Black Sail
Chapter 411: XLVI. Hearse

Chapter 411: XLVI. Hearse

Rein.

In his youth, he ventured forth from the plateau along with his fellow villagers, aspiring to return home one day in glory.

The Chenfeng Plateau is located directly above the Narrow Sea, in the northern part of the Western Continent. Apart from the Northern Frozen Soil Plateau and the Heavenly Ladder Plateau to the west of the Narrow Sea, it is the third largest plateau in the world.

On the plateau, it forms a nation of its own but also has various tribes, somewhat forming a confederation.

Most tribes loathe interacting with the outside world. The plateau is free from wars, and small-scale conflicts are easily resolved through communication.

Thanks to the Aran Energy Department’s Survey Division, which identified the area’s mineral veins as cheap metals. Considering transportation costs, they were deemed not worth mining.

It is considered one of the few peaceful places in the world.

However, with the rise of the Magic Energy Industry, there has been a fever for leaving the homeland, mostly among the males. Rein and his tribesmen caught this wave too.

The Starving Wolf Adventure Group, ranging from several dozen to nearly a hundred people, rose to Honor Level and indeed carved out their niche, having lavish accommodation conditions and indulging in luxuries and occasional pleasures with no issue, some of them even being Rein’s neighbors.

But it was because of an incident eight years ago.

Rein’s reputation was tarnished. When news reached the plateau, his tribe permanently exiled him. Meanwhile, a fellow tribesman, now a member of the Aran Imperial Guard and attendant to the notable figure Black Sword Netherflame, another deputy leader, was considered very promising by his tribe and even sent materials back home every year, helping to revitalize his native land.

It was May by then.

Summer had arrived, bringing frequent rains to the Narrow Sea.

Rein had managed to survive up to this day not only because of his martial skills but also a crucial factor—he was universally well-liked, having good relations with almost everyone, except for Fen, with Swan merely echoing Fen’s opinions, so no need to elaborate on that; he was well-regarded by others.

With a missing left arm and a speed far from what it used to be, he gradually realized that he was no longer young. Five years, ten years.

At most ten years.

Rein could not wait any longer; he did not want to die disgraced like a dog out there, even if as a darn shareholder.

He had no deep hatred with Aran.

Moreover,

Rein sacrificed his hand for Liszt; otherwise, that Demon Hunter might have beheaded Liszt with a single stroke.

Inside the Dream Hotel,

Kai Deng had already written a letter, planning to find some random errand boy to send it out. It mentioned completion progress and the location of the Netherworld Stele, but she also hid many explosive pieces of news.

An untimely knock startled Kai Deng into alertness, letting the person outside come in.

The rain outside was not light; she casually closed the window, watching the visitor.

Kai Deng had also listed this werewolf as dangerous, his speech erratic and mostly learned from Liszt; in front of him, the risk of slipping up was non-negligible.

"Didn’t go out to have fun? Or ran out of money? Although there were losses in the first quarter, no dividends, but having earned so much these years, you probably haven’t run out of a few hundred Golden Dragons by now."

Kai Deng spoke casually, knowing that Rein liked to act like a big spender, spending money like water.

But what surprised Kai Deng was that the werewolf’s expression was off, very solemn. He shut the door, found a chair to sit down, his elbows resting on his knees, like a crouching beast.

His gaze was fixed intently on Kai Deng, his demeanor as fierce as the depiction in his old wanted posters.

But he also didn’t notice anything amiss; it was entirely Liszt himself.

Kai Deng sensed that trouble was brewing.

"Hmm... Mika mentioned that you’ve been a bit ’GAY’ recently, he might be feeling lustful towards you. Morison, too, thinks you’re acting unusual."

Rein spoke thus, his wording quite cunning.

If Liszt was really an impostor, then by now, he would not dare to kill her, unless he was planning to abandon his identity and flee.

Rein was not afraid; having joined the criminals, in this life, one’s destiny is always hanging in the balance; there was no retirement for the big brothers.

Debts of blood were endless.

Who knew how many Bounty Hunters, pirates, naval forces, and the family members of those lost souls were longing to brutally murder the members of Black Sail, to crush their bones and scatter their ashes.

The moment Black Sail weakened, others would come to seek revenge.

Otherwise, people like Taylor, having made enough money, had no reason to stay in Heaven Port on the edge of the world, other than fearing enemies from the past seeking their lives, hiding within fortresses of steel.

Kai Deng seemed unfazed on the surface, but she knew she was about to be exposed. Should she kill this werewolf now, or wait and see?

But at this moment, Rein’s imposing manner was too frightening, making it hard not to believe he had everything under control.

"If fortune favors you, how about I allocate fifty Golden Dragons for brothel expenses, and you can enjoy all the women at Golden Palm Port?"

Kai Deng said with a smile.

Rein really couldn’t find any flaws. This person was exactly like Liszt, and Morison too was a madman, not entirely trustworthy.

"Do you remember the incident that happened six years ago at the Beima Duchy’s port?"

Rein certainly couldn’t forget.

At that moment,

Kai Deng harbored a killing intent, pacing slowly in the room, already having planned her escape route. Disposing of her identity, however, seemed a bit regrettable.

"Let’s not bring up those trivial, moldy matters."

Kai Deng had killed a few werewolves before. These barbarians from the plateau did not give time for reactions. The werewolf race, with their speed, explosive power, claws, and fangs, possessed combat capabilities far beyond humans. If one was untrained militarily, facing such a creature would only result in chaotic slaughter.

She was ready to take Rein’s life at any moment.

"Back then, by the seaside, you kicked down the unicycle, the words you said..."

Rein insisted on bringing it up, watching Liszt’s reaction.

A prolonged silence.

Rein took a deep breath, slightly shaking, feeling mixed emotions. It was hard to judge Liszt—an intelligent yet generous oddball who occasionally engaged in messy jobs. However, it was exactly because of this that, within the interest group led by him, there was cohesion beyond mere benefits. It was truly a pity if he died.

But that was all there was to it.

Asenxiuo was already a warning from the past.

A path that led to darkness was one that no one could end well on, even if the subsequent strategy succeeded and delayed Aran’s Advancement Movement.

What would that change?

The Emperor could take real action, just like how he could order his minions to throw Hened into the big prison or simply let his henchmen destroy Heaven Port.

Universal overlord... he simply didn’t care and probably had never heard of Black Sail or the East Sea King—they were merely significant bandits.

Liszt, Fen, Wolman, Ox—those men’s ambitions were terrifyingly boundless, like an unfathomable abyss.

If Rein could end his days as part of a pirate gang, he would have accepted it. But now, this revenge machine that had been set into motion was like a hearse heading towards destruction.

No amount of intoxicating luxury could block out this extreme brutal anxiety.

But there was still a way to salvage it.

Just as Kai Deng was about to make her move.

"I’ll teach you how to keep up the act flawlessly, with no discrepancies."

Rein said so.

Kai Deng was rendered somewhat foolish by these words but still played the fool, "I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

"Listen closely...

Here’s how the rules are now.

You will collaborate with the current chief of Mulong Duchy, Crocodile Island, to eliminate all enemies as a form of submission.

Of course, just that wouldn’t be enough.

You also have to offer up... Alicia.

In doing so, both you and I will rise rapidly. Diaz is just a clown lurking in the darkness, isn’t he?"

Rein also sought to clear his name—if that person were outside, it would be fine, but as a member of the Aran Imperial Guard, he could only be met within the Royal Court.

He would use the most ancient method.

He would duel with that man in the midst of the Royal Court, to wash away the disgrace and return home triumphant.