Black Sail
Chapter 289: CCLXXXIX. The Visitor of the Castle

Chapter 289: CCLXXXIX. The Visitor of the Castle

"Your identity, you must have heard about what I’ve done, and I had no choice but to do so. Do you still remember what I taught you? People only choose to believe what they want to believe. The truth is like the air atop a mountain, unbearable for the weak. What is more desperately needed than the truth, is a lie. They would rather believe that I am a despicable wretch who desecrates heroes than accept that the Pedan Royal Family are deceivers and usurpers."

General Fen substituted for Alanee in her arcane studies. However, due to her special status, with many people holding high hopes for her, her schedule was packed. She was expected to excel in both the literary and martial arts and to have some understanding of business and social knowledge. Fen also casually resolved her doubts.

"The Emperor... no, his status probably leaves him no time to worry about this matter. But you, you must pretend as if nothing has happened. Those who knew you got on the train are no longer in this world. You just need to tell your family you weren’t on this train, and that’s all; not a word more."

Fen was truly wary, for Alanee could not die. If the Astalia Family were to shake their feet, the Western Continent would tremble. It didn’t matter how these nobles died on the train. If word of an incident that even endangered the family’s reputation got out, Black Sail would be lucky to last half a month.

"This..."

Alanee hesitated.

"Do you want to be responsible for your teacher’s death?"

Fen’s tone was extremely serious. Even if infused with a performative nature, the act was deeply convincing.

"Of course not... I want to help you."

Alanee gave Liszt an answer he didn’t anticipate. Although Fen was just a fantasy from her naïve days, now devoid of such thoughts, she genuinely did not believe Fen capable of such actions. Even if he had, there must have been immense injustice involved.

This was known only to a very few, the reason why the Pedan Royal Family harbored such hatred for Fen.

One night, Fen conspired with his supporters to enter the Pedan Royal Mausoleum and killed all the night guards.

After all, it was a mausoleum. Even though it was guarded, it wasn’t protected by the most elite of the Pedan forces. Nobody expected a lunatic to do such a thing.

By the next day, when the Pedan Royal Family reacted, the remains of the former king had vanished. His skeleton, controlled by Fen, knelt in front of Fen’s father’s tomb.

The incident was too explosive and was sealed off airtight.

Later on, Fen went utterly mad, taking part in a military coup. Though eventually suppressed, he committed far too many atrocities and ended up in exile abroad.

From then on, Fen became a devilish figure in Pedan, able to stop children’s nighttime crying, a purely ultimate villain with no conscience, a Necromancer without morals.

Liszt was completely shocked. What ’circular warrior,’ General Fen turned into a goddamn Enchanting Demon!

Seeing Alanee say this, a weight lifted off Fen’s heart.

"There’s nothing you need to help with. Just keep silent, that’s all. I trust you, you’ll always be my student."

Fen used an emotional appeal, a rarity for him, placing his hands on Alanee’s shoulders.

Liszt inwardly nodded in approval.

From that moment, it had become an art.

Now.

At the wedding banquet of Claude.

Fen stroked a very delicate black crystal card in his palm, which was meticulously crafted with the emblem of a Holy Tree, the crest of their family.

This card had significant implications. Once given away, it indicated that the Astalia Family owed the bearer a favor. Even without seeking them out, this card held tremendous deterrent power.

One might say it was equivalent to a million pounds.

"Everyone has arrived."

Liszt and Mo Yutong also arrived at the scene.

To Fen’s surprise, that mad woman didn’t come along.

"No, Fisher and his animal friends aren’t here yet."

Wolman puffed on a cigar.

"God damn animal friends, is he going to give a lecture at the Cross Alliance one of these days?"

Liszt had run out of words to complain. An animal friend isn’t something you can wear on your body, damn it!

Mika was, as always, harassing others, fawning over the Female Archer, Violet, who had just started working with the Black Sail.

Nishi and Violet also played the role of bridesmaids, wearing corseted dresses that were extremely enticing.

But Violet still looked at him as if she were looking at an insect.

Liszt had no words to respond, these people were directors now, not very reliable.

"I’ve already negotiated the deal, tomorrow Qi Li and Wen Kui will set off, along with some of the pirate gangs we’ve previously recruited, to harass four fishing island territories. They will both send some people to join Wolman and head to the Great Wetland, as a first joint operation."

Fen explained to Liszt.

Liszt was so moved he was nearly in tears; truly worthy of being a general manager, easily accomplishing what the CEO couldn’t.

"Who’s the current boss of Dead Man Bay?"

Morison thought it wise to inquire; they were departing tomorrow, and once on the island, the fight would start. If he were to make a blunder, traveling a thousand miles only to be readily defeated, it would indeed be too embarrassing.

"Just some riffraff, mere deserters, and what awaits them is a massacre."

Ox had absolutely no interest in the wedding and was only forcibly dragged along. Recruitment was complete, and upon returning to the island, with his prestige, victory was certain.

The boss of Dead Man Bay was petty and had previously used various excuses to fob Ox off, asking him to leave. Now, it was likely not much of a threat; the brothers from Mirror Sea might either flee to other places or be marginalized by his power.

Gawain and Weber were also all ears, listening in. If that was the case, it would be most favorable.

The group stayed at the wedding reception for an hour, and by now it was half-past eleven, the atmosphere at the venue growing ever more lively.

But at this moment.

The One-eyed Dragon hurried over to Liszt, briefing him on the situation.

"One of Doringger’s men has come to present a gift; he has been stopped outside the estate, and he’s asking to see you."

The One-eyed Dragon was now part of the company’s management; no longer fighting and killing, he could earn a stable income just by staying on the island, with plenty of opportunities for advancement. Everything was developing just as he had hoped.

Fen took a deep breath, cursing under his breath that Rein really had jinxed them.

"How many people came?"

Liszt was also somewhat panicked; it was Claude’s wedding today, and if the event was spoiled, it would be like forcing them into an all-out war immediately.

"Just three people, one of them with a face full of stitching scars, seems to be a magician named Mo’er."

The One-eyed Dragon replied.

Liszt pondered for a moment, that seemed manageable; this wasn’t a matter of force but of wit, and he was indeed curious to see what sort of trick Doringger was playing.

"You come along too."

Liszt invited Mo Yutong to join him, wanting her to witness the world and build her courage; after all, she would likely have to deal with such people in the future.

"Okay."

Mo Yutong gladly accepted.

"I’ll go with you."

Fen said calmly.

Ten minutes later.

Outside the main entrance of the estate, they met one of Doringger’s trusted aides, whose face was bizarrely grotesque, as if it were patched together, giving off an extremely gloomy aura.

He also brought two attendants, who seemed to be merely coachmen.

"What are you here for?"

Liszt lit a cigarette and asked bluntly.

"Of course, to offer blessings. Lord Dor is currently in partnership with you, isn’t he? The New Continent is shared fifty-fifty. For a business partner, a cordial gesture of goodwill cannot be omitted."

Mo’er said with a cold smirk.

Now, he was about to scare the living daylights out of Liszt.