"Calamity Company?"
Dylan revealed a rare smile. "That name suits us perfectly."
Lord Roa was someone who would bring calamity to this world. To the people of this world, his existence was indeed no different from a natural disaster.
Bullet, however, showed no reaction.
He was merely a soldier. All he needed to do was obey Lord Roa's orders.
As for Doflamingo, he naturally didn't dare voice any opinion, afraid that Roa might turn him into another Judge.
However, he was simply worrying needlessly.
Judge's main occupation was that of a scientist, so destroying and twisting his mind didn't matter.
But Doflamingo was a combatant. That wouldn't do.
In this world, once one's will collapsed, one became utterly defenseless.
Doflamingo was already second-rate to begin with. Roa naturally couldn't bear to turn him into a stray dog by the roadside.
"Then, Boss..."
Judge looked at Roa expectantly. "What should we do next?"
He had completely lost his courage. His heart held nothing but timidity, fear, and hatred toward the World Government.
These emotions had also caused his dependence on Roa to expand infinitely.
It could be said that Judge was now completely dependent on Roa—and Roa alone.
The human body was truly interesting, wasn't it?
"Let's end this war first. Breaking one's word isn't a good thing."
That was what Roa said.
Thus, before long, the wolf-like Germa soldiers had escorted the battered royal family out. The country's various ministers had been captured as well.
"Boss, what should we do with them?"
Judge instinctively asked Roa.
This was the side effect. Having completely lost his self-confidence, Judge could no longer make decisions on his own.
Roa said compassionately, "Hand the royal family over to your employer. As for everyone else, let them go. Heaven has a virtue of cherishing life. There's no need to wipe them all out."
Judge froze.
The ministers who had remained in the palace even as the enemy stood at the gates were essentially the pillars of this country. If they were released, the war certainly wouldn't end here.
However, Judge soon mocked himself inwardly.
I'm a useless wreck who can't do anything right. Lord Roa is willing to offer me advice because he thinks highly of me. What am I hesitating for?
"I understand!"
Judge nodded heavily.
"Good. You're teachable."
Roa nodded in satisfaction. "Then next, take us on a tour of the company headquarters—or rather, the Germa Kingdom."
"Yes, Boss!"
The Germa Kingdom was situated on this country's territory.
The Germa Kingdom had lost its own land long ago and had wandered the seas for centuries.
This country was built on the backs of a group of enormous snails.
The backs of these giant snails held enormous platforms, and the buildings of the Germa Kingdom stood upon them. All the platforms could be joined together. Once every snail was assembled, it formed the entirety of Germa.
It couldn't exactly be called large. There were fewer than a hundred giant snails in total, and once they were fully connected, the whole kingdom was about the size of a small county.
Its total population was around three hundred thousand, consisting primarily of men and women in their prime, with only a small number of children.
Because this country made its living as a mercenary nation, and Artificial Human Soldiers had yet to fill its ranks, it actually resembled the Land of Endless War. All men were soldiers, while most women worked in factories. It was extremely difficult for ordinary people to live to old age.
As a result, this country was hardly lacking in dark energy. Roa was very satisfied.
Judge was truly remarkable.
He had single-handedly dragged this nearly collapsing country up to the level of a world power.
At that moment, Roa and the others were touring the country's weapons factory.
It was quite astonishing.
Assembly-line production and standardized procedures.
Roa had also visited the factories of the Land of Endless War. He could only say that the difference was enormous.
"I've spent the past few years working on two things: the weapons production line and the Artificial Human Soldiers."
Judge sounded somewhat proud. "Without exaggeration, there are only a few armies in this world equipped with more advanced weapons than ours."
"Have you considered expanding the scale?"
Roa asked.
Judge's factories were naturally several generations ahead of the mainstream level across the seas.
However, their scale wasn't particularly large.
They were certainly sufficient to supply their own army, but if they wanted to export their products to the entire world, they wouldn't be enough.
"We're short on manpower and resources."
Judge shook his head.
Roa nodded lightly.
Manpower and resources would be easy enough to solve.
The New World had no shortage of people, and minerals weren't difficult to find. No one would bother managing a non-Affiliated Nation, while the World Government certainly wouldn't go out of its way to open up new territory in the New World.
"Let's go take a look at the Artificial Human Soldiers."
Roa said.
"All right, Boss! Those are my proudest creations!"
Judge led Roa and the others to another factory.
There were no assembly lines here. Instead, there were enormous cylindrical glass tanks, each containing the submerged figure of a young man.
"Artificial Human Soldiers?"
Dylan looked somewhat astonished. "How strong are they?"
"Once fully developed, they'll definitely be stronger than elite Marines!"
Judge said proudly. "They have no physiological defects whatsoever. Every muscle in their bodies is perfect! They obey orders absolutely, have no emotions, and fear nothing—not even death!"
"The only drawback is that they require five years to mature! The first batch of Artificial Human Soldiers will still need more than two years before they're fully developed."
Dylan nodded inwardly.
Soldiers without emotions were indeed killing weapons on the battlefield.
But...
"No emotions?"
Roa's brows furrowed. "How can that be acceptable? The reason humans are human is because we possess rich emotions."
"Judge, I have to criticize you here. Since you brought them into this world, how can you deprive them of the right to be moved by this world's beauty?"
Emotions?
Judge froze again.
Weren't emotions an obstacle? Only power and authority were real.
But since Lord Roa had said so...
"I understand."
Judge nodded heavily. "I'll improve them immediately. Does their absolute obedience need to be changed as well?"
"That won't be necessary."
Roa smiled. "You created them, after all. There's no harm in having them listen to you."
He added, "Can you shorten the time required to develop them?"
Five years was far too long.
With that much time, he might as well go to Elbaf and recruit a batch of giant soldiers.
"It's possible,"
Judge said honestly. "But it will inevitably shorten their lifespans, and their physical abilities will also be reduced."
"Isn't that a good thing?"
Roa said earnestly, "The weight of life doesn't lie in its length, but in its depth—in how much value they create during their lives!"
"Rather than keeping them in cultivation tanks forever, it would be better to let them get to know this world sooner."
Doflamingo understood now.
He curled his lips.
"How far can we shorten it at most?" Roa asked.
"One year."
Judge calculated for a moment. "If we modify the first batch now as well, they should be able to finish developing within two months."
"Excellent."
The corners of Roa's lips rose into a bright, sunny smile.
These Artificial Humans would be useful whether thrown into factories or made into soldiers.
Moreover, once they had emotions, there would be no need to worry about food and drink with this country as their base.
"Very good, Judge."
Roa said with great satisfaction, "Your efforts have taken us another step forward in overthrowing the World Government."
"Really?"
Judge was extremely excited. "I actually have two other studies. One is the Battle Suit, but I've only just begun researching it and have achieved some results. The other is a bloodline factor-modified human. That will be the culmination of all my technology, but for now, it only exists on paper."
"Then you'll have to work hard. I have faith in you."
"Yes!"
In any case, from this day onward, the Vinsmoke Family and the Germa Kingdom had become inseparable parts of the Calamity Company.
As for whether the other people in the country would object, all that could be said was that the Germa Kingdom belonged to the Vinsmoke Family. The entire country was Judge's to command.
Next, they would return to the New World.
The company's framework had been established. It was time to begin developing production and expanding its business.
Meanwhile, on an island somewhere in the New World...
"Waaah!"
A man as mighty as a small mountain collapsed to the ground in dejection.
"You saw me coming and still didn't run? You've really underestimated me!"
The black color gradually faded from his iron-like fist. The man known as the Marine Hero grabbed the fallen monster by the collar. "Now tell me, Kaido, where did that brat go? The higher-ups are pressing me hard! I can't even take my vacation in peace anymore!"
Before you continue