Black Sail
Chapter 103: CIII. Banquet at Hongmen

Chapter 103: CIII. Banquet at Hongmen

Inn’s second floor.

Black Sail members were dining.

Although it couldn’t compare to Archer’s court level cuisine—a fairly standard dish from the Western Continent, fried pork chop with truffle rice—it was delicious enough, with the pork chop golden and crispy and the truffle juicy and toothsome, the rice grains plump.

One might even say it tasted better.

Because it was cooked by a girl, which wasn’t the same as having a man cook.

Whenever Archer was around, no matter how tasty, the appetite somehow seemed lessened.

Liszt calculated the time.

The round trip to East Shore took over a month, and messing around in Aran with the grand robbery would take another month or two. Upon returning, it’d be just in time for the New Year.

That New Year’s meal, followed by fireworks, watching some local festival programs on the island, would strengthen the bond with Dragon Lady right after the small festival.

Wasn’t that practically becoming a family to conquer the world?

Additionally, Liszt felt it was quite strange because Goria didn’t eat in her room but specifically came down to have dinner with him.

And she kept asking Dreya various questions.

"Where is your wife from?"

"A little country, with a super long name, I’ve forgotten. It’s right on the border next to Lostra and Gureg."

"And her hobbies? What does she like to do for fun?"

"Uh... reading, I guess."

"Did you guys really get married or is it a sham?"

"Hmm?"

Liszt was baffled by all this, but even his slow senses picked up some hints. After the women went out together yesterday, something seemed off about Goria.

He suddenly understood everything, slapping his thigh—it seemed his damage meter was full. After being threatened by the main wife yesterday, the thrilling effect of a precarious situation filled up his favorable impression gauge; this was gathering intelligence about the enemy. Isn’t this strategy already complete, ready to move on to the next step?

For an adventurer, what a stroke of luck to snag such fate.

"Girl, it’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just inconvenient here. After this is all wrapped up, you’ll come with me to Aran, and we..." Liszt leaned towards Goria’s ear, whispering, "will be the fugitive couple, thieves across the world."

Before he knew it.

Liszt had made his move, although Goria’s swordsman’s hands were somewhat rough, they still felt as smooth as jade, the skin taut; plus the boost from the charm, it was almost overkill.

He hadn’t even thought about it—if Dreya and Goria got together, all the better. Dreya, that mad woman, couldn’t leave him. Wouldn’t that mean... double the happiness?

Goria’s eyelid twitched, shocked. How could Dreya fall for such a scumbag? Was she blind? And here he was talking about being fugitive spouses.

"So, it’s a sham marriage, right?"

Goria smiled warmly.

"That’s right, just partners sharing our lives..."

Liszt wanted to add more.

A servant came to report that someone was outside, but Old Wei had stopped them. It seemed they wanted Liszt to head to the western city’s frozen meat warehouse for a discussion.

Liszt frowned.

Meat products are incredibly valuable and worth storing as Spiritual Material. The frozen meat warehouse in the west of the city is an industry owned by Boss of Heaven Port.

However, Boss doesn’t actually manage it himself; he just casually assigned a few lackeys to watch over it.

Often, it serves as a meeting place for all the factions on the island to discuss matters.

It’s a stage set by Boss, where the lowest pirate gangs solve their issues without ruining the harmony. If these tool-like pirates start fighting, Boss will make less money.

"Everyone, damn it, not another Sworn Enemy Feast."

Liszt wolfed down his meal; now was not the time to pick up chicks. With the New West Continent stirring up, thirty thousand Kagomes, thirty thousand Gories, what’s a few tens or hundreds more?

He could certainly guess what it was about.

It’s just some trifling territorial disputes; look at these unambitious fools, just eyeing the bit of meat on the plate.

Yesterday’s decisive action, chopping off legs on the spot, probably scared the crap out of them, letting them know he meant business, so they had to intensify their challenges by calling a meeting.

"Have Old Wei bring that person up."

There’s no way Liszt would personally receive an invitation; a mere messenger boy didn’t merit his attention.

In no time,

A slick, accountant-looking man arrived on the second floor, sensing the amiable gazes from Wolman, Morison, and others. He felt tense walking into the danger zone.

"Captain, some pirate gangs and some elder uncles from the Inner City, they invite you to the old place in the west of the city at eight tonight to discuss some matters."

The messenger hesitated a bit and didn’t dare say the words "do not be late," fearing for his life.

Which one on the island isn’t a ruthless killer? Compared to other factions on other islands, the Black Sail rapidly climbed to such heights because they were even more ruthless.

Liszt was too nice, not executing the messenger, counting on him to go back with the message.

"Really? Which people?"

Liszt casually asked while pretending to clean his ears.

The young man listed over ten names as if reading off a menu and continued reading.

"Ah, forget all this garbage; they’re all useless. This guy here," Liszt pointed at Morison, "can take them out in one stroke. What’s there to talk about? Are the leaders like the Undead, Twin, and Skull Club there?"

Now in the East Sea Domain, it’s not just the Black Sail; there are other dominant pirate groups too, all mature enough to transform if they have the chance.

The most powerful pirate groups are not just a rabble thrown together but formed from fractures within mainstream organizations: Knight Orders, adventure groups, Defeated Soldiers, persecuted former nobles.

These people are the real brains, more organized, and stronger in combat.

The Undead Pirates, of course, are all living people, but their leader is a fierce character—a Great Knight framed by court nobles. On the day of his public execution on the Guillotine, his awe-inspiring charisma made his friends in mainstream society drop their work and his brothers in the underworld show support. He dramatically escaped the execution scene, hence establishing the Undead to not shame the collective support from everyone. Despite being exiled overseas, they await chances to return to the mainland to clear his old disgrace.

Twin Pirates are led by twin siblings, bureaucrats from the Aran Military, but with their careers ruined by a loss in battle, they struggled far and wide to make a name in the East Sea Domain.

Skull Club, on the other hand, is a very muddy organization. It has pirate ships but that’s only half their operation. They love engaging in dubious activities—the other half of their business operates on the island, refining hallucinogens to sell elsewhere and extorting protection money. Their combined wealth is quite significant.

As for other groups, like Ice Beast King and Wild Tiger among heaps of others, those grouped by various countries and races, although also powerful, Liszt looked down upon.

"They’ll all be there, all attending tonight."

The young messenger answered respectfully.

Liszt was silent, annoyed, but no matter, he never cared much for just the protection money anyway. Still, money had to be collected, at reduced rates...

"Alright, I got it, I’ll be there tonight. You can go now."

Liszt thought this was a good opportunity to seek potential allies for bigger purposes—who the hell can really play around with just Heaven Port?