The East Blue, the Kingdom of Oikot, was a relatively wealthy nation known for its production of various types of lamps, with its main product being an assortment of crystal chandeliers. As a result, its primary trading partners were the rich and powerful.
The royal family and nobles of the kingdom, in order to maximize profits, had enacted laws that forced all citizens into factories, working year-round to produce lamps.
The citizens, now fully transformed into industrial workers, though not lacking in food or shelter—indeed, their living conditions were far better than those in many poorer nations—had almost no free time, leading to a populace that appeared numb and lifeless.
They looked like a group of robots!
Even when a massive warship appeared at the port, the citizens passing by showed little reaction. Only the soldiers of the King's Army stood with their mouths agape, staring in awe as squads of marines armed with rifles quickly descended the gangplank.
The leading general, aside from hastily sending someone to inform the king, dared not approach to intercept or question them.
He had seen Marine warships before, but one of this size was a first. The triple-barreled turrets and the rows of large-caliber cannons on either side were particularly intimidating.
Was this the Marine Headquarters? "Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
A royal guard, clad in white breastplate, with a black leather scabbard at his waist and a long-barreled rifle slung over his back, rushed in, shouting incessantly.
King Sinier Levi was seated on his crystal throne, speaking with Prince Lyle, who stood below. The king's eyes showed clear displeasure at the guard's lack of decorum.
"What are you shouting about? Where are your usual manners?"
Prince Lyle, standing nearby, shot a disdainful glance at the guard.
"Your Majesty, a warship from the Marine Headquarters has arrived. They say they wish to see you!" the guard quickly reported, panting heavily.
"What!" King Sinier Levi immediately stood up, about to go out to greet them, but after a moment's thought, he slowly sat back down.
"Father?" Prince Lyle looked at him in confusion.
"Although they are from the Marine Headquarters, I am also a king of a World Government-affiliated nation. In terms of status, there's no need for me to greet them. We'll wait here."
King Sinier Levi spoke in a calm, measured tone, and Prince Lyle nodded repeatedly in agreement. Indeed, who were they? The royal family of a nation!
The Marines from Headquarters were still just Marines. About ten minutes later, a Marine officer clad in a Justice Coat, with a brown-red scabbard at his side, and a man in a black suit, black leather shoes, white shirt, and blue tie, carrying a small black briefcase—clearly a government official—entered the room.
"Greetings, King Sinier Levi. I am Rear Admiral Langman of the Marine Headquarters."
The former introduced himself briefly and then fell silent. The latter took over, saying, "I am Harold, a member of Cipher Pol No.1, a direct branch of the World Government."
A member of CP1?
King Sinier Levi inwardly felt uneasy. If it were just the Marines from Headquarters, it wouldn't be a big deal, but with CP involved, it was certainly no small matter—and likely not a good one.
"Hahaha, welcome, welcome. What brings you two to our Kingdom of Oikot?"
But on the surface, he maintained an enthusiastic demeanor.
"Please wait a moment."
The CP1 member raised a small black box, quickly entered a triple eight-digit password, and retrieved a brownish-yellow file folder from inside. After closing the box and casually placing it on the ground, he handed the file to a nearby guard with both hands.
"Please deliver this to His Majesty the King."
King Sinier Levi, somewhat puzzled, accepted the file folder from the guard. Upon opening it, he found a document inside—a public announcement from the World Government!
"This..."
However, as soon as he read the contents, his expression changed, becoming noticeably grim. But he quickly composed himself.
"Establishing equal and friendly relations with the merfolk and fishmen is indeed a good thing. But if it's just about delivering a public announcement, I don't think it was necessary for the two of you to come personally, was it?"
King Sinier Levi probed cautiously, while Prince Lyle also looked nervously at the CP1 member.
"According to Article 1 of the 'Public Announcement on Establishing Equal and Friendly Relations Between Humans, Merfolk, and Fishmen,' all merfolk and fishmen within the territories of member nations must be unconditionally returned to the fishmen."
The CP1 member stared expressionlessly at the king on the stage, his tone growing colder and more ruthless.
"The trade of slaves has always violated the laws of the World Government. Punishment should have been imposed, but the Five Elders have specially decreed that as long as you cooperate fully with our work, no responsibility will be pursued!"
King Sinier Levi smiled and said, "But we don't have any fishmen here. Are you sure you've come to the right place?"
"Your Majesty, please do not doubt the intelligence capabilities of CIPHER POL." The CP1 member's gaze remained calm, completely unfazed by the king's evasion.
"Half a year ago, Prince Lyle of your country visited the Kingdom of Goa and purchased a female merfolk from Marquis Ebott for 130 million Berries. She is currently in the newly installed water tank in the palace garden."
King Sinier Levi fell silent. He had nothing to say and was somewhat frightened.
Suddenly, Prince Lyle couldn't hold back any longer. He stepped forward and angrily said, "Hey, what are you talking about?"
The CP1 member and Commodore Langman turned their gazes toward him.
"Yes, I did buy a merfolk. But she was purchased by Marquis Ebott of the Kingdom of Goa on Sabaody Archipelago and then resold to me. The entire process was legal and reasonable, so she is my property. How can you just demand her like that?"
Prince Lyle was naturally unwilling to give her up. He hadn't had enough fun with the merfolk yet, and even if he did tire of her one day, he could sell her to nobles from other countries and make a profit.
"Legal and reasonable?"
The CP1 member looked coldly at Prince Lyle. "The slave trade was outlawed by the World Government's laws long ago!"
"Hey, there are so many slave companies and auction houses on Sabaody Archipelago, and I don't see you shutting them all down. The slave trade has long been a fact tacitly accepted by everyone, including your World Government and the Navy!" Prince Lyle laughed in frustration.
"By default, not admitting, if we delve into it, your purchase of a mermaid violates the laws of the World Government. So, are you deciding to refuse to cooperate with our work and accompany us to Enies Lobby?"
With this interrogation from the CP1 member, Commodore Langman's sharp eyes beside him became even more piercing, completely disregarding the dozen or so royal guards surrounding the hall.
"You—"
"Enough!"
Prince Lyle was about to argue further when King Sinier Levi on the platform roared to stop him, then turned to command a guard, "Go bring out that mermaid and deliver her to the port to be handed over to the Navy."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Father—!" Prince Lyle was furious.
"In that case, we shall take our leave."
Seeing that the matter was settled, the CP1 member and Commodore Langman turned and walked out of the palace hall without any delay, as they were in a hurry to demand mermaid slaves from two other countries.
"Father, why? We are a member state of the World Government, and we pay the Celestial Tribute on time every year. What can they do if we don't give them a mere mermaid? Would they dare to take it by force?"
Prince Lyle trembled with anger.
"Take it by force?"
King Sinier Levi didn't expect his son to be so foolish and sneered, "They have the orders of the Five Elders, why wouldn't they dare? What do you think Commodore Langman is here for?"
"To oppose the World Government over a mermaid, I see, if the throne is truly passed to you one day, it will inevitably lead to the downfall of our kingdom!"