Chapter 441: A Trip To The Sea

Red corridors encircled an elegant residence, their reflections shimmering across the surface of a clear pond. Beneath the water, schools of koi swam leisurely among the aquatic plants.

Prince Simon watched Desmond’s delighted expression and nodded slightly.

His decision to establish a marine corps was no spur-of-the-moment idea. It was part of a much larger strategy to challenge the Western powers for control of overseas colonies and maritime trade.

During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Western nations had begun organizing specialized forces to support their overseas expansion. By mid seventeenth century, England had established a marine infantry regiment. Other powers, including Portugal, France, and Spain, subsequently developed their own marine forces or naval infantry.

These troops played an important role in amphibious warfare, allowing their nations to seize ports, occupy strategic islands, and establish colonies far from home.

Simon intended to follow a similar path.

He wanted a force capable of accompanying the navy across distant seas, landing on hostile shores, and fighting wherever his ambitions took them.

"Overseas campaigns are far more difficult than ordinary territorial wars," Simon told Desmond. "Our soldiers will face unfamiliar environments, hostile populations, and enemies who may be thousands of miles away from home. We must recruit men who are willing to endure those hardships."

He paused before continuing.

"They must possess the ruthlessness of pirates when fighting their enemies, but their loyalty to us must be absolute. A force that can fight anywhere but cannot be controlled is a danger to its own master."

"Understood, Your Highness!" Desmond replied solemnly.

Simon nodded before explaining the arrangements for taking control of Split Rock.

Securing the island was only the beginning. If he wanted to dominate the surrounding trade routes, he needed to establish a permanent naval presence there. Merchant ships would never be safe if pirates or hostile foreign fleets could attack them without fear of retaliation.

The island needed a garrison, a protected harbor, and warships capable of responding quickly to threats.

Trade created wealth, but military power was what protected it.

After receiving his instructions, Desmond left the residence in high spirits and returned to the naval base to make the necessary preparations.

By then, Elin had just emerged from the government office.

She glanced at the koi swimming in the pond and smiled.

"My Lord, this residence is quite beautiful. Judging by its appearance, the previous owner must have been a wealthy man."

"You guessed correctly," Simon replied. "This residence once belonged to the Gabriel family, one of Ashenford’s most powerful local clans."

He glanced at the surrounding buildings.

"Two years ago, the family participated in a rebellion. The principal conspirators were executed, their followers were exiled, and their property was confiscated. The residence was left vacant afterward. Governor Monti thought it would be a waste to leave such a fine place abandoned, so he arranged for me to use it as my temporary government office."

"I see."

Elin nodded thoughtfully.

"I heard that My Lord suppressed the rebellion of the powerful clans across the six prefectures. The great families of the Eldorian Empire possess considerable influence. Fighting them must have been extremely dangerous. Your ability to overcome them demonstrates extraordinary wisdom and courage."

Remembering the events of two years earlier, Simon let out a quiet sigh.

"I had little choice. At the time, the great clans within my own territory were relatively weak. That allowed me to eliminate them before they could consolidate their power."

He shook his head slightly.

"If my territory had been controlled by deeply entrenched aristocratic families, the outcome might have been very different. My subsequent reforms would never have proceeded so smoothly."

"My Lord speaks wisely."

Elin looked at the pond, her expression growing thoughtful.

"Although I am only a woman with limited experience in government, I have read several history books. Throughout history, powerful families have often contributed to the decline of kingdoms. They seize land, monopolize resources, and force ordinary people into increasingly desperate circumstances."

She paused before continuing.

"When the common people can no longer afford to live, unrest becomes inevitable. Even the strongest kingdom cannot remain stable forever if its people have nothing left to lose."

Simon looked at her with newfound appreciation.

He had never subscribed to the old-fashioned belief that a woman’s only virtue lay in managing a household and obeying her husband. In his opinion, an intelligent, educated wife who could understand the world around her was far more valuable than someone who spent every day gossiping about other people’s affairs.

"Your perspective is broader than you realize," he said with a smile.

His expression soon became more serious.

"But the empire’s problems are far deeper than a few corrupt families. The entire system is sick. These powerful clans are like parasites, feeding on the empire while gradually weakening it."

Simon folded his hands behind his back.

"Prince Valeric may have secretly supported The king’s rebellion, but even without his interference, the underlying problems would not have disappeared. The real cause is that too many people can no longer survive under the existing system."

He looked toward the distant courtyard gates.

"Changing such a deeply rooted system will not be easy. Those who benefit from it will never surrender their privileges willingly. Sooner or later, a bloody storm will sweep across the empire."

Elin sighed.

She had only intended to comment on the residence, yet their conversation had turned toward the empire’s troubled future.

Noticing the heaviness in Simon’s expression, she decided to change the subject.

"Has the negotiation with the Dutch been concluded?"

"It has."

Simon’s expression brightened.

"From this day forward, Split Rock belongs to us."

Elin’s eyes lit up.

"Congratulations, My Lord! You have finally achieved your objective."

She had accompanied him throughout the negotiations and understood how much effort he had invested in securing the island. The successful agreement would open new opportunities for maritime trade and strengthen his influence along the coast.

After sharing in his happiness, she asked curiously, "Now that the negotiations are finished, what do you intend to do while we remain in Ashenford?"

Simon stared directly into her eyes, as so many thoughts ran through his mind considering the question briefly.

"How about taking a trip out to the sea with me first?"

"Out to the sea first?"

Elin’s face immediately brightened.

She had lived in the Eldorian Empire for many years, yet she had never experienced the open ocean firsthand. She had heard countless stories about its immense size, strange creatures, and distant lands, but the sea had always remained something beyond her imagination.

"Really? We’re going sailing?"

"Of course."

Simon smiled at her excitement.

Their conversation quickly became livelier. He described the ocean’s vast blue waters, the sight of waves stretching toward the horizon, and the magnificent creatures that inhabited the deep.

Thanks to the knowledge contained in his technology crystal, Simon could draw upon information and images that ordinary people of this era had never encountered.

As he described the wonders of marine life, Elin’s imagination ran wild.

Sometimes she listened in astonishment. Sometimes she became so excited that she asked several questions in succession. At other times, his descriptions of enormous sea creatures made her uneasy.

Simon enjoyed watching her reactions.

For once, he could set aside the endless calculations of politics and warfare and simply spend time with his woman beside him.

With the negotiations complete, there was no immediate need for him to rush back to his other responsibilities.

Besides conducting diplomatic talks, his visit to Ashenford had another important purpose: inspecting the development of coastal defenses, the fishing industry, and the salt fields over the preceding months.

He intended to combine business with pleasure.

***

The night was actually long, but the following morning, Simon and Elin departed for the naval port.

Elin was looking really appreciative.

The previous day, Simon had informed Desmond of his plans, giving the commander sufficient time to prepare a suitable vessel.

"Your Highness! Princess Elin! Welcome aboard!"

Desmond greeted them respectfully and gestured toward the Blue Reaper, which waited at the dock.

Simon and Elin boarded the ship, followed by their attendants.

Once they reached the deck, Simon turned toward Desmond.

"Are any fishing boats heading out today? I would like to try some freshly caught seafood."

Desmond immediately laughed.

"Your Highness, the fishing boats head out every day. Today is no exception. I’ve already arranged for several boats to accompany us. We can follow them to their fishing grounds and enjoy the catch while it is still fresh."

"Excellent!"

Simon was delighted.

The natural environment of this era remained relatively untouched by large-scale industrial development. The waters surrounding Ashenford were particularly promising, and the variety of marine life was far greater than what he had been accustomed to in his previous life.

He was eager to discover what the local fishermen could bring back.

Once the preparations were complete, a bell rang across the harbor.

The Blue Reaper slowly left the dock, followed by five warships.

Desmond had personally arranged the escort to ensure the prince’s safety. Although the waters near Ashenford were generally peaceful, the recent appearance of foreign forces had made the navy increasingly cautious.

Desmond was also accompanying the expedition. Protecting the prince and his consort during a voyage was no small responsibility, and he had no intention of allowing an unexpected incident to ruin the trip.

Ahead of the warships sailed five large fishing vessels converted from merchant ships.

The boats were operated by experienced fishermen recruited from Ashenford. Governor Monti had deliberately sought out men who knew the local waters, understanding that effective fishing depended on more than simply possessing good equipment.

These fishermen knew where different species gathered, which currents carried fish toward the coast, and which waters were worth visiting during different seasons.

Their experience made them invaluable to the developing fishing industry.

"Your Highness," Desmond explained as they watched the fishing vessels sail ahead, "the fishermen have been bringing back much larger catches since they started using trawl nets. Their earnings have increased considerably, and many of them now speak highly of your policies."

Simon smiled.

"That’s good to hear. If the fishermen can earn a decent living, we can encourage more people to join the industry. Ashenford has extensive coastal waters, so there’s no reason for us to leave such resources unused."

He glanced toward the distant vessels.

"But we must also be sensible about it. We want the fishing industry to grow steadily, not exhaust the waters in pursuit of immediate profits."

"Your Highness is absolutely right," Desmond replied.

For the time being, however, the discussion of fishing methods did little to interest Elin.

She stood beside the railing, completely absorbed by the scenery.

The sea stretched endlessly in every direction, its blue surface reflecting the morning sunlight. A gentle breeze swept across the deck, carrying the fresh scent of saltwater.

Above them, seagulls circled the warships, occasionally diving toward the waves before rising again.

Then Elin spotted something moving in the distance.

Several dolphins leaped out of the water, their sleek bodies flashing beneath the sunlight before disappearing beneath the waves.

Her eyes widened.

"My Lord! Look!"

Simon followed her gaze.

A smile appeared on his face as he watched the dolphins playing alongside the vessels.

"Beautiful, aren’t they?"

Elin nodded enthusiastically.

She had seen pictures of marine creatures in books, but witnessing them in their natural environment was an entirely different experience.

For a while, she forgot about the empire, the negotiations, and the countless responsibilities waiting for them on shore.

There was only the vast ocean and the wonderful world hidden beneath its surface.

After leaving the naval port, the fleet sailed north.

According to Desmond, the waters around the northern side of Greenville Island were particularly famous for their abalone. The fishermen intend to head there and see what they can catch.

Simon had never visited Greenville Island before. It was a relatively small island situated north of Ashenford, known mainly to local fishermen and sailors.

As the fleet continued its journey, the island gradually emerged from the distant haze.

After approximately half an hour, its outline became clearly visible.

The fishing crews grew excited, anticipating a profitable catch.

However, just as the fleet approached the turning point around the island, six warships suddenly emerged from the opposite side.

Their appearance blocked the route ahead.

The atmosphere aboard the escort vessels changed instantly.

Desmond’s cheerful expression vanished.

His fingers curled into a tight fist as he stared at the approaching ships, his eyes turning cold.

"These outsiders Navy!"

The words escaped his mouth like a warning.

Simon turned toward the unfamiliar warships.

A moment earlier, they had been enjoying a peaceful morning at sea.

Now, an unexpected encounter threatened to turn their leisurely excursion into something entirely different.

And judging by Desmond’s reaction, these were no ordinary visitors.

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