Black Sail
Chapter 199: CXCIX. Astalia

Chapter 199: CXCIX. Astalia

Shadi, Swan, and the other able-bodied leaders supervised the pirates as they counted the money. Given the immense amount, there might be those tempted to hide some for themselves.

The profits from this heist far exceeded the estimated ten thousand Golden Dragons.

Only the eminent nobles had a place on this trip.

Honor nobles without actual power and those who had fallen from grace should not even come close.

These noble ladies competed with each other, not just with the many pieces of jewelry they wore. In the carriage, they also brought jewelry boxes, for wearing the same jewelry every day seemed poor, and they could use it to match clothes of different colors.

Bags filled with jewelry.

And of course, every noble also brought their spending money, at least two to three hundred Golden Dragons for lavish spending at the final stop and various expenses during the journey.

Bags filled with Golden Dragons.

"With this money, everyone would be hit by a large truck."

Morison forced a smile, even though he had never seen so much money before, it still broke Black Sail’s record by dozens of times, and it was doubtful that this record could ever be broken again.

Fen and Liszt went to the rear-most private compartment. Although the First Officer of Black Sail had gone through a fierce battle, seeing one bulging sack after another filled him with joy, yet that chilling smile seemed more like a twitch of facial muscles.

"How conservative an estimate do you have?"

Liszt asked Shadi.

"For the jewelry and some expensive mechanical watches, it’s hard to estimate, but if we’re counting just Golden Dragons..."

Shadi extended a finger, gesturing a three and then a two.

"Is it damn thirty thousand or twenty thousand?"

"Thirty-two thousand."

"I asked for a conservative estimate; did it have to be so precise?"

Actually, Liszt was somewhat stunned as the amount far exceeded expectations. This money could be termed astronomical; even the wealth of the Count of Londen seemed insignificant in comparison now.

This was already the financial equivalent for a mid-to-upper class noble family in the Beima Duchy, of course including the value of all lands and immovable properties.

Speaking of just the available cash, no one in Beima Duchy, and perhaps even in Aran, could now rival his extravagance.

He had truly become exceedingly rich.

Shadi noticed Liszt’s dark expression. How could this abstract captain not look happy on such a good occasion?

He was unaware of something major at the end of the train.

Currently, only Rein, Morison, and Liszt knew.

Liszt thought it best to consult with Fen and gather ideas, especially when he heard Rein slashing that woman’s throat.

Liszt’s blood ran cold; he knew when to stop, not going off on another tangent by playing with a kidnapping. After settling things with that woman, all the nobles should go where they were supposed to, and they should immediately roll back to Heaven Port.

"Got something to tell you."

"Go on."

"The last carriage, there’s a VIP, we might have tangled with someone we shouldn’t have."

"No wonder you look so upset, who is it?"

Liszt sorted out the relations.

In the Western Continent, many ancient families employed scholars to publish their findings on genetics research from the Northern Realm big prison, all to cement an unshakeable status and maintain strong influence.

The most influential, perhaps unsurpassed family had a very long surname.

Named Astalia, the full name of that woman in the last car was.

Alanee Astalia.

Her father’s sister, the current head of the Astalia Family, was none other than the Emperor’s consort, the Mother of the Realm, the Empress.

"Put it this way, the Emperor is her uncle by marriage."

Liszt clarified, speaking calmly.

Fen thought Liszt was joking and didn’t respond. After all, only someone as crazy as him could get into such a situation.

But after five seconds passed, Liszt, smoking a cigarette, showed no sign of joking.

Fen took a deep breath, his hands on a table, his eyes flashing with a trace of reminiscence.

Magic King.

He was the leader of the Warlock Council’s Tower Alliance.

And Fen had once been a member of the Council.

One minute later.

The two almost ran to the last private compartment.

Grim had suffered severe damage to his leg in a previous battle and was unable to move as he lay on the couch. Seeing Alanee escape from the crisis unharmed, he sighed with relief.

Although the blow had missed Rein’s heart and barely missed his lung, it still pierced through a rib. Rein, drawing on his experience as an adventurer, managed to bandage himself, yet his lips were pale and his condition was poor.

Liszt witnessed the scene.

"All Thief Guild members here are at your service," he announced.

Mimicking Aran, Liszt placed his hand flat on his chest and bowed deeply.

"This Werewolf dared to harm the lady’s precious body and deserves to be executed. However, punishing such evil lightly would not appease the public. Take him down and have him dismembered a thousand times!"

Liszt thus ordered.

Rein, stunned as if petrified, pretty much apologized.

With a grand gesture, Fen used gray ether’s arcane power from behind Rein to push him forward, whisking Rein away to be "dismembered a thousand times".

Alanee was baffled by this theatrics.

Liszt could not think of a better solution. This person could neither be kidnapped nor killed, and although there was no blood relation, he was the Emperor’s niece. Who would dare touch her?

Moreover, they had to leave within minutes. Only by gaining favor swiftly and showing he understood the situation, could he handle this overly prickly and complex matter.

"Thief Guild?"

Alanee knew about it, a notorious underworld bully, but such framing and scapegoating were rather crude, weren’t they, just ranting behind a mask?

Liszt truly could not find a way to balance the pros and cons evenly. If this girl couldn’t return home, it would spell big trouble, and if she did go home and complained to her elders, that, too, would cause serious issues.

Imagine if Alanee’s aunt whispered in the Emperor’s ear, and displeased, he thoroughly investigated the matter. That would truly be the end.

Liszt had imagined the worst possible outcomes of a debacle, but never thought it could flip in such a ludicrous place.

Sefer’s daughter had been released before action even commenced.

Liszt gave up on the idea of kidnapping and, after pacifying the girl, prepared to leave immediately.

After Fen took Rein away, he still felt uneasy.

After much deliberation,

he returned to the compartment and then removed his mask.

"My hair..."

Liszt held his head in his hands.

Black Sail.

Had been completely wiped out.

Five minutes later.

The carriage was filled with a lot of blood, severed limbs, and skulls.

"This place looks too evil; the money’s packed, let’s get out fast,"

Shadi ordered, staring intensely at all pirates to ensure everyone was accounted for.

"Didn’t the lucky omen come up again?"

Morison also monitored his group of desperadoes gathered from all over the world.

Each pirate carried a sack heavy with treasure, be it jewels or Golden Dragons. Scooping up a handful alone was enough to live a carefree life. Even though they were brothers through life and death, who could trust completely?

The faces of these twisted desperadoes trembled with excitement, their minds clouded by an intense euphoria.

A few strong pirates carried the injured, Gawain and Claude, while Princess Meredith cradled Yutong, with Izumi Yoswan carrying him.

Liszt and Fen had also returned.

It was now just after three in the afternoon, next they would dash desperately back to Red Tree Bay Shore, board the SS Fuma Keqing Revenge, and joyously celebrate the new year.

Liszt returned with a glowing face.

Here it was...

New! Heaven Port!

"Follow the tracks back, find Mika and the others, head home!"

Liszt was elated as he gave orders. A true man born into this world should live with spirit and fulfill his lifelong ambitions, to counter those chasing Fafna and the Thief Guild, he had to mix into even greater power.

The Warlock Council’s hounds had been chopped, next up was he himself, and...

Liszt’s facial scar throbbed faintly, the terrible vengeance was coming soon.

Morison was utterly confused, still unaware of what had transpired in the compartment.

For the nobles aboard the Pioneer, the afternoon nightmare was finally over.

But for Black Sail,

the real game had just begun.