The Shadow of Great Britain

474: Chapter 257: At Your Command, Your Majesty (4K6)_3 474: Chapter 257: At Your Command, Your Majesty (4K6)_3 The attendants, seeing the King lose his temper, could only try to placate him gently, “Sir, Marshal Gambier had already shared your glorious deeds with us this morning.

He also said that your performance in battle was extremely brave, and even the great General Horatio Nelson had high praise for you.

I remember he wrote in your naval review report that at your post, your performance exceeds that of most people.

But this is not a time for war, Your Majesty.

We are here merely to watch a play, there’s no need to risk rallying the audience with a pre-war mobilization, is there?”

Upon hearing the attendants mention Nelson’s name, King William IV couldn’t help but sigh, “Ah…

Nelson, if he were still alive, Gambier would not have become the Marshal of the Royal Navy.

If I had to serve under anyone on the ship, it would only be to turn the wheel for Horatio Nelson.”

As he was speaking, Sir George Elliot, a Royal Naval aide specially appointed by the Royal Navy, suddenly raised his hand and pointed to the pair of colorful flags hanging below the second-floor box, “What do you see there, Your Majesty?”

King William IV turned to look at the chain of flags, his previously melancholic mood instantly swept away.

The sailor king clapped his hands and cheered, “Good!

Good!

Dare to display that pair of signal flags, it seems that young man from Scotland Yard must win today!”

Following the King’s turn, the audience also noticed the pair of colorful flags that had been hung up some unknown time ago.

Audience members who had served in the Royal Navy couldn’t help but stand and join the loud cheers.

In their applause, the remaining audience finally understood the meaning of the two chains of flags.

The upper set embodied the Royal Navy’s purpose and combat creed—engage the enemy on sight, England!

The lower chain was Horatio Nelson’s last order before his death, which is now the Royal Navy’s decisive battle signal—England expects every man to do his duty.

In a wave of cheering, the atmosphere in the theater became increasingly heated.

Arthur, who was on stage making final confirmation of the dueling site, suddenly saw Sir George Elliot waving at him from beside the King.

Upon seeing this, Arthur merely took off his hat and smiled gently.

Sir George Elliot, leaning over to whisper to the King, informed, “Your Majesty, that is today’s duel protagonist—Inspector Arthur Hastings.

I had the honor of meeting him at General Cordington’s banquet.”

“So he knows Cordington?” King William IV laughed, “In that case, he must certainly understand the meaning of those two chains of flags, right?”

Sir George Elliot, smiling, replied, “I think he should.

You might not know this, but he has also been part of the Royal Navy operations in high seas pursuits.

Captain Fitzroy of the Beagle had said that his skills in boarding combat are no less than those of General Edward Rotherham.”

King William IV, hearing this, was considerably enlivened, and he asked, “No less than Rotherham?

Isn’t that an exaggeration?

I have seen Rotherham’s swordsmanship in action, and in the entire Royal Navy, only he has the ability to engage a battleship with just an escort ship.”

Sir George Elliot simply smiled and said, “I don’t know if it is an exaggeration.

But as you have seen, the decisive battle flag signal has already been displayed, and you know what that signifies in the Royal Navy.”

At these words, King William IV laughed heartily.

He took off his Sword of Honor and lifted it high, yelling towards Arthur on stage, “The battle order has been issued, and I do not require you to bring back a ‘Santa Anna’ like General Rotherham, but if you defeat the Paris Sword Saint…

young man, this sword will be yours!”

With that, King William IV wasted no further words and directly hung the gleaming gold-plated sword, studded with rubies and diamonds, beneath the royal portrait behind him.

King William IV patted the finely carved white marble wall behind him and loudly declared to all the spectators in the theater and to Arthur on stage, “Young man, just as you have seen, the sword is hanging right here.

If you’re capable, just come and take it!”

Upon seeing this, Arthur simply smiled softly and, amid the gaze of the audience, knelt on the stage and responded loudly, “At Your Majesty’s command.”