Captain – Chapter 720 – The Awakening Sleeping Lion, Tedious Repetition

Though even without his father stepping forward, and despite Caine having been absent for over three years, his prestige in the military, particularly the navy, remained undiminished.

Although naval generals including Merri accepted his return without objection, and various procedures were simplified or even bypassed as much as possible.

The preparations for expedition still took a full three days.

When the long night passed and the morning light of the fourth day illuminated the dark sea and the ships upon it, Caine finally appeared officially at the bow of the Pilgrimage.

However, unlike in recent years, he no longer wore the poor-quality short shirts like the pirates, or that deep blue cloak that had originally belonged to Captain Talin.

What adorned him now was a brand-new, crisp azure military uniform, topped with the triangular military cap symbolizing a commander’s identity, complete with proper shoulder insignia.

If not for all the changes in worldly affairs, the soldiers seeing this scene would truly believe that young military star had simply been standing in his rightful position all along, never having moved.

His bearing and spirit remained the same as before.

The only difference was that the general’s insignia had been replaced by the dazzling purple-gold badge.

He was now the youngest marshal in Auran’s history, about to lead nearly the Empire’s entire naval strength on a distant expedition to the old seas for a decisive battle with the devil.

Just like Naren decades ago, the Imperial Marshal who participated in the Old Covenant War centuries ago, or… Isaac, whom Auran regarded as a hero.

This time, he would follow in his predecessors’ footsteps and once again draw his blade against the Pirate King.

History turned, fate rolled on, and in the end it was still the struggle between Empire and Islands—the new Empire of the great ones’ descendants versus Captain Edward’s old islands.

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Almost like destiny.

With his back to the morning sun, facing the golden western sea, Caine watched hundreds of warships form up, observed the fluttering Imperial flags, and waited calmly.

For this expedition, having taken the commander’s position, Merri naturally served as his deputy.

However, at this moment, that young admiral wasn’t at his side, but was conducting final confirmations with various parties from the military, intelligence services, and royal family before departure.

When Merri returned, this mighty army would awaken and silently sail toward another sea.

The old sea that would also belong to them in the future.

“Tap, tap…”

During this waiting, Caine didn’t truly lose focus, but from time to time lightly tapped the curved blade at his waist with his fingers, sensing every ship and every person in the four fleets, familiarizing himself with old skills in ways ordinary people would find incomprehensible.

Thunder flickered in his sea-calm blue eyes, as if the battle had already begun.

The fleets of the three powers of the present world had already thrust like sharp blades toward that lonely island through storms and seas of ghostly blue, with the girl dancing on the blade’s tip.

Though without sand tables or opponents, the young man who had gained the devil’s blessing and the strange curved blade in that great dream and battle with the Nightmare King could still deduce the approaching battle through analysis and extraordinary thinking speed alone.

And set preliminary battle plans in advance.

In this aspect, he had no intention of consulting anyone, whether it was Merri returning from the port, or Captain Gerard who had once defeated his father.

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He was confident he could do his best.

Just as years ago on Frans Island, when he regained military authority, he knew he could already control the overall situation. This time would be no different.

After some unknown time, the tapping stopped.

The battlefield in Caine’s mind, which had been continuously perfecting like an old painting being rapidly completed, also froze and faded as he turned to face the newcomer.

He stopped lightly tapping the scabbard to deduce battle situations naturally because Merri had arrived behind him.

“How did it go?”

Hearing Caine’s question, the admiral considered for a moment and briefly summarized their intentions—nothing more than matters of dominance and key points for negotiations.

All were the young emperor’s thoughts; the words of other power holders didn’t matter.

From these positions, that young man who lived so ardently was indeed more spirited than the Federation’s important figures. Even knowing he would face Edward and having learned of his terror from secrets, he still confidently believed the Empire would prevail.

It was precisely because such people existed that Auran could rise from repeated setbacks.

And become more prosperous than previous generations.

More detailed documents had been delivered to Caine’s hands three nights ago, naturally including these details, so after listening he only nodded slightly.

Knowing this was just an act by the young emperor to reassure those important figures.

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Even when everything was decided, there was always need for another gesture, wasn’t there?

Merri understood this as well, passing over it in a few sentences before seriously reporting military intelligence: “Additionally, reporting to the Marshal, all four fleets have completed preparations.”

“Ready to depart at any time.”

Hearing this, Caine nodded with satisfaction, but didn’t immediately announce departure. Instead, seeing the other’s hesitation, he asked: “Is there something else you want to ask?”

This admiral could be considered his man from all aspects, but his current position was ultimately as a bridge between him, newly returned, and the Empire’s various generals.

Therefore Merri’s concerns were naturally those of the generals.

Seeing the young master didn’t mind, Merri secretly breathed a sigh of relief and, thinking of the intelligence sent by the generals, first repeated: “Marshal, just now, the intelligence service and information department successively confirmed that the Federation fleet departed two days ago.”

Speaking of this, the admiral found it increasingly strange and paused before saying: “And they went westward, not as stated in recent meetings that they would wait to converge with us.”

In recent military meetings, the generals had already decided according to Caine’s instructions and judgment that the fleet would first sail west to rendezvous with the Federation.

Though this arrangement, which hadn’t occurred since ancient times except for that worldwide crusade against the devil centuries ago, made all Auran military personnel feel awkward, the new marshal’s reasoning was quite persuasive.

That was, the Cursed Sea was distant and dangerous.

They might encounter enemies before reaching their destination and meeting the other two parties.

Fighting under such circumstances was naturally a military taboo.

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Therefore the first principle established for this operation was to sail west first, rendezvous with Federation forces and the Island fleets that had been known earlier to be coming.

Complete all supply replenishment at Hipalia’s great port before marching east to the old seas.

But the Federation had moved first, and westward toward that desperate place—what was this about?

After listening and seeing Merri’s slightly bewildered expression, even Caine, who knew the inside story, couldn’t help but fall silent for a moment, knowing this deviation had nothing to do with Anderson.

But rather the intentions of those Federation elders, or simply the Shelley family head.

The purpose was simple—not to influence the overall situation, but to create troubles for him in various aspects: decision-making, subordinate trust, and pre-war negotiations.

Or should it be called a show of force? To distract his energy and scatter some of his momentum.

Who would have thought that in the end, it was this kind of tedious repetition again.

Sighing inwardly, Caine knew that at this point, explaining would be too troublesome—better to be direct. So he said: “Our journey is indeed taking the western route.”

“The Federation moving first is no great harm, just a slight change in rendezvous location.”

“Announce to them that after departure, we sail toward the original Death Silence Triangle region, and the new convergence point with the Island and Federation fleets will be…”

“Before the great waterfall in the deepest part.”