"If you continue like this, you truly will make things difficult for me."
Saint Roselith Seraphina looked toward Gan Fall and the elderly Shandia Chief standing before her.
Neither of them spoke for a moment.
Yet their intentions were already obvious.
Seraphina understood very clearly that this was not merely gratitude.
It was trust.
And also a plea.
Truthfully, she had never been good at handling people like this.
Schemes, ambition, political games, betrayal…
Those things were simple.
But genuine sincerity without selfish motives?
That was the hardest thing for her to deal with.
The people of Skypiea did not have to do this.
Even without this mountain of gold, Seraphina would not simply stand aside and watch Skypiea fall into ruin in the future.
However, they still insisted on offering everything they could.
Not for profit.
Not for exchange.
But because they wished to entrust the future of Skypiea to someone they believed in.
"Rear Admiral Seraphina, please accept it."
Cricket stepped forward as well.
"The people of Skypiea are sincere."
"And honestly speaking… this gold would be far more valuable in Marine hands than buried here forever."
"The Marines uphold justice across the seas. Money placed in your hands will certainly be used properly."
Bruce, who had remained silent until now, finally stepped forward.
Unlike the others, he viewed this matter from a more practical perspective.
"Rear Admiral."
"I believe they are right."
Seraphina glanced sideways at him.
Bruce lowered his voice slightly.
"The East Blue development project is already consuming enormous resources."
"The railway construction alone has far exceeded the original World Government budget."
"Maintaining Marine salaries, pensions, welfare systems, local reconstruction projects, and civilian aid programs already requires astronomical expenditures every month."
"And…"
Bruce paused briefly.
"The shipbuilding company."
"The one you intend to turn into the greatest shipbuilding enterprise in the world."
"That project alone is enough to devour endless capital."
Seraphina remained silent.
Bruce continued calmly.
"Lord Victor has indeed provided tremendous financial support through the World Government."
"But there are limits."
"He is still a government official."
"If the losses become too excessive, even he may face pressure and impeachment from the higher authorities."
Bruce's expression became increasingly serious.
"And this is only the beginning."
"If your future plans continue expanding at the current rate…"
"The financial burden will become unimaginable."
Silence fell.
Even the surrounding Marines unconsciously straightened their backs.
Because everyone knew Bruce was speaking the truth.
Seraphina's ambitions were simply too enormous.
Reforming East Blue.
Expanding Marine infrastructure.
Improving civilian welfare.
Constructing railways.
Creating industrial shipyards.
Strengthening regional defenses.
Every single one of these projects consumed terrifying amounts of money.
Seraphina slowly closed her eyes.
After several seconds, she finally sighed softly.
"…Fine."
"Handle it as you see fit."
She turned around immediately afterward, clearly unwilling to continue discussing the matter.
Bruce instantly understood her meaning.
A faint smile appeared on his usually stern face.
The gold of Shandora was ultimately transported onto the warship.
Even Seraphina herself had to admit one thing.
Money truly was indispensable.
Dreams alone could not build railroads.
Justice alone could not feed soldiers.
Reality always required resources.
However, she silently engraved one thought into her heart.
This gold…
Was not tribute.
Nor was it charity.
It was the trust of Skypiea.
And she would remember it.
Originally, Seraphina had never intended to place Skypiea under Marine jurisdiction.
Not because she lacked concern.
But because the geographical conditions of Skypiea were too unique.
Sending ordinary Marines there carried enormous risks.
A single accident during ascent through the Knock Up Stream could result in devastating casualties.
Therefore, maintaining direct governance was unrealistic.
Still…
At the very least…
As long as she remained alive, Skypiea would not easily fall prey to outside threats.
Under the guidance of the Skypieans, the Marine warship gradually reached the edge of the White Sea.
The endless ocean of clouds stretched beneath them like a dream.
Gan Fall personally escorted them to the departure point.
"Everyone, firmly secure yourselves to the ship!"
Gan Fall warned loudly.
"The descent from Skypiea is not gentle!"
"Understood, Mr. Gan Fall!"
Kuina waved excitedly from the deck.
This journey through Skypiea had left an unforgettable impression on her.
Adventure.
Battle.
Legends.
The Golden Bell.
The City of Gold.
Everything felt like a fairy tale brought to life.
Suddenly
"Huh?!"
Kuina nearly floated upward in surprise.
The strange buoyancy of the White Sea caused her body to drift lightly into the air.
Fortunately, she grabbed the railing in time.
The others remained relatively calm.
They had already experienced enough strange phenomena on Skypiea to stop panicking so easily.
Beep Beep
Gan Fall suddenly blew a whistle.
A few moments later, the White Sea violently churned.
Then
An enormous octopus emerged from the clouds.
Its massive tentacles wrapped around the hull of the warship while its gigantic head inflated like a balloon.
The warship slowly began descending through the sky.
Bruce blinked in surprise.
"…Biological transportation once again."
He could not help sighing inwardly.
The technology of Skypiea always developed in the strangest directions imaginable.
Originally, the Marines had already prepared their own descent plan before ascending to Skypiea.
But now, with the assistance of the Balloon Octopus, things became far safer.
Dong !
Dong !
The deep sound of the Golden Bell echoed faintly across the heavens.
Its ancient resonance drifted through the clouds like a farewell blessing.
Seraphina quietly looked back toward Skypiea.
"Farewell."
The White Sea gradually disappeared into the distance.
Half an hour later, however, the situation suddenly changed.
"Rear Admiral!"
Riva quickly reported from the side of the ship.
"The Balloon Octopus is shrinking!"
"At this rate, our descent speed will become dangerous!"
The warship began accelerating downward rapidly.
The ocean below grew larger and larger.
"Begin the secondary descent procedure."
Seraphina issued the order calmly.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Several Marines immediately activated the prepared emergency system.
Massive reinforced balloons burst outward from both sides of the warship.
At the same time, enormous parachutes unfolded overhead.
BOOM!
The entire ship trembled violently.
Then
The speed of descent sharply decreased.
Bruce immediately realized the issue.
"…The extra gold increased the total weight."
Originally, the Balloon Octopus alone would have been sufficient for a smooth descent.
However, after loading several carts of Shandoran gold, the total mass had increased considerably.
Fortunately, the prepared emergency measures compensated perfectly.
Eventually
Splash!
The warship landed safely upon the Blue Sea.
The exhausted Balloon Octopus finally deflated completely before drifting away.
The Marines collectively released relieved sighs.
Inside the officer's cabin shortly afterward, Seraphina placed a newly revised navigation chart onto the table.
"This will be our next route."
"The first stop is Marine G-8 Branch."
"We will replenish supplies and repair the warship there before continuing."
The officers immediately gathered around.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Everyone quickly began reviewing the updated itinerary.
Meanwhile, outside the cabin, the ocean breeze carried the final lingering echoes of the Golden Bell far across the sea.