Black Sail
Chapter 253: CCLIII. The Show Begins

Chapter 253: CCLIII. The Show Begins

The next day.

At six in the evening.

Only two hours remained before the party at Doringger’s grand, luxurious estate.

Black Sail Inn, sixth floor.

Inside Liszt’s private room.

Dreya was helping him with his clothes, adjusting the collar, fastening the cufflinks, and also sizing up Liszt in the full-body mirror.

The banquet two hours later was of great importance.

Now no longer a nobody, he was a big shot who would confront Doringger on equal terms, so naturally, he couldn’t wear ratty leather armor to the banquet. Respect starts with your attire, and if you dress shabbily, you’re not qualified to attend this meeting.

Liszt only cared about one thing: appearance.

He must outshine everyone fiercely, especially Doringger—in attractiveness as well. This was not to be compromised.

A spotless, pure white tailcoat, impeccably tailored, appeared to be welded to Liszt’s body. His trousers and boots were also white. Those in the know would understand he was a pirate; those who didn’t, would mistake him for some noble, an idler with nothing better to do than to dress up for social appearances.

Dreya was not as carefree as Liszt. She claimed to have not prepared any New Year’s gifts, only buying some stylish clothes for her sisters.

In reality, she was aware of Liszt’s plans and knew he needed a proper outfit. Over years of battles, she knew not just his measurements like shoulder width, chest, and waist; she could even get the size down to the millimeter.

She had already chosen high-quality fabric in advance for the tailor to make a suit that perfectly fit Liszt’s dimensions.

His beard, which he had previously trimmed unevenly, wasn’t fitting to be completely shaved off, so Dreya meticulously groomed it for him—less than half an inch in length, perfectly suiting his face shape.

Liszt’s hair hadn’t been cut in half a year, but Dreya personally took care of it, cutting it to a moderate length, just reaching his ears, and used pomade to comb it back.

Having transformed into a stylist, Dreya examined Liszt in the full-body mirror. He looked completely renewed, to the point that she almost couldn’t recognize her own husband. It was difficult to say if the clumsy thief ready for a heist was more charming, or if this man, with a hint of a bandit’s presence, was more imposing.

Although his outfit leaned towards that of a distinguished figure, the scar across his face still betrayed a fierce brutality.

Dreya also sprayed some perfume on him.

"It’s about right now, though I look like I’m dressed up to be sold, seems a bit foolish."

Liszt might say so, but in reality, he was preening in front of the mirror, feigning a sultry look. Such an outfit had to be worn sparingly, reserved for special occasions—it made him feel utterly alienated from the masses.

He aimed to take down Doringger, not for anything else but to provide welfare for the islanders and his peers!

"Aren’t you the one who sold yourself to me?"

Dreya rested her chin on Liszt’s shoulder, and to be honest, she didn’t support his ambitions to usurp Doringger’s position. She was more than satisfied with their current life, with a happy family and no money worries.

She even yearned to set sail while they were still young, to travel the world together. Despite the dangers her identity posed inland, not just from the Church but also from Demon Hunters, he was worth it.

But then... Liszt wouldn’t be Liszt anymore. He was a man of principle, with his own ambitions, not some drifter living under her wing.

She constantly explored ways to extend life, longing to be by his side forever, not waiting for him to turn into a pile of bones one day.

"By the way, I picked this up on my way here, for you."

Liszt rummaged through the drawers and pulled out a beautifully packaged jewelry box, tossing it casually to Dreya.

Dreya opened it and was momentarily taken aback.

Swan had stolen two priceless treasures from the Thief Guild, but these items belonged to Black Sail’s core members and couldn’t be touched by Liszt.

Of course, he had certain Captain’s privileges.

On the train, there had been many jewels and pieces of jewelry to plunder. Among them, Liszt had taken a platinum necklace that could be considered an exquisite piece, far from mundane. Intricately set with white moonstones native to Gureg, it held substantial value.

"You found it on which road..."

"I was just strolling around when I saw it. Okay, it’s about time. I need to find Brenda and have a chat with Doringger. Don’t worry, there won’t be any bloodshed tonight."

Liszt pointed to his own head, indicating that today’s duel was not one of fists but of emotional intelligence, or rather, it would be more fitting to call it a test of character.

"Help me put this on."

Dreya spoke calmly, lifting her blood-red hair to one side, revealing her white and smooth nape that resembled the sheen of suet jade.

"Sure."

Liszt unfastened the necklace, looped it around Dreya’s neck, and then secured it.

"Does it look nice?"

"Don’t even go there. Definitely don’t pull that ’beauty unaware of her charms’ act on me, or I’ll fry you right now."

"..." Dreya’s lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something more, but after hesitating for a moment, she simply said, "Come back early."

"Uh-huh."

Liszt shook his neck, producing a series of crackling sounds from his bones, and found a silver-plated cane to complete his look. However, he swung it like a man who had just picked up a straight stick, and left the room.

First floor of the inn.

Swan quickly applied the Disguise Technique on Liszt, giving him an ordinary face that just needed to get past the guard, and then be revealed at the banquet to surprise Doringger.

The core members of Black Sail were also ready to go. Ben had already moved ahead, having infiltrated the castle.

They couldn’t bring too many people, either. Even as a member of Reggae Defense’s board, who brings a dozen or twenty attendants? Fen, Shadi, and Morison were sufficient company, each of them having been given new faces by Swan’s Disguise Technique.

Their attire was also rather meticulous: all dressed in formal wear, complete with vests, striped trousers, and pocket watches—really looking the part of high-end individuals.

"This getup is going to be the death of me."

Morison felt extremely uncomfortable in this outfit, feeling like a male escort.

"Remember, do not start a fight. Whoever throws the first punch loses, as this isn’t a game of violence and killing anymore. It’s a game of... ideology."

Liszt spoke earnestly, mainly for Morison’s sake. He felt uneasy without him, fearing Morison might cause an explosive scene.

"Okay, it’s almost time to head to Brenda’s. With her status, Doringger will send a carriage to pick her up personally. We’ll all get in the carriage and go together; surely Wen Kui and Qi Li are already waiting there," said Fen, urging everyone to hurry as time was pressing. The others staying outside must also stay vigilant. Even if they weren’t expecting bloodshed, they couldn’t let their guard down and had to be ready at any moment.

Twenty minutes later.

Brenda, dressed in lavish attire, waited in the lobby on the ground floor of the inn for Doringger’s carriage. She was wearing a magnificent black evening gown that showed off her elegant back, creating contours and curves like forbidden steps under the entwined black ribbons.

Yet she wore a scowl, for this would be the most humiliating banquet she’d ever attended.

Qi Li, once a Great Knight of the Imperial Guard, was also dressed to impress.

Upon seeing Liszt and his companions arrive, Qi Li almost didn’t recognize them, only identifying the odd white Zor amongst them.

Liszt too recognized Qi Li and Wen Kui by Brenda, as they had already changed their appearances that afternoon.

"Holy shit, you guys are going all out with this?"

Wen Kui immediately felt like an idiot, the only one who had come in his usual manner, wearing a shirt with two holes and oil and blood stains on the cuffs. As a supposed bodyguard, attire didn’t matter.

"Er..."

Liszt realized Wen Kui was really just plain and honest.

In any case, the three-party alliance was there. Let the show begin.

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