"Do you believe in ghosts?"
Saint Rosward frowned, finding it absurd that even the Hero of the Navy would entertain such nonsense.
At that moment, a CP0 agent standing before him rushed to explain.
"My lord, the initial encounter involved a Cameko..."
This CP0 agent provided a detailed account of the events involving the Cameko, highlighting how even the female ghost would emerge from the Cameko to harm people.
However, Saint Rosward remained entirely skeptical, considering this explanation preposterous.
"You must be out of your mind to try and deceive me with such a tale."
Saint Rosward glared coldly at Garp and the CP0 agent.
"If you claim that a female ghost has been causing harm through a Cameko, then prove it to me personally by showing me the Cameko. I'll be the judge of whether this alleged female ghost will materialize to harm me!"
With a resolute expression, Saint Rosward had complete faith in the guards and CP agents accompanying him, and he was even less inclined to accept the accounts from Garp and the CP0 agent regarding the female ghosts.
"In order to investigate this matter, my son's killer must be found," Saint Rosward gave orders to the three CP0 agents he had brought along. "And you, Garp, must capture the murderer within three days and deliver them to me. The honor of us World Nobles cannot be tarnished."
"What on earth are you talking about?" Garp blurted out unceremoniously upon hearing this. These foolish Celestial Dragons were only adding to the chaos!
Garp was genuinely frustrated. "Garp, do you wish for your demise?" Saint Rosward erupted in anger, pointing at Garp and shouting, "Don't assume that your status as a hero of the Navy grants you the audacity to disrespect Celestial Dragons. Those who defy Celestial Dragons meet their end."
"Guards! Come here and restrain him!" Saint Rosward ordered. However, the few CP0 agents he had brought remained still for the moment.
One of the CP0 agents approached and whispered in Rosward's ear. "My lord, Garp holds an exceptional position within the Marines, and even among the Five Elders... We do not possess the capability to take action against him."
"Is that so?" Saint Rosward heard the mention of the 'Five Elders,' and his arrogance appeared to wane. Yet, he quickly regained his composure, blushed in embarrassment, and coughed to feign ignorance.
"Enough of this nonsense. In short, the Marines must cooperate in finding the murderer," Rosward insisted, but he ceased to mention Garp's capture any further.
Garp frowned but remained silent
Deputy Bogart, who was standing next to them, changed his expression several times. He decided not to discuss the Marines' compliance with the order and instead raised another matter.
"Saint Rosward, are you absolutely sure you want to watch the Cameko?"
"I've already stated it; must I repeat myself?" Saint Rosward frowned.
"But..." Bogart wanted to persuade him further, but Garp suddenly interrupted. "Go fetch the Cameko."
Garp knew that with the personality of the Celestial Dragons, once they made a request, someone had to comply.
From Saint Rosward's perspective, the Cameko was preposterous. However, refusing to show it to him would probably lead to further complications. In a way, an unreasonable Celestial Dragon was more of a headache than a murderous ghost.
Soon, the Cameko was retrieved by Bogart and presented to Saint Rosward.
Despite Saint Rosward's lack of belief in the supernatural, he activated the Den Den Mushi's projection screen and watched the entire Cameko recording. However, apart from peculiar images, Saint Rosward felt nothing unusual. He then turned his attention to a room specially arranged for him by the Marines and retired for the night.
The night passed without any disturbances.
"Garp! I knew you were speaking nonsense about ghosts. Nothing happened last night, and no spirits came to kill me. You've been insolent and have wasted my time with this false claim!" Saint Rosward scolded Garp early in the morning, releasing his frustration and anger.
Garp paid little heed to the verbal assault and inquired casually, "Do you have a handprint on your body?"
Saint Rosward was taken aback. He instinctively raised his hand and examined his wrist, where a blue-black female handprint indeed adorned his skin.
"What is this?" Saint Rosward waved his arm vigorously but couldn't rid himself of the black handprint on his wrist. Several servants were summoned to attempt to remove the stain from his wrist, but their efforts proved futile.
"Useless, all of you are utterly useless!" Saint Rosward cursed a few words and then put his hands behind his back, heading into the living room.
Although he acted with contempt, deep down, he was genuinely frightened. However, it wasn't due to a belief in ghosts. Saint Rosward didn't believe in the supernatural. From his perspective, someone must have sneaked into his quarters during the night and placed the handprint on him as a prank.
There is a person who can ignore the defenses of the Naval Headquarters, and even the CP agents protecting him couldn't detect them. Saint Rosward feared that they might truly kill him. Despite not considering himself particularly intelligent, he was aware that many people loathed him, even within the Navy. Therefore, he chose to believe that someone was playing a prank on him.
He refused to accept the supernatural explanation and lacked trust in Garp's ability to protect him.
"I want to return to the Holy Land. Only Mariejois can provide sufficient protection for me," Saint Rosward declared.
He was visibly anxious, with cold sweat dripping from his forehead, and an overwhelming urge to leave.
"Bring my son's body as well. I'm leaving immediately," he ordered in a hurry.
Garp attempted to stop him, citing the danger posed by theghost targeting those with the handprint. He suggested that it wouldn't be safe for Saint Rosward to leave immediately.
However, Saint Rosward dismissed Garp's warnings. "Enough of your nonsense! It's already been proven that there is no ghost! It's undoubtedly some Devil Fruit power or a mischievous prankster."
Saint Rosward flung the Cameko at one of the CP0 agents and ordered his entourage to depart immediately.
The CP personnel quickly retrieved Saint Charlos's body, and Saint Rosward's retinue rushed to the port. The World Government's grand ship was about to set sail.
"Vice Admiral Garp, what should we do?" Vice Admiral Momonga inquired, observing the unfolding situation.
Rosward's position was in turmoil, and there was a real danger that something could happen if he left the island.
Garp's response was grim. "Leave him. If he wants to die, we can't stop him."
He then added, "By the way, inform Sengoku about this. Otherwise, he'll scold me again."
Deputy Bogart nodded and promptly proceeded to relay the information to Sengoku.
Unbeknownst to anyone, inside the chest containing his son's relics packed by Saint Rosward's servants, something peculiar occurred. Amidst the clothes and possessions, a sudden flash of light transformed the imaginary into the real. A Cameko materialized, lying quietly inside the chest.
Editor: this chapter is so dang long, and so much "Saint Rosward" and all of them are misspelled!
P.S: I changed the power level to power scaling, it now measures more accurately of the physical prowess of our MC