Seeing that Grimm remained silent and expressionless, Gineas spoke up first.
"We simply chose to survive, Lord Grimm. Whatever you desire, name it. If it is within my power to give, I shall not hesitate for a moment."
"What if I asked you to step down from your throne?" Grimm asked, mostly in jest.
"Th‑that…"
Gineas froze for a few seconds. Then, catching the teasing glint in Grimm's eyes, he realized he was being mocked.
Rage flared up inside him, but knowing full well how powerful the man before him was, he swallowed his anger and endured it.
"I follow and believe in the Holy Light. It's quite simple — build churches throughout this kingdom and guide the people to believe in the Holy Light as well. As for other matters, my people will come and discuss them with you in detail later," Grimm replied calmly and unhurriedly.
On the surface, this condition seemed simple enough. In reality, it was far worse than having his wealth plundered, women taken, or resources seized.
Hundreds of years ago, religious authority had been completely wiped out as a dominant force in this world.
If theocracy rose again, the power of the King would be completely hollowed out; he would become nothing more than a puppet ruler.
It was practically the same as what Grimm had jokingly asked for earlier — stepping down from the throne.
Of course, Gineas dared not complain openly. If he uttered even a single word of refusal, who knew what extreme measures this man might take?
Truth be told, taking direct control of a nation was easy — simply kill one person to warn the rest. But that was never a long‑term solution.
As the old saying goes: Conquering lands is easy; ruling them is hard. If he executed the King, managing resources and manpower afterward would be far more troublesome than having a ruler who cooperated willingly.
Just then, the elderly advisor who had first proposed surrender — Jallusti — leaned close to Gineas and whispered a few words into his ear.
After listening, Gineas stood up and said to Grimm, "Please excuse me for a moment. There is a small matter I must attend to. I will return immediately after consulting with my ministers."
"By all means."
As Gineas and Jallusti walked out of the reception hall together, Grimm suddenly felt the scene was familiar.
He seemed to have witnessed something exactly like this a few years ago… and what happened afterward?
Ah right… it ended with them losing both their army and their dignity.
---
Outside the Palace
When Jallusti finished explaining his plan, Gineas broke out in cold sweat, his voice trembling. "Do… do you realize what you are suggesting? This is practically treason — selling our country away!"
Jallusti was a senior minister of Ragna, older even than the King himself. Otherwise, had anyone else spoken such words, Gineas would have ordered them executed instantly.
"Your Majesty, we are not an affiliate nation of the World Government. Even if we called for Marines, they would only be thinking of how to deal with Lord Grimm, not how to help us," Jallusti said with a grave expression.
"You must have read this morning's newspaper. Big Mom and Kaido have killed countless kings and taken nations for themselves. Do you wish to die, only to have this kingdom fall into the hands of these 'Emperors' of the sea afterward? Remember — you are merely a King, while he is an Emperor."
Gineas was torn with indecision. "But… what if the Government investigates and holds us accountable later?"
"Then we adapt to circumstances. And in the absolute worst case… we simply shift all the blame onto Grimm himself. But that is a measure of last resort. Otherwise, we would invite his wrath and retaliation, which we absolutely cannot survive."
Gineas bit his lip until it bled. After a long struggle, he finally nodded. "Do as you propose."
---
Back inside the reception hall, the two men resumed their places.
"Lord Grimm… I wonder if you have seen the morning newspaper yet?" Gineas asked, hinting at something.
"You mean how the Big Mom Pirates wiped out an entire kingdom and took it over? Do you see your own kingdom's future reflected in that news?" Grimm looked up and smiled faintly.
"…We are willing to surrender our kingdom to you. Or rather… we will raise your banner above the highest towers of Ragna — even higher than our own national flag," Jallusti spoke with utmost respect.
Grimm burst out laughing. "I will say it again clearly: I require churches to be built, and my people will come to discuss all this properly. Do you really think you can get away with just waving a flag and avoiding what I truly want?"
He was merciless. Their behavior reminded him of how so many kingdoms in the future New World acted — raising one pirate's flag today, switching to another tomorrow, as if it meant nothing.
The most obvious example was Fish‑Man Island. Right now it still flew its own flag, but not long after Whitebeard passed away, they would raise Big Mom's flag instead, seeking protection in exchange for tribute.
Yet in the hearts of the people in such nations, their King remained their true leader.
Grimm would never allow such a situation in his territories. He wanted the hearts and loyalty of the people.
He needed them to truly support him when the day came for him to march upon Mary Geoise.
"Y‑yes… very well… understood!" Seeing they couldn't fool him, Jallusti signaled the King to agree no matter what.
"I… I agree," Gineas finally said helplessly. It was the only option left. Otherwise, Grimm might just snap and kill him on the spot.
"By the way… there is one more thing," Grimm said with a grin, as if human lives meant absolutely nothing to him.
"Since I didn't get to kill any of your soldiers… I need other lives to take their place. One of my subordinates, Kel'Thuzad… requires the service of the dead. But do not bring me civilians."
At the mention of that name, both King Gineas and Jallusti shivered simultaneously.
They had certainly heard of Kel'Thuzad — the leader of the Scourge and the strongest warrior under Grimm's command.
Rumor said that if you fell into his hands, you truly descended straight into hell.
Jallusti's eyes darted around, thinking quickly. "In our prisons, there are currently about one thousand seven hundred criminals held captive. We will give them all to you, Mr. Grimm!"
"Over a thousand people… do you think that equals the ten thousand soldiers you had on the battlefield?" Grimm mocked coldly.
"Not… not yet, certainly not," Jallusti wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Grimm glanced at the minister — who seemed to hold more real power than the King himself — and said, You… you are not bad at all. I'll make this official: from now on, you report directly to my people.
You shall be responsible for building churches and spreading the Holy Light. I give you five years. During this time, my subordinates will come to assist you.
If after five years there are still people who do not believe in the Holy Light… they shall be deemed heretics, and I will send Lord Kel'Thuzad to handle them. I trust you understand me perfectly.
He added sternly, "And 'everyone' naturally includes every member of the royal family too. It is not difficult at all — simply accept the blessings of the Holy Light. What is the big deal about that?"
When Grimm finished speaking, Jallusti looked visibly thrilled and excited. The King, however, slumped heavily onto his throne, eyes blank and spirit broken.
__________________
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