Black Sail

Cross Alliance, Forgotten Port.

Located right above the Narrow Sea.

This vast expanse of Golden Waters splits the Western Continent into east and west, and at this junction lies the Cross Alliance. A bit further up marks the approach to the Pedan border.

The political situation of the Cross Alliance is unique; it's an independent city-state not governed by any party. Yet, due to its strategic geographical location, it would be the first to bear the brunt if a world war were to break out.

To contain the crisis of war, even a small port city-state like this was forced into independence by the will of major powers, but its cabinet has limited power, overshadowed by stationed representatives from various countries.

Over time.

The Narrow Sea Convention Organization, led by the Giant Whale Guest, was created to mediate maritime disputes among nations.

The Cross Alliance hosts representatives from various countries to mediate land disputes.

Endless intimidation and negotiation.

It's not only cooperation that can mobilize resources, disputes yield the same effect.

Once resources from all countries poured in, many conditions were met, enabling the establishment of initiatives not even planned before; various prototypes were already born.

Investigating and combating cross-border criminal activities was one such initiative.

The Cross Alliance gradually became the headquarters of the international criminal police organization of the Western Continent.

Bandits, thieves, pirates, underworld activities, terrorist organizations, unregistered religions, and so forth are within the scope of their crackdown.

However, a new problem emerged.

The essence of the Western Continent is a massive underworld, where different interest groups engage in transactions, valuing harmony, but resort to violent conflict when necessary to seize interests. The scale and names vary; those with rampant corruption are called nations, those without are simply underworld, that's all there is.

Handling cross-border crimes with police from all sides could hardly be coordinated. Corruption is a minor issue; large-scale underworld operations often have powerful countries backing them.

Whether it's combating crime or fueling the fire in another form, it's hard to say.

Since fairness is unattainable, money is ultimately fair. No one would betray money, entrusting it to the most reliable third party, "currency," to combat cross-border crime.

Listed out Bounty Orders, offered money, and it's as simple as that.

Thus...

A mysterious profession emerged in response—the Bounty Hunters.

Forgotten Port is highly active with bounty hunters, so this city-state isn't a serious place; instead, it's full of wild vitality.

Being a port city, its thriving trade, beautiful views, coupled with top-notch security, attracts many to settle here. Yet, housing prices have skyrocketed, and even with fifty to sixty Golden Dragons, one can only afford a three-room two-hall apartment.

The Great is already docked at the pier.

In the large garden square at the center of the port dam, several grand stone sculptures stand, the most magnificent being of the Wisdom and Knowledge Saint Spirit, one of the Thirteen Holy Spirits. Related to literature and law, it holds such powers and is also known as the Lord of Judgment, with one hand holding the Divine Scripture against its chest, the other holding the Balance, over a hundred meters tall.

Other statues are relatively smaller, but still reach fifty to sixty meters, honoring great figures contributing massively to the Western Continent's judicial civilization.

The leader of the Kurut Rebel Army abolishing ancient slavery, a prime minister in Lostra's brief history, and others...

The ship steadies as it docks, anchoring with ropes looped around wooden stakes.

Nashano hands over various documents to undergo local customs inspection. Seeing this Tiger-man is an Earl of Aisnor Province, the customs staff do not make things difficult.

Liszt, a World Netherworld Person, especially after the Continent Martial Arts Competition, stands on the pier with his hat's wide brim covering his face.

He curiously observes everything at the port, which is no different from ordinary ports; mostly sailors and laborers loading and unloading goods. Unusually, several characters dressed as bounty hunters are spotted escorting 'human cargo' with hands and feet shackled.

The Judicial Hall is conveniently near the pier, facilitating hunters to unload and hand over their captives for official transport handling.

Liszt feels a bit eerie watching, considering his Bounty Order in the Cross Alliance had been canceled after killing Doringger earlier this year, yet his official dossier must have a record.

As an Old Cannon among underground veterans, Liszt deems it prudent to keep a low profile in the Cross Alliance.

Then the customs officers begin checking the identities of others aboard; lacking proof, one may be treated as a stowaway.

Investigation uncovers startling facts.

This small boat is filled with heavyweight figures: high-ranking officers from Lostra and the Holy Spirit Sect.

Others in Celeste's position can easily handle entry issues.

Liszt is now a Lostra person too.

"Alright, everything's in order. But as per regulations, you can stay here for a maximum of two weeks. Should you need a longer stay, you must report to the Judicial Hall to file for an extension."

Each document gets a stamp from the customs officer.

Liszt's party is formally admitted.

As for this so-called extension, Liszt knows what it implies; it's merely a tourist visa. Without buying property or doing business and providing no proof of income creation, there's no avoiding a swift exit.

Despite being a city-state, Forgotten Port does not bend to the will of major figures.

"For the upcoming travel, we must remain inconspicuous. Just the six of us set off and buy eight cold-resistant horses before nightfall to rush to Pedan."

Bastie doesn't want any delay, eager to see what power can be harnessed from two fragments together. Renting a carriage is too slow; a hurried march is needed.

Though Pedan is not as bitterly cold as the northernmost regions, it is cold enough. Due to geographical and airflow reasons, some areas are close to the Northern Realm.

Six horses aren't sufficient; two pack horses are needed for carrying luggage.

"Why the rush, searching blindly in Pedan? It's a needle in a haystack; it requires patience. Faf has the power of self-preservation."

Liszt responded, knowing very well Faf possess more than just self-preservation, grateful she hasn't used the Sea Tiger Explosion Fist to blast Pedan people away.

Compared to Faf, Goria is more of a semi-maternal figure.

Noticing her lonely expression, Liszt placed his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. Though they hadn't scored a home run, they shared a physical relationship, a husband's duty.

From Duguli to Aisnor along the way, these two hadn't subdued Liszt. With ample time this trip, it's a sure conquest this time!

True summer-y clover.

"What's your brilliant idea, lustful demon king?"

Watching Liszt's skillful moving display just now, Bastie had already nicknamed him.

"Lust, demon, king?"

Liszt inhaled sharply; how could he ever replace Mika's position, smiling slyly, "Then, how will you, Hero Bastie, defeat the demon king?"

Bastie's forehead filled with black lines; this guy actually accepted it readily?

"Sister Faf, for some reason, seems to have turned into a fiery chili pepper temperament. Sister Faf is like a Ferrari; while we mere mortals must trod along slowly, she's already reached Pedan days ago, bound to cause a stir. We must keep pace with her; if caught, she might not want to return, so it requires the right approach. Let's visit the adventurer's guild first, become adventurers, form an adventure group, and start gathering information,"

Liszt surmised.

"What's wrong with your brain? Even if playing a role-playing game, forming an adventure group isn't simple—it requires completing more than three high-risk commissions at Silver Level to qualify. Plenty of Silver Level out there, but no time to complete any high-risk commissions now."

Bastie agreed there was some truth in what the lustful demon king said, but not much.

"What Silver Level... even Heroic Level adventurers exist. Lily, although delisted before, you're now cleared following me. Little Mei, your guild title still stands, right? We... will become your group members."

Liszt had long desired Meredith; although sharing a physical relationship, not all CGs were unlocked. This grand adventure surely would thoroughly unlock them.

"Damn..."

Nashano could only curse; his mission to save the world had turned into a visual novel.

He had only met Tower Master's son Sean Bin a few times at auctions; they remained in correspondence but never visited the Tower of Winterless.

Liszt entirely stirred, unaware that with Sean Bin's filial nature, once he saw Liszt could wield the Junlin Sword, everything in the Tower of Winterless would become Liszt's, packaged and sold to gather the Junlin Sword.

Liszt would assume the Tower Master position at the Tower of Winterless.