Black Sail

A triangular sail lightweight quickship, with a sharp prow, about twenty meters in length.

Procured by the wealthy landlord, Nashano, of Aran.

The madman who followed Liszt all the way here from the Aisnor Province, due to drug use and uncontrolled indulgences, couldn't even make it up a flight of stairs, let alone fight, but he did possess plenty of Yuanzi.

Not only did they hire a mercenary corps for a high reward, but the Dumb Iron Brigade also helped Liszt with affairs in Mulong.

Knowing that it was time to go to the Tower of Winterless.

It was absolutely crucial to take the newest, best, and fastest ship.

The shipyard at Golden Palm Port claimed to have the best ship in Mulong, freshly built, and Nashano bought it at an outrageously high price without hesitation.

Nashano directly named it the "Great".

Symbolizing the commencement of the greatest adventure of the 27th century.

The sea breeze whistled, and Liszt stood by the ship's side smoking a cigarette, inadvertently shaking ash all over himself and quickly blew it off his shoulder.

But it didn't matter.

The time he was set up by Kai Deng and forced to go solo didn't count; this journey was the true beginning of his solo expedition on the Western Continent after so many years.

His heart swelled with heroic ambition.

Wasn't it quite trendy to be a mastermind in the shadows for a while? Well, starting today, I'm going to be the mastermind in the shadows!

The team assembled at Heaven Port was indeed formidable, but these desperadoes with poor quality couldn't showcase his personal style at all. New personnel had to be gathered, it had to be high quality! No lowly tricks to bring family to Heaven Port to live the high life; it has to be a fiery adventure of friendship, effort, and victory!

Let's start this brain-dead light novel story right away!

"News from Shadi. Mika has sent a reply. The Eldest Prince has died due to Curse Poison. The Emperor wants to fulfill Soloren's last wish, and he needs your immediate response."

Meredith frowned.

What to do now, with Fafna missing and Goria unable to eat or sleep?

"What!?"

Liszt was shocked. Damn, as soon as the great adventure starts, it's derailed! What do you mean the Eldest Prince is dead? Buddy, weren't you lively and vibrant just a few days ago, providing backup for me? What does it mean to suddenly drop dead?

He had to rush back to the navigation room.

Something even more terrifying than the Eldest Prince's death had happened.

One of the reasons Celeste was following him everywhere to manage business with Liszt, but she also had her own thoughts, feeling assured only if she personally supervised Liszt.

With this battle in Mulong, Celeste had rapidly ascended ranks and now held a deputy department-level position; completing this major project would make her a top-level existence in Lostra, and she couldn't afford any slip-ups.

Celeste had already replied to Shadi:

[Just follow what I said. It's absolutely impossible for Liszt to go, but you can't directly refuse either. Simply convey that Liszt cannot be contacted on the Aran side and can't have a direct conversation. You will quickly come to find Liszt to meet with the Emperor. Once in dialogue, it's hard to stall; just dragging it out is fine for now, Mika and Swan won't be affected for a while, the Emperor won't execute someone pardoned by Soloren.]

Celeste had already sent the message.

Liszt's throat rolled. Damn, this is playing with the life of the Immortal as a gamble, illustrative of a national hero. Mika is now a hostage.

"What are you doing? Agent Seventeen, I brought you along to help me flirt, not to mess things up!"

Liszt really had to control Celeste firmly; Star Crossbow should obediently perform like a Star Crossbow; what was she aiming to do with such autonomy?

"Don't you understand? If you directly engage in dialogue with the Aran side, there would be no room for maneuver. It's like forcing the Royal Court to take a stand by presenting Zote on a platter; once in dialogue, you must take a stand. Without dialogue, it can be stalled with a cold treatment and let them play their games. Heaven Port is on the edge of the world; now you have Mulong and my country's support. Even if the Aran Royal Court wanted to forcibly remove you, it would be difficult without breaking through Beima.

With your current status and the backup provided by the Eldest Prince's last wish, by handling it coldly, they would find it troublesome to deal with. At least it could be delayed for two or three months, and currently, the Aran Royal Court is facing internal turmoil, possibly stalling even longer. I would like to see the great adventure the Tiger-man spoke of."

Celeste pressed her finger against her chin, then tilted her head, watching Liszt with great interest.

"Tsk."

Liszt had no choice but to light another cigarette. Celeste was right, he must play it as if he's out of contact now; that would be the optimal solution. A curse poison, the Eldest Prince was killed by this year's champion dark horse Gedre? What a damn historical event.

It's hard to say whether this incident gave him a lift or was detrimental.

What a mess.

Liszt pondered deeply, surely the connection between the Immortal and Qili had transpired at Wushan! Well then… he could die without regrets.

Go peacefully!

The will of the Immortal Emperor, I will inherit it!

[Damn, I said, someone named Wesker isn't buying any of this, directly issued an ultimatum, calculating by the fastest speed from Heaven Port to the Aran Royal City, demanding Liszt to bring Alicia to the Royal City within three weeks, by October 1 at the latest, otherwise it will be considered a rebellion for refusing an audience, and show great disrespect.]

Shadi's voice came through.

Hearing this, Liszt felt a buzzing in his head; was this something that could be coldly handled?

He immediately wanted to grab the communicator to properly control this person named Wesker.

Celeste, however, held it tightly, skillfully dodging every time Liszt's hand reached for it.

"Stop messing around, Agent Seventeen!"

Liszt was about to get angry.

"Got scared? I understand your concerns, but you can only choose one between Lostra and Aran. If you take the communicator, I will leave at the next resupply point; you need to think it through."

Celeste is the East Sea Commissioner. After the Intelligence Bureau director reported the situation with Mulong, she also had the support of Prime Minister Lostra to get Liszt's stance.

Liszt took a deep drag on his cigarette, really regretting joining the underworld. Even sitting in this position, he was only used as a tool by big figures.

Celeste was right, having already established a positive cooperation with Lostra, there was no need to shift the focus over a dead man's unresolved case.

Seeing Liszt keep silent for so long.

Celeste already knew the answer. She replied herself, "It's no problem, I know this Wesker, he was Soloren's swordsmanship coach in his childhood, he definitely has some emotions attached. The Aran Royal Court can only talk tough now, they know well that the East Sea has our support now. Don't be so cowardly, provoke him. Right now, they can't even handle their internal strife, let alone care about this side."

[Fine, then I'll really provoke him! But damn it, your words don't count, I want Liszt to speak up.]

Celeste handed the communicator to Liszt's mouth.

Liszt thought for a moment again, indeed it was the best method, there was no better one.

"Damn it. After provoking him, just continue as usual, the old Emperor has already set his eyes on us, we have to expedite the operation and help Brother Ox sort out the Narrow Sea affair."

Liszt said as such.

[Right, it's like there's never a peaceful day, huh. Hurry and finish your Life Seat, or else this messed-up East Sea bunch can't hold on, damn.]

Shadi also felt a bit speechless, Liszt really treated Heaven Port as one of the Five Permanent, when it's just a damn distribution hub.

At this moment.

Aran Royal City.

Wesker also received Shadi's ultimatum.

[Liszt has some urgent matters, unreachable these days. We have already moved Alicia from Heaven Port to the Western Continent, and I can bring Sister Ai over. What the hell do you mean by blasphemy, this attitude after solving the historical issues of the Aran Royal Court? I don't even know who you are, never heard of Wesker, really want to point fingers? Call Cicero over, end of transmission.]

Swan remained expressionless, indeed this was the optimal solution, at worst death, afraid of what damn thing.

Mika was shocked, is the rogue Shadi coming back into play at this time? I'm probably going to die, damn! He could only look towards Wesker, who was now akin to the King's secret envoy, possessing the highest authority over East Sea matters.

"Don't make such a face."

Wesker saw the defeated expressions on the two's faces. Of course, he was only using words; Swan handled matters without problems, but Mika was the one on the press photo.

The whole world knew that it was the eight people in the press photo who took down Zote, along with Soloren's pardon. Currently, nothing could be done to Mika, he still had to be served well.

Wesker had already anticipated this scenario.

"Then as per the preliminary plan, let the two talented fighters, who have shown excellent skills, make a personal visit to 'invite' Liszt over, of course, I will also go."

Wesker called for his deputy, instructing him to count the personnel and depart punctually the next morning.

"I want to go too."

Mika said thusly.

Wesker was momentarily stunned, only thinking Mika was joking.

"Don't you understand? If Liszt flees, Alicia will be forcibly taken back. You're the last candidate to meet the Emperor, so just stay put."

Wesker patted Mika on the shoulder, instructing someone to also take the wireless equipment developed by Heaven Port, which was a means of contact with Heaven Port.

After he led Saleret Kai Deng and the others out.

The cold and quiet room only left Mika and Swan facing each other, now the brothers were under house arrest, outside was nothing but the Royal City Army, could they escape, damn.

"Damn it... I also promised Qili to deal with the Evgeny Consortium, and now I can't even move."

Mika slumped in the chair, never thinking he'd be locked up with this Tiger-man.

"The Evgeny Consortium? Forget it... did you ever get her?"

Swan spoke frankly; for him, now was a comfortable time compared to past experiences. He found a sofa and lay down immediately.

"No, but we kissed."

"Awesome."

A long silence.

"This is truly screwed, buddy."

Used to the freedom on the sea, Mika felt uncomfortable being confined to this place.

Swan, originally accustomed to intricate work, wasn't claustrophobic at all. He only had agoraphobia, having hidden in ventilation ducts or boxes for days just to kill, he didn't care at all.

But he wasn't as straightforward as Mika.

He tossed Mika a platinum-colored card.

"What's this?"

"When their intelligence and secret department caught me, I stole it from the captain. It's the highest-level pass of Alan, it can take you anywhere. Stay put for now, rest up and let me know when you're ready. If it doesn't work, we'll have to fight our way out."

Fortunately, the nightingale hadn't been stripped away, maintaining its simple clothing appearance.

After Swan said this, he lay down and slept, falling asleep instantly, already breathing evenly.

Mika looked at the card in his hand and fell into silence, truly... unable to adapt to the life of an outlaw.