Black Sail
Chapter 296: CCXCVI. Negotiation

Chapter 296: CCXCVI. Negotiation

The registration was very successful.

This mission was too confidential, which is why they sought an outsider—a Hall-level adventurer, Thousand-Armed Shura, and Chuan Che—for secrecy and a reliable assistant. It was also to have someone else take the blame in case of exposure; he was the mastermind, thereby preventing hostilities with the Emperor. In a strict sense, the Dragon Lady was considered personal property stolen from the Emperor.

Of course, Chuan Che himself was unaware of Lostra’s malevolent intentions.

The Dragon Seeking Team came from the official intelligence department of Lostra, headed by a woman named Celeste, as arranged subtly by the higher-ups.

Perhaps considering the need to kidnap the Dragon Girl, having a maternal aura seemed more reliable.

But that did not mean Celeste was just a figurehead.

Celeste and her team were rigorously selected from Lostra’s secret departments, never having revealed themselves to the outside world; Celeste was the leader of a newly established special group.

Trained in Lostra’s modern methods, whether in written exams or practical assessments, Celeste was a standout performer, having delivered perfect results in several political assassination missions.

She had black hair cut above the ears, deep blue eyes, and a slender figure. Her tightly fitting clothes under the cloak were slightly provocative. She might seem like an innocent from Heaven, but she was more terrifying than a billion murderers.

As a professional, the first step naturally involved assessing the environment of the task and the discrepancies in the intelligence.

Obviously, it was damn far off; the data had indicated that Black Sail was merely a notorious violent gang in the East Sea, but now it seemed they had set up a stage, supported by the veteran Turbid River Dragon and local bigwigs, with allies everywhere, flourishing like the midday sun.

And Celeste made a fatal mistake.

The anti-imperialists within Aran had provided a humanoid portrait of Fafna, but even the highly skilled painter had never seen Fafna herself. Additionally, at this time, Fafna had concealed many features and, like a hamster, was continually eating snacks, dressed like a pirate’s patchwork monster, and didn’t look at all like the Dragon Lady.

Even when she was right in front of her, Celeste hadn’t recognized her.

She still had much to do; the original plan was extremely simple, so simple that there wasn’t even a need to stir people up—find the local boss, Doringger, pressure him directly, get the goods, and leave immediately.

But Liszt was insanely bold; the scene on the island made it seem like he was running the East Sea, and this plan clearly wouldn’t work.

However, there was no worry, as there were many backup plans. As a professional, she had considered all adverse factors.

Being a female intelligence officer had many advantages.

"Look, we are also a Gold-level Adventure Group. When we get to the island, if there are any valuable resources, everyone will fight it out, and we’ll be a main force. I would like to talk to your Captain... no, Black Sail Company, right? I want to talk to your boss, Liszt."

Of course, infiltrating and gathering information was the most convenient approach.

As a spy, Celeste had learned various musical instruments and cooking skills and was naturally adept at seduction.

On the island, where most were spoiled goods, the pirate handling the registration had never seen such a scene; this woman was not only flawless in appearance and physique but also had a sweet singing voice, causing him to nearly drool as she winked, and he got so excited that he almost raised a flag.

Word for word, I am owned by this woman in the tight clothes!

"Unfortunately, our boss has already gone out to Iron Soul Island. Tell me what it is, and I’ll solve it for you."

The pirate said with a foolish laugh.

"Is that so? Then there must be someone in charge here, right?"

Celeste paused for a moment, then had a plan in mind. Her team was undercover and unexposed; she would leave Chuan Che and three intelligence officers on the island to monitor the situation while she disguised herself as a Gold Seeker heading to the New Continent to find Liszt.

As long as she could hold Liszt hostage, all her problems would be solved.

"It’s a pity, the Gold-level Adventure Group is indeed strong, but it’s not quite enough for Black Sail. You people, if you want to talk to the manager, do you have any notable achievements to show?"

Fen hinted at this and came down to inquire.

Sometimes, an adventurer’s rank couldn’t entirely determine their level. Some people still held the title of Gold-level adventurer but were far beyond their peers; for them, being an adventurer was just a part-time job to make a living, keeping a low profile and being rather sophisticated.

Fen tried to find any loopholes.

But Celeste responded fluently, fabricating a series of non-existent Magic Beast subjugation and escort missions, how many bandits she had killed, even complaining that all countries were following Aran’s lead in railway construction, claiming that the escort business was a sunset industry and she might even turn into a horse bandit someday, emulating some unknown extraordinary gang to rob trains.

Fen was thinking of asking her to repeat everything backwards, but after deeper consideration, he dropped the idea. When lying, even if the fabricated lies are intricate, questioning in a disrupted time order will definitely lead to confusion.

True memories are fragmented, retrievable from the brain at any time and randomly pieced together, whereas concocted events follow a fixed sequence. Even a well-trained person, caught off guard like this, could get flustered.

Not to mention in an interrogation setting, no one can lie.

Ben was also a professional from the Thief Guild, and his skill points had not yet been reset. He was no less capable than a special agent.

If questions were forcefully asked now, it would rather scare the snake by hitting the grass.

"Indeed, those are impressive achievements. Please head upstairs, you can ask our general manager."

Ben spoke calmly.

Five minutes later.

The signboard girl served wine to the thoroughly travel-worn group.

Due to the light from the window, Fen’s monocle highly reflected light, giving him a somewhat terrifying look in the dimly lit second floor.

Celeste was also secretly alarmed. This was the Necromancer from the wanted notice, the first officer of Black Sail.

"It’s quite rare, to have a woman in charge in an adventure group dominated by men. I mean no disrespect, it’s just a bit fresh."

Fen spoke unhurriedly, perhaps Ben overthought it; these people really were bona fide gold seekers, all appearing to lack decorum, similar to Liszt.

"Really? You underestimate me. Can I smoke here?"

Celeste asked Fen.

"Of course."

Fen called the signboard girl to bring an ashtray.

Celeste took out a cigarette box tailored for ladies from developed areas, placed a cigarette between her red lips, and fumbled around her body as if unable to find a match. But as she opened her cloak, the corset wrapped around her waistline showcased a wonderfully curved figure.

Fen remained unmoved.

Celeste knew how to use small interactions to close the distance.

"Could I borrow a lighter?"

She asked casually.

Fen still called his subordinates to fetch some matches.

Celeste was dumbfounded. Could this man be impotent? Were there such boring pirates?

"No need, just remembered I know a bit of magic techniques myself."

Saying that, a small flame burst from Celeste’s slender fingertip, lighting up her cigarette, and she began to puff out smoke.

Fen was speechless. Such a tacky social maneuver; back when he was in the Warlock Council, countless high-society ladies threw themselves at him using every trick in the book. He was already immune to such antics.

He coughed twice and cut straight to the point.

"We do indeed categorize gold seekers here by levels. Some bottom-level adventurers, we opened up about it—are just free labor. But for high-caliber individuals, we offer attractive conditions and formal employment, even providing free medical care that you won’t find inland."

Fen continued calmly.

"Free medical care?"

Chuan Che, who had no intelligence training, tried his best not to speak to avoid drawing attention, but those four words were explosive.

Only the armies of established power nations dared to offer free medical care, and that only within military ranks.

It should be noted that in about sixty to seventy percent of the Western Continent, they still relied on the almanac and holy water methods.

"Yes, as long as you are employed by Black Sail Trading Company, considering the hazardous nature of the work, injuries can be immediately treated. Moreover, if you stay with the company even for one day, other illnesses such as colds, tuberculosis, dysentery, and more are also covered."

Fen mentioned this just as a starter. Mika was counted among those with very high medical skills, managing to secure an official position in Aran, a place suffocatingly heavy on ancestral lineage, achieving a hard-fought personal turnaround was no easy feat.

However, Mika alone clearly couldn’t take care of so many patients. The hospital was just getting set up and was still waiting for Mika’s training.

"If I may be direct, aren’t you from the Triad Gang?"

Chuan Che was stupefied.