Chapter 27: XXVII. Pirate Bill
The secret port was established by the nobles of Londen City, belonging to the territory of the aristocratic family, used to evade the Duchy's tariffs, store private arms, and shelter malevolent forces while collecting docking and protection fees.
Paying the people who collect protection fees was just the threshold to enter the game.
The Black Sail was now a temporary private militia for the nobles, acting temporarily as their white gloves, naturally exempt from the docking fees.
Liszt and his party descended onto the pier.
Shadi glanced at the scene; it was more than just one carriage—three had arrived, full of style, all pulled by white steeds. The carriages carried over twenty boxes, large and small, all beautifully packaged, not just any shoddy wooden boxes making up the numbers, but good wood, even carved with exquisite animal patterns.
The Count's Envoy greeted Liszt with a slight bow, his palm resting gently on his chest, but as for what he thought of these pirates internally, that was another matter.
"Captain, this is a small token from the Count. The ship has been sitting in this patch of water, and staying here for too long can be vexing. Therefore, a modest gift is prepared, hoping..."
The envoy hadn't finished his polite remarks.
Rein and the others didn't bother with these ceremonious acts; a group of them had already gone up to open the boxes.
The envoy smiled awkwardly, seeing that these people disliked the cumbersome formalities.
The boxes contained recreational goods—tobacco, liquor, tea, coffee powder—all top-shelf products.