Black Sail
Chapter 42: XLII. Special Inspection Team

Chapter 42: XLII. Special Inspection Team

Inside Londen City.

Although the Admiral had conflicts with the Aran Constitutional Soldiers, the proper etiquette required to welcome the Imperial guests could not be neglected.

Originally, according to the rules, they should have been arranged to stay inside the castle fortress, but the Admiral, wanting to steer the guests away from discussing the embargo, decided not to compromise on this matter. Thus, he paid out of his own pocket for them to stay at one of the best hotels in the city, the Dream Blue Hotel.

The Dream Blue Hotel offered a twelve-floor suite, the most luxurious one.

This was arranged for the capture operation.

Under the influence of the Aran National Church and the Aran Constitutional Soldiers, they selected a Priest and several high-ranking officials to form a special inspection team.

With thousands of troops, they grandly conducted the capture operation, chasing from the Aran border across the giant wall crevasse to the East Shore.

Besides Zahak, the head of the inspection team, nobody knew who exactly they were trying to capture. It was said to be a major fugitive, and they were ordered not to ask any questions.

Zahak stood on the garden balcony, taking in the view of the grand harbor of Londen City, where the bustling entry and exit of vessels were quite spectacular. The azure sea and the coastline dotted with orange trees against the clear sky painted a beautiful picture. Such a lovely place, yet it belonged to the Beima Duchy, truly a waste.

His hair was beginning to gray, and he wore a meticulously tailored Aran Constitutional Commander’s uniform. Immaculately white, unstained, with a red shirt tightly buttoned at the collar, black military boots, and leather gloves that bore the authority of a superior. His overcoat was merely draped over his shoulders. He was about thirty-five years old, with an extremely stern facial features.

The most striking feature was his sword, which, even sheathed, exuded a bloody mist between the seams.

Beside him on the sofa sat a Yisu person with aqua-blue hair, wolf ears, a pretty face, a tall figure, and long, straight legs, also dressed in a Aran Constitutional Commander’s uniform.

"Ah, speaking of which, I met an Elf in the lobby this morning, really heavenly. His ears were characteristic of a Dark Elf, long and narrow, but his skin was so pale, plus snow-white eyelashes, and eyes like roses, truly breathtaking."

The Yisu woman was infatuated, a pity that the man was too hasty at the time, and she felt it inappropriate to approach him, damn, it was almost overwhelming just to see him.

Zahak completely ignored her, as only he himself knew the significance of the person they were capturing. If this operation was successful, he would skyrocket in ranks, join the Imperial Guard, with the Emperor himself directly assigning his duties. He could even sit at equal terms with figures as prominent as Black Sword Netherflame.

"Any news yet?"

Zahak asked another figure, a Leopard Man standing a terrifying two and a half meters tall.

He had already squared away all the coastal town lords in this area, with instructions to immediately report any moored ships. An honest ship wouldn’t stop at those small coastal towns, and two thousand Golden Dragons was several times the worth of a small lord’s estate.

Personnel were also arranged in and around Londen City for a thorough search, and the Priest along with other clergymen were scouting the secret harbors along the coast. Caroso and his group had pursuers behind them as well, including high-ranking officers from the inspection team. Although the exact locations were unknown, the general direction was locked down, with a strategy encircled from both front and back in place.

This Leopard Man had once been the runner-up in the Imperial Arena, a title of extreme prestige and immense strength, who was handpicked by the Constitutional Guard to become a commander.

"We should be closing in soon."

The Leopard Man said absentmindedly, the capture all but secured.

Soon after, a Constitutional Soldier rushed into the room to report to Zahak.

"A message came through, they stayed at an inn near Luquan Town a day ago," reported the soldier.

"How far is Luquan Town from here? Is it generally in this direction?"

Zahak asked sternly, what he needed was not outdated intel, but their current approximate location.

"About one thousand seven hundred li away," the soldier replied.

Zahak thoughtfully stroked his chin. They could cover about three hundred li a day. Once they prepare to set sea, it must be around here, possibly three to four days’ travel to this location. They won’t escape.

"So, have we narrowed down the area? Through which towns might they pass to reach Londen City next?"

Zahak continued to inquire, as it was useless to tire out the forces without precision.

Next, the Constitutional Soldier listed out over ten small town names, including Lavender Town.

"What uselessness, we’re still holding up nearby, waiting for a message from over there."

Zahak instructed.

"Yes."

The Constitutional Soldier responded respectfully, then left.

"You, go to the mansion of the Admiral in Londen City again and demand that he implements the instructions of the Constitutional Soldier Commander’s letter, a total embargo."

Zahak thought the Leopard Man would be more intimidating, so he sent him.

"Spare me, boss, this is ridiculous. Others won’t care about it. When I went this morning, they almost called the Firearms Team. If I go again, my life will be at risk."

The Leopard Man, with his sharp nails sharp, was adamant about not going again.

"Of course, I know it’s not possible, but we must put pressure on them. This time, say that the letter was also drafted by the Emperor’s order through the Commander. Even if he doesn’t implement it, it would still grant the greatest search authority, allowing entry into all civilian homes."

Zahak’s tone was cold.

"How about..."

The Leopard Man tried to object again, knowing this was a thankless task. He had thought of taking a trip to this foreign country to enjoy the coastal scenery, but ended up under a "stern and impartial" superior.

"This is a superior’s order, you know the regulations of the Constitutional Army."

Zahak was relentless.

"Understood, Commander."

The Leopard Man left the room reluctantly, calling two Constitutional Soldiers outside to join him for a show of force, as going alone would indeed be awkward.

Zahak’s gaze was fixed on the harbor, watching the dying sun, knowing that this place would eventually belong to Aran. The Beima Kingdom had already been downgraded to a Duchy, and within a few years, it would become the Beima Province. Not just Londen City, several non-freezing ports on the East Shore were extremely valuable, and if the Emperor were to develop them, they would be far beyond their current state.

"Caroso, Goria, and who else..."

The Yisu woman spread out her hand, examining her nails while filing them. Even though she was ordered not to inquire further, the superior had privileges.

She hinted to Zahak to reveal some information.

"This is not for you to question. You only need to know that if it succeeded, we all could join the Imperial Guard. That is not comparable to our current status."

Zahak turned back, his gaze cold, and added, "What do you think will happen if it fails?"

The Yisu woman was visibly uncomfortable under his gaze, sitting up straight and shaking her head.

"You two haven’t been here long and don’t know the rules of Aran’s political scene. You must be cautious and strategic, better to do nothing than make a mistake. A single failure could result in lifelong neglect or even losing your head. What do you think this situation falls under?"

Zahak felt these newly promoted officers were too relaxed, completely unaware of how the world worked. The apparent rules were one thing, but it was the actual operation that was the real rule. This carelessness could only lead to manipulation by others.

The Yisu woman was somewhat scared.

Since they would continue working together, Zahak didn’t speak too harshly but simply stated, "In the East Sea Domain, there’s a place called Heaven Port, a pirate’s paradise. If those three were allowed to sail, we might as well not return to Aran. All of you together raise six hundred Golden Dragons, buy a ship, and start plundering merchant ships here to survive."

"Is it really that serious?"

The Yisu woman widened her eyes, stood up, and couldn’t sit still anymore.

"This is the truth."

Zahak pressed on.

Not daring to delay, the Yisu woman left the room, calling several Constitutional Soldiers, ready to devote all her attention to the search.

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