Black Sail
Chapter 34: XXXIV. East Shore Professional Team

Chapter 34: XXXIV. East Shore Professional Team

"The guests I have invited, don’t cause trouble."

Earl coldly scolded.

"I’m worried these people are all bark and no bite, ruining the master’s big plan."

The trusted retainer replied strongly.

With a smile but no words, Liszt observed the retainer who even wore his iron armor with a great sword by his side during meals. He was definitely the Earl’s personal guard, and also an expert; qualifying as an honor-level adventurer wouldn’t be an issue.

Everyone was having a pleasant conversation. Was this trusted retainer finding displeasure for no reason? Of course not—it must have been an instruction from the Earl, wanting to test the waters one last time to see if they’re up to the task.

No need for any acting.

"Earl, let’s not beat around the bush, we’re all straightforward people. Let’s talk openly since the food isn’t served yet; we could even spar a bit. Let me show you with your own eyes that I’m not just all talk, I’ve got real skills. Your friend here is no match for these two gentlemen."

With his arms spread wide, Liszt, with General Fen and Brother Sha present, gestured to either one of them, both among the strongest.

"What do you mean?"

the Earl inquired tentatively.

"We could have a match."

Liszt gestured for Morison to proceed, though he still had some concerns. The area was narrow, which limited Fen’s ability to perform area damage.

"Since Boss hired me directly, it’s only fair I show some of my capabilities, but all my skills are lethal. If I accidentally cripple this dear knight..."

Morison stood up, unconcerned.

"A sword has no eyes, and the pain of flesh is inevitable. Agreed."

The knight’s retainer didn’t waste words and also stood up.

"In that case, I’ll let you make two moves."

Morison stepped back to a more open space behind the dining table.

"No need, just come at me."

The knight also retreated. His boots positioned shoulder-width apart, knees bent slightly, holding the hybrid great sword, whose blade shone brightly, forged with magic stones and emitting a faint blue-green glow.

"Really..."

Morison, lifting his cape, revealed an arsenal that caused a slight pause in the knight, but it was fleeting.

Two throwing knives were already hurtling toward him, the sound piercingly intense.

The knight, with superb reflexes, saw them as mere throwing knives and used his sword to block, the wide blade intercepting both.

But the force behind the knives was terrifyingly strong.

Though the knight’s stance wasn’t broken, the metal boots scraped backward half a meter from the impact.

Morison let out a cold laugh.

First, create a certain expectation—two knives blocked, what about three?

The knives, swift as illusions, made it impossible to see the throw clearly. After the burst of knives, Morison, like a ghost on the wind, charged in.

The knight still blocked two knives, feeling a tingling in his paws; how could such grenade-like strength be achieved? He dared not catch the third knife, turning his head to dodge, the knife pierced the wall, creating a large hole and stirring up dust.

Seeing Morison charging, the knight made a snap decision to discard the great sword and drew his broadsword for close combat; the sound of metal striking metal, sparks flew like a waterfall.

Morison’s dagger was weak, inferior to the knight’s luxuriously equipped Golden Dragon armory and showing cracks, about to shatter.

Always at an equipment disadvantage, Morison wore a lightweight crocodile skin coat that barely counted as armor, whereas the knight was clad in full steel.

Morison could have killed the knight then, with his new equipment giving him the upper hand, but considering he was in another man’s house, he ought to show some respect.

He reached for the knight’s neck with one hand but was fiercely gripped by the arm covered in arm armor, immobilizing him completely.

At that moment, Morison was at an absolute disadvantage.

Morison unexpectedly kicked his heel, causing a sharp knife to spring forward from his boot.

Though it seemed slow, the moment Morison flipped his cloak, it took less than three seconds. The strength, speed, and reflexes among skilled fighters were incredibly powerful.

It was unimaginable that such movements could be performed by humans. Using the force exerted by the knight who had grasped him, Morison shifted his center of gravity downwards, hanging his entire weight on the knight. He twisted his body at an odd angle, spinning halfway through the air. His toes kicked directly into the knight’s shoulder, which was holding the sword. The terrifying force of the kick broke through the armor, and the sharp knife penetrated the skin and burrowed into the bone.

The knight’s right hand lost its strength instantly, his broadsword dropped with a clatter, and he, along with his armor, heavily fell to the ground. Morison swiftly stepped on him in one fluid motion, as smooth as flowing water.

Morison pulled the knife out of his boot, and blood gushed out.

The knight... was instantly defeated.

The Earl and his family were stunned, never having seen such a tricky and bizarre fighting method.

"I apologize for the display," Morison said as he wiped the blood from his knife and kicked his heel to retract it, adding, "I have a fair understanding of the structure of most creatures, especially humans. The knife on my shoe hit his tendon, which caused the loss of strength. He needs urgent treatment, or his hand might become useless."

Liszt gasped in awe, thinking to himself how pretentious that was.

Yet Fen’s eyes flickered. Morison had never used his full strength before; his weapons, though numerous, were all assembled from scraps, as if he were challenging his own limits. This man couldn’t be underestimated, with such skills, where in the Western Continent could he not go? But having been with them for over a year, could he really just be a common man?

"I am inferior to him and admit defeat."

The knight was straightforward, standing up and conceding defeat reluctantly.

Soon, a doctor arrived and took the knight for treatment.

The small incident passed.

Liszt and the Earl chatted about everything under the sun for a while, discussing current political affairs like typical middle-aged men, which was utterly unenriching and just idle talk.

At that moment, the dishes started coming out on the long table, prepared by a master who had ranked in the top twenty-four at the Aran Food Festival. Regardless of the choice of ingredients, culinary skills, plating aesthetics, or the appearance, aroma, and taste, everything was impeccable.

All the dishes were extravagant, sparing no expense with ingredients from the sea, land, and air.

There was a grand dish made from large sea prawns combined with various other seafood delicacies, served with a light-colored sauce that was crystalline and transparent, and the flesh was so fresh and tender that it trembled as it was placed on the table.

These prawns weren’t available on the East Shore; they were a delicacy from the Inner Sea of the Western Continent, something commoners could hardly dream of tasting in their lifetime.

"Eating this could send someone straight to seafood Hell, right?"

Morison didn’t wait for the Earl to start, picking a piece of shrimp with his hands and tossing it into his mouth, which upset his stomach yet again.

"This friend has extremely impressive skills, where did he learn them? I should send my son to endure some hardships too."

The Earl, who prided himself on being knowledgeable about people, having hosted many skilled guests on his estate, had never before encountered someone like Morison.

The Count’s son chuckled awkwardly, knowing he wasn’t cut out for that.

Liszt was speechless, thinking, ’Sure, your son has the makings of a great emperor.’

"Well, studying alone isn’t enough, it depends on whether one has a tough... fate."

Morison replied nonchalantly.

Seeing that Morison was reluctant to elaborate, they didn’t pry further.

The atmosphere suddenly grew silent.

The Earl’s family had lost their appetites.

Only Morison continued to eat, while the others’ faces were gloomy.

Liszt knew it was time to get to the main topic.

"I heard from your son that this big task requires someone familiar with the East Sea Domain, but we don’t know the exact details. The sooner we know, the better we can prepare."

Liszt spoke straightforwardly.

"You’ll need to transport three people to Heaven Port. Someone will be there to meet you in a month, and once you hand over these three people to them, your job is done,"

the Earl calmly explained.

Liszt nodded his head, as expected.

"Who are these three people?"

That was what Liszt was most concerned about.