Though Blake had not opened his eyes, he had been using Observation Haki to monitor Aramaki's state.
This was Blake's third test for Aramaki.
While Aramaki was not yet privy to many secrets, Blake decided to test his loyalty.
If Aramaki did not inform the World Government of Blake's little secret this time, it would mean that he, at least, would not actively leak information.
Blake could trust him to a certain extent.
If Aramaki leaked the information, Blake could always use various excuses to gloss over it, and Aramaki could even remain by his side as a henchman.
But it would be somewhat regrettable.
As Aramaki's heartbeat gradually returned to normal, he bowed slightly: "As you wish, Your Highness."
Blake smiled and shook his head:
"No rush, you've just returned from the sea. Rest well in the Holy Land for a while, then depart in a month."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Aramaki himself knew that his recent thoughts were merely self-deception.
However, he had no compelling reason to betray Blake; a reason that could convince himself was enough.
After Aramaki left, Stella quietly asked from behind him:
"Your Highness, is this alright?"
Blake naturally knew what she was referring to, but instead of explaining his recent thoughts, he pinched her cheek:
"Don't worry."
...During this time, most Celestial Dragons were confined to Mary Geoise, bored out of their minds.
Fortunately, most Celestial Dragons were not keen on going to the lower world anyway, so no major incidents occurred.
However, some restless individuals, after staying in the Holy Land for a few days, clamored to leave.
These people could not see the changing situation on the sea, nor did they care about such matters.
In principle, unless a Celestial Dragon betrayed their race, which would be handled by God's Knights, no other person or matter could restrict the actions of Celestial Dragons, not even the Gorosei.
So, theoretically, if Blake was determined to go to the lower world, no one would forcibly stop him.
However, Blake did not want to appear too conspicuous, so he only wandered around the Holy Land during this period.
As a Celestial Dragon, he could enjoy everything this sea had to offer without needing to leave the Holy Land.
Where there is demand, there is a market.
Some well-informed Slave traders had already learned that Celestial Dragons could not go out, so they transported the most exquisite Slaves to Mary Geoise, which led to an exceptionally booming Slave market in Mary Geoise recently.
Blake, with Stella, meandered their way to the Slave market in Mary Geoise.
This place was no less impressive than Area 16 of the Sabaody Archipelago.
The main entrance of the Slave market featured Mary Geoise's iconic pure white marble and gold bas-reliefs, with shop entrances designed as semicircular arches, above which hung miniature replicas of the World Government flag.
The interior was designed as a "wandering" space, like a large shopping mall.
Mary Geoise was not only the residence of Celestial Dragons but also the office of the World Government.
Many World Government officials and their relatives were also selecting Slaves in the mall.
Slaves were placed on suspended display racks, like models in a high-end clothing store, ensuring they could be viewed from every angle.
These "merchants" would even arrange for Slaves to perform trained talents to showcase their "added value as a commodity."
"Ah!"
Stella exclaimed, and Blake followed her gaze to see a woman in armor, holding a rapier, standing on a display rack in one of the shops.
"Well, now Slave traders are even getting into cosplay?"
Muttering to himself, Blake's interest was piqued, and he walked towards the display rack.
The shop's butler, seeing a Celestial Dragon arrive, immediately came forward to greet him.
Before the other party could speak, Blake preemptively asked:
"What's the deal with this Slave?"
The butler's face held a fawning smile:
"Your Highness, her name is Sweet Mandy, originally a princess of a non-affiliated kingdom called Warb Condin Kingdom in the South Blue."
"However, since non-affiliated kingdoms are not protected by World Government law, pirates attacked the Warb Condin Kingdom."
"Sweet Mandy is a swordswoman, and she also participated in the fight against the pirates, was defeated and captured."
"After several transfers, she ended up here."
"But rest assured, we have had her thoroughly examined by a specialist; she is absolutely clean."
The butler briefly introduced Sweet Mandy's background, and Blake was quite satisfied with his efficiency.
"You said she's a swordswoman? What level of strength can she reach?"
"This... Your Highness, we don't have testers who are too strong here. I only know that ordinary Marine soldiers are no match for her."
Blake nodded. For her age to achieve this, it meant she was at least not mediocre.
Blake circled Mandy, examining her carefully.
Her breastplate featured a modified scale armor corsage structure, which was quite in line with the "dangerous aesthetics" of medieval women's armor in his previous life, and the armor's surface was carved with rose vine patterns.
Her pauldrons were in a Gothic spike design.
Her waist was a mix of chainmail and plate armor, with slits in the skirt armor revealing a leather corset sewn with gold thread.
Her facial features combined sternness with softness, and her gray-blue eyes were like frozen ice.
Her slightly wavy flaxen hair was tied into a neat ponytail.
What was most striking was the pale gold scar above her left eyebrow.
The scar, which would ordinarily mar her beauty, had been inlaid by the merchants with mother-of-pearl in the shape of the World Government emblem, creating a unique kind of beauty.
Blake was quite pleased with Mandy and waved his hand.
Stella understood and went with the shop butler to complete the transaction.
At the butler's summons, two servants emerged from the shop and lowered Mandy from the display rack.
After a series of procedures, Mandy had a collar around her neck, and Blake held a rope in his hand.
Mandy remained expressionless throughout.
Blake did not know her original personality, but now she had been trained by the Slave traders to be an ice beauty.
However, as long as she was obedient, Blake didn't care if she was an ice block.
The reason he chose Mandy was, of course, largely due to her appearance, but there were other purposes.
Firstly, Mandy appeared to be around Blake's age.
Her strength was not exceptionally outstanding, but she had her merits, making her relatively easy to cultivate.
Secondly, her identity was that of a princess from a non-affiliated kingdom.
As Blake's subordinates grew in number, it would not be suitable for all of them to gather in Mary Geoise; a suitable gathering place would eventually be needed.
If Mandy proved worth cultivating, he could have her return to the Warb Condin Kingdom in the future to oversee all relevant matters.
Compared to these, Mandy's appearance and personality were merely icing on the cake.
Once Stella returned, Blake continued to stroll with the two of them.
When Blake's gaze swept over a display rack in a corner, he suddenly paused.
"Hmm? It seems today truly is my lucky day."
"But... why do I feel like my place is about to turn into Mary Geoise Kindergarten?"