Horatio Cochrane held his breath, flipping through the pages while nervously observing the Female Hunter-Duke's movements.
[Don't look at me, don't look at me. Good, just like that. Your father's star chart is prettier than mine!]
Horatio Cochrane's eyes fell on a new page, eagerly devouring the information within.
'I'm almost despairing over John Bin. I don't know how this guy became a Navy Lieutenant General. This fat, hereditary noble actually wants to directly send the troops to flatten the Vegas District. I won't let the Imperial Navy waste precious war resources in the quagmire of a policing action. He won't get away with demeaning your achievements, Teresa, even if he is a Navy Lieutenant General!'
'Damn it! Those idiots in the Guild Alliance Government are as useless as John Bin! I've wasted almost all my time in verbal battles with them over how to manage the 'Vegas' District. I feel like I'm going crazy! Teresa, if only you were still by my side, I need your help so much.'
'These merchant guilds are completely unwilling to manage anything; it's ridiculous. As a planetary government, they can't even fulfill their most basic duties, only thinking about how to raise that damn 'basic living expense' all day! I think that 'basic living expense' that has risen to 25% will one day light the fuse and blow them up! Teresa, the entire planetary government can no longer find an official as outstanding as you.'
'Teresa, many places in Abyss Port have launched protests against the 'basic living expense.' Those guild pigs are reaping what they sow. Things are not peaceful outside now, so I plan to have Farida return from the Adeptus Arbites.'
'Teresa, I was extremely happy today. Under the vote of the entire Captains' Assembly, Admiral Vinusca Catalina, representing the Gothic Fleet, issued a statement announcing that the Imperial Navy Gothic Fleet refuses to interfere with any protest activities by the planetary populace against the Merchant Guild Government. The captains are very happy they don't have to clean up after these idiots. We drank all night at the Naval Officer's Club. During that time, I learned an unconfirmed rumor that the Navy Department plans to take the opportunity to replace...'
The log was unfinished at its latest entry. Horatio Cochrane felt as if he had learned something extraordinary and quickly looked at Farida.
Fortunately, the girl was still fiddling with her father's star chart diorama, deeply awed by the vast galaxy, completely oblivious to the rebellious act Horatio Cochrane had just committed.
He pretended nothing had happened, restored the log, and quietly walked to the bookshelf.
[Hiss, so many books, how do I know which one I'm looking for...?] Horatio Cochrane looked left and right, but saw no book guide.
Well, a private study isn't really a library. Hopefully, Major General Alexander will remember where he put each of his books from now on.
[Since that's the case...]
Horatio Cochrane closed his eyes and entered the Dark Vision.
'+ Activated: Precognition Shard +'
'+ Energy: 5 / 6 +'
'+ Psionics: 2 / 6 +'
'+ Corruption: 4 / 6 +'
'+ Soulfire: 0 / 40 +'
As countless fragments slowly pieced together before his eyes, a diagram hidden in an inconspicuous corner came into Horatio Cochrane's view, then quickly dissipated.
"Miss Farida, did you just see a thick book with a blue cover, titled 'Gothic Fleet Glory Codex'?"
With the specific image of the book but no location, Horatio Cochrane decided to ask Farida.
"'Gothic Fleet Glory Codex'...?" Farida pinched her chin, recalling carefully.
"Check the very bottom of the second shelf, third row."
The well-dressed Horatio Cochrane smiled broadly and gestured thanks to Farida, looking very much like a playboy.
[What's he putting on...? Frivolous!] Farida covered her slightly reddened cheeks with a book, glaring indignantly at Horatio Cochrane, who had run to the back bookshelf.
"'Gothic Fleet Glory Codex'...'Gothic Fleet Glory Codex'..."
Horatio Cochrane's blue eyes suddenly lit up.
He squatted down and pulled out a heavy tome from the bottom shelf.
Although its surface had been well cleaned, the book seemed to have been unopened for a long time, and it was quite old.
It contained the styles and introductions of all official honorific decorations issued by the Imperial Navy and the Gothic Fleet.
Horatio Cochrane quickly flipped to the ring section.
"Found it!"
Several pages were connected, and the rings looked similar. Horatio Cochrane took off the ring from his hand and compared them one by one.
[Captain's Ring... No, it's just made of adamantium.]
[Senior Captain's Ring... Hiss, a bit similar, but the texture is too simple compared to the ring in my hand, and it doesn't have the word 'Legendary'.]
[Lord Captain's Ring? This one is similar, very similar, but the texture doesn't seem to have as many patterns?]
Horatio Cochrane turned to the next page, which was the last adamantium ring. If it wasn't this one, then there would be no record.
Horatio Cochrane focused his gaze, and the introduction filled an entire page.
"Chief Lord Captain's Ring..." Horatio Cochrane slowly read aloud.
"This honor is only awarded to Imperial Hero Captains who, within the stipulated reporting period, sink/capture enemy ships with a total tonnage exceeding the combined total of the second and third place during the same period."
"..."
Horatio Cochrane was stunned.
[Is this an achievement a mortal can achieve???]
Horatio Cochrane's mouth twitched continuously, his breathing exceptionally rapid.
What does this mean? Suppose there was a civil service selection with no upper limit on scores.
All competitors were, without exception, exceptional individuals, each eager to prove themselves, with very tight score differences.
And the total score of the first place actually exceeded the combined total of the second and third place, seriously!
It's too unbelievable! What kind of Imperial Navy chosen one did his family produce, seriously!
Horatio Cochrane tremblingly closed the book, unable to stop smiling. Excited sweat continuously flowed down his forehead to his cheeks, finally dripping onto his collar.
"Miss Farida."
Horatio Cochrane walked out, his mouth already twitching from excitement, no longer just smiling.
"What, did you find out? Also, why is your face so red...?"
"I beg you to help me one more time! Draw a tube of my blood and send it to the Imperial Navy Department for a blood test."
"Huh?"
Farida's pretty brows furrowed instantly, looking very displeased.
"I've already helped you enough." Farida handed Horatio Cochrane a handkerchief.
"Yes, I know." Horatio Cochrane took the fragrant handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Just now, I found some information about this ring and the conditions for its award."
"And then?"
Farida leaned back in the armchair nonchalantly, picking up her augur to check it.
She was more concerned about not being discovered bringing in such an unknown individual.
"This is a Chief Lord Captain's Ring."
The augur slipped from her hand, and Farida, nervous like a clown performing juggling at a circus, fumbled to catch the augur before it hit the ground.
Horatio Cochrane, quick-witted, swiftly squatted down and grabbed the augur with his iron hand just before it fell.
"No, what did you say?" Farida blinked, wanting to confirm again.
"This is a Chief Lord Captain's Ring, only awarded to Imperial Hero Captains whose sunk/captured tonnage exceeds the combined total of the second and third place."
"..."
What this guy was saying was clearly the Imperial language, but at this moment, it sounded completely incomprehensible.
"Nonsense!" Farida snatched the handkerchief back from Horatio Cochrane's hand, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
"This ring cannot be from your direct relative. If such a person truly existed, wouldn't it be a pure slap in the face to our Hood Family?
Who could possibly exceed the combined sunk tonnage of my father and my uncle? That's hilarious! The first and second places have clearly been my uncle and my father for years. You must be lying."
Farida's face immediately darkened, her hand naturally resting on the pistol at her waist. She stared intently into his eyes, as if trying to discern if he was feeling guilty:
"It seems your charges now include suspected forgery of Imperial military honors. You have a lot of guts, Horatio Cochrane..."
"Calm down, don't get agitated. I know you don't believe me, but that book really records it that way, which is why I hope to have a blood test to compare genes."
Horatio Cochrane's brows were tightly furrowed, his lips pressed together, his gaze exceptionally firm.
The two remained in a stalemate, staring into each other's eyes.
Suddenly, Farida's pink lips parted slightly.