Black Sail
Chapter 69: LXIX. Long Live Understanding

Chapter 69: LXIX. Long Live Understanding

Fen also added some hot knowledge. The sea lanes on the map were just general directions to anchor a rough path without getting lost. The specifics of the path were determined by the wind, not by men.

Having power to take a relatively longer route was faster than taking the shortest route without power.

There were so many pirates on shifts on the ship to adjust the sails and rigging for a better angle to face the wind.

That was why there was such a thing as a navigation log, to record various minute adjustments, the speed in knots, the direction taken, and the effects of the weather and the sea, so that one could know their position on the map.

Fen, who understood astrology and astronomy, could be called a dodecagon warrior. He could determine his current position through phenomena such as the angular distance between celestial bodies, azimuth angles, and so forth, but he still needed double assurance.

Fen gave Liszt a meaningful look. Although it was himself writing the log, the responsibility still lay with Liszt. Though the chances were almost zero, now that it was winter and the seas were relatively calmer, if they truly got lost, they would have to sacrifice Liszt to the heavens.

Caroso, being a high-ranking member of the Holy Spirit Church and an intellectual, after listening to Fen’s logical explanation, was still anxious about these pirates potentially harming the three of them. From a technical perspective, it was true, but the position of Heaven Port was still up to them to declare.

Caroso also realized that persisting further was futile, as one must bow their head under someone else’s roof.

"You must have attended university back in the day, right?"

Caroso couldn’t help but ask. The First Officer of this ship showed a quality that definitely wasn’t that of a wandering wizard.

"Sss..."

Liszt took a deep breath. Damn, he walked right into it. He had just called Swan over, planning to go out and discuss the plan, but he completely forgot. He knew Fen was about to start chanting.

"I studied at Pedan National Arcane Academy. At that time, I took a wide range of courses and also touched a bit on maritime subjects. Actually, a sailboat isn’t pushed by the wind. This is a misconception. Even the strongest wind can’t push a nearly thousand-ton behemoth, but rather it’s because of the Phil Arc Effect, where air passing over a curved surface creates an upward suction..."

Fen, gaining enthusiasm, began showing off advanced knowledge. On Earth, this was called Bernoulli’s Principle, and he hadn’t even finished explaining.

"Enough, enough, enough, can’t you speak three sentences without mentioning your broken school? You think you’re the only one who’s been educated, huh? I have Ivy but do I speak up?"

Liszt had had enough. If he didn’t interrupt, this one could go on for ten minutes without stopping.

For a moment, the atmosphere inside the navigation room was very oppressive. Wolman, Shadi, and others were covering their foreheads with their palms, not wanting to reveal their expressions. They couldn’t deny Liszt’s wide experience and knowledge. He could relate anything to some principle and spoke eloquently. But as the person with the second-lowest literacy rate, those outside doing hard labor as sailors might not even catch up, fantasizing about a non-existent educational background, which was rather sad.

The navigation room’s mahogany wall clock ticked crisply, filling the space with pity. Liszt did have some neurosis, and it was clear he wasn’t joking when he talked like this.

"Yes, back then I even sent letters to his school, Ivy... Ivy, in Bailuo City of Gureg Kingdom."

Swan, having come from the Thief Guild, was adept at deceiving and misleading. Except for the name being a bit awkward, he spoke extremely naturally without a hint of stiffness, giving Liszt a way out.

Caroso knew that Pedan National Arcane Academy was one of the top universities, where those who could be admitted were dragons among men, fame and fortune awaited, and everyone knew of it. But he hadn’t heard much about this Ivy.

"So it is, that place is also renowned for its scholars, must also be a prestigious school."

Caroso calmly said.

Boom!

Liszt felt as if struck by lightning. Swan was actually pretty good; this really dealt a critical hit, a true damage boost.

"Hahaha, here comes the motivational speech, long live understanding."

Liszt, seemingly losing his wits, called Swan out of the navigation room to discuss his plan.

Finally, the atmosphere in the room returned to normal.

"Captain... he’s always been a bit mad, don’t take it personally. His mind is actually sound; perhaps it’s more appropriate to call it a manic disorder—it doesn’t affect normal decisions and judgment."

Fen noticed the concern on Caroso’s face, knowing what he was thinking. These past days, Fen had also noticed Liszt’s intentions. Before reaching Heaven Port, Liszt planned to covertly reveal the identity of the mysterious person. If it proved more lucrative than the privateer certificate, he would deal with the intermediary.

Heaven Port was the Black Sail’s home ground.

Now that there was money on the ship, the three could afford to stay in Heaven Port indefinitely. In the end, waiting hopelessly to recruit them aboard, it was essential to rely on Caroso and Goria for infiltration. Once those two made it through, the mysterious person would also make it through, and only then could a complete transformation occur.

"So, that’s how it is."

Just to be safe, Caroso had Fen give him a map. He wanted to check it and see if it was indeed Heaven Port they were going to.

"It’s entirely possible."

Fen handed Caroso a rolled-up parchment map, not caring in the least, as this was indeed their destination.

Caroso was finally able to put his mind at ease.

Having completed a major deal, Chef Archer was in a particularly good mood these past few days and took great care with his cooking.

Although conditions at sea were limited and cooking skills largely restrained, for Ji Weng, a former court chef, this was no problem. Although a large pot meal might be somewhat lackluster, it was already a delicacy for the pirates.

Today’s lunch main course was a baked minced meat casserole with seven-hour lamb, along with a ginger grapefruit seafood soup, and then... black bread.

Caroso would take the food back to his room alone; the mysterious person did not go out.

There were no restaurants on the pirate ship. Archer and a few sous-chefs placed several large barrels on the deck. Each person would grab a wooden plate and a wooden bowl, scooping from the barrel with a big spoon—the standard ration per person.

Near the gunwale.

Haywood and a group of carpenters were repairing where a giant stone had damaged the ship that day. Seeing that it was mealtime, they all gathered around as well.

"Hungry as hell, reincarnated as a ravenous ghost, huh? Don’t jump the queue, line up honestly, or I’ll mark your face,"

Archer was dealing with this damned crew; each time it was like a scramble as if fleeing from a famine.

All the pirates gathered to eat together, but there were still two types: those who ate as if avenging a deep-seated grudge and those who chewed slowly to enjoy the few moments of leisure.

The core members of the crew didn’t have any special privileges; they ate from the communal pot as well.

Though the skilled ones earned different amounts of money, special privileges were the last thing desired on a pirate ship. Everyone had a say in everyday affairs. With a bunch of desperados, too much disparity could easily lead to tensions on the isolated sea.

"It’s gut-wrenching once again."

Morison and Shadi were also leaning against the ship’s railing, eating their meal.

"I’ll sell you a weapon, eight Golden Dragons, want it or not?"

Morison asked calmly.

"Heh, just kill me and exchange my body at the Judicial Hall for money, whether it’s made of gold or gemstone,"

Shadi scoffed.

Morison knew Shadi’s capability well; most of the time, it was the weapons that were at a disadvantage, as long as they were sharp and sturdy, no one could fault Shadi’s swordsmanship.

"Zahak’s sword, forget it then, I’ll sell it to Claude."

"Please, you must sell it to me."

Shadi quickly put down his bowl, rushed back to his bedroom to get the money; using the Vice Admiral’s sword was not something to take lightly.

Morison’s eyes glanced at the corner where Liszt and Swan were secretly talking, not knowing what about. Swan had a look of shock on his face.