Chapter 325 - 323: News of the Starfall Islands

Chapter 325: Chapter 323: News of the Starfall Islands

At the end of last year, through Duane’s introduction, Captain Heck spent several days in discussion and training with a few experienced captains from the Kennedy Clan, from whom he also obtained a detailed nautical chart.

After several months of trial voyages, Heck led the fleet to shore in the Scorching Wind Territory. There, they purchased various daily necessities such as spices, beast hides, candles, and glassware, officially opening up two-way trade between Black Forest Island and the Scorching Wind Territory.

Viscount Freddy, far from making things difficult for the Black Forest Island merchant caravan, even had Knight Cassio give them a special reception.

After all, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement. As the Lord of the Scorching Wind Territory, Freddy had no reason to refuse or object.

The male servant, Logan, informed Heck of Duane’s return, and soon the busy Captain appeared in Duane’s study.

Duane set down the architectural designs for a palace he was holding, gestured for the other man to sit, and asked with a smile, "How did the trade go this time? Was it smooth?"

Heck bowed, took a seat, and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Lord. Both the voyage and the trading went very smoothly. I’ve come today mainly to report two matters to you."

As he spoke, he took a warm letter from his coat. "This is a letter Knight Brison entrusted me to deliver to you. He didn’t discuss the details with me, though, so I’m not sure what it’s about."

Brison was Selena’s lover. ’Just as I thought,’ Duane mused. ’Something must have happened over there.’

He reached out his hand, and a Wind-Held Spell enveloped the letter, carrying it into his grasp.

The sight both startled and secretly amazed Heck. ’The Lord’s abilities are becoming more and more profound and unfathomable.’

He had visited many lords and knights, but this was the first time he had ever seen anything like it.

In truth, it was just a personal habit of Duane’s. He liked to use a bit of magic whenever he had the chance.

As he opened the envelope, he asked, "And the second matter?"

Heck snapped back to his senses and reported, "It concerns the Scorching Wind Territory and the Duke of Star Sea."

Before joining the Akutas Kingdom, the Starfall Islands were ruled by the Star Sea Clan as a maritime kingdom.

Later, the Akutas Kingdom crossed the sea and conquered the archipelago.

The Star Sea Clan was forced to bow its head in submission. The Clan Leader at the time accepted a title from the Akutas Royal Family: "The Resplendent Duke of Star Sea."

Duane recalled that the current Duke of Star Sea was named Eldrin and was said to be a powerful Warrior.

It was rumored that Eldrin had already stepped into the Star Realm, but there was no concrete news to confirm this.

Heck continued, "Previously, Viscount Freddy had Commander Garrot try to bring all of Black Forest Island’s grain and people back to the Scorching Wind Territory. To do this, he borrowed several large ships from the Duke of Star Sea."

Duane temporarily set aside the letter without reading it.

He nodded. "It seems some of the five ships I seized belonged to the Duke of Star Sea, didn’t they?"

Heck gave an awkward smile and said, "To be precise, all five of those large ships belonged to the Duke of Star Sea. You gave one of them to Count Kais."

Duane couldn’t help but chuckle. "So Eldrin demanded compensation for the ships from the Scorching Wind Territory, and Viscount Freddy refused?"

"Your guess is spot on!" Heck said admiringly. "The Duke told Viscount Freddy to compensate for the loss of the ships, but the Viscount refused, claiming they were requisitioned by the Akutas Kingdom as reparations for the Pruck Kingdom."

He paused for a moment. "I heard that when Viscount Freddy was backed into a corner, he told the Duke to demand them from you personally, since you’re the one who has the ships."

Duane couldn’t help but purse his lips. "He’s the one who lost the ships. What’s it got to do with me?"

"Haha, I think so too."

Heck chimed in, "In any case, because of this incident, the Duke of Star Sea has stopped selling grain to the Scorching Wind Territory, and Viscount Freddy has refused to sell mineral resources like Meteorite Iron to the Star Sea Clan. The relationship between the two sides is steadily deteriorating."

Duane nodded, his mind turning over the possibility of profiting if the two sides went to war.

However, he couldn’t seem to find a suitable way to get involved.

"Keep a close watch on the news from the Starfall Islands for me. If you have the channels, you can place some spies there. I’ll provide the funds."

Duane thought for a moment, then added, "Oh, and we don’t have to buy everything from the Scorching Wind Territory. Have Mackenzie or Barbossa go and check out what the Duke of Star Sea has to offer."

Heck’s heart warmed. He realized his role was gradually shifting from a captain to an intelligence officer.

Although it was a departure from his primary duties, he didn’t mind at all. In fact, he was more than happy to do it.

This was a sign that the Lord trusted and valued him.

"I understand. I’ll pass on your orders."

Duane nodded and began to read the letter.

Soon, his brows furrowed slightly.

Selena and Brison’s child, Willard, was born at the end of last year, which would make him almost eleven months old now.

At first, because the baby was so young and resembled Selena, Baron Torre hadn’t been suspicious.

However, as Willard grew older, his features changed and began to resemble Brison.

This seemed to have aroused Baron Torre Courtney’s suspicions, and he had tested Brison at a banquet.

Although Brison had cleverly evaded the test, he felt it was only a matter of time before the truth came out.

Brison and Selena had discussed it in private and felt that their family of three was on the verge of danger, which prompted them to write this letter to Duane asking for help.

They hoped Duane could help them get through this crisis.

Duane set the letter down, his fingers tapping on the desk as he fell into thought.

’There’s only one way to help them through this crisis,’ he thought. ’Baron Torre has to die.’

Assassination was a common tool in the struggles among nobility for expanding territory or power. Duane himself had been the target of an attempt before.

If Duane wanted to extend his reach into the Starfall Islands, he would naturally need to use certain methods.

Besides, his target was a moody, tyrannical maniac who had tried to have his own wife killed. Duane felt no psychological burden about it.

’The only question is, is now the right time to act?’

’Or are there other ways to improve Selena and Brison’s situation?’

After a long while, he stopped tapping his fingers and asked, "What’s Brison’s reputation like over there?"

Heck came back to his senses and answered, "Although Brison was punished when he last returned to the territory, he was greatly credited for enabling Selena to get pregnant and is held in high regard by Baron Torre."

"Also, I heard he has become a Human Tier Warrior. With his increased strength, Baron Torre has granted him a manor and enfeoffed him with land."

Duane nodded. ’It seems Brison is quite resourceful after all.’

Furthermore, Selena is a Level 4 Arcane-Fire Dual Element Mage, which makes her a talent in her own right.

’Since those two have already passed the first hurdle and proven their worth, it’s indeed time for me to fulfill my promise.’

"When are you planning to go to the Scorching Wind Territory again?" he asked.

Heck thought for a moment and replied, "I came back this time to perform some light maintenance on the ships. I expect it will take seven or eight days."

He had originally planned to make a trip to Jade Crossing, but since Duane was asking, it was clear the next destination was the Scorching Wind Territory.

So, Heck amended his statement, "After the maintenance is complete, we can set off. It takes nearly a month to get from Black Forest Island to the Scorching Wind Territory, so we should arrive around mid-December."

Duane nodded and said, "Good. Then hurry up and prepare. I’ll be going with you on this voyage."

"You, Lord?"

Heck was stunned. "Are you going to visit Viscount Freddy?"

"It will be an unofficial visit."

Duane said, "This matter is top secret. I will be traveling as a common sailor among the crew. You make the arrangements, and don’t breathe a word of it to anyone."

Heck understood at once. ’The Lord must be planning to do something because of Brison’s letter.’

"Yes, Lord! I’ll make sure everything is arranged perfectly!"

Duane waved his hand. "Then I’ll leave it to you. Go and prepare quickly. We should aim to set out as soon as possible."