The Navy and CP1 in the East Blue!

East Blue, Oikot Kingdom. It was a relatively prosperous nation known for producing all kinds of lamps, with its main products being a dazzling variety of crystal chandeliers. Its primary trading partners were therefore either wealthy or noble.

To maximize their profits, the royal family and nobles enacted laws that forced all citizens into factories, producing lamps for them year-round.

Having become full-time laborers, the citizens had no shortage of food or drink and lived far better than those in many poor countries, but they had almost no free time. This left everyone here looking numb and listless.

They looked like a bunch of robots!

Even when an enormous warship appeared at the harbor, the citizens barely reacted as they passed by. Only the soldiers of the royal army stood there with their mouths agape, staring dumbfounded as squads of Marines carrying muskets hurried down the gangplanks.

Aside from hastily sending someone to inform the king, the general leading them did not dare step forward to stop or question them.

He had seen Navy warships before, but never one this massive. The triple-mounted turrets and the two rows of large-caliber cannons along either side were especially terrifying to behold.

Was this the Marine Headquarters?

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"

A royal guard clad in a white breastplate, with a black leather scabbard at his waist and a long-barreled musket slung over his back, rushed inside while repeatedly shouting.

King Senior Levi was seated upon a crystal throne, speaking with Prince Lyle below the dais. Seeing the guard behave so rudely, obvious displeasure appeared in his eyes.

"What are you shouting for? Where have your usual manners gone?"

Prince Lyle, standing nearby, shot the guard an even more disgusted glance.

"Your Majesty, a Marine Headquarters warship has arrived. They said they wish to see you!" The guard hurriedly stopped, panting heavily as he reported.

"What?" King Senior Levi immediately rose to his feet. He was about to go out and greet them, but after thinking it over, he slowly sat back down.

"Father?" Prince Lyle looked at him in confusion.

"They may be from Marine Headquarters, but I am also the king of a World Government-affiliated nation. There is no need for me to greet them personally. We shall wait here."

King Senior Levi spoke unhurriedly and softly. Prince Lyle nodded repeatedly, wholly agreeing. Indeed, who were they?

The royal family of a nation!

The Marines from Headquarters were still Marines, weren't they?

About ten minutes later, a Navy officer wearing a Coat of Justice and carrying a brownish-red scabbard at his waist entered, accompanied by a man dressed like a government official in a black suit, black leather shoes, white shirt, and blue tie. The latter carried a small black case.

"Greetings, King Senior Levi. I am Langman, a brigadier general from Marine Headquarters."

The former gave a brief introduction before falling silent. Then the latter took over, saying, "I am Harold, a member of CIPHER POL No. 1, a department directly under the World Government."

Someone from CP1?

King Senior Levi sensed trouble. If it were only Marine Headquarters, it would not have meant much. But with someone from Cipher Pol accompanying them, this was definitely no trivial matter—and certainly nothing good.

"Hohoho, welcome, welcome. May I ask what brings you two to our Oikot Kingdom?"

Outwardly, however, he maintained an enthusiastic demeanor.

"Please wait a moment."

The CP1 agent raised the small black case, swiftly entered three eight-digit passwords, and took out a yellowish-brown document envelope. He then closed the case and casually set it on the floor before holding the document with both hands and passing it to a royal guard beside him.

"Please deliver this to His Majesty."

King Senior Levi took the envelope handed over by the guard, puzzled. Inside, he found a document report. When he took it out and looked at it, he discovered it was a World Government proclamation!

"This..."

But as soon as he saw its contents, his expression changed—more specifically, it darkened somewhat. Still, he quickly composed himself.

"Establishing equal and friendly relations with Merfolk and the Fish-Man Race is indeed a good thing. But if it were merely to deliver a proclamation, I imagine there would have been no need for the two of you to come in person?"

King Senior Levi asked probingly. At the same time, Prince Lyle watched the CP1 agent with a tense expression.

"According to Article One of the <Proclamation on Establishing Equal and Friendly Relations Between Humans, the Merfolk, and the Fish-Man Race>, all Merfolk and Fish-Men within affiliated nations must be returned unconditionally to the Fish-Man Race."

The CP1 agent stared expressionlessly at the king on the dais, his tone becoming even colder and more merciless.

"The slave trade has always violated World Government law and should have been punished accordingly. However, the Five Elders have issued special approval: as long as you cooperate properly with our work, no responsibility will be pursued!"

King Senior Levi smiled. "But we have no Fish-Men here. Have you come to the wrong place?"

"Your Majesty, please do not doubt CIPHER POL's intelligence-gathering capabilities." The CP1 agent's gaze remained calm, completely disregarding the king's denial.

"Half a year ago, Prince Lyle of your nation visited Goa Kingdom and purchased a female mermaid from Marquis Abbott for 130 million Beli. She is currently in a newly installed tank in the palace gardens."

King Senior Levi fell silent. He had nothing to say, and he was somewhat frightened as well.

Suddenly, Prince Lyle could no longer hold back. He stepped forward and snapped, "Hey, what kind of nonsense are you talking about?"

The CP1 agent and Brigadier General Langman turned their gazes toward him.

"Yes, I did buy a mermaid. But Marquis Abbott of Goa Kingdom bought her at the Sabaody Archipelago and then resold her to me. The entire process was legal and proper, so she is my property. What gives you the right to demand her just because you want her?"

Naturally, Prince Lyle was unwilling to accept this. He had not had enough fun with that mermaid yet, and even if he did get tired of her someday, he could still sell her to a noble from another country and make a profit.

"Legal and proper?"

The CP1 agent looked coldly at Prince Lyle. "The slave trade was prohibited by World Government law long ago!"

"Hey, there are so many slave companies and slave auction houses on the Sabaody Archipelago, yet I don't see you shutting them all down. Slave trading has long been an accepted fact for everyone, including your World Government and the Navy!" Prince Lyle laughed angrily.

"Accepted is not the same as recognized. If we pursue the matter, your purchase of a mermaid violated World Government law. So, have you decided to refuse to cooperate with our work and take a trip with us to Enies Lobby?"

As the CP1 agent posed this question, Brigadier General Langman's tiger-like eyes sharpened. He paid no attention whatsoever to the dozen or so royal guards around the hall.

"You—"

"Enough!"

Prince Lyle wanted to argue further, but King Senior Levi on the dais roared and stopped him. He then turned to a royal guard and ordered, "Go bring out that mermaid, then send her to the harbor and hand her over to the Navy."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Father—!" Prince Lyle was beside himself with anger.

"Then we shall take our leave."

Seeing that the matter had been settled, the CP1 agent and Brigadier General Langman turned and left the palace hall without wasting another moment. They still had to visit two other countries to demand the Fish-Man slaves.

"Father, why? We're a World Government-affiliated nation. We pay the Heavenly Tribute on time every year. What could they do if we refused to give them one measly mermaid? Would they really dare to seize her by force?"

Prince Lyle trembled with rage.

"Seize her by force?"

King Senior Levi had not expected his son to be this foolish. He sneered. "They have orders from the Five Elders. Why would they not dare? What do you think Brigadier General Langman was there for?"

"To turn against the World Government over a single mermaid... If the throne is ever truly passed to you, I fear this kingdom will meet its end sooner or later!"