Black Sail
Chapter 142: CXLII. Unquestionably Distinct Through the Ages

Chapter 142: CXLII. Unquestionably Distinct Through the Ages

Pirates detest privilege the most.

Onshore or offshore, it’s all the same.

If someone gets infuriated at sea and ends up burning ships, everyone involved gets put through the ringer with a "Chuunin Exam," sent off with a "Water Escape Sea Waterfall" burial.

The same applies onshore—create a hierarchy, strut around like some damn official; how is that supposed to win anyone’s respect?

All outlaws on the Western Continent have a tradition of fighting against the nobles, along with a particular emphasis on equal rights. The culture leans toward heroics—after all, no one wants to be seen as a despicable rat, they need to justify their actions. Anyone who dares to tamper with the pirate code will lose their head, especially among themselves.

After deciding to take on a tough job, Liszt also planned to set aside between five hundred to a thousand Golden Dragons. He wanted every single one of his subordinates, from top to bottom, to go wild—overindulging in brothels and gambling for a week. Once the standard of consumption was raised, could it be lowered? Everyone got equipped with Berserker charms, and then they would take down Boss of Heaven Port once and for all.

The core members only opened two rooms, and those who should sleep on the floor did so.

But Liszt had other intentions as Captain, arranging Rein, who was beyond normal, in another room and stuck three suckers in there with him.

He stayed in a quieter, more respectable room with Swan, Fen, and Claude.

"Please go ahead."

"No, you please."

"Please, after you."

Liszt and Claude exchanged courtesies, with Liszt even using formal language and giving up the remaining beds to him.

Fen, who couldn’t stand watching any longer, quickly decided that he and Swan would take a bed each, leaving Liszt and Claude to sleep on the floor.

"Now that getting to Aran isn’t an issue, we need to decide where to settle down, where to make our move, and how to escape."

Fen spread out the map—it was good to decide on these things early.

Unlike Rein who was messy and dirty, only bothering with his appearance when returning to Heaven Port or needing to play a part—in the outside world he could go months without a bath. The three had made their decision; he needed to take a shower in the bathroom to ensure his stealthy assassinations were not impacted by his smell, lest someone catch a whiff and start stabbing at the ceiling.

There was no need to order servants to bring up hot water in such a damp, humid place; a blast of cold water from the pipes would do just fine.

The three of them sat on the ground and discussed their route.

Once they entered Aran, the two guide brothers from the garden district would naturally leave.

Liszt stated he needed to visit the Southeast Province first to see a Great Noble named Sefer, to take possession of something called the Junlin Sword.

So it seemed that these Great Nobles were really just bored out of their minds, unable to utilize what they collected and still obsessed with it as if money grew on trees.

Furthermore, Liszt had a lead on another Junlin Sword. Marcus mentioned it before his death, and he clearly knew something about it—it had to be hiding somewhere within the Eternal Sect.

Three swords altogether, Liszt didn’t know what effect it would have. After all, just one was terrifying enough, touching it meant certain death, without exception.

"If it’s about collecting that thing, then we have no choice but to go."

To say the tough job wasn’t stressful would be a lie. Fen would have been extremely cautious in the past too, but now each step was a risky venture. Whatever strength they could gain was valuable; he planned to acquire some precious materials to execute Great Skill, just in case.

Fen examined the map intently, his fingers tracing across it in rehearsal.

"Then we’ll split forces. The ’Abstract’ Captain can take half the crew to the Southeast Province, and I’ll lead the other half to this spot."

Fen pointed at a location roughly twelve hundred miles from Chenxi Port, who was near the end section of the general railroad track—a medium-sized city called Yunxi City.

"Why the need to add the word ’abstract’ anyway?"

Liszt was speechless.

Fen ignored him and went on with his explanation.

"We’ll wait for you in Yunxi City to join up and for the trial operation to launch. During this period, I’ll conduct field inspections and formulate strategies based on the situation. This is hilly terrain, with forests too; it’s most suitable for robbery. Too complex a terrain offers hiding places but also traps, and too open a space leaves no room for maneuver and exposes us easily. This is also in the southern half of Aran, making a quick escape back possible. You go to the Southeast Province first, then come here. There is enough time. Within Aran, supplies are ample, and horses can be changed constantly. Don’t consider fatigue, and travel day and night."

Fen placed his hand on the map and deduced further, looking for other locations, but in the end found Yunxi City most fitting.

"What do you think?"

Fen sought Liszt’s opinion.

"If it’s General Fen’s idea, then naturally it couldn’t be more brilliant."

Liszt didn’t give his own opinion. The other person used to write textbooks, so he was surely more knowledgeable than himself.

"Then it’s settled like this. It’s better to split into two groups; fifty people are too conspicuous. We must decide on the right people."

Fen closed the map. Such matters should be decided by Liszt.

"Of course, you must go first, along with Claude, Shadi, and Rein. There might be battles coming up here, so I need to bring Mika. Although Swan is not as good as Claude, he is quite familiar with Aran. He can also directly help us move things along. We must take Morison, or else they’ll all fucking die on the road, and you won’t wait for anyone."

Liszt made a quick decision.

After weighing things, Fen also found it quite reasonable. The whole plan for the first stage was more or less like this. For the second stage, the robbery strategy would still have to be discussed. They still didn’t know the exact location of the railway tracks, as well as the speed, security forces, and so on. They had to wait until after the initial trial operation inspection to make further plans.

But generally, they couldn’t linger long. Once done, they had to leave immediately. Everyone was a wanted criminal, and in Aran, eyes were everywhere. They had to quickly return to Heaven Port.

Issues with the Thief Guild and the Dragon were also unresolved. There were troubles both inside and out.

After the discussion was over, they promptly turned off the lights for sleep.

However, in another room used by the core members, the situation was completely different.

The lamplight flickered.

The atmosphere was deadly serious.

It was as if the entire universe had been extinguished in this room, leaving utter silence. All that remained were endless sighs and despair.

Even the sound of heartbeats and the flow of blood could be heard.

"Do we really have to do it?"

Even Morison’s throat rolled with fear. The current Mika...could only be described as divine!

"Divine! Kami yo!"

Shadi was scared into uttering otherworldly words.

"It’s too frightening! There really exists...such a powerful man!"

Rein couldn’t comprehend; only this man could carry the title of Immortal Emperor. He simply couldn’t understand Mika’s state of mind.

As the stars burst and the universe overturned, only he remained. Invincible in this world, yet in the end, he could only reminisce. Watching beauties age and turn their hair white as snow, souls returning to the dusty earth. Watching friends fall throughout the years, lying in their graves; perhaps only at that time would he reach a corresponding state of mind.

Do you think you have the strength to split the ages with one sword strike? But another way to put it is, do you have that most critical strength? One sword to sever the ages, each age a cycle of reincarnation! How many strong ones exist between the waves of time, within the rising and falling of eras? Can you withstand them, can you slay them? Even if an era produces only one living being, it’s still difficult to overcome!

But Mika was different.

Gazing into the future, all was chaos. Turning back, there was nothing but void behind him.

Only he.

Could decide the fate of ages.

Mika decided! The Sub-dragon people’s energetically spirited Maid!