The Gates of Mary Geoise

"Let's get the Merfolk back to the Ryugu Kingdom quickly, then find somewhere to train my Conqueror's Haki..."

Gawain muttered to himself before looking around.

Sure enough, fifteen people were still standing.

Eight of them were his own guards, members of the Army personal guard unit the Five Elders had assigned to him. Their overall caliber truly deserved to be called excellent.

Gawain estimated that if these guards who remained standing became pirates, they could at least earn bounties of two to three hundred million Beli.

As he assessed them, Gawain beckoned to those still on their feet.

"Everyone who can still stand."

He wore a stern, unsmiling expression as he spoke gravely.

"No matter whose subordinates you were before, stand before me now!"

As soon as his words fell, Gawain's men immediately dropped to one knee before him.

As for the seven remaining members of the blocking group, after pondering for a moment, they ultimately stepped out from their group and stood before Gawain.

Looking at Gawain's cold face, which radiated immense pressure, then at their companions sprawled across the ground.

While marveling inwardly at Gawain's Conqueror's Haki, they too knelt down one after another, like dumplings dropping into a pot.

Seeing their choice to submit, Gawain nodded, then shook his head.

Before they could figure out what that shake of his head meant, Gawain softly continued his orders.

"Take Mjosgard and these Fish-Men. We're heading to the Airport as quickly as possible!"

"Yes, sir!" all fifteen replied in unison.

They each selected targets according to their size. Those three or four meters tall carried more people, while the shorter ones shouldered fewer.

After one person was assigned to carry Mjosgard on his back, there was still one guard left, and he came before Gawain.

"Lord Gawain, the slaves have all fainted under the influence of your Conqueror's Haki. Please allow me to bear your sacred body!"

"There's no point in carrying me. You all know Soru or Geppo, right? If you do, just grab me and get to the Gates of Mary Geoise as soon as possible!"

Gawain gave the order decisively. His words brought a flicker of hesitation to the guard's eyes, but only for a moment before he grabbed Gawain and used Geppo.

Gawain and the Merfolk soared into the sky, and in less than five minutes, they saw Mary Geoise's East Gate.

When Gawain looked toward those enormous gates, he also saw the head maid Brooke standing before them, stars practically shining from her eyes.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The guards landed one after another. The moment he touched down, Gawain asked the eagerly awaiting Brooke.

"Brooke?"

"I'm here, my lord!"

Brooke nodded happily. As she approached Gawain with the maids, she presented the items she had been holding.

"After learning that you had decided to travel with Saint Mjosgard, I hurriedly made some things for you and rushed to wait at the Gates of Mary Geoise!

Although you are a noble Celestial Dragon, my lord, if you do not wear traditional attire and a bubble helmet, foolish lower-class people may fail to recognize your sacred status.

To avoid that, I altered several coats in the style of Marine officers. I hope you'll be pleased with my workmanship!"

As her words ended, Brooke watched Gawain's eyes expectantly. Before he could speak, however, several excited voices rang out behind him.

"Eh? Lord Gawain is getting new clothes?"

"It's a white coat. It looks just like the Admirals'!"

"This one is even prettier. It looks more imposing than the Fleet Admiral's coat."

"Lord Gawain, put it on already! We really want to see how handsome you'll look in it!"

That was right, the voices came from the Merfolk. After riding through the air on the guards' Geppo and being blasted by the wind for several minutes, they had long since awakened from their unconsciousness.

Beside them, after hearing the Merfolk's flippant, cheerful tones, an angry vein immediately bulged on Brooke's fair forehead!

Brooke shot the Merfolk a fierce glare.

"My lord, where did these slaves come from? How dare they be so disrespectful toward you? I must, on your behalf..."

Ahem!

Gawain coughed twice and patted Brooke's shoulder, exposed beyond her maid uniform.

"That's enough, Brooke. I'm looking forward to your craftsmanship. Help me put it on."

"E-E-E-Eh?

I... I get to put it on you?!!

It would be my greatest honor!"

Brooke instantly forgot the Merfolk's rudeness. Happily spreading out the coat, she stood on tiptoe and draped it over Gawain's shoulders.

As Brooke adjusted his collar, Gawain looked himself over.

He wore a crisp white suit beneath a white officer's coat. The cuffs bore intertwined gold-and-black patterns, while a black Celestial Dragon emblem was pinned before its folded high collar.

It was the emblem painted upon the Empty Throne: five spheres linked together by an upright cross.

At the same time, Gawain glanced behind him.

Sure enough, an even larger Celestial Dragon emblem adorned the back of his coat.

Gawain could not help but smile. He really did look somewhat like a Marine officer now.

The only difference was that he did not bear justice on his back.

All in all, Gawain was truly pleased with this outfit. Given his status and what he intended to do next, excessively flashy or unconventional clothes did not suit him.

The most solemn and popular officer's coat in the region was indeed the most suitable and best choice for him.

Nodding in satisfaction, Gawain's smile gradually widened. He even raised a hand and ruffled Brooke's soft long hair again.

Behind Gawain, all the Merfolk cupped their hands around their mouths and made a string of comments like, "He's so elegant!"

As for Brooke, while enjoying Gawain's caress, she bit her lip and decided, Since these Merfolk have such good taste, I'll overlook their rudeness for now~.

Unfortunately, Brooke did not get to enjoy it for long. Soon, the guards responsible for guarding the gates approached.

Mjosgard took the initiative to meet the guards and ordered.

"Open the gates. Clan Head Gawain and I have business to attend to!"

"Yes, sir!"

The guards did not question him. The Gates of Mary Geoise immediately opened.

Looking at the steep staircase before the gates, with more than two hundred and seventy steps, Gawain released Brooke and said.

"Go home. While I'm gone, I'll leave the Gawain Family in your care."

"Yes, my lord!"

Brooke nodded with a flushed face, then led the maids toward the Merfolk.

Watching Brooke leave, Gawain turned back to the guards who had brought them here and said.

"Since all of you came with me to the gates, follow me beyond Mary Geoise from here on and temporarily protect Mjosgard and me."

At that, Gawain paused, then deliberately emphasized.

"Especially you seven!

As Alrewyn's and Truigada's subordinates, even if the reason you helped me was that you followed the orders of a fellow Celestial Dragon after they fell unconscious.

Once you return, things still won't go well for you in front of them. They don't care about rules or reasons, do they?"

After speaking, Gawain ignored their replies and walked out through the gates on his own.

Immediately afterward, all fifteen guards followed in Gawain's footsteps without hesitation.

At the same time, while Gawain was giving orders to the guards who had not fainted, Brooke also held her head high as she approached the Merfolk.

"Although I don't know where my lord found so many Merfolk.

But since my lord has decided to take you along, there is no need for me to assign additional maids to his side.

You must fulfill your duties properly and take good care of my lord's meals and daily needs!

Also, I prepared several extra sets of clothes for my lord. Since time was short, you will need to make more clothes for him afterward!"

"Hm?"

"U-Understood!"

"Leave it to... us?"

The Merfolk were clearly bewildered. They dazedly accepted the clothes handed over by the maids. Tris, the one with the red fish tail, had lucidly intended to say something, but Gawain had already set off.

Putting aside their doubts, the Merfolk hurried after Gawain. It was only a few dozen steps, but when they truly passed through the Gates of Mary Geoise, they all burst into tears.

Breathing in the air, still thick with the scent of the sea despite being so high in the sky, and seeing that expanse of blue in the distance once more.

For the first time, the Merfolk realized that they did not actually like the sun in the sky all that much. What they loved more was the ocean that had always embraced and nurtured them.

They were emotional, optimistic, somewhat single-minded, and carefree.

But they truly missed home.