Unable to repay my student loans, I had no choice but to work part-time as a demon hunter.

Afternoon, at the naval anchorage in Lundnium.

The naval anchorage itself was a top-secret military base, and Cecilia Fitzroy personally led Gordon inside.

Cecilia had clearly researched what kind of clothing would be suitable for boarding a ship.

Past prejudices always held that women on ships would bring bad luck, so Cecilia dressed very modestly.

Today she was wearing a sailor uniform that Gordon was very familiar with: a snow-white short top with a dark blue scarf under the white collar, a matching pleated skirt that swept past her knees, and black cotton stockings and low-heeled leather boots underneath.

She even cut her hair short, leaving only a short ponytail, and wore a white military cap.

"Welcome," Gordon greeted her.

"Please." Cecilia led him forward with ease, followed by her family guards, through the fortress gate.

Gordon saw a vast naval port, filled with imposing warships, and countless sailors were training and working in the harbor.

It was with these massive ironclad warships that the Logris Empire conquered the world and controlled the seas.

The HMS Hound has also been fully prepared and is currently docked in the shipyard.

If it weren't for Gordon's scientific expedition, this old ship would have been assigned to the Southern Fleet and sent to the Malay Archipelago to suppress the local population. Now, it is spared colonial affairs.

"This is... the Hound." Gordon approached it.

It was much larger than Gordon had imagined, with a long, narrow body, a black and white paint job, and a bow pointing straight ahead.

After a semi-modernization, the outer shell was riveted with armor plates. Although steam engines were introduced, rows of magnificent masts and white sails were still retained as important auxiliary power.

On its side are rows of cannon ports, roughly thirty in total.

However, most of them were painted black to scare away pirates and criminals, so that they would know to turn around and leave after counting half of them.

After crossing the planks onto the ship, Captain Fisher Mallowy came to greet them and verify military orders and mission arrangements.

Gao Deng clarified the objectives of this scientific expedition.

Next, the captain will be responsible for the navigation and general affairs on board.

Cecilia will learn how to operate a ship and how to command soldiers during this journey.

"Greetings, esteemed Mr. Vic." After reading the mission briefing, Mallory nodded to Gordon. "I've heard of Professor Winslow's remarkable achievements and I look forward to the upcoming voyage."

"Yes, the sea!" Gordon looked at the shimmering sea and felt a sense of openness in his heart.

The tide of destiny is at its most active.

He stood on the shore, yet he already felt the waves of the world rushing towards him, urging him to become one with the real ocean.

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Then, Mallowey summoned the sailors on board and the FitzRoy family guards who had enlisted.

"Now, your duties are very clear: protect Mr. Vic and Miss FitzRoy and ensure the successful completion of this scientific expedition!" Mallory ordered.

"Loyalty! Sincerity!" the soldiers shouted in unison.

Cecilia recalled her brother's teachings before he left.

The navy has its own traditions and discipline, and the crew members all have their own temperaments and personalities.

Once you're at sea, where things can change unpredictably, no one can guarantee what will happen in the next second.

Mistakes can be made at balls and salons, but not at sea, hence the many rules.

The Logris Empire's "Naval Manual and Regulations" is even thicker than Professor Winslow's work. The so-called drinking discipline, open flame discipline, sea condition reporting discipline, flag signals and light signals... are all not to be underestimated. Cecilia had memorized them again and again before she came.

"Raise the flag now!" Cecilia waved. "Hound, prepare to set sail!"

The marines set off immediately.

They first raised the large flag on the mast, the Three Lions and the Blazing Sun Flag flying high.

Next, the long, narrow flag was raised.

Finally, unfurl the Royal Navy ensign at the stern and let it flutter in the wind!

Now, wherever the Hound sails, everyone knows that this ship represents the Logris Empire.

There is no better place to protect Ningning than this ship. Anyone who wants to harm her should think carefully about whether their head can withstand a 163mm cannon.

Next, Gordon unfolded the logbook and nautical charts in the navigation room and planned the route from Lundenim naval anchorage to the Flower Crown Wharf to pick up the special protected object, and then leave the Blackwater Estuary to reach the Oyster Islands.

After asking a few detailed questions, Captain Mallowe said there were no problems and went back to prepare for the voyage.

Cecilia then had Gordon write down the logistics list.

"So many fresh fish." Due to secrecy, neither she nor the sailors knew about the mermaid. "That foreign lady really loves to eat fish."

"Yeah, yeah," Gordon mused. "It's actually quite easy to spot something amiss."

Cecilia looked at the various rules Gordon had set for this trip.

The lowest deck is designated as a restricted area. The water pump is running 24 hours a day, the heat pipes are constantly in operation, and fresh fish are collected regularly to be made into the best fried fish in the kitchen.

"Yes, I bet you're going to keep monsters on the ship," Cecilia said.

“It happens all the time,” Gordon mused. “We are providing a closed spa and diplomatic protection for a foreign woman.”

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"How about some exciting rumors?" Cecilia loved rumors. She was the one who spread the details of Gordon's death in the car accident, saying that she was the illegitimate daughter of a high-ranking nobleman, the shadow double of a princess, the last bloodline of the Gallia royal family, or even the star Ellen Brundell herself.

"Isn't that too much?"

"She didn't get as many fish as you did."

"Alright, in that case, all our demands can be understood as the kind of formalities typical of the aristocracy."

Gordon realized that he could indeed use more nonsense to cover up the fact that there was a mermaid.

While the soldiers' loyalty has proven to be reliable, it is best to shroud this matter in mystery to avoid causing further trouble.

"I'll make arrangements. Rather than letting them research what kind of otherworldly being she is, let them chat about some harmless gossip..."

Next, Cecilia examined the blueprints for the Hound.

"There's also routine maintenance work, and we'll make sure it doesn't enter the living area. And the watertight exchange chamber... should we keep that? This foreign lady probably won't need to dive, will she?"

"Keep it," Gordon nodded.

If Ningning is kept locked in the boat, she definitely won't be happy, and Gordon is too embarrassed to say that he's taking her out to sea.

This is where sincerity is exchanged for sincerity.

After a final inspection of the ground floor residential area, Gordon confirmed that it generally met Ningning's living requirements, and then issued an order to transfer Ningning to the ship overnight, preparing to set sail.

……

……

Nighttime, East Lundnim, at the Flower Crown Pier.

The Hound had been brought here, and a steam crane transported large crates onto the ship and then lowered them down.

The sailors and crew temporarily left the ship to rest on shore. Gordon led Ningning through the empty cabins and continued downstream.

"Human ships are so much fun!" Ningning flicked her tail and quickly darted into the spacious cabin, looking around.

"Alright, I'll take you down." Fearing that Ningning would bump into things and make a hole in the old ship, Gao Deng quickly went over and lifted the heavy Ningning with both arms.

"I'm so heavy! Why?" Ningning saw how much effort Gordon was putting on her, so she grabbed his arm. A huge mass completely blocked Gordon's face and prevented him from saying anything more. "What's pushing against me?!"

"It's nothing, let's check on your new home first." Fortunately, Gordon can walk without needing to see, and he was feeling the cream on his face as he walked down step by step.

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