Rhett and his group followed Tisan into the hall of the World Conference auditorium. The light from the crystal chandeliers made the entire hall shine with gold.
The kings of various nations stood in small groups, talking. Servants carrying champagne walked among them. In the center of the hall, a few Celestial Dragons wearing bubble helmets strutted arrogantly. Their eyes swept contemptuously around. Wherever they went, the member nation kings had to kneel.
This was the compliance test Rhett had guessed. Don't kneel? Tomorrow your country is expelled from the member nations. The day after, your country is gone.
"Lord Rhett, the conference starts in half an hour. Please rest here for a while." Tisan bent low and humble. "Can I prepare anything for you?"
Rhett waved his hand. "No need. Go do your work."
Tisan looked relieved and hurried away.
Just then, a Celestial Dragon wearing a fishbowl helmet suddenly stopped. He stared directly at Witte. Witte was wearing an ice-blue dress today. Her silver hair flowed like a waterfall. She was elegant with a touch of cold beauty. The Celestial Dragon's eyes lit up. He raised his scepter and pointed it at her.
"This woman! I want her as my new wife!"
The entire hall fell silent.
The surrounding kings stepped back. A few even covered their eyes. They could already see what would happen next.
Witte raised an eyebrow. The corner of her mouth curled into a playful smile. "Oh?"
Just as the atmosphere was about to freeze,
A fat middle-aged man in ornate royal robes suddenly pushed through the crowd. He had an ingratiating smile as he approached the Celestial Dragon. He bent low. "Esteemed Lord Celestial Dragon! You have excellent taste!"
He pointed at Witte and raised his voice. "This kind of ungrateful commoner needs to be taught a lesson! Look at the way she looks at you! It's practically blasphemy!"
The king's name was something like Tweet. The seas were too big. There were places so small that no one knew about them. They only cared about their own small territories. This wasn't Rhett exaggerating. It was like the irony of September 18th being "just get rich."
These kings all had one thing in common. They didn't care about their people. They didn't care about the situation on the seas. They only cared about getting what they wanted. They wanted to enjoy wealth for their entire lives. They didn't care what happened after.
The Celestial Dragon didn't recognize this king, but he was happy to hear it.
The member nation king saw the Celestial Dragon nod and got even more excited.
"A woman like this is perfect to be your slave. She should be honored that you've noticed her."
The Celestial Dragon, encouraged by the support, walked toward Witte. "Commoner, you should be honored to become my wife!"
But he had only taken two steps when his personal Cipher Pol 9 guard grabbed his arm. The guard's voice trembled. "Lord Celestial Dragon! You can't go over there!"
"How dare you!" The Celestial Dragon shouted. "You dare stop me?!"
The guard lowered his voice, almost forcing the words out. "That person is... the vice captain of the Blood Dawn Pirates, Lady Witte! Next to her is..."
The Celestial Dragon followed the guard's gaze. He finally noticed Rhett standing beside Witte.
Rhett was smiling at him. Blood mist swirled slowly around his fingertips. But his eyes were as cold as ice.
Sweat immediately appeared inside the Celestial Dragon's fishbowl helmet.
He remembered. The ban from his family: Never, under any circumstances, provoke anyone from the Blood Dawn Pirates. Especially their captain, the "Mist Lord" Rhett!
Inside the Celestial Dragon's fishbowl helmet, the sweat had already formed a small stream. He stiffly turned his head. His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something.
"Lord Celestial Dragon!" The king, thinking this was encouragement, got even more excited. The first nod was approval. The second nod would be different. He would rise in the world!
"I suggest locking her in the dungeon! Give her a good lesson! Women like this need to be put in their place!"
With every word, the Celestial Dragon's face grew whiter. The guard had already closed his eyes in despair.
"And that pretty boy next to her!" The king, now even more excited, pointed at Rhett. "He doesn't look like anything good! Lord Celestial Dragon, would you like me to help you—"
"THUD!"
The Celestial Dragon suddenly stumbled and fell to his knees. His fishbowl helmet cracked.
Before he could finish, the Celestial Dragon suddenly exploded in rage. "Shut up! You idiot!"
The king was stunned. But he quickly put his smile back on. "Please calm down! Our country produces many beautiful young women. If you like—"
"Get out! Now!" The Celestial Dragon's voice was already filled with fear.
The king was confused. "L-Lord Celestial Dragon? Are you..."
"Sh-Shut up..." The Celestial Dragon's voice was tearful. "If you want to die, don't drag me with you..."
Rhett laughed softly. The blood mist slowly spread to the king's feet. "Your Majesty, what is your name?"
The king finally realized something was wrong. He stammered, "I-I am the king of 'Pumpkin Island' in the West Blue..."
"Pumpkin Island..." Rhett nodded thoughtfully. He looked at Tesoro.
Tesoro nodded.
"I-I'm sorry! I made a mistake!" The Celestial Dragon stammered. He turned to run.
"Wait. Do you have an older brother?" Rhett's voice floated over.
The Celestial Dragon froze. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead. Of course he did. His brother was still in bed, unable to move, after cosplaying as the "Polar Holy Shield."
"Vice Captain, any thoughts?"
Witte walked slowly up to him. A rose branch turned into a little hand and patted his fishbowl helmet. "Your name is Celestial Dragon, right? I heard your family recently opened a new auction house in Sabaody?"
The Celestial Dragon nodded frantically. "Y-Yes!"
Rhett's smile deepened. "Good. I'm very interested."
The Celestial Dragon's legs went weak. He almost fell to his knees. "W-Welcome! You will receive the highest level of treatment!"
Just then, a thin, dry "bubble fish" kicked the Celestial Dragon to the ground.
"Worthless."
Rhett: ???
"Mr. Rhett, I am this child's father. My name is Celestial Titanium Plate. I will give you the new auction house in Sabaody."
Rhett nodded with satisfaction. The little blood mist hand patted his shoulder. "Good boy. Now run along."
Celestial Titanium Plate Saint dragged his son away, not even stopping to pick up his dropped scepter.
Witte laughed softly. "Captain, you scared him."
Rhett shrugged. "I just wanted to talk business."
Tesoro pushed up his glasses. The lenses glinted coldly. "We really do need to 'talk.' The auction houses in Sabaody have been getting out of hand lately."
Moria laughed. "Kishishishi~ Some unexpected wealth?"