Black Sail
Chapter 97: XCVII. Realm of God

Chapter 97: XCVII. Realm of God

Shadi didn’t care about the landlady; he just went over to see what the commotion was about.

On the dirt road outside the city.

The one engaging in the killing wasn’t a stranger to Shadi; he was very familiar with the man, who was a pirate from the ship, holding the position of soldier leader. His distinctive appearance made him stand out—his hair was shaved short on both sides, pale golden in color, and his left eye, scarred and with a cloudy blue iris, was that of the One-eyed Dragon.

"Okay, that’s enough, just chop off the legs and no more, don’t do anything unnecessary, just follow orders. If no one takes him away, let him wait here to die; whether he lives or dies is up to the heavens."

The One-eyed Dragon sternly reprimanded his subordinates, his authority unquestionable.

In Londen City, since most of the people coming for interviews were old, weak, sick or disabled refugees, efficiency was extremely low. Therefore, they had to find city brokers to recruit people and incorporate other, previously organized pirates.

Armed with a scimitar, the One-eyed Dragon finally severed a man’s legs and threw them aside like trash. The victim’s screams were piercing, blood gushing out like a fountain.

There were four people on the ground, eight legs amputated, lying right in the middle of the road. Every onlooker watched with cold indifference; the scene was horrifying, yet they did not involve themselves—delighting instead. The simple folk of Heaven Port sipped their drinks while watching, treating it like part of their meal.

It turned out they were from the Black Sail.

Shadi hurriedly went up to ask for details.

The One-eyed Dragon saw that a core member had come and did not neglect him. He was a meticulous thinker, flashy in his actions, and he knew all the core positions on the ship.

On a pirate ship, being a core member didn’t necessarily mean being a manager; Shadi’s honorary position meant he was even closer to the Captain, making it all the more reason to curry favor with him.

"You’re here, we just handled a little matter."

The One-eyed Dragon was well aware of the opportunity provided by Black Sail; holding a position himself now, he was considered an officer and had to take charge. Seven Golden Dragons paid as promised, no delays, and even a base salary—who else could offer such terms?

Shadi asked for the detailed story.

It turned out Liszt had spread the word and upped the ante; whether violence was used or not, mere threats warranted leg amputation. To keep the tough guys in check, strong measures had to be taken, otherwise, they might as well preach benevolence, integrity, and beauty to the desperados on the island.

"Are you two with... Fish Seller Fei and Mad Tiger?"

Shadi asked the two other scar-faced men standing by.

Both nodded in confirmation.

Men under Fish Seller Fei and Mad Tiger had received word that someone here was collecting a second round of protection money, after having already paid Black Sail. There was no reason to pay again.

The two were in the middle of negotiating with the Shattered Ice Pirate Group when a conflict arose.

Just then, the One-eyed Dragon happened to be drinking nearby with a few of his men. Hearing mention of Black Sail and the words spread by Liszt, they took the opportunity to chop off the men’s legs for them.

"I see, take this money, treat your brothers tonight, fill your stomachs, find some women."

Shadi, as a core member, could not shirk his duties and took out thirty silver coins to give to the One-eyed Dragon.

"Thank you." The One-eyed Dragon accepted the money with both hands, very politely, "And those four men on the ground..."

The One-eyed Dragon looked at Shadi to see if there were any further orders.

"Don’t bother with them, everyone just get on with what you were doing."

Shadi waved him off before sending the One-eyed Dragon on his way, and without further ado, he and his men continued their revelry.

He thought it best to return to the inn for the time being, leaving his girlfriend group matters for another day.

The landlady, seeing this bloody scene, became even more worried. On the ground, the expressions of the four men were of pain, but even more so of despair; nevertheless, it was deserved. They must have foreseen this day.

Maimed and disabled, without care, they could not survive inland, let alone at Heaven Port.

Now, with Black Sail on the cusp, Liszt indeed had power, and he was indeed ruthless, but was he more ruthless than the one residing in the castle?

Her concern for Shadi’s future grew.

"I’ll come to see you tomorrow."

Shadi threw this sentence at the landlady before heading towards the Inner City.

The landlady could only remain silent, knowing how difficult it was to change his mind. Perhaps the only chance would be to find Liszt herself and ask him to let Shadi go.

The landlady’s love for Shadi was pure and true.

Inner City.

Black Sail Inn, Liszt’s gang’s stronghold.

Liszt pondered going upstairs to confront Goria directly, "Hey, I’ve introduced you to a woman, get to know her, eh?"

No, that absolutely wouldn’t do.

It had to be a chance meeting, with love at first sight. Thankfully, the Baron’s fiancée was bisexual, and hearing that it was a famous adventurer, she felt unworthy; but the chance to spend a night with her? She’d be over the moon.

"Can you please stop flashing that terrifying smile?"

Mika stared at Liszt, probably conjuring up some evil plan.

"Starting today, we’re the Lily Party!"

Liszt said nonchalantly, as if it were the most righteous thing to say.

"Look out! A new term has surfaced!"

An inebriated Archer was truly shocked.

"What do you mean by ’Lily Party’?"

Mika frowned, it sounded like some sort of cult.

"This is... the realm of the gods."

Liszt spoke with a solemn and dignified expression, like a madman from the Church Court.

When Shadi came back, he saw Liszt being all abstract again and could only shrug as he reported the outside city’s recent events.

"Awesome."

Morison was intrigued. The Shattered Ice Pirate Group, huh? It seems like many people are getting restless and eager to make a move.

"No worries, I’ve got this under control. I can handle it all alone; I can even multitask. Right now, you just need to focus on..."

Liszt gestured upwards with his finger. The world is vast, but Dragon Lady is the greatest.

"Oh."

Since Liszt said so, it must be fine. Shadi found a place to sit and sober up.

"Ah... Aren’t you going to ask me what my plan is?"

Liszt was actually prepared to share his plan.

"Not interested."

Shadi, as an old sailor, knew Liszt was very cunning.

"Ah..."

Liszt was speechless.

In fact, he had already figured out the temperament of the island’s people.

He had been collecting labor fees with a charitable attitude, half the market price, truly under the guise of protection.

He didn’t expect so many would suddenly emerge.

But the situation was simple. The lawless rabble on the island were nothing but a disorganized crowd. A simple strategy would cause them to collapse without a fight, bringing down the protection fee of Heaven Port!

The price indeed needed to be raised, but not now, and only by a few copper coins to save everyone’s face.

If you raised it immediately,

Others would see that someone’s trying to mess with you and that you’ve caved in—how would you get by after that?

But the welfare of the locals couldn’t be skimped either. Liszt was the kind-hearted guy purely collecting public security management fees. In a few days, raising it by five copper coins would also justify his standing in Heaven Port, giving enough respect to his peers.

If that wouldn’t work,

Liszt still had his ace up his sleeve. The game was already big, and he was not weak in Heaven Port; he had connections with several other rather fierce Pirate Gangs.

I’ll give up a portion of the profits, even split them fifty-fifty, and just hand you the huge earnings of the game. No cost, pure profit— who wouldn’t be tempted? We’d control the scene together; which of the island’s riffraff would dare continue to act rashly?

Besides, Liszt never cared about that money. He was dealing in thousands of Golden Dragon business—why bother mixing with these pirates who never knew where their next meal would come from?

His sights were set on something else.

He was planning... New Heavenly Port.

"Hey, Shadi sir, just listen to me, it’s really brilliant."

Liszt couldn’t suppress his overwhelming desire to express himself.

"I mean it, I’m not interested."

Shadi was tired of being bothered and began to close his eyes to rest.

"Hehe, chicken soup for the soul coming up, long live understanding!"

Liszt rambled like a lunatic.