Black Sail
Chapter 35: XXXV. Transaction

Chapter 35: XXXV. Transaction

The Monsoon Cold Current from the East Shore pierced the bones by three parts, seeping into one’s skin and inadvertently giving rise to a slight chill, as several thick clouds covered the celestial lights, dimming the surroundings.

The Earl did not reply but gestured with his hand, indicating for the butler standing by to hand a letter to Liszt.

"Now, it’s not wartime, and privateer certificates are issued for free. In times of peace, they are worth more than gold."

The Earl also shed his previous politeness, revealing a hint of the oppressive presence of one with higher authority.

Liszt, of course, understood this principle—there are no eternal enemies, only eternal Golden Dragons. When war breaks out, the East Coast Governor must serve tea to the big bosses of Heaven Port, whose power belongs to the emergency reserves, also an advantage of the East Shore pirates.

If the Black Sail gang wasn’t comprised entirely of extreme cases, Liszt would have long ago mixed in the gold-ridden areas of the Inner Sea.

In peaceful times, a privateer certificate is akin to an imperial credential. Within the territorial waters of the Beima Duchy, one could do as they please. Even on international waters, one could freely capture trade ships from diplomatically alienated enemy nations. Should problems arise, the Governor and the Duchy would cover for it. Although the Beima Court is weakened now, a thin camel is still bigger than a horse, far from being a mere geopolitical sacrifice or a buffer state for strategic purposes. The somewhat stupid King may not raise a sword, but the secessionist nobles and powerful ministers within the court still wield their own.

With the East Shore providing economic support, the overall economy of the Beima Duchy isn’t too bad. The people might be turning into beggars, but the lords are still rich. However, the inland great nobles also feel a storm brewing, heavily taxing and directing all funds to the military—fishing with high voltage versus blasting with the scriptures of Leidi—it’s stirred up so much that there are too many fleeing from famine, all tenants who are insolvent.

On the Western Continent, there are numerous nations, but ninety percent of them are merely playgrounds for peak-player competitors. True contention still relies on a few old powerful nations and the mood states of the Western Continent’s most vigorous Emperor.

In short, the captains of privateer ships during peacetimes are now even more formidable than some lowly nobles with rubbish fiefs.

Liszt opened the letter and read its contents.

It was from Beima Xiaochaijin—Mr. Chai’s own handwriting—implying that it was of no concern on his part, merely something the Earl needed to signal.

The reason it was handwritten:

Because there was a red official seal on the letter, the family crest of Mr. Chai’s household, a rather majestic hawk.

Whether in the Beima Duchy or any place on the Western Continent, any woodworker involved in engraving must register at the Judicial Hall. Privately engraving a seal in the information flow environment of the Western Continent comes with two sentencing methods. If it’s a civilian commercial seal, one ends up eating prison food and getting sent off as a laborer; privately engraving an official seal, though, shows boldness. The Judicial Hall will not send ghost soldiers but law-abiding officials in the flesh.

Liszt didn’t waste words, knowing the letter was useless in his hands and still needed the Earl’s approval. He handed the letter back to the butler.

"We’ve already understood the Earl’s sincerity," he said. "But to know specifically who is being transported, we still need to understand where they come from. How would I know if it isn’t a royal family being transported, or if the pursuers are not the strongest experts from the Western Continent? You approached us, which means there must already have been a slip-up, a leak of information, and it’s not just about taking a boat to enjoy a trip to Heaven Port."

Fen believed that the Earl’s generous terms were intended to buy their lives to do the job, requiring a full and clear explanation.

The Earl tapped the table with two fingers and replied, "Firstly, it’s not the Royal Family, so rest assured on that front. Secondly, as far as now, there have been no slip-ups, they must have already crossed the great barrier and settled in the Midwest, traveling the imperial road at full speed, arriving in less than half a month. I’m just ensuring nothing goes wrong."

Seeing the Earl side-skirting the issue, Fen was not satisfied with the answer—it’s impossible to have no slip-ups, someone must be chasing them, it’s just a matter of the trackers finding out sooner or later. No matter how clandestine the operation, it didn’t need to be this delirious. They should have made the handover in Londen City, not run off to that haunted place, Heaven Port.

Seeing Fen about to speak, Liszt stopped him. Being a pirate and not risking your life, how could you call yourself a pirate? This deal was crucial for Black Sail. It was either continue to loiter around this wretched East Shore or roam the Four Seas and look down upon the world. If not from the Royal Family, then they had to be influential figures, whether sprung from a big prison or being some important person’s illegitimate child.

"I understand the Earl’s point. At the very least, reveal the origins of the two guards. Until the delivery is made, I won’t disturb these three gentlemen. They will have separate rooms and meals, and I will not inquire further. If that’s okay with you, we’ll take it. You know I’m a straightforward person. This is my final bottom line. If we can’t agree, I’m known for my honesty on the streets, and I’ll definitely keep the Earl’s secrets and head back to the Pirate Nest in the coming days."

Liszt said calmly. Once on board, they were at his mercy, but first, to gauge the capabilities of the guards could also roughly determine the status of their master.

The Earl furrowed his brows tightly.

Liszt and his party of three knew that if they could not make a deal, they would have to fight with the Earl. They couldn’t just walk away like yesterday.

Liszt decided to act a bit tough. He held two fingers to his mouth and blew a whistle, a covert signal within Black Sail. It wasn’t complicated: more than two seconds meant no problem; a short blast was a signal for direct assault.

Swan had been resting on the windowsill, but once they got to the main point, he climbed onto the ceiling.

Seeing Liszt putting on an act, initiating the signal.

Swan and Archer were as different as heaven and earth in emotional intelligence, knowing it was time to show some force. Swan descended from the ceiling like a ghost, silently landing between the Earl and his young wife.

The Earl’s wife, in the bloom of youth, screamed while clutching her chest. The eldest daughter and the Earl’s son at her side were so frightened they couldn’t hold their utensils steady, dragging chairs several spaces backward.

Ten trusted guards in armor stationed in the corner of the room clanked loudly and surrounded the group of four.

"Stop! Everyone back off."

The Earl halted the guards but was also slightly panicked. If this Tiger-man were to stab at him, less than thirty centimeters away, could these guards really protect him? He knew Liszt wouldn’t kill him, nor did he dare to. It was just a bluff. This tower of his and the secret port where their ship was docked were all his territory. Escaping wouldn’t be easy.

"I’ve long heard from Admiral Londen City that the most troublesome groups in the East Sea Domain aren’t those big pirates anymore. They all have big deals and are no longer involved with desperados. The most rampant now are a few bands of desperados who rose through brute force and ruthlessness, among them Black Sail is one, truly living up to their reputation."

The Earl remarked, not fearing Swan would harm him. Now that the talk had started, terms like desperado pirates were being used.

"Good deeds never leave the house, bad news travels a thousand miles. My brothers here rob the rich to help the poor. It’s just demonized by those rumors. So, success or not, the Earl needs to give us a clear answer."

Liszt lit a cigarette and began to smoke.

So, that’s why he was the Earl.

"Let this Tiger-man friend take a seat, and open two more bottles of the best wine from the estate."

The Earl ordered the butler nonchalantly.

Liszt relaxed. It was settled. Hosting a principal as collateral, there was no fear the Earl wouldn’t pay the final installment.