The so-called "Ocean Treasure" is not a creation of humans!
Rather, it is a type of magical treasure that emerges naturally under special conditions, influenced by the world's mysterious factors on specific items.
The reasons for their formation are diverse, possibly based on unique geographical environments, impactful large-scale historical events, or even the massive demise of life.
Their appearances vary greatly. Some may resemble the "Shipwreck Elegy" as a statue, others could be a shell, a stone, a pocket watch—anything that might exist in the real world.
However, they all share a single common feature: they are extremely difficult to destroy.
Each "Ocean Treasure" possesses its unique mystical ability, powerful and enigmatic.
Since the name includes the prefix "ocean," these abilities are usually related to the ocean, especially as these treasures provide unparalleled assistance to the vessels possessing them when at sea, making them the object everyone on the ocean desperately pursues.
"Ocean Treasures" can almost be equated with power and wealth!
Of course, not all Ocean Treasures are like the "Shipwreck Elegy," housing a malicious evil spirit that deliberately reveals its information and unique Extraordinary Path to entice others to use its evil power for unspeakable ends.
Most Ocean Treasures are of the type that conceals its nature as treasure. A layperson holding it wouldn't be able to recognize it as an Ocean Treasure.
One must admit that this time the uncle and nephew duo not only claimed One-Eyed Becky's head but also picked up an Ocean Treasure for free, which was truly incredible luck!
Although due to its hostility toward order, as long as the two don't want to defect from the Kingdom to become pirates, as Navy members they can't use it, which is a bit regretful. But exchanging it for benefits with nobles who have special needs poses no problem at all.
"As long as we deal with the evil spirit inside, it should fetch a good price." Gel concluded.
As for exchanging it for a treasure they can use themselves, neither of them holds out hope. The opportunity is too slim, better to convert it into tangible wealth and resources they can use now.
"By the way, Uncle Gel, what do you plan to do with the Extraordinary Path on this?" Aiven asked curiously, having noticed that Gel had not mentioned the "Shipwreck Mourner" Extraordinary Path.
When it came to the Extraordinary Power linked to his own future, Gel's demeanor became much more serious, and he posed a question back to Aiven: "Aiven, there are many Extraordinary Paths in this world, why do you think the Knight Path dominates human society?"
Although possessing a vision beyond the times, Aiven had never considered this question. After thinking about it and combining Grandpa Leo's teachings, he tentatively said, "Is it because of stability?"
"Correct! But not entirely, stability is only one aspect."
"Actually, internal and external factors determine the current situation of extraordinary civilization.
The internal factor is that the Knight Path is Extraordinary, yet the Extraordinary Power it involves is relatively basic and pure, targeting only the human body. The risk of losing control is minimal and most stable. Even if things do get out of control, there won't be excessive destructiveness."
Gel paused to give Aiven time to digest, then continued explaining:
"The external factor is due to the 'True God Churches' at the top layer of Extraordinary Power in all nations on our continent.
While Knights have significant power, our path has been firmly fixed, like a sword in a man's hand. Even a Level 4 Titled Knight is merely a Divine Soldier, posing no threat to their status."
Through his words, Gel, a traditional Kingdom officer, subtly revealed his dissatisfaction with the Church Court, something that would be unacceptable in public, but Aiven chose to ignore it.
"As for those Extraordinary Paths easy to lose control, leading to large-scale casualties, or the highly creative and promising Extraordinary Paths, including the 'Black Iron Cross Church' ruling our Tulip Alliance, the 'Dawn Church' of the Sak Empire, and the 'Eternal Flame' of the Hilus Kingdom, the attitude of the Seven True God Churches is to suppress and eliminate!"
"Paths like the 'Shipwreck Mourner' are often flawed and, for the reasons I previously mentioned, the more they depart from civilized society, the more such maverick Extraordinary Paths you find. Paths are incomplete or have various deadly flaws, making the potential for loss of control terrifyingly high."
This knowledge can't be found in any book, entirely Gel's own experiential summary.
As an Extraordinary Captain who has made his mark on the ocean for years, Gel used his deep knowledge and unique perspective to suddenly enlighten Aiven.
He couldn't help but feel grateful for having such a guide.
"Just keep it to fool others, kid!" Gel finally patted Aiven's shoulder, handed the re-boxed statue back to him.
"Take it to your room, guard it on the return journey; in the coming years, whether we eat well or poorly depends entirely on it."
Then the two returned to the main deck, and gathered some crew to try to repair the severely damaged pirate ship, making it barely functional.
Silver Wings towed it with ropes, slowly returning to the initial battle site at Chaotic Stone Island.
"Silver Wings is back!"
"We're saved!"
By this time, the burned remnants of the Warrior had long sunk to the sea bottom, leaving a few lifeboats with some dejected former Warrior crew afloat on the sea. Seeing Silver Wings return revived their spirits.
After bringing them aboard, they learned that after abandoning the ship, the former Warrior officers were targeted and killed in action, and none survived, including the Captain. The former Chief Navigator, once hitchhiking on Silver Wings, seemed to be the highest-ranking surviving officer.
Gel kindly consoled them with a few words. After all, they had engaged with the pirates prematurely, which exhausted them greatly, and in a way, they had aided Silver Wings.
However, there was no need to think about the spoils of war.
...
Time swiftly passed to the third day after returning to Gabred.
After the brief clamor following the completion of the mission, everything seemed to have returned to normal.
In these days, Gel, bearing the honor of slaying the mad pirate "One-Eyed Becky", frequently interacted with the nobles and merchants of Gabred, seemingly to expand his network. But only Aiven knew that Uncle Gel was looking for a buyer for their "spoils".
Aiven couldn't involve himself for the time being, but he had his own important task.
The Third Fleet garrison.
In the corridors of the garrison, the blue-toned walls were adorned with large oil paintings depicting landscapes, figures, and scenes of war. Each painting represented a significant moment in the Third Fleet's history, making this place truly a wall of merit for the Third Fleet.
Walking here felt like traversing a corridor of history, and a heavy sense of honor as a part of it welled up unconsciously. Even Aiven, who had some detachment from this otherworld, couldn't help but tread more lightly.
In front of a room with a brass nameplate, Aiven stopped, adjusted his naval uniform again, and gently knocked on the door.
"Knock!" "Knock!" "Knock!"
The knocks were neither too light nor too heavy, an experience drawn from his professional life in the past.
"Come in!" A steady elderly male voice rang out.
He pushed open the door to a simply decorated room with the curtains drawn to block out the sunlight, but a gas lamp was lit, creating a quiet and solemn atmosphere.
Three elderly men in school officer uniforms sat behind a long table covered with a green velvet tablecloth, with an open notebook in front of each.
Aiven stood next to the empty chair in front of the long table, saluted, and said, "Greetings, officers! Sub-Lieutenant Aiven Galliot of the 'Silver Wings' here to take the exam!"
"No need to be nervous, young man! Please have a seat." The officer in the middle, with white hair and a monocle, amiably invited him to sit, indicating that the examination was about to begin.
"Before we officially start, I hope you take this examination seriously.
Although your achievements have fully met the standards, which is quite difficult for someone who has been enlisted for only a few months, every officer shoulders the honor and lives of all their subordinates in critical moments. If the examination doesn't satisfy us, we cannot entrust this responsibility to you!"
The officer with short gray hair sitting on the right side of the table said sternly.
"I completely understand! Please proceed!" Aiven indicated his understanding and was not intimidated, suspecting that this was likely part of the examination to prevent anyone from thinking it was just a formality and ultimately making it difficult for everyone involved.
"Please list the names and functions of three types of rigging on a warship."
"To control the sail boom, you need lifting ropes, stays, and braces..."
"In battle on the main battle line, if your warship is targeted by concentrated fire, would you order to evade?"
"..."
"With wind speeds of 10 to 14 knots and a wave height of at least one meter, can the warship sail at full sail under these conditions?"
"No, at this point, the top sails of the fore and main masts can only be raised to 'half-sail' to lift the bow, reduce bow burying, and avoid capsizing!" From beginning to end, regardless of how the three examiners questioned him, Aiven responded fluently and confidently.
Having learned about the examination format from Gel, he prepared accordingly, and for Aiven, who had navigated through mountains of books and seas of exercises in his past life, these high-difficulty examinations were a piece of cake.
After all, any candidate officer who reached this point had already spent enough time on a warship, and the practical ability was not an issue, which is why this form of examination with experienced old officers setting questions and candidate officers answering them was used.
The examination lasted for twenty minutes, with each examiner asking a few questions, broad but not tricky.
After Aiven answered the last question, the examiners exchanged glances and gave a unanimous decision, with a stamp of approval placed on Aiven's record.
"Congratulations, Aiven of the Silver Wings, from today you are a Navy Captain!" The kind old man in the middle announced the news on behalf of all three examiners.
"Thank you, officers! It is my honor!"
Aiven smiled, stood up, shook hands and embraced each examiner, saluted once more, and then slowly retreated to the door before turning to leave.
"I like this young man, I hope to see more young people with such vitality and cultivation in the Navy in the future."
"Hehe, having worked in a civilian position all my life and soon to retire, you still worry about so much..."
"What does it matter to you...?"
Having passed the first turning point in his military career and truly completing the leap from candidate officer to formal officer, Aiven only felt a broadening of his heart, even the old officers' murmuring, faintly coming to his ears, became incredibly endearing.
With a slight smile, the corridor remained the same corridor etched with history, but his steps became unexpectedly light.