A few days later.
Sabaody Archipelago, Slave Auction House.
This was the meeting place Ross had chosen, a location he had selected with care.
If Zephyr did not witness certain truths for himself, how could he possibly submit willingly?
Serving as his personal bodyguard was an official transfer order, and Zephyr would most likely not refuse.
But ever since pirates had killed his wife and child ten years ago, aside from his remaining faith in the Marines, Zephyr had no other weak points.
Even if someone like that protected him, it would only be out of duty. If their values ever clashed one day, Zephyr might even become the one who brought about his death.
Ross had no intention of keeping a ticking time bomb at his side. He intended to settle everything once and for all during their first meeting.
"Saint Ross?"
Hearing the deep, powerful voice behind him, Ross did not turn around. He merely pointed calmly at the seat beside him.
"Sit."
Zephyr did not particularly fear the Celestial Dragons. Already displeased by the Five Elders' transfer order, he had no reason to show Ross a pleasant face and carelessly dropped into the seat beside him.
The slave auction house had no special private boxes. At Ross's request, the auction house had arranged seats for them in a corner of the last row and cleared out the surrounding area so no one else would disturb them.
Only after Zephyr had finally sat down did Ross slowly turn his head and closely examine Admiral Zephyr, who was still in his prime.
Zephyr
Overall Rating: S-
He had short purple hair, a burly build, bulging muscles, and an untamed, wild air about him.
What interested Ross most was that Zephyr wore CP0's exclusive white suit. Not only did it not look out of place on him, it added even more of a "Suit Thug" charm.
Compared to Zephyr draped in a cloak of justice, this outfit seemed even more fitting for him.
So, no matter how unwilling he was, his instinct as a Marine to obey orders had still made him put on CP0's uniform.
The corners of Ross's lips curled up slightly as he gained an estimate of Zephyr's state of mind.
As for Zephyr's strength, there was little to say. Even at only S-, he was still unquestionably among the top combatants.
In the system's evaluation, Emperors and kings alike counted as top combatants and fell within the S-class range, though it was further divided into S-, S, and S+.
While Ross observed Zephyr, Zephyr openly observed Ross as well.
At first, Kong had called him to the Fleet Admiral's Office and informed him that a Celestial Dragon wished to recruit him and meet with him.
In exchange, that Celestial Dragon would serve as the public commander-in-chief of Ohara's Buster Call and shoulder most of the pressure from public opinion.
After all, if word got out that the Marines had destroyed an island, even with an explanation from the World Government, it would still put the Marines at a disadvantage.
This was the beginning of the Great Pirate Era, and pirate crews were rising everywhere. Any mistake by the Marines could cause the Great Pirate Era to intensify further.
After hearing this, Zephyr had agreed without hesitation. It was only a meeting—what could possibly happen?
But before they met, he received the World Government's transfer order, promoting him from Admiral to CP0 instructor.
In terms of duties, it counted as a promotion.
But considering Ross's call not long ago, it was actually meant to make him leave the Marines and protect a Celestial Dragon of unknown origins.
No normal Marine would be willing to do such a thing, much less Zephyr, who was still an Admiral at the height of his powers.
If his wife and child had not been killed, he would never have considered stepping back from the front lines.
But Zephyr also knew that even an Admiral could not defy the World Government.
With an order issued by the Five Elders, if he did not want to drag the Marines down with him, he could only obey.
Ross and Zephyr had different thoughts, and neither intended to speak. After sizing each other up, they both turned their attention to the auction house.
Not long after they sat down, startled cries suddenly erupted at the auction house entrance.
"A Celestial Dragon! A Celestial Dragon is here!"
"My God, a Celestial Dragon is actually attending this auction."
"We're done for. With a Celestial Dragon joining the auction, all the good merchandise will be picked out."
"Ah, they won't capture us and turn us into slaves, will they?"
"..."
A chaotic clamor rose up. With Zephyr's hearing, he could almost take in every voice.
He instinctively glanced at Ross, amusement glinting in his eyes.
"A Celestial Dragon has entered!!! Quick, get on your knees!"
Following a cry from the entrance, a fat figure wearing a protective suit and a glass helmet entered the auction house while riding a slave.
In an instant, the entire auction hall fell silent. Aside from Ross and Zephyr, nearly everyone present left their seats and knelt neatly toward the entrance.
Saint Rosward
Overall Rating: A- (Come on, hit me and you can quickly summon an Admiral!)
Seeing Saint Rosward appear at the entrance, Ross's eyes lit up with interest.
Defeating a Celestial Dragon seemed to earn a B-rank reward as well?
What Celestial Dragons? Were they not simply a group of Experience Babies?
"Saint Rosward! Please take a seat in the front row."
The auction house supervisor hurried over, sliding to his knees all the way and making a gesture inviting him inside.
"Mm, not bad!"
Saint Rosward looked around with satisfaction. Seeing the crowd sprawled across the floor, he felt that this was only proper.
He stepped down from the slave, enjoying the people's reverence as he walked step by step toward the front.
But when his gaze landed on Ross in the corner, his steps suddenly stopped.
Someone actually did not kneel before him?
But once Saint Rosward saw Ross's face clearly, the anger in his heart immediately vanished, and he moved his gaze away with little interest.
"So it's Saint Ross. He was so arrogant in the Holy Land before, but all his slaves still died. No, I definitely can't let him buy any good slaves this time."
Saint Rosward muttered quietly and sat down in the front row.
Only after Saint Rosward took his seat did the auction hall become lively once more.
Zephyr raised an eyebrow and suddenly gave Ross's outfit a careful look.
"You're not wearing a glass helmet? Didn't they say Celestial Dragons wouldn't breathe the same air as us?"
He spoke without any reservations. No matter how angry Ross became, he could not do anything to him. The Five Elders and the World Government would not punish him over something so trivial either.
If his bad attitude meant he would not have to serve as Ross's bodyguard afterward, that would be a good thing.
"What difference is there between the air in Mary Geoise and Sabaody? Some Celestial Dragons need such things to display their nobility, but not every Celestial Dragon does."
Ross spoke calmly. Celestial Dragons came in different groups as well.
Playboys and elites presented themselves in completely different ways. Others might not know, but Zephyr was an Admiral and surely knew something vaguely about it.
Without comparison, how could he show that he was different?
He had deliberately chosen this place to tell Zephyr that he was not trash like Saint Rosward, that he was different from the other Celestial Dragons.
Being a Celestial Dragon had its advantages and disadvantages. No one dared touch them, but no one dared approach them either.
Even the strong kept far away unless the World Government forced them otherwise.
"I see..."
Zephyr nodded lightly and did not say anything else.
But inwardly, he still felt noticeably more at ease.
At least from their conversation, although Ross possessed the arrogance of a Celestial Dragon, he was much better than Saint Rosward and remained somewhat acceptable to him.
If he had to protect a Celestial Dragon more vicious than a pirate, he might as well be killed outright.
"Welcome, honored guests. Welcome, honored Celestial Dragons, to the Slave Auction House. Today, the auction house is honored by your presence."
"Without further ado, the auction begins!"
Lights shone down in the center of the auction house. A man in formal attire stood in the middle, elegantly bowed to everyone, and announced the official start of the auction.
If you enjoy this book, please remember to add it to your bookshelf so you do not lose it next time.
Before you continue