kind of bandit plunder is that, just a self-directed and acted sham!

There was no need to hide these matters and his speculations. Aiven told Gel little by little how he got separated from his sister Anita, settled in Leopold, and about Grandpa Leo soon passed away due to his serious injuries, and more.

What Aiven didn't know was that the old steward actually knew Uncle Gel was serving in the Phaletis Navy, and practically every communication between Ferman and Gel was handled by Leo. However, having already lost the young lady and enduring the sudden change, he dared not trust anyone.

After all, there weren't many who knew about the rich iron mine, and few could resist the temptation of millions of Golden Lions. You couldn't entirely rule out the possibility of betrayal by Ferman's closest friends.

At that time, the grandpa and grandson weren't actually without options. Leo would rather be cautious than regret it for life.

But unlike the cautious old steward, Aiven had data visualization, observing breath, heartbeat, subtle expressions, and mood changes—far more accurate than a lie detector. Plus, with the portrait of his father Ferman on the wall right beside him, Aiven was utterly convinced Uncle Gel was trustworthy.

After all, even the most heinous villain wouldn't hang the victim's portrait in front of him every day unless he was a natural-born pervert.

"I'm very sorry, child!" Even though Aiven spoke lightly, Gel could imagine the crisis and danger in those times.

As for why Steward Leo, knowing his location and fleet, didn't come directly to find him, understanding seemed mutual, and Gel didn't press the matter. Whether fearing involvement or being cautious in dire times, it was all in the past and no longer mattered.

"I'll try my best to search for Anita; she's a true prodigy. The last time I saw her, she was almost at the peak of being an Apprentice Knight, she'll definitely be fine."

"Yes, she'll be fine."

The two men, one older and one younger, were not the talkative type, making the atmosphere a bit quiet.

Clink... clink....

Silently, only the sound of knife and fork lightly sliding on the plate was heard.

"Come, have a drink!" Gel never comforted anyone and had always been stationed at the sea, spending little time even with his own son. He had no idea how to interact with a junior like Aiven, only knowing this one way.

Aiven smiled, raised his glass, and clinked it with Gel's.

So much time had passed, and Aiven had long ceased to mire himself in the past, knowing that looking forward held hope. His enemies were out there, but Aiven wasn't foolish enough to throw himself against them blindly.

But he firmly believed that somewhere in the world, Anita was waiting for their reunion.

He already had a promising start to his naval career, and now he needed to grow stronger! Keep getting stronger!

Draining his glass, Gel hesitated as he looked at Aiven, "Aiven, do you have any plans for the future?"

"Why? Is the captain going to kick me off the ship on my first day as an official naval member?" Having reminisced over the past together, nephew and uncle had become acquainted, and Aiven made a little joke.

"Hahaha, you kid! Sure enough, just like Ferman, full of audacity. On the first day, a new recruit dares talk back to his captain like this!"

Evidently, this way of speaking put Gel at ease. Besides being the child of an old friend, he began to appreciate Aiven himself. Unlike the rule-following Army Knight Order and Firearms Soldiers, being in the Navy required such bold courage and adaptability.

"Not thinking of being an explorer anymore?" Gel teased.

Every Galliot was a brave explorer, a saying even carved into their family motto, which Gel knew well.

"First, I'll do well in the Navy!" Aiven said with a light smile.