Mounts?!!

Seeing that the Den Den Mushi had fallen asleep, Gawain carried the little thing out of the bedroom.

At the door, two maids stood respectfully on guard. Even when Gawain approached, they said nothing and continued standing there silently.

Gawain glanced at them, utterly unable to understand what kind of rule this was. After all, he was not a native-born Celestial Dragon and knew nothing about the traditions of Celestial Dragon life.

But if he could not figure it out, he would not dwell on it. Gawain was good at keeping his composure, so he strode past the maids and headed forward.

After he had taken two steps, the two maids immediately split up. One followed behind Gawain, while the other headed in the opposite direction toward the bedroom.

Gawain let the maid follow him. After walking more than a dozen steps, he finally asked.

"Do you know where Donquixote Mjosgard lives?"

"I do not know, my lord."

"Who does?"

"This is your primary residence. Without your permission, no other male commoners are allowed to enter.

Therefore, all your new guards are waiting outside the main residence for your instructions."

"Lead the way."

Gawain nodded, then followed the maid's guidance toward the area outside the so-called main residence.

Before long, after passing through three corridors, Gawain left the main structure of his castle.

The instant he stepped outside, Gawain caught the scent of extraordinarily fresh air.

At that moment, Gawain could not help taking a deep breath.

Before crossing over, Gawain had never imagined that air could genuinely carry a fragrance—and that it could be so fresh it was practically addictive!

At that very moment, in the Pirate King world's air, whose oxygen content already far exceeded Earth's, every trace of floral fragrance was spread by the abundant oxygen to an unimaginable degree!

The locals naturally could not understand, but for an outsider like Gawain—

Even breathing had become a kind of happiness!

Simply breathing the air outside the castle made Gawain look forward to his future on these seas.

At Gawain's side, while he silently enjoyed the air, more than forty men in crisp black suits approached with over two hundred guards clad in heavy full-body armor.

When they reached a distance of roughly twenty paces before Gawain, they dropped to their knees on the grass with a thud.

The only member of the group in a black suit who wore a black top hat spoke as he knelt.

"Saint Gawain, I am Winslet, currently the captain of the Sixth Personal Guard Company, Second Battalion, Army Headquarters.

I hope to be fortunate enough to earn your approval and gain the qualification to protect your safety with my life!"

"Oh?"

Hearing Winslet's words, Gawain thought for a moment before softly asking.

"The Army?"

"Yes, Saint Gawain. Your security force previously did indeed come from the Navy, but that was merely the level of security authority available to ordinary Celestial Dragons.

As for you, two hours ago, the Five Elders raised your authority level and declared that you had officially inherited the position of head of the Gawain Family, one of the nineteen Celestial Dragon families!"

"Mm."

Gawain nodded calmly, but in truth, his heart was churning like Overturn the River!

After agreeing, he continued probing Winslet without giving anything away.

"Winslet, since I have become the head of the Gawain Family, where are the rest of my family? Is no one coming to see me?"

That was right. What Gawain was worried about was these so-called other family members.

If he had a batch of Celestial Dragon relatives suited to an idiot like Charlos—

Then Gawain would truly find it disgusting!

But upon hearing Gawain's question, Winslet's eyes widened as he stared at Gawain with a bewildered expression.

A moment later, he realized his impropriety.

He bent down in fear and nervousness, carefully saying to Gawain.

"Saint Gawain, your recent injuries may have left you somewhat confused. There has never been a second person in the Gawain Family.

Unlike most Celestial Dragon families, your family has maintained the tradition of a single heir ever since the World Government was founded.

Furthermore, every generation's family head inherits not only the family, but also the name Gawain. Have you forgotten?"

This left Gawain suddenly enlightened. Though he did not know exactly what was going on, no matter how he looked at it, his background in this world was so perfect that he could not find a single fault with it.

"I understand, Winslet. Have your subordinates rise."

"Yes, Saint Gawain!"

Winslet took a deep breath and cautiously rose to his feet. The other guards behind him rose with him.

Once they were standing straight, Gawain casually asked.

"Unlike the maids, you guards should know Mjosgard's address, right?"

"Of course, Saint Gawain. Having been trained from childhood to become exceptional security personnel, we know every blade of grass and tree in Mary Geoise.

Even though this is the very heart of Mary Geoise—the residence of the sacred Celestial Dragons, part of Pangea Castle where the gods dwell—

we have had opportunities to study the maps here in order to perform our security duties.

You wish to visit Saint Donquixote Mjosgard, correct? He is the current head of the Donquixote Family.

Please follow me!"

With that, Winslet divided up his subordinates.

The iron cans in heavy armor headed toward various parts of the castle, while the black-suited guards split into two teams, surrounding Gawain from front and back as they headed for the gate at the end of the lawn and gardens.

As Gawain followed them through the gate, Winslet suddenly stopped. Turning around, he softly asked Gawain.

"Great Saint Gawain, may I call you my lord?"

Hearing that, Gawain was surprised, though he merely answered softly.

"You may."

"That is my honor, my lord. Now then, please choose your preferred mount!"

While giving Gawain a fawning smile, the inwardly excited Winslet walked to the right and opened a small door beside the castle gate.

Mary Geoise's architecture was exceptionally grand. Every door here stood at least fifteen meters tall.

The "small" door Winslet opened was no exception.

As for the castle gate, it was at least thirteen or fourteen meters wide at a glance and nearly as tall as a seven-story building.

Gawain first rolled his eyes at the small door before looking over expectantly.

Though this mount could not possibly be a Tailed Beast, much less something invincible, this was still an anime world. His mount should be interesting or imposing, right?

Then, the next second, Gawain saw a row of people of varying sizes on all fours, reins looped around their necks!

At that instant, Gawain helplessly shook his head.

Even someone professionally trained like him almost wanted to curse!

At his side, Winslet proudly said to Gawain.

"My lord, since I have only just become your subordinate, I do not yet know which kind of mount you prefer.

Thus, when I received my assignment, I immediately went to today's slave market and bid for the top-ranked transportation slaves for you.

Foremost among them is Mormore, captain of the Mosaic Pirates! His bounty once exceeded five hundred million, and he nearly became a Shichibukai. Even after being captured, he had to be trained for a full two years before he qualified for use!

For this, Saint Rosward was so displeased that he threw down his cane.

But please rest assured, as your chief guard, Saint Rosward would not have me put to death over a mere slave. I can continue serving you for countless years, my lord!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Winslet wore an excited smile. Yet before he could smile for long, he saw Gawain's expressionless face, which nevertheless clearly carried dissatisfaction.

Before Winslet could panic, Gawain casually pointed to the side.

"Winslet!"

"Here!"

"You need not lead the way for me. First dismiss these slaves, then guard the castle gate properly!"

With that, Gawain walked directly toward the distant street without looking back. The other black-suited guards hurried after him anxiously, leaving Winslet alone at the gate with a miserable expression.

Time slowly passed. Once Gawain and his group had completely disappeared from sight—

the maid who had followed Gawain to the gate shook her head and said to the dejected Winslet, who was kneeling on the ground.

"Winslet, there is no need for you to be lost. Though my lord disliked what you did, he merely gave you a small punishment and did not remove you from your post as chief guard."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

Though the maid spoke respectfully, he did not dare put on airs before any woman from Gawain's household.

Bending at the waist, Winslet remained kneeling as he asked the maid.

"It is all my fault. I made my lord dissatisfied!

However, please tell me as much as you can about my lord's preferences. Understanding my lord will also help us serve him better, will it not?"

"I understand, Chief Guard.

But I am sorry, I only arrived at my lord's side just as recently as you did.

Still, though I do not know him well, I can see that Lord Gawain differs from the other esteemed ones. He has greater dignity, but he is also kinder.

As for my lord's preferences..."

At that, the maid lightly pointed at the row of "mounts" on all fours nearby and said coldly.

"You truly have you to thank for this. Now even I know that my lord does not like riding those lowly people!"