Chapter 301: These

Lisi didn't wait too long.

About an hour later, Kadesen indeed returned, but this time he wasn't alone; beside him followed a middle-aged man dressed quite exaggeratedly.

He was draped in a dark red long dress coat, holding a silver scepter in his hand, and a peacock feather was even stuck on the brim of his velvet-woven hat, as if he had just slipped out of a Duke's banquet.

Lisi's expression couldn't help but be a bit strange.

It wasn't because of his overly flamboyant attire, but because there was an aura about him that made him feel familiar.

Strange.

They should be meeting for the first time.

Just as Lisi was pondering, Titch walked up to him, a standard noble smile on the corners of his mouth, slightly raising his chin and saying.

"Welcome, Captain Lisi. I have already heard about your situation from my servant. I sympathize with your encounter, and please don't worry; since you have docked at my Deadwood Port, you are guests of the Kexiya family."

His voice was mellow and slow, as if he were deliberately gilding every word with a bit of authority and rhetoric.

Kadesen coughed lightly and reminded him in a low voice.

"That is Baron Titch Kexiya."

Lisi immediately gave a standard naval military salute and said solemnly.

"Thank you for your acceptance, Baron."

Titch nodded slightly and continued:

"Regarding your request for supplies, rest, and ship repairs, I have already heard about it from Kadesen. In a while, have your logistics officer give me a list of supplies that need to be purchased, and my servants will prepare what you need."

"Although our supplies are also tight, I will still do my best to help you. I also hope you won't be picky; Deadwood Port has just experienced a storm, and the situation here is, as you can see, very bad."

"Your generosity is admirable; I represent General Hamorton of Saint Yierburg in expressing my highest respect to you." Lisi bowed respectfully to express his thanks.

Although providing logistical support for the Imperial army was the duty of colonial lords, there was a prerequisite—that it did not affect the noble's own interests.

The situation in Deadwood Port was indeed not optimistic; he had already seen this from the telescope on the deck.

If he hadn't been truly out of options, he wouldn't have come here to try his luck.

"You're welcome, and please convey my greetings to General Hamorton."

Very satisfied with the naval officer's reaction, Titch nodded approvingly, but quickly changed the subject, his tone becoming slightly more serious.

"However—for the sake of safety, I must remind you that during your stay in Deadwood Port, it is best not to go deep into the forest area on the south side of the port."

"Is there a problem there?" Lisi asked subconsciously.

"No problem, but it can avoid unnecessary trouble," Titch shrugged his shoulders and continued, "According to the treaty signed between Prince Luo Ke and the Gutafu United Kingdom, the forest area from the Sun Steps Mountains outside Deadwood Port belongs to a neutral buffer zone. We have agreed not to infringe upon each other, therefore, any trespassing behavior may trigger diplomatic disputes."

Gutafu United Kingdom?

What is that?

Lisi frowned slightly, his face full of confusion.

He had never heard of this strange name, but just as he was about to ask, he stifled the words that had reached his lips.

After all—

He had also never heard of "Prince Luo Ke."

He wasn't a learned scholar, nor was he a merchant who traveled north and south for years; he was just a naval captain serving in Saint Yierburg.

He knew the location of every supply port of the Empire and the nearby shipping lanes like the back of his hand, but his understanding of the situation in territories outside his station was very limited.

However—

He could bring the intelligence of this kingdom back to Saint Yierburg and hand it over to General Hamorton stationed there to judge.

"I understand." Lisi nodded cautiously and politely, "Thank you for your reminder; I will restrain my men and only operate within the territory of Deadwood Port."

After a few pleasantries, Baron Titch adjusted the brim of his hat and took his leave calmly without losing his arrogance.

Long accustomed to the arrogance of nobles, Lisi didn't feel any dissatisfaction, turned to instruct his men, left two sailors on the shore to keep watch, and then took the other two brothers to row the sampan back to the *Grace* anchored near the sea.

As soon as he returned to the ship, he immediately called the quartermaster and ordered a comprehensive inventory of material damage and needs.

Within an hour, a handwritten list was organized, the handwriting neat and the content clear.

When he rowed back to the shore with the list again, Kadesen was already waiting for him on the beach.

Not long after the list was handed over, Kadesen called over a few sailors who were working, scanned the list at a glance, and waved his hand.

"Can get it... you guys, take a cart and come with me."

The group took a crude wheelbarrow and walked along the gravel path toward the fortress on the hill.

That place was the only location in Deadwood Port that could be called a "building." Lisi was just pondering how to get that Baron to take the initiative to invite him to stay at the mansion for a night when the group led by Captain Kadesen returned pushing full supplies.

Baron Titch was not in the crowd.

Lisi was slightly disappointed, but soon the rich supplies made him relax his brows, showing joy.

Bags of grain were neatly stacked, and the boxes were stuffed with dried fruits, vegetables, wooden boards, nails, and even a few sacks of salted fish.

A total of about twelve tons of supplies.

Enough to support their return voyage!

"A total of two hundred and seventy silver coins." Kadesen spread his hands, his tone calm, "This is Baron Titch's quote; the things were all dragged out of his castle."

Lisi glanced at it; although the price was high, it wasn't an exorbitant demand.

Considering this place was far from the Empire's main trade routes, transportation was difficult, and anyway, it wasn't his own money he was spending, he nodded decisively and let the quartermaster hand over the money bag.

The transaction was completed smoothly.

"When will the ship repair technician arrive?" After counting the things, Lisi continued to ask.

"Soon." Kadesen said while counting the silver coins, "Baron Titch said he had already sent an envoy to the Gutafu United Kingdom to call for people, and they should be here in a while."

"... What?"

Lisi was stunned.

"You mean, let... the locals come to repair the ship?"

Kadesen shrugged, with an expression of "I'm just a messenger": "Yes, the Baron said they have 'people who understand' over there."

Clearly—

This citizen of the Empire also felt it was unreliable.

Lisi's mouth twitched, his eyebrows almost twisting into a twist.

If this happened in Saint Yierburg, if anyone said "let the native lizardmen repair a steam sailing ship," they would be laughed into the sea on the spot.

But just as his face was full of "Are you serious?", a low and hoarse voice sounded from behind.

"You, who is the captain?"

Lisi turned his head and saw two lizardmen, one tall and one short, standing by the beach.

One of them was carrying a package, and the other was carrying a toolbox; they looked quite professional. It was just that their tails were swinging behind them, and their scales were shining with an ominous dark green luster.

"I heard you have a ship with a boiler problem."

"Hurry up!"

Lisi was stunned.

Lizardmen really came?!

He was completely confused.

Perhaps seeing that he didn't react, the two lizardman natives began to mutter inexplicable sentences in their mouths, and from time to time looked up in prayer—

"Is this NPC stupid?"

"Hey! Where's the dog planner? Did you see it? If you saw it, hurry up and adjust the bug!"

Lisi couldn't understand what they were saying and could only look to Kadesen for help, but the latter was also confused.

Fortunately, at this time, Baron Titch's servant stepped forward and coughed.

"Respected Captain Lisi... the ship repair technician has arrived; let's hurry up and get on the ship." Lumier looked at Lisi and urged.

"Good..."

Lisi nodded subconsciously, mechanically waving his hand to signal his men to put the sampan they had just dragged ashore back into the sea.

Twelve tons of supplies needed to be transported back and forth several times; they decided to let the ship repair master get on the ship first, and then come back to get these things.

The two lizardmen jumped onto the sampan, their tails swinging wildly, making the small sampan look like it had encountered a big wave, causing the two sailors responsible for rowing to be nervous for a while.

Lisi was also tense.

He always felt that these two reptiles were sitting on a boat for the first time, chattering away without regard for anyone along the way, especially when they saw the Imperial warship, they let out excited shouts.

"Holy crap!"

"What a retro model!"

"Is this the Empire's warship?"

"Feels like it can't block a shot from a magic crystal cannon..."

"Not necessarily, maybe there are shipboard priests, mages, etc.; maybe they can conjure a magic protective shield?"

"Then use torpedoes! They definitely haven't seen those!"

Lisi coughed and looked at the Baron's attendant who called himself Lumier.

"What are they saying?"

Lumier was silent for a while and said.

"They are saying... the Empire's warship is so big."

Lisi: "...?"

That's it?

Those lizardmen were still chattering away, but Lumier had no intention of translating, just maintaining his persona as the Baron's servant.

Seeing that the other side didn't intend to talk much with him, Lisi finally gave up asking... originally that wasn't an important matter anyway.

The sampan approached the ship's side.

A rope ladder was thrown down from the deck. Lisi had just grabbed the rope ladder and was preparing to climb up when the two lizards squatted and jumped, jumping directly onto the deck.

The two sailors sitting on the sampan almost fell into the water, and after finally stabilizing the small boat that was about to capsize, they cursed at the deck.

"Damn—"

"These rude beasts!"

Lumier, who was holding the rope ladder, was also a bit embarrassed, but clearly, he was already familiar with the self-willed temper of these "players," so he wasn't surprised, just awkwardly gave an apologetic smile.

Lisi had a dark face, but seeing that no damage was caused, and the other side was here to help him, he didn't say anything more.

"Alright... don't be like the natives, take the boat back to the shore and transport the things back."

"Yes!" The sailors gave a military salute and rowed the small boat back to the shore.

Lisi and Lumier climbed to the deck along the rope ladder, only to see the two lizardmen looking around with great interest, full of curiosity about everything here... they didn't look like they knew how to repair a ship at all.

Lisi had already begun to regret it.

If he didn't want to offend the Baron, he would have probably already had someone fork these two rude guys who didn't understand etiquette off his deck.

Is this what someone who knows how to repair a ship looks like?

However, based on the idea that he had to give face and try it out, he still suppressed the distrust and dissatisfaction in his heart and looked at Lumier beside him.

"When do we start?"

"Right now... arrange for someone to take them over."

After speaking, Lumier stopped talking and said something to the two lizardmen in a strange tone.

That was probably the native language.

Lisi didn't say much, called over the ship's technician, and asked him to take these two natives who looked like they didn't have normal brains to the boiler room.

Hearing Lisi's instructions, the ship's technician looked at him with the eyes of someone looking at a sea monster.

"Are you sure? Let these... guys? Go to that kind of place?"

Lisi said with a straight face.

"That's right, they are experts hired by Baron Titch... at least let them try."

"Fine, I won't care if there's a problem." Seeing that Lisi had no intention of compromising at all, the ship's technician finally gave up insisting.

With a skeptical mood, he took the two chattering lizardmen into the boiler room.

This was the most core military restricted area of the *Grace*, and even the officers on the ship could not enter or exit at will, and the entry and exit of these professionals were strictly disciplined—every entry and exit required registering the name and time on a form.

Yet now, he actually had to take two lizardmen who didn't wear shoes and whose tails were swinging around inside, and let them do the inspection.

Even if it was the Captain's order, even if it was a special method for a special period... this was too casual, right?!

He walked and drummed in his heart all the way.

But what he completely didn't expect was—these two lizardmen actually started "doing real work" as soon as they entered the door?!

They changed their previous nervousness on the deck, and suddenly had a bit of a professional aura—just like soldiers seeing a gun.

Only to see one of them stretch out a nail, gently knock on the boiler shell, and put his ear to it to listen carefully to the sound.

The other moved quickly to flip through the pipe connections, his claws sliding rapidly between the valves and the steel pipe gaps, muttering to himself while occasionally making exclamations like "tsk tsk," "holy crap, this works too."

At first, the ship's technician thought they were marveling at the Empire's technical prowess, but soon he figured out a different flavor from their tone and demeanor.

"Holy crap, this design is too un-ergonomic..."

"Not even as good as that old antique from the fifties in my factory."

"It's obviously a problem with the pressure relief valve—hey, look at what I said," the slightly taller lizardman pointed his claw tip at the pressure relief valve position and said triumphantly, "Limescale! Case solved."

The other slightly shorter lizardman circled the boiler for half a turn, muttering.

"Probably not just that, there are at least a dozen big and small problems... do they not maintain the machine at all? I see that rubber plug has hardened."

"Don't get sidetracked, just mess around, let their ship move. Come back to us for repairs next time it breaks, hehe."

The ship's technician couldn't understand what they were saying and could only look to Lumier for help—the Baron's servant who came along.

Lumier hesitated for a moment and picked out some parts he could understand.

Like the valve being blocked.

Like the plug aging, etc.

The ship's technician looked at him in disbelief, then looked at the two natives who didn't wear shoes, his open mouth as if it could fit a large bolt.

These lizardmen... actually found the lesion!?

What made him even more flushed was—according to Lumier, the problem on this steam engine wasn't caused by the storm at all.

It had existed for a long time.

And it had existed for at least three months!

Lumier looked at the surprised ship's technician strangely.

"Although I don't understand steam engines very well... didn't you usually find these problems?"

The ship's technician shook his head mechanically.

"Problems? Those... aren't they normal?"

Lumier fell into silence for a while.

Perhaps he had stayed at sea for too short a time and hadn't encountered these problems, so he didn't know what the so-called normal standard was.

As long as it moves?

Watching the two lizardmen pointing at his treasure, the ship's technician now felt that there was something wrong everywhere he looked, swallowed a mouthful of saliva and said.

"Can it be repaired?"

Lumier smiled faintly at the words.

"Not a big problem."

That was what His Majesty the Demon King said himself—

He could doubt the reliability of those "players," but never doubt the two brushes in their hands.

Lumier didn't know what two brushes meant, but seeing the shocked expression on this "professional's" face, he understood a bit.

The two lizardmen cooperated seamlessly, moving fast and steadily, washing the pressure relief pipe clean within a few minutes, and re-wrapping a layer of temporary sealant mixed with linen and resin.

"Done!" The slightly taller lizardman clapped his hands in success, stepped back two steps triumphantly to stop and appreciate.

"Buddy, your craft is awesome! Where do you work?"

"Hehe... I won't mention the name of the residential area, owner privacy must be protected."

"Pfft..."

They chatted away while working, making the technician next to them stunned.

Although he couldn't understand a word, judging from the operation efficiency and eye contact... these "natives" seemed to really know their stuff.

Not only that, they also took the opportunity to "widen" the boiler combustion chamber's air intake, straightened the slightly misaligned flame nozzle, cleaned out the carbon deposits, and even patch-welded the seams of two iron plates, solving seven or eight minor issues with the steam engine in one go.

The boiler was re-ignited.

The old steam engine ran like new!

The hissing steam sound became clear and steady, and the pressure gauge pointer that was originally weak and drooping also returned to normal... as if the machine spirit was overjoyed!

The expression on the ship's technician's face could no longer be described as shocked.

This...

Is this really a lizardman?

Really not an Imperial senior mechanic wearing lizard skin?!

A strange illusion even arose in his heart—

As if he were the savage who didn't understand anything.

And these two "natives" with big tails swinging were the real experts...

The repair work ended.

The door of the boiler room was pushed open with a "creak."

The ship's technician walked out with a strange face, his footsteps much heavier than when he went in.

Lisi had been guarding the corridor, and as soon as he came out, he stepped forward and asked anxiously: "How is it? Repaired?"

He heard the sound of the boiler running, and only felt that it was different from before, but couldn't tell clearly whether it was worse or better.

The technician was silent for a moment, seemingly organizing his words, but finally it only turned into a sigh.

"It's already moving, you... feel it yourself."

Lisi's heart skipped a beat, and his face sank immediately.

He immediately turned and ordered.

"Set sail!"

The whistle sounded soon.

The sailors quickly took their places, the steam boiler ran with a gurgling sound, and the heavy steam sound gradually turned into a brisk roar.

The ripples of the propeller pushing the water were as neat as a comb, and the whole ship moved forward steadily as if reborn.

Lisi stood on the bridge, feeling the smooth-as-silk vibration coming from under his feet, almost unable to believe his senses—

He felt his *Grace*... was actually better than before encountering the storm?!

"This... what is going on?"

He widened his eyes and looked at the ship's technician who had just walked up from the boiler room.

The latter gave a wry smile.

"Sir, I would love to share the shock in my heart with you, but I can't say a word. I can only tell you that the engine's efficiency has increased by thirty percent... at least thirty percent."

"They found the problems existing in our engine and even pointed them out to me, while I was completely confused about what the problems were. You know I graduated from the Royal Naval Academy's mechanical repair department and have served in the Navy for several years; my experience and knowledge are absolutely tested... but in front of them, I feel like a recruit."

Lisi fell into a long silence after listening.

Although he also graduated from the Royal Naval Academy, he wasn't an engineer and couldn't understand the principles.

But as a soldier, he knew what a thirty percent increase in engine efficiency meant, and even more clearly what "just patching it up could achieve this" meant.

The technical gap between the two sides probably reached a terrifying degree; no wonder that Prince Prince Prince Kelin would sign some non-aggression treaty with the local "natives"... if it wasn't for the fact that they really couldn't chew this piece of fat meat, when had Imperial nobles ever compromised with natives?

By comparison... they were more like natives.

"It's incredible..." The first mate walked to Lisi's side, looked at Deadwood Port in the distance with a complex expression, and squeezed a sentence out of his throat with difficulty, "They don't look like a maritime civilization, no port, no dockyard, let alone a fleet... how did they achieve an understanding of steam power that is above ours?"

"I don't know... but this might explain why the Empire's territory has never expanded here, to the point that we didn't even know there was a Prince here."

Lisi's brows furrowed tighter and tighter, and a thought gradually emerged in his heart—

Must immediately report the situation here to General Hamorton in Saint Yierburg!

If necessary, the Empire should give appropriate assistance to Prince Prince Prince Kelin to help the local lord open up this colonial territory!

Of course.

This was just the opinion of a mid-level officer and could not influence the Empire's decision. But he believed this was the choice most in line with the Empire's interests—

They must not let an uncontrolled hidden danger suddenly appear on the vast ocean!

And they must not let Hell get there first!

Thinking of this, he turned around calmly and walked toward Lumier standing on the deck not far away.

"Thank you for your assistance!"

He said it very politely, with a sincere smile on his face, carefully hiding all the previous shock.

"Since the equipment has been repaired, I will send you and the two guests from the Gutafu Kingdom back!"

Lumier nodded slightly, his expression as usual.

The two lizardmen were still swinging their tails at the bow, gesturing excitedly, but after a quiet conversation with Lumier, they all obediently jumped back onto the sampan.

"Thank you for your contribution... His Majesty the Demon King is very satisfied. Now I will take you back to the shore, and you will receive your mission reward after landing."

The small boat approached the shore again.

Lisi returned in person, directing his men to transport the supplies; after a few trips back and forth, the twelve tons of cargo were moved quickly.

Kadesen walked over with a bottle of rum he had treasured for many years and invited Lisi to have a drink, but was politely refused by the latter.

"Thank you for your generosity, but I am on official business... I must go back."

Kadesen was stunned.

"Didn't you say you wanted to stay for a few days?"

Lisi smiled embarrassedly.

"I wanted to... but the sailors are all stifled, wanting to go back early."

Kadesen understood that smile in seconds, and for a moment, he was also tempted. He had also been stifled for a long time, to the point that even lizardmen felt pretty.

Moreover, Baron Titch didn't restrict their coming and going.

He believed that if he took the initiative to propose it, this Imperial officer would definitely not watch him and his men stranded in a foreign land, at least he would allow them to sleep on the floor in the cargo hold until the nearest port.

But in the end, he didn't say it.

He was no longer empty-handed in this port.

He had pearls exchanged from the Tide Clan, and 27 silver coins distributed by Titch—this salary was almost catching up to his monthly income!

It is foreseeable that Imperial ships will frequently approach here in the future, and as the future Viceroy of Deadwood Port, he can earn more!

And if he left here, he would just be a captain, and he would have nothing!

"I wish you a smooth journey!" Kadesen opened the bottle cap, took a gulp, and handed the bottle to the Captain of the *Grace* in front of him.

The *Traveler* chose its own harbor; they were going to stay here.

"You take care too!"

Lisi gladly accepted the gift, nodded to express his thanks, returned to the sampan, and directed his sailors to row away from this crude and mysterious seaport.

The *Grace* raised its canvas before nightfall, lit the steam engine, and slowly sailed away from the coastline washed by the storm.

As if not wanting to stay for even a moment longer...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 302 =====