You can read ahead up to 15 chapters on my Patreon https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395
"A Buster Call can sink an island, but it cannot cover up the truth. One day, when the truth is fully revealed, they will also fall into despair!"
These calm words echoed in Robin's ears, causing her to clench her fists tightly. The man before her was confident and composed, as if he did not take the World Government or the Marines seriously at all.
"B-but the Marines… the Marine Admirals… They're too strong!"
Thinking of Aokiji, and of the giant Vice Admiral Saul who died for her, Robin couldn't help but burst into tears again. Fear filled her eyes, and her entire body trembled.
Lordling pulled her into an embrace, her own eyes also filled with fear.
She had never witnessed such overwhelming power before, the ability to freeze everything. Only in that moment did she truly understand the pressure Rojen once faced, as well as his strength.
"Aokiji, huh?" Rojen narrowed his eyes, looked at the two in front of him, and suddenly smiled.
"It seems he showed mercy and let you go."
"Yes. Robin and I hid ourselves very well, but Aokiji still found us. In the end, though, he let us go." Lordling nodded.
"I'll remember that favor." Rojen's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh right, he also said that if you ever got out and met him, you should show him mercy as well." Lordling suddenly added.
"Heh, that guy is rather interesting." Rojen laughed.
"Y-you're not afraid at all? That's a Marine Admiral!" Robin asked loudly.
"An Admiral?" Rojen looked at Robin and smiled faintly.
"Robin Chan, Aokiji almost died at my hands."
"What?!"
That single sentence shocked both of them, their eyes widening in disbelief.
On Ohara, Aokiji's displayed power had been beyond human, it was utterly despair-inducing. Yet this man in front of them claimed he had once seriously injured him!
Just how powerful was he?
"Relax. As long as you stay by my side… the World Government… heh." Rojen let out a cold laugh.
Were his people so easy to touch? In the past, when his strength wasn't enough, he had been forced to negotiate. But now, with Admiral-level power and numerous trump cards in hand… The Marines? The World Government? Even if they targeted him, why should he fear them?
If they truly pushed him too far, he will let them experience what it meant to face the power of an Admiral-level possessor.
At that moment, a group of maids pushed in carts of food. The steaming dishes gave off a rich aroma, instantly stimulating the appetite.
"Let's eat first. For now, you can live here in peace. Once I finish handling the matters in this country, we'll set sail to find Jason and the others."
Lordling's eyes lit up, and she nodded happily.
She had long wanted to find them, but due to her insufficient strength and being constantly hunted by the Marines, she had been forced to hide and had no opportunity to search.
Watching the two of them happily sit down to eat, Rojen also revealed a faint smile.
…
Time passed quickly… three days later.
Everything on King's Island had already returned to normal. Under the tireless, day-and-night spellcasting of a large number of mages, the island had been restored to its former appearance. At the deepest part of the island, a mysterious ancient castle stood atop the highest mountain, it was the royal palace where the king resided.
On this day, the mages and magic scholars from the five islands of Barut Royal Palace all rushed toward this place.
At a glance, the sky was densely packed, some rode broomsticks, some owls, some griffins, some white deer, everything imaginable. The wonders of the Magic Kingdom were fully displayed at this moment.
The ascension of the new king had been the main topic of discussion among the people over the past three days.
The tyrant Abdon had been slain, and the new king, Gol D. Rojen, had succeeded to the throne of the Barut Kingdom. This was the grandest event of the day; the bells hanging across the islands rang almost without pause.
At this moment, inside the royal palace,
Rojen lowered his head and looked at his royal attire, unable to help but smile wryly.
He wore a black wizard robe embroidered with silver stars, exuding an aura of nobility and mystery. In his right hand, he held a magic staff adorned with various crystals.
"Your Majesty, this is the orthodox Stars Royal Gown and Royal Scepter of the Barut Kingdom. You must wear them." Nalene's beautiful face was filled with seriousness as she stared at Rojen.
Her meticulous and uncompromising expression left Rojen with no room to refuse.
"Alright, alright, I'll wear it. But I'm not even a wizard! Is this really necessary?"
"You are the king." Nalene reminded him.
"…Fine." Helpless, Rojen nodded.
Although the wizard robe was beautiful, it felt troublesome to him. The sleeves were too wide, making it inconvenient to walk.
Half an hour later, Nalene urged him toward the main hall.
Rojen composed his expression. After Nalene checked his attire once more and nodded in approval, he was allowed to proceed.
The clear ringing of bells echoed continuously throughout the entire Barut Kingdom, across all five islands.
Dressed in the black Stars Royal Gown and holding the Royal Scepter, Rojen wore a solemn expression. Guarded by thirty-three attendants arranged in two rows behind him, he steadily stepped into the grand hall.
"His Majesty the King has arrived!"
The moment he entered, a loud announcement rang out.
At the front, facing the king's throne, the four great wizards, Asi, Salo, Torons, and Gerone, were the first to bow, then kneel on both knees in salute.
Like waves of wheat blown by the wind, rows upon rows of people in the hall knelt down. The power of royal authority was displayed to its fullest at this moment.
The guards quickly spread out, standing sternly beside the stone pillars, spacing themselves evenly as they looked straight ahead.
On the grand red carpet, only Rojen remained standing.
Amid the kneeling crowd, he walked up to the throne, turned, and sat down.
"You may all rise."
Glancing down at everyone below, the pin-drop silence helped Rojen fully enter his role.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The four great wizards rose first, followed by everyone behind them. All gazed with reverence at the figure seated upon the throne.
Rojen could clearly see the expressions in their eyes. He nodded inwardly, those four old fellows had done a good job with their propaganda.
"Today is the day this king ascends the throne."
"Since I dislike trouble, I will get straight to the point. I will announce a few policies, and then everyone may withdraw and rest."
Rojen flicked his sleeve. Beneath his dignified expression, a burst of Haki was released and then quickly withdrawn.
"First, establish a Mage Guild, categorize its branches, and appoint five presidents. Above them, there will be one chief president, held by this king!"
"Second, appoint magistrates for each of the five islands to oversee internal affairs. They will manage island governance and report regularly to the five presidents."
"Third…"
At this point, Rojen leaned forward slightly, his gaze turning sharp.
"This is also the most important one."
"From today onward, the Barut Kingdom will implement an open-nation policy!"
(End Of This Chapter)