Black Sail
Chapter 71: LXXI. Hunting Time

Chapter 71: LXXI. Hunting Time

Navigation Room.

Due to the hardships of the early startup of Black Sail, the elmwood wall paneling in the room bore numerous marks from axes and knives, some inflicted by outsiders and some from internal strife. These were deemed insignificant and left unmaintained. Over the past two or three years, as the core framework stabilized, such issues had ceased to exist.

The center of the room featured a high-end peach core wood table totally at odds with the battle-scarred style of the room, covered with a blue-green silk tablecloth and adorned with some silverware, truly befitting high society.

There was some dust on the glass shade of the kerosene lamp on the table. Liszt, finding himself at a loss for topics, picked up a greasy black tablecloth and began wiping the glass. He was somewhat lost in thought, staring blankly at Goria.

Having been relentlessly on the move before, he hadn’t seen her clearly, but this young lady truly was energetic. Her cold, stunning big eyes and pale skin seemed almost pinchable, her hair possibly light blue due to some special magic skill, as dyeing hair wasn’t customary in the Western Continent, and the tight curves accentuated by her leather armor.

Liszt’s tongue pressed against his cheek, an adventurer’s charm with an extra boost to attack speed, too exhilarating, hardened, a fist—to protect her from the other crew members’ vile hands, he must figure out a way to approach her.

"Is there anything else?"

Goria still couldn’t quite let go of concern for the mysterious person; someone needed to stay behind to guard him, as the girl was under severe mental strain. Many had perished on the journey because of her, and being utterly unworldly like a bird in a cage, you could imagine her distress.

"Not urgent... not urgent..."

Liszt was timing it, planning to strive for twenty minutes as a precaution to avoid any mishaps from Swan’s side.

Thinking it over now, Liszt felt like he was damn Inuyasha, gathering the pieces of the Divine Jewel. Perhaps because he had frenziedly browsed game forums in the past and obtained a zero-performance mark in a game designed by a relative, now suffering the backlash. Although the items on the ship had incredible origins, they all had the cursed seating system.

Twenty-four unique treasures graced the Overlord Crown two thousand years ago, and Swan had stolen two; the Netherworld Stele had only a corner fragment, and it was unclear how large it might be. If it were as big as the memorial monument in Emmerich’s Capital, then it truly belonged to the Netherworld.

Though incomplete, the two gemstones could fetch a price for several lifetimes, and the Stele Fragments proved immensely powerful, so much so that even General Fen dared not try them lightly. But it’s still just chunks of corpse, just like the Junlin Sword in his own left hand.

Since he was triple the miserable Inuyasha, then three Kikyos and three Kagomes wouldn’t be excessive.

Goria and the mysterious person together only made up two-sixths; they still required four more.

Liszt signaled to Fen, who he had already briefed to detain Caroso, while Goria required a righteous communication on his own part.

Fen was quite ashamed, even considering Liszt’s methods too ruthless. He was advised to chat with Caroso, cater to his interests, and pretend to be fascinated by the deities and doctrines of the Holy Spirit Church.

Though Fen himself was an atheist, seeing Caroso’s injuries, the extraordinary willpower of this Holy Spirit Church Superman was admirable. Considering the overall situation, Fen decided to feel guilty for three seconds as a form of apology.

"I myself am an arcane caster, and I am deeply interested in the ’miracles’ of various religious sects in the Western Continent, especially those of the Holy Spirit Church, a religion that has been handed down since the Ancient Era, with deep roots and profound heritage, incomparable to any ostentatious deceiving sect. The thirteen Holy Spirits are widely revered, and Wave and Storm Saint Spirit are commonly believed in around the East Sea. If one day our shipmates renounce darkness for light and wash their hands with the golden basin, we must also spend a great deal of money to make a golden statue for the principal blue deity."

Fen chose his words wisely, acknowledging that his band of pirates didn’t yet qualify to embrace this faith, only after laying down their butcher’s knives, elevating the master’s prestige.

Liszt remained expressionless, but his mind was a tempest of emotion—a truly talented student indeed, handling official speak with such finesse, which was why he held such a high position before.

Caroso took the bait. He had nominally also deserted the Holy Spirit Church and become a desperado. Once a high-ranking member as well, he shared common ground with Fen, and their conversation suddenly opened a floodgate, as if finding a kindred spirit.

Regardless of cold-blooded temperament, emotions always prevailed. After a tumultuous journey where he was hunted like a dog, escaping to the East Shore and exiling overseas, how could he not feel some resentment?

He immediately began chatting freely with Fen.

Goria, observing the situation, thought it was her time to leave; since the dealings were over, there was no need to waste further words.

Liszt sensed the untimeliness of the moment.

Was he, the "Li Xunhuan" of North America, renowned for nothing?

"That day in the mine, if I hadn’t had my artifacts with me, I would have died there. You managed to hold off that unparalleled monstrous swordsman with your swordmanship until we arrived. That creature wasn’t just anyone—it was Aran the General, truly impressive."

Liszt started off with compliments.

He Transmutes Freedom Method, he transmutes eternally, he transmutes compliments, only those with a high level of mind studies could practice it.

The Emperor Era, who dared to claim invincibility? Who dared to declare themselves undefeated?

Everybody loves compliments, but Goria, being a celebrity, had grown calluses from all the superficial flattery focused on her looks. To win her over, one had to appeal to her professional integrity and personal achievements.

Tonight, Liszt joined the hunt.

"Don’t even mention it, my waist still hurts."

Goria gave a sheepish smile, slightly embarrassed. When it came to swordsmanship, she was quite confident, but it was the monster, equipped with Life Alchemy and Magic Rune-constructed armor, that had given her a tough time.

Liszt’s eyes flashed with an idea; he sensed he had hooked her in and did not intend to leave immediately.

General Fen had once speculated that Goria’s homeland was a small country near the Narrow Sea, called Catanian, which had been slaughtered by the Emperor to construct a roadway. It was for revenge against the Emperor that she had taken on this job since it could threaten Aran.

Likely, it was a short-term cooperation, Liszt concluded.

"Maybe it’s just our pirates’ unique gossip. Stuck on a rickety ship all day with nothing fresh happening, you must be...hired, right? Now even dismissed from the adventurer’s guild, turned fugitive, what are your plans? With your flirtatious allure, I’m afraid returning to land is no longer an option."

To eliminate any purposeful intent in his statement, Liszt intentionally used the term "flirt," which had a pejorative connotation. He knew Goria would definitely be on guard next, as it pertained to a sensitive issue.

Goria hesitated for a moment.

Liszt captured this hesitation; he realized he had a 20% chance of success.

"This seems like none of your business."

Goria realized it was time for her to leave.

"No, it’s like this—I have some shops staked out in Heaven Port, cafes and taverns and such, desperately short on staff. If a master were in charge, that would be excellent."

Liszt laid out his ultimate move.

Relationships hinge on resource exchange, the provision of value—be it the material value of the Golden Dragon, the emotional value of appearances, or the value derived from a shared struggle or joint travels, which seems to forge a fate-bound union. If none of these can be provided, better cut your losses quickly.

"Not interested, I’m someone who can’t stay put. Staying in one place too long drives me crazy."

Goria politely declined.

Liszt was waiting for that very response.

"Let me be clear from the start, these are all decent taverns, just a suggestion. The island is perpetually short-staffed anyway; you can join anytime. It’s just a lift of a hand to give you an option, always happy to have another master, especially a Heroic Level adventurer, to help mind the shop—I’d surely exploit you mercilessly."

Liszt didn’t really need Goria’s agreement, but he wanted to plant a seed in her mind, a non-permanent haven but a haven nonetheless to choose from.

Goria laughed momentarily but then felt something odd, coughed and fell cold, realizing the play, wondering what Liszt was up to. Still a master at his game, but unfortunately, her dislike toward the scar-faced pirate was unwavering.

"You pirates can do business too? Taverns... do you even know how to mix drinks?"

Goria was speechless.

Liszt understood—40% there.

This was the confidence He Transmutes Freedom Method brought him—to shroud the heavens single-handedly, unafraid of the cosmos turning upside down, to witness the sword severing ages, watching eras rise and fall.

"Not just mixing drinks, alchemy too—I’ve got all high-end talents, you know about the National Arcane Academy, right? The Thief Guild’s master thieves, you know about them?"

Liszt had thoroughly ensnared Goria.

Swan, and you are the true hero.

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