CHAPTER 617: 232. FATE IS FREE

The lathe for manufacturing spare parts sent by the Atomic Heart Church completed the dimensional transformation from zero to one. Although there is still an insurmountable gap compared to the Imperial City New Industrial Zone managed by Lagrange, considering various power generation modes, Heaven Port is an isolated island, and its geopolitical disadvantage is irreversible. Thermal power generation implies enormous coal transportation costs and attracts intense international attention.

However, the solution created by Heavenly Mother Mo Yutong of the Atomic Heart Church successfully addressed the severe consumption issues of the local magic energy industry on the Western Continent, improving the utilization rate of demon crystal power generation to a certain extent and reducing conversion losses.

But that’s as far as it goes. The magic energy industry always has shortcomings; only super-rich individuals can handle it, with very low coverage on the Western Continent, leading to the noticeable coexistence of mechanical demon puppets, mechanical arms, and cold weapons.

Mo Yutong only optimized to a certain extent and couldn’t change the predicament of the magic energy industry being toppled by the price war of cheap energy. However, the magic energy industry still has a space for survival in some aspects, compared to Liszt’s homeland, where it’s even more developed.

Although it has the drawback of high energy consumption, it is not significant when considering the product’s added value. The foundational infrastructure for high-end manufacturing on the Western Continent is in place, allowing the import (or robbery) of raw materials, to leverage manufacturing advantages in exporting various famous East Sea products inland.

Considering East Sea and Lostra are in a honeymoon period, Lostra provides an excellent market, as long as the Prime Minister doesn’t impose excessive tariffs, mutual benefits can be fully achieved.

Lostra is under a constitutional monarchy, where decisions are often made by the Prime Minister, though the Empress is not just a figurehead and has significant decision-making power as well.

Combined with Liszt’s peaceful acquisition strategy for the East Sea, even though the new season has opened in East Sea, many coveting Liszt’s position, it is currently well-maintained.

The buyout protection fee from the Far East Ship Traders Association and Beima East Coast Ship Traders Association, collected quarterly, is also underway.

But these are minor issues.

The largest factor is the influx of external capital.

Of course, treating external investments in Black Sail as dividends for shareholders would turn it into a Ponzi scheme, and such tricks are not limited to small players, but it’s something more significant figures disdain.

Black Sail aims for dominance, and clearly disdains playing such games.

The land amalgamation in ideology forms an unshakable interest group, which is the most important aspect.

The nature of stock investments clearly cannot be divided into dividends, but foreign investments in property ownership, lease contracts, and market development in Heaven Port, although investments, are not equivalent to stock investments and can be counted as income. These are investments in market interests, distinct from investments in Black Sail’s headquarters, and risky yet lucrative for big players willing to bet.

If viewed by Madmen, they would persist in a broad absolute perspective.

It’s still distributing external investments to shareholders.

Unfortunately, though...

Big figures thrive on such endeavors.

Third-quarter dividends, especially after dealing with Zote, will see explosive growth, with Lostra as a great ally.

Seemingly, high-level figures from that side express interest in Far East-Western Continent communication bridges. Aran’s control over the Narrow Sea is deep; the Giant Whale Guest family, which has been entrenched for over a hundred years, has already shown defeat twice here, and in terms of maritime rights, the Narrow Sea cannot be compromised, but alternative paths are necessary, and some ideas exist.

Further maneuvering and micro-managing would propel Black Sail to match the Western Continent’s Four Heavenly Kings, the Thief Guild, the Gate of Truth, among these large transnational underworld organizations.

Currently at the Half-step King Realm, just lacking an opportunity, requiring a destined person.

Who is the destined one?

Transform effortlessly, destiny is free, Liszt believes Diaz, the Giant Whale Guest, and himself are destined.

Overall.

Mika, founding shareholder of Black Sail.

Now considered a significant figure, although the money hasn’t arrived yet, the December dividend will culminate, and playful endeavors with the Cloud Palace will inevitably follow until bored.

This grand departure ceremony gives Mika unease, how to strategize against Qili is indeed a problem, but hell, it’s about seeing and dealing with it.

"Stop arguing, you’re making me feel like death. Once in the Imperial City, I’ll connect with you together with Swan."

Mika ceased any further chatter.

Pirates have already loaded the coffin onto the Church Court’s exclusive train, and under Fen’s spell, the typecast Priest can only fully cooperate.

"Remember, you must transform into Dead Line Warrior, arriving on point on the night of September 9th. Otherwise, my damn interruption will directly end me. Overseeing the scene allows for early retreat; those cursed priests and Mulong puppet army naturally will act, do not foolishly mess with the vehicle yourself to open the box, those Imperial City folks hell... Ultraman Tiga might even chop off directly."

Liszt repeatedly emphasized after the confrontation with Zote, deeply realizing the unshakable position of the New Aran Military Government.

"Do you think I’m stupid? I’m leaving."

Mika stopped wasting time, ensuring no changes along the way. With the train’s engine braking, wheel bearings turning, the sound of rumbling carried former dynasty remnants, Aran No.1 Wanted Criminal, the most precious gift heading to Aran Imperial City.

"Mika is out, what do we do?"

Shadi looked at the dense crowd behind, still needing to stay in Mulong for a while longer.

"What else can we do? Just wait for Uborio himself to arrive, it will take some time to come from the Kelor Highlands."

Liszt was speechless, estimating he would arrive tonight, or the day after tomorrow at the latest in the Royal Capital. Still, the railway is truly convenient; Mulong is not much bigger than an eel’s home. If he still had to ride a horse to the Royal Capital, he would be exhausted.

The Mulong King has opened the railway, which is good news for Liszt.

"That’s not what I’m asking about. After everything in the Royal Capital is finished."

Shadi hinted at something.

"Leave some people in the Royal Capital to verify the railway distribution issue and subsequent oversight of Su Yizhana’s regime. We will first go to Golden Palm Port to inspect the fief. In the future, that will be our territory; it’s a nail in the Narrow Sea that won’t budge. Afterwards... it’s best to head back to Heaven Port."

Liszt was contemplating that the Narrow Sea is on Aran’s doorstep. How the Emperor considers it is still unknown. However, at Heaven Port, the Emperor is far away, so why should he bother?

"I plan to stay in the Mulong Royal Capital for a while."

Fen volunteered, and honestly, others were not reassured. Additionally, he continued to add, "The accounts of the Mulong Royal Court are hard to calculate. One needs political acumen and someone who can dominate the Mulong bureaucracy. I want to invite some friends from Pedan and the Warlock Council here. I’m not sure what everyone thinks. Of course, these people will bill my account, and the company won’t bear any cost."

A rude awakening!

Even setting aside all political factors, the so-called friends from the Warlock Council are mostly unwelcomed Black Mages. Otherwise, they wouldn’t wade into this muddy water.

Wolman had a cold glare, but soon a slight smile emerged. It’s not possible to be absolute when speaking, first ignoring the idlers among the original eleven of Black Sail, and for the rest, words must be chosen carefully.

He spoke with a semi-joking tone.

"Damn, when you come from such a cold place as Pedan, staying in Mulong might be uncomfortable. If they run off, and there’s no one from the company at the Royal Court, will you be held accountable?"

Wolman said as such.

All the key figures present sensed the underlying tension. Shadi Reen also had a gloomy look, while Morison was uninterested in these matters, showing a fake smile.

Archer is truly divine; even when drunk, he senses something is wrong—an unprecedentedly terrifying atmosphere suddenly arises.

"Damn, if even one copper coin doesn’t match, we’ll be in big trouble."

No doubt about it.

Archer is now the most authentic pirate; when told to be cautious, he strikes you with Dermatitis Cream.

Liszt scratched his back head; Fen actually had a point. Sending pirates to mess with the Royal Court’s affairs definitely won’t work. These people are good at cutting, not scheming. Specialization is necessary; there must be schemers to do the scheming.

Of course, it’s the same agreed-upon conditions as with Uborio, for continuous benefits, nothing can be overstepped. However, whether the people of Mulong agree is uncertain. If they treat the East Sea brothers as a spittoon, holding it when needed and kicking it away when not, that’s unacceptable.

It must be done by ruthless schemers to be reliable.

But Fen is proud and strong; he speaks some harsh words.

Still, it’s not as harsh as Old Man’s words, though.

Fen’s face turned a bit ugly.

Liszt tries to smooth things over, "Trouble like hell, that’s the thing. Regarding the condition with Uborio, I need a portion of personnel to stay in the Mulong Royal Capital long-term to oversee project operations. Fen paying out of his pocket for these people actually reduces personnel salary expenses. We’ve spent several months working hard on Mulong; we can’t be doing loss-making deals. Supervision must be in place, and everyone needs to contribute. Fen means that he just wants to invite people, and anyone from Black Sail can come."

Wolman did not let it rest because, as the second most educated person on the ship, he couldn’t possibly not understand specialization and that this is the best solution. But he just couldn’t let Fen amass more power within Black Sail; he had to curb it somewhat, "I’m damned, damn it. Now I’m the bad guy, it seems. Truly, many brothers from the Great Wetland have spent their entire lives in those ruins and haven’t seen much of the world, quite pitiful. It’s just right for them to go out and learn, without ulterior motives."

"Hey, everyone can come, anyone who wants to come can come, damn it, after we’ve won the battle, having fun at the Royal Capital party, jeez."

Liszt was about to add more.

A scout’s message arrived.

Western line battles ended earlier than Silver Moon City; Uborio and the others, with Su Yizhana, would arrive tonight.

"Still, we must tidy up; we can’t slack off. Damn puppet government—who knows, the puppet king might strike in a Gundam form!"

Liszt took off the bandage wrapped around his hand.

"Uh... Uborio received a letter from the Royal Capital and will host the National Heir ceremony on the sixth. All those comprador bureaucrats and the puppet king ran off, leaving only the loyal followers of the old king."

The scout added.

"Uh..."

Liszt was speechless.