The Grand Korrigan wasn't limited to the West.
Most of the time, it operated in Eastern waters.
After all, compared to the savage, impoverished, and underdeveloped West,
the East was far wealthier, with far more rich people.
The population of the United States was largely concentrated in the East, accounting for nearly 90 percent of the total.
In 1899, the West had only just begun to be developed.
Out of a total population of seventy-five million, the East held eighty percent, while the entire West made up only twenty percent.
Within the West, Washington State and California alone accounted for ten percent of the region's population.
Saint Denis, where Davey was based and considered the eastern bridgehead, had only five to six hundred thousand people.
As for New Austin, West Elizabeth, New Hanover, Ambarino, and Lemoyne, the combined population of the five states was probably only around one million.
Most of that population was concentrated in Saint Denis, followed by Blackwater, Rhodes, Van Horn, Annesburg, and similar towns.
Given all that, Grand Korrigan's arrogance was easy to understand.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Mr. Land?"
"I don't think you truly understand just how important a figure Mr. Grand Korrigan is in the East."
"You should know that in a place like the East, brute force alone doesn't get you very far like it might in the West. The number of powerful people there is far beyond what you can imagine."
"Any one of them in a single city is not someone you can afford to provoke, Mr. Land."
"The fact that Mr. Grand Korrigan can operate a cruise ship casino is proof enough of his strength."
"Forgive my bluntness, Mr. Land, but do you know how many dollars the ship beneath your feet is worth?"
"Your entire fortune put together doesn't earn as much as this one ship."
"Its construction cost was 1.2 million dollars. Did you hear me clearly? One-point-two million dollars!"
When Davey said he intended to keep the ship, casino manager Daniel Avery immediately became agitated.
He nearly shouted as he spoke to Davey.
And he wasn't wrong.
Davey's entire fortune really did fall short of this luxury cruise ship.
One-point-two million dollars was an astronomical figure in the West, even in Saint Denis.
What's more, the Grand Korrigan was only one of Grand's many properties.
"So, Mr. Land, do you understand now?"
"I hope you'll apologize for what you just said."
After his outburst, seeing Davey remain silent, Daniel Avery assumed he had been intimidated.
That was exactly what he expected.
In the poor, backward, and uncivilized West, being frightened by such an enormous sum was perfectly normal.
Daniel Avery lifted his chin slightly, openly displaying his arrogance and disdain.
Davey chuckled softly, his tone calm.
"Maybe you're right, Mr. Avery. If I add up everything I own, it really doesn't compare to the luxury cruise ship under our feet."
"But there's one thing I need to remind you of—this is the West."
Daniel Avery clearly hadn't realized that the man in front of him was already getting angry.
There was obvious contempt in his voice.
"So what if it is, Mr. Land?"
"I know you're famous in Saint Denis, a big shot in this city."
"But you're not the only big shot here."
"And let me remind you that even the mayor of Saint Denis, along with every member of the council, is insignificant in front of Mr. Grand."
"So, Mr. Land, are you ready to apologize?"
Davey smiled.
He picked up the glass of red wine on the table and slightly turned toward the senior employee behind him—the legendary hunter and sharpshooter, Kerry Laval.
"Kerry, I think Mr. Avery may have had a bit too much to drink."
"Would you mind helping him sober up?"
Kerry Laval was the first sharpshooter Davey had ever recruited.
Since then, he had served as the captain of Davey's security team, responsible for protecting him.
Davey trusted Kerry's loyalty.
The fact that Kerry was willing to give up his status as a legendary hunter for his wife and child was proof enough of his devotion to his family.
Now, his wife and child lived in the high-end apartments Davey had built at the Valentine Land Farm.
Davey's promise to his senior employees was clear.
If they died while carrying out a mission, their wives would receive a large compensation payout, along with a monthly pension from the company for the rest of their lives.
Their sons would attend Land Elementary School and be supported by the Land Security Company until their eighteenth birthday, with full access to education.
If they were accepted into a university, all expenses would be covered by the company.
After graduation, Davey's businesses would give them priority in hiring.
All Davey asked for in return was loyalty.
"At your command, Mr. Land," Kerry said, bowing slightly in respect.
Then he walked toward Avery. "It would be my pleasure to serve you, Mr. Avery."
As Kerry approached, several other employees followed him.
"What are you doing, Mr. Land? What are you trying to do?!"
Avery shouted hoarsely, struggling as he tried to call out to the nearby security guards and sailors on the ship.
Several sailors heard the noise and rushed over.
They were immediately stopped by other employees.
When the employees drew their guns, the sailors fell silent at once.
They knew they were no match for these fully armed men.
Seeing how useless his people were, Avery couldn't help but curse, "Useless! All of you are useless!"
But with a revolver pressed to his head, he didn't dare say anything more.
"Mr. Land, I was wrong. Please forgive me."
"I shouldn't have done this. I'll help you contact Mr. Grand."
"He'll be your friend, I promise. I'll be your friend too."
Davey didn't respond.
He simply turned and looked toward the night view of the eastern city.
Separated by nothing more than a river, the eastern side glowed brilliantly with lights.
On the western side, vast darkness stretched out, with only Saint Denis showing a faint, dim glow.
Seeing that their boss had no new orders, Kerry and the others continued without hesitation.
They tied Avery up with rope—tight and secure.
"No, don't do this, Mr. Land!"
Avery begged repeatedly, but Davey remained unmoved.
Once Avery was bound, several employees dragged him to the edge of the deck and kicked him overboard.
The deck was high—nearly twenty meters above the surface of the sea.
Along with Avery's scream—
Splash. He dropped straight into the water.
This wasn't because Davey had prepared a rope dozens of meters long in advance.
The rope was already there on the deck.
Its primary purpose was to secure the cruise ship to the dock when it was moored at port.
Such ropes were typically extremely sturdy and long, designed to accommodate changes in water level and different docking conditions.
Most of the time, however, while the ship was at sea, they were used to punish disobedient sailors and slaves.
At that moment, Arthur and Javier Escuella were coming up.
They suddenly heard a scream nearby and saw a figure fall into the water not far from them.
"What's going on?"
Arthur and Javier Escuella hadn't had time to react.
The sailor who had brought them up took a closer look and cried out, "Mr. Avery! It's Mr. Avery!"
Without waiting for the two of them, he hurried toward the deck.
Arthur and Javier Escuella exchanged confused looks and followed after him.
Earlier below deck, they had already won all of the chips from the hosiery tycoon Desmond Blythe, including his Reutlinger Pocket Watch.
Unlike before, they now had no way to continue their original robbery plan.
For the moment, all they could do was quit while they were ahead—cash in the chips for dollars and keep the Reutlinger Pocket Watch.
It wasn't exactly in line with the Van der Linde gang's usual style, but at least Trelawny's stake had been recovered, with a small profit on top.
On the stairway to the deck, Arthur and Javier Escuella saw the sailor who had brought them up earlier.
A revolver was pressed to his head, his hands raised, not daring to say a word.
One of the employees glanced at Arthur and Javier Escuella, then barked at the sailor, "Get lost."
"Yes, sir. I'll leave right away."
The sailor didn't dare say another word and hurried off.
They all knew who was on the observation deck.
The entire cruise ship was already under the control of the Land Security Company's employees.
"Gentlemen, this is not a place you should be," one of the employees said.
"I just want to take back what belongs to me," Arthur said.
"A Reutlinger Pocket Watch. I won it."
"You'll get the watch when you leave, but not now," the employee replied.
"You should leave immediately."
He didn't recognize Arthur or Javier Escuella, but they were still guests of the gambling ship.
Arthur was reluctant, but faced with several armed employees, he had no other choice.
Just as they were about to leave—
"Let them come up. They're my friends."
Hearing that, the employee stepped aside.
Arthur and Javier Escuella immediately recognized the voice. They exchanged a glance and walked up.
They saw Davey seated at an elegant dining table, a lit cigar held between his fingers.
"Arthur, Javier Escuella," Davey said as he stood and walked toward them.
"So it really is you, Davey."
Arthur broke into a grin the moment he saw him.
They were old friends.
After giving Davey a friendly hug—
"Mr. Land," Kerry called out.
Davey nodded.
Kerry waved his hand, and two employees began turning the rope winch.
Avery, who had fallen into the sea, was slowly hauled back up.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser