Black Sail
Chapter 36: XXXVI. Heavenly Punisher and Moon Wheel Knight

Chapter 36: XXXVI. Heavenly Punisher and Moon Wheel Knight

The situation had completely eased.

The Earl’s family found that the matters had been settled, the gloom on their faces dispersed, and they began to handle the cutlery with meticulous manners.

Morison ate from start to finish, never stopping his fork even when things had been tense; though Liszt was nervous, he was a reliable person who never dropped the ball when it mattered most. He knew there wouldn’t be any trouble.

Swan also took his seat. Aside from other matters, the official members of the Thief Guild were well-funded and had seen much, thus they had limited interest in the lavish spread of dishes.

The atmosphere had relaxed, and the Earl had even arranged for a musician to play the violin nearby. The volume was suitable as background music to soothe the mind without interfering with normal conversation.

"One of them is a high-ranking official from the Judgement Court of the Holy Spirit Church,"

The Earl had not finished speaking.

"Wait... is it from the Gion Kingdom?"

Liszt couldn’t help but ask.

The Holy Spirit Church was a religion widely distributed across the Western Continent, worshipping thirteen Holy Spirits, with the worship of Wave and the Storm Saint Spirit being prevalent along the East Shore, which also constituted the main deities of the coastal regions.

Comparatively speaking, the Holy Spirit Church was a very mild Sect, with fewer madmen than other religions in the Western Continent that twisted people into darkness—like "Miracle of Suffering," "Holy True God," "Mourning Monastery." Liszt was somewhat afraid of those people, not because of a risk of death, but because they were sinister, which was unsettling.

Depending on the region, the doctrines of such a large Church like the Holy Spirit Church varied significantly. Religion often carried a strong social service nature, and even within the same religion, the doctrines could change according to the local political ecosystem, just like how one religious Sect on Earth split into Catholicism, Protestantism, and other forms.

The original Holy Spirit Church had very strong universal values, advocating customs and internal logic that were very sophisticated, allowing a civilization to develop in a benign cycle.

However, in the Gion Kingdom, it was different; it had become a political tool of the Gion King. The Demon Hunters of the Holy Spirit Church there were incommunicable and uncooperative. If they targeted you, there was no good ending to expect.

The adage about being chased by a snail if you had a billion epitomized classical unfeasibility—not that there wasn’t money or snails, but those who came to kill you were the ultimate madmen, engaging in bizarre rites rather than straightforward killing.

Thus, Archer, who had come into conflict with the Gion court, was terrified upon hearing that a Demon Hunter had arrived.

"It’s not from the Gion Kingdom, it’s... from within Aran Country, the Heavenly Punisher Caroso."

The Earl called over a servant and also lit a high-quality cigarette.

The Aran National Church was prestigious, allowing national freedom of religion, and also allowed other religious powers to establish churches and proselytize, as long as you paid the rent—it was all negotiable. The Emperor was a formidable figure who had once proclaimed that the Eternal and Time Dragon was generous and inclusive of all gods.

So, as the Emperor, this magnanimity was truly terrifying. The Eternal Sect, from being a second-tier religious force, had leaped to the top tier across the Western Continent, becoming the most venerable Church that everyone was willing to believe in.

"Have you heard of this person?"

Liszt had not heard of him and asked the other three.

Fen and the others all shook their heads.

"It’s normal not to have heard; the people from the Church Court don’t like to show themselves."

The Earl explained.

Liszt gave Morison a meaningful look. The moniker ’Heavenly Punisher’ sounded explosively formidable. It was unknown if Morison could withstand it.

Morison ate heartily, unfazed as if the protective detail was of no concern to him.

"The Heavenly Punisher is a position,"

The Earl commented with depth.

As Fen ate, he pondered some matters within Aran territory. Though unaware of this person’s reputation, he had a slightly clearer picture of the VIP they were to escort.

"And the other person?"

Liszt asked.

"This person is widely renowned, a Heroic Level adventurer, who hasn’t joined any adventure group, and is a lone wolf. You must have heard about him, the Moon Wheel Knight, Goria."

Earl said calmly.

Liszt gasped, as a Heroic Level adventurer was only one step away from Hall-Level, making him a truly noteworthy figure. Wait... Goria?

Liszt clenched his fist.

Although he hadn’t met the person himself, idle adventurers had spread word that he was a character full of substance.

"A woman?"

Fen interjected, almost instinctively.

"Is there a problem?"

The Earl questioned, having named both guards. The next step would be to finalize the details.

The Earl had already ordered the fine wine from the manor to be opened and poured into the tall glass in front of Fen.

"No."

Fen sipped his wine. Having women on a pirate ship was taboo, but if the woman could defend herself, it wasn’t too concerning. If she couldn’t, robust men on board, hungry from their last meal turning into growling stomachs during a dull voyage, could certainly spark evil desires. Minor issues might cause disturbances, and you never know who might force themselves in some corner of the ship; major issues might lead to secret fights among the crew, possibly even leading to death.

Since she was the Moon Wheel Knight, there shouldn’t be any trouble. Lustful hearts may exist, but not courageous ones. The three-week journey to Heaven Port wasn’t too long, and there were brothels at the stopovers for those who became too desperate.

"All upper echelon."

Liszt considered that Heavenly Punisher would only be stronger than Goria, never weaker. Since adventurers were hired, the genuine personal guard had to be tougher.

"How do they rendezvous? Do they come directly to the secret port or what?"

Fen asked about the specifics.

"They won’t stay at my estate. The meeting point is towards the southwest of Londen City in Lavender Town. They will be at a cottage near a lake five miles to the east of the town, very recognizable. It is a luxurious property I use for holidays. It’s best if you go there in ten days and wait to take them to the secret port. Don’t hesitate, just set sail for Heaven Port directly. As for the contact person in Heaven Port, they will inform you."

The Earl explained it again to the group of four to be safe.

Fen memorized all the key points—Lavender Town, five miles east, lakeside holiday mansion, in ten days.

"That’s good." Liszt knew this was a do-or-die job, far from as easy as the Earl had made it sound, "The final payment being a privateer certificate is certainly an irresistible offer, but since it’s the last payment, from now on, we brothers are at risk of dying at any time."

The Earl smiled, clearly understanding Liszt’s point.

"The deposits will also be paid in installments. Starting tomorrow, I will send someone with a hundred Golden Dragons to your ship every day until the tenth day when you send someone to Lavender Town. This is today’s portion."

The Earl clapped his hands, and the butler took a beautifully crafted small box from the servant, opened it for Liszt to see, then quietly closed it and placed it in front of Liszt.

Even Swan, who dealt most extensively with treasures, was astonished by the Earl’s lavish expenditure. These were not copper coins, nor silver coins, but Golden Dragons. A single Golden Dragon could provide for one person’s basic needs for half a year.

Fen also showed interest, this was record-breaking, surpassing Black Sail’s most lucrative haul of over nine hundred Golden Dragons. Those earnings had led the crew in Heaven Port to live a life of reckless indulgence for half a year, nearly turning them into invalids.

Morison was still just a foodie.

"Earl... really straightforward. I’m at a loss for words. Deal, I’ll drink to that first."

Liszt raised his glass and downed it in one go.

Even if it pained the Earl’s eldest daughter, since it truly was the best wine from the estate, a collectible item that could appreciate in value and fetch a high price at auction, it was indeed an irresponsible use of luxury.

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