Though Black had not opened his eyes, his Observation Haki had been steadily monitoring Aramaki's condition.
This was Black's third test for Aramaki.
While Aramaki was not yet privy to many core secrets, Black had decided to probe the limits of his loyalty.
If Aramaki did not report Black's little secret to the World Government this time, it would mean that, at the very least, he would not actively leak information.
Black could then trust him to a certain degree.
If Aramaki chose to disclose it, Black could still fabricate reasonable explanations to gloss it over. Aramaki could even remain at his side as a useful subordinate.
It would simply be a pity.
As Aramaki's heartbeat gradually steadied, he bowed slightly.
"As you command, Your Highness."
Black smiled faintly and shook his head.
"No need to hurry. You've just returned from the sea. Rest in the Holy Land for a while. Depart in a month."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Aramaki understood that his earlier hesitation had merely been self-deception.
Yet he had no sufficient reason to betray Black. And sometimes, a reason that could convince oneself was enough.
After Aramaki withdrew, Stella quietly asked from behind him,
"Your Highness… is this truly acceptable?"
Black naturally knew what she implied. Instead of explaining his calculations, he simply reached back and gently pinched her cheek.
"Don't worry."
…
During this period, most Celestial Dragons were confined within Mary Geoise, bored beyond measure.
Fortunately, the majority had little interest in descending to the Lower World to begin with, so no major disturbances occurred.
However, a handful of restless nobles, after only a few days in the Holy Land, began clamoring to leave.
These individuals neither perceived nor cared about the shifting tides across the seas.
In principle, unless a Celestial Dragon committed treason against their own kind—an offense handled solely by the God's Knights—no individual or authority could restrict a Celestial Dragon's movements, not even the Gorosei.
Thus, if Black insisted on descending to the Lower World, no one could forcibly stop him.
But he had no intention of drawing unnecessary attention, so he limited himself to wandering within the Holy Land.
As a Celestial Dragon, he could indulge in everything this sea had to offer without ever stepping beyond Mary Geoise.
Where there is demand, there is inevitably supply.
Certain well-informed slave traders had already learned that Celestial Dragons were temporarily unable to travel, so they transported their finest "goods" directly to the Holy Land.
As a result, the slave market of Mary Geoise had flourished to unprecedented levels.
With Stella accompanying him, Black leisurely made his way to the slave market.
Its scale rivaled even Area 16 of the Sabaody Archipelago.
The main entrance displayed Mary Geoise's iconic white marble architecture and gilded bas-reliefs. The shopfronts were designed with semicircular arches, each crowned by miniature replicas of the World Government flag.
Inside, the layout resembled a grand commercial complex, structured as a wandering corridor that encouraged prolonged browsing.
Mary Geoise was not merely the residence of Celestial Dragons but also the administrative heart of the World Government.
Numerous officials and their families were likewise present, selecting slaves as though choosing luxury commodities.
Slaves stood upon suspended display platforms like mannequins in high-end boutiques, allowing viewing from every angle.
Merchants even arranged for them to perform rehearsed skills to demonstrate their "added value."
"Ah!"
Stella let out a soft exclamation.
Black followed her gaze and saw a woman clad in armor, rapier in hand, standing upon one of the display platforms.
"Well… now the slave traders are dabbling in theatrics?"
Murmuring to himself, Black's interest was piqued, and he approached.
The shop's steward immediately hurried forward upon seeing a Celestial Dragon.
Before he could speak, Black asked first,
"What is her background?"
The steward bowed with a sycophantic smile.
"Your Highness, her name is Sweet Mandy. She was once a princess of the Warb Condin Kingdom in the South Blue, a non-affiliated nation."
"As a non-member state, it enjoyed no protection under World Government law. Pirates attacked the kingdom."
"Sweet Mandy is a trained swordswoman. She fought in defense of her homeland but was defeated and captured."
"After several transactions, she was delivered here."
"Rest assured, Your Highness, she has been thoroughly examined by specialists. She is entirely… compliant."
The introduction was concise and efficient.
Black nodded.
"You say she is a swordswoman. What is her level?"
"Your Highness, we lack high-level evaluators here. However, ordinary Marine soldiers are no match for her."
For someone of her apparent age, that alone suggested she possessed genuine talent.
Black circled her slowly.
Her breastplate followed a refined scale-armor corset structure, its surface engraved with rose-vine motifs. The pauldrons were designed with Gothic spikes.
Her waist combined chainmail and plate armor; the slitted skirt armor revealed a leather corset stitched with gold thread.
Her features balanced sternness and softness. Her gray-blue eyes resembled frozen seas.
Flaxen hair, slightly wavy, was tied into a disciplined ponytail.
Most striking was the pale-gold scar above her left eyebrow.
Ordinarily disfiguring, yet the merchants had inlaid it with mother-of-pearl in the shape of the World Government's emblem, turning damage into ornament.
Black was satisfied.
He gave a casual wave.
Stella understood immediately and followed the steward to complete the purchase.
At the steward's signal, attendants lowered Mandy from her platform.
After the formalities, a collar was fastened around her neck, its chain extending into Black's hand.
Mandy remained expressionless throughout.
Whether that had been her original temperament or the result of "training" was unclear.
But obedience was sufficient.
Her appearance had influenced his choice, certainly but it was not the sole reason.
First, she appeared close to his own age.
Her strength was respectable yet far from extraordinary, making her suitable for cultivation.
Second, she had once been a princess of a non-affiliated kingdom.
As his influence expanded, it would be unwise for all subordinates to remain concentrated within Mary Geoise.
A future base would be necessary.
If Mandy proved worthy, she could eventually return to Warb Condin to oversee operations there.
Compared to that, beauty and temperament were secondary embellishments.
Once Stella returned, the three continued strolling.
When Black's gaze swept across a secluded display platform in the corner, he halted abruptly.
"Hmm? It seems today truly favors me."
"…Though at this rate, my residence may soon resemble a Mary Geoise Kindergarten."