Chapter 5: The Secret—Captain Salman's Unspoken Burden

The **Navigation Log** indicates that Byron, the last of the Lancasters, has a **Legendary Status** of **12**. 

This is equivalent to being renowned across a region. 

His name must already be circulating among the upper echelons of the Hastings Kingdom, especially within the rival York family. 

It's even possible that a bounty has been issued for him. 

Yet, Byron isn't the least bit worried that his identity might be exposed simply because of a name. 

This is due to a peculiar decree issued by the Church, which held supreme authority over the Old Continent nearly a thousand years ago. 

All believers were required to choose their children's names from a list of 65 male and 48 female names found in the **Book of Creation**, with no exceptions. 

Even the royal family, despite their noble status, was not exempt. 

This decree remained in effect until 18 years ago, in the year 1453 of the Silver Era, when it was finally abolished. However, its influence persists to this day. 

In the eastern regions of the Old Continent, where the **Creator** is worshipped, the repetition of names is nothing short of staggering. 

Commoners often adopt nicknames like "Fatty," "Shorty," or "Crooked Mouth," while nobles are distinguished by adding their fiefdom's name before their given name. 

Even kings' names are repeated extensively, requiring the addition of "the Nth" to differentiate them. 

For example, Byron's uncle, the former King of Hastings, **Mad King** Henry VI, was the sixth king in the dynasty to bear the name Henry. 

His grandfather, Henry V, was the fifth, and his great-grandfather, Henry IV, was the fourth. 

Thus, Byron, now on the run, only needed to change his surname to conceal his identity. 

"Tudor" was inherited from his mother in this life. 

The young pirate leading the way ahead of him was in a similar situation. 

Through deliberate probing, Byron learned that the young man's name was Little Hans, and his father's name was Old Hans. Both were carpenters on the pirate ship. 

Like Byron, they had been "spoils of war" seized during one of the pirates' raids. 

However, the father and son were far luckier than the crew of the **Pelican**. 

Not only were they not fed to the sharks, but they also earned a respectable position on the pirate ship thanks to their exceptional carpentry skills. 

'A high position? And so young?' 

Byron immediately recognized this as an excellent opportunity to gather information and deliberately slowed his pace. 

The two of them, one after the other, climbed the wooden ladder of the pirate ship, moving from the lower deck near the hold, through the gun deck, and up the stairs leading to the open deck. 

Little Hans, who was leading the way, had no idea that just by walking this path, the **Navigation Log** had already used **Echoes of History** to uncover the ship's past. 

Deep blue ink swiftly scrawled across the pages: 

"Pirate Ship **Man-Eater**: A small galleon modified from a carrack. 

Length: 22 meters, width: 6 meters, draft: 2.75 meters, displacement: 200 tons. Armament: 7 six-pound cannons on each side of the open deck, with 2 two-pound cannons at the bow and stern. 

The hull and deck are made of white oak from the Hastings Strait Islands, while the masts are crafted from snow cedar grown on the Eternal Night Peninsula. 

Originally an armed merchant ship of the Banta'an Ocean Trading Company of the Hastings Kingdom. 

Later modified by a shipwright, Old Hans, who lowered the forecastle and sterncastle to improve speed and maneuverability, transformed the gun deck into living quarters for the crew, and upgraded the armament from four-pound to six-pound cannons at great expense. 

In terms of speed, firepower, and crew, it is more than capable of overpowering other merchant ships of its class. 

Estimated value: approximately £10,350—slightly more expensive than a sixth-rate frigate built by the Navy, but far inferior to a fifth-rate ship in both cost and combat capability. 

However, it is the perfect vessel for a novice captain." 

Within a three-meter radius of Byron, every object he focused on would generate a detailed "inventory" record in the log. 

It was as if he carried an experienced appraiser with him at all times. 

As long as the object was not imbued with supernatural power, Byron could uncover most of its secrets with just a glance. 

However, to delve into the mysteries of supernatural objects or events, he would need to expend his own **Spirituality** to gain hints of varying depth. 

Then, like a detective, he would have to unravel the truth piece by piece through conventional means. 

Reassured by the **Navigation Log**'s prompt, Byron casually patted the smooth wooden handrail of the ladder and remarked, as if offhandedly: 

"The Banta'an Ocean Trading Company's carracks are rather mediocre ships. 

But the shipwright's masterful craftsmanship has breathed new life into this vessel through its modifications. 

I once served as a steward to the noble Lord Crawford and had the privilege of accompanying him during his service in the Strait Fleet. 

During that time, I became acquainted with many renowned shipwrights, both in Hastings and across the Old Continent. 

In my opinion, only the ship engineers of the Royal Shipyard, who possess the **Artisan** profession of the **Tower Sequence**, could achieve such exquisite craftsmanship." 

Out of the corner of his eye, Byron saw Little Hans' face light up with an irrepressible smile, the pimple on his nose even reddening with excitement. 

Unlike the reserved demeanor Byron remembered from Easterners, Little Hans eagerly grabbed his hand and exclaimed: 

"Mr. Byron, I never expected you to have such a keen eye and such knowledge of shipbuilding! 

To tell you the truth, the shipwright who modified this ship is my father. 

He has always been my idol and role model. 

Although my father never achieved **Spiritual** ascension to become an **Artisan** of the **Tower Sequence**, 

when it comes to experience and skill in shipbuilding, he is second to none, even compared to those famous figures. 

If he knew someone appreciated his work so much, he would be overjoyed. 

Once we're done with the captain, we must have a drink together!" 

Byron feigned ignorance and acted surprised: 

"A master shipwright is right here beside me?" 

Then he quickly waved his hand: 

"I was merely stating the obvious. Anyone with a bit of knowledge about ships would immediately recognize the excellence of this pirate vessel. 

Still, it would be an honor to meet such a master!" 

Flattery never fails! 

For a craftsman, the greatest pride lies in their craft, and praising their work hits the mark perfectly. 

Every good father is a hero in their son's eyes, and recognizing the father's abilities brings even greater joy than praising the son himself. 

Moreover, the praise came from a noble steward who had served the upper echelons of the kingdom and seen much of the world. 

This was entirely different from the ignorant flattery of uncultured outsiders. 

Byron's simple compliment, tailored to Little Hans' interests, had effectively stacked three layers of goodwill. 

The guileless Little Hans instantly warmed up to Byron and, without thinking, slowed his pace and began to open up. 

Not only did he enthusiastically explain the ship's facilities along the way, but he also took the time to introduce the "newcomer" to the ship's rules and precautions. 

Byron occasionally chimed in with a few words, subtly reinforcing his persona. 

—A steward who had served Lord Crawford, not only skilled in culinary arts but also knowledgeable, eloquent, and effortlessly charming. 

He even shared a few anecdotes about the earl and other high-ranking nobles, leaving no room for Little Hans to suspect any deception. 

The young man had no idea that the original cook had been a braggart and a fraud. 

Nor did he realize that Byron, this "imposter," was not only a descendant of a great noble family but also had Lord Crawford as a close vassal of the Lancasters. 

The new identity required no acting at all. 

However, even the longest journey must come to an end. 

As they neared the open deck, Little Hans, who had grown increasingly fond of Byron, began to look uneasy, hesitating several times. 

Finally, just before they stepped onto the open deck, he mustered the courage to whisper a warning: 

"Mr. Byron, the captain's appearance is... well, rather unique. 

When you meet him later, please don't react strangely. The captain despises being stared at. 

And..." 

A flicker of fear crossed his eyes as he lowered his voice even further: 

"Do you know why every position on the ship is filled except for the cook? 

On this ship, while other positions are occasionally dangerous, the cook is undoubtedly the most perilous role of all! 

Since I've been on board, I've never seen a cook survive more than a month under the captain. 

Most disappear after just a few days, never to be seen again. 

If you're not absolutely confident in your culinary skills and can't keep surprising the captain with new dishes, 

you'd better find a scapegoat as soon as possible and get rid of that chef's hat." 

"Dangerous?" 

Hearing this, Byron couldn't help but pause. 

He hadn't expected that what should have been a straightforward "job interview" would hide such a peculiar and ominous secret. 

Even more unexpectedly, the **Navigation Log** hidden in his right eye began to write on its own once more. 

At the end of the page, following the only crimson supernatural record—**The Shadow of the War of the Red and White Roses** (Historical Influence: 31%, Decipherment: 11%)—a new entry appeared: 

**You have discovered a new secret:** 

**Captain Salman's Unspoken Burden** (It may alter the fate of a hundred lives on this ship. Historical Influence: 4%, Decipherment: 8%)