Black Sail
Chapter 258: CCLVIII. Duel

Chapter 258: CCLVIII. Duel

Even Boss’s people didn’t expect the sharpest question to be raised right at the beginning, damn, was this person blind?

A server whispered a few words to Doringger, informing him that this group was from Reggae Defense.

This was an arms company with a sales network spread across the world, so they indeed had the audacity to ask such a question.

The question was so pointed that no one dared to overstep and answer on behalf of Doringger.

He had to do it himself.

"You’ve misunderstood. The island is a free market. They are my friends as well as my clients, so there won’t be any foolish actions. Once this place becomes a pioneering holy land, with countless vacancies, transitioning from bandits to legitimate merchants will be a stroke of good fortune."

Doringger’s smile was warm and calm, neither joyful nor angry.

Taylor was listening to every word. It seemed as if the situation was almost set in stone. Doringger wanted to clean up his act but didn’t want to give up power and maintain a governing status. Where in the world could you find such a good deal?

However, he still wanted to see Doringger’s attitude towards his three fencing leaders. Doringger had to give them some power, it was just a matter of how much.

If they couldn’t agree, a war would start.

"So, what about the sales from before; will they enter a formal market?"

Taylor asked this, but what formal market was there? Without the black market, there would be no stolen goods, and he would be cut off from income.

Of course, Doringger wasn’t stupid, he had also spoken privately with the three of them before. A big meeting for small matters, a small meeting for big ones.

Taylor and another fencing leader demanded the sky and even hoped he would release shares. After all, their foundation was cut off; they wanted a substantial share in the New Continent. It was natural to play vague at first and delay, but agreements with the last leader were in place.

Once all companies had invested tonight, the general trend would be set, and victory at hand, the two would have no choice but to accept his terms.

Doringger thought Taylor and the other would know better and back down. Having accepted tonight’s invitation, they should be softening their stance. Were they turning tables midway through?

He also set forth an ultimatum.

"Now we are all in a formal market, and everyone here holds significant status, standing in the sunlight. Everything from the New Continent can be shipped back the fastest routes to bless the continent for future generations."

Doringger wasn’t afraid of Taylor causing trouble. You have fleets and experts, but your adopted son... is not on your side. He has already had tea at my residence.

This speech was quite sophisticated, calming the hearts of all corporate representatives present. If there were no follow-up, then paying and investing here to establish a subsidiary would be set in stone.

Doringger clearly meant to cut ties with the island’s community.

Even so, what waves could the pirates of the inner and outer cities stir? Doringger never took them seriously, just miners.

"I have some doubts. If it’s all formal markets, then Heaven Port is bound by international law, and there’s legal jurisdiction. With the Cross Alliance arriving, those pirates, not wealthy or noble, can’t redeem themselves with hefty sums like the rich. The people here are clean, but those desperadoes are all murderers. How can they become merchants? Isn’t this pushing them onto the guillotine?"

Liszt knew that his chance of becoming Boss was now at thirty percent.

He originally planned to make up price differences and grab channels to gather the island’s support. Now, it seemed he could skip that step.

The pirates were already standing with him.

Because he charged a lower protection fee, he had some support, but not much. The island’s merchants still feared Doringger, but I’d completely waived the security management fee, not asking for a penny. How will you respond?

Qi Li and Wen Kui would not turn against him over this.

The grand theft was not for nothing. I provide for you, you protect me.

All of Liszt’s confidence came from the robbery, which not only allowed him to get close to an influential figure like Taylor but also to find reliable allies.

Allies bound by interests are the most solid.

Heaven Port didn’t have right or wrong, just the cold-blooded Triad Gang.

The many guests present were shocked, wondering if this person had taken the wrong nerve.

Doringger pondered for a while and made a hand gesture to a subordinate. He understood this person was not here to do business but to stir trouble.

But as a dominant figure, of course, he couldn’t tangle with thugs.

"This is a situation everyone hopes for. Why are you doing this?" asked a Peak Competition Captain, now on Liszt’s side.

"Hehe, a ten-year loyal fan, showing up uninvited!"

Liszt directly removed the mask made by Swan, revealing his true face. First was the disfigured face, then a Dark Elf with albinism, and finally, a former professor from the Pedan National Arcane Academy.

Wen Kui also took off his mask without much thought. To have money is to have a father, and to have milk is to have a mother. Although he let Liszt boss him around in public, interest drove him; he had two to three hundred mouths waiting to be fed. He was one of the few pirate groups that favored loyalty, following Boss to ensure good living standards.

Qi Li hesitated for a moment. Showing his face now clearly aligned him with Liszt, but there was still room for maneuver. With so many people depending on him, pulled from the execution ground by justice in the past, he couldn’t push them into the fire pit.

He, too, had removed his mask.

The Twin Group and Skull Club had already been annihilated, and Iron Soul had defected to Doringger.

Now these three pirate gang alliances could be said to represent the union of all pirate forces outside the castle.

His true face was revealed.

The orchestra, which had been playing, went completely silent, overwhelmed by shock.

The surrounding guests all stepped back since these men clearly looked like damn pirates, either scarred or disfigured, and even if unscathed, their faces were cold-blooded.

Before coming to Heaven Port, they had done their homework, learning which individuals to be wary of, and these ruffians all matched the descriptions on the warrants.

So, killing the family in Blue Bay Port was just a monologue you were performing by yourself, huh?

Black Sail, Undying, Wave Suppression.

The guests were terrified, and representatives of some serious companies could no longer keep calm, being in close contact with the world’s most vicious people, how could they not be frightened? They quickly asked Doringger to call out the guards.

Doringger’s appearance was calm as a still well, but in his heart, he was already quite indignant. The deal was as good as done, an inflow of funds was a settled matter, but now they had to come and disturb the proceedings.

Brenda too stood a bit farther from them, afraid of getting splattered with blood.

In the extravagant and luxurious banquet hall, the upper-class attendees in silk robes and fine satins were now facing the most primitive and savage confrontation.

"Liszt... The representative of Reggae Defense, don’t worry. They brought you in by force. As the host, we will definitely provide you with an explanation."

The Peak Competition Captain had already drawn a firearm, seemingly to show his loyalty to Doringger.

However, some of Doringger’s other competent subordinates did not think the same way. The former General of Beima, standing two and a half meters tall in Heavy Armor, and Mo’er, who had been so confident before, were now facing a changed situation. With Taylor and another big shot, plus the three houses including Black Sail, they could bite it off, but it would cost them an arm and a leg.

Even so.

Doringger still showed no expression. They must not strike. To take the posture of discarding allies after achieving his goals at this moment would pit himself against everyone. Although it would not be a problem, when a lion fights a rabbit, it still uses all its might.

"Put it away; it’s a day for celebration."

Doringger said calmly.

The man was stunned but had no choice but to put away his firearm and retreat to the back.

Doringger then sported a slight smile.

"My apologies for startling the distinguished guests, that’s on me for being negligent. I plan on February 2 to invite many pirate gangs from the island to hold a Captain’s Congress to decide on the allocation of affairs. Captain Liszt, I’m afraid you remembered the date wrong and came too early, causing a misunderstanding. For many years, I have been very grateful to my island peers. In the New Continent, we share our good fortune together, and investments are welcome in the free and regular markets. At the Cross Alliance, my word as Doringger carries weight."

He said this in a nonchalant manner.

Even his former generals and Mo’er beside him were taken aback.

Not to mention Taylor and Liszt.

Liszt felt a chill crawl up his spine; this man was the most troublesome enemy he had encountered in his pirate career.

Now, he had become the villain.

"My apologies to the representative of Reggae Defense. Go prepare some gifts to deliver."

Doringger ordered a subordinate, then continued to supplement.

"Captain, please, my financial manager will take you to a side room to explain the situation. I’m very appreciative of your contributions to Heaven Port over the years. I’ve reached this point today with benevolence and righteousness. Not only can you make investments, but I am also willing to employ you at a high price, and the other two as well. I am deeply grateful."

Doringger called out a beautiful financial manager, who gave Liszt a graceful smile.

The same old trick.

Like with all the captains who had made it into the peak competition in the past, meant to be tamed like dogs.

For him, no problem that could be solved with money was a problem. He also measured that Liszt did not have the ambition to vie for his position.

Making money is making money no matter where it is.

But he was wrong; Liszt was unlike all the captains before him. He didn’t want money.

Sweat emerged on Liszt’s forehead; feeding back to the public, the world’s affections belonged to Doringger.

If it had been half a year ago, he might have really fallen for Doringger’s scheme.

But now...

You must die, damn it! If you don’t die, I can’t live!

He was preparing to make his big move.