The first rays of the morning sun dyed the horizon with a faint red glow. Within the red glow, several white clouds gently floated past.
Tens of thousands of rays of light shone on the calm Nu Shui River, emitting a faint halo. Everything seemed so tranquil and peaceful.
However, the calm was only on the surface. Under the surface, there were countless undercurrents surging.
Suddenly, an undercurrent broke through the calm surface of the water, immediately causing a burst of turbulent waves. Whirlpools spread out in the waves and finally disappeared on the surface.
Facing the rays of sunlight, a huge fleet appeared on the Nu Shui River. Their sails were bulging, and under the impact of the undercurrent, the bows of the ships stirred up bursts of snow-white waves.
On the flag that fluttered in the wind, there was a picture of a pure white pegasus spreading its wings. Obviously, this was the navy fleet of the Eastern House of Saint Prospero.
Although the weakness of the Eastern Army was well-known in the Empire of Radiance, no one dared to underestimate the navy fleet of the Eastern Army.
This huge fleet consisted of 15 heavy warships, 180 paddle sail warships, 50 light dhow sailboats, and 300 logistics transport ships. It was definitely the most terrifying naval force of the Empire of Radiance.
It was also because of this almost invincible fleet and the natural moat of the Nu Shui River that the Eastern Army had not been invaded for hundreds of years.
Even the powerful Northern Frontier, which had pressed the Giant Demon Empire to the ground, could not cross the Nu Shui River under the threat of this fleet.
At this moment, the flagship "White Dew" was sailing at the forefront of the fleet.
This legendary heavy warship named after the House of Saint Prospero was the pride of the Eastern Army. It was also a miracle in the era of wooden warships with sails.
This water giant was 80 meters long, 20 meters wide, with a 66-meter keel and a full displacement of 3,000 tons. The ship had three floors, and each floor was built with a protective wall that could allow thousands of archers to shoot at the same time. There were eight huge battering poles on both sides of the ship, and a ferocious bow ram was installed at the bow.
In the era of cold weapons, the "White Dew" could definitely be called an invincible warship that would never sink.
At this time, in the captain's room of the "White Dew", almost all the senior officers of the Pegasus Navy fleet were present.
The supreme commander of the fleet, Earl Hall, swept his dignified gaze across everyone's faces. Then, he coughed lightly and said loudly,
"Everyone, I'm sure you all know the reason why we're heading north this time.
That's right, it was to go to Silvermoon City and redeem Marquis Vincent!
And the price of redemption … "
At this point, the corners of Earl Hall's mouth twitched a few times as though he couldn't hide the humiliation and anger in his heart. Thankfully, he quickly calmed down and continued.
"Let the Earl Of Avon explain the price of redemption in person."
Earl Of Avon, who was standing behind Earl Hall, smiled and took a step forward. He first nodded at the fleet's officers before opening a goatskin scroll in his hand and reading from it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, according to the agreement between the Duke of Saint Prospero and Count Angele, we will use six heavy warships, fifty paddle warships, and one hundred and twenty transport ships to ransom Marquis Vincent …"
Hearing this, even the navy officers who had always been disciplined couldn't help but whisper to each other.
Clearly, such a price was difficult for everyone to accept.
They all cast their gazes at Earl Hall, but the supreme commander of the fleet lowered his head and remained silent.
However, Earl Hall's tightly clenched fists still showed that his heart wasn't as calm as he appeared on the surface.
Earl Of Avon slowly swept his calm but firm gaze across the faces of the officers. Only when the scene quieted down again did he continue reading.
"According to the request of the Duke of Saint Prospero, the following warships will be handed over to the Northern Frontier:
Braveheart, Victory, Raging Waves, Giant Wave, Windchime, White Dew. These six heavy warships will … "
"Earl Of Avon!" Upon hearing this, Earl Hall finally couldn't help but exclaim.
He took a step forward and stood in front of the Earl Of Avon. His heavy breathing almost hit the young duke's second son's face.
Earl Of Avon looked expressionlessly at Earl Hall, who was like an enraged bull, and asked indifferently, "Earl Hall, do you have any questions?"
"Earl Of Avon, it's not that I can't bear to part with a few warships. In fact, everyone knows that I want to see Marquis Vincent return safely to the Eastern Region more than anyone else. My daughter looks forward to her husband day and night, and my grandson can't leave his father!
But what I want to know is, why are the warships chosen from the Hall family? "
"The Hall family's warships?" Earl Of Avon sneered and asked without backing down, "Earl Hall, when did the Pegasus Navy become the Hall family's private army?"
"Of course, the Pegasus Navy isn't the Hall family's private army, but you can't deny the Hall family's contribution to this fleet! Most of our family's income is used to maintain the fleet. The best members of the Hall family, the strongest citizens, all serve in this fleet!
Earl Of Avon, to say something disrespectful, without the Hall family, the Pegasus Navy's combat power will be reduced by at least half! "
Earl Hall had already thrown caution to the wind. Earl Evan's actions had already exceeded the bottom line he could bear. If he really handed over these six heavy battleships, the Hall family's military strength would be completely finished.
Earl Of Avon snorted and said unyieldingly, "Earl Hall, I admit the Hall family's contribution to the Pegasus Navy, but ask yourself honestly, when has the House of Saint Prospero ever let you do anything for nothing?
Have you forgotten that your ancestors were just lowly commoners and rich merchants? Who raised your family's title step by step to that of an earl? Who made you one of the top families in the Eastern Region? You even let your daughter marry the heir of the Duke of the Eastern Region?
The House of Saint Prospero has never mistreated the Hall family. Now that we need you, heh heh, Earl Hall, are you beginning to forget your oath and the grace of the House of Saint Prospero? "
"The Hall family has never forgotten our oath! And we will never betray the House of Saint Prospero! " Earl Hall said loudly and forcefully, but then he changed the topic and said in a deep voice, "But we are also unwilling to be deliberately targeted!"
Earl Of Avon unfolded the parchment in his hand and let Earl Hall see the words on it and the signature of the Duke of Saint Prospero.
"Look carefully, Earl Hall. This is the order of the Duke of Saint Prospero. Are you prepared to disobey it?"
Earl Hall stared intently at the parchment and didn't say a word. However, this silence was already a silent protest.
Just as Earl Of Avon was about to speak again, he suddenly saw a high-ranking officer take a few steps forward and stand behind Earl Hall.
This seemed to be a signal.
Right on the heels of that, one officer after another from the Hall family came behind Earl Hall.
They also lowered their heads in silence, expressing their silent protest to Earl Of Avon.
The phrase "the Hall family owns half of the Pegasus Navy" was perfectly interpreted in this scene.
However, it was only half. There was another half present. When the officers of the House of Saint Prospero saw this, they all stood behind Earl Of Avon.
The two groups of people faced each other silently. Some of the hot-tempered officers even touched the swords at their waists with their right hands.
The air in the cabin became more and more stagnant, gradually becoming suffocating.
The situation seemed to have become a string that had been stretched to its limits. It was as if it would completely snap in the next second.
Count Elven looked at Count Hall and the officers behind him expressionlessly. His expression was still calm and composed, as if he didn't realize that a civil war was about to break out in the Pegasus Navy. He asked calmly, "What do you think?"
He asked calmly, "Earl Hall, do you wish to betray the House of Saint Prospero?"
Earl Hall took a deep breath as though he was forcefully suppressing his anger and impulsiveness.
He said in a deep voice, "Earl Of Avon, I wish to speak to you alone."
"Sure."
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