The [Sailing Logbook] showed that Byron, the last Lancaster, had a legend rating of [12].
This was equivalent to the level of a regionally famous figure.
His name must have already circulated among the upper echelons of the Kingdom of Hightins, especially within his archenemies, the York Family.
It was even possible that a wanted poster had been issued.
However, Byron was not the least bit worried that his identity would be exposed by a mere name.
This was because about a thousand years ago, the Church, whose authority was supreme in the Old Continent, had issued a strange decree.
All believers were only allowed to choose a name for their children from the 65 male and 48 female names listed in the Book of Creation; choosing otherwise was strictly forbidden.
Even the noble Royal Family had no special privileges.
This decree lasted until it was abolished in Silver Era 1453, eighteen years ago, but its influence lingered to this day.
In many nations of the eastern Old Continent where the creator was worshipped, the repetition rate of names could only be described as terrifying.
Commoners would take nicknames like "Fatso," "Shorty," or "Crooked Mouth," while nobles would have their fief titles prefixed to their names to distinguish themselves.
Even kings' names were massively duplicated, necessitating the addition of "the [number]th" as a form of address.
For example, Byron's uncle, Henry VI, the previous King of Hightins known as the Mad King, was the sixth king named Henry in the dynasty.
His grandfather, Henry V, was the fifth, and his great-grandfather, Henry IV, was the fourth.
Therefore, Byron, who was fleeing for his life, only needed to change his surname.
"Tudor" came from his mother in this life.
The young pirate leading the way was the same.
After intentionally drawing him into conversation, Byron learned that his name was Little Hans, and his father's name was Old Hans; both father and son were carpenters on the pirate ship.
Like himself, they were "spoils of war" that the pirates had captured in a raid.
But the father and son were much luckier than the crew of the Pelican.
Not only were they not fed to sharks, but they had also gained a respectable status on the pirate ship thanks to their exquisite carpentry skills.
High status? And still very young?
Byron immediately realized this was an excellent opportunity to gather intelligence and deliberately slowed his pace.
One after the other, the two ascended the wooden ladder of the pirate ship, from the lower deck next to the hold, up to the gun deck, and then up the stairs to the weather deck.
Little Hans, who was leading the way, had no clue that merely by walking this path, the Sailing Logbook had glimpsed the history of this pirate ship through the Echoes of History.
Dark blue ink rapidly wrote on the pages:
"Pirate ship Man-Eating Shark: A small Garen-type vessel improved from the Clark model sailboat.
Length 22 meters, width 6 meters, draft 2.75 meters, displacement 200 tons. Armament: open deck with 7 six-pounder cannons on each side, and 2 two-pounder cannons at both the bow and stern positions.
The hull and deck materials are white oak, a specialty of the Black Hinge Strait Islands, while the masts are made of fir trees from the Eternal Night Peninsula.
Its original form was an armed merchant ship belonging to the Banta Oceanic Trading Company of the Kingdom of Hightins.
Later, it underwent meticulous enhancements by the shipwright, Old Hans.
Lowering the forecastle and quarterdeck enhanced speed and maneuverability; the gun deck was modified to accommodate the crew, and the weaponry was upgraded at great cost from four-pounder cannons to six-pounders.
Whether in speed, firepower, or crew capacity, it was more than sufficient to overpower other similar merchant ships.
Valued at approximately 10,350 pounds, slightly more expensive than a Level Six Cruiser built by the Navy Department, but far inferior to a Level 5 Ship, with an even larger gap in combat capability.
However, as a new captain's vessel, it could not be more appropriate."
Within a three-meter radius around him, everything Byron focused on would generate a detailed "materials" record in the Sailing Logbook.
It was like carrying an experienced appraiser with him at all times.
As long as it did not involve Extraordinary Power, Byron could spy out most secrets of ordinary items with just a glance.
But if he wanted to delve into the secrets of Extraordinary things or events, he had to consume his own "Spirituality" to obtain hints of varying depths.
Then, like a detective, he would have to use conventional methods, unraveling the mystery layer by layer to uncover the ultimate secrets.
Seeing the prompt in the Sailing Logbook, Byron's heart settled. He patted the polished wooden staircase railing beside him and casually remarked, "The Clark merchant ships of the Banta Oceanic Trading Company are, in themselves, quite mediocre in design. But the profound skills of the shipwright have given this ship a new lease on life through its subsequent modifications. I previously served as a noble's steward to the esteemed Lord Crawford and had the honor of following him during his service in the Strait Fleet for a time. I've met numerous shipwrights famous not just in Hightins but across the Old Continent. In my view, probably only those ship engineers with Tower Sequence [Artisan] professions in the royal shipyards possess such exquisite craftsmanship."
As expected, he caught the uncontainable smile on Little Hans' face; even the acne scar on his nose turned a shade redder with excitement.
Little Hans showed none of the reserve Byron remembered from Easterners; instead, he joyfully took Byron's hand, exclaiming excitedly, "Mr. Byron, I had no idea you had such an eye for this, and expertise in shipbuilding craft! To be honest, the shipwright who modified this ship is my father. He has always been my idol and role model. Although my father never managed to achieve an elevation in his Spirituality and become a Tower Sequence 'Artisan,' his experience and skills in shipbuilding are second to none, even compared to those well-known figures. My father would be overjoyed to know someone appreciates his work so much. After you've met the captain, we'll definitely have to have a good drink together."
Only then did Byron feign complete ignorance, asking in mock surprise, "A master shipbuilder in my midst?"
He then waved his hands dismissively. "Actually, I was just stating the obvious; anyone who studies sailing ships could immediately recognize the excellence of this pirate ship. But, having the chance to meet a master would indeed be an honor for me!"
Flattery is the one thing that always gets through!
A craftsman's greatest pride is the skill with which they earn their living, and praising their skill hits them right where it feels good.
Every competent father is an idol in his son's eyes, and acknowledging his father's capabilities is even more pleasing to the son than recognizing his own.
If you praise a son in front of his father, the effect is even more significant.
Moreover, the praise came from a noble's steward who had always served the higher echelons of the Kingdom and had seen much of the world—a stark contrast to the ignorance of vulgar laymen who knew nothing.
Byron's simple compliment, aimed at pleasing Little Hans, had stacked three buffs at once.
Little Hans, who wasn't very cunning, instantly felt a surge of fondness for Byron. He subconsciously slowed his pace to match Byron's and began to chatter away.
Not only did he passionately explain the ship's facilities along the way, but he also began to introduce the "new guy" to the various precautions on board.
Byron occasionally chimed in with a word or two, subtly cementing his own persona
—a noble's steward who served Lord Crawford, not only adept at cooking but also knowledgeable and eloquent, making one feel as if basking in a spring breeze.
Every now and then, he even shared some anecdotes related to Lord Crawford and the Kingdom's upper nobility, leaving Little Hans unable to spot any inconsistencies.
The young man couldn't possibly imagine that the original chef was, in fact, a self-aggrandizing impostor.
And Byron, this "impostor," was not only a descendant of Great Nobles himself, but even Lord Crawford was an intimate retainer of Lancaster.
He didn't even need to act for his new identity.
However, even the longest road has an end.
Feeling an exceptional rapport with Byron, Little Hans's gaze grew increasingly complex, and several times he seemed on the verge of speaking but then stopped himself.
It wasn't until they were about to step onto the weather deck that he gathered his courage, whispering a warning, "Mr. Byron, the captain's appearance is somewhat... um, distinctive. When you see the captain later, please do not react inappropriately, as he abhors it when people look at him strangely. And..."
A flicker of fear passed through his eyes, and he lowered his voice even more. "Do you know why every other position on this ship is filled, but we're always short of chefs? On this ship, while other positions occasionally carry a risk to life, being the chef is undoubtedly the most hazardous occupation, bar none! Since I've been on board, I've never seen any chef last more than a month under the captain. Most disappear without a trace after just a few days, never to be seen again. If you're not utterly confident in your culinary skills and your ability to constantly bring novelty to the captain, you'd better quickly find a scapegoat to take this chef's hat off your hands."
"Dangerous?"
Hearing this, Byron couldn't help but pause.
He hadn't expected that what should have been an easy 'job interview' for him would have such eerie undertones.
Even more unexpectedly, the Sailing Logbook hidden in his right eye began to write of its own accord once again.
At the end of the page, following the sole, blood-red extraordinary record—Hidden: The Shadow of the Red and White Roses War (Historical Influence: 31%, Decryption Rate: 11%)—a new entry appeared.
You have discovered a new Hidden:
Captain "Bloody Eye" Salman's unspeakable secret (it may alter the fate of hundreds aboard, Historical Influence: 4%, Decryption Rate: 8%)!