As the famous minstrel group, Heart Garden, sauntered into room 818,

even Galen was taken aback.

Saleret, in the midst of his drink, paused tactically, his hand suspending a bottle in midair, staring fixedly.

The trio's eyes went round as saucers, confronted with the kind of sublime, "holy smokes" women one simply wouldn't encounter in real life.

Because they were professionals at this.

Even women with inherently higher beauty might now fall short in comparison, as every design aimed to capture men's hearts. And considering they themselves were second-rate musicians, who had their moment touring and performing, their visual appeal was impeccable, the ultimate arm candy.

With glamorous makeup and hairstyles, each had big, wavy locks tied in unique styles to avoid overlapping personas within the group, and each had a different hair color.

Their eyeshadow glinted like star-studded skies, the backless cuts of their gowns mapped tantalizing trails up to forbidden paradises, below the high slits of their skirts hung suspender belts over sheer lace stockings, their waists swayed delicately like slender willows in the breeze, their lofty figures resembling those of stage actresses, their colorful high heels clicking rhythmically to tug at one's heartstrings.

Just one of them was enough to break through the heavens with her beauty and figure, let alone six together. It was as if the brilliant lights of Duguli below were a blurred, glittering reflection of the Milky Way.

Even Rein was dumbstruck. Who wouldn't be dazed? Those fifteen Golden Dragons were damn well spent.

"First, adjust the equipment."

The lead singer of Heart Garden instructed her bandmates on the elevated stage, as they fiddled with the piano and other instruments.

She caught the dumbfounded looks from the five men and cracked a knowing smile. Surprised much?

"First time here?"

Her voice, let's put it this way, was like the fucking Li Si of Aran.

Who could stand that?

Rein, who had previously dismissed the group as just a bunch of whores, was now feeling a bit socially anxious. People get nervous in front of someone they're desperate to fuck, trying to project a certain quality they lack to enhance their sexual allure.

But pirates...

Lack that kind of sexual allure; they have nothing of the sort and could only stiffen up.

"I'll be coming often. Maybe I'll invest and buy this place out. It's not impossible."

Rein leaned back against the sofa, posing like a big spender.

Chuan Che was flabbergasted. With Boss not here, that statement actually had no persuasive power. Even Liszt saying it personally might've been more effective, it definitely drew laughs.

Yes, ambitions like those of Ox, Wolman, and Fen were terrifying, but now, Rein too had recognized the value.

That fucking Fen must've played like this every day before, right? Goddamn it, General Fen, you truly deserve to die.

Black Sail had to expand. One day Liszt would come here and buy it, motherfucker, to make it their main base.

The lead singer gave a noncommittal response. The owner of Cloud Palace had solid ties within the Royal Court, rumored to be a former soldier under Cicero, one who entered the ranks with the Emperor. Although long retired, he was still a loyalist of Cicero.

And who was Cicero? The head of the Aran National Bank.

Naturally, the lead singer, with high emotional intelligence, did not refute Rein.

"After buying this place, could you pull me out of the hellfire?"

The lead singer helped to adjust the equipment, playing along with the flirtation, fine-tuning things to about forty percent.

Rein was on the verge of tears. Such a beauty must be working here against her will. He had to go... save her!

"Absolutely, it's fucking love at first sight! Big Brother might not be cultured or fond of talking, but Big Brother loves you."

Rein took a drag from his cigarette with a country bumpkin's grace.

The lead singer genuinely smiled for a moment. Most clients here put on airs and hid behind them. It was indeed rare to meet someone so blunt even if a bit unrefined.

"I get it, just like a little kid, let me sing you a song, sis."

With the equipment finely tuned, the lead singer cleared her throat and began to play a lower-key version of "War Era." Without asking, the adventurers and mercenaries were more than willing to listen to this.

Even Rein had a smirk on his face, not like the usual obedient prostitutes at all—was she truly this refined, having studied at a prestigious music academy? Who in Heaven Port wasn't a cold-blooded killer? Of course, excluding those like Morison and Archer with broken brains, who didn't want to find a haven for their souls?

It wasn't just about having good looks; professional capabilities were essential too. The LIVE atmosphere was at its peak, and the performance was a private service, just for one.

"My goodness."

Even someone like Ben, who used to spend money like water, had never experienced such a thing before and was almost moved to tears. He had to enhance his proactivity, he must play the role of Duguli's trade representative well, like a real big spender.

He would need to sneak out and steal some more money later; the appearance fee for one girl was nearly that of three Golden Dragons—a steep price. And for a private performance, who knew how many times that might multiply.

"Have you ever been to the Royal Court before?"

Chuan Che asked Saleret, who had been treated like a sucker by Lostra. Forget being summoned by the Empress, he hadn't even stepped foot inside.

"I've had the honor of visiting Gureg."

With beauties accompanying his drink, Saleret was breaking his restraints tonight, one cup after another, lamenting the changes of the world. With the East Sea closed off, returning to the mainland after ten years felt like stepping into a completely different world.

"Damn it, I guess the Royal Court would be like this too. If it were full price, I'd have to come here every day, and all my capital would be gone in just over two months."

Chuan Che pondered. The promise made by Celeste was tempting, but if Liszt could indeed make it come true, it was another option, and he too could play the sucker.

"Once Boss has dealt with the Mulong matter, money will just be a number."

Saleret never really cared about it; hanging around Doringger for too long had twisted his mentality a bit. Doing things like dining and dashing didn't weigh on his conscience; with his skills, he could freeload across the Western Continent.

The band's woman overheard their conversation.

She had been informed ahead of time that the guests were Hall-level adventurers and his friends, who were far wealthier than those in the main hall. A couple of months? They really were super-rich.

Bribery was a minor matter, but when it came to the actual amount, that was confidential. Swan had been called out, and Zahak had instructed him not to come back.

More than two hours later.

Swan had also made a plan; in the early hours, he would take care of a naval officer, of course not directly; the officer would leave Sky Inn and be set to die in a day or two.

The poison could do the job; the man would wake up in the morning feeling flu symptoms and go home to find himself critically ill. Wanting to see the doctor, but he would already be dead on the road halfway there.

Anyone who stood in his way met this fate.

When Swan changed back into his clothes and returned to room 818, he was dumbfounded. The attendants, who would have otherwise served until midnight, had already been sent away, signaling the start of private time.

It was almost half-past ten now.

Rein admired the dedicated ladies of Heart Garden, who played almost non-stop, taking only short breaks.

Stop singing already, there are more important things at hand. Private performance is a must, but not before a round of drinking.

On a U-shaped sofa upholstered with silver-backed bear skin, they were drinking and playing drinking games with the musician, all revved up by alcohol.

Only Saleret was behaving himself, what kind of guy plays like this with a drinking partner anyway? He just had the musician massage his legs while he kept pouring drink after drink, absorbed in his thoughts, staring at the tower.

Galen was in a daze; the whole scene was like a dream.

Swan was on the edge of exploding; they were actually picking up prostitutes when death was near at hand.

But this group was so sex-crazed; to kick them out now would risk their lives.

Take action at two in the morning.

In a head-on fight, they stood no chance against those people; they had to take them all out.

It might also be worth discussing with Saleret, the person with the most clout, as a precaution.

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