East Blue, the Kingdom of Oykot, is a relatively wealthy country that specializes in various types of lamps. Its main product is a variety of crystal chandeliers, so its main sales products are luxury and expensive.
In order to maximize profits, the royal family and nobles in the country directly enacted laws to recruit all citizens into factories to produce lamps for them throughout the year.
The citizens have become full-time workers, although they do not worry about eating or drinking, and are even in better physical condition than many people in other kingdoms. But they have almost no free time, which makes people here look like emotionless robots.
Even if they saw a huge warship appearing in the port, the citizens did not react much. Only the soldiers of the Kingdom Army were surprised to see the groups of musket-wielding marines quickly get off the warship.
The captain leading the guard team quickly sent someone to notify the King, but he did not dare to intercept or interrogate the marines.
In fact, he has seen many navy warships, but this is the first time he has seen such a big one. Especially the triple turrets and the two rows of large-caliber artillery on the left and right sides are even more frightening.
Is this a warship of the Navy Headquarters?
...
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
A king's guard wearing a white breastplate, a black leather scabbard on his waist, and carrying a long-handled musket hurried in, shouting continuously.
The old King Xyvius was sitting on a throne made of crystal, talking to Prince Zarek. Seeing that the guard was so rude, there was obvious displeasure in his eyes.
"What are you shouting for? Don't you know what Palace etiquette is?"
Prince Zarek on the side glanced even more disgustedly.
"Your Majesty, the warships from the Navy Headquarters are here, and they said they want to see you!" The guard quickly stopped and panted to report.
"What!" The old King Xyvius stood up immediately and was about to go out to greet them, but after thinking about it, he slowly sat back.
"Father?" Prince Zarek looked at him doubtfully.
"Although they are from the Navy Headquarters, I am also the king of a country affiliated with the World Government. In terms of status, I don't need to greet them. I just need to wait here."
The old King Xyvius said slowly and softly. Prince Zarek nodded repeatedly and agreed. Indeed, who are they? The royal family of a country!
Ten minutes later, they saw a naval officer dressed in a justice cape and carrying a reddish-brown scabbard, and a man in a black suit, black shoes, white shirt and blue tie who looked like a government official carrying a black suitcase.
"Hello, King Xyvius, I am Commodore Langman of the Navy Headquarters."
The naval officer introduced himself in a very simple manner and then fell silent. Then the government official took command and said, "I am Harold, a member of Cipher Pol No. 1, a department under direct orders from the World Government."
People from CP1? The old King Xyvius secretly thought something was wrong. It would be fine if only the navy headquarters came, but if the CP people came with them, it would definitely not be a trivial matter, let alone a good thing. But on the surface, he still maintained an enthusiastic attitude.
"Hehehe, welcome, welcome, what's the purpose of the two of you coming to our Kingdom of Oykot?"
"Please wait."
Everyone saw this CP1 member pick up the black suitcase, and quickly enter the triple eight-digit password, taking out a brown document bag, then close the black suitcase and place it on the ground. Then he handed the documents to the King's guards who were next to him.
"Please pass it on to His Majesty the King."
Old King Xyvius took the documents sent by the guard and saw that it was a statement the World Government.
His expression changed as soon as he saw the contents of the document. But he soon regained his composure.
"It is indeed a good thing to establish an equal and friendly relationship with merfolk and fish-men, but if it is just sending a statement, I think there is no need for you two to come in person, right?"
Old King Xyvius asked tentatively. At the same time, Prince Zarek also looked at CP1 nervously.
"In accordance with Article 1 of the 'Communique on the Establishment of Equal and Friendly Relations between Humans and Merfolk and Fish-Men', all merfolk and fish-men of the member countries of the World Government who are held against their will, they must be returned to Fishman Island unconditionally."
The CP1 member was seen looking directly at the king on the stage with an expressionless face, and his tone became colder and more ruthless.
"The buying and selling of slaves are a violation of the laws of the World Government and should have been punished. But the Five Elders have granted an exemption from liability as long as you cooperate with our work, you will not be held responsible for previous violations of the law."
Old King Xyvius smiled and said: "But we don't have any Fishman here. Are you looking in the wrong place?"
"Your Majesty, please do not doubt the espionage capabilities of our Cipher Pol." The CP1 member's eyes were calm, and he did not pay attention to the king's sophistry at all.
"Half a year ago, Prince Zarek visited the Kingdom of Goa and bought a mermaid from Marquis Abt for 130 million Belly, and it is currently in a new water tank in the garden of this palace."
Old King Xyvius fell silent. He had nothing to say and was also a little frightened.
Suddenly, Prince Zarek couldn't bear it any longer, took a step forward and said angrily: "Hey, what are you talking about?"
CP1 and Commodore Langman turned their eyes to him.
"Yes, I have a mermaid, but Marquis Abt of the Kingdom of Goa in the Sabaody Archipelago bought it and then resold it to me. The whole process was reasonable and legal, so it is my property. And now you come to tell me that the slavery is illegal. So, you want to take her?"
Prince Zarek is naturally unwilling to give in. He hasn't had enough fun with the mermaid yet, and even if he has enough fun one day, he can still make some money by selling it to nobles from other countries.
"Reasonable and legal?"
The CP1 member looked at Prince Zarek coldly, "The slave trade was banned by the laws of the World Government a long time ago."
"Hey, there are so many slave companies on the Sabaody Archipelago, and the slave auction house has not been closed down by you. The slave trade has long been a fact recognized by everyone, including the World Government and the Navy!" Prince Zarek said angrily.
"Ignore does not mean approve. Anyway, upon investigation, his purchase of mermaids is a violation of World Government laws. So, you decided to refuse to cooperate with our work and then go to Enies Lobby with us?
Following this question from the CP1 member, Commodore Langman's eyes became sharper, and he completely ignored the dozen or so king's guards around the hall.
"You..." Prince Zarek still wanted to argue.
"Enough!" At this time, Old King Xyvius stopped him with an angry shout. He then turned to a guard and ordered, "Go and get that siren, and then let her leave here."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Father!" Prince Zarek was furious.
"In that case, we say goodbye."
When CP1 members and Commodore Langman saw that the matter had been settled, they turned around and walked out of the palace hall without any hesitation. They also hurried to two other countries to ask for Fishman slaves.
"Father, why? We are a member of the World Government. We hand over the heavenly tribute on time every year. So, what if we don't give it to them? Do they still dare to rob it?"
Prince Zarek was shaking with anger.
"Robbery?"
Old King Xyvius did not expect his son to be so stupid and said in a mocking tone: "They have orders from the Five Elders, why don't their dare? Why do you think Commodore Langman came here?"
"Just because of a mermaid, you are going to go against the World Government. Now I see it, the day you inherit the throne, you will end up destroying the country sooner or later!"
---
I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> patreon.com/TitoVillar
---