At this time, various merchant ships from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Flanders (Belgium), the Netherlands (Netherlands) and other kingdoms and regions under the rule of the Habsburgs were plying the North Sea, the marginal sea in the northeastern Atlantic.

However, a kingdom in Scandinavia, and the Kingdom of Denmark, which formed the Scandinavian Confederation with them, were embroiled in a civil war comparable to infighting among family members. Twenty years ago, the Kalmar League, founded by Margrethe I, one of the greatest women in world history, officially came to an end.

At this moment, the Kingdom of Denmark was preparing its military forces to compete with the Kingdom of Sweden for control of the Baltic Sea and the surrounding areas, and the Kingdom of Norway, which was far away from the Kingdom of Denmark, was also "coerced" into participating in the war. As a result, the Viking descendants of the three Scandinavian states, collectively known as Scandinavia, showed little interest in what was happening in the North Sea, and remained neutral or avoided intervening in the chaos of the continent today.

The Flemish and Netherlands, which belonged to the Spanish system under the Habsburg family, "welcomed" any ship flying the Spanish flag in the North Sea. Therefore, the "Nemesis", commanded by Isabel Walton and piloted by Captain Hawkins, sailed unimpeded in the North Sea. Even if they were to immediately change to the flag of England, the Spanish Confederate army, they would arrive safe and sound in the eastern border town of Berwick, England.

If Isabel was interested, she could command her armed merchant ships across the North Sea to the coastlines of Denmark and Norway, and carry out a few more pirate raids on the ancient Scandinavian lands. At present, she is still focusing on the chief of the guard of the royal palace in Linlithgow, Scotland, hoping to bribe the chief of the guard to tell the whereabouts of the Queen of Scots through heavy bribes. Sadly, she does not have royal blood from Scandinavian countries, especially the Danish royal family. Otherwise, perhaps she will become Margrethe II, and let the fact of the alliance of Denmark, Norway and Sweden continue to exist.

At this time, Isabelle, who appeared in the wrong country and at the wrong time, was sitting leisurely on the lookout of the stern of the "Nemesis", chatting with the palace guard about status, land, money, and other things that worldly humans wanted most. Glancing at the captain of the guard with a glass of fine wine, he spoke calmly, "Sir, in fact, the affairs of Scotland and England are very similar to those of the kingdoms of Scandinavia on the other side of the North Sea, do you think?" ”

Sir Andrew Melville frowned and snorted softly, "Madame, I don't know anything about this. However, I believe that they would not have allowed a devout Catholic queen to marry the son of a heretical king. ”

Isabel laughed, "Sir, don't you know the fact that Martin Luther's Protestant ideas have spread to the nations of Europe and the Isles of Britain?" ”

The Captain of the Guard had little knowledge of the origins of the Reformation, and simply believed that Scotland should be ruled by the Scots. She looked at Isabel with blazing eyes and said calmly, "Madam, I don't know. This is their business, not Scotland's. ”

"Sir, I don't deny that what you say is true. However, I want you to know that the Scottish aristocracy doesn't care who the queen marries, they just want to get the benefits from the queen's marriage. ”

"The benefits? What do you mean, ma'am? ”

"Just as you value your position, your status, and your power, the nobles think all day long about how to get more land and money. After all, poverty is an ironclad fact that the Scottish people have faced for centuries. ”

Sir Andrew admits that Isabelle's words are correct. However, he was merely a knight who owed allegiance to the Scottish crown, and the ideas or decisions of the royal family represented everything in his mind. Sir didn't argue any further, just looked silently at the rolling North Sea.

Isabel smiled lightly, "Sir, think about it. When you need to talk to me, I'm always there to give you good advice. With that, he put down his glass and stood up to leave the aft lookout.

"Wait, ma'am, I... Can I ask to speak with a nobleman? Sir Andrew said at the right time.

"Aristocrats? Well, it looks like I should get something for myself too. Standing in the direction of the stern staircase, Isabel silently stared at the ocean and thought to herself. Then, gracefully turning to look at the chief guard, "Yes." However, you must admit that it is with my assistance that you are willing to negotiate with the nobles. ”

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After sailing at a constant speed for about a day, the Nemesis slowly entered the port of the River Tweed in the eastern border town of Berwick, England. Although the voyage had taken less than a month combined, Captain Hawkins and his sailors had gained half of their fortune out of thin air—the property of the plundered Scots.

Before returning to Berwick Harbor, Captain Hawkins invited Isabel to the captain's cabin. As the two spoke, the captain expressed great gratitude for her generosity, "Madame, your generosity proves once again that you are a fine, wise, and elegant noble woman. However, I dare not trade to accept your gifts. ”

Isabel smiled lightly, "Captain, is this your opinion or the opinion of your crew?" ”

Captain Hawkins pondered and said more formally, "Madam, I am the patriarch of the Hawkins family, and my opinion can represent the opinions of the members of the family and the sailors hired by me. ”

"However, your sailors also bravely participated in the plundering and resistance of the Scots. So, this is the honorarium that your sailors deserve. "Isabel certainly doesn't forget what the captain's sailors did when they came ashore, and without their assistance, she and her squad wouldn't have easily plundered a lot of treasure.

Captain Hawkins listened to her in silence before simply shaking his head, "Well, ma'am, it seems that I must accept your opinion." However, I will not accept a 20% honorarium and a 30% honorarium if I ask for a share. ”

At this time, Isabel took out her new plan. After taking a sip of wine, he said calmly, "Captain, don't be in a hurry to refuse my gift. What I'm trying to say is that I need you to use this money to build me an armed merchant fleet. ”

When Captain Hawkins heard this, he immediately became a little excited. Hurriedly stepped forward and whispered to Isabel through the official desk, "Madam, are you going to lead the fleet to sail the Caribbean Sea again?" ”