The situation had completely calmed down.
The Count’s family, having reached an agreement, had the gloom on their faces dissipate, and they began to carefully handle their tableware.
Morrison, on the other hand, ate from start to finish without pause; even during the tense moments earlier, he never put down his fork. Li Site, although a bit neurotic, was a reliable person who never dropped the ball at critical times, confident that nothing would go wrong.
Sven also took his seat. As a formal member of the Thieves’ Guild, money was never an issue for him. Having seen and eaten many grand meals before, he had limited interest in the feast laid out on the table.
With the atmosphere relaxed, the Count even arranged for a musician nearby to play the violin. The volume was just right, serving as background music to ease the mood without interfering with normal conversation.
“One of them is a high-ranking member of the Holy Spirit Church’s Judgment Office…”
Before the Count could finish speaking,
“Wait… Is that from the Gion Kingdom?”
Li Site asked involuntarily.
Relatively speaking, the Holy Spirit Church was a very moderate sect. There were fewer fanatics compared to other religions on the Western Continent, which often made people twisted and dark. Li Site was a bit wary of those other sects like the “Miracles of Suffering,” the “Holy True Lord,” and the “Silent Monastic Order.” He feared them not because of death, but because they were bizarre and eerie.
Depending on the region, major sects like the Holy Spirit Church varied greatly in doctrine. Religions often had strong social service characteristics, and even within the same religion, doctrines shifted according to local political ecologies—similar to how on Earth one religion might split into Catholicism, Puritanism, Protestantism, and so forth.
The original fundamentalist Holy Spirit Church had extremely strong universal values. Its advocated customs and inner logic were highly sophisticated, enabling a civilization to develop in a positive cycle.
But in the Gion Kingdom, it was different; the Holy Spirit Church had become a political tool of the Gion king. There, the Church’s demon hunters were unapproachable and uncommunicative. Once they targeted you, no good outcome awaited.
If you gave them a hundred million to chase away a snail, they might not even have money, and it wasn’t a snail after all—they were ultimate fanatics who might not kill you but would carry out elaborate ceremonies.
Thus, Archer, who had crossed paths with the Gion court, was terrified upon hearing that the demon hunters were coming.
“They’re not from the Gion Kingdom, but from within Arlan territory—the Punisher Karoso.”
The Count called over a servant and lit a premium cigarette.
The Arlan Kingdom was quite formidable, allowing its citizens religious freedom and permitting other religious forces to establish churches and preach, as long as the rent for the land was paid. The Emperor was an impressive figure who once proclaimed that the Eternal and Timeless Dragon was generous and embraced all gods.
So, when you’re the Emperor, that kind of spirit is truly terrifying and boundless. The Eternal Sect went from second-tier to become the number one religious force on the Western Continent. Everyone was willing to believe in the most powerful.
“Have you heard of this person?”
Li Site hadn’t and asked the other three.
Fen and the others all shook their heads.
“Not hearing about them is normal. Those Church people don’t like to show their faces,” the Count explained.
Li Site looked meaningfully at Morrison. The nickname “Punisher” sounded explosively impressive. He wondered if Morrison could really handle it.
Morrison, carefree, kept devouring his food without caring who the bodyguard was.
“The Punisher is a position,” the Count said with some meaning.
Fen ate his meal and, connecting it with some matters within Arlan, although unaware of the person’s reputation, had some idea about the principal they were escorting.
“And the other person?”
“This one is quite famous—a hero-level adventurer who has not joined any guild. A lone wolf. You must have heard of her—the Moonwheel Swordsman Gloria.”
The Count said calmly.
Li Site gasped inwardly. A hero-level adventurer was only one step away from the Hall level, a significant figure. Wait… Gloria?
Li Site’s fist tightened.
Though he had never seen her in person, the rumors about the bored-to-death adventurer suggested she was quite a character.
Fen said instinctively.
“Is there something wrong with that?”
The Count asked. He had already mentioned both bodyguards’ names; now it was time to finalize the details.
The Count had instructed that the estate’s finest wine had already been opened and poured into a goblet before Fen.
Fen took a sip. Bringing women on pirate ships was taboo, but since this woman had self-protection abilities, it was acceptable. Without such abilities, having a couple hundred starving, ruthless men on a tedious voyage would inevitably lead to evil desires and unrest. At worst, there could be smuggling assaults in some corner of the ship or even crew fights resulting in death.
Since she was the Moonwheel Swordsman, no trouble would arise—she might have desires but no cowardice. Three weeks in Heaven’s Port was not too long. There were brothels at stopovers en route, so if she was really restless, she could handle it.
“All high-caliber people.”
Li Site pondered. The Punisher would only be stronger than Gloria, not weaker. After all, the adventurer was hired. The official personal bodyguard had to be more formidable.
“How are they meeting up? Are they coming straight to Secret Port, or what?”
Fen asked for specifics.
“They won’t stay overnight at my estate. The rendezvous point is Lavender Town, southwest of Linden City. They will come to a small lakeside villa five miles east of the town, very easy to recognize. It’s a property I use for vacationing, quite luxurious. Ideally, it’s ten days later. You should wait there, pick them up at Secret Port, and don’t hesitate—set sail directly to Heaven’s Port. As for the contact person in Heaven’s Port, they will inform you.”
The Count, to be safe, explained everything once again to the group of four.
Fen memorized all the key points: Lavender Town, five miles east, lakeside vacation mansion, ten days later.
“Good.” Li Site knew this was a death-defying task, far from the ease the Count suggested. “The final payment is the letters of marque. Indeed, it’s an offer that can’t be refused. But the final payment is still the final payment. From now on, we, the brothers, could die at any moment.”
The Count smiled, naturally understanding Li Site’s meaning.
“The deposit will also be paid in installments. From now on, every day, I will send a hundred gold dragons to your ship until the tenth day when you send someone to Lavender Town. This is today’s share.”
The Count clapped his hands, and the butler took a delicate small box from the servant, opened it for Li Site to inspect, then quietly closed it and placed it in front of Li Site.
Even Sven, who dealt with treasures the most, was amazed by the Count’s move. These were not copper or silver coins—they were gold dragons. One gold dragon could provide a person with food, clothing, housing, and transportation for half a year.
Fen was also tempted. This was a record-breaking sum, surpassing even the Black Sails’ highest haul of over nine hundred gold dragons. That time, a whole ship of people wasted away in Heaven’s Port for over half a year, becoming useless.
Morrison was still just a food guy.
“Count… you’re really straightforward. I have no words. Deal. I’ll drink to that.”
Li Site raised his glass and downed it in one gulp.
Even the Count’s eldest daughter felt a bit heartbroken because this was truly the estate’s finest wine, the kind that could be a collectible and auctioned for a high price—a genuine waste of treasure.