Chapter 24 Navy and CP1 in East Blue!
East Blue, Oikot Kingdom. This is a relatively prosperous country, specializing in various lamps. Its flagship product is the Crystal Chandelier, making its trade customers exclusively wealthy or noble.
The Royal Family and nobles of the country, in order to earn maximum profit, directly enacted laws to force all citizens into factories to produce lamps year-round for them.
Citizens who have completely become full-time workers, although not worried about food and clothing, and even in significantly better conditions than many poor countries, have almost no free time. This resulted in the people here all having apathetic expressions.
They looked just like a bunch of robots!
Even when seeing an enormous warship appear in the Port, the citizens showed little reaction as they walked by. Only the soldiers of the Kingdom Army stood with mouths agape, dumbfounded as squadrons of Marines holding firearms briskly walked down the Deck, stepping onto planks.
The leading general, besides immediately sending someone to notify the King, didn't dare to go up to intercept or question them.
This Navy warship, he had actually seen them before, but this huge one was really for the first time. Especially those triple cannon turrets on top and the two rows of large cannons on each side, it was even more terrifying to look at.
Is this Marine Headquarters?
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
A Royal Guard wearing white breastplate, with a black leather scabbard at his waist, and carrying a long firearm on his back, rushed in, shouting repeatedly.
King Siniel Levai was sitting on the crystal throne, talking with Prince Lyle who was standing below the platform. Seeing this Royal Guard being so impolite, obvious displeasure showed in his eyes.
"What are you shouting for? Where have your usual manners gone!" Prince Lyle aside even glanced at him with disdain.
"Your Majesty, a warship from Marine Headquarters has arrived! They said they want to see you!" This Royal Guard hastily stopped and reported, panting.
"What!" King Siniel Levai instantly stood up, was just about to go out to greet them, but after thinking for a moment, he slowly sat back down.
"Father?" Prince Lyle looked at him puzzledly.
"Although they are from Marine Headquarters, I am also a King of an Affiliated Nation under the World Government. In terms of status, there's no need to greet them. Just wait for them here."
King Siniel Levai leisurely said softly. Prince Lyle listened and nodded repeatedly, completely agreeing. Indeed, who are they?
A country's Royal Family! Headquarters' Navy, isn't it still just the Navy?
Ten minutes later, only to see a Navy Officer draped in a Justice Coat, with a brownish-red scabbard at his waist, and a person in black Suit, black leather shoes, white shirt, blue tie, government official attire, carrying a Black Box, walk in.
"Hello, King Siniel Levai, I am Commodore Langman from Marine Headquarters." The former simply gave a brief self-introduction and stopped talking. Immediately after, the latter took over speaking, and said: "I am Harold, a member of CIPHER POL No.1, a directly affiliated department of the World Government."
CP1 people? King Siniel Levai secretly thought it was bad news. If it was just Marine Headquarters coming, it would be nothing much, but with CP people coming along, then it's definitely not a minor issue, even less of a good thing.
"Hehehe, welcome, welcome. May I ask what brings you two to our Oikot Kingdom?" But on the surface, he had a warm attitude.
"Please wait a moment." Only to see this CP1 member lift up the Black Box, rapidly entered a triple eight-digit password, took out a tan File Bag from inside, then closed the Black Box and casually placed it on the ground. Immediately after, holding the file respectfully with both hands, he handed it to the Royal Guard soldier aside.
"Please pass it to His Majesty the King."
King Siniel Levai, without understanding why, received the File Bag brought over by the Royal Guard. Found inside was a document report. Taking it out to look, it turned out to be a World Government Communiqué!
"This—" But as soon as he looked at the content above, his complexion changed. Specifically speaking, it became somewhat unpleasant, however, soon after, he controlled his expression.
"This communiqué about establishing equal and amicable relations with Mermaid and Fish-men is indeed a good thing, but if it's just to deliver a Communiqué, I think it should be unnecessary for you two to come in person, right?" King Siniel Levai asked tentatively. Meanwhile, that Prince Lyle was also looking at CP1 with a nervous expression.
"According to the first article of the "Communiqué on Establishing Equal and Amicable Relations between Humans and the Mermaid Tribe, Fish-man Tribe," all Mermaid Tribe and Fish-man Tribe within the territory of Affiliated Nations must be unconditionally returned to the Fish-man Tribe." Only to see this CP1 member expressionless stared directly at the King on the platform, his Tone also turned even colder and more ruthless.
"Slave trade is already in violation of the World Government's law, and originally should be penalized, but the Five Elders specially approved that as long as you properly cooperate with our work, you will not be held accountable for any liability!"
King Siniel Levai said with a smile: "But we don't have any Fish-men here. Have you come to the wrong place?"
"Please do not doubt the intelligence capability of our CIPHER POL." The CP1 member's gaze was very calm, completely disregarding the King's quibbling.
"Six months ago, your country's Prince Lyle visited Goa Kingdom, and purchased a female Mermaid from Marquis Abbot for a price of 130 million Belly. She is currently in the newly built Water Tank in the Royal Palace Garden."
King Siniel Levai fell silent. He was speechless, and also somewhat frightened.
Suddenly, Prince Lyle couldn't hold back anymore, stepped forward and angrily said: "Hey, what are you talking about?"
CP1 and Commodore Langman's gazes shifted to him.
"Yes, I did buy a Mermaid, but that was purchased by Marquis Abbot of Goa Kingdom in Sabaody Archipelago, and then resold to me. The entire process is legal and legitimate, so it is my property. On what basis do you say you want it and just take it?"
"Legal and legitimate?" The CP1 member coldly looked at Prince Lyle. "Slave trade was forbidden by the World Government's law long ago!"
"Hey, there are so many slave trading companies and Slave Auction House on Sabaody Archipelago, but I haven't seen you completely shut them down. Slave trade has long been a fact that is tacitly accepted by everyone, including your World Government and Navy!" Prince Lyle chuckled in anger.
"Tacitly accepted, not acknowledged. If investigated, your purchasing a Mermaid is in violation of the World Government's law. So, are you deciding to refuse to cooperate with our work, and then go to Enies Lobby with us?" With the CP1 member's question, beside him, Commodore Langman's pair of fierce eyes turned sharp, completely disregarding the about ten Royal Guards around the Great Hall.
"You—" "Enough!" Prince Lyle still wanted to argue further, at this time, King Siniel Levai on the platform let out an angry shout to stop him, then turned to a Royal Guard and ordered: "Go bring out that Mermaid, and then send it to the Port to hand over to the Navy."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Father—!" Prince Lyle became frantic.
"Since this is the case, then we will take our leave." CP1 member and Commodore Langman, seeing that the matter is settled, without any hesitation, turned to leave the Royal Palace Great Hall. They were still hurrying to go to two other countries to demand Fish-man slaves.
"Father, why? We are Affiliated Nations of the World Government. Every year, the Celestial Tribute is submitted on time. What can they do if we just don't give them a mere Mermaid? Dare they forcibly seize it?" Prince Lyle was trembling all over in anger.
"Forcibly seize?" King Siniel Levai didn't expect his son to be this stupid, coldly smiled and said: "They have orders from the Five Elders, why wouldn't they dare? What do you think Commodore Langman is here for?"
"Just for a Mermaid to confront the World Government, I see, if the throne is really passed on to you one day, sooner or later will end up in national demise!"
(End of Chapter)