CHAPTER 169: CHAPTER 169: THE VISCOUNT’S TROUBLE

Leopold City Hall, reception room.

A year later, returning here again, Aiven’s feelings were completely different from the first time he met the Viscount.

He was personally led here by the Lord.

Aiven even had the leisure to admire the furnishings of the reception room, leaving aside the exquisite furniture and the paintings on the walls, a weapon rack in the corner of the room was filled with lances, shields, and swords, constantly showcasing the fact that the Viscount’s family was a martial noble family.

And all of this, Aiven had not noticed at all the first time he came here...

In the reception room, Aiven once again met the Viscount Andrea, whom he hadn’t seen for a year.

"Good day! Viscount!"

"Welcome home, Captain Aiven!"

After the greetings, Aiven sat in the guest’s seat, gazing at the elderly man in a noble dress opposite him, suddenly realizing that, unlike the subtle changes in other friends, the Viscount had obviously aged a lot compared to a year ago.

Although his posture remained dignified, upright, and rigid, it no longer had the overwhelmingly oppressive aura it did last year.

"As an experienced elder, when I saw your eyes a year ago, I felt that sooner or later you would earn your own merit and honor.

I didn’t expect that in just a short year, not only have you successfully advanced to the Extraordinary but also ascended to the position of a Level 6 Battleship Captain!

I’ve aged, indeed. I can’t comprehend the depths of the young people these days."

The Viscount seemed to lament as he observed the spirited young Navy officer before him.

On the other hand, Aiven, whose vision had vastly improved compared to the past, had long realized that the Viscount was just an ordinary Official Knight.

At least concerning the Extraordinary level, a year ago, he had to look up to him, but now he could look down upon him with ease.

In terms of the Knight Path, the brutalization of the body allows them to gain physical fitness far beyond ordinary people, but the consumption rate also quickens. Even after completing the Extraordinary Transformation, for every increase and decrease, the lifespan doesn’t actually exceed that of ordinary people by much.

It’s just that the body is healthier and stronger, far from reaching the level of transcending birth, aging, illness, and death.

The Galliot Clan is just like that.

The barons of each generation were essentially Extraordinary Knights. As adventurers in their bones, they were not lacking in firm will and extraordinary courage to breakthrough. But in the short family history of about a hundred and seventy years, hadn’t they gone through eight barons like a revolving lantern?

Only when reaching the level of a "Great Knight" do they awaken the Extraordinary Energy "Combat Qi" of the knight. Then, a certain integration of spirit and body occurs, significantly extending their lifespan. The average lifespan of a "Great Knight" can reach 150 years, and living up to 200 years with proper care is not unheard of.

And when you become a "Titled Knight," a qualitative change occurs. Even in a Knight Path that doesn’t focus on longevity, living for hundreds of years easily is possible, watching the rise and fall of a kingdom is not a joke.

However, seeing the obviously aged Viscount at this moment, Aiven was just a bit reflective, as these thoughts seemed distant for someone still young like him.

"Viscount, you flatter me. I must thank you for your generous assistance in the past!"

Aiven said this sincerely, recalling that when he joined the military, without the "Yellow Crane" and that "Recommendation Letter," his military career might have taken a different path, and achieving what he has today would have been questionable.

"There’s no need to thank me; it was just a recommendation letter. If you didn’t have the talent, that letter would have been just a scrap of paper.

About half a year ago, I saw a copy of the ’Beckler Post’. In it was the name ’Aiven Galliot, Major.’ At first, I thought it was someone with the same name. But seeing you now, there’s no doubt anymore.

Clearly, even without my help, your name would have resounded across this sea!"

Seemingly emotional, the Viscount at this moment appeared a bit like any normal elderly person reflecting on the past. Moreover, considering Aiven is now a Navy Captain, the Viscount couldn’t treat him as casually as he once did.

With a slight smile, Aiven didn’t continue to be modest and gently sipped the high-quality red tea, at least this was a treatment he didn’t receive the last time he was here.

The confidence brought by strength and status made him feel at ease, even if the strict, severe, and unemotional Viscount now seemed to think it was natural and as it should be.

Knock, knock, knock...

At this moment, an urgent knocking sound echoed abruptly.

The old man frowned slightly, knowing he was in a reception and yet still getting disturbed, had these people become so unruly? However, he couldn’t lose his temper in front of a guest.

With a stern face, he called out:

"What is it? Come in."

To his surprise, the person who entered after pushing the door wasn’t a staff member of the City Hall, but his own butler!

"Master!"

The hurried butler’s clothes were slightly disheveled, which was unimaginable in a noble family that valued etiquette.

Upon entering, though he didn’t run, he quickly made his way to the Viscount’s side at the fastest pace, clearly indicating that something troublesome had occurred, leaving him no care for these minor details.

He even temporarily ignored Aiven, this guest, and whispered in the Viscount’s ear: "Master, we just received news delivered by the Seagull, our ’Twin-tailed Fish’ has been hijacked by pirates."

Upon hearing this, the Viscount’s hand trembled slightly, knocking over the exquisite teacup beside him, spilling the bright red tea all over the floor, and the face he’d cultivated over decades to remain tranquil cracked instantly.

"Are you certain it’s the ’Twin-tailed Fish’?" The old man’s eyes widened abruptly, and his voice was unusually hurried.

"There’s no mistake, it’s the message sent by the ’Twin-tailed Fish’s captain before being captured by the pirates.

However, there’s something strange about the intelligence. Despite resisting and causing casualties to the pirates,

the pirates’ artillery retaliation wasn’t fierce, as if they intended to capture everyone alive. We don’t know what happened afterward..."

The butler dared not conceal any detail, knowing his master’s style, he absolutely did not want to affect the master’s judgment due to his shortcomings.

Bam—

The elderly yet still forceful hand of the old man slammed on the table.

"Hmph, of course, they want to capture the crew alive! Do they want the goods? They want my life!

Alright, intending to catch someone red-handed!

To oust me from the council position in Wake County, that fat pig in Westcarr City has completely torn off the mask!"

Even the Viscount, usually so rigid, was so distraught, making Aiven curious about what was on that ship. After all, based on his understanding of the old man’s wealth, losing a shipload of goods shouldn’t have made him almost lose composure like this.

"Master, what do we do now? Those goods..."

The butler had rarely seen the master in this state, and understanding what was loaded on the ship, he knew the situation was highly unfavorable for them, cautiously asked.

"Since they’ve already made a move, they certainly won’t give us time to react. Perhaps soon, there will "coincidentally" be a naval patrol ship "encountering" the ship with the pirates onboard?

Vessels seized from pirates don’t need to be protected by noble privileges, making it completely legitimate for a search and allowing them to lawfully investigate. Apart from hiring pirates or reporting by whistleblowers, they won’t suffer any loss!"

The Viscount’s eyes glimmered with a wolf-like fierceness. Matters concerning his life and fortune made it impossible for him to hesitate:

"We must secure the ship before the navy finds those goods, and the safest way is to eliminate the pirates as well!"

Aiven quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind, considering whether he should intervene in such secrets involving apparent "forbidden goods" for the old Viscount’s behalf, outright spoken in his presence.

These latter words were clearly meant for him!

Moreover, unless the opposition could directly buy off the Navy and coordinate with the pirates seamlessly, who else could be more suitable to handle this than himself?

This old man might have some armed mercantile ships as backup, but whether they can catch up to the pirates and manage them remains uncertain. It’s clear the old fox intends for him to take the lead!

Aiven quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind, pondering whether he had to intervene for the old Duke in such matters.

Every decision he makes now would require him to bear the consequences.

It’s also a test of his decision-making capabilities as a Captain!

Though he and the old Viscount shared some personal bonds, pursuing pirates involved a coordinated effort of over a hundred lives on a warship, and he needed to be accountable to the Navy Headquarters and his crew.

While public and private affairs don’t necessarily need to be overly distinguished, at this moment, the look in Aiven’s eyes opposite him seemed almost to glow. For some reason, the Viscount suddenly thought of his younger days, achieving his first pot of gold, with the same relentless vigor.

He felt a sudden chill on his neck.

"Uh...."