Chapter 447: Bring It To My private Chamber

A mouthwatering aroma filled the kitchen of the temporary command post.

Inside, the chef was carefully preparing the precious abalone brought back from Greenville Island. The ingredients had been cleaned and prepared with care, and the rich fragrance of the simmering dish soon spread throughout the building.

Inside the nearby courtyard, Simon and O’Neill sat chatting casually while waiting for the meal.

Although Simon had numerous responsibilities to attend to, he never believed that a person should spend every waking moment buried in work.

Whether studying, managing government affairs, or developing Brambleford, he understood the importance of maintaining a balance between work and rest.

There was a time for serious business and a time to enjoy life.

And today, after a successful naval engagement, he saw no reason to deny himself a good meal.

After approximately half an hour, a maid finally emerged from the kitchen carrying a carefully prepared dish.

"That smells incredible!"

O’Neill’s eyes widened when he saw the braised abalone.

He had eaten abalone before, but never prepared it in such an elaborate manner. His usual method was simply to boil it in water, preserving its natural flavour without much additional preparation.

The dish before him was something entirely different.

The chef had prepared twenty abalones, each one large and plump. Their rich aroma was enough to make even someone who had just finished eating feel hungry again.

Simon looked at the dish with satisfaction.

In his former world, abalone was often regarded as one of the finest seafood delicacies. The largest and rarest specimens could command extraordinary prices, earning them a reputation as the gold of the dining table.

But what impressed him most was the quality of the Greenville Island abalone.

Now he understood why the finest specimens had traditionally been presented as tribute to the imperial family.

These were one-headed abalones.

In traditional abalone grading, the number of heads referred to how many abalones of a particular size and weight made up a standard unit of weight. The fewer the heads, the larger and heavier each specimen.

Even four-headed abalones were considered premium delicacies in his former world.

The Greenville Island specimens were rarer still.

Such enormous abalones would have been difficult to obtain even for the wealthiest households, and they were seldom seen outside the most extravagant royal banquets.

Simon picked one up and examined it briefly.

"The natural environment of this era is really remarkable," he murmured.

The waters had not yet suffered the pollution and overfishing that had damaged so many fishing grounds in his former world.

Perhaps that was why such magnificent specimens could still be found here.

If these fishing grounds are managed properly, they could become an enormous source of wealth for Ashenford.

Before he could continue thinking about the matter, he heard a loud gulp beside him.

Simon turned his head.

O’Neill was staring at the abalone with barely concealed longing.

Simon shook his head with an amused smile.

"Here. Take ten and share them with your men."

O’Neill froze.

"Your Highness, are you serious?"

"Do I look like I’m joking?"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

O’Neill immediately accepted the offer.

The maid had already prepared a food box, and she carefully placed the ten abalones inside before handing it to him.

O’Neill thanked Simon repeatedly before taking the box.

He tried to maintain a dignified expression as he left, but the excitement in his eyes betrayed him.

He could already imagine the feast awaiting him.

***

After O’Neill departed, Simon rubbed his hands together and instructed the maid to bring the remaining abalones to his private chambers.

Elin was waiting there.

When Simon entered, she looked up from what she had been doing.

"My lady, you’ve worked hard today. How about taking a break and enjoying a delicacy with me?"

Simon smiled as he gestured toward the food.

Elin immediately became curious.

She had spent most of her life within the Eldorian Empire, far from the coast. Although she had heard stories about the famous seafood delicacies of the eastern waters, she had rarely had the opportunity to taste them herself.

"Are we really going to eat all of this, My Lord?"

"Of course. And I assure you, you’ll enjoy it."

Simon picked up an abalone with his chopsticks and offered it to her.

Elin hesitated briefly before taking a small bite.

She chewed slowly, savouring the unfamiliar taste.

Her eyes gradually widened.

The delicate texture and rich flavour were unlike anything she had experienced before.

She took another bite, this time considerably larger.

Before long, she was happily eating on her own.

Simon laughed quietly at her reaction before turning his attention to the remaining food.

The abalones were large enough for both of them to enjoy a satisfying meal.

As he ate, another thought occurred to him.

If I send some of these to the imperial castle, the emperor will certainly be impressed.

The emperor’s approval could prove useful.

Simon had been considering ways to encourage immigration into Brambleford, particularly the recruitment of skilled craftsmen, experienced workers, and people capable of supporting the domain’s continued development.

If a gift of Greenville Island abalone helped improve his relationship with the imperial court, it might make those discussions considerably easier.

After all, a ruler who could provide rare delicacies and demonstrate the growing prosperity of his domain would have a stronger bargaining position than one who merely requested assistance.

Simon smiled to himself.

The abalone had already proved valuable in more ways than one.

***

Meanwhile, O’Neill was hurrying back toward the government office with his precious food box.

Unfortunately, he had barely gone far when he encountered Desmond, who was returning from the military harbour.

Desmond immediately noticed the box in O’Neill’s hands.

He narrowed his eyes.

"Commander O’Neill, have you seen Old Miller?

O’Neill’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly moved the food box behind his back.

"Old Miller? I believe he has already left."

Desmond frowned.

"That old fox! He didn’t leave a single abalone for me, even after everything I’ve done for him."

He shook his head in disappointment.

"What a pity."

Desmond began to turn away.

O’Neill quietly exhaled. He had almost made it through the encounter without trouble. But just as he thought he was safe, Desmond suddenly stopped.

He sniffed the air. Then he slowly turned around.

"Hmm?"

His gaze settled on O’Neill.

"Commander O’Neill, what exactly are you hiding behind your back?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

Desmond stepped closer.

"Then why does it smell like freshly cooked abalone?"

O’Neill’s expression stiffened.

Desmond’s eyes narrowed further as he finally understood what was happening.

"You cunning fellow! You received abalone from His Highness and intended to enjoy it all by yourself?"

He pointed accusingly at the food box.

"You think you can deceive me? Just wait! I’ll report this to His Royal Highness!"

O’Neill nearly choked.

Damn it! Why does this fellow have such a sharp nose? He looked at Desmond, then at the food box.

After a moment of internal struggle, he reluctantly brought it forward.

"All right, all right! Let’s settle this quietly."

He lowered his voice.

"This is our little secret. Don’t go around making trouble for His Highness over a few abalones."

Desmond glanced at the box.

"How many?"

"Ten."

Desmond’s expression immediately changed.

"Ten?"

O’Neill gritted his teeth.

"Don’t push your luck."

The two men stared at each other for a moment.

Then, as though reaching an unspoken agreement, they exchanged knowing smiles.

Who could blame them?

These were tribute-grade abalones, after all.

And when faced with such a delicacy, even experienced commanders could find their discipline tested.

***

Blackridge City

Two warships slowly entered the harbour of Blackridge City.

They were the only survivors of the fleet that had sailed toward Greenville Island.

Admiral Lilibet stood aboard the leading vessel, staring toward the harbour with a grim expression. The terrifying Eldorian warships remained etched in his memory. Their guns had roared like thunder, and their devastating firepower had turned what should have been a routine expedition into a nightmare.

Even now, he could still remember the moment his men realised they were completely outmatched.

The sailors disembarked one after another.

Many looked exhausted and bewildered, as though they had just awakened from a terrible dream.

Vice Admiral Xabi hurried toward Lilibet.

"Admiral, we must report this to the king immediately!"

His voice was filled with anxiety.

"If we delay, we’ll be held responsible for failing to bring back the tribute. Don’t forget, the abalone was intended for Lord Fern to help improve his health."

Lilibet’s expression darkened.

He knew perfectly well how serious the situation was.

Failing to satisfy Fern was potentially more dangerous than angering the king himself.

Blackridge City remained under Outsider control largely because its rulers had secured the Reavers’ favour. Without that protection, their position in the region would become increasingly precarious.

They might even be forced to retreat toward the peninsula.

Lilibet glanced at Xabi, whose face had turned pale with fear.

He let out a bitter sigh.

"What we should be worrying about isn’t the tribute."

Xabi stared at him.

"Then what is it?"

"The future of our entire navy!"

Lilibet’s voice grew sharper.

"Didn’t you see those warships? They could unleash firepower unlike anything we’ve faced before. And now they’re operating in the waters around Greenville Island."

He clenched his fists.

"We may have lost access to our most valuable fishing grounds. If those warships continue patrolling the area, our ships won’t be able to approach the island without risking destruction."

He paused, then continued.

"We must report everything to the king. He needs to understand what we’re dealing with."

Xabi swallowed nervously.

"You’re right. This wasn’t our fault. The Eldorian warships were simply too powerful."

He quickly added, as though trying to reassure himself, "The king will understand. Lord Fern will understand as well."

Lilibet gave him a weary look but said nothing.

Neither man truly believed that their superiors would be so forgiving.

Before they could continue their discussion, the sound of approaching horses reached their ears.

A cavalry unit was riding toward the harbour. The moment Lilibet recognised the riders, his expression changed.

They belonged to the Reavers.

Both Fern and the ruler of the Outsiders were currently in Blackridge City. The Outsiders’ ruler had travelled there from Aluu at Fern’s command, and the Reavers’ presence made the city’s political situation more delicate than ever.

The cavalry stopped before the two naval officers.

Their leader looked down at them with undisguised contempt.

"Did you bring back the tribute for Lord Fern?"

Xabi’s throat tightened.

He opened his mouth but found himself unable to speak.

The pressure emanating from the cavalry leader was overwhelming. His legs trembled, and cold sweat gathered across his forehead.

Lilibet forced himself to answer.

"Sir, we were unable to obtain the abalone today. Our fleet was attacked by the Eldorian Empire’s navy."

The cavalry leader’s expression turned murderous.

"Attacked?"

He stared at Lilibet as though the admiral had just confessed to an unforgivable crime.

Before Lilibet could explain further, the man raised his whip.

Smack!

The whip struck Lilibet across the face.

A red welt appeared on his cheek, and the force of the blow sent him stumbling backwards several steps.

Xabi immediately dropped to his knees.

"Please spare us!"

The cavalry leader looked down at the two officers with cold disdain.

"You couldn’t even complete such a simple task. What use are you?"

Lilibet pressed a hand against his injured cheek, his face burning with humiliation.

But he dared not retaliate.

The other man was a representative of the Reavers, and opposing him could bring consequences far worse than a whip across the face.

Before the situation could deteriorate further, another group of soldiers appeared at the harbour.

Two men approached, surrounded by guards.

One was the ruler of the Outsiders.

The other was Fern.

The Outsiders’ king was a tall man with sharp features, standing nearly seven feet in height. Despite his imposing appearance, his expression changed the moment he saw the commotion.

Xabi scrambled forward on his knees, practically rolling across the ground as he approached the approaching men.

"Your Majesty! Please have mercy! We have committed a grave offence!"

The king’s face darkened.

He had already heard that the expedition had returned, and the absence of the tribute was clearly not a good sign.

The Reaver cavalry leader stepped forward and bowed slightly toward Fern before speaking.

"These worthless dogs failed to bring back the tribute. They deserve death!"

The Outsiders’ king stiffened.

He turned toward Fern and forced a flattering smile onto his face.

Then he wheeled around and glared at Lilibet.

"Lilibet! What happened? I entrusted you with such a simple task, yet you couldn’t even accomplish it. Tell me, what punishment do you think you deserve?"

Lilibet’s face was pale.

He knew that accepting the blame without explanation would almost certainly cost him his position, if not his life.

He hurriedly raised his head.

"Your Majesty, please listen! We encountered the Eldorian Empire’s navy near Greenville Island. Their warships were flying Prince Simon’s flag!"

The moment he mentioned Simon’s name, several people present reacted.

Some of the Outsider officers clenched their teeth.

Others exchanged uneasy glances.

They had heard reports of Brambleford’s growing military strength, but few had expected its navy to become powerful enough to threaten their operations so directly.

Lilibet continued, desperate to make his case.

"Their warships possessed extraordinary firepower. Our fleet suffered heavy losses, and we were forced to retreat. We simply couldn’t obtain the tribute without risking the destruction of our remaining vessels."

Silence descended upon the harbour. The Outsiders’ king looked increasingly troubled. His gaze shifted toward Fern, searching for a reaction.

Fern, however, remained motionless.

For a moment, his expression revealed nothing.

Then his eyes narrowed.

"Prince Simon..."

He spoke the name slowly, each word carrying a trace of barely restrained fury.

His fingers curled into fists.

The man who had repeatedly obstructed the Reavers’ ambitions was now extending his influence onto the sea.

And he had done so by striking directly at the Outsiders’ interests.

Fern’s expression darkened as murderous intent burned in his eyes.

"Prince Simon."

This time, he sounded less like a man repeating a name and more like someone marking the identity of an enemy he intended to destroy.