The only thing that gave Aiven some comfort was that.

On the second day after Angie's successful transformation of the Meditation Method, he finally received news that the "Navy New Star" award had arrived.

In fact.

While Aiven and his "Storm Horn" were still on their journey at sea, the official newspapers of various countries in the Tulip Alliance had already rushed to report on this "Navy New Star" event.

'The outstanding new generation of navy from the Alliance countries, with a thunderous might, struck down the arrogance of the pirate group led by "Octopus Ghost" Hawkins, achieving fruitful results...'

Using political propaganda as the culmination of the action, for the Alliance, the significance of this "Navy New Star Plan" had already been perfectly achieved, and the rewards for the new stars could only be gradually supplemented later.

However, Aiven didn't care about this.

Upon receiving the notification, he immediately went to the Navy Department to claim the reward he had been eagerly anticipating!

A small portion of the reward came from the Alliance, while the majority came from the "gold master" of this mission—the Ilya Kingdom.

And it was precisely in the reward from the Ilya Kingdom that Aiven made a discovery that was both unexpected and logical.

It was a letter that was delivered along with the package!

Obviously.

Based on Aiven's surname "Galliot," the officials responsible for related affairs in Ilya had already confirmed his identity!

For others, there might still be a slight possibility of mistaken identity due to similar names. But for them, failing to distinguish the hereditary nobility enfeoffed by their own kingdom would be inexcusable.

Thus, accompanying the Ilya reward was also a handwritten letter from a real power official in the Kingdom's Title Management Department.

"Dear Mr. Aiven Galliot.

Hello!.....

The Galliot Clan has made exceptional contributions to the Kingdom; His Majesty the King and the Kingdom have never forgotten your family's 'Thorny Fin Sea Serpent' emblem....

We are truly pleased to hear from you again, confirming that the nearly two-hundred-year heritage of the Galliot Clan has not been severed....

Furthermore, I am honored to inform you...

We have received special permission from His Majesty. As the only male heir of the Galliot family in this generation, you will automatically inherit the title of Baron Galliot.

You do not need to return to the country to handle the title inheritance procedures; the decision takes effect immediately..."

In Aiven's view, the main content of this letter was to acknowledge his empty title of "Baron Galliot," but there was no mention of the lands that once belonged to his family or the mines occupied by Earl Wright.

It only implicitly mentioned in the letter that the "Golden Compass" Aiven chose was one of the penalties paid by emerging commercial nobility to evade further accountability after the previous massacre event, which caused significant loss to the Kingdom.

By this point, Aiven's last trace of doubt regarding the original ownership of the "Golden Compass" from Ilya had been dispelled.

As for whether the Kingdom had long been aware that this "Golden Compass" originally belonged to the Galliot family, Aiven had no way of verifying.

After all, the ocean is filled with countless magical treasures, and as the ruling family of a kingdom, it's not impossible they didn't pay attention to the seemingly real or mythical legends behind the "Golden Compass."

He only knew that when he sought revenge against Earl Wright in the future, the Ilya officials would certainly not obstruct him.

The Ilya Royal Family's attitude was evident; they were clearly eager to seize every opportunity to constantly attract animosity towards those restless individuals within their country, thereby alleviating the pressure on the Royal Family's precarious situation.

Regarding the situation within the Ilya Kingdom, Aiven was actually well aware.

He just never expected the Royal Family had weakened to such an extent that even a small figure like him in a foreign land would be used as a pawn against political opponents.

To the point where tradition and formalities are simplified to such a degree, could there really be such a thing as "cloud inheritance" for titles?

In any case, it was the first time Aiven had heard of it.

Nonetheless, being able to restore his noble status was still a good thing; at least the Galliot family, as a line of hereditary nobility, hadn't been severed in his generation.

The emblem representing the adventurous spirit, the "Thorny Fin Sea Serpent Emblem," could once again see the light of day!

Moreover, with this nominal identity, when he returns to Ilya, he won't have to worry that his military position in Phaletis would conflict, causing additional disputes between the two countries.

What Anita decides to do is her own business, and with the power of a Great Knight, she can guarantee her own safety.

Aiven had his own plans; the family's destruction and Grandpa Leo's death were always a deep thorn in his heart.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! What he wanted wasn't just the life of the culprit but also for the vast power that even the Royal Family dreaded to be buried alongside it!

Personally!

"Since the Royal Family has confirmed my identity, the secret can no longer be hidden from their political opponents.

Next, we'll see how this Earl Wright reacts.

I view you as a thorn in my side, and you see me as a burr in your back; now let's see who can have the last laugh!"

Aiven's lips curled into a smile... cold to the bone!

He worked to calm his emotions, temporarily setting aside this enemy, and continued to tally the rewards.

Apart from the rather inflated baron title, what remained were tangible benefits.

The rewards were mainly divided into three parts: wealth, privileges, and treasures.

First, wealth.

The annual salary of an active battleship captain is about 800 Golden Lions (for the sake of promoting proactive service among captains, there are half-paid captains, approximately half more than active captains, ready to replace the current ones at any time), while a fleet commander's annual income can reach an astonishing 1500 Golden Lions, which the Kingdom would pay as a fixed salary even if you do nothing.

Of course, besides the fixed salary, the most profitable still comes from battlefield spoils!

Even if just capturing a merchant ship from an enemy nation, the captain can take a quarter. Depending on the value of the merchant ship, this number is not actually capped, so though navy life is indeed dangerous, the money comes quickly.

Just like Uncle Gel, who didn't have a prominent family background before joining the military, was able to purchase such a large property as Cooper Manor in his thirties, before being demoted to Gabbred as a Level 5 Battleship Captain.

Therefore, as a reward in terms of wealth, the Ilya Kingdom couldn't possibly be stingy.

Aiven received a mining share transfer agreement, marked as a copper mine located in the New Continent, held by the Kribum Mining Company with the background of the Ilya Royal Family.

Now, Aiven received two percent of the shares in this copper mine, meaning he doesn't need to worry about anything, and dividends will be deposited annually. It's just like how Gel used the "Shipwreck Elegy" to trade for his ownership of the "Vanilla Manor" in the Southern Continent before.

Based on the financial reports from the past five years, the two percent share of the Kribum Mining Company yields an annual return that, along with his salary as a Level 5 Battleship Captain in Gabred, allows Aiven to have an income comfortably exceeding 3,000 Golden Lions annually, already ensuring his financial independence.

Additionally, "Golden Compass," which Aiven chose, was mentioned in the letter. It was one of the concessions made by the emerging commercial nobility to avoid further accountability after causing significant losses to the kingdom following a massacre and the delay in responding to the situation!

To Aiven, the main content of this letter was merely an acknowledgment of his empty "Baron Galliot" title. However, nothing was mentioned about the land that once belonged to his family, or the mines taken by Earl Wright.

With this nominal identity, when he returns to Ilya, Aiven won't have to worry about his position in the military in Phaletis conflicting with it, creating additional disputes between the two countries.

Anita can act on her own as she pleases, and her strength as a Great Knight is enough to ensure her safety.

Aiven has his own plans; the destruction of the family and the death of Grandpa Leo have always been a thorn lodged deeply in his heart.

Eye for an eye, blood for blood! What he wants is not just the head of the culprit but also for the vast influence that even the royal family fears to be buried with him!

With his own hands!

"Since the Royal Family has confirmed my identity, it's impossible for them to keep this secret from their political adversaries.

Now, let's see how Earl Wright responds."

Slightly curling the corners of his lips, Aiven let out a smile... cold to the bone...

"""