Chapter 414: Good News
A sharp wind swept across Brambleford, carrying enough chill to make even the strongest man instinctively pull his collar tighter.
Gareth wrapped his hands inside his sleeves and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for Your Highness’s kindness. However, before I left the empire, His Majesty instructed me to return as soon as possible and report everything that happened here. I dare not delay any longer."
He paused before adding, "Therefore, I’m afraid I cannot remain in Brambleford."
"Is that so, What a pity."
Simon said. His voice couldn’t hide his disappointment.
He had actually hoped Gareth would stay in Brambleford for a few more days.
Gareth was a high-ranking official of the imperial court and had spent most of his life among the wealthy and powerful. If he returned to the empire and spoke openly about Brambleford’s restaurants, entertainment, and new way of life, perhaps more wealthy nobles would become interested in visiting.
Those people had money.
And Brambleford was more than happy to take it.
Unfortunately, it seemed that the opportunity would have to wait.
Maxwell stood nearby, equally reluctant to see his father leave. He had only just arrived in Brambleford, and now his father was already preparing to return to the empire.
By noon, the court fleet was ready.
Simon personally accompanied the two to Goldwynd Restaurant for lunch.
The meal was naturally lavish.
Gareth enjoyed the food, but his mind was already on the journey home. By afternoon, he boarded the fleet and departed.
As the ships gradually disappeared into the distance, Simon returned to the dock.
Only Maxwell remained beside him.
The two looked at each other for a moment.
Then Simon’s expression became serious. As he stared directly at him.
"Maxwell, from today onward, you are now an official of Brambleford. Henceforth, our relationship is no longer the same as it was before. We may have grown up together, but now you are my subject, and I am your lord; don’t let your old habits follow you here."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
He paused before continuing.
"I know you’re intelligent. But you’ve always been somewhat careless. That might not matter when you’re drinking and playing with friends, but if you want to accomplish something in Brambleford, you must become more disciplined."
Maxwell listened quietly. Then he smiled.
"Your Highness worries too much."
"I have a family now. I’m not the reckless young man I used to be."
Simon nodded.
That was true.
And Gareth had chosen the right time to send his son to Brambleford.
Maxwell was not the only one; many people in the imperial court had already noticed the change in Simon’s position.
After the emperor sent the Second Prince to Snake Town largely because of Simon, intelligent officials immediately understood what that meant.
Simon’s position in the imperial court was becoming increasingly important. And those who were close to him naturally wanted their sons to come to Brambleford.
There was loyalty involved.
But there was also something more complicated.
Sending their sons to Brambleford meant placing a member of their own family under Simon’s control. In a sense, those young men became a guarantee that if something happened to their families in the capital, Brambleford would remember.
And if someone dared to eliminate an entire faction, they would have to consider what those sons might do after inheriting their fathers’ positions.
It was a silent warning.
A warning that could not be written into any official document.
"Since you’re willing to stay," Simon said, "you’ll first study at Oxford Academy."
"Study?"
Maxwell raised an eyebrow.
"You’re going to learn the responsibilities of the Lesser Treasury Supervisor. Once you’ve passed the required assessment, I’ll arrange a position for you in Brambleford."
Maxwell nodded.
There was no objection.
He understood what Simon meant.
Their relationship had changed.
They could still drink together and laugh together, but when it came to official business, there could be no confusion between friendship and duty.
If Simon had arranged his future, Maxwell would naturally accept it. However, just as Simon was preparing to arrange accommodation for him, Maxwell suddenly spoke.
"Your Highness, I’ve heard that the food and wine at the Goldwynd Restaurant are excellent."
Hearing this, Simon narrowed his eyes.
Maxwell continued innocently.
"I’d like to stay there for a few days."
Then Simon asked. "Are you sure about this?"
"Of course." He replied.
"Even the cheapest room costs a hundred caps of silver per night."
"A hundred caps of silver?" Maxwell said in shock, his eyes widened.
For a moment, his confidence visibly wavered. A hundred caps of silver for one night?
That was enough to make even a wealthy young master think twice. But after a short struggle, Maxwell gritted his teeth.
"I have some savings."
He looked toward the distant restaurant.
"Since I’ve finally come to Brambleford, it would be a shame not to experience the place properly."
Simon couldn’t help shaking his head.
"Fine. It’s your money. If you want to spend it, I won’t stop you."
His eyes immediately lit up.
A moment later, he disappeared in the direction of the hotel.
Simon watched him leave and couldn’t help laughing.
It seemed the hotel’s reputation had already reached the point where even a wealthy young master could not resist it. Originally, he had intended to let Maxwell stay at the castle.
Now he had saved himself the trouble.
And that was precisely what made the hotel so valuable.
It wasn’t merely a restaurant anymore. It had become a symbol of Brambleford’s wealth and luxury. For people accustomed to spending money, it was almost impossible to resist.
Simon returned to the manor alone.
But before he could enter through the gate, he noticed someone waiting outside. The young man immediately stepped forward when he saw him.
It was Adel Voss. Harlan Voss’s son.
"What brings you here?"
Adel hurriedly bowed. As he spoke.
"My father ordered me to return to Brambleford overnight."
He paused, excitement appearing on his face.
"The warships at the Ashenford shipyard have been launched."
Simon’s eyes brightened.
"All the warships have successfully entered the water."
He proudly added, "And this year, we completed the construction one month earlier than last year."
"Good!"
Simon’s expression immediately brightened.
This was excellent news.
The arrival of the thirty thousand craftsmen from the imperial court had already solved one of Brambleford’s biggest problems. Now the warships had been completed ahead of schedule. That meant time had been freed up.
"It’s truly a double blessing," Simon said. "The craftsmen from the imperial shipyards have just arrived, and now the warships are already finished. We can use this extra month to begin preparing another shipyard."
Adel’s expression changed.
He and his father had spent most of their time at the Ashenford shipyard, so they had received little information about what was happening in Brambleford. But thirty thousand craftsmen were an enormous number.
Then Adel suddenly seemed to remember something.
"Your Highness."
"What is it?"
"Could I supervise one of the new shipyards?"
Simon stared at him.
Only then did he realize something was unusual.
Normally, Voss would send a messenger to deliver news.
This time, however, Adel had personally returned. There was clearly another reason.
"Why do you suddenly want to supervise a shipyard?" Simon asked.
Adel scratched his head awkwardly.
"My father and I can no longer work in the same shipyard."
Simon raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Adel sighed.
"I suggested adding watertight compartments to the galleons. Then my father became furious. He said I was ignorant and kept making reckless changes to ships that had already proven themselves."
Simon froze for a moment. Then he laughed.
"Watertight compartments?"
"Yes."
Able looked embarrassed. As he asked. "Was my idea really that foolish?"
"No. Not at all, your idea isn’t bad." Simon’s smile faded slightly.
Watertight compartments were essentially sealed sections built inside a ship. If one section was damaged and began taking on water, the remaining compartments could remain sealed.
That dramatically improved a ship’s ability to survive serious damage. In other words, even if part of the hull was breached, the entire ship would not necessarily sink. It was an extremely valuable principle in shipbuilding.
However...
"Galleons aren’t suitable for that design," Simon explained.
"The structure of the galleons we’ve built is different from ordinary merchant vessels. Adding watertight compartments now would require major changes to the keel and internal structure."
"So your father wasn’t entirely wrong."
Adel’s shoulders dropped. He looked disappointed.
Seeing this, Simon walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don’t confuse ignorance with incompetence."
Adel looked up.
"You’re still young. Mistakes are supposed to occur. What matters is whether you learn from them."
Simon then pointed toward Oxford Academy.
"If you really want to understand shipbuilding, go there. Oxford Academy has already begun teaching systematic shipbuilding knowledge."
Adel’s eyes widened.
"Systematic knowledge?"
"Yes."
"Your father knows how to build the ships we’ve already designed. But Brambleford cannot depend on a single blueprint forever."
Simon’s gaze became distant.
"Today’s galleons are only the beginning. The ships we build in the future will need to be faster, stronger, more stable, and more powerful. And for that, Brambleford needs people who understand the principles behind shipbuilding."
Adel’s breathing became heavier. This was exactly what he wanted. He wanted to prove that he could become more than his father’s assistant.
He looked at Simon seriously.
"Your Highness, if I study hard, can I surpass my father?"
Simon smiled.
"Why not? If you master everything taught at Oxford Academy and continue improving, there will come a day when you know more than your father."
Adel clenched his fists.
"Then I will do my best."
His eyes were burning with pure determination.
"Good."
Simon nodded.
"Then after I return from Ashenford, report to Oxford Academy. Until then, make preparations."
Adel bowed deeply.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Simon turned toward the manor. But before entering, he glanced back toward the direction of the coast. Everything was moving faster than before. Brambleford’s industrial foundation was finally beginning to take shape. Now it was time to see what those new warships could really do.
"I will be heading to Ashenford with Desmond and the students from the Naval Academy with me."