Black Sail
Chapter 135: CXXXV. Kaizi

Chapter 135: CXXXV. Kaizi

Aran Imperial City.

Belonging to the Eternal Sect, the building complex for clergy residences in the religious district was impeccably clean. The sacred white bricks and eaves were uniform in color, complemented by vibrant trees, lawns, and climbing plants. The well-ordered and uniform architectural style of the houses gave the appearance that this place was indeed a sanctuary.

A single-bedroom apartment in a six-story building.

Sharon took off her black nun’s hat and yawned incessantly, carelessly tossing the piece of "rubbish" to the floor as if discarding trash.

She was in no mood to cook.

The weekly pilgrimage and hymn singing that day had left her drenched in sweat. Having just got home, she collapsed onto her desk for a brief rest, not daring to lie down on the bed for fear of falling asleep until dawn and disrupting her biological clock.

Working at the Church Court, there was absolutely nothing to do during slack times, but once it got busy, the array of activities was overwhelming and the work seemed inhuman.

She didn’t have any true devotion to the Dragon Lord, but she needed to eat.

But these days had been very busy, as the cargo steam train had already proved its value. Operating for over a month between the Imperial City and Chenxi Port, it had resolved the issue of goods piling up at the port and increased throughput. In the long run, the profits were incredibly promising.

The trial operation for the passenger train was already scheduled, and it was estimated that in a month, some nobles would be invited to experience this novel invention.

Although steam trains had just been created, the concept of the Magic Energy Industry had long existed in this world, with some precision machinery being powered by Magic Energy and even the existence of mechanical automatons.

Aran Imperial City was far more magnificent and grandiose than any city in Sharon’s homeland.

The noble families had long since abandoned oil lamps. Fluorite could be used for illumination, but recently William and his associates had been mass-producing sodium lamps with asbestos covers and glass casings for gas discharge, and their business was growing steadily.

The New City Industrial District was being planned.

The expensive and resource-consuming Magic Energy Industry was not widespread, only a few could enjoy its benefits. However, these ubiquitous cheap materials could be extensively used in civilian fields, greatly enhancing the national power of Aran.

But every issue has two sides, and the operation of the trains meant mass unemployment for adventurers—those mercenaries who used to earn their living by escorting caravans were no longer having good days.

However, in Aran, the negative impact wasn’t that severe. Although the military and police were rampant in Aran, the security was undeniable. Even though there were gangs and violent incidents, they were covert in nature. Neither the Thief Guild nor the underworld dared to act overtly.

In relative terms, Aran was the most peaceful country, without those lawless fanatics who dared to kill people on the streets, especially in the Imperial City, beneath the Emperor’s feet.

Speaking of which, it had been so long since the letter to Liszt was sent, yet there was still no reply. Whether it had reached him was unknown, but surely the adventurers hired by the Guild should be reliable.

Recently, the atmosphere within the Sect was extremely strange. Ever since the Priest, who was on good terms with her, attended the "Epiphany" ceremony, there had been an endless string of meetings every day.

Indeed, something major had occurred.

Although the Emperor had completely opened up Aran and allowed positive religious influences to preach within, it was impossible for the Eternal Sect not to feel threatened. The Judgement Court had existed since ancient times, filled with fanatics—Priests canned up in heavy armor, and recently, it seemed like there were more and more people from the Judgement Court around.

Sharon just wanted to live a peaceful life, praying that nothing would happen to involve her.

Although Aran seemed peaceful, it was a bona fide wartime situation—Aran was just in an advantageous position.

Sharon flipped through her schedule, as in some time, she would have to go to the train station to carry out some inexplicable religious ceremony.

In short, she had to place charms on the train, as only with the Dragon Lord’s Blessing could the wheels move on the rails; she might even encounter those traitors.

"What are all these issues, eh?"

Sharon found it all just absurd.

William and his group had already discovered her. Currently, their influence was limited, and the Mysterious Wizard had no reason to stir conflict with the Church Court over her alone.

But if their status continued to rise, the Wizard paying greater attention would slowly put her safety at risk.

She just hoped that Liszt’s reply would come soon, so that Sharon could make the right choice—to confront the Church Court or to seek a new path, because she had already been exposed.

Seven days later.

Due to the influence of ocean currents and monsoons, traveling from Heaven Port to the Empire was much faster than returning to Heaven Port.

This is also considered an advantage of Heaven Port, which isolates it from the world and forms its own independent system.

Liszt’s favorite stopover and supply point, Kersuna Island.

Due to the urgency of time,

he only stayed for one night this time, opting to purchase all supplies at high prices off the shelf, avoiding the usual pre-order routine. After the sailors quickly finished their dalliances, they bought everything in stock, dragged it aboard, and set sail immediately.

Now time was the most precious commodity, so he decided not to follow the old route along the East Shore. The original U-shaped sailing course turned into a mirror-image of an L.

He would head straight to the Southern Wetlands’ Red Tree Bay Shore, to find an old acquaintance of the Turbid River Dragon there. He’d have a few well-known friends guide them through the wetlands, past two tiny countries the size of a palm, and directly to Aran.

Liszt never liked to be on the losing end and felt that paying such high prices for the goods was somewhat painful, so he had to find a place to make up for it.

Inside the Admiral Mansion’s office.

"The two of us, after so many years, we’ve been through life and death together. I’ve killed so many people for you, shared the hardships, and contributed even more. Now I’m just asking to borrow some money, and you actually turn your back on me, denying our friendship. Whom can I even talk to about this?"

Sitting in the chair, Liszt’s expression was as outraged as it could be, a picture of betrayal.

Since he wasn’t here to beg but to cause a commotion,

he brought Archer along.

"Fuck, what kind of crap model is this? It falls apart the moment you touch it."

Archer had broken a brand-new ship model without a hint of regret, and continued to forcefully pry open the deck to see if the internal structure was just as exquisite.

The Admiral’s face turned green with anger, wondering what sins he had committed in his past life to deserve someone like Liszt. With no shame at all, every time he came by, he had to fish for benefits, else he’d threaten suicide, willing to take everyone down with him. A real pain in the ass that you couldn’t chop up or cook away, the kind of sticky plaster you can’t tear off once it’s on.

Liszt’s negotiating tactic was basically a kamikaze: regardless of whether the negotiation was successful, he would come in strong. If it didn’t work out, so be it, since he wasn’t really going to blow up anyway—it was all just to scare you.

"How much do you want to borrow?"

The Admiral forced down his rage, asking calmly.

"Uh... seventy Gold Dragons."

Liszt rubbed his hands together, appearing somewhat shy.

The Admiral exploded on the spot, slamming his fist on the table. That figure was simply outrageous, almost to the point of driving a man insane. So apparently, you want to recoup the money from the last rescue mission and also make a profit of four more Gold Dragons, huh?

"How can anyone be as shameless as you?"

The Admiral clenched his fists, his tolerance wearing thin even for someone of his stature, his face flushed red. Liszt was treating him like a sucker.

"Ah... my brothers can’t eat, look at this man, starving to the point of brain damage. I’m borrowing from you, not demanding it. I will pay you back."

Liszt spoke earnestly.

"Pay back? Paying back in fifty years is still paying back, even if it’s in the next life, right? It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but you can take these ten Gold Coins, I’m out of the rest."

The Admiral seriously considered calling in the Firearms Team to finish these two off.

Liszt simply started singing, making up the tune and lyrics on the spot. Without any real skill, it was all just a cacophony.

"Admiral, a so-called hero—deceived all the common folk—conspired with pirates—such injustice can’t be tolerated; a sinner beyond redemption—"

Liszt even clapped his hands to keep the beat.

The Admiral was thoroughly convinced and handed over the money honestly.

Liszt weighed the coins in his hand, roughly counting the amount, not bothering to count precisely.

"Next time I come back, I might talk to you about some trade business."

"Big brother, I’m begging you, please don’t come back, okay?"