Black Sail
Chapter 498: CXXVII. The Sealed Dark Master

Chapter 498: CXXVII. The Sealed Dark Master

The last night at Kelor Highlands.

Outside the city, tents were densely packed, and campfires flickered with scattered flames. Firewood crackled, and everyone was tearing into meat and chugging down alcohol.

When departing from Heaven Port, only the most agile and formidable pirates were chosen. Regardless of race, whether Beastman or Yisu people, they were all muscle-bound. Any pirate with ambitions had joined.

Just like figuring out how to get a position in Aran, finding a role in Black Sail had become an essential skill.

Those with aspirations inquired about the fates of the pirates who had been absorbed by Black Sail in Londen City.

They found that Black Sail’s promotion system was quite reasonable. There was a tattooed brawny man who used to be a pure bandit living on scraps but now served as a polished mid-level manager. Due to the new city development plans at Heaven Port, even a one-eyed man had become a site supervisor, with many women clinging to him and people constantly bringing gifts.

Those who had served on the Black Sail Ship before were no longer just ragged pirates. As long as they were willing to risk their lives and contribute, this was a rapidly expanding organization without rigid hierarchical barriers. Rolling up their sleeves and giving it their all was all it took.

These pirates, who previously hijacked merchant ships and sold goods cheaply to Doringger, had never seen such a scene before. Taking a gamble, the retired, rancid soldiers from the Qing dynasty turned into alluring elf maidens in the city.

"Tears soaking the pig’s foot rice, swore to earn ten million."

Chuan Che blended in with the pirates, doing the same life-risking tasks, one meal uncertain of the next. Drinking with a group of Beastmen, he could already imagine Liszt taking him back to Duguli. Forget Cloud Palace; they would buy it outright, gather all the women into a troupe, bring Love Cut 48, and deliver them straight to his room.

Even though he was a Hall-level Adventurer, once one indulged in such luxuries, there was no turning back. Having seen the vast ocean, everything else paled in comparison.

Even Celeste found herself overwhelmed; this guy was becoming less reliable by the day.

She had already communicated with the logistics team of Lostra; the supplies for two thousand men would be delivered to Drifting City in a month.

"Also, inform the Director that by the end of the year, I will personally bring Liszt to express our gratitude."

Celeste said this, but in reality, if Liszt successfully completed this job, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau would probably be so pleased that he’d invite Liszt to spend the New Year at his home.

"Understood. I will depart with the logistics team tomorrow and immediately begin preparing the next batch of supplies."

The special envoy replied.

Having settled this matter.

Liszt felt immensely satisfied. Being such a hands-off manager, he felt exceptionally fortunate. Now with two external brains, Celeste on the outside and Glasses on the inside, all he needed to think about before the end of the year was marrying Su Yizhana.

"You had such a punchable face just now. You looked way too complacent."

Celeste said irritably, even though the logistics envoy had already left, and she double-checked the list of supplies to feel completely at ease.

"You don’t understand the situation right now. I’m in a position to sweep across the lands. That Crocodile Island army isn’t enough to defeat me."

Liszt dismissed the notion. With his dual swords fused, though fighting Doringger was a bit tough—it was a real monster—draining the blood from it and collecting the head for himself seemed doable. Now, he might not strive for the title of East Sea King, but Doringger had to kneel and offer him tribute, achieving victory without a fight.

Celeste’s expression soured as if she had tasted a lemon. Indeed, the Netherworld Servant’s impersonation of Liszt hadn’t been entirely convincing; it lacked this overbearing and idiotic momentum.

"He’s telling the truth. Surrounding the enemy without a camp is necessary now. The goal is to clear out Crocodile Island quickly but not to kill everyone, making Aran’s side believe the railway progress can continue swiftly, dragging it out till the end of the year."

Nashano chimed in, overseeing his assets’ safety. If Liszt died, Nashano’s lifetime endeavors would be in jeopardy. Finding another Junlin Sword Master, who only emerged once in several centuries, was no easy task.

"I hope so."

Celeste was somewhat puzzled. This chorus of agreements had left her scrambling as the captain; the carriage was ready.

What truly concerned Liszt was the Eternal Sect. Marcus’s superior was a top figure in the world three decades ago. Although the Emperor had crushed him like a dog, it didn’t mean he was easy to deal with.

"Last year in Londen City, I encountered some tough opponents. What were they called again? The Magic Pattern armor—can you get me two thousand sets for the final showdown?"

Liszt vaguely remembered the mines in Wind Breath Canyon, Major General of Aran Edmond, with extraordinary skills but not quite at the level of artistry, mainly due to his impressive equipment and Life Alchemy enhancing his dominance.

If I had two thousand Edmonds, where in the Western Continent could I not go?

"If you can pay, it’s possible to have the military industry department make them for you. But selling Heaven Port wouldn’t be enough, so what are you thinking?"

Celeste believed Liszt was daydreaming.

She continued explaining that the Magic Pattern armor was not only exceedingly expensive but also difficult to wear for ordinary people, requiring a strong structure load capacity.

The methods of enhancing physical fitness on the Western Continent were incredibly diverse and incomparable.

Only those who were already formidable could bear more powerful structural cores. Some Magicians even crafted personalized armor sets and named them, with costs reaching staggering amounts, and someone had to be capable of wearing them.

"Um, just tell me how much the cheapest set costs."

"Dozens of Golden Dragons. Of course, that’s for junk wearers, and such armor wouldn’t be very powerful. For strategic value, it’s better to mix in some magical alloy armor."

"I see. Well, I have a Magician. Let’s have Fen make me the most custom, badass set."

"You’re mistaken. It’s not necessarily the most powerful Magician who makes the best armor. Even a trainee-level arcane energy can be integrated into construction—a better experience and knowledge hallmark, not personal strength. Fen might understand, but he won’t compare with generations of craftsmen in the military industry department. This skill requires extensive experimentation and application. Only the state institutions can manage it. The technology is monopolized through violence, and any emergent talent must pledge loyalty to the state, or face dire consequences."

"Got it. What a freaking Atomic Energy Committee. I’m aiming to conquer the Western Continent. After I complete this task, get me the best architect from Lostra. Regardless of load capacity, maximize the strength, and make me a set of Emperor Armor!"

Liszt spoke decisively, feeling an eighth part of former dominion’s strength within him, able to wear any armor, Emperor Armor to defeat emperors in this Ganges.

"Sure, as long as you can pay."

"I’m liking you more and more."

Liszt pondered.

Even twin Kagomes and twin Kikyo wouldn’t satisfy his present stature.

As the Harem King, he needed to suppress all enemies, requiring a new Immortal Emperor Scripture. With a vast harem, like Shadi, but with a lack of class.

He had to ascend further.

Celeste, with her enchanting derrière—true to her name, this feature surpassed the extraordinary, unmatched in the world.

Alicia, with her beautifully sculpted back—she was a heavyweight, beyond any sculpture, with unparalleled ancestral back, invincible.

Once he collected the feet, hands, thunder, and beauty,

he could summon! Dark Knight Ecotia!

Each era’s unparalleled beauties, suddenly looking up, witnessed his silhouette amid brilliant sword lights, single-handedly rotating the sword hilt, slashing towards all shadows. Everyone’s scalp tingled, pupils shook, the present-time river shattered, a moment turned eternal. Time seemed frozen in this moment, yet they couldn’t see the majestic figure in the sword light. A supreme sword slashed from the past, altering the future. The vast remnants of the universe saw an invincible ancient sword, suppressing time’s river, slicing through ages.

"You’re getting cornier and crazier."

Celeste ignored his wild fantasies, preparing to discuss the squad formation with Fen and Wolman. This two-thousand-man team couldn’t rush like pirates; roles needed clear definition. Earlier debates with Morrison and Archer had proved futile; steps needed proper unfolding now.

"Am I that lame?"

Liszt asked Shadi.

"Not just a little. You’ve returned from Aran overly confident, no technique. Without transformative mental efforts, you’re just a pure deadbeat pirate."

"Ah well... We’re leaving tonight, no time left. Last chance, plan to woo Su Yizhana!"

Liszt’s resolve steeled, planning a night raid, daytime foiled by a cripple."

"No time, only Mika knows her nightly whereabouts."

"How come? Where’s Mika?"

"No idea."

"Damn it!"

Liszt started pacing in urgency.